Publications

A method for measuring the velocity of a passing object by recording the voltage induced by a magnet fixed to that object is explored in this article. Both theory and applications are discussed along with the strengths and limitations of the technique.

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This memo documents the methodology and results from the modal tests conducted on the ganged heliostat prototype in April of 2016. Modal tests were conducted on the ganged heliostat prototype constructed at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) to describe the structures dynamics and examine how the first few modes of vibration may be excited during wind events. This memo documents the experimental test setup and results including natural frequencies and damping estimates for each test conducted along with some preliminary wind excitation analysis.

Throughout the development cycle of structural components or assemblies that require new and unproven manufacturing techniques, the issue of unit to unit variability inevitably arises. The challenge of defining dynamic similarity between units is a problem that is often overlooked or forgotten, but can be very important depending on the functional criteria of the final product. This work aims to provide some guidance on the approach to such a problem, utilizing different methodologies from the modal and vibration testing community. Expanding on previous efforts, a non-intrusive dynamic characterization test is defined to assess similarity on an assembly that is currently being developed. As the assembly is qualified through various test units, the same data sets are taken to build a database of “similarity” data. The work presented here will describe the challenges observed with defining similarity metrics on a multi-body structure with a limited quantity of test units. Also, two statistical characterizations of dynamic FRFs are presented from which one may choose criterion based on some judgment to establish whether units are in or out of family. The methods may be used when the “intended purpose” or “functional criteria” are unknown.

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Heliostat vibrations due to wind loading can degrade optical pointing accuracy while fatiguing the structural components. This paper reports the use of structural dynamic measurements for design evaluation and monitoring of heliostat vibrations. A heliostat located at the national solar thermal testing facility (NSTTF) at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been instrumented to measure its modes of vibration, strain and displacements under wind loading. The information gained from these tests will be used to evaluate and improve structural models that predict the motions/deformations of the heliostat due to gravitational and dynamic wind loadings. These deformations can cause optical errors and motions that degrade the performance of the heliostat. The main contributions of this work include: (1) demonstration of the role of structural dynamic tests (also known as modal tests) to provide a characterization of the important dynamics of the heliostat structure as they relate to durability and optical accuracy, (2) the use of structural dynamic tests to provide data to evaluate and improve the accuracy of computer-based design models, and (3) the selection of sensors and data-processing techniques that are appropriate for long-term monitoring of heliostat motions. This work also demonstrates the first measurements of rigid body modes of vibration associated with heliostat drive (azimuth and elevation) mechanisms, which are important structural dynamic response characteristics in dynamic design of heliostats.

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