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Factors Affecting The Development Of Unassigned Patents In Iowa, Diane Darlene Wheeler Schou

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Inventors granted patents from 1975 to 1990 in Iowa identified, via a questionnaire, where they perceived their invention on Bright's scale of eight stages of development. Stages were: idea, rationalization (has merit), experimentation, demonstration of prototypes, working model, commercial (market entry), commercial acceptance (sales), and commercial proliferation (other markets). The questions identified factors affecting development. The factors included: resources assisting development, events influencing start-up, sources of money for development, method of manufacturing, experiences with manufacturers, marketing techniques, sales, profit/loss, concerns, patent renewals, and age of patents. Open-ended questions allowed for additional comments.

Commercial acceptance or commercial proliferation was achieved by …

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 …

Composite Stock Cutting Through Simulated Annealing, Hanan Lutfiyya, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Pipatpong Poshyanonda, Cihan H. Dagli

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper explores the use of Simulated Annealing as an optimization technique for the problem of Composite Material Stock Cutting. The shapes are not constrained to be convex polygons or even regular shapes. However, due to the composite nature of the material, the orientation of the shapes on the stock is restricted. For placements of various shapes, we show how to determine a cost function, annealing parameters and performance. © 1992.

Computer Networking For Operation Management And Optimization In Power Utility Industry, Ali K. Kamrani, Kamran K. Kamrani

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The connectivity, flexibility, and real time control capability of computer systems have led electric utility companies to consider the use of computers and telecommunication networks. The application of such an environment includes data acquisition, supervisory control, operation optimization, and data management. This paper presents the layout of a computer system network for an electric power utility.

A Methodology For Customer Requirements Generation In Communication Systems Planning, Negaa Albegami, Yildirim Omurtag

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In electronic communication systems it is nearly impossible to keep up with changing technology. This problem is further aggregated in the developing countries where the contractor (probably a western company) is expected to develop the system from the ground up. A basic problem which confronts this approach is either: 1) The customer will start adding or rejecting some of the capabilities, or 2) The local operation will never use some of the capabilities. Both of these outcomes are costly in terms of time and resources available to a developing country. This paper describes a new methodology for requirements generation to …

Educating Engineers To Manage Technology: An International Comparison, Daniel L. Babcock, Brian E. Lloyd

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Two countries, the United States and Australia, are compared in terms of: (1) the historical growth of their engineering professions; (2) the structure of their engineering professional organizations; (3) the prevalence of engineers in management positions; and (4 the education of their engineers for management responsibilities.

Application Of Total Quality Management To Research And Development: An Historical Perspective, Scott A. Dellana, Henry Allen Wiebe

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper discusses the historical applications of Total Quality Management (TQM) to Research and Development (R&D). Research aimed at establishing an effective model for the application of TQM philosophies and tools to the R&D environment must start from this historical perspective. The emphasis of this paper is on the relationship of quality tools and techniques to the application of TQM in R&D, providing the foundation for further model development. The scope and definition of R&D is presented and is followed by an overview of the TQM philosophy and its associated tools and techniques. Special attention is given to defining performance …

The Management Of Change: A Case Study, Stephen A. Raper, Richard Neal Callahan

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A literature review was conducted to identify some of the requirements for competitiveness and change that are being promoted by leaders in the manufacturing field. A survey was developed based on the literature review and was subsequently administered, via the case study method, at a midwestern US agricultural chemicals firm to determine the company's degree of compliance with the literature''s recommendations. To a large degree, the company complied with the requirements.

Industrial Technology Faculty's Valuation Of Consulting And Professional Performance, Daniel Richard Meyer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate university industrial technology faculty relationships between their consulting with industrial and perceptions of professional performance. The question addressed was that if effects on teaching ability, research activity, scholarly publishing, and public service arising from this activity. The information obtained adds to knowledge and may be useful for administrators in supporting this form of public service. The result should be increased faculty competence, better prepared students, and increased industrial competitiveness.

Exogenous variables of consulting with industry, competency maintenance, theory testing, enthusiasm regeneration, research opportunity, and scholarly publishing were identified as having potential impact …

A Wear Analysis Study Of Selected Alternative Foundry Tooling Materials Using Impact Abrasion Testing, L. Fred Vondra

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to simulate the wear characteristics of foundry tooling using an impact abrasion test apparatus. The wear characteristic was exhibited by non-metallic materials and was measured as a function of percentage weight loss and was benchmarked against Class 30 gray iron. The research question focused on whether or not a non-metallic material exists that exhibits comparable or superior wear characteristics to Class 30 gray iron for possible consideration as tooling materials for foundry applications. The information obtained adds to knowledge and is useful to foundry professionals in making tooling decisions.

The 34 test materials were …

The Relationships Between Technical Operator Turnover Rate And Selected Working Condition Factors In Taiwan's Printing Industry, Ling-Hsiao Lee

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine how technical operator turnover rate related to selected working condition factors in Taiwan's printing industry. These factors, as defined in this study, included wages, employee benefits, alternative work schedules, training programs, and gainsharings. If the results of this study showed that technical operator turnover rate was related to these selected factors, then the findings of this study would be helpful to a manager making decisions on turnover management.

The data for this study were collected by using three sets of questionnaires: (a) one designed for personnel directors, (b) one targeted at financial …

Development Of An Automated Ultrasonic Inspection Cell For Detecting Subsurface Discontinuities In Cast Iron, John Scott Burningham

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Manufacturing of value added products by companies in todays global marketplace requires the vendors to meet certain minimum standards, SAE, ASTM, ISO, etc. In a global economy, as a manufacturer for the year 2000 and beyond, preferred vendors will become ISO 9000 certified to maintain a market share of produced goods.

An automated inspection cell was developed for the inspection of cast iron ports to detect subsurface discontinuities. The cell consists of an ultrasonic flaw detector (UFD), transducer, robot, immersion tank, computer, and software. Normal beam pulse-echo ultrasonic nondestructive testing is performed on each rough casting.

Using test blocks and …

Analytical Methodology For Atm Control Panel Design, Donald C. Johnson

Theses

This thesis presents a methodology for control panel design and layout along with a case study of an automated teller machine (ATM). A predictive model of human endurance and fatigue is developed from anthropometric, biomechanical and kinematics research. The layout problem is formulated to assign controls to locations to minimize the fatigue imposed on an operator performing a known set of tasks. A family of optimal and near-optimal layouts are found using conventional algorithms. The final hardware design refinements are suggested by human factors concerns. Ergonomic guidelines are also proposed for software aspects of the design. The methods and guidelines …

Parking Demand And Supply In The Central Business District Of Dar Es Salaam City, Theophil Rwebangira

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Central Business District (CBD) Of Dar es Salaam city is currently experiencing severe congestion. Among the major causes of this condition is lack cf enough parking facilities. Obstructions due to vehicles parked on the roadway and increased vehicle circulation by drivers looking for a mace to park This paper reports on a recent study are major contributors to congestion. which evaluated the demand and supply as vell as usage of parking spaces in the CED. The f indings indicate that there is currently an acute shortage Of parking spaces, especially of off—street parking spaces. For the existing facilities, there …

Factors Affecting Capacity Utilization In Industries: Hierarchical Analysis, M Victor

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper provides a hierarchical analysis of the factors affecting capacity utilization in Tanzanian industries. Several factors were identified and sent to randomly selected industries in Tanzania for ranking. The collected data was summarized and analyzed. The analysis made use of a known procedure, the 'Analytical Hierarchy Process' (AHP). The final results shows a ranking of the factors, on various hierarchical levels as to their percentage contribution in lowering the capacity utilization.

Design, Operation And Maintenance Considerations Of Iiorizontal Flow Roughing Filters Preceding Slow Sand Filters, T Mbwette,

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The paper mentions some of the reported uses of Horizontal Flow Roughing Filters (IIRF) in drinking water treatment plants in Europe before briefly reviewing research activities carried out in the use of IIRF prior to Slow Sand Filters. Design, operation and maintenance aspects Of HRF are reviewed on the basis of the laboratory and field tests carried out in Tanzania and Switzerland, respectively in addition to experience gained in operation of a number of plants already built to date. Design aspects are introduced from the point of view Of its philosophy and optimization strategies before design guidelines are given. Important …

Effects Of Feed Solids Concentration On Dual Functionality Of A Hydrocyclone., Zanzu M

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The dual functionality, i.e. thickening and classification of a 50.8mm diameter hydrocyclone has been investigated. A metallurgical slime consisting of a 50% mixture of quartz and petroleum coke was used in the tests. It was found that in order to achieve both thickening and classification at the same time, the pressure drop across the hydrocyclone, the underflow diameter and the feed solids content have to be subtly controlled.

Migrating A C-Based Cad Tool To An Object-Oriented Database/C++ Environment: Conversion Costs And Performance Analysis, Mark A. Roth, Timothy M. Jacobs

AFIT Documents

his paper examines the potential of object-oriented databases to support complex design applications. To do this we migrated the Magic very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit design tool written in the C language to a new environment in which Magic's existing file management code is replaced with a C++ language interface to the commercial object-oriented database management system (OODBMS) product Object Store. In our initial implementation we found the performance of this tool as implemented on the OODBMS to be marginally faster than the tool as currently implemented with a flat file system in several critical areas. Increased functionality, including …

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In This Issue

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A Dynamic Computer Graphics Model Of Satellite Orbits For Use In Instruction And Analysis, John P. Anton

Theses and Dissertations

A computer model of satellite orbits was developed to illustrate difficult orbital concepts. It was also designed to analyze the positions of a satellite constellation with respect to locations on the earth as an aid to analysts. A literature review revealed that existing methods relay on drawings, expensive computers, or are satellite system specific, but that it would be possible to develop such a tool for an IMB-compatible personal computer using the Pascal language. Model capabilities selected included (1) a menu driven user interface; (2) a screen display showing satellite locations, ground track, and an earth map in one of …

Radar System Classification Using Neural Networks, David M. Cameron

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of improving the accuracy of neural networks in the classification of large numbers of classes. A literature search revealed that neural networks have been successful in the radar classification problem, and that many complex problems have been solved using systems of multiple neural networks. The experiments conducted were based on 32 classes of radar system data. The neural networks were modelled using a program called the Neural Graphics Analysis System. It was found that the accuracy of the individual neural networks could be increased by controlling the number of hidden nodes, the relative numbers of training …

Analysis Of Orbital Elements And Atmospheric Activity To Ascertain Possible Presence Of An Ion Propulsion Capability Aboard Salyut 7/Cosmos 1686, Kris R. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze solar and geomagnetic activity in concert with orbital element data for the Soviet space station Salyut 7 as a means toward a determination of the possible use of an ion propulsion source aboard Salyut 7 and the Cosmos 1686 module to which it was docked. Solar activity was represented by sunspot number and 10.7-cm solar radio flux, and geomagnetic activity was represented by the general activity indices k_p and A_p. The effects of atmospheric activity were examined both by direct comparison with orbital data, and by using solar and …

Improving Stochastic Communication Network Performance: Reliability Vs. Throughput, Leonard J. Jansen

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the measurement and improvement of two performance parameters, expected flow and reliability, for stochastic communication networks. There were three objectives of this research. The first was to measure the reliability of large stochastic networks. This was accomplished through an investigation into the current methodologies in the literature, with a subsequent selection and application of a factoring program developed by Page and Perry. The second objective was to develop a reliability improvement model given that a mathematical reliability expression did not exist. This was accomplished modeling a heuristic by Jain and Gopal, into a linear improvement model. Finally, …

Separation Of Cloud/No-Cloud Regions In Satellite Imagery Using A Variation Of Hierarchical Clustering Analysis, Charles J. Martin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the usefulness of personal-computer-based software applying hierarchical clustering theory to try to separate cloud- covered regions from clear regions using Automated Picture Transmission imagery from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Television Infrared Observation Satellite. The algorithms were developed in Turbo Pascal, Version 6, and are part of the Training Software Image Processing program developed by a professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology. The goal of the project was to see if hierarchical clustering could provide better separation of cloud/no-cloud regions than an existing technique, histogram thresholding, while running on a personal computer. Results of …

The Application Of Statistical Kriging To Improve Satellite Imagery Resolution, Donald W. Mcgee Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Imagery analysts are always looking for improved methods of analyzing digital satellite imagery. The resolution of satellite imagery can be improved by enlarging the images since the result will be a higher degree of discernable detail. Currently, nearest-neighbor, bilinear interpolation, and cubic convolution techniques are used for this purpose. The nearest-neighbor technique produces block-like images. The latter two methods produce sharp imagery, but the original information contained in the pixel values is changed in the process of convolving the image. These techniques cannot, therefore, be considered true representations of the original image. Kriging is a statistical technique which can be …

Preliminary Design Of A Model To Assess The Effect Of Space Surveillance Network (Ssn) Sensor Upgrades On Orbit Prediction Accuracies Relative To The U. S. Anti-Satellite (Asat) Mission, Daniel L. O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

This study gives a basis for implementation of a model to assess the effect of proposed sensor upgrades to the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) to determine if more accurate orbital element set predictions by the Space Surveillance Center (SSC) can be obtained for U.S. anti-satellite (ASAT) targeting. Handoff orbital element set predictions to nearby ASAT facilities for single, low-orbit satellite passes over a single radar sensor are considered. Model development began with simulation of the selected satellites passing over the selected sensors producing baseline truth observations based on the NORAD simplified General Publications (SGP4) model. Sensor errors, in the form …

Software Cost Estimating Models: A Calibration, Validation, And Comparison, Gerald L. Ourada

Theses and Dissertations

This study was a calibration, validation and comparison of four software effort estimation models. The four models evaluated were REVIC, SASET, SEER, and COSTMODL. A historical database was obtained from Space Systems Division, in Los Angeles, and used as the input data. Two software environments were selected, one used to calibrate and validate the models outside their environment of calibration. REVIC and COSTMODL are COCOMO derivatives and were calibrated using Dr. Boehm's procedure. SASET and SEER were found to be un-calibratable for this effort. Accuracy of all the models was significantly low; none of the models performed better against the …

Relative Utility Of Selected Software Requirement Metrics, James H. Byers

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the relative utility of selected software requirement metrics in assessing the productivity of the software requirements analysis process and the quality of the products of this process. This objective was met by collecting information about the perceptions that practicing software professionals have of the usefulness of various requirement metrics. The study employed a two part methodology. The first part utilized Basili's goal/question/metric paradigm to identify specific goals of the measurement effort and to identify requirement metrics worthy of further investigation. The second part employed a typical research design to gather perceptions that …

A Top-Down Performance Analysis Of A Pegasus-Based Space Strike System, Douglas E. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The feasibility of using Pegasus launch vehicle as a conventional weapons platform is examined. Using a top-down approach, the analysis addresses the fundamental question of whether such a system should be considered for development. The measures of effectiveness considered are delivery range, probability of destroying the target, and responsiveness. Each of the measures is assessed at its top-level and analyzed only to the level of detail needed to address the fundamental question. The study indicates that attaining a high probability of destroying the target requires extremely precise control over the burnout conditions and that the system must be on constant …

A Comparative Analysis Of Computer End-User Support In The Air Force And Civilian Organizations, Maureen C. Casey, Douglas A. Kveene

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared end-user computing support provided by the Air Force to support provided by civilian organizations with information centers and those without. Factors measured included the end user's demographics, applications used, the effect of computing on perceived confidence, productivity, quality and quantity of output, the importance of various types of support, and satisfaction with the support received from different sources. A survey was administered to 450 Air Force and 265 civilian end users; 416 were returned (response rate of 58.18%). Although there were significant demographic differences between end users, there were no differences in types of support required. Training, …