Surely this gentleman would welcome using a solar powered wheelchair?
We have previously reported on solar panels
on top of carports in public car parks in the USA and on the top of
ambulances here in the UK but now we have heard about a solar powered
wheelchair being designed.
n fact, the retractable panelled wheelchair was designed by some
students at the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and
Applied Science in the USA. In fact, the wheelchair was entered into a
competition called “ Change My World In One Minute” for this year’s
World Cerebral Palsy Day and has come first winning $20,000 for which
the design team are to be commended.
There are 17 million people in the world who have cerebral palsy that
is a disability affecting movement in the body of varying degrees.
In the main, the wheelchair was constructed at the National Institute
of Aerospace’s Research and Innovation Laboratories Facility in Hampton
with the idea coming from the design features seen on the roofs of
convertible cars that retract. The wheelchair has been built using
lightweight materials but that are still very strong. In addition,
extremely efficient solar cells and custom made solar panels have been
used. The solar panels take up an area of about one square meter but do
not significantly add to the dimensions or weight of the wheelchair.
It has to be said that the performance of the wheelchair is most
impressive. When travelling at a commendable speed of 5mph it can run
for in excess of 4 and ½ hours when the battery is fully charged. What
is interesting is that the solar panels have increased the range by over
40% when compared to a wheelchair operating just off the battery as
opposed to this one that is “topped up” via the solar panels. What is
also fascinating is that if the wheelchair was just powered by the solar
panels without any involvement of the battery it could operate
constantly at a speed of 1 mph.
The wheelchair operates using one switch so is easy to control and it
has all the usual features such as an adjustable seat, armrest,
footrest and a seatbelt. In also comes with USB power outlets enabling
things like mobile phones and tablet computers to be charged up. The
solar panel cover is ideal to keep off the rain and the sun.
Will this solar powered wheelchair be produced commercially?
My name is Peter Noble – I am a renewable energy consultant. I
specialise in the evaluation of proposed domestic or commercial sites
for solar panel installation.
Email me on: peter.noble@solarpanelsuk.co.uk.
Source : Solar Panels UK , 5 June 2013
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