Background
The word "Synergy" comes from the Greek words for “to work together”. This project combines the existing parabolic shape and comfortable sitting cushion of the Papasan chair with the natural-source energy utilization of the solar cooker. My hope was that, in the spirit of synergy, the whole would be greater than the sum of the parts and that people may find the idea of owning a solar cooker more practical if they can also sit and read a book in it when its not in use. Compared to the traditional mono-functional Parabolic Solar Cooker, this project serves as a chair when not in use, which saves space and is less of a fire hazard than the traditional Parabolic Solar Cooker. The opportunity to work with Bart Orlando means that this project can benefit from innovative design that comes from years of experience. It is built mostly from salvaged materials as to not contribute to consumption.
Literature Review
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Compendium_of_solar_cooker_designs
Criteria
These are the criteria that the project was designed to meet.
Time – Must be able to be designed and constructed within the timeframe of one college semester, or about 4 months of part time labor.
Budget – No set budget, however the more materials that can be salvaged or easily acquired by most people, the better.
Durability – Reflectors must be able to withstand periodic exposure to the elements, especially sun, over the course or years. Also, sitting in the chair must not damage the reflectors.
Portability - The device should be lightweight so that one person could move it without toil, and compact enough to be towed via bike trailer.
Design - should incorporate new improvements or previously not thought of innovations to the solar cooker plan.
Synergy/Integration - ideally it will be a multi functional device, capable of easily purifying water as well as cooking food, and perhaps more, as brainstorming will allow.
Level of embedded energy - Materials should be found or salvaged for demonstration purposes so that it can be shown that this is a post-manufacture fabrication.
Ease of use - if multiple parts are to be used, then they should employ intuitive design, and not require the use of tools for operation.
Design
Implementation
Always over-build
Cost
Papasan Chair - Donated 4 X 8 Anodized Aluminum Sheet - Donated* Ball of Hemp Twine - $3.50 Pliers - borrowed 3 Bamboo poles sized 8' by 1 - mad river garden supply - 3' Length of chain - ace hardware
- Notes on reflector
Things to look out for
External Links
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Compendium_of_solar_cooker_designs An Excellent Overv
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