Masters Theses

Abstract

"This work presents a reconfigurable phase-locked loop (PLL)-based control system for the resonant excitation of piezoelectric actuators aimed at automated removal of particulate contaminants from photovoltaic (PV) surfaces—particularly in extraterrestrial environments such as the lunar surface. Regolith or lunar dust buildup on solar panels is a serious hazard to the effectiveness of energy harvesting on extended missions. By using high-frequency structural excitation and inertial forces the suggested system removes surface impurities. Tunable Sallen-Key low-pass filters for reliable feedback conditioning are used in conjunction with a digitally implemented PLL on an FPGA (XLR8 platform) to precisely lock the drive frequency to the actuators resonance which is essential to this solution. Multiple piezoelectric loads require high voltage which needs to be supplied by a custom two-switch flyback DC–DC converter topology designed to support operation in standardized space power environments (28 V DC) and in order to provide flexible output scaling, the converter has two secondary windings. While the PLL exhibits frequency tracking at several resonance modes allowing for efficient actuation of piezoelectric elements, simulation results confirm stable voltage regulation under a range of impedance conditions. This architecture can adjust to closely spaced resonance modes which is a challenge inherent in piezoelectric materials and supports scaling to multiple actuators. All the objectives considered in this research, lays the groundwork for autonomous self-cleaning photovoltaic modules that use piezoelectric technologies in both space and terrestrial applications" -- Abstract, p. iv

Advisor(s)

Kimball, Jonathan W., 1973-

Committee Member(s)

Stutts, Daniel S.
Shamsi, Pourya

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

2025

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

Paper I: Pages 35-48, Frequency-Tracking Driver for Piezoelectric Lunar Dust Removal Actuator, to be submitted to Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, Focus on Multidisciplinary Research in Mechanical Engineering and Nanotechnology.

Pagination

xii, 85 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 81-84)

Rights

© 2025 Praneeth Uddarraju, All rights reserved

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12550

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