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Mechanical Engineering Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

The Effect Of Streamwise Vortices On The Frost Growth Rate In Developing Laminar Channel Flows, Brian Storey, Anthony Jacobi Jul 2012

The Effect Of Streamwise Vortices On The Frost Growth Rate In Developing Laminar Channel Flows, Brian Storey, Anthony Jacobi

Brian Storey

An experimental study is presented to assess the influence of streamwise vortices on frost growth in a steady, developing, laminar channel flow. Using a simple model and scale analysis, frost growth rate (ablimation) data are normalized with respect to temperature, humidity and time. Measurements from baseline experiments in a rectangular channel are found to be accurately correlated using the proposed scaling relation. Upon introducing streamwise vortices in the channel flow, frost growth still follows the scaling relation, but local growth rates were observed to increase by more than 7% in regions where the streamwise vortices induce a surface-normal flow toward …


Bistability In A Simple Fluid Network Due To Viscosity Contrast, John Geddes, Brian Storey, David Gardner, Russell Carr Mar 2012

Bistability In A Simple Fluid Network Due To Viscosity Contrast, John Geddes, Brian Storey, David Gardner, Russell Carr

Brian Storey

We study the existence of multiple equilibrium states in a simple fluid network using Newtonian fluids and laminar flow. We demonstrate theoretically the presence of hysteresis and bistability, and we confirm these predictions in an experiment using two miscible fluids of different viscosity—sucrose solution and water. Possible applications include blood flow, microfluidics, and other network flows governed by similar principles.


Shape Stability Of Sonoluminescence Bubbles: Comparison Of Theory To Experiments, Brian Storey Mar 2012

Shape Stability Of Sonoluminescence Bubbles: Comparison Of Theory To Experiments, Brian Storey

Brian Storey

Single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) is the brief flash of light emitted from a single, stable, acoustically forced bubble. In experiments, the maximum pressure amplitude with which a bubble may be forced is limited by considerations of spherical stability. The traditional linear stability analysis predicts a threshold for SBSL at a much lower pressure amplitude than experimental observations. This work shows that if one constructs an accurate model of the radial dynamics, the traditional linear stability analysis predicts a boundary that is in excellent agreement with experimental data.