This exciting primer on Solar Racing literally starts from the ground up, describing how the interactions of a vehicle with its environment circumscribe its ultimate success, from aerodynamics to resistance and propulsion. By demonstrating how to mathematically model these underlying physical phenomena, the author helps solar racing competitors carefully select key characteristics of the vehicle, such as weight and shape, to produce optimal speed. Energy conversion and demand are given particular attention, followed by chapters devoted to examining solar racers’ design, manufacture and testing using a structured problem-solving process to keep projects on track and on schedule. A chapter devoted to energy management strategies provides invaluable tips on maximizing average speed during a race. Complex issues such as ventilation system analysis and performance simulation are covered in dedicated appendices. The financial aspect of project design is not neglected, as both fund-raising and cost estimation are given in-depth consideration.
Author(s): Eric Forsta Thacher (auth.)
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Year: 2015
Language: English
Pages: 466
Tags: Renewable and Green Energy; Automotive Engineering; Energy Technology
Front Matter....Pages i-xxv
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Interactions with the Atmosphere and Road....Pages 5-37
Interaction with the Sun....Pages 39-79
Storing Electric Energy....Pages 81-98
Electric Motor Drives....Pages 99-124
Electric Power Conversion and Distribution....Pages 125-135
Instrumentation....Pages 137-144
Solar Racer—Specification....Pages 145-156
Solar Racer—Concept Generation and Selection....Pages 157-182
Solar Racer—Detailed Design....Pages 183-211
Solar Racer—Construction....Pages 213-244
Testing....Pages 245-274
Energy Management....Pages 275-293
Fund Raising and Public Relations....Pages 295-302
A Solar Car-Based Learning Community....Pages 303-314
American Solar Challenge™ Regulations....Pages 315-352
The Drag Build-up Method....Pages 353-369
Ventilation System Analysis....Pages 371-388
Performance Simulation....Pages 389-406
Rolling Resistance Calculation....Pages 407-413
Stability Calculations....Pages 415-444
Structural Load Estimation....Pages 445-457
Nomenclature....Pages 459-463
Back Matter....Pages 465-466
