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Sppbrd: A Decision Framework For Scalable Product Platform Based Robust Design., Caiyun Wang
Sppbrd: A Decision Framework For Scalable Product Platform Based Robust Design., Caiyun Wang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Today's competitive and highly volatile market is redefining the way companies do business. A main competitive advantage for many companies is the ability to bring the products to market faster. An effective method to get the advantage is to develop product platforms. This thesis develops a methodology to assist companies in creating product platforms quickly and efficiently. The thesis focuses on building a model for scalable product platforms and developing a framework for the Scalable Product Platform Based Robust Design since there are many researches on module-based product platform and no systematic framework for scalable product platform. In the methodology, …
Finite Element Modeling Of Dynamic Impact And Cornering Fatigue Of Cast Aluminum And Forged Magnesium Road Wheels., Shixian (Robert) Shang
Finite Element Modeling Of Dynamic Impact And Cornering Fatigue Of Cast Aluminum And Forged Magnesium Road Wheels., Shixian (Robert) Shang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Numerical investigation of wheel dynamic impact and cornering fatigue performance is essential to shorten design time, enhance mechanical performance, and lower development cost. This dissertation focused on two objectives. First, finite element models of the dynamic impact test on a wheel and tire assembly were developed, which considered the material inhomogeneity of the wheel. The model complexity and resultant additional analysis time led to the development of a simplified approach for wheel impact testing without the tired. Comparison of the numerical predictions with the experimental measurements of wheel impact indicated that an approximate 20% reduction of the initial striker kinetic …
Blind Adaptive Equalization For Qam Signals: New Algorithms And Fpga Implementation., Kevin Banovic
Blind Adaptive Equalization For Qam Signals: New Algorithms And Fpga Implementation., Kevin Banovic
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Adaptive equalizers remove signal distortion attributed to intersymbol interference in band-limited channels. The tap coefficients of adaptive equalizers are time-varying and can be adapted using several methods. When these do not include the transmission of a training sequence, it is referred to as blind equalization. The radius-adjusted approach is a method to achieve blind equalizer tap adaptation based on the equalizer output radius for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. Static circular contours are defined around an estimated symbol in a QAM constellation, which create regions that correspond to fixed step sizes and weighting factors. The equalizer tap adjustment consists of …
A Comparative Analysis Of Neural And Statistical Classifiers For Dimensionality Reduction-Based Face Recognition Systems., Xiaoyin Xu
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human face recognition has received a wide range of attention since 1990s. Recent approaches focus on a combination of dimensionality reduction-based feature extraction algorithms and various types of classifiers. This thesis provides an in depth comparative analysis of neural and statistical classifiers by combining them with existing dimensionality reduction-based algorithms. A set of unified face recognition systems were established for evaluating alternate combinations in terms of recognition performance, processing time, and conditions to achieve certain performance levels. A preprocessing system and four dimensionality reduction-based methods based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Two-dimensional PCA, Fisher's Linear Discriminant and Laplacianfaces were utilized …
Close Range Three-Dimensional Position Sensing Using Stereo Matching With Hopfield Neural Networks., Houman Rastgar
Close Range Three-Dimensional Position Sensing Using Stereo Matching With Hopfield Neural Networks., Houman Rastgar
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In recent years Vision Systems have found their ways into many real-world applications. This includes such fields as surveillance and tracking, computer graphics and various factory settings such as assembly line inspection and object manipulation. The application of Computer Vision techniques to factory automation, Machine Vision, is a growing field. However in most Machine Vision systems an algorithm is needed to infer 3D information regarding the objects in the field of view. Such a task can be accomplished using a Stereo Vision algorithm. In this thesis a new Machine Vision Algorithm for Close-Range Position Sensing is presented where a Hopfield …
Optimizing Power, Delay And Reliability For Digital Logic Circuits With Cmos And Single-Electron Technologies., Jialin Mi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In this thesis, we present two low power approaches with consideration of delay and/or reliability. The first approach is based on CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) technology. Given a gate level topology of digital circuits and a target library, we propose a greedy algorithm for delay budgeting in order to optimize power dissipation. The algorithm is implemented with JAVA SDK. The developed software tool estimates how much power dissipation (percentage) can be saved without increasing the circuit delay, and the potential of power savings by relaxing the circuit's timing constraints. The second low power approach is proposed with SET (Single Electron …
Tribological Failure Analyses Of Automotive Engine Blocks Subjected To Sliding Wear Damage, Hongmei Yu
Tribological Failure Analyses Of Automotive Engine Blocks Subjected To Sliding Wear Damage, Hongmei Yu
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the tribological failure analyses of sliding wear damage on a linerless engine block made of a new near-eutectic aluminum silicon alloy Al-11%Si. The stereological, optical metallographic, SEM/EDS and surface profile examinations and microhardness testing were used to investigate the wear performance and the types of sliding damages, as well as the microstructure variation, phase fragmentation underneath the damage surface. The effect of the different honing processes of cylinder bore surface preparation on bore surface morphology and quality was studied to understand the original surface features before engine testing. Excepting virgin areas on the bore surface, five types …
Directional Speech Acquisition Using A Mems Cubic Acoustical Sensor Microarray Cluster., Rongrong Hu
Directional Speech Acquisition Using A Mems Cubic Acoustical Sensor Microarray Cluster., Rongrong Hu
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the design of a directional speech acquisition system using a MEMS cubic acoustical sensor microarray cluster to improve speech intelligibility in a noisy reverberant acoustical environment. In the proposed system, five identical acoustical sensor arrays constitute the five sides of a cubic geometry whereas the other side of the cube is to be used for interconnection and packaging purposes. Each of the sensor microarrays is associated with two beam shapes: a main beam to acquire speech signal from a particular direction and a scanning beam to locate and track a potential speech source. A microelectronics based beam …
Dynamic Modeling Of The Thermal Process In Diesel Oxidation Catalytic Converters., Lihua Zhang
Dynamic Modeling Of The Thermal Process In Diesel Oxidation Catalytic Converters., Lihua Zhang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Diesel oxidation catalytic converters (DOCs) offer a promising solution to reduce diesel exhaust pollutants. In order to improve the thermal management in DOCs, active flow control strategies have been introduced for several years. However, the performance of DOCs needs to be verified by modeling simulations and experimental studies prior to application of these strategies. In this thesis, a series of modulated dynamic models were developed using SimulinkRTM to better understand the heat transfer mechanisms of a catalyst. The simulation results were validated by the reference experimental data collected in the Clean Diesel Engine Laboratory (CDL) at the University of Windsor. …
Modeling And Analysis Of A Reverse Supply Chain Network For Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing., Hailun (Helen) Zhang
Modeling And Analysis Of A Reverse Supply Chain Network For Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing., Hailun (Helen) Zhang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The North American lead-acid battery industry gains its environmental edge from its employment of closed-loop life cycle production. Nowadays, the typical new lead-acid battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastics. In this thesis, the closed-loop supply chain of a lead-acid battery manufacturing process has been investigated which extends the traditional supply chain to the entire product life cycle. A new tactical planning model has been developed for the entire closed-loop manufacturing process including purchasing, production, and end-of-life product return and recycling. The model is a multi-objective, multi-echelon mixed integer linear programming model, which minimizes the total costs …
Evaluation Of The Reliability Of An Ergonomic Decision System., Derek Ian Dawson
Evaluation Of The Reliability Of An Ergonomic Decision System., Derek Ian Dawson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A novel approach deemed the Ergonomic Decision System (EDS) was designed to address the physical requirements of modern industry. The EDS, as the name implies, is a system that uses a series of questions and resulting choices to determine the path to the most appropriate ergonomic analysis tool for a given occupational task. The face validity of the EDS has been established through an extensive review of literature. Reliability was evaluated both within and between subjects. In two facilities, 6 Jobs were chosen based upon both injury and illness data and the differing physical requirements of each. These Jobs were …
Modelling And Analysis Of Saturated Synchronous Reluctance Generator., Souvik Guha
Modelling And Analysis Of Saturated Synchronous Reluctance Generator., Souvik Guha
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Synchronous reluctance generator, because of its inherent advantages, is coming up as an alternative for the conventional electrical generators. Performance of synchronous reluctance machine is greatly influenced by the effect of saturation in its ferromagnetic core under both steady-state and transient operations. Thus, the proper representation of saturation in the modelling of synchronous reluctance generator is of great importance for practical and reliable analysis. In the steady-state and transient modelling of synchronous reluctance generator, saturation in the direct axis is usually considered, while the saturation in the quadrature axis is ignored due to modelling complexity and unavailability of the q-axis …
New Mathematical Model For Assessment Of Concurrent Engineering., Guoli Jian
New Mathematical Model For Assessment Of Concurrent Engineering., Guoli Jian
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recently, global competition has led to shorter product life cycles and increased technological sophistication. Products are becoming more complex due to rapid technological developments and increasing consumer demands for lower costs, greater variety, and greater performance. At the same time the proliferation of new technologies is rendering products obsolete at an increasingly rapid pace. These market and technology trends lead to the emerging of concurrent engineering. This thesis firstly will give a definition and briefly introduction of concurrent engineering, including its fundamentals, and the benefits of concurrent engineering, its difficulties and caveats. After that this thesis will introduce an implementation …
Non-Linear Analysis Of Concrete Beams Prestressed And Post-Tensioned With Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Cfrp) Bars., Mohamad Fathy Abd El Aziz
Non-Linear Analysis Of Concrete Beams Prestressed And Post-Tensioned With Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Cfrp) Bars., Mohamad Fathy Abd El Aziz
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The deterioration of concrete bridges has been a major concern for structural engineers especially with regard to deterioration caused by the corrosion of steel reinforcement. One of the promising avenues to overcome this problem is to take advantage of the non corrosive characteristic of the Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars in reinforcing and/or prestressing concrete bridges. In addition FRP bars have high specific strength, i.e., strength to weight ratio, when compared to conventional steel. Using FRP bars in a combined system of internal prestressing and external post-tensioning provides a potential solution to increase the service life of concrete bridges. However, …
Thermal Response Analysis From In-Cylinder Combustion To Exhaust Aftertreatment., Usman Asad
Thermal Response Analysis From In-Cylinder Combustion To Exhaust Aftertreatment., Usman Asad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The thermal response from in-cylinder combustion to exhaust aftertreatment was investigated for a 4-stroke single cylinder Yanmar diesel engine. The thermal characteristics of late post-injection inside the cylinder for enabling aftertreatment operations were simulated and experimentally verified. The cylinder head of the Yanmar engine was modified for measurement of in-cylinder pressure and temperature. A real-time heat release model was developed for analyzing the diesel combustion based upon the acquired cylinder pressure. However, the in-cylinder measurements could not be realized due to limitations of the thermocouple signal conditioning system. The thermal response from in-cylinder combustion to exhaust aftertreatment for the Yanmar …
Quality Prediction In Manufacturing System Design., Omayma Abdel Aziz Nada
Quality Prediction In Manufacturing System Design., Omayma Abdel Aziz Nada
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Manufacturing system design can significantly affect the resulting product quality level. Therefore, the early prediction of product quality, as affected by manufacturing system configuration decisions, can enhance the manufacturer's competitiveness through achieving higher quality levels at lower costs in a responsive manner. In this research, a conceptual framework is proposed for the proactive assessment of product quality in terms of the manufacturing system configuration parameters. A new comprehensive model that can be used in comparing different system configurations based on quality is developed using Analytic Hierarchy Process. In addition, a hierarchical fuzzy inference system is developed to model the ill-defined …
Six Sigma Methodology In Automobile Industry., Muhammad Hasib
Six Sigma Methodology In Automobile Industry., Muhammad Hasib
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In a mature industry like the Truck industry, competition is getting harder and harder. A few strong manufactures are doing there very best to cut cost in order to gain market shares from the others within the market. To be able to generate cost Savings Company must be flexible & prepare to adapt & implement new ideas. This thesis was carried out at the International Truck & Engine Corporation Garland Assembly Plant, Texas, which employs 1000 employees. The Plant Assembles Heavy duty & Severe service Trucks. The purpose of this Research is to Investigate, Study, & analyzes the existing process …
A Study Of The Viscosities And Densities Of Some Binary And Ternary Regular Liquid Mixtures At Different Temperature Levels., Walid A. Al-Gherwi
A Study Of The Viscosities And Densities Of Some Binary And Ternary Regular Liquid Mixtures At Different Temperature Levels., Walid A. Al-Gherwi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The viscosities and densities of ten binary subsystems of the quinary system: heptane, octane, cyclohexane, toluene, and ethylbenzene were measured and reported over the entire composition range at 293.15, 298.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. In addition, the viscosities and densities of the binary and ternary subsystems of the quinary system: hexane, octane, cyclohexane, toluene, and ethylbenzene were measured and reported at 293.15 and 298.15 K. The experimental data obtained during the course of the study were employed to test the predictive capabilities of five viscosity models available in the literature; viz., the generalized McAllister model, the pseudo-binary McAllister model, The …
Anode Electrocatalysts For Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells., Mohammed Hassan Atwan
Anode Electrocatalysts For Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells., Mohammed Hassan Atwan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Colloidal Os and Os-alloys, Pt and Pt-alloys, Au and Au alloys, Ir and Ir-alloys, and Pd and Pd alloys (1:1 atomic ratio for all alloys) supported on Vulcan XC-72 (20 wt% metal) were prepared according to the Bonneman method and investigated for their electrocatalytic activity with respect to methanol and borohydride oxidation for Os and with respect to borohydride oxidation only for Pt, Au, Ir, and Pd for fuel cell applications. Voltammetry on static and rotating electrodes, chronoamperometry and chronocoulometry were performed on the colloidal catalysts immobilized on glassy carbon with the help of a NafionRTM 117 solution acting as …
Modeling Reliability Considerations In The Design And Analysis Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems., Kanchan Kumar Das
Modeling Reliability Considerations In The Design And Analysis Of Cellular Manufacturing Systems., Kanchan Kumar Das
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Reliability plays a vital role in the overall performance of cellular manufacturing systems (CMSs). Machine failures significantly impact the fulfillment of due dates and other performance criteria, despite the option of part rerouting to alternative workstations. These facts suggest a need for the consideration of machine reliability during the operation allocation process. Attempting to improve a system's reliability invariably results in higher costs. It follows that the ideal strategy for achieving optimum balance lies in an approach that integrates both cost and reliability information. A mixed integer multi-objective mathematical programming model that incorporates machine reliability and cost considerations is developed …
Metabolic Hydrogen Degradation In The Presence Of Short Chain And Long Chain Fatty Acids Under Anaerobic Conditions., Jennifer Roy
Metabolic Hydrogen Degradation In The Presence Of Short Chain And Long Chain Fatty Acids Under Anaerobic Conditions., Jennifer Roy
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The effects of volatile short chain fatty acids (VFAs) and long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) on hydrogen consumption were investigated using a mixed anaerobic culture acclimated to glucose. The study was conducted in serum bottles by adding LCFAs (2000 mg l-1 oleic or linoleic acid) and VFAs (0 to 1500 mg l-1 acetate, propionate, or butyrate) to the culture and hydrogen (500 or 1000 mumoles) to the headspace. Overall, the consequence of increasing the VFA concentration in the presence of LCFAs caused an increased inhibition of hydrogen consumption. VFAs were also examined in mixtures. Experiments with similar total VFA concentrations showed …
Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Process For Corrosion Protection Of Two Aluminium Alloys Used In Automotive Applications., Xia Li
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an emerging environmentally friendly process, which can be used to form thick, hard coatings on aluminum alloys. In this study, PEO coatings were produced on two Al alloys, Al6061 and Al319, using a DC power mode. The effects of the process parameters, including the electrolyte concentration, treatment time and current density, on the formation and properties of the PEO coatings were systematically investigated and analyzed. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements were conducted to evaluate the corrosion properties of the samples. The polarization resistance of the PEO coatings in a 3.5wt.% NaCl solution were determined and compared …
Development Of A Finite Element Model For Hybrid Iii Three-Year-Old Dummy-Based Child Restraint System Safety Simulation., Qian Wang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research focuses on the injury potential of children seated in forward facing CRS during frontal and side impact crashes. Three testing configurations were considered in this research to quantify the injury potential in standardized testing procedures and to predict observations for validation of a numerical model. These three testing were: (i) Frontal dynamic sled tests were completed in accordance with the FMVSS 213 using a Hybrid III 3-year-old dummy in a five point CRS. (ii) A frontal full vehicle crash test was completed in accordance with the CMVSS 208 with the addition of a Hybrid III 3-year-old child dummy, …