Applied technology Electrical & electronic Connecting with a solar car Actuators for dewatering units E
Electronic components from Molex have been selected by the University of Michigan's UMsolar team for their Quantum car. The solar car will be taking place in the 2011 World Solar Challenge, a week long race which starts on the 16th October and runs from Darwin to Adelaide – a journey of over 1800 miles through the Australian outback.
According to the company, the interconnect products have been selected to address the challenging engineering and performance requirements, where space is at a premium and reliability essential. As a result, the car features the compact MX150 Sealed Connector System, a high-performance, submersible interconnect solution for automotive, off-road and other harsh duty applications. The system supports low-level signal and power applications. Also in use is the MX150L Connector System, which is suitable for low- level signal applications as well as
power applications. Suitable for rugged, non-automotive applica- tions, the connectors can be modified to meet UV and water resistance requirements for solar and other outdoor applications. The solar powered car is also using the Mini MI II System, a space saving solution designed for use in high density wire harness applications. Available in wire-to- board and wire-to-wire options with different custom lengths and wire configurations, this provides the same 1.5 amperes of current as similar 2.00mm (.079") pitch sys- tems, but in a more compact design, explains the company. UMsolar is a student-run organisation that designs and builds solar-powered vehicles. Established in 1990, the team has built ten vehicles and is the reign- ing champion of the North American Solar Challenge, a race it has won three times in a row. Molex
www.molex.com
Enter 202
lectric control valve actuators from Rotork are being used on packaged oil-water separator (dewatering) units at a refinery in Antwerp. The dewatering units use a passive gravity-flow technique for separating oil and solids from waste water in storage tanks. Specially designed coalescing plates manipulate the flow of water, forcing the oil to the top and enabling the solids to sink to the bottom, whilst the cleaned water passes through and can be released into the environment. The explosion-proof CVA actuators have been installed to guard against accidental oil spillages or contamination that could occur if the power or the control signal to the unit is interrupted. These immediately close valves on the water outlet and oil return lines if the power or signal is lost. Super-capacitors are used on the actuator to enable failsafe operation, and program- ming this operation is a standard part of the CVA’s non-intrusive commissioning routine, simplifying instrumentation requirements. Rotork also promoted the adoption of a linear valve design for the application. With
a stroke of only 7mm, the linear valve fully closes in only 1.5 seconds. The actuators also include built-in data logging, providing diagnostics to reduce the risk of unplanned process interruption. Rotork Process Controls T: 01225 733200
www.rotork.com Enter 203
IT INFRASTRUCTURE Enter 4
SOFTWARE & SERVICES
www.rittal.co.uk
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