Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #00393
To: TurtleTek@aol.com
From: Bob Shannon bshannon@tiac.net
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 18:52:06 -0800
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Shielding SolarCells
TurtleTek@aol.com wrote:
>
> Greetings List,
>
> As I am in the process of building my second photovore (yeah, I'm a slow
> builder) I notice how fragile the solar cells are. I was at a site once that
> had the solar cells on the photovores protected by laminating them onto metal
> sheets. I don't remember but I think it was Bob Shannon's site. I'd really
> like to know how this is done as I plan to use it in my future photovore
> designs. Are there any other methods that any of have used?
Yes sir, that was my site.
I laminate the cells into some very thin aliminum sheet (originally sold
as roof flashing) with 5 minute two part epoxy.
I notch out the metal sheet for the electrical connections, then lightly
scratch the aluminum where I want to bond to the cell. Then spread out
a thin coat of well mixed epoxy and place the solar cell in position.
I usually place a weight onto the laminated cell while the expoxy sets,
a 1/2 inch socket (~13 mm) or similar chunk of metal with a flat surface
works well.
These laiminated cells are very tough. I had a cat attack my BeamPark,
and nearly destroy Slab-o-vorus, breaking a motor shaft clean off at the
body of the motor.
The dammaged 'bot was found 10 feet from the park, with one drive wheel
missing.
The cell was undammaged. After the motor was replaced, the 'vore was
back to 100% health.
The Uni-slab construction method is amazingly strong and light.
You can see this construction method on Slab-o-vorus, Photo-flea, and
Vore-n-more.
I am currently building some 'warm blooded' photovores with polysilicon
solar cells using a varient of the Uni-slab construction technique.
This delivers nearly constant motion rather than the popping motion of
current photovores.
When its ready, I'll post construction information for 'Photovorus
Maximus', and its ultra-light 200 milliamper laminated polysilicon solar
array (5 Radioshack cells).
The Uni-slab technique can make polysilicon cells tougher than the
Panasonic cells without any power to weight ratio disadvantage. In
fact, the power to weight ratio seems to be much higher than amorphous
cell based bots!
If you want predatory bots, here's a way to get the juice you need in a
small, lightweight package.
Say, has anyone experimented with adding some suspension to their bots
yet?
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