Week 07/17-22

This week was a much calmer week for me. I did research on linear motors, estimated the necessary force and power needed for propulsion of the bogie, and talked with a potential sponsor for linear motors. Unfortunately, after getting a quote on the cost for linear motors, it was decided that the team should not pursue such technology and focus on rotary motors instead (also, the team has very little experience with such technology, and since they have only two months here, they  would not have enough time). Alxeandre is thinking about charting out the course for his summer work as follows: 1. Assemble a model of the cabin, 2. Make a test power of the cabin with a direct plug, and 3. Make the framework for wayside electrification.

Week 07/10-07/15

What a week! On monday, I got ready for the conferance, on Tuesday, I gave the presentation at the conferance. On wednesday, i started to co-oridnate with Jon Pan about regenerative braking systems. On Thursday and friday, I started preliminary research on linear motors as well as assisting the French with their PowerPoint. It seems that we will be doing research to see if linear motors are pragmatic for the Spartan Superway. Linear motors are like unfolded AC motors, in which a rotor will move in a linear motion alongside a stator. So far, my research reports that such systems are Linear motors reduce the overall weight of the bogie, allow for tighter radial stearing, are much more quiet, and work much better with Regenerative braking systems. Currently, the future looks bright, and I am excited to see what happens!


An example of a linear motor

ASES

WOW!!!!! I had an amazing time at the ASES solar 2016 conference. I met alot of people from all aspects about  different companies of solar, One company that stood out was a Japanese company called I-pals that did quantitative shadow analysis, something that I found as highly relevant to my paper. I was also interested in the green city of Freiburg.

The Freiburg presentation

My favorite part of the journey was when I gave my presentation. I felt as if I had just passed a major milestone in my life, and I hope I did a good job!




After the presentations, I hung out in fisherman's wharf with the French interns, we all had alot of fun.

Alexandre's girlfriend with an intern we meet

Wrap up of research

This week was the most productive, stressful, and enjoyable one I have had in the superway. First, I modeled the entire South campus guideway over the weekend. Then, I performed shadow analysis over this week. Now, all I have to do is finish up my paper, make my presentation, and create the poster.



An example of the Superway model


An example of the shadow analysis on the stadium

Week 5: It actually happenned

Finally! After much waiting, my group was finally able to get the terrain data. Soon enough, our friends at encitra generated a terrain map of downtown San Jose. Furthermore, I have been assigned to work on modeling the guideway. It has been decided that I will base the route design off of the civil team's. I have already started work, and I just need to keep going

An picture of the Civil team's map is on top, and a picture of the guideway/terrain model is on the bottom.

For the next week, I will focus on creating the route, performing shadow analysis, and finishing my paper. Anyways, in one week, everything should be finished, and I am defiantly excited for the future!