M.Cincala
Lumenhaus solar powered house

Motion controls find a home in energy-optimizing smart house

Sept. 13, 2013
Motion control equipment automates retractable shades inside a prize-winning sustainable smart house built by Virginia Tech University. The project is called Lumenhaus, an 800 sq. ft. solar powered home that features a linear motion control system from Thomson Industries (Wood Dale, Ill.), and servo motors by Kollmorgen Corp (Radford, Va.).

Motion control equipment automates retractable shades inside a prize-winning sustainable smart house built by Virginia Tech University. The project is called Lumenhaus, an 800 sq. ft. solar powered home that features a linear motion control system from Thomson Industries (Wood Dale, Ill.), and servo motors by Kollmorgen Corp (Radford, Va.).

Lumenhaus is designed for energy efficiency through what its designers call responsive architecture. For example, when the outdoors heats up or cools off, the house opens or closes its insulation screen. The insulation panel and sun shade each weigh 1,000 lbs. and hang on Thompson’s RapidTrak linear motion belt drive. Kollmorgen’s AKM servo motors moves the belt drive, which in turn raises or lowers the shades. The Kollmorgen S200 servo drives are automated and are manually operated by an iPhone or iPad.

The house also contains its own weather station. A built-in computer uses weather information and data from interior sensors to manage the home’s energy consumption. Watch the video below for a demonstration. 

About the Author

Richard Dryden

Richard Dryden is a writer with experience in print and online media as well as social media. He has contributed to Machine Design and Hydraulics & Pneumatics

 

Sponsored Recommendations

June 27, 2025
Ensure workplace safety and compliance with our comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safety Training course. Learn critical procedures to prevent serious injuries.
June 27, 2025
Join our expert webinar to discover essential safety control measures and best practices for engineering a truly safe and compliant industrial environment.
June 25, 2025
An innovative aircraft with electric drives combines the best of both worlds. The cross between drone and helicopter could mean significantly faster and more efficient air emergency...
June 25, 2025
Effective when other materials fail, ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear and chemical resistance, sliding characteristics or biocompatibility. Discover...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!