Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Parameter Study On Topology Optimization Of Constrained Layer Damping Treatments, Rohan Vinay Pai

Masters Theses

This study investigates the optimal topology of a constrained layer damping treatment involving viscoelastic materials under a static load for different boundary conditions in order to maximize the damping loss factor for the first vibrating mode of the base structure. Different parameter studies are carried out for the two boundary conditions and conclusions are drawn based on the loss factor results and the novel topologies that emerge from these optimization results. The novel topologies are then used to interpret shapes that are more reasonable to manufacture. Tremendous improvement in the loss factor (up to 1250%) is obtained by topology optimization …

Analysis And Design Of A Gear Shifting Mechanism For Transmission Based Actuators, Kalyana Bhargava Ganti

Masters Theses

The fundamental idea of Transmission Based Actuators (TBA) is to incorporate a multi-speed transmission to spread a servomotor’s torque speed characteristics across a wider output speed range. TBA uses multi-speed transmissions such that heavy, high-torque motors can be traded for high-speed, reduced mass motor-transmission combinations. TBA design consists of a D.C. Brushless motor, discrete gear transmission and a fixed reduction. Of these, the fundamental to the proof of principle of TBA is the design of the discrete gear transmission.

Basically the DVT is a three-speed gearbox consisting of 3 sets of epicyclic gears. Every planetary gear set is a two-degree …

Modeling Of Corrugated Graphite Foam Heat Exchangers, Timothy Henry Norton Jr.

Masters Theses

A new manufacturing process was recently developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the production of graphite foam. The high thermal conductivity and heat transfer area of the foam make it desirable for thermal management applications such as compact heat exchangers. The heat transfer capabilities of the foam are especially useful in internal forced convection applications. However, due to the very low permeability of graphite foam, pressure-drop is very high compared to other porous media, and pressuredrop reduction schemes are necessary to ensure its practical application. Pressure-drop reduction can be achieved through the strategic machining of graphite foam into …

Investigation Of Compound Micro Cantilever For Imaging And Identifying Micro/Nano Particulates, Ramanathan Narayanan

Masters Theses

Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) are typically used to image surfaces along with small particulates that may be deposited on the surface. Surface imaging can be made down to the atomic level but usually it is conducted at the nano and micro scales. It is highly desirable to identify the constituency of particulates on the surface and if possible determine the chemical and physical identity of particulates. The objective of the research presented in this thesis is to establish the feasibility of using dual micro cantilevers to determine the physical constituency of nano particles deposited to the micro surface. The goal …

A Design Study Of A Proposed Four-Seat, Amateur-Built Airplane, D. Andrew Moore

Masters Theses

An airplane configuration suitable for construction by an amateur builder without the need for complex factory fixtures and tooling has been developed. The proposed high-wing configuration is intended to carry a 600 LB payload of up to 4 passengers arranged in 2 rows of side-by-side accommodations at a design cruise speed of 145 kts. It has been shown that the cantilevered wing components of the low-wing, 2-seat Mustang II kit airplane are ideally suited for the proposed airplane when properly matched with strut braced inboard wing panels. The structural implications of optimally sized ailerons on the baseline Mustang II wing …

Sensor Based Plc Programming For A Discrete Event Control System, Siva Kali Prasad Dasari

Masters Theses

In the manufacturing industry, automation in material handling has increased the overall profitability of the product with an improvement in the quality and productivity of the system. This is primarily due to two reasons. First, automation reduces the total production cycle time, and second, it helps smooth flow of raw materials and finished products to their desired location with little or no human interference. But, such an implementation involves several problems. One significant problem is the location of sensors that perceive the system environment. A correct choice of sensors at precise locations enables the controller to collect the required information …

Design Of An Automobile Passenger Weighing System, Travis Mark Kimmins

Masters Theses

The purpose of this project was to design a low-cost alternative to the current design of a device that weighs the passengers of an automobile in order to determine if the passenger weight is sufficient to deploy an airbag. In addition to designing a system to weigh a passenger, the capability of determining the position of the occupant was also desirable.

Taking into account that seat deflection is a function of weight, linear potentiometers were used to measure deflection. Seven potentiometers were attached to a wire mesh located beneath the foam of the seat. Various weights were applied to locations …

Application Of A Finite Element Model Update Technique To Detect Damage In A Beam Structure, Madhu Kumar Vattipulusu

Masters Theses

"The interest in the ability to monitor a structure and detect damage at the earliest possible stage is pervasive throughout the civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering communities. The thesis focuses on the application of a finite element model updating technique to monitor and detect damage in beams. A Sensitivity Based Element-by- Element (SBEBE) methodology is chosen as the finite element model updating technique. In this method, damage is detected by updating a finite element model with test data obtained from "healthy" and "damaged" structures and observing the relative changes in the updated finite element models. The performance, efficiency and sensitivity …