Author Topic: Low-power, low-load rotary actuator?  (Read 1291 times)

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Offline cyborgemuTopic starter

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Low-power, low-load rotary actuator?
« on: March 31, 2010, 10:33:26 AM »
Greetings.

I am working on a prototype of a small, stationary robot powered by a very small PV cell trickle charging a capacitor array. I'm having problems finding the right part to use as a status indicator, however. LEDs draw too much current for this device. I'm imagining a very small rotary motor or actuator which steps forward with each capacitor discharge. The motor's load will be a small color-coded plastic strip. It only needs to complete one revolution per day.

Does anyone have any ideas about a low-cost solution to this problem?

Many thanks.

Offline Soeren

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Re: Low-power, low-load rotary actuator?
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2010, 02:46:56 PM »
Hi,

LEDs draw too much current for this device.
An LED could be made to flash with a short flash and a long pause. Average consumption with a 15mA 100ms flash twice a minute would be 50µA.


I'm imagining a very small rotary motor or actuator which steps forward with each capacitor discharge. The motor's load will be a small color-coded plastic strip. It only needs to complete one revolution per day.
You may wanna do a search for BEAM robotics.
Regards,
Søren

A rather fast and fairly heavy robot with quite large wheels needs what? A lot of power?
Please remember...
Engineering is based on numbers - not adjectives

Offline nottoooily

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Re: Low-power, low-load rotary actuator?
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2010, 03:25:00 AM »
LCD. You could just get an old watch.


Offline Soeren

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Re: Low-power, low-load rotary actuator?
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2010, 10:43:55 AM »
Hi,

LCD. You could just get an old watch.
Yes, absolutely the best and leanest idea!
Regards,
Søren

A rather fast and fairly heavy robot with quite large wheels needs what? A lot of power?
Please remember...
Engineering is based on numbers - not adjectives

 


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