Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Mechanical Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Aerodynamic Design And Analysis Of A Modified 2006 Mazda Miata, William N. Recher Apr 2024

Aerodynamic Design And Analysis Of A Modified 2006 Mazda Miata, William N. Recher

Honors College Theses

Aerodynamic forces developed by automobiles have destabilizing effects at high speed. These forces tend to skew toward a vehicle’s rear which can present safety concerns, especially for rear-wheel-drive automobiles like the Mazda Miata. To address oversteer and high-speed instability, a vehicle’s design can be tailored to bring about aerodynamic balance and improve traction. LiDAR was used to bring the physical automobile into the digital space. Then, a splitter and diffuser were added to reduce the magnitude of the destabilizing forces. Next, the size and shape of the rear-wing required to balance the vehicle was calculated using a combination of parameters …


Finite Element Analysis Of Thermal-Mechanical Instabilities In Nonmetallic Friction Composite Material, Joseph-Shaahu Shaahu Mar 2024

Finite Element Analysis Of Thermal-Mechanical Instabilities In Nonmetallic Friction Composite Material, Joseph-Shaahu Shaahu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thermal-mechanical instability (TMI) has been a research topic of interest as it focuses a lot on transportation systems. Thermal-mechanical instability was first noticed in railway and experimentally studied with a pin-to-pin or pin-to-surface setup of sliding contact. The topic has been extended into brakes and clutches which are two of the most common sliding systems most susceptible to thermal buckling and thermoelastic instability (TEI), where thermal buckling and thermoelastic instability are two sub-categories of thermal-mechanical instability. Thermal-mechanical instability is an ongoing research to better understand the phenomenon and the limits at which such instability occurs. This work delved into the …


Investigation Of Operational Parameter Differences Between The Standard Ron Test Method And Knock-Limited Modern Spark-Ignition Engine Operation, Alexander Hoth Jan 2024

Investigation Of Operational Parameter Differences Between The Standard Ron Test Method And Knock-Limited Modern Spark-Ignition Engine Operation, Alexander Hoth

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Octane numbers (ONs) are used worldwide to rate the knock propensity of gasoline-like fuels for spark-ignition engines, making ONs the leading indicator of fuel quality for commercial distribution. The ONs were established 90 years ago and have only received minor changes compared to significant advancements in modern engine operation and fuel composition. This has resulted in discrepancies between knock-limited modern engine operation and standard ON ratings. This dissertation used a standard CFR octane rating engine at Argonne National Laboratory that was instrumented with modern combustion research tools to investigate key differences between the Research Octane Number (RON) rating conditions and …


Extending Trailer, Alex Grove Jan 2024

Extending Trailer, Alex Grove

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this research project is to revolutionize the convenience in towable transportation. This innovative design aims to enhance the versatility of pull-behind trailers by incorporating an extendable feature, allowing users to effortlessly adjust the length according to their specific needs. Whether navigating tight spaces or accommodating extra cargo, our trailer adapts to diverse situations, providing unmatched flexibility. In addition to its adjustable length, the trailer is engineered to be compactable, addressing the storage constraints often faced by users with limited space. The collapsible design ensures easy storage without compromising on functionality, making it an ideal solution for individuals …


Schaeffler E-Axle Value Engineering, Andrew Powers Jan 2024

Schaeffler E-Axle Value Engineering, Andrew Powers

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to design a manufacturable E-Axle end housing that improves system performance while reducing cost. The project is focused on utilizing Schaeffler's manufacturing competencies to achieve a simple assembly with a significant reduction in cost per part, while using existing machines or processes within the company. The design development process will follow the conceptual design stage through Finite Element Analysis and classical engineering calculations. Cross-functional design reviews will be conducted to ensure that agreement can be reached on the manufacturing feasibility of the design. Concepts will be entered in a decision analysis sheet to identify the best one …