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Sunswift III- the present
...r of sponsors, many of the costs to our team are significantly reduced. The major cost is the solar array which drastically increases in price as efficiency increases (and every team wants the most efficie...
Past Vehicles
...embarked on the TopCell Project to manufacture buried contact solar cells and construct a new solar array. This makes the UNSW SRT the first and only team to have made their own solar cells. In conjunction...
Recent weekend work
Last weekend saw quite a lot of work accomplished by the team. So far, we have only ever run our car with batteries and solar power. We wanted to see how our car would perform using only the power from the solar array (with the batteries removed). This required a fair amount of modifcation by the......ies and solar power. We wanted to see how our car would perform using only the power from the solar array (with the batteries removed). This required a fair amount of modifcation by the elec team, but even...
TopCell Project Finished
The Topcell team finished making solar cell for the car - 7000 19.5% efficient Buried Contact Solar Cells all made by hand by UNSW engineering students.First prototype panel
The first prototype solar panel laminates have successfully been made in their new, custom vacuum mould. These large (1-2 sq. metres each) laminates are shaped for low aerodynamic drag.Panel Encapsulation
The entire Sunswift array has now been encapsulated into panels. The panels will now be assembled into an array with UNSW Sunswift II's unique aerodynamic shape.The entire Sunswift array has now been encapsulated into panels. The panels will now be assembled into an array with ...
Team History
...T embarked on the TopCell project -- an ambitious plan to manufacture 4,000 solar cells for a new array. The manufacture of solar cells was (and still is) a world first for any solar car team. In addit...
Race Day 1 - Sunday
Summary
We started off without a hitch, so much so we decided to take a nap about 2 hours in just to give some of the other teams a fighting chance. In reality we stopped for a driver change and to fix up the telemetry data, which got knocked out. We managed to gain back our position and are currently in 8th place, with MIT being the only silicon car ahead of us. We’re optimistic our quality aerodynamic design and sophisticated strategy algorithms will narrow the gap tomorrow.
Another piece of bad news is that the solar car bumped up against our Lead vehicle on the way out of Darwin. It seems a little part of the array was damaged, which we’re very disappointed about. We’re just happy we made it out of Darwin okay, it is a very hectic scene with 30 solar car teams (and their fleets) making their way out on a public road. Lots of overtaking put a lot of stress on Control and the Solar Car lead to a small collision.
Mechanical
The Mech guys are very happy to report that the only mechanical issue encountered during the day was our spats coming loose. This happened because the tape we used failed from the heat. A quick 5-minute stop solved this issue for the rest of the day.
Electrical
We diagnosed the array damaged and only had to bypass 3 out of 400 cells. There was also a minor wiring issue, which caused some shorting, however that was fixed quickly after it was diagnosed.
...olar car bumped up against our Lead vehicle on the way out of Darwin. It seems a little part of the array was damaged, which we’re very disappointed about. We’re just happy we made it out of Darwin oka...
Bottom shell released!
Today we took a big step forward in our WSC09 campaign, with the release of the bottom shell from its mould.
Over the last week, team members have been working night and day at our Partners, Boeing Aerostructure Australia, to build the most complicated carbon-fibre part that we will need: the bottom shell. This component supports the suspension, steering, driver, batteries, solar array and every other part of the car in what is known as a monocoque design. Campbell McLaren, the team member who analysed the structure, looked on nervously as we pulled it out, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw that the surface finish was so good! Soon, various stiffeners will be bonded into the bottom shell, and we will be able to see IVy on the road for the first time.... need: the bottom shell. This component supports the suspension, steering, driver, batteries, solar array and every other part of the car in what is known as a monocoque design. Campbell McLaren, the team ...
Better Know a World Solar Challenge: The Fleet
We have 6 cars in the Sunswift fleet, who are all assigned to UHF channel 14. Their names and roles are as follows (and travel southbound in this order):
Scout aka ‘The Gopher’
Scout is responsible for ‘scouting’ ahead of the fleet for road obstacles and potential overtaking manoeuvres. Scout also tends to floor it ahead of control stops to scout for petrol stations so that the fleet can get refuelled and out of the control stop in the 30 minutes given by the regulations. Scout is quick and nimble and gets tasked with acquiring anything the fleet needs at a moments notice.
Lead aka ‘The Toolbox’
Lead has the tilter-trailer (the rig we use to attach the array onto and tilt towards the sun to charge the batteries – this tilting provides a massive boost in power after we have to top at 5pm each day to set up camp). Lead is responsible for calling oncoming traffic, and its presence required by regulations. It provides a controlled buffer between the solar car and the rest of the Stuart Highway. In addition they carry our generator and a lot of the toolboxes we need for camp.
Solar Car aka ‘The Pretty One’
You’ve seen the pictures and will see many more as internet connectivity improves. Our drivers are Clara and Alex, and have the arduous task of driving the solar car upwards of 70km/h on a highway in 30+ degree heat. Some air comes in to keep the car cool, but if too much did it would increase the drag of the solar car – which ultimately would mean they would be driving for longer to reach Adelaide.
Control aka ‘The Master of Ceremonies’
Aside from having the job of ensuring the solar car’s safety, Control direct the car at every movement. All radio communications goes the Control and they run the show. In addition our strategy guys are housed in the back of Control and provide the optimum speed for the solar car to travel at, taking into consideration sunlight, weather, topography, battery charge, amongst other things. They monitor the telemetry systems to make sure everything inside the solar car is working as it should be, from the motor controller temperature to the tyre pressure, Control monitors it all.
Trailer aka ‘The Suitcase’
Trailer carries our trailer for transporting IVy, but also fills the important role of calling overtaking vehicles. It’s important that Control know there is a car wanting to overtake, and having Trailer 500m behind Control allows for some time to make sure it is safe. Trailer also carries all our swags, luggage and spare tyres.
Cavalry aka The Cavalry.
Sam, Tim and Scotty are affectionately called the Cavalry as this is the most appropriate name we could think of. They are not technically part of Sunswift’s WSC ’09 team however they travel along with us and provide advice and assistance with things like safety procedures. Tom and Scotty have both been on WSC ’07 and so having their experience around is invaluable. And Sam is just generally awesome to have around.
That’s it for now folks. I’ll try get a few more “Better Know a World Solar Challenge” posts up before the end of the race.
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Lead aka ‘The Toolbox’
Lead has the tilter-trailer (the rig we use to attach the array onto and tilt towards the sun to charge the batteries – this tilting provides a massive boost in ...
