Digital Commons Network^™

Mapping Function To Failure Mode During Component Development, Irem Y. Tumer, Robert B. Stone

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

When designing aerospace systems, it is essential to provide crucial failure information for failure prevention. Failure modes and effect types of analyses and prior engineering knowledge and experience are commonly used to determine the potential modes of failures a product might encounter during its lifetime. When new products are being considered and designed, this knowledge and information is expanded upon to help designers extrapolate based on their similarity with existing products and the potential design tradeoffs. in this work, we aim to enhance this process by providing design-aid tools which derive similarities between functionality and failure modes. Specifically, this paper …

Factors That Influenced Enrollment In The Firm Program At Bethel High School, Susan Carroll

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

To help answer this problem the following goals were developed: 1. Determine the reasons students enrolled in The Firm 2. Determine who influences students' decisions to enroll in The Firm; 3. Recommend future recruitment strategies for The Firm

The Relationship Between Afloat Training Group Norfolk Levels Of Effectiveness To Formal Assessment/Inspections As A Predictor Of Atlantic Fleet Shipboard Engineering Readiness, Juan D. Marpuri Jr.

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

This research will determine if the changes made as a result of IDTC initiatives have contributed to the levels of training effectiveness and ultimately the afloat commands ability to demonstrate engineering readiness.

Aircraft Landing Gear Simulation And Control, Sanoopkumar Ambalaparambil

Theses

The focus of this work is the development of a Multi-degree Of Freedom (MOF) model for simulation and control of the landing performances of the SAE Heavy Lift Airplane model built by the Aerodynamics design team of RIT. From dynamic considerations, the landing gear performance has two areas of interest: a) behavior during touchdown impact, and b) response to excitation induced by track roughness during taxi, take-off and later part of the landing runs. As the problem at hand is highly nonlinear and complex, initially a simplified 1-dof model of the same aircraft is derived and analyzed using Lagrange's equations …

Adaptive-Critic-Based Optimal Neurocontrol For Synchronous Generators In A Power System Using Mlp/Rbf Neural Networks, Jung-Wook Park, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Ronald G. Harley

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a novel optimal neurocontroller that replaces the conventional controller (CONVC), which consists of the automatic voltage regulator and turbine governor, to control a synchronous generator in a power system using a multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPN) and a radial basis function neural network (RBFN). The heuristic dynamic programming (HDP) based on the adaptive critic design technique is used for the design of the neurocontroller. The performance of the MLPN-based HDP neurocontroller (MHDPC) is compared with the RBFN-based HDP neurocontroller (RHDPC) for small as well as large disturbances to a power system, and they are in turn compared …

An Extended Kalman Filter (Ekf) Approach On Fuzzy System Optimization Problem, Nian Zhang, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Optimizing the membership functions of a fuzzy system can be viewed as a system identification problem for a nonlinear dynamic system. Basically, we can view the optimization of fuzzy membership functions as a weighted least-squares minimization problem, where the error vector is the difference between the fuzzy system outputs and the target values for those outputs. The extended Kalman filter algorithm is a good choice to solve this system identification problem, not only because it is a derivative-based algorithm that is suitable to solve the weighted least-squares minimization problem, but also because of its appealing predictor-corrector feature for nonlinear system …

The S-Locus And Unilateral Incompatibility, C. Nathan Hancock, Katsuhiko Kondo, Brian Beecher, Bruce Mcclure

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Plants have many ways to regulate the type of pollen that arrives on the stigma surface. Once there, further control mechanisms regulate compatibility. The latter controls are largely based on biochemical interactions that support compatible pollination and prevent incompatible matings. S-RNase-based selfincompatibility (SI) systems are the most phylogenetically widespread mechanisms for controlling pollination. Studies of Nicotiana establish a firm link between SI and unilateral interspecific incompatibility. Although implicated in both inter- and intraspecific compatibility, S-RNase operates through at least three distinct genetic mechanisms that differ in their dependence on non-S-RNase factors. Identification and characterization of these non-S-RNase factors is currently …

Comparison And Hybridization Of Two Approaches For Maize Simulation, Haishun Yang, Kenneth G. Cassman, Achim R. Dobermann, Daniel T. Walters, John L.. Lindquist, Timothy J. Arkebauer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Two approaches dominate simulation modeling of maize growth: (1) a generic approach, represented by the family of crop models developed by Dutch scientists at the Wageningen University, e.g. SUCROS (Spitters et al, 1989), WOFOST (Diepen et al, 1989) and INTERCOM (Kropff and van Laar, 1993), and (2) a maize-specific approach, represented by CERES-Maize (Jones and Kiniry, 1986) and its derivatives such as the maize module in DSSAT, and the MSB model developed by Muchow et al. (Muchow et al, 1990). These two approaches differ in three aspects. First, maize development in generic models is driven primarily by availability of …

Training Programs Used By Small Businesses On The Peninsula Of Hampton Roads, Virginia, Deborah Y. Yehlen

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

In order to determine answers to this problem, the following research questions were established: 1. What type of training was used? 2. How does the company make decisions on topics for training? 3. What were topics of recent training? 4. Did employees have any input of their needs for training? If so, how was that accomplished or expressed? 5. Who was responsible for coordinating the training programs? 6. Who delivered the presentations? 7. What were the projections for future needs of training in terms of cost, productivity and manpower?

The Attitudes Of Core Subject Teachers Toward Making Technology Education A Required Subject, Michael C. Hamby

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were to: 1. Ascertain the definition and scope of Technology Education from the perspective of core subject teachers; 2. Gather core subject teachers' opinions concerning the ability of Technology Education to reinforce learning in their content areas; 3. Determine if Technology Education should be a core or required subject.

The Effectiveness Of Internet Support To Increase Student's Grades In An Introductory Human Anatomy And Physiology Laboratory, Shawngela F. Pierce

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following hypothesis was used in this study: 1. The use of the internet will increase the grades of students in an introductory human anatomy and physiology laboratory course.

Effects Of Group Versus Individual Instruction On At-Risk Students Grade Point Averages, Christine S. Ricks

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following hypothesis was applied to this study: 1. there is no correlation between the grades of probation students who attended a six week Academic Success Group and those who met with their adviser for six individual advising sessions and their rates of retention after the freshman year.

Optical Properties Of Materials For 157 Nm Lithography, Anatoly Bourov

Theses

A survey of optical properties of sputtered materials in the spectral range of 145 nm to 800 nm has been performed. The optical constants n and k have been measured using ellipsometric techniques. Four combination materials have been created with the properties suitable for application in Attenuated Phase Shift Mask (APSM) manufacturing. The four combination materials have also been characterized, with the results presented.

Design Of A Lorentz, Slotless Self-Bearing Motor For Space Applications, Barrett Alan Steele

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The harsh conditions of space, the stringent requirements for orbiting devices, and the increasing precision pointing requirements of many space applications demand an actuator that can provide necessary force while using less space and power than its predecessors. Ideally, this actuator would be able to isolate vibrations and never fail due to mechanical wear, while pointing with unprecedented accuracy. This actuator has many space applications from satellite optical communications and satellite appendage positioning to orbiting telescopes. This thesis presents the method of design of such an actuator a self-bearing motor. The actuator uses Lorentz forces to generate both torque and …

Investigation Of Soluble Salts On Kentucky Bridges, Sudhir Palle, Rick Younce, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Invisible soluble salts present on steel highway structures can act to promote corrosion even after maintenance painting. Soluble salts include chloride, nitrate and sulfate ions. Soluble salts found on bridge decks and roadways are the result of usage of deicing salts (chlorides), and the deposition of atmospheric pollution (nitrates and sulfates) on exterior surfaces. Typical pollution-related sources of soluble salts are coal-fired power plants, refineries, farming operations, vehicle emissions, and chemical plants. Sites for soluble salt damage on bridges include:

• Beam ends under open or leaking expansion joints,
• Flanges and lower portions of webs of overpass structures,
• Lower chords and …

Roadway Related Tort Liability And Risk Management: 5th Edition, Kenneth R. Agent, Daniel S. Turner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The manual defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of generally growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.

The manual also sets out solutions, and reviews actions, which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the manual.

Training Teachers To Meet The Developmentally Appropriate Needs Of Preschool Children, Sharon R. Brown

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers were having great difficulty meeting the developmental needs of the children. This was evidenced by the teachers’ restriction of unstructured playtime, lack of interaction by the teachers with the children during outdoor play, and the children’s inability to engage in probing, exploratory dialogue.

The solution strategy combined a series of trainings for teachers to learn how to engage children actively in meaningful and age-appropriate learning activities to meet their developmental needs. There were two inservice trainings for the teachers. The topics of the trainings were The Use of Outdoor Space as a Learning Environment for Preschoool Children and How …

Experimental Studies Assessing The Repeatability Of A Functional Modeling Derivation Method, Mark A. Kurfman, Michael E. Stock, Robert B. Stone, Jagan Rajan, Kristin L. Wood

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the results of research attempts to substantiate repeatability and uniqueness claims of a functional model derivation method following a hypothesis generation and testing procedure outlined in design research literature. Three experiments are constructed and carried out with a participant pool that possesses a range of engineering design skill levels. the experiments test the utility of a functional model derivation method to produce repeatable functional models for a given product among different designers. in addition to this, uniqueness of the functional models produced by the participants is examined. Results indicate the method enhances repeatability and leads designers toward …

Experimental Study Of Heat Transfer From A Moving And Evaporating Meniscus On A Heated Surface, Wai Keat Kuan

Theses

A stable meniscus is formed between a needle dispensing water over a heated circular face of a rotating copper block. The needle is offset from the axis of rotation and thus forms a moving meniscus. The water flow rate, heater surface temperature and the speed of rotation are controlled to provide a stable meniscus with complete evaporation of water without any meniscus break-up. The experimental heat transfer rate is compared with the transient heat conduction model. The results indicate that the transient heat conduction plays a major role in the heat transfer process from a moving meniscus. The study provides …

Cultural Sensitivity In Visual Communication, Yih-Chi Wang

Theses

Not Included

Carbon Nanotube Catalysts: An Approach Toward Nanodimensional Reactions, Mindy Gordon

Theses

The oxidations of aromatic and aliphatic amines have been investigated to evaluate the catalytic effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Aniline oxidation by hydrogen peroxide produces very low yields of azoxybenzene; similarly, p-toluidine oxidation produces azoxytoluene after long time periods. When functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes are present in these reactions, the above oxidations produced unique products such as azobenzene or azotoluene within a short period. The course of the reaction has been followed by GC/MS that showed a mass number of 198 corresponding to azoxybenzene (without carbon nanotubes) or 182 corresponding to azobenzene (with the nanotubes). The first stage of …

Concept, Design, Simulation, And Fabrication Of An Ultra-Scalable Vertical Mosfet, Keith H. Tabakman

Theses

A new orientation to the conventional MOSFET is proposed. Processing issues, as well as short channel effects have been making planar MOSFET scaling increasingly difficult. It is predicted by the 2001 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) that non-planar devices will be needed for production as early as 2007. The device proposed in this thesis is similar in operation to the planar MOSFET, however the current transport from source to drain, normally in the same plane as the wafer surface, is oriented perpendicular to the die surface. The proposed device has successfully been simulated, showing a proof of concept. Fabrication …

Experimental Investigation Of Elemental Incorporation In The Otoliths Of Larval And Juvenile Fish: Implications For Use As Environmental Recorders, Gretchen Bath Martin

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Innovative techniques for discerning fish stocks, identifying nursery habitats, locating spawning sites, tracing larval transport pathways, and quantifying the degree of population connectivity are required to meet the goals of sustainable management of marine capture fisheries. One of the most promising techniques is the use of elemental signatures in fish otoliths (ear stones), which record valuable life history data and serve as the link between fish and their environment. To validate the assumption that otolith elemental composition is a function of water elemental concentrations, and to address the possible effects of external variables such as temperature and salinity, the composition …

Boussinesq Model And The Relative Trough Froude Number (Rtfn) For Wave Breaking, Takashi Okamoto

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The relative trough Froude number (RTFN) theory is a new phase-resolving type, wave breaking trigger model introduced by Utku (1999) and Utku and Basco (2002). Based on the moving hydraulic jump concept, this model provides a better implementation of wave breaking in terms of hydrodynamics. Development of computer resources permits the use of the phase-resolving type, Boussinesq wave models in nearshore areas. The Boussinesq equation, however, does not include the physics of wave breaking, so that an additional mechanism is required to initiate wave breaking in the model. The main objective of this study is to develop a new wave …

Developing A Methodology To Detect Partial Failures For Dynamic Systems, Anwar A. Al-Jowder

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a decision support system that can assist in detecting partial failures in dynamic systems such as Fire Control System Tracking Radar (TR) onboard Naval Ships. Partial failures do not necessarily shut down the system immediately but cause degradation of operational performance. Previous work has shown that experts in the field of failure detection, test point insertion and Built-In-Test Equipment (BITE) can provide useful input in detecting partial failures. Partial failures affect operational system performance and support costs, which can be significant. Often, however, partial failure detection consists of the estimations and opinions …

Muscle Recovery From A Short Fatigue Test And Consequence On The Reliability Of Emg Indices Of Fatigue, Christian Larivière, Denis Gravel, A. Bertrand Arsenault, Denis Gagnon, Patrick Loisel

Études primaires

No abstract provided.

Approximate Dynamic Programming Based Optimal Neurocontrol Synthesis Of A Chemical Reactor Process Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The concept of approximate dynamic programming and adaptive critic neural network based optimal controller is extended in this study to include systems governed by partial differential equations. An optimal controller is synthesized for a dispersion type tubular chemical reactor, which is governed by two coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. It consists of three steps: First, empirical basis functions are designed using the "Proper Orthogonal Decomposition" technique and a low-order lumped parameter system to represent the infinite-dimensional system is obtained by carrying out a Galerkin projection. Second, approximate dynamic programming technique is applied in a discrete time framework, followed by the …

Hierarchical Optimal Control Of A Turning Process - Linearization Approach, Anand Dasgupta, B. Pandurangan, Robert G. Landers, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Machining process control technologies are currently not well integrated into machine tool controllers and, thus, servomechanism dynamics are often ignored when designing and implementing process controllers. In this paper, a hierarchical controller is developed that simultaneously regulates the servomechanism positions and cutting forces in a lathing operation. The force process and servomechanism system are separated into high and low levels, respectively, in the hierarchy. The high level goal is to maintain a constant cutting force to maximize productivity while not violating a spindle power constraint. This goal is systematically propagated to the lower level and combined with the low level …

Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Based Modeling And Experimental Implementation Of A Neurocontroller For A Heat Diffusion System, Prashant Prabhat, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look, Radhakant Padhi

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Experimental implementation of a dual neural network based optimal controller for a heat diffusion system is presented. Using the technique of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), a set of problem-oriented basis functions are designed taking the experimental data as snap shot solutions. Using these basis functions in Galerkin projection, a reduced-order analogous lumped parameter model of the distributed parameter system is developed. This model is then used in an analogous lumped parameter problem. A dual neural network structure called adaptive critics is used to obtain optimal neurocontrollers for this system. In this structure, one set of neural networks captures the relationship …

Recognizing Toxic Species In Aquatic Habitats: A Potential Concern In Lake Management, Mikolaj Kokocinski, Harold G. Marshall

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The importance of distinguishing toxic and non-toxic algal species is becoming a more common problem for management decisions associated with various freshwater and estuarine habitats. An example is given where two dinoflagellates, originally unidentified as closely resembling the toxin producing Pfiesteria spp., have been compared to these species. In order to clarify any relationship to Pfiesteria spp., scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the plate tabulation patterns of these dinoflagellates and make comparisons to the tabulation present in Pfiesteria spp. The results indicated significant differences in the plate tabulations of these taxa to distinguish them from Pfiesteria …