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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Methodology Of Topology Optimization, Naziha Khandoker
Methodology Of Topology Optimization, Naziha Khandoker
Honors Theses
The need for lighter products is becoming increasingly essential as it cuts material cost and significant amount of weight, which is a key factor in the automotive and aerospace industries. Topology optimization allows us to achieve that by applying the concept to different structures with the goal of optimal distribution of material within finite volume design domain. Its algorithms selectively remove and relocate elements to achieve the optimum performance. This project performs a study on the effect of each design parameter over mechanical performance using Finite Element Analysis and applies it to set of wing attachment brackets. The optimized brackets …
Structural Health Monitoring Of Composite Parts: A Review, Jacob Pessin
Structural Health Monitoring Of Composite Parts: A Review, Jacob Pessin
Honors Theses
Structural health monitoring has the potential to allow composite structures to be more reliable and safer, then by using more traditional damage assessment techniques. Structural health monitoring (SHM) utilizes individual sensor units that are placed throughout the load bearing sections of a structure and gather data that is used for stress analysis and damage detection. Statistical time based algorithms are used to analyze collected data and determine both damage size and probable location from within the structure. While traditional calculations and life span analysis can be done for structures made of isotropic materials such as steel or other metals, composites …
Thermal Adaptation Of A Vacuum Chamber, Jacob Russell
Thermal Adaptation Of A Vacuum Chamber, Jacob Russell
Honors Theses
The process of adapting a preexisting vacuum chamber to perform thermal vacuum testing is a rare process in the testing industry. A closed vacuum system that was designed without thermal capacitance in mind will hinder the development of additional thermal system capabilities and prove difficult from a cost standpoint. Generally, building a thermal vacuum system from scratch will cost on the order of $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the system requirements regarding control and thermal capacitance within the chamber. This project will explore the cost of such an adaptation, attempting to minimize expense, and potentially provide the “Western Aerospace Launch …
Design Of A Thrust Stand For Electric Propulsion, Hannah Watts
Design Of A Thrust Stand For Electric Propulsion, Hannah Watts
Honors Theses
Thrust stands are the industry standard device for measuring the low levels of thrust generated by electric propulsion devices. Western Michigan University’s Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments is home to several electric propulsion devices and is in the process of obtaining a pulsed plasma thruster in partnership with the Western Aerospace Launch Initiative. The lab currently has no way of measuring the true thrust force generated by these devices. A thrust stand has been designed specific to the micro-Newton thrust range and the constraints inherent to the facilities in which it will operate.
Energy Analysis And Orbit Simulation Of Actuating Cubesat Solar Arrays, Justin T. Ehren
Energy Analysis And Orbit Simulation Of Actuating Cubesat Solar Arrays, Justin T. Ehren
Honors Theses
CubeSats are used in space research to explore new technologies and detect data to gain a better understanding of various areas of research and subjects affecting human life. CubeSats rely on a solar array to generate energy from the sun and perform their various functions in space. This research studies the energy capturing potential of various solar array configurations and positioning devices for CubeSats. The location and orientation of a CubeSat is simulated with MATLAB for both geo-synchronous and sunsynchronous orbits. Two degree-of-freedom (DoF) positioning devices are sufficient to continuously adjust the photovoltaic array to face towards the sun. Lower …