HYPERXITE POD IX
STATIC STRUCTURES
This year the chassis utilized 80/20 T-slot extrusions instead of the aluminum square tubes used in the previous year. This choice facilitated easier disassembly and adjustment of components. Carbon fiber plate cross sections were employed to withstand lateral forces from the linear induction motor, while aluminum gussets and flat plates ensured the secure fastening of the extrusions.
PROPULSION
This year, the pod features a 3-phase double-sided linear induction motor (LIM) harnessing electromagnetic forces for propulsion. Engineered to deliver around 1250 N of thrust, this year's model enables speeds of up to 45 mph. Distinguished by its lack of moving parts, the LIM boasts significantly enhanced energy efficiency compared to conventional motors.
DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
The dynamics subteam is dedicated to modeling the pod system dynamics, encompassing springs, dampers, and linkages. Their primary objective is to guarantee that the pod effectively absorbs impacts and swiftly stabilizes following encounters with bumps, thus mitigating vibrations that may result in parts hitting the track or becoming dislodged. This is achieved through the utilization of 6 degrees of freedom equations of motion to meticulously model the pod, subsequently simulating it in Simulink, and finally tailoring the suspension system to match.
BRAKING
The braking mechanism comprises a pneumatic actuated system composed of 8 actuators, 4 gas springs, and 4 bent plates. Its primary function is to exert a force of 6,562 N on the I-beam, facilitating the deceleration of the pod to a halt. In light of the incorporation of the new linear induction motor, the braking subsystem has been enhanced with the integration of 4 additional actuators and the utilization of gas springs of higher strength in its design.
Thermal cooling
The thermal cooling system consists of 12 air fans and 2 custom shrouds, delivering 213 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of airflow to each side of the linear induction motor. Its primary objective is to maintain the temperature of the coils below 140 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby preventing overheating and safeguarding the enamel coating of the LIM.
POWER SYSTEMS
The power system comprises a comprehensive circuit responsible for supplying power to the entire pod. This year's enhancements include the integration of a three-phase variable frequency drive, which converts 352 volts of direct current power into alternating current to effectively supply power to the Linear Induction Motor (LIM). Additionally, the pod is equipped with a battery management system to regulate cell voltage within batteries across the high-power system. Furthermore, it features a regowski coil for measuring current and thermistors to monitor and prevent battery overheating.
OPERATIONS
This year, Operations focused on finding company sponsors to provide components for each of the subteams as well as creating new content to update HyperXite’s various platforms. The sponsorships Operations acquired this year provided all the components for the chassis, nitrogen gas cylinders for the braking system, the winding labor for the linear induction motor, and various discounts for custom printed circuit boards other materials. Operations also manages the social media promotion for recruitment season and plans Hyperxite’s various socials including two overnight retreats in Fall and Winter.
Control Systems
As the Control Systems subsystem, our primary focus is ensuring the safe operation of the pod by interfacing with the propulsion, pneumatics, and braking systems, utilizing a finite state machine (FSM) and various sensors to govern the pod's behavior from the main onboard computer. We also facilitate communication with a control station, where a remote operator monitors the pod and accesses operational data via a graphical user interface (GUI). Additionally, we program a microcontroller to provide a control signal with variable frequency modulation and amplitude control for the three-phase AC inverter developed by the Power Systems Subteam. This year, we're integrating a LiDAR-based emergency stop system, utilizing a sensor with both LiDAR and camera capabilities to generate a depth-based vision field for enhanced safety measures.
