Engineering Commons^™

Ionization Of Air Produced By Strong Shocks, Howard Sajon Joyner

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation provides theoretical predictions along with experimental results for electron concentrations behind a shock as a function of Mach number over a range from 11 to 20 using a combustion driven shock tube operating in air. These theoretical predictions represent an upper bound for chemical equilibrium. The model for air was 78.0880% nitrogen, 20.949% oxygen, 0.0300% carbon dioxide, 0 .9300% argon, 0.0025%neon, and 0.0005% helium. Also the theory of a double diaphragm shock tube with corresponding pressure ratio vs. Mach number relationships is provided. A computor [sic] program using iterative techniques for a succinct presentation covering the modifications and …

Use Of The Turbulence Kinetic Energy Equation In Prediction Of Nonequilibrium Turbulent Boundary Layers, William Madison Byrne Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations

"A differential method is proposed for the prediction of a broad range of turbulent boundary layers of engineering and scientific interest. A digital computer program is presented which is applicable to boundary layers with positive, negative, and zero pressure gradient in the main-stream direction as well as boundary layers with suction, blowing or zero mass addition at the wall. The turbulence kinetic energy equation is solved simultaneously with the longitudinal momentum and continuity equations to provide an independent means for determining the effective viscosity which makes allowance for "history" effects in the flow. It is shown that the prediction method …

Optimizing Diesel Engine Efficiency Using The Controllability Of A Variable Ratio Hydrostatic Transmission, Gordon Wright

Doctoral Dissertations

"A linear mathematical model of a diesel engine, hydrostatic transmission, and electric dynamometer system was developed. This model was used as an aid in designing a single input controller which regulates engine speed to optimize efficiency while maintaining constant transmission output speed under changing load conditions. Compensation was necessary to stabilize the system because of positive feedback in the engine control system. The compensated system's response was compared to that which was predicted analytically. The analytical model was then extended to design the control system parameters to operate the engine and transmission in a representative vehicle"--Abstract, page ii.

A Finite Element Method For Geometrically Nonlinear Large Displacement Problems In Thin, Elastic Plates And Shells, Ronald August Melliere

Doctoral Dissertations

"A finite element method is presented for geometrically nonlinear large displacement problems in thin, elastic plates and shells of arbitrary shape and boundary conditions subject to externally applied concentrated or distributed loading. The initially flat plate or curved shell is idealized as an assemblage of flat, triangular plate, finite elements representing both membrane and flexural properties. The 'geometrical' stiffness of the resulting eighteen degree-of-freedom triangular element is derived from a purely geometrical standpoint. This stiffness in conjunction with the standard small displacement 'elastic' stiffness is used in the linear-incremental approach to obtain numerical solutions to the large displacement problem. Only …

Dynamic Response Of Circular Plates To Transient And Harmonic Transverse Loads Including The Effect Of Transverse Shear And Rotary Inertia, Perakatte Joseph George

Doctoral Dissertations

"Using an improved theory of plate vibration suggested by R. D. Mindlin which takes into account the effects of transverse shear and rotary inertia, free and forced transverse vibrations of uniform circular plates are studied and the results compared with those obtained using the classical theory of plate vibration. The governing equations are developed in polar coordinates using the equations of elasticity. Frequency equations for axisymmetric and antisymmetric vibrations are derived for solid circular plates under different boundary conditions and for an annular plate rigidly mounted on a shaft. The response of plates to different types of rapidly applied axisymmetric …

The Transient Dynamics Of Plane Mechanisms, Navnit Chhaganlal Mehta

Doctoral Dissertations

"Accurate determination of dynamic characteristics of mechanisms has become more important with increased requirements on speed, efficiency and precision. Many devices, such as circuit breakers and computing mechanisms, operate under purely transient conditions and actuation time places a serious limitation on the response of the system of which these devices are a part.

In the classical analysis, whether it be graphical or analytical, the mechanism is assigned a specified position and state of motion from which the forces required to produce the motion can be determined. The inverse problem of specifying the driving force and determining the resulting motion, which …