Engineering Commons^™

Development Of A 64 To 1 Monolithic Analog Multiplexer, Vincent H. Angleton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A 64 to 1 monolithic multiplexer for video signal switching applications was designed. The performance analysis and the testing of the first devices fabricated and packaged show close agreement in on channel resistance and on channel bandwidth. Other requirements, such as off channel isolation and output signal distortion, have poorer agreement in the calculated values versus the measured data. Arguments for these differences are presented.

Simulation Of Traffic At A T-Intersection Using Slam, Karen M. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The flow of traffic at an intersection is often controlled by a traffic signal. This research report models a T-intersection with a disjoint network for each direction of traffic flow, eastbound, westbound and southbound. The traffic signal is modeled with a fourth network. Three types of signal control (pretimed, semi-actuated and full-actuated) are modeled to examine the effect of each type on the average delay time and average length of queues for each lane of traffic queue at the intersection. The computer models presented in the report use SLAM computer language to simulate the traffic signal and vehicle flow.

The Development Of A Reentry Program For Women In Engineering At The University Of Central Florida, Lucy C. Morse

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to familiarize local women with advanced degree possibilities in engineering and with expanding local industry, as well as increasing the graduate enrollment in the College of Engineering, the University of Central Florida has developed a Reentry Program for Women in the Industrial Engineering Department. Master of Science degrees are offered to the women with four options: Operations Research, Computer Systems, Engineering Administration, and Engineering Systems Analysis. The program is designed for women who received a bachelor's degree at least two years ago in mathematics, engineering, physics, or another hard science. Seed money for the program was obtained as …

Simulation Of A Solar-Driven Thermoelectric Generator, Iraj Andampour

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

With improvements of thermoelectric materials leading to higher figures of merit, interest has been developed in a broad spectrum of applications. In this study, the thermal performance of a solar-driven thermoelectric (TE) generator was examined by computer simulation and analytical formulations. The hot junction of the disk-shaped TE module is heated by a conical-shaped solar concentrator reflecting rays onto a cylindrical inner electrode. Controllable cooling water flow cools the outer P ΓÇô N junctions to establish the necessary thermal potential for electric generation. Desired power output can be obtained from a number of TE modules in series and parallel. The …

An Expandable Architecture For A Conferencing Digital Communications Switch, Timothy A. Mitchell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper architecturally describes the switching portion of a digital communications system that is dedicated to conferencing. The basic ideas and methods of circuit switching and packet switching are introduced. The conferencing function is described, and some resulting design considerations are discussed. The architecture of the switch is then presented. Circuit switching techniques are used throughout the architecture of the switch, coupled with arithmetic processing to accomplish the conferencing function. The architecture is developed in such a way that it is expandable in all directions to meet a given set of requirements. The requirements include the number of users the …

On-Site Excreta Treatment And Disposal In West Africa, Godfrey E. Igbokwe

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In operation, liquid from the test facility is circulated through the RHS core. The liquid is heated by passing over the resistance heaters. If the test facility's calibrations are under investigation, the RHS input power and temperatures are compared with those recorded by the test facility. If a collector is under test, the RHS is placed in series with the collector. The power input to the RHS is placed in series with the collector. The power input to the RHS core heaters is adjusted to give a temperature rise through the RHS equal to some fraction (usually one-half to one) …

Two-Phase Flow Pressure Drop Across Thick Restrictions Of Annular Geometries, Saeed Ghandeharioun

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents the methods of predicting the steady-state two-phase flow (steam and water) pressure drop across the restrictions of annular geometries formed when tubes extend through circular holes in tube support plates. Two approaches are discussed and a detailed sample calculation of the one selected is presented. The major areas of discussion are the orientation of tubes-to-tube support plate holes, and the thickness of tube support plate. Finally, the conclusion gives a comparison of methods and recommendations for future investigations.

Concrete: Its History In Florida To World War Ii, John M. Weavil

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Microsoftware For Facility Layout, James D. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study presents five supporting programs in the area of facility layout design. Programs are "stand alone" adapted type which cover data analysis and analytical techniques. Programs are From/To (From/To Chart generator), CRAFT* (Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique), RELVAL (Relationship Chart generator), CORELAP* (Computerized Relationship Layout Planning), and EVAL (Layout Evaluation program). Theory, complete program documentation, and case example for each program are presented. Programs are written in an interactive basic mode and have been tested on the Apple II Plus system.

A Real Time Microprocessor Based Digital Lead-Lag Compensation, Vicente C. Garcia

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The dynamic performance of control systems can be improved by incorporating carefully designed compensators. Historically, these compensators have been implemented with analog hardware. However, digitally based compensator designs offer far superior advantages; such as no aging, repeatability, etc. The major reason for rejecting the digital approach to compensator design has been cost. With the introduction of the INTEL 2920 4-input, 8-output, real-time signal processing chip (with AD and DA on-board), cost is no longer a barrier. In this research paper, the complete software-hardware 2920 design cycle required to implement a lead-lag control system compensator is illustrated.

Hospital Short Term Planning Through Patient Census Forecast, Wenhao Chiu

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An adequate health care resource allocation in a hospital is directly dependent upon the ability to estimate the hospital's patient census accurately. Efforts to estimate hospital's patient census are classified into two general methods: estimating from historical data, and demographic analysis. This paper takes the position that the estimate from the historical data is more economic and convenient for understanding than the estimate from the demographic analysis. Seven models that predict hospital's patient census by using the hospital's historical data are evaluated to fit the characteristics of each pattern shown in historical information. Where a microcomputer is available, this forecasting …

A Dynamic Analysis Of An Explosion Driven Hydrodynamic Conical Distributed Breach Shock Tube, Lee E. Griesemer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to better simulate an explosive underwater environment, a new design of the existing explosion driven hydrodynamic conical shock tube has been proposed. This new concept calls for the removal of part of the old tube to accommodate a distributed breach plug. The distributed breach should enhance shock wave characteristics by minimizing the energy losses associated with plastic deformations which occur at detonation. This report makes use of a finite element program, SAP IV, to investigate the modal characteristics of the new distributed breach design. A dynamic response history analysis has also been performed in order to predict the …

Development Of A Graphics Display Controller, David R. Hudnall

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research is to define and develop a computer graphics display controller that will provide a high performance to cost ratio by employing state-of-the-art components and techniques. This report briefly defines the phrase "computer graphics display system" and the related technologies. The system requirements for a target display controller are developed and their hardware implications are presented. An architectural overview precedes a detailed explanation of all functional areas of the target system. This includes an overview of the VLSI graphic figure generator, which is the heart of the target system. Finally, the concept of hardware independent graphic …

Optimizing Growth Options For The Wewahootee Pump And Transport System, Joseph O. Lung

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Techniques for performance optimization and energy reduction were reviewed for application to water supply plants. Simple techniques were developed which permit intelligent management decisions for plant operation growth. The techniques were applied to the Wewahootee Water Supply Plant, Cocoa, Florida. Optimum performance for the existing plant was determined together with a growth plan for reducing energy consumption and increasing the maximum flow capacity to meet demand through the year 2000. The following recommendations were made: 1. Plant operators should incorporate the optimized pump operation schedule presented herein. 2. Four existing pumps should be modified for dual speed operation, and a …

A Comparative Study Of In-Core And Out-Of-Core Equation Solvers For Microcomputer Applications, Salahuddin A. Siddiqui

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates the applicability to microcomputers of various methods for determining the solution of large systems of simultaneous linear algebraic equations. Such systems of equations characterize physical systems often encountered in Civil Engineering and other engineering disciplines. Many methods of solution involving either in-core or out-of-core storage of data have been developed for use with large digital computers. These methods are reviewed and their applicability to microcomputers is evaluated. A comparison of several schemes is made regarding core size required, time of execution, and precision of results. The out-of-core solution schemes for banded matrices are found to be most …

Evaluation Of Swale Design, David E. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Swales are designed to infiltrate runoff from intermittent storm events. Present design methodologies have resulted in swales which operate under several conditions; these conditions are soil, vegetation, climatic and geographical location dependent. To attain a swale design which considers and accounts for the important factors under Florida conditions, adequate assessment of rainfall, overland, flow, infiltration and soil moisture must be given priority treatment. Several roadside and residential swales were studied and relationships were drawn for soil moisture, porosity and infiltration rates. A design methodology is included and computer modeling infiltration aids in the design.

Microprocessor-Based Closed-Loop Control, Man T. Chan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Microprocessor-Based Closed-Loop Motor Control. A dedicated microprocessor control system was built from chip level using the Motorola M6800 family. The system has a keyboard and the interfaces for four LED displays, a phototransistor and a digital-to-analog converter. The system accepts key input in RPM and drives the motor at the input RPM with display of the real RPM updated approximately every second.

Study Of Virtual Memory, Shridhar S. Dixit

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report gives a general description of virtual memory systems. The mechanisms and policies and their effect on the operation and efficiency of virtual memory are explained. A virtual memory using a real time virtual address decoder, to decode a 32 bits of virtual address for the secondary memory to obtain the primary address location discussed. The decoder is developed with the use of associative or content-addressable memories. Replacement algorithms, used for selecting the pages of the main memory to be replaced, are described. The hardware implementation of the least recently used and least often used replacement policies using …

Computer Driven Training Simulator Of Wastewater Treatment Operations, G. Robert Silkenson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research involves design and implementation of computer program for simulation of a wastewater treatment plant. The program has the capability to be interfaced with an existing analog wastewater plant process flow training board which is equipped with meter readouts of key process variables and adjustable control valves. It is planned that the total system simulator could be used to train wastewater treatment plant operators to afford them hands-on dynamic experience in plant operations. The wastewater treatment process modeled is the activated sludge process. Beginning with the known plant design stead-state equations for this particular process an algorithm was developed …

Micro-Scale Hydropower For The Eighties, E. Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this project are to show the feasibility of micro-hydropower and to provide adequate engineering data for those people who wish to design their own micro system. Nine case studies are reviewed and analyzed in an attempt to determine general design parameters. Comparative data for these studies comes from preliminary permit applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Information on such topics as flow measurements, heads, generators and turbine technology are presented. Duration curves are explained with examples using data from a river found in Colombia, South America. Finally, a preliminary design of a micro-hydro facility is …

Computer Aided Filter Design Using Intel Spas20 Software, Robert L. Olive

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper demonstrates conversion of an analog filter into a digital filter using computer aided software. The filter design to be demonstrated is a common third order Butterworth filter. This paper is not an attempt to review all filter designs or applications, but rather the attempt is to give a detailed explanation of the steps required to design almost any digital filter.

No knowledge of the Intel Series 210 microcomputer development system is assumed. The appendices contain introduction to the Series 210 system.

Chapter I demonstrates the steps needed to design this filter without computer aid. Included are both analog …

Applied Steady-State And Transient Modeling Of Mixing Zone Requirements In Streams, Alvin Castro

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Two existing stream dispersion computer models were applied to a hypothetical stream to analyze mixing zone requirements due to point and non-point discharges. Mixing zone curves were developed to define acceptable and unacceptable regions of stream response for stead-state and transient conditions. The impact on these regions due to varying quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the stream and waste discharges were investigated.

In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on the response of a transient one-dimensional stream dispersion model. A logarithmic linear regression analysis, relating the number of time increments specified to a dimensionless hydrograph shape factor for known storm …

Personal Computer Simulation Program For Step Motor Drive Systems, William M. Koos

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A system of equations modeling a class of step motors known as the permanent magnet rotor step motor is presented. The model is implemented on a APPLE personal computer in a version of BASIC. Measurements are then made on an existing motor and input to the program for validation. A special test fixture is utilized to take performance data on the motor to facilitate comparisons with the predictions of the program. The comparisons show the model is indeed valid for design of step motor drive systems and emphasize the practical nature of using personal computers and simulations for design.

An Improved Flight Simulator Graphics System Using Microcomputer Technology, Wayne D. Parsons

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The field of computer graphics has continued to provide an efficient means of depicting information about complex phenomena for its users. It has become a widely used tool through which the user may manipulate data to generate a different perspective of the problem at hand and, hence, offers a solution to many varied problems. One area of the application for computer graphics is the field of flight simulation.

At the University of Central Florida, research is being conducted in the area of computer graphics simulation to develop a method through which a pictorial representation of the outline of a small …

Heavy Metals In Floodplains Receiving Highway Bridge Runoff, Elizabeth T. Skene

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was supported by SUS/STAR to investigate the fate of heavy metals in bridge runoff which are received by surrounding floodplains. Three bridge sites in Central Florida were selected and various locations in each site were sampled. Soil, plant, and water samples were analyzed for Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr. Statistical analysis of results for heavy metal content of plants and soils at control versus bridge sampling areas were conducted. In agreement with other investigators, Pb was found to be a good indicator of highway pollution in soil, plants and water. Possible mechanisms for metal sorption …

A Calorimeter For Solar Collector Testing Facilities, James C. Huggins

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The reference heat source (RHS) is an electrical calorimeter used with solar collector test facilities. It can be used to calibrate the test facility or to measure the thermal performance of a collector. The RHS described here was designed to be accurate enough to be used as a standard for verification of test facility calibrations. The core of the unit consists of resistance heaters, platinum resistance thermometers, a thermopile, and flow mixers. This core is surrounded by a thermally driven copper shield to control heat loss. The electrical power input to the core is measured with an electronic power transducer. …

Examination Of The Feasibility Of An Earth Coolant Tube To Provide Residential Space Cooling, W. Jerry Bowman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was performed to gain an understanding of the feasibility of an Earth Coolant Tube for use in cooling and heating air for residences and industry. It was concluded that previous studies did not include the effect of coolant tube depth or coolant tube operation over long periods of time. A numerical methods approach using finite difference form of the general energy conduction equation was used to evaluate these effects. It was concluded that a coolant tube 1 foot in diameter and 100 feet long could provide as much as 1/6 ton of refrigeration for a 4 month time …

Imers: An Interactive Medical Records System, Mary A. Garner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As computer printouts replace handwritten and typewritten information in a Medical Records department, it becomes more advantageous for the Registered Records Administrator (RRA) to learn how to interact with a computer terminal. Computer applications in the Medical Records field increase the availability and accessibility of patient information. The Medical Records System discussed in this paper has been adapted by the Medical Records department of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Central Florida as a tool for demonstrating the relationship between the computer and the successful management of medical records. This system will provide hands on experience to …

A Computer Method To Evaluate The Vibration Response Of Stiffened Floor Systems To Impact Load, Michael E. Donahue

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Composite construction of floor systems with steel joist or I-beam stiffeners supporting a concrete slab have a tendency to sustain perceptible vibration due to small impacts. An engineering design aid, utilizing a small micro-computer and a BASIC computer program, was developed to analyze rectangular floor systems for susceptibility to sustain vibrations perceptible to humans. The analytical method for the normal modes of vibration using the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the superposition of the normal mode response is derived. A vibration index is calculated to qualitatively rate the floor. The computer method was validated using published data for an I-beam supported concrete …

Simulation Of Naval Training Pipelines, Roger H. Werner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Flow of enlisted Navy men through basic training, BEE school and "A" school was simulated using SLAM. Queuing for courses, pass, setback and failure of students, and the limitation of resources in the BEE schools were modeled for variable numbers of "A" courses and enlisted student ratings. A travel delay between schools was modeled as a direct step function of the distance involved. For each course modeled, data included course duration, interconvening time between classes, minimum and maximum class sizes, pass, failure and setback rates, and the time, measured from the beginning of the simulation, when the first class is …