Engineering Commons^™

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia, William Culbreth

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

One of the key technologies for the deployment of accelerator driven transmutation systems is the accelerator itself. To increase the efficiency of the high-power accelerators needed to support the transmutation mission, the national and international accelerator teams have proposed using elliptical superconducting niobium cavities. This project is tasked with examining the impacts of the design and fabrication technologies for these elliptical niobium cavities on their performance. Niobium was selected primarily due to its behavior at low temperatures.

One of the major sources of energy loss from a superconducting accelerator cavity is a process known as multiple impacting (or “multipacting”) of …

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic, Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is a candidate as a spallation target in sub-critical transmutation systems and as a coolant in nuclear programs. One of the primary concerns with LBE systems is the corrosion of stainless steel, the primary structural material used in nuclear systems. To mitigate this problem, trace levels of oxygen can be introduced into the system, causing the formation of a protective oxide layer at the interface between the LBE and steel. To protect the steel components, this oxide layer must be properly maintained. However, too much oxygen will produce unwanted oxide precipitation within the coolant and elsewhere in …

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Stress Concentration On Target Materials, Sudheer Sama

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents a brief summary on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of alloy HT 9. The susceptibility of this alloy to SCC was evaluated by using constant load and slow strain rate test techniques in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient temperature and 90°C. A proof ring was used to apply tensile load to the smooth specimen for 30 days in constant load testing. In slow strain rate testing, the specimen was continuously strained in tension at a rate of 3.3 × 10^-6 sec^-1 until fracture.

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Stress Concentration On Cracking Of Spallation Target Materials, Ajit K. Roy, Ramprashad Prabhakaran, Mohammad K. Hossain

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents the results of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) studies of two martensitic target materials, namely Alloy EP-823 and Type 422 stainless steel. The susceptibility to SCC was evaluated by using constantload and slow-strain-rate (SSR) test techniques in neutral (pH: 6-7) and acidic (pH: 2-3) aqueous solutions at ambient temperature and 90^oC. A proof ring was used to apply tensile load to the smooth cylindrical specimen for 30 days in constant-load testing. For SSR testing, the specimen was strained in tension until fracture at a strain rate of 3.3 x 10^-6 sec^-1.

Stress Corrosion Cracking Of Type 422 Stainless Steel, Ramprashad Prabhakaran

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This paper presents the results of SCC tests of quenched and tempered martensitic Type 422 SS in neutral and acidic aqueous environments at ambient temperature and 90^oC.The susceptibility of smooth and notched tensile specimens to SCC was evaluated by using constant load (CL) and slow strain rate (SSR) test methods. During CL testing, a calibrated proof ring was used to apply a constant load to the test specimen. The magnitude of the applied stress was based on ambient temperature yield strength of the material. On the contrary, the test specimen during SSR testing was continuously strained in tension …

The Biomechanical Aspects Of Pedestrian Protection, Krishnakanth Aekbote, Peter Schuster, Sunny Kankanala, Srini Sundararajan, Stephen W. Rouhana

Mechanical Engineering

In this paper a biomechanical basis for pedestrian protection is presented based on reviews of epidemiological and biomechanical studies conducted over the last three decades. Epidemiological studies reveal the nature and cause of pedestrian crashes and injuries sustained in the field. The various factors that influence pedestrian crashes and fatalities such as pedestrian demographics, time and location of crash, type of vehicles involved and their design characteristics, impact speeds, and nature and severity of injuries sustained are covered in the epidemiology section. The biomechanical studies identify the injury mechanisms and the biomechanical tolerances. Several biomechanical studies that attempt to identify …

Experimental Investigation Of Cavitation Signatures In An Automotive Torque Converter Using A Microwave Telemetry Technique, Carl L. Anderson, L. Zeng, P. O. Sweger, Amitabh Narain, Jason R. Blough

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Publications

A unique experimental investigation of cavitation signatures in an automotive torque converter under stall conditions is reported. A quantitative criterion is proposed for predicting early and advanced cavitation in terms of suitable nondimensional pump speeds. The dimensionless pump speed that marks early cavitation is obtained by relating this parameter to the appearance of charge-pressure–dependent pressure fluctuations in the differential pressure transducer readings. The differential pressure transducers were mounted at well-defined locations in the pump passage of a torque converter. The data were transmitted by a wireless telemetry system mounted on the pump housing. Data were received and processed by a …

A Thermal Time-Constant Experiment, Kyle Ressler, Kyle Brucker, Mark L. Nagurka

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

A simple experiment, well suited for an undergraduate course in mechatronics, is described in which thermal time-constant information is extracted from a heater-blower table-top system. In the experiment, a thermistor measures the temperature of a resistive-heater that is cooled by a blower and a microcontroller is used for data acquisition. The student is asked to determine the thermal time response, and in particular the thermal time-constant of the system, for different blower speeds. The experiment prompts questions about modeling a thermal system, and exposes the student to basic concepts of mechatronics including measurement and data analysis.

Finite Element Analysis And Testing Of An Inkjet Cartridge Die, Dylan Ryan

Theses

This project investigates the application of finite element and experimental analysis in the design and testing of silicon based semiconductor components. In a thermal inkjet printer the ink cartridge contains a print head (or die), the head fires numerous droplets simultaneously to form pixels and letters. The inkjet cartridge die consists of a thin film layer, containing the integrated circuits that make up the thennal inkjets, mounted on a polysilicon substrate structure.

A number of incremental changes to the design and manufacturing processes related to the manufacture of these inkjet cartridge dies is made. In past instances when changes were …

Effect Of Jet Hole Arrays Arrangement On Impingement Heat Transfer, Lujia Gao

LSU Master's Theses

A comprehensive investigation on impingement heat transfer of different jet array arrangements is presented. Experiments on the inline jet arrays and the linearly stretched arrays are performed using transient liquid crystal technique. Three experimented basic inline jet arrays are configurations 4X4, 8X4 and 8X8. Two experimented cases for the linearly stretched arrays are the uniform diameter case and the varying diameter case. For the inline jet arrays, three jet heights Z/D=1, 3 and 5 and three Reynolds numbers Re=5000, 10000 and 15000 are investigated. For linearly stretched arrays, the same three jet heights and Re=2000, 6000 and 10000 are investigated. …

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 …

Evaluation Of Fire-Fighting Helmet Surface Technology For High Radiant Heat Applications, David L. Barnett

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Protective helmets used by fire-fighters must be designed to minimize the amount of heat transferred to the users head while providing durability, comfort, and affordable costs. This thesis highlights the evaluation of new helmet technology specifically tailored to high radiant heat environments to advance the state-of-the-art in head protection for this application. The research focused on the assessment of the outer shells of helmets and the properties of the surfaces. The development included the evaluation of radiation heat transfer, in a laboratory environment, to various helmet shell surface constructions. Industry standards were considered, and critiqued. Experiments were designed to isolate …

Measurements In A Rotating Serpentine Duct With Multiple Rib Arrangements, Rahul Bharadwajh

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The effect of rotation on flow in a gas turbine blade cooling duct model is investigated experimentally. The present work consists of velocity measurements at different locations in a test section with a 180° bend with ribs on one wall. Three geometric rib parameters are considered; rib-rib spacing, rib orientation angle and rib blockage ratio. PIV is used for flow visualization and analysis. Along with the clean duct measurements, ribs with blockage ratios, b/h, of 0.25 and 0.125 were considered. The b/h = 0.25 cases have been comprehensively analyzed while the b/h = 0.125 cases have been studied at …

Indirect Evaporative Cooling Potential In Air-Water Systems In Temperate Climates, Ben Costelloe, Donal Finn

Articles

Recent developments have prompted a review of evaporative cooling technology as an effective means of cooling modern deep plan buildings. Prominent among these developments is the success of high temperature sensible cooling systems, particularly, chilled ceilings, which require a supply of cooling water at 14–18 °C. Crucial to the success of evaporative cooling technology, as a significant means of cooling in modern applications, is the ability to generate cooling water, in an indirect circuit, at a temperature which closely approaches the ambient adiabatic saturation temperature (AST) or wet bulb temperature (WBT). Recent experimental research has demonstrated that it is technically …

Comparison Of 3-, 5-, And 6-Phase Machines For Automotive Charging Applications, B. Zhang, Hua Bai, Walter Eversman, Ronald J. Krefta, Duane J. Buening, Steven Pekarek, Gregory R. Holbrook

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the performance of a 5-phase claw-pole machine/converter system is compared with those of 3-phase and 6-phase systems of the same volume. It is shown that the acoustic output of the 5-phase machine compares favorably with that of the 6-phase machine and is much lower than that of the 3-phase machine over a majority of the operating range. In addition, the output current produced by the 5-phase machine Is, in general, 6-8% higher than those of the 3-phase and 6-phase machines. These results suggest that for maximizing power density while minimizing cost and acoustic noise, 5-phase machines provide …

A Single-Element Tuning Fork Piezoelectric Linear Actuator, J. Satonobu, K. Nakamura, S. Ueha, Daniel S. Stutts, James R. Friend

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes the design of a piezoelectric tuning-fork, dual-mode motor. The motor uses a single multilayer piezoelectric element in combination with tuning fork and shearing motion to form an actuator using a single drive signal. Finite-element analysis was used in the design of the motor, and the process is described along with the selection of the device's materials and its performance. Swaging was used to mount the multilayer piezoelectric element within the stator. Prototypes of the 25-mm long bidirectional actuator achieved a maximum linear no-load speed of 16.5 cm/s, a maximum linear force of 1.86 N, and maximum efficiency …

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 …

Modeling Fracture In Laminated Automotive Glazing Impacted By Spherical Featureless Headform, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani, S. R. Mettu, S. Zhao, S. D. Barbat, L. Chai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Laminated glass consisting of two soda lime glass plies adhered by a polyvinyl butyral interlayer (PVB) is used for automotive glazing. This paper describes the application of a dynamic, nonlinear finite element method to investigate the failure modes of a laminated glass subjected to low-velocity impact with a spherical head form. Crack type, crack location and crack initiation time are evaluated using the maximum principal stress and J-integral criterion. Failure occurred due to flexural stresses and not bearing stresses. the first crack always initiated at the center of the outer impacted ply and PVB interface, and later on the exterior …

Multidimensional, Time-Accurate Cfd Simulation Of Adsorption/Desorption In A Carbon Canister, Xingyan Bai, Kakkattukuzhy M. Isaac, D. Klein, R. Banerjee, J. Edson, W. Breig, L. Oliver

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of fixed-bed adiabatic adsorption/desorption processes are presented in this paper. Linear driving force model is used for heat and mass transfer rates. a two-dimensional cylindrical canister and three-dimensional automotive production canister geometry are used to study the adsorption/desorption processes of carbon dioxide in helium carrier gas on Norit B4 activated carbon. the two-dimensional results compare well with the results of Hwang et al. [1]. Computational results as breakthrough curve, adsorption amount and temperature profiles are provided. Results show that non-adiabatic model should be used to fully utilize the activated carbon bed capacity prior to breakthrough. Copyright …

Optimal Feedback Control For Ship Roll Motion Under Sea States, Anusit Anmanatarkul

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary influences of ship motion are roll motion. The purpose of this dissertation is to discuss a means to reduce the roll amplitude of ship motion in the case of zero forward speed using the roll mitigation device known as the flume tank, or U-tube, tank. Passive control and active control are studied. Optimal feedback control is the designated algorithm for activated roll mitigation device. The assumed model in this study is a submarine chaser. The linear coupled equation of swaying, rolling, and yawing motion of this assumed model is studied. The roll motion of this vessel is investigated …

Generalized Predictive Control Of Ship Coupling Motions Using Active Flume Tanks, Abdulkarim Mohammed Alotaiwi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation uses the Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) approach to design a control system for a ship rolling motion coupled with the sway and yaw using an activated flume tank. GPC is a strategy based on system output prediction over finite horizon known as the prediction horizon. GPC controller is designed from the coefficients of the Autoregressive model with exogenous input (ARX) that are computed directly from input and output data. It computes the future control input based on the cost function with weighted input and output. System identification approach is implemented on the system to find the ARX coefficients …

Numerical Study Of Two-Dimensional Secondary Injection Into A Mach 3.5 Freestream, Stephen C. Coghill

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Upstream interaction within a dual-mode scramjet engine is investigated numerically. The upstream interaction is investigated by increasing the freestream-to-injector pressure ratio. The constant area duct and sudden expansion geometries are used to achieve these results. Analysis using the symmetry boundary condition is compared to the full boundary condition for the constant area duct. Numerical analysis of the Mach 3.5 freestream is conducted using normal sonic injection of nitrogen gas to create the upstream interaction. Comparisons, where applicable, are made to experimental results. Due to the high speed of the flowfield, oblique shockwaves are present causing numerical convergence difficult to achieve. …

New Approaches To Gortler And Tollmien-Schlichting Boundary-Layer Instabilities, Vijay Kalburgi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A detailed understanding of the physical processes that lead to instability and transition in the external viscous boundary layers of airfoils has been the goal of researchers for decades. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of Gortler and Tollmien-Schlichting instabilities through a critical review of prior theoretical methodology and fundamental experiments, the development of dimensionally consistent disturbance equations, and novel interpretation of the resulting flow physics revealed by their solutions to explain the process of transition.

Gortler vortices arise in boundary layers along concave surfaces due to centrifugal effects and these vortices in combination with other instabilities play an …

Development Of An Aggregation Methodology For Risk Analysis In Aerospace Conceptual Vehicle Design, Trina Marsh Chytka

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The growing complexity of technical systems has emphasized a need to gather as much information as possible regarding specific systems of interest in order to make robust, sound decisions about their design and deployment. Acquiring as much data as possible requires the use of empirical statistics, historical information and expert opinion. In much of the aerospace conceptual design environment, the lack of historical information and infeasibility of gathering empirical data relegates the data collection to expert opinion.

The conceptual design of a space vehicle requires input from several disciplines (weights and sizing, operations, trajectory, etc.). In this multidisciplinary environment, the …

Intelligent Strain Sensing On A Smart Composite Wing Using Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometric Sensors And Neural Networks, Kakkattukuzhy M. Isaac, Donald C. Wunsch, Steve Eugene Watkins, Rohit Dua, V. M. Eller

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Strain prediction at various locations on a smart composite wing can provide useful information on its aerodynamic condition. The smart wing consisted of a glass/epoxy composite beam with three extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensors mounted at three different locations near the wing root. Strain acting on the three sensors at different air speeds and angles-of-attack were experimentally obtained in a closed circuit wind tunnel under normal conditions of operation. A function mapping the angle of attack and air speed to the strains on the three sensors was simulated using feedforward neural networks trained using a backpropagation training algorithm. This mapping …

The Design And Evaluation Of A Plc-Based Model Predictive Controller For Application In Industrial Food Processes, Bryan T. Griffen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a viable control strategy for industrial processes that display relatively large variations in the process variable, have complex process variable interactions, or display a large amount of process deadtime. The objective of using MPC in manufacturing is to reduce overall process variability, the result being an increase in process accuracy, precision and efficiency. This study focused on the implementation of model predictive control techniques on an industrial sugar cooking process. The goal was to implement a successful MPC solution directly on a programmable logic controller (PLC) rather than on a personal computer (PC). Although there …

Derivation Of An Expression That Defines The Pulling Forces In Relays With Small Operating Gaps, D. J. Chambega

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper derives an expression that defines magnitude of the pulling force developed in relays with small operating gaps, that is, when the length of the operating gap in between the yoke and the armature is small as compared to the area of the poles at the yoke. To obtain the expression, saturation of the core material is not considered. Results from the expression are then compared with those obtained experimentally. The comparison is found to deliver acceptable accuracy.

Effect Of Moisture And Loading Orientation On The Mechanical Properties Of Sorghum And Millet, E. L. Lazaro

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Uniaxial compression properties of sorghum and millet grain at different moisture contents (12–25% dry basis) and at different kernel orientation were investigated. These included: modulus of deformability, maximum compressive force, deformation and toughness at grain break point. Individual grain kernels of two varieties of sorghum, (Dionje and Jumbo) and one variety of pearl millet, (IM) at 12, 15, 20, and 25% moisture content dry basis (mc.db), were quasi-statically loaded using a J.J.universal tensile testing machine to their breaking point. The modulus of deformability, maximum compressive force required to initiate grain rupture and the grain toughness (energy absorbed at break point …

Dec 2002, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

Report from Director on Leave Development Projects Liason Report