Lab 10 – Performance Test 3 – Energy Optimization

Summary

The purpose of Lab 10 was for teams to continue testing their AEV designs in order to make progress towards a vehicle capable of completing the tasks outlined in the MCR while using a minimal amount of energy. Although the Arduino code developed during lab 09 was functional and consistent in completing the Mission Concept Review, there was significant room for improvement when it came to energy efficiency. Lab 10 consisted of team K analyzing its Arduino code from lab 09 and deciding on how the code could be improved both in terms of consistency and energy efficiency. The entirety of Lab 10 was spent optimizing the code and testing the AEV on the track.

The first order of business during lab 10 was to copy the existing, working Arduino code and save it so that if the new changes to the code caused problems, they could easily be reverted. Next, the team decided to make a small change to the physical vehicle that would increase performance overall and reduce energy usage. The change made was reversing the propellers so that the side with the text was facing outward rather than in the direction of travel. This change was predicted to greatly increase the energy efficiency when carrying the caboose because the propellers are much more efficient when travelling in the direction of the text. The next change made was a change in the approach to programming the AEV. The way the team had the code set up had the AEV’s motors running at medium power settings for extended periods of time, which used a lot of energy. The team changed the code so that the AEV would power up its motors to high motor speeds for a very short period of time, giving it enough velocity to coast the remainder of the distance it needed to travel. This change was expected to reduce the total energy usage, as the propellers are more efficient at high motor speeds. The two changes to the from a programming and physical perspective were expected to improve the energy efficiency of the vehicle.

Takeaways

  1. Reversing the propellers on the AEV improved energy efficiency and performance, so the team will continue with the propellers reversed.
  2. Changing the code to use short bursts of high motor speed rather than consistently running at low to medium motor speeds improved energy efficiency and track performance and will continue to be the technique used by team k.
  3. The servo motor braking system conserved a noticeable amount of energy when reviewing the data collected using the data analysis tool. Therefore, team k feels that utilizing the servo motor as a brake was an effective decision.

Schedule

Meeting Notes

Date: 8 April 2017

Time: 7:00 P.M. (Remote – Skype)

Members Present: Gonzalo Diago, Trevor McDowell, Ryan Born, Khalid Musa

Topics Discussed:Lab 11 Progress Report & Lab 11

Objective:

Today, the group met in order to discuss the Lab 11 progress report, recap on what occurred in class over the last week, and assign tasks for Lab 11

To Do:

  • Prepare for the CDR (KM, GD, TM, RB)
  • Begin work on the final video (KM, GD, TM, RB)

Timeline/Schedule

– The group will meet on Monday, April 10th to further discuss Lab 11, and how the group should move forward.

-Throughout the week, the portfolio will be updated when team members have free time.

Decisions Made

  • The group will meet on Monday, April 10th to discuss how the group would like to move forward for Lab 11
  • The group has also divided parts for the CDR presentation
  • The group will work to finalize their run for the AEV as the group almost has it perfected

Reflection

Last week for the group went very well, the group was able to meet remote, and finish the progress report. The group successfully completed what was required in Lab 10, which was optimizing the energy output of the vehicle. The group was also able to reconfigure the design in order to adopt a coasting method to the vehicle instead of running at a constant power input. This allowed the group to be much more efficient.