Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #05251



To: "beam@sgiblab.sgi.com" beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Craig Maynard cybug@home.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 16:24:31 -0600
Subject: [alt-beam] Chloroplast Solar Engine


Here's a cool new type of Solar Engine I tinkered together about six
weeks ago. I call it the "Chloroplast Solar Engine"

I've been hearing a lot of discussion recently on problems with the
traditional SE's and I have been having great success with this new
type of solar engine.

Some of it's features which makes it unique from the other SE's are...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Maintains a minimum voltage of around 5 Volts, useful for
maintaining digital logic or microprocessor circuits.

- Has a hysteresis from 5-7 Volts which is adjustable to suit the
designers needs. This "bonus voltages" is discharged across the motor,
but discharging stops when the minimum threshold voltage ( around 5V )
is reached.

- Has more punch at a higher voltage than other solar engines,
making it
suitable for larger, torquier motors, such as those used on the CYBUG.

- Uses only two three-pin devices and two resistors available from
most electronics retailers.

- Has no lock-up bugs.

- Very simple to free-form.

- Is very inexpensive.

- Extremely low quiescent current ( about 25 micro amps or less)

- Works the capacitor at closer to capacitor rated voltage for
greater
efficiency.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a theory of operation and a quick gif file on how you can
free-form your own Chloroplast at
http://members.home.com/cybug/Chloro/chloro~1.htm and would welcome all
comments and suggestions.

Try 'er out!

Craig Maynard

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