Digital Commons Network^™

Spacecraft Attitude Control Using Magnetic Actuators, Karthik Mysore Srinivasa

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This report presents a study on the problem of spacecraft attitude control using magnetic actuators. Several existing approaches are reviewed and one control strategy is implemented and simulated. A time-varying feedback control law achieving inertial pointing for magnetically actuated spacecraft is implemented. The report explains the modeling of the spacecraft rigid body dynamics, kinematics and attitude control in detail.

Besides the fact that control laws have been established for stabilization around local equilibrium, this report presents the results of a control law that yields a generic, global solution for attitude stabilization of a magnetically actuated spacecraft. The report also involves …

A Market-Based Approach To 3d Printing For Economic Development In Ghana, Wade Aitken-Palmer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The purpose of this report is to create the foundation for further study of a market-based approach to 3D printing as an instrument for economic development in Ghana. The delivery of improved products and services to the most underserved markets is needed to spur economic activity and improve standards of living. The relationship between economic development and the advancement of technology is considered within the context of Ghana. An opportunity for market entry exists within both the bottom of the economic pyramid and the mid-segment market. 3D printing (additive manufacturing) has proven to be a disruptive technology that has demonstrated …

Optical Access Engine Setup And Validation, Jiongxun (Justin) Zhang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The optical access engine integrated with the diagnostic and optical measurement techniques is a great platform for engine research because it provides clear visual access to the combustion chamber inside the engines. An optical access engine customized based on a 4-cylinder spark ignited direct injection (SIDI) production engine is located in the Advanced Power Systems Laboratories (APS LABS) at Michigan Technological University. This optical access engine inside the test cell has been set up for different engine research.

In this report, two SAE papers in engine research utilizing the optical access engine are reviewed to gain basic understanding of the …

Improved Sensitivity Of Resonant Mass Sensor Based On Micro Tilting Plate And Micro Cantilever, Xiaoyu Song

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Vapor sensors have been used for many years. Their applications range from detection of toxic gases and dangerous chemicals in industrial environments, the monitoring of landmines and other explosives, to the monitoring of atmospheric conditions. Microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication technologies provide a way to fabricate sensitive devices. One type of MEMS vapor sensors is based on mass changing detection and the sensors have a functional chemical coating for absorbing the chemical vapor of interest. The principle of the resonant mass sensor is that the resonant frequency will experience a large change due to a small mass of gas vapor …

Molecular Modeling Of Epon 862-Detda / Carbon Composites, Cameron Hadden

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The thermoset epoxy resin EPON 862, coupled with the DETDA hardening agent, are utilized as the polymer matrix component in many graphite (carbon fiber) composites. Because it is difficult to experimentally characterize the interfacial region, computational molecular modeling is a necessary tool for understanding the influence of the interfacial molecular structure on bulk-level material properties. The purpose of this research is to investigate the many possible variables that may influence the interfacial structure and the effect they will have on the mechanical behavior of the bulk level composite. Molecular models are established for EPON 862-DETDA polymer in the presence of …

Mechanical Impedance Of Ankle As A Function Of Electromyography Signals Of Lower Leg Muscles Using Artificial Neural Network, Chen Jia

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This paper reports on the feasibility of developing a model to describe the nonlinear relationship between the mechanical impedance of the human ankle within a specified range of frequency and the root mean square (RMS) value of the Electromyography (EMG) signals of the muscles of human ankle using Artificial Neural Network (ANN). A lower extremity rehabilitation robot — Anklebot was used to apply pseudo-random mechanical perturbations to the ankle and measure the angular displacement of the ankle to estimate the data of ankle mechanical impedance. Meanwhile, the surface EMG signals from the selected muscles were monitored and recorded using a …

Development And Validation Of A Radtherm Model To Predict Exhaust System Behavior For A Hybrid Xm1124 Hmmwv, Souman Haldar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Accurately predicting component temperatures, and the influence various subsystems have on each other prior to hardware development and testing is an important aspect of the vehicle development process. In this report, a 1-D thermal model is used for predicting the behavior of the exhaust system and underbody area of prototype Hybrid Electric HMMWV XM1124. This prototype vehicle is designed to be capable of exporting up to 15 kW of electrical power to a micro-grid or similar operation. However, in this project instead of exporting power to a micro-grid, 6.5 kW of power was used to charge the batteries and increase …

Modelling And Control Of Combustion Phasing Of An Rcci Engine, Kaveh Khodadadi Sadabadi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) is a novel combustion strategy introduced to achieve near-zero NOx and soot emissions while maintaining diesel-like efficiencies. Meanwhile, precise control of combustion phasing is a key in realization of high fuel conversion efficiency as well as meeting stringent emission standards. Model-based control of RCCI combustion phasing is a great tool for real-time control during transient operation of the engine, which requires a computationally efficient combustion model that encompasses factors such as, injection timings, fuel blend composition and reactivity. In this thesis, physics-based models are developed to predict the combustion metrics of an RCCI engine. A …

Development Of Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation System For Electric Power Steering Controller Testing, Chuanliangzi Liu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system is a core device to decide how much assistance an electric motor applies on steering wheel. EPS ECUs play an important role in EPS systems. The effectiveness of EPS ECUs needs to be thoroughly tested before mass production. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation provides an efficient way for the development and testing of embedded controllers. This report focuses on the development of HIL system for testing EPS controllers. The hardware of the HIL system employs a dSPACE HIL simulator. The EPS plant model is an integrated model consisting of Vehicle …

Structural Analysis Of Integration Of A Non-Cylindrical Cng Fuel Tank, Prathamesh Prashant Deshpande

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The purpose of this study is to computationally model and analyze the vehicle frame which is mounted with a non-conventional, non-cylindrical compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tank. Integration of this tank in the vehicle underbody will resolve the issue of reduced storage space which is observed in a conventional CNG powered vehicle. This research will ultimately result in making CNG a good alternative to gasoline and reducing the increasing dependency on a single fuel. This tank will be developed in two phases: phase I design of the tank will be a standard rectangular outer box shape with Schwarz P-surface inner …

A Field Investigation Of Composite Mud Brick Compressive Strength, Kevin D. Hale

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

It has been highlighted in numerous publications that in the field of earth construction there is a strong disconnect between experimental work in the laboratory and its application in the field. The current study attempts to help bridge this gap with a field test conducted in Nampula, Mozambique. Mud bricks were made with a simple hand mold and reinforced with bamboo and straw fibers. Fibers were cut into lengths of 3 cm and 6 cm while being mixed in fractions of 0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50% by weight and compressive strength was measured using an application of the 3-point bending test. …

Modeling Of Biomass Torrefaction And Pyrolysis And Its Applications, Jordan L. Klinger

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Utilizing biomass provides a possible near-term alternative solution for fossil energy dependence in both electricity generation and transportation. Though thermochemical conversion can produce solid/liquid fuels that are compatible in existing infrastructure, detailed scientific chemical and mechanistic understanding are still being developed. In contribution to these efforts, this work is focused on development of a semiempirical, lumped parameter, chemical kinetic model to describe the degradation of woody biomass.

The initial kinetic model was developed in the torrefaction region to describe the gas-phase evolution of products (water, organic acids, permanent gases, and furfural) through a three consecutive reaction model. In this model, …