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Air Force Institute of Technology

Theses and Dissertations

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Articles 91 - 107 of 107

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Demonstrating Optical Aberration Correction With A Mems Micro-Mirror Device, Shaun R. Hick Dec 1996

Demonstrating Optical Aberration Correction With A Mems Micro-Mirror Device, Shaun R. Hick

Theses and Dissertations

This research conducted the first demonstrated use of a micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) mirror array to correct a static optical aberration. A well-developed technique in adaptive optics imaging systems uses a deformable mirror to reflect the incident wave front to the imaging stage of the system. By matching the surface of the deformable mirror to the shape of the wave front phase distortion, the reflected wave front will be less aberrated before it is imaged. Typical adaptive optics systems use piezo-electric actuated deformable mirrors. This research used an electrostatically actuated, segmented mirror array, constructed by standard MEMS fabrication techniques, to investigate …


Microelectromechanical Isolation Of Acoustic Wave Resonators, James R. Reid Jr. Dec 1996

Microelectromechanical Isolation Of Acoustic Wave Resonators, James R. Reid Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Microelectromechainical systems (MEMS) is a rapidly expanding field of research into the design and fabrication of actuated mechanical systems on the order of a few micrometers to a few millimeters. MEMS potentially offers new methods to solve a variety of engineering problems. A large variety of MEMS systems including flip-up platforms, scanning micromirrors, and rotating micromirrors are developed to demonstrate the types of MEMS that can be fabricated. The potential of MEMS for reducing the vibration sensitivity of surface acoustic wave and surface transverse wave resonators is then evaluated. A micromachined vibration isolation system is designed and modeled. A fabrication …


Artificial Cochlea Design Using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, George C. Dalton Ii Dec 1996

Artificial Cochlea Design Using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, George C. Dalton Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in the design of an artificial cochlea is investigated in depth. Interdigitated finger (comb), cantilever, bridge, and mirror resonators are presented as possible devices used to implement the artificial cochlea. These resonators are demonstrated to be extremely high Q devices, capable of being tuned with a simple DC bias. This suggests a possible change to existing cochlea models that claim highly complex AC feedback as being responsible for changes in the damping of the basilar membrane. The new cochlea model presented here, using MEMS to approximate the tuning of the basilar membrane, may be …


Numerical Analysis Of Two And Three Dimensional Recessed Flame Holders For Scramjet Applications, Douglas L. Davis Sep 1996

Numerical Analysis Of Two And Three Dimensional Recessed Flame Holders For Scramjet Applications, Douglas L. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the flame holding properties of recessed cavities in supersonic flow using numerical analysis techniques. A simplified analytical model indicated that an important property for flame holding was the lower residence time. Several chemical kinetic rate models for hydrogen and hydrocarbon combustion were compared. The perfectly stirred reactor model also indicated that trace species diffusion should increase flame spreading rate, and that heat loss reduces flame holding limits. After nonreacting calibration, two-dimensional simulations confirmed the perfectly stirred reactor results for blowout limits. Also, the effect of trace species diffusion on flame spreading was shown to be negligible, and …


Reaction Based Grasp Force Assignment, Mark W. Hunter Jul 1996

Reaction Based Grasp Force Assignment, Mark W. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

An iterative method is developed by which the contact forces required to apply an arbitrary wrench (six elements of force and moment) to a stably grasped object may be calculated quickly. The assignment of contact forces, given a required object wrench, is accomplished with the use of fuzzy logic. This concept is referred to as the fuzzy logic reactive system (FLRS). The solution is versatile with respect to goals inherent in the rulebase and the input parameters, and is also applicable for an arbitrary number of contacts. The goal presented in this research, to illustrate the concept of the FLRS, …


An Investigation Of The Characteristics Of Regenerative Heat Exchangers, Timothy J. Murphy Jun 1996

An Investigation Of The Characteristics Of Regenerative Heat Exchangers, Timothy J. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the current research was to investigate the effects of reducing screen thickness on the volume and compactness factor of stacked, wire-screen regenerators. An improved transient step-change method was devised which integrated experimental data with a numerical model of the flow to determine the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor. The improvements to the approach are: (1) the measured inlet temperature trace is used, (2) the heat transfer coefficient is based on a parameter called the sponge effect delay time, and (3) the important effect of the tube surrounding the matrix is included in the numerical model. The …


Structures And Techniques For Implementing And Packaging Complex, Large Scale Microelectromechanical Systems Using Foundry Fabrication Processes, John H. Comtois Jun 1996

Structures And Techniques For Implementing And Packaging Complex, Large Scale Microelectromechanical Systems Using Foundry Fabrication Processes, John H. Comtois

Theses and Dissertations

Microelectromechanical Systems, or 'MEMS' is a broad new field of research into devices that range in size from a few microns to a few millimeters. Much of the technology supporting MEMS research is borrowed from the microelectronics industry; so MEMS holds out the promise of batch fabrication of microminiaturized machines that can be easily integrated with electronics. This dissertation research investigated structures and methods for implementing and packaging complex, large scale microelectromechanical devices and systems using commercially available foundry fabrication processes. It specifies methods for creating and packaging large, complex MEM systems, allowing the exploration of new MEMS architectures at …


Simultaneous Composite Tailoring And Bending Control Optimization For Damping The Torsional Vibration Of A Plate, Douglas W. Dehart Jun 1996

Simultaneous Composite Tailoring And Bending Control Optimization For Damping The Torsional Vibration Of A Plate, Douglas W. Dehart

Theses and Dissertations

A method for the simultaneous structural and control optimization for torsional vibration of a composite plate which simulates a spacecraft solar array structure was developed in this study. Included in the optimization of the plate are the location of the piezoceramic actuators and sensors that provide bending/torsion actuation, the control gains, and the orientation of the graphite fibers in the composite plies. This research included the effects of using composite tailoring to promote the coupling of the twisting-bending mode to enhance the damping system. The plate was modeled by classical lamination plate theory using a linear elastic strain-displacement theory. This …


Design, Fabrication, Processing, And Testing Of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Chemical Sensors, Brian S. Freeman Dec 1995

Design, Fabrication, Processing, And Testing Of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Chemical Sensors, Brian S. Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

Chemical microsensors are a new field integrating chemical thin film technology with solid-state fabrication techniques to make devices capable of detecting chemicals in the environment. This thesis evaluated commercially available fabrication processes and numerous sensor designs for working chemical sensors. The commercial processes used were MUMPS for surface micromachined devices and MOSIS for bulk micromachined devices. Overall, eight fabrication runs and 29 different designs were made. Of these designs, two were shown to work effectively. Other designs failed due to fabrication problems and design errors that caused release problems. One design that worked was a surface micromachined chemoresistor with interdigitated …


Design And Fabrication Of A Micromechanical Gyroscope, Richard M. Kuhns Dec 1995

Design And Fabrication Of A Micromechanical Gyroscope, Richard M. Kuhns

Theses and Dissertations

Both size and cost of mechanical and optical inertial navigation systems (INS) have prevented their use in many applications. By developing a micromachined gyroscope and combining it with existing micromachined accelerometer designs to form a low sensitivity INS, the cost would be reduced by a factor of 10 or more. The lower per unit cost would open new areas for INS use. A second advantage of the micromachined INS would be its size. A micromachined INS would weigh only a few ounces and take significantly less space, allowing more room for electronics and the weight reduction would lead to longer …


Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Micro Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Darren E. Sene Dec 1995

Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Micro Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Darren E. Sene

Theses and Dissertations

Several micro-opto-electro-mechanical structures were designed using the Multi-User MEMS Process (MUMPS). Specific design techniques were investigated for improving the capabilities of elevating flip up structures. The integration of several flip up microoptical structures into a microoptical system was explored with emphasis on the development of a microinterferometer. The thermal effects on the Modulus of Elasticity were determined by detecting the resonant frequency for a square Flexure Beam Micromirror Device. The resonance of the device was found to match theory to within 0.1 % and the Modulus of Elasticity was found to decrease by 0.041 GPa/K from 290 to 450 K. …


Effects Of Blowing Ratios On Heat Transfer To The Throat Region Of A Porous-Walled Nozzle, Fu-Jung Chen Jun 1995

Effects Of Blowing Ratios On Heat Transfer To The Throat Region Of A Porous-Walled Nozzle, Fu-Jung Chen

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of transpiration cooling on heat transfer in the throat region of a porous-walled nozzle were investigated. The experiments were performed in the AFIT low speed shock tube fitted with a Mach 2 nozzle. A blowing region was limited to the area from 1.3 cm prior to the throat to 1.2 cm downstream of the throat. The blowing ratios from -0.0002 (suction) to 0.0117 (blowing) of the main stream flow were studied. Heat flux data were taken from both sides of the nozzle. One side was transpiration cooled by secondary air injection through a porous wall, while the other …


Design And Development Of Microswitches For Micro-Electro-Mechanical Relay Matrices, Mark W. Phipps Jun 1995

Design And Development Of Microswitches For Micro-Electro-Mechanical Relay Matrices, Mark W. Phipps

Theses and Dissertations

Many different micro-electro-mechanical switches were designed in the Multi-User MEMS processes (MUMPs) and deep x-ray lithography and electroforming (LIGA) processes. The switches were composed of actuators that operated based upon either electrostatic forces or thermal forces. A thermally activated beam flexure actuator that operated based upon differential heating was used extensively. This actuator, which was fabricated in the MUMPs process, was able to deflect up to 12 microns with a total input power of less than 25 mW. The thermal resistance, which was needed to model this actuator, was determined from a material constant, 1.9 ± 0.08 m1.5-°C-W …


The Effects Of Transverse Vibration On The Performance Of An Axial Groove Wick Heat Pipe, Kenneth A. Carpenter Dec 1994

The Effects Of Transverse Vibration On The Performance Of An Axial Groove Wick Heat Pipe, Kenneth A. Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effects of transverse vibrations on the performance of an ammonia-aluminum axial groove wick heat pipe. Theoretical calculations predicted a performance degradation due to the working fluid being shaken out of the upper capillary grooves. A benchtop shaker was used to apply transverse, sinusoidal vibrations of 30, 35, and 40 Hertz, corresponding to peak acceleration amplitudes of 1.84g, 2.50g, and 3.27g, respectively. Maximum heat throughput, Q sub max, of the vibrating heat pipe was measured. A comparison of these values and static Q sub max values indicated a degradation in heat pipe performance. …


Effects Of Blowing Ratio On Heat Transfer To The Throat Region Of A Porous-Walled Nozzle, Joseph L. Lenertz Dec 1994

Effects Of Blowing Ratio On Heat Transfer To The Throat Region Of A Porous-Walled Nozzle, Joseph L. Lenertz

Theses and Dissertations

This experiment analyzed the effects of blowing ratio on heat transfer to the throat region of a porous-walled nozzle, using the AFIT low speed shock tube. Heat flux data were taken from both sides of a two-dimensional Mach 2.0 Re-m=5.2x107 nozzle using thin film resistance thermometers. One side was transpiration-cooled by secondary air injection through a sintered wall, while the other side served as a control. Control results were validated using empirical relations, and cooled side results showed up to a 14% reduction in heat transfer coefficient at blowing ratios of only 0.51%. The linear nature of cooling effectiveness …


Binaural Room Simulation, Brian A. Smith Dec 1993

Binaural Room Simulation, Brian A. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Research in binaural and spatial hearing is of particular interest to the Air Force. Applications in cockpit communication, target recognition, and aircraft navigation are being explored. This thesis examines human auditory localization cues and develops a mathematical model for the transfer function of a sound signal traveling from an isotropic point source through a rectangular room to both ears of a listener. Using this model as a guide, non-head coupled binaural sound signals are generated in a binaural room simulation. Reflection and attenuation cues included in the computer generated signals are varied in order to determine which cues enhance the …


Solution To Eigenvalue Problems Of Antisymmetric Cross-Ply And Antisymmetric Angle-Ply Laminated Plates Using Affine Transformations, Zaffir A. Chaudry Dec 1984

Solution To Eigenvalue Problems Of Antisymmetric Cross-Ply And Antisymmetric Angle-Ply Laminated Plates Using Affine Transformations, Zaffir A. Chaudry

Theses and Dissertations

Using affine transformations and suitably recasting the buckling vibration differential equations, the eigenvalue problem of anti-symmetric cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply laminated rectangular plates has been reduced to a function of two strong material constants, the generalized rigidity ratio, whose range is in the closed interval from 0 to 1, and the ratio of principal lamina stiffness. With the reduction in number of constants an exhaustive parameter study of buckling and vibration solution trends, is possible. The buckling coefficients decrease with decreasing value of generalized rigidity ratio for both antisymmetric cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply laminates. For a given aspect ratio, and …