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An Experimental Investigation Of Whirl Instability Including Effects Of Lubricant Temperature In Plain Circular Journal Bearings, Darryl, Jr. Chauvin

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to experimentally investigate the effect of lubricant temperature on the presence of whirl instability in journal bearings. The first set of conditions that are studied is an extremely low eccentricity rotor and the occurrence of oil whirl at the start-up of the experiment. Lubricant temperature, bearing temperature, frequency and amplitude of vibration, and rotational speed are monitored and analyzed in relation to presence of whirl instability. Additionally, another rotor with a slightly higher eccentricity is tested with respect to the presence of such instability. Particularly with this rotor, the system is brought just below …

Experimental Investigation Of Separation In A Low Pressure Turbine Blade Cascade Model, Brian Hollon

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The flow field around a low pressure turbine blade is examined using smoke-wire flow visualization, static surface pressure measurements, and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The purpose of the experimental study is to investigate the transition and separation characteristics on low pressure turbine blades under low Reynolds number (Re) and varying freestream turbulence intensity (FSTI). A cascade model consisting of 6 Pratt andamp; Whitney PAK-B low pressure turbine blades was examined in a wind tunnel using PIV and flow visualization. Smoke-wire visualization was performed for test section exit angles of 93°, 95°, and 97°, in the range Re = …

Study Of The "Poor Man's Navier-Stokes" Equation Turbulence Model, Stewart Andrew Bible

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The work presented here is part of an ongoing effort to develop a highly accurate and numerically efficient turbulence simulation technique. The paper consists of four main parts, viz., the general discussion of the procedure known as Additive Turbulent Decomposition, the derivation of the "synthetic velocity" subgrid-scale model of the high wavenumber turbulent fluctuations necessary for its implementation, the numerical investigation of this model and a priori tests of said models physical validity. Through these investigations we have demonstrated that this procedure, coupled with the use of the "Poor Mans Navier-Stokes" equation subgrid-scale model, has the potential to be …

Predictions For Multi-Scale Shock Heating Of A Granular Energetic Material, Venugopal Jogi

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis addresses the multi scale heating of a granular energetic solid due to shock loading. To this end, an existing mathematical model that has been used to predict low pressure bulk and localized heating of the granular high-explosive HMX ([CH₂NNO₂]₄) is extended to account for compressibility and melting of the pure phase solid. Dense granular HMX has a heterogeneous structure composed of randomly packed small grains (average size ~ 100 µm) having a free-pour density that is approximately 65% of the pure phase solid density. The shock loading response of this material is …

Large Eddy Simulations Of Complex Turbulent Flows, Mayank Tyagi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation a solution methodology for complex turbulent flows of industrial interests is developed using a combination of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) concepts. LES is an intermediate approach to turbulence simulation in which the onus of modeling of “universal” small scales is appropriately transferred to the resolution of “problem-dependent” large scales or eddies. IBM combines the efficiency inherent in using a fixed Cartesian grid to compute the fluid motion, along with the ease of tracking the immersed boundary at a set of moving Lagrangian points. Numerical code developed for this dissertation solves unsteady, filtered …

Application Of The Force Control On The Working Path Tacking, Sun-Run Wang, Zhi-Zhong Qiao, Pi-Cheng Tung

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

For the application of tracking the path on workpieces, the CCD (Charge Couple Device) identificating system is generally used as one of the popular resolutions. However, the implementation of CCD identificating system is complex and environmental-limited. This study presents a compliant motion controller by using the end-effector installed with a force sensor. This results the smoothly path tracking on a workpiece. By applying the algorithm of Fuzzy into this compliant motion, the compliant control is improved and the path on the workpiece is found more quickly and accurately. A radius compensating method is used to correct the measured data. The …

Experimental Nonlinear Modeling Of A Rotating Machine With An Oil Film Bearing, Chiou-Fong Chung, Pi-Cheng Tung, Chiang-Nan Chang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this study the system identification method is applied to obtain a nonlinear equation for an oil film rotating system. The centrifugal force induced by an unbalanced mass is used as the input signal for identification, and the phase between the input signal and the measured output vibration amplitude is calculated to perform the identification. Stability analysis and system performance are evaluated by using the root locus and the Floquet-Liapunov theorem. Based on the model, the oil whirl of the journal bearing can be predicted. A comparison between the simulation results and some experimented data shows the feasibility of the …

Switching Decisions For Diversity Antennas Using Autoregressive Techniques, Sebastian Mani Puthenpurayil

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Decision-making on switching for diversity antennas has been given considerable attention in recent times in mobile radio communications. Due to multipath propagation of radio waves the signals undergo a phenomenon known as fading and there will be considerable reduction in the average signal strength. By having multiple antennas in the receiver or transmitter the signal strength can be improved by switching back and forth to the antenna that has the maximum signal strength. In this thesis we have used linear prediction method for making decisions on which antenna gives the maximum signal strength. Linear prediction is applied on a single …

Development And Design Of Constant-Force Mechanisms, Brent Lewis Weight

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis adds to the knowledge base of constant-force mechanisms (CFMs). It begins by reviewing past work done in the area of CFMs and then develops new nondimensionalized parameters that are used to simplify the calculations required to design a CFM. Comparison techniques are then developed that utilize these non-dimensionalized parameters to compare mechanisms based on stiffnesses, percent constant-force, actual lengths, normal displacements, and feasible design orientations. These comparison techniques are then combined with optimization to define new mechanisms with improved performance and range of capabilities. This thesis also outlines a design process, methods to identify mechanisms that are suitable …

A Semi-Infinite Interfacial Crack Between Two Bonded Dissimilar Elastic Strips, Xiang-Fa Wu, E. Lilla, W.-S. Zou

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

This paper is concerned with a semi-infinite interfacial crack between two bonded dissimilar elastic strips with equal thickness. Solutions for the complex stress intensity factor (SIF) and energy release rate (ERR) are obtained in closed form under in-plane deformations. During the procedure, the mixed boundary-value problem is reduced by means of the conformal mapping technique to the standard Riemann–Hilbert problem. In some limiting cases, the present solutions can cover the results found in literature.

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (Aug. 01 – Oct. 31, 2002), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

After two month intensive work in LANL, some preliminary sensor calibration curves have been obtained. Further data analysis shall be performed to assess the theoretical and measured data. Also, a new experimental apparatus shall be designed and located in UNLV to continue the left work.

Technical Progress:

• A set of calibration curves of voltage vs. temperature ranging from 300⁰C to 500⁰C under various oxygen concentrations in liquid LBE for the YSZ oxygen sensor has been obtained and has been reported in one paper.

• A meeting with LBE committee and other faculty members in AAA …

Distributions Of Nobel Metal Pd And Pt In Mesoporous Silica, J. Arbiol, A. Cabot, J. R. Morante, Fanglin Chen, Meilin Liu

Faculty Publications

Mesoporous silicananostructures have been synthesized and loaded with Pd and Pt catalytic noble metals. It is found that Pd forms small nanoclusters (3–5 nm) on the surface of the mesoporous structure whereas Pt impregnation results in the inclusion of Pt nanostructures within the silica hexagonal pores (from nanoclusters to nanowires). It is observed that these materials have high catalyticproperties for CO–CH₄CO–CH₄CO–CH₄ combustion, even in a thick film form. In particular, results indicate that the Pt and Pd dispersed in mesoporous silica are catalytically active as a selective filter for gas sensors.

Screw Dislocation Interacting With An Interfacial Edge Crack Between Two Bonded Dissimilar Piezoelectric Wedges, Xiangfa Wu, Yuris A. Dzenis, Wen-Sheng Zou

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

This letter is concerned with an interface edge crack interacting with a screw dislocation under antiplane mechanical and in-plane electric loading in a piezoelectric bimaterial wedge. In addition with a discontinuous electric potential across the slip plane, the dislocation is subjected to a line-force and a line-charge at the core. The out-of-plane displacement and electric potentials are obtained in closed-form on the basis of the conformal mapping technique and the solution for a screw dislocation in an infinite piezoelectric bimaterial with a semi-infinite interface crack. The intensity factors (IFs) and energy release rate (ERR) are obtained explicitly.

2002 (Fall) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the fall of 2002.

Evaluation Of Distributed Effects In Field Effect Transistors For High Frequency Applications, Srinivas Rowjee Cuddapah

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors are at the heart of currently used microwave and millimeter-wave devices. CAD (Computer Aided Design) models for MESFET are used in the development and optimization of high-speed microwave devices. The increase in the chip density demands more accurate models. A distributed small signal model was developed for a GaAs MESFET account of the high frequency effects.

The lumped model of the MESFET is inadequate at frequencies where the wavelength of operation approaches device dimensions. This is because different regions in the device can experience different amplitudes and phases of the biasing signal. In this thesis, …

A Mechanical System For Soil Reconstruction, John Patrick Fulton, Larry G. Wells, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

One of the most perplexing problems associated with reclaiming surface–mined lands is excessive compaction of soil due to the heavy earthmoving equipment used during the reclamation process. Over the years, some innovative material handling schemes have been devised to limit vehicle traffic during reclamation on reconstructed soil. However, final grading operations can often create root–limiting bulk densities, which affect plant growth and yield. The purpose of this article is to describe a mechanism designed at the University of Kentucky whereby mine soil can be reconstructed without introducing compaction caused by surface traffic in order for the soil to sustain desirable …

Modeling The Thermal Behavior Of A Surface-Micromachined Linear-Displacement Thermomechanical Microactuator, Christian D. Lott, Timothy W. Mclain, John N. Harb, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Thermomechanical microactuators possess a number of desirable attributes including ease of fabrication and large force and displacement capabilities relative to other types of microactuators. These advantages provide motivation for improving thermomechanical microactuator designs that are more energy efficient and thus better suited for low-power applications. To this end, this paper describes the development and experimental validation of a finite-difference thermal model of a thermomechanical in-plane microactuator (TIM). Comparisons between the model and experimental results demonstrate the importance of including the temperature dependence of several parameters in the model. Strategies for reducing the power and energy requirements of the TIM were …

Closed-Form Solution For The Size Of Plastic Zone In An Edge-Cracked Strip, Xiang-Fa Wu, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

This paper is concerned with the problem of plastic zone at the tip of an edge crack in an isotropic elastoplastic strip under anti-plane deformations. By means of complex potential and Dugdale model, the stress intensity factor and the size of plastic zone are obtained in closed-form. Furthermore, the analytic solutions for an edge crack at the free boundary of a half-space and a semi-infinite crack heading towards a free surface are determined as the limiting cases of the strip geometries.

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements: Quarterly Progress Report (June 1 – August 31, 2002), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), the Idaho State University (ISU), and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is to evaluate the feasibility of determining residual stresses in cold-worked, plastically-deformed, and welded materials using a nondestructive method based on positron annihilation spectroscopy. This technique uses γ-rays from a small MeV electron Linac to generate positrons inside the sample via pair production. This method is known to have capabilities of characterizing defects in thick specimens, that could not be accomplished by conventional positron technique or other nondestructive methods. The generated data will …

Object-Oriented Modeling And Fauly Detection Of A Powder Feeder For A Laser Metal Deposition System, Robert G. Landers, Michael Gene Hilgers, Frank W. Liou, Bruce M. Mcmillin

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One of the most critical components of a laser metal deposition system is the powder feeder unit. Techniques are required to efficiently design and analyze these systems and to ensure fault tolerance during the operation. In this paper, a model of the powder feeder unit, based on object- oriented abstractions of it components, is developed. This model is modular in that specific components can be efficiently updated or replaced with components that perform a similar function. In addition, the model can be used for simulation allowing for efficient design and analysis. Assurance of the correctness of the powder feeder system …

Laser Aided Part Repair -- A Review, Jinglei Wang, Sashikanth Prakash, Yashodhan Joshi, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Laser aided part-repair is an emerging trend that has great potential for future industrial applications. Part-repair technologies are currently used in repairing military and civilian equipment. The focus of this paper is to review the current repair processes, which use the laser-aided metal deposition technology. Many metal parts, which are worn by continual use, can be restored to working condition by the deposition of metal with a laser and machining. This not only extends the life of the part, but also, saves on cost. A comparison between various processes, their parameters, efficiency, cost, and etc. are also presented. The process …

Object-Oriented Modeling And Fault Detection Of A Powder Feeder For A Laser Metal Deposition System, Robert G. Landers, Michael Gene Hilgers, Frank W. Liou, Bruce M. Mcmillin

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One of the most critical components of a laser metal deposition system is the powder feeder unit. Techniques are required to efficiently design and analyze these systems and to ensure fault tolerance during the operation. In this paper, a model of the powder feeder unit, based on object-oriented abstractions of it components, is developed. This model is modular in that specific components can be efficiently updated or replaced with components that perform a similar function. In addition, the model can be used for simulation allowing for efficient design and analysis. Assurance of the correctness of the powder feeder system is …

Correlation And Prediction Of Fatigue Crack Growth Rate For Different R-Ratios, Sudip Dinda

Masters Theses

The prediction of fatigue crack growth rate of a structural material is an important aspect by which we can predict the critical or safe crack length and, therefore, avoid the sudden failure of components and structures.

There are numerous models which claim to predict the fatigue crack growth rate, but with the exception of the highly published "crack closure methodology" no other model lived up to the expectation of correlating the fatigue crack growth data or predicting the fatigue crack growth rate for different R-ratios.

In order to find an effective solution to the above problem a study has been …

Design And Analysis For Melt Casting Metallic Fuel Pins Incorporating Volatile Actinides, Xiaolong Wu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fundamental issues related to the selection of a metallic fuel casting furnace design are presented and discussed including heating mechanisms, casting issues, crucible design, and issues related to the mass transport of americium. The process of evaluating all of these different criteria is undertaken to select a concept that would have the greatest chance of success for casting americium in a metallic fuel rod. Based on this evaluation process, a concept for the casting of metallic fuel pins containing high vapor pressure materials is selected and discussed. The important physics of this concept include mass transport of americium from the …

Experimental Demonstration Of Multiple Robot Cooperative Target Intercept, Timothy W. Mclain, Randal W. Beard, Jed M. Kelsey

Faculty Publications

This paper presents experimental results for the simultaneous intercept of preassigned targets by a team of mobile robots. The robots are programmed to mimic the dynamic behavior of unmanned air vehicles in constant-altitude flight. In proceeding to their targets, robots must avoid both known static threats and pop-up threats. An overview of the cooperative control strategy followed is given, as well as a description of the robot hardware and software used. Experimental results demonstrating simultaneous intercept of targets by the robot team are presented.

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (May 01 – July 31, 2002), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Accurate measurement of the oxygen concentration in liquid Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) cooling system is critical in the active control of the corrosion at the interface between LBE and the stainless steel of transport tubes. Currently, LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) scientists have employed an automobile-style YSZ (Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) oxygen sensor unit to measure oxygen levels in an engineeringscaled LBE test system. Although the theoretical model for calculating oxygen concentration based on voltage measurement of YSZ sensor in static conditions is well understood, there is an urgent and strong need to obtain a complete set of calibration curves for YSZ …

An Interactive Visual Environment For Scientific Problem Solving, Georg F. Mauer

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Science and engineering students do not typically receive explicit training in scientific problem solving, i.e. applying science principles to specific situations. Students’ problem solving skills often show little improvement throughout their course of studies. This paper describes a structured, graphical, interactive (GUI) learning environment, which presents problems and tools for analysis in systematic and logical order, and encourages the student to develop the solution path in the manner of an experienced expert. The learning environment’s subject area is Engineering Dynamics, which was selected for its systematic structure and its early (usually sophomore) place in the undergraduate curriculum. The software presents …

Development Of A Model For Induction Heating, Randy Clarksean, Yitung Chen

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

There are two coupled equations that must be solved in order to determine the power deposition. The numerical solution of these equations is needed in order to apply a source term within the energy equations. These equations have previously solved in FIDAP. That implementation used modified versions of the momentum and energy equations to provide a mechanism for the solution of two coupled equations. Currently, we want to solve for the induction heating field in addition to the flow field and the energy equation. In order to do this, a mechanism has to be defined within FIDAP to solve these …

Concurrent Evaporating Spray Jets In Dilute Gas-Solid Pipe Flows, Xiaohua Wang

Dissertations

Evaporating spray jets into gas-solids suspensions are encountered in many industrial applications. The rapid evaporation of spray jets has significant effects on the gas-solids mixing near the jet nozzle regions, including non-uniform solids concentration dilution, gas/solids temperature reduction, and gas/solids velocity acceleration. Furthermore, the jet structure is altered by the change of solids loading, jet mass flow rate and initial droplet size distribution. These interactions of gas, solids and evaporating droplets dominate the process efficiency and product quality. There is an urgent need for exploring fundamental mechanisms of the multi-phase interactions with heat and mass transfer as there are few …

Elasticity In Microstructure Sensitive Design Through The Use Of Hill Bounds, Benjamin L. Henrie

Theses and Dissertations

In engineering, materials are often assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic; in actuality, material properties do change with sample direction and location. This variation is due to the anisotropy of the individual grains and their spatial distribution in the material. Currently there is a lack of communication between the design engineer, material scientist, and processor for solving multi-objective/constrained designs. If communication existed between these groups then materials could be designed for applications, instead of the reverse. Microstructure sensitive design introduces a common language, a spectral representation, where both design properties and microstructures are expressed.

Using Hill bounds, effective elastic properties …