Concept and Development: This project connects two ideas.
A solar engine requiring less than full direct sunlight
and a pendulum motion for a simple animation where both can take
advantage
of back-lighting offered by the window environment.
A solar animated stained glass .... if it works.
It starts with the mechanics
and a Dollar Store
Sumo Wrestler
as the Movement Source
Functional Parts List
A small solar cell powers a circuit that sends a timed pulse to a coil repelling a magnet creating movement ..
... parts carefully removed
Step one reconfigured the electronics from Mr Sumo
to fit
within a
1.25 by .75 inch cylindrical body.
Fabricate an acrylic cylinder containing both the electronics and mechanics within the inner shell
Component locations
Window mounting bracket Drawing (blue)
Fabrication Started
At one time I had access to a CNC laser but for this ...I make do with tools I make from other tools... In this case the drawing is printed on a big paper lable, then applied to a piece of .095 acrylic. The drawing shows shows centers where 1/8th inch holes are drilled
I modified my router table to cut circles in materials with an eighth inch hole as a center
Straight lines cut on the tablesaw with my best plastics blade.
Snug fit the solar "engine", sanded to a matt finish,
added the suction cup and off-sets to make all parallel to the window.
Parts...
Wires in place & electronic parts bonded to the inner cylinder
Testing: a small magnet attached to a strip of mylar near the coil to see that the circuit is working... .
Adjustable Pendulum
Prototype Completed
The prototype "engine" works pretty smoothly.
I'll be working on the animation art next .
Thanks for your interest in my process
Click below for a quick video showing the basic motion of the proto-engine
.png)
