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Robot cooling

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  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2012-09-08 20:54
    FRC2370 wrote: »
    So how would this work installation wise?
    The canister(s) would need to be installed on the robot. The nozzle would need an adjustment to direct its contents. It can be hosed or not. An angle approach may work best depending on the chips orientation for best coverage. A Spin program then activates the nozzle with presets..
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-09-08 21:05
    Well, for one its running on an Arduino Uno, not a Propeller, and also, is this going to be a liquid coolant or a canister of cold air??
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2012-09-10 18:01
    http://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Super-Spray-Aerosol/dp/B0047Y9DKS

    http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Freeze-Electronic-Component-FR-777-777/dp/B000Z99ZCA/ref=pd_sbs_indust_1

    http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05002-Freeze-Off-Super-Penetrant/dp/B000TFTH00/ref=pd_sim_auto_4

    A small mechanical lever and a servo depresses the nozzle or handle. I can only speak for Propeller as I do not have the other chip. The Propeller could use one of eight Cogs to drive the servo, using code from the OBEX, with more Cogs left over for other functions. The coolant function runs independently of other functions so you can keep everything running at the same time in parallel if needed. Another Cog from the same chip could run a temperature sensor to give feedback for operating this device.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-09-11 06:09
    This seems like a bit much for air cooling, but im considering it. An arduino runs off of alnguage based on C++ with a few tweaks. How long would this last?
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-11 14:17
    The idea of periodically blasting cold air onto onto a hot motor controller may work but it seems very inefficient and the thermal shock may lead to other problems. I would pursue the fan idea unless you want the novelty factor of compressed air.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-09-11 15:10
    Yeah I'm not so sure whether or not the compressed air idea is truly necessary. The constant air stream from the fans should be sufficient as it gets colder outside
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2012-09-12 01:25
    If you have a room cooler than 80-deg. F., then a fan may be a simple solution. If the environment is already too hot, the use of a fan could be inefficient and useless and a controller could easily overheat and fail. This is why we have seen many computers fail in environments that are not air conditioned during summer months, even though the power supplies have fans. While blasts of cold air may seem a novel approach, it works well on over clocked processors and does not need to cool down the entire machine.

    Thermodynamic stress is minimized by keeping the chip, or component, at a near constant temperature. This is accomplished by programming the number of air issuances based on the ambient temperature or the chip temperature. This is also the reason for suggesting a thermometer sensor to maximize the effectiveness of this system. C++ should work well with a pin interface. On the Propeller this is very simple. The duration of the coolant supply is directly proportional to the changing gradient of can pressurization, coolant concentration, amount of coolant, amount of coolant delivered as programmed per unit time, any calculus rate of change for delivery, the ambient room temperature and any changes to ambient.

    This cryogenic system is actually very simple to implement, low cost, and is really cool! (no pun intended) You can also locate the cryo plumbing to direct the coolant as is seen fit, see example Cryo Bundle photo. There are some general cryo posts at the link. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?124495-Fill-the-Big-Brain I currently use a 400 ml canister of number 75 Fault Location Freeze which cools to -56.2 deg. F. This is made in EU by CR Industries and distributed by electronic parts stores.
    CRYO_BUNDLE.jpg

    Cryo Bundle
    227 x 297 - 13K
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-12 01:36
    The original question was about keeping Jaguar motor controllers cool inside a compartment. Circulating outside air through the compartment using fans is a great way to do this - even if the ambient temperature is over 80 def F.
  • HumanoidoHumanoido Posts: 5,770
    edited 2012-09-12 03:16
    Specs rate this one to 50 deg. C.
    http://www.ti.com/mcu/docs/mcuorphan.tsp?contentId=100442&DCMP=STELLARIS®ARM®CORTEX+Other&HQS=Other+OT+jaguar
    You could direct a fan on it and monitor the temperature during motor use and actual conditions.
    Good luck with your project!
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-09-22 14:25
    Well the jags already have exhaust vents. That started the original problem of the cabin air heating up. So since in the summer my area can range from 70-90 with varying humidity. And its at 1,500 feet on a mountain. However its getting cooler now and not really getting above 72. Is compressed worth testing next summer?
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-22 15:01
    The Jags inside an enclosed space will heat up the space they are in. If you did squirt compressed air on them that would cool them momentarily but you are still adding heat to the enclosed space. The solution is to remove the heated air from within that space and replace it with cooler air.

    Unless your space is air tight then the compressed air will force the heated air out. However a small continuously running exhaust fan and an appropriate air inlet will be a more effiecient and much simpler method of replacing the air inside the compartment.
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-09-22 22:45
    Well one thing i noticed today while doing a systems check on the robot before testing was that the two intake fans happen to blow air over the CIM motors. Some goes over and into the rest of the cabin, most of it goes around the side of the CIM and to the rest of the cabin, but a bit goes under the CIM and directly into the Jaguars air intake so since its getting colder outside, the front two jaguars have a forced induction system
  • FRC2370FRC2370 Posts: 128
    edited 2012-10-24 19:59
    Im considering using the canned air cooling idea, since my robot will be operating in an area where the people dont know the term "turn down the heat" so the ambient temperature is 80+. So maybe ther could be a way to have coolant delivered to the jaguars and arduino directly, rather than just the cabin air?
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