HELIOTROPE 1996

Envoyer Imprimer PDF

 

INNOVATION

Specific custom-made DC brushless wheel-motor and controller ; innovative general layout increasing solar electricity generation by 15% under World Solar Challenge conditions -all other things being equal- ; body-chassis shell made of carbon-epoxide composite materials ; self-orienting wheel-fairings

TECHNICAL

Three-wheeler (side-car motorcycle type layout), body-chassis shell made of carbon-epoxide composite material ; removable wing tilted at 2O° (with bearing wheel) and attached to the right or the left side of the main section ; on-line data acquisition, data and voice radio-transmission ; maximum solar speed 75Km/hr

CHASSIS - BODY

• Length : 5400mm, Width : 2000mm, Height : 1000mm
• Wheelbase : 2400mm, Track : 1000 mm, Weight : 290Kg
• Front area : 0.90m2 ; Drag Coefficient : 0.12 (theoretical)
• Custom-made telescopic suspensions with oleopneumatic adjustable spring/dampers, redundant hydraulic brakes (rim calipers), custom-made aluminium wheels (double disk)
• 65/80-16 radial tyres (510kPa), ultra-low rolling resistance

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

• Specific custom-made DC brushless wheel-motor and controller,
nominal power : 1200W at 800rpm, global efficiency : 92%
• Batteries : Lead-acid, 2.2kWh, 77Kg
• Photovoltaic generator : 7.9 m2, silicon cells (16.5%), 8 Solectria Maximum Power Trackers, theoretical power : 1128W at 1000W/m2 (measured peak power : 1430W)

BUDGET

US$ 350,000 direct cost    + free contributions : US$ 250,000 circa    [1996 US$]

ACHIEVEMENTS

First french sunracer ever to enter the World Solar Challenge (Darwin to Adelaide : 3,000 Km Solar-Electric Race, Australia), in October 1996 - Third Prize “Silicon/Lead Acid class” (out of 27 competitors)
 

TYPE A

Heliotrope
CadCam Image
World Solar
Challenge 1996