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Particle Size And Velocity Measurements In Two Phase Flows Using Laser Doppler Velocimetry, Joseph Parker

Honors Theses

Laser Doppler Velocimetry is used in fluid mechanics to measure the velocity of particles in fluid flows. A small particle exhibits motion closely corresponding to the fluid behavior because of its ability to follow high frequency flow fluctuations. Large particles do not follow the flow field precisely but represent a second phase. This project used LDV to measure the size and velocity of particles in two phase flows by computer analysis of the Doppler signal.

Hydration Behavior Of Laser Dye Aerosols Of Mixed Composition Having High Critical Supersaturations, Max B. Trueblood, Donald E. Hagen, Darryl J. Alofs

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This Study Concerns Aerosol Particles of Mixed Composition. the Particles Contain a Water Insoluble Core (Polystyrene Latex), Surrounded by a Water Soluble Shell (Various Fluorescent Dyes). a Collison Nebulizer and an Electrostatic Aerosol Classifier Are Used to Prepare the Aerosol; its Critical Supersaturation Spectrum is Measured with a Diffusion Cloud Chamber. Experiments Were Done using Four Different Dyes (Disodium Fluorescein, Sulforhodamine 640, Sulforhodamine B and Rhodamine 560 Chloride) with Five Different Polystyrene Latex Sphere Sizes. the Results Indicate that a Kohler-Type Behavior is Obeyed. This Technique of Putting a Soluble Coating Onto an Insoluble Core is Found to Be a …

A Complete Model Characterization Of Brushless Dc Motors, N. Hemati, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The authors address the modeling problem associated with brushless DC motors (BLDCMs) with nonuniform air gaps that operate in a range where magnetic saturation may exist. The mathematical model includes the effects of reluctance variations as well as magnetic saturation to guarantee proper modeling of the system. An experimental procedure is developed and implemented in a laboratory environment to identify the electromagnetic characteristics of a BLDCM in the presence of magnetic saturation. It is demonstrated that the modeling problem associated with the class of BLDCMs can be formulated in terms of mathematically modeling a set of multidimensional surfaces corresponding to …

Moving Object Recognition And Guidance Of Robots Using Neural Networks, Abhijit Neogy, S. N. Balakrishnan, Cihan H. Dagli

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The design of a robust guidance system for a robot is discussed. The two major tasks for this guidance system are the online recognition of a moving object invariant to rotation and translation, and tracking the moving object using a neural-network-driven vision system. This system included computer software ported to the IBM PC and interfaced with an IBM 7535 robot. The operation of this guidance system involved recognition of a moving object and the ability to track it till the robot and effector was in close proximity of the object. It was found that the robot was able to track …

Extension Of Vlasov’S Semi-Membrane Theory To Reinforced Composite Shells, Victor Birman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Governing equations for the statics and dynamics of reinforced composite shells are developed based on Vlasov's semi-membrane shell theory. These equations have closed-form solutions illustrated for buckling and free vibration problems. The buckling solution converges to the known result for unstiffened isotropic shells. © 1992 by ASME.

Machining Of Composite Materials. Part I: Traditional Methods, Serge Abrate, D. A. Walton

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Composite materials are more difficult to machine than metals mainly because they are anisotropic, non-homogeneous and their reinforcing fibers are very abrasive. During machining, defects are introduced into the workpiece, and tools wear rapidly. Traditional machining techniques such as drilling or sawing can be used with proper tool design and operating conditions. A review of traditional machining methods applied to organic and metal matrix composites is presented in this article. The use of non-traditional machining methods such as waterjet, laser and ultrasonic machining will be discussed in the second part. © 1992.

Approaches To Control Of The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture, Mehran Ghofrani

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture is a five degree-of-freedom system, developed and built at NASA Langley Research Center. It is intended for study of control techniques in magnetic suspension systems with large angular capabilities. In this study, steps have been taken to prove the system in practice, using the existing hardware. A classical control approach, using dual phase advance compensators, is applied in simulation and hardware. A single decoupled degree-of-freedom of the system is stabilized and controlled in simulation. The procedure is then employed for all five degrees-of-freedom. The design and implementation of an analog and a digital …

Explicit Multistage Schemes For The Solution Of The Three-Dimensional Compressible Euler/Navier-Stokes Equations, Alaa Ahmed Elmiligui

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study was to develop a high-resolution-explicit-multi-block numerical algorithm, suitable for efficient computation of the three-dimensional, time-dependent Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. The resulting algorithm has employed a finite volume approach, using MUSCL-type differencing to obtain state variables at cell interface. Variable interpolations were written in the $\kappa$-scheme formulation. Inviscid fluxes were calculated via Roe's flux-difference splitting, and van Leer's flux-vector splitting techniques, which are considered state of the art. The viscous terms were discretized using a second-order, central-difference operator.

Two classes of explicit time integration has been investigated for solving the compressible inviscid/viscous flow problems--two-stage predictor-corrector schemes, …

Redesign Of Parts And Simulation Of Flexible Assembly Cell For Safety Water Shower Assembly, Balraj Y. Gardilla

Theses

A Design for Assembly (DSA) method is used to analyze the safety water shower assembly and to redesign the components with emphasis on meeting the criteria of allowing for flexible Assembly Cell (FAS). An Expert System is developed to select the right Assembly using VP-Expert. This thesis contrasts the old and new safety water shower assembly designs and describes the design of a final Flexible Assembly Cell. A PUMA 550 robot was investigated for use in the cell design. The flexible Assembly cell is simulated on silicon graphics using the IGRIP software. The economics of each part presentation method is …

A Case Study On Petri Net Modeling, Animation, And Simulation, Suresh C. Gurala

Theses

Petri nets as a graphical tool has developed over the last decade into a suitable model for representing, modeling, designing, analyzing and studying concurrent systems. In this thesis, Petri nets are applied for analyzing, modeling and simulation of a flexible assembly station. An existing AT&T FWS200 flexible assembly workstation for printed circuit board is modeled using Petri nets without the consideration of insertion failures and other abnormalities in the system. The Petri net model is then simulated using Graphics simulation language (GSL).

Advanced Manufacturing Applications Of Cost Estimating Techniques For Metal Cutting Industries, Zubair Hamid

Theses

In this work, different cost estimating techniques in metal cutting industry were studied. A basic understanding of estimation concepts were given. The typical breakdown of total cost was also given and discussed in details. Practical applications of cost estimating is studied. The effect of different parameters which relate to the lot sizes or quantity were discussed. All these results show that total cost is minimum at a point which is called least cost point, after that cost increases because of the addition of extra resources, in terms of man, machine and increase in administrative expenses.

Study Of A Non-Contact Gaging System Of Inspection, Gordhanbhai Ketan Patel

Theses

The quality control function has traditionally been performed using manual inspection methods and statistical sampling procedures. Manual inspection is generally a time - consuming procedure which involves precise, yet monotonous work. It often requires that parts be removed from the vicinity of the production machines to a separate inspection area. This causes delays and often constitutes a bottleneck in the manufacturing schedule.

As a solution to the above problem a Non - Contact Gaging System developed by Optical Gaging Products, Inc., has been used here to study the feasibility of using an automated inspection system and a procedure of developing …

Test 1656: Ford 5640 (16x4) Diesel 16-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURE General Tractors are tested at the University of Nebraska according to the Agricultural Tractor Test Code approved by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers or official Nebraska test procedure. The manufacturer selects the tractor to be tested and certifies that it is a stock model. Each tractor is equipped with the common power consuming accessories such as power steering, power lift pump, generator, etc., if available. Power consuming accessories may be disconnected only when the means for disconnecting can be reached from the operating station. An official representative of …

Design Optimization Of Laminated Fiber Composites, Ramarao G. Prasad

Theses

Laminated Fiber Composites are finding a wide range of applications in structural design especially for light weight structures that have stringent stiffness and strength requirements Finding an efficient composite structural design that meets the requirements of a certain application can be achieved not only by sizing the cross-sectional areas and member thicknesses but also by global or local tailoring of the material properties through selective use of orientation, number and stacking sequence of the laminae that make up the composite laminate.

The work presented here treats the design optimization problem involving minimum weight design of fiber composite laminates subject to …

Development Of Technology For Glass Shaping By The Use Of Abrasive Water-Jet, Li-Yuan Shih

Theses

This study is to investigate the effects of AWJ properties on the results of glass machining and to develop a practical procedure for prediction of these results of abrasive waterjet (AWJ) machining. The use of glass in engineering and Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Technology are introduced. A practical technique to prevent defects and to improve the quality of the glass surface is suggested. A earlier parameter introduced, Exergy Distribution Density (EDD), is used in order to characterize the cutting conditions.

It was found that besides of EDD the results of machining are affected by the particles' destruction in the course of …

Finite Element Frequency Domain Solution Of Nonlinear Panel Flutter With Temperature Effects And Fatigue Life Analysis, David Yongxiang Xue

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A frequency domain solution method for nonlinear panel flutter with thermal effects using a consistent finite element formulation has been developed. The von Karman nonlinear strain-displacement relation is used to account for large deflections, the quasi-steady first-order piston theory is employed for aerodynamic loading and the quasi-steady thermal stress theory is applied for the thermal stresses with a given change of the temperature distribution, ΔΤ (x, y, z). The equation of motion under a combined thermal-aerodynamic loading can be mathematically separated into two equations and then solved in sequence: (1) thermal-aerodynamic postbuckling and (2) limit-cycle oscillation. The Newton-Raphson iteration technique …

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Stress Analysis Of Interface Conditions In Porous Coated Hip Prosthesis, Siu-For Yau

Theses

A three-dimensional finite element model of a collar-type hip stem and both the cortical and cancellous bones is used to investigate the stress distributions on an implanted femoral stem, adjacent bone, and specifically at the bone/implant interface for various amounts of porous coating and different stem materials. The finite element model consists of 909 nodes comprising 536 linear eight-node solid brick elements and 176 two-node interface elements. The finite element analysis code employed is SUPERTAB from SDRC. The interface elements consist of coincident-node spring elements and gap elements which model the rigidly bonded and loose interfaces respectively. Local coordinate systems …

Tardiness Heuristic For Scheduling Flexible Manufacturing Systems, Ali S. Kiran, Sema E. Alptekin, A. Celal Kaplan

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This paper evaluates the tardiness performance of a sampling-based adaptive heuristic in a dynamic manufacturing environment. A test bed, following a real world manufacturing system, has been developed. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in this simulated environment. After fine tuning the algorithm, it has been tested in various shop conditions. The results of these simulation studies are summarized.

Dynamic Test/Analysis Correlation Using Reduced Analytical Models, Paul E. Mcgowan

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Test/analysis correlation is an important aspect of the verification of analysis models which are used to predict on-orbit response characteristics of large space structures. This thesis summarizes the study of using reduced analysis models for performing dynamic test/analysis correlation. The reduced test-analysis model (TAM) has the same number of degrees-of-freedom (DOF) as the number of test measurements. This allows the direct comparison of modal parameters between ground vibration test results and finite element model (FEM) analysis results. The TAM can also be used for pre-test analysis and to aid in the post-test mathematical model updating process.

Herein, four methods for …

Integrated System Identification And Adaptive State Estimation For Control Of Flexible Space Structures, Chung-Wen Chen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Accurate state information is crucial for control of flexible space structures in which the state feedback strategy is used. The performance of a state estimator relies on accurate knowledge about both the system and its disturbances, which are represented by system model and noise covariances respectively. For flexible space structures, due to their great flexibility, obtaining good models from ground testing is not possible. In addition, the characteristics of the systems in operation may vary due to temperature gradient, reorientation, and deterioration of material, etc. Moreover, the disturbances during operation are usually not known. Therefore, adaptive methods for system identification …

Simulation And Measurement Of The Radiant Field Produced By Quartz Heating Systems, Travis Lee Turner

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A method is developed for predicting the radiant heat flux distribution produced by tungsten-filament tubular quartz heating systems with reflectors. The method is an application of Monte Carlo simulation, which takes the form of a ray tracing or random walk scheme. The method is applied to four systems of increasing complexity including; a single unreflected lamp, a single lamp with a flat reflector, a single lamp with a parabolic reflector, and up to six lamps in a six-lamp contoured reflector heating unit. The general methodology of the Monte Carlo method is discussed and applied to the simulation of thermal radiation. …

Conceptual Design Of Dual Cam Mechanisms Using Graph Theory, Raymond Lee Mcclendon

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This paper presents the theory of graphs and how they can be applied to the conceptual design of dual-cam mechanisms. The graph theory was used to validate the results of previous authors (Hain and Pryor). Several applications of dual cam mechanisms are reviewed.

Algorithms using a process of bit mapping were used to developed all possible non-isomorphic graphs for various classes of mechanisms. A classification method was developed using common occurring substructures found in the graphs. This classification scheme was used for conversion of graphs into schematics. Once the results of Hain were verified, the investigation turned to mechanisms with …

On Shock Capturing For Liquid And Gas Media, Tze Jang Chen

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

The numerical investigation of shock phenomena in gas or liquid media where a specifying relation for internal energy is absent poses special problems. Classically, for gas dynamics the usual procedure is to employ a splitting scheme to remove the source terms from the Euler equations, then up-wind biased shock capturing algorithms are built around the Riemann problem for the system which remains. However, in the case where the Euler equations are formulated in the term of total enthalpy, a technical difficulty associated with equation splitting forces a pressure time derivative to be treated as a source term. This makes it …

The Use Of A High Level Cfd Code In Engineering Education, J.E.S. Venart, P. Lemieux, A.C.M. Sousa, D. Tatchell

Mechanical Engineering

An advanced multipurpose Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code, FloSYS, developed for use in a CAD/CAE environment has been utilized in undergraduate and graduate courses in heat transfer. Problems are introduced at an introductory level in: -steady 2- and 3-dimensional conduction, -transient 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional conduction, -free convective cavity flow with conjugate heat transfer, and -turbulent flows with heat transfer. More sophisticated problems, related to the use of porous media concepts for modelling heat exchangers, and compartment fire modelling are introduced at a more senior level. After one year's experimental use, the CFD code is being recommended for use in …

Investigation Of Stagnation Flow Heat Transfer For A Heated Horizontal Round Plate, Ching-Hua Wei

Dissertations

The heat transfer characteristics in stagnation flow are investigated through three cases in this study. The first is forced convection by an array of air jets; the second is free convection of a downward-facing heated round plate; the third is free convection of an upward-facing heated round plate.

The first case is investigated by systematic experiments which examine the heat transfer characteristics mainly by five air jets impinging normally to a flat plate, with varying nozzle diameters, and Reynolds numbers, at different distances between the nozzles and the plate. The empirical formulas of heat transfer around the stagnation point and …

Size Reduction Of Polymeric Particulates By Jet Milling, Cheng Hua

Theses

A basic theory for the size reduction operation by jet milling has been developed.

Typical samples of feedstock have been analyzed using screen analysis to determine the initial distribution of polymeric particulate sizes prior to jet milling.

A statistical theory .was developed using probabilities to represent the likelihood that specific size reductions would occur. These probabilities include the effects of various equipment.

The theory was then used to predict the distribution of polymeric particulate sizes after jet milling. The agreement between the predictions and actual results was within 5 %.

Encouraged by the successful work of the simulation of the …

Genetic Algorithm For Solving Printed Circuit Board Assembly Planning Problems, Hermean Wong

Theses

The application of the genetic algorithm for solving the planning problems for various printed circuit board assembly machines is presented. The genetic algorithm finds the sequence of component placement/insertion and arrangement of feeders simultaneously, for achieving the shortest assembly time. Three types of assembly planning problems are modeled such that they can be solved by the genetic algorithm. The algorithm uses links (parents) to represent possible solutions and applies genetic operators to generate new links (offspring) in an iterative procedure to obtain the optimal solution. Some examples are provided to illustrate the solutions generated by the genetic algorithm, and these …

Development Of A Classification And Coding System For Computer-Aided Process Planning, Shilpan K. Patel

Theses

The chore of this work was to develop a Group Technology Classification Code which can represent the full gamut of simple, rotational parts. The automated coding plan is developed to alleviate the endeavor of the process planner to plan the tasks related to the manufacturing of a specific part. The 15 digits were devised from the Japanese KK-3 Classification and Coding system. The KK-3 System contains 21 digits. Our aim is to minimize the code length, and concurrently to eliminate the redundancies. As a result, a 15 digit G.T. Code is created. The proposed plan also generates the operation logic …

Off-Line Programming Using Igrip, Narahari K. Bhandary

Theses

AT&T's FWS-200 (Flexible Work Station) has been modeled and simulated to implement Off-Line Programming (OLP). IGRIP (Interactive Graphics Robot Instruction Program) from Deneb Robotics, Inc. has been used to simulate the FWS operation.

A GSL(Graphics Simulation Language) program has been used to simulate the chip placements during PCB assembly. The program leads the user through the motions of chip placement, and after the simulation run downloads the motion sequence to the FWS. The animation sequences of the FWS have been downloaded to the FWS on the Factory Floor using a C program, which is utilized to communicate the data to …

Dynamic Analysis Of The Generalized Slider Crank, Sahidur Rahman

Theses

A numerical technique is used to analyze the kinematics of the generalized slider crank mechanism and an analytical technique to derive dynamic force equations for that mechanism has been formulated. The numerical technique used for displacement analysis is based on a combination of Newton-Raphson and Davidon-Fletcher-Powell optimization algorithm using dual-number coordinate-transformation matrices. Velocity analysis is performed by using a dual number method. Finally, dynamic force analysis is accomplished on the basis of the dual-Euler equation and D'Alembert's principle. The approach is developed in such a manner that a digital computer can detect when a solution is possible and then solve …