Engineering TV : Civil

Westech Solar Integrative Controller

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:50:00 GMT

The operation of a Westech solar collector is as follows: Solar radiation is absorbed by the evacuated tubes and converted into heat. Heat pipes conduct the heat from within the solar tube up to the header. Water is circulated through the header via intermittent pump cycling. Each time it circulates the temperature is raised by 9-18° F and throughout the day the water in the storage tank is gradually heated. The system operates automatically by using Westech's intelligent controller, detailed here. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(433 Views, 0 Comments)

Westech Solar Collector Systems

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:20:00 GMT
The Westech Evacuated Tube Solar Collector is a device that absorbs thermal energy from the sun and converts it into usable heat. The heat is normally absorbed by water, or a freeze resistant water mix, which can then be used to supplement hot water heating, space heating and even space cooling via use of an absorption chiller or desiccant cooler technology. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(730 Views, 0 Comments)

Westech Evacuated Tube Solar Collector

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:00 GMT
If you’ve ever used a glass lined thermos, you know that a vacuum is an excellent insulator. Evacuated tubes absorb solar energy and convert it into heat for use in water heating. The insulation properties are such that while the inside of the tube may be up to 300° F, the outer surface is cold to the touch. This means that evacuated tube water heaters can perform well even in cold weather when flat panel collectors suffer from heat loss. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(904 Views, 0 Comments)

Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 2

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:22:00 GMT
We continue our interview with Preet Anand about the Refract House, which uses a holistic and environmentally conscious design to produce a contemporary architectural solution using highly efficient and sustainable systems and materials. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009 combines the latest in home design and energy performance with the innovative spirit of university students from around the world. In the fall of 2009, the teams will transport their homes to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., forming a "solar village", where they will be judged in 10 different categories or challenges. Also watch this episode: Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 1. For more information, visit Refract House.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(665 Views, 0 Comments)

Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 1

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:05:00 GMT
For three weeks in October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy will host the Solar Decathlon—a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Engineering TV talks with Santa Clara University's Preet Anand about the Refract House, made in conjunction with California College of the Arts. The Refract House uses the latest in sustainable, bio-based building materials, cutting-edge thermal efficiencies, and comprehensive controls systems. Also watch this episode: Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 2. For more information, visit Refract House.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1054 Views, 2 Comments)

SolarMagic Power Optimizer

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:32:00 GMT
When it comes to solar energy, the power of the solar array is only as strong as the weakest-performing panel. And in real-world conditions, where shade is common from sources like trees, chimneys, power lines and even bird droppings, solar efficiency can be decreased significantly. In fact, as little as 10% shade on an array can result in as much as 50% lost energy. SolarMagic power optimizers maximize the energy potential of each individual panel so as much as 50% of the lost energy can be reclaimed. For more information, visit SolarMagic.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(2386 Views, 2 Comments)

ROCK Robotic Kit Missions

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:32:00 GMT
Dan Deguire from QinetiQ North America describes various missions for remote operation of Bobcat Loaders using their ROCK Robotic Kit. For example, the Loader can be sent down-range to handle large, deep-buried IEDs that require actual excavation to dislodge or a bucket to lift and remove. In Afghanistan, where there are reported to be more than 100 million mines, Bobcat Loaders could also be used to remotely render safe mines on building sites. “Other companies have roboticized individual pieces of earth-moving equipment, but until now, no one has created a universal kit that can quickly remotely control any Bobcat SJC-equipped loader used in the rough manner the military requires,” said Dr. William Ribich, President of the Technology Solutions Group. Also watch this episode: Robotic Kit for Bobcat Loaders. For more information, visit QinetiQ and Bobcat.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(820 Views, 0 Comments)

ROCK Kit Software and Hardware

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:10:00 GMT
QinetiQ North America's Dan Deguire reveals more details about the hardware, software and Symphony middlware used in the ROCK Robotic Kit. The kit’s hardened electronics are rated at 156ºF to handle the solar load in places like Iraq and Afghanistan and have passed rigorous MIL-STD-810F environmental testing. Cameras include five mounted on the roof, one in the cab and one on the vehicle looking at the load. Also watch this episode: ROCK Robotic Kit Missions. For more information, visit QinetiQ and Bobcat.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(917 Views, 0 Comments)

Walkthrough of Bobcat Loader

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:54:00 GMT
Mike Melroe takes us on a detailed tour of the Bobcat T300 Compact Track Loader that QinetiQ equipped with the ROCK Robotic Kit for AUVSI Unmanned Systems 2009. QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group has developed a kit that can be installed in about 15 minutes on any of 17 models of Bobcat skid-steer, all-wheel steer, or compact track loaders that are equipped with the Selectable Joystick Controls (SJC) option. The kit can be swapped from one SJC-equipped Bobcat loader to another by the user, allowing the mission to dictate what size machine to use along with what specific attachment works best. Also watch this episode: ROCK Kit Software and Hardware. For more information, visit QinetiQ and Bobcat.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1122 Views, 0 Comments)

Roboticizing the Bobcat Loader

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:10:00 GMT
Bobcat's Mike Melroe elaborates on the joint venture between Bobcat and QinetiQ to roboticize their line of skid steer loaders for military and industrial use in dirty and dangerous environments. QinetiQ North America’s robotic controller kit can be installed in about 15 minutes on any of 17 models of Bobcat skid-steer, all-wheel steer, or compact track loaders that are equipped with Selectable Joystick Controls (SJC). Also watch this episode: Walkthrough of Bobcat Loader. For more information, visit QinetiQ and Bobcat.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1322 Views, 0 Comments)

Robotic Kit for Bobcat Loaders

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:02:00 GMT
QinetiQ North America’s robotic controller kit (ROCK) temporarily turns a loader from Bobcat into a remotely operated “robot” capable of using more than 37 Bobcat approved attachments. Dan Deguire, QinetiQ's Senior Program Manager for Future Robotics, gives us an overview of the system as well as some of the components involved. Also watch this episode: Roboticizing the Bobcat Loader. For more information, visit QinetiQ and Bobcat.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(2839 Views, 0 Comments)

Drake Landing Solar Community

Terry Knight — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT
The Drake Landing Solar Community is a 52-home subdivision that uses the sun's energy to supply 90% of space heating and up to 70% of domestic hot water needs. The system uses 800 commercial solar collectors in conjunction with seasonal storage to store the sun's energy during the summer, and distribute heat to the homes in winter as needed. A two-collector residential solar water-heating appliance from EnerWorks is installed on each home to provide solar hot water year-round. Also watch this episode: EnerWorks Solar Water Heating. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1681 Views, 0 Comments)

Commercial Solar Water Heating Systems

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:09:00 GMT
EnerWorks Rob Singlehurst describes their commercial Solar Water Heating systems and some recent case studies where these systems have been implemented. EnerWorks designs and manufactures solar heating equipment and solar collectors for commercial, industrial and residential use and provides solar water heating solutions in applications such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, multi-family and institutional accommodations, community centers, boiler make-up water, industrial processes and commercial operations. For seasonal, off-grid installations, savings of up to 100% can be realized. Also watch this episode: Drake Landing Solar Community. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1605 Views, 3 Comments)

Electrochromic Technology for Buildings

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT
At the World Energy Engineering Congress, Engineering TV talked with John Van Dine, SAGE Electrochromics President and CEO, about the benefits of using electrochromic technology in commercial and residential buildings. With SageGlass windows and skylights, architects no longer have to abide the drawbacks associated with "static" glass – glare, unwanted heat and energy waste. Electrochromic windows also facilitate sustainable building design. SageGlass is GreenSpec-listed, and can help buildings earn multiple LEED credits (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System). Also watch this episode: SageGlass Technology. For more information, go to: SAGE Electrochromics.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1477 Views, 0 Comments)

SageGlass Technology

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT
At the touch of a button, SageGlass windows can be tinted to block the heat and glare of the sun, or untinted to let the sun shine in and provide a clear view of the world outside. SageGlass is manufactured by coating ordinary glass with five layers of thin ceramic materials (total thickness is less than 1/50th the thickness of a human hair). By applying a low voltage DC current, the ions and electrons in one layer of the coating migrate to another layer creating the darkening effect. Reversing the polarity causes the ions to migrate back to their original location and the glass “untints.” SageGlass products save energy, contribute to a more comfortable interior environment, and allow architects more daylighting design freedom. Also watch this episode: Electrochromic Technology for Buildings. For more information, go to: SAGE Electrochromics.

Have a story suggestion? Want to be featured on Engineering TV?
Send us a tip at: EngineeringTV@Penton.com!

(1376 Views, 0 Comments)