Engineering Commons^™

Passive Damping Of A Solar Array, Mark A. Scharpen

Theses and Dissertations

This study was an attempt to conceptualize, design, build, and test a constrained layer damping device that uses mechanical advantage for the purpose of increasing the damping of transient vibration of a five-bay planar truss. The aluminum truss was clamped to a fixed support and simulated a solar array. A conventional constrained layer treatment was designed, built, and tested to serve as a benchmark for comparison. For the conventional treatment, Plunkett and Lee's segmented constraining layer technique was used. The improved device, two three-layer sandwich beams spanning the two bays nearest the built-in end, were supported several inches away from …

Flow Excited Acoustic Resonance In A Deep Cavity: An Analytical Model, William W. Durgin, Hans R. Graf

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Flow past the opening of a deep cavity can excite and sustain longitudinal acoustic modes resulting in large pressure fluctuations and loud tone generation. An analytic model of the interaction of the free stream with the acoustic flow field using concentrated vortices in the shear layer is proposed. The model includes a computation of the power transferred by the traveling vortices to the acoustic oscillation in the cavity. Experimentally measured values for the vortex convection velocity and phase are used to enable calculation of the ensuing oscillation amplititude and frequency ratio. The radiated acoustic power is calculated using the model …

Shock Tube Study Of The Effects Of Large Density Differences And Blowing Ratio On Heat Transfer To A Film-Cooled Flat Plate, Thomas A. Eads

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of coolant-to-mainstream density ratio (D.R.) and mass flux (blowing) ratio (Mb) on flat plate heat transfer were investigated in a shock tube. The round-nosed plate has a single row of holes inclined 35° downstream with two-diameter lateral spacing and hole length of three diameters. Mixing helium with air in the shock tube produced a D.R. range of 1.2 to 2.1. The parameters studied approach those of film-cooled turbine components. For an Mb range of 0.4 to 3 and 10% mainstream turbulence, heat flux was measured with thin-film heat flux gauges located 4 to 30 hole diameters downstream of …

Development Of Knowledge-Based Systems For Aluminum Welding, R. J. Napolitano, H. Kulluk, Mark L. Nagurka, R. P. Martukanitz, P. B. Dickerson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Expert System For The Injection Molding Of Engineering Thermoplastics, Tzy-Cherng Jan

Dissertations

Injection molding of engineering thermoplastics is the most widely used manufacturing method in industry. It is a priority to maintain a deviation-free operating environment to ensure high quality, low cost manufacture. An expert system for the injection molding of engineering thermoplastics has been investigated. The system can be used to attenuate the deviations experienced during the injection molding of engineering thermoplastics. The system is coded in C programming language.

The resolution procedures of this system include two stages such as the definition of declarative knowledge and the procedure of corrective actions. In the definition of declarative knowledge, all of the …

Automatic Motion Analysis Of Colliding Spheres, John Vijayakumar Caesar

Theses

Motion analysis is useful to compute linear and angular velocities and acceleration of an object from a sequence of images. This thesis is part of an investigation to compute the translation and rotation velocities needed to determine the collision parameters of two colliding spheres. This involves the tracking of the spheres and feature points on the spheres over a time interval. An experimental setup releases two spheres such that they collide and a high speed imaging system, i.e., Kodak Ektapro 1000 is utilised to record the motion of the spheres. The imaging system is capable of recording at a speed …

Shop Floor Planning And Control In Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Tahir Mahmood

Theses

The implementation of a shop floor planning and control system is a prerequisite in establishing an effective computer integrated manufacturing system. A shop floor control system integrates management production goals with the capabilities and limitations of the manufacturing plant. Shop floor planning begins with a long term rough cut capacity plan and evolves into near term, capacity requirements and input/output plans. Shop floor control provides a status of in-process operations and a measure of the plants success in executing the plan. Effective use of technology on shop floor increases the efficiency of the manufacturing plant. Simulation is an important tools …

Computation Of Collision Parameters Of Spheres By Computer Vision, Sumit Sen

Theses

Collision parameter evaluation of rigid spherical particles requires estimation of pre- and post-impact position, velocity and angular velocity vectors of colliding particles. A three dimensional experimental technique is devised where the instantaneous position and orientation of the particles are determined by analyzing frames obtained through high speed video imaging system. Since the image obtained is two dimensional, a mirror setting is designed to capture two orthogonal views of collision in order to estimate motion in depth. The translational velocity vector is determined from the position information extracted through application of available image analysis techniques over two time frames of digitized …

A Study Of Annular Slurry Jet For Abrasive Waterjet Cutting, Thomas Kuriakose

Theses

The objective of this project is to study the performance of an annualr slurry jet nozzle for abrasive waterjet cutting. This nozzle has been invented by Avraham. Harnoy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NJIT and presented to the patent committee of NJIT in May 1990. This study includes design and development of prototyes and testing of their performance. Moreover, it includes initial theoretical study of the flow behavior.

The idea is based on the merging of a high velocity pure waterjet with an annular jet of a slurry of water and abrasives at low velocity. The two jets merge outside the …

Design For Productivity Using Gd&T, Srihari G. Acharya

Theses

No abstract provided.

Errors In Constant-Velocity Shaft Couplings, Philip M. Remington

Theses

A Multiloop spatial system of rotations is used to represent a shaft coupling, allowing a transmission plane which may deviate from the plane of symmetry to be specified. The plane of transmission, for intersecting input and output shaft axes, is the locus of intersections of screw axes that compose the system. By prescribing the transmission plane outside of the plane of symmetry (commonly called the "homokinetic plane" or "bisecting plane") to pecified orientations, a phase shift between the input and output shaft rotational displacements will he quantified. The rotational phase shift between the input and output shafts can be evaluated …

Uses And Applications Of Artificial Intelligence In Manufacturing, Manojkumar H. Desai

Theses

The purpose of the THESIS is to provide engineers and personnels with a overview of the concepts that underline Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems. Artificial Intelligence is concerned with the developments of theories and techniques required to provide a computational engine with the abilities to perceive, think and act, in an intelligent manner in a complex environment.

Expert system is branch of Artificial Intelligence where the methods of reasoning emulate those of human experts. Artificial Intelligence derives it's power from its ability to represent complex forms of knowledge, some of it common sense, heuristic and symbolic, and the ability to …

Cost Deployment Based On Quality Function Deployment, John Goceljak

Theses

A methodology for Cost Deployment based on Quality Function Deployment (QFD) architecture is developed and explained. Following a comprehensive review of Quality Function Deployment terminology and composition, a house-of-quality is developed, and matrix correlation methodologies are discussed. Current applications are presented to illustrate the scope and adaptability of this quality assurance tool. In addition, an exercise in product design and review is conducted to illustrate a unique approach to cost deployment. Quality Function Deployment issues, including software, consulting, and preferred practices are also presented.

Design For Manufacturability And Assembly, Srinivas Mullapudi

Theses

This report presents a study of the various concepts of design for manufacturability and assembly with some case studies, and examples.

The goal of DFM is reduction of parts and simplifying assembly process. A simple faucet has been studied and attempts have been made at re-designing the same using the techniques of design for manufaturability as postulated by Boothroyd, Dewhurst and Henry Stoll.

Development Of The Interface Between Cad And Waterjet Nc Systems, Sivayasivan Sambandan

Theses

There has been a continuous need in the present to develop softwares that provide interface between cutting machines and computer control. There involves a number of complex stages from the birth of an algorithm, to develop such software, till the end where it successfully gets tested and implemented. Cutting Path Simulation (CPS) is a partially developed software designed to model 2-d and 3-d objects and down load them to water jet cutting machine. Additional menus were created in the software to perform specific functions. Bugs that existed in the previously done work were removed. Investigation was conducted on the feasibility …

The Design And Manufacture Of Institutional Trays Using Simultaneous Engineering, Antonio Schmidt

Theses

This study evaluates thermoformed trays as used in the food service industry. The resin used in fabricating trays is a blend of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polycarbonate (PC). The life of the trays is presently between 1 to 3 years. The trays are used in correctional facilities and hospitals. The handling of the tray is not abusive. The trays are pulled out of service once they exhibit stress cracking.

To further understand the unpredictable life of the thermoformed trays an understanding of the behavior of the plastics is required and the method of comparing one resin from another, as …

Application Of Desktop Manufacturing System (Sla) For The Manufacturing Of A Centrifugal Pump Impeller Using Cad (I-Deas), Wasimuddin Azam Muhammad Syed

Theses

Desktop Manufacturing (DTM) systems which combine personal computer, laser and other technologies are being used to sculpt objects from computer generated models created on computer aided design (CAD) workstations. As a member of DTM systems, StereoLithography Apparatus (SLA) transforms 3-dimensional designs into a 3-D output. This can substantially reduce the time required to produce a prototype through the process of photopolymerization. The process involves the transfer of a liquid plastic monomer into a solid polymer by exposing it to ultraviolet light.

Although the process looks productive, inefficiencies can occur, if incorrect parameters are selected before its application for a particular …

Modeling, Evaluation, And Control Of A Flexible Manufacturing Cell Using Petri Nets, Glenn Arthur Thorniley

Theses

This thesis describes the usefulness of Petri nets in modeling, evaluating, and controlling a Flexible Manufacturing Cell (FMC). The basics of Petri net theory are explained and a specific FMC is examined. First, the FMC is modeled. The purpose of modeling is to facilitate the evaluation and provide a framework on which the control methodologies can be applied. The objective of the evaluation is to determine how the FMC would benefit most by replacing or adding equipment. Several ideas on control are combined to form a useful framework for the designing of the control net. With this framework the control …

Hurricane Andrew Photovoltaic Traffic Control Relief, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

On August 24, 1992 Hurricane Andrew damaged and destroyed much of South Florida. The storm destroyed buildings, structures, and traffic devices along the highway. Travel was hazardous with debris in the roadway, traffic signals damaged or not working, and signs missing. This disaster offered a unique opportunity to research and evaluate the potential for using photovoltaic power systems in emergency traffic control situations. This report describes the findings of this study completed by the Florida Solar Energy Center sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Spaceflight Payload Design, Flight Experience G-408, William W. Durgin, Fred J. Looft, Albert Sacco, Jr., Robert Thompson, Anthony G. Dixon, Dino Roberti, Robert Labonte, Larry Moschini

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's first payload of spaceflight experiments flew aboard Columbia, STS-40, during June of 1991 and culminated eight years of work by students and faculty. The Get Away Special (GAS) payload was installed on the GAS bridge assembly at the aft end of the cargo bay behind the Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-l) laboratory. The experiments were turned on by astronaut signal after reaching orbit and then functioned for 72 hours. Environmental and experimental measurements were recorded on three cassette tapes which, together with zeolite crystals grown on orbit, formed the basis of subsequent analyses.

The experiments were developed over …

Artificial Neural Networks For Robotics Coordinate Transformation, Stephen Aylor, Luis Rabelo, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Artificial neural networks with such characteristics as learning, graceful degradation, and speed inherent to parallel distributed architectures might provide a flexible and cost solution to the real time control of robotics systems. In this investigation artificial neural networks are presented for the coordinate transformation mapping of a two-axis robot modeled with Fischertechnik physical modeling components. The results indicate that artificial neural systems could be utilized for practical situations and that extended research in these neural structures could provide adaptive architectures for dynamic robotics control.

Ole Miss Engineer 1992

Ole Miss Engineer

No abstract provided.

A Fracture Mechanics Analysis Of A 38 Inch Diameter Hot Pressed Beryllium Telescope Mirror, Phillip L. Brown

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A 38 inch diameter hot pressed beryllium telescope mirror was analyzed for structural integrity using finite-element modeling and a fracture mechanics analysis program, ZIP3D, developed for three-dimensional (3-0) solid and cracked bodies. The calculation of stress and mixed-mode fracture mechanics parameters for the mirror critical stress area was the objective of the mirror analysis.

Finite-element modeling for ZIP3D solution was performed in two stages. The first stage modeling modeled the mirror configuration on a global basis for calculation of accurate nodal displacements. The second stage modeling reduced the modeled mirror configuration to a set of localized models for calculation of …

Analysis Of Heat Pump Cycles Using Thermodynamic Equations Of State, Stephen C. Ericson

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In this study, thermal performance of heat pump cycles is analyzed by employing several equations of state. The analysis presented here is particularly useful for applications where refrigerant properties need to be calculated from a thermodynamic equation of state. Such a situation, for example, would arise during a long-term numerical simulation of a solar-assisted heat pump system. In these cases, the direct use of thermodynamic property tables of refrigerants would not be possible in a computational procedure. The approach of using equations of state to predict thermodynamic properties is also useful for applications where new refrigerants or blends of refrigerants …

Transient Simulation Of A Trombe Wall Passive Heating System Coupled To A Thermally Stratified Room, Ali Saleh Kheireddine

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Thermal performance of a Trombe-wall space heating system has been studied numerically for one-day and multiple-day periods. This study analyzes the system performance by simultaneously considering the coupled nature of the channel convection, wall heat conduction and transient room energy balance. A computer program has been written and implemented to assess the effects of system parameters, weather conditions and peak temperature control strategies on the system performance.

The system performance is influenced by such system parameters as the storage wall thickness, channel width and the temperature stratification in the room. Increasing the wall thickness decreases the temperature swings considerably, but …

Notice Of Meetings For Museum Committee In 1992, Tractor Museum

Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum: Planning and Development Documents

No abstract provided.

Automatic Recognition Of Tool Wear On A Face Mill Using A Mechanistic Modeling Approach, Daniel Waldorf, Shiv G. Kapoor, Richard E. Devor

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

A strategy is developed for identifying cutting tool wear on a face mill by automatically recognizing wear patterns in the cutting force signal. The strategy uses a mechanistic model development to predict forces on a lathe under conditions of wear and extends that model to account for the multiple inserts of a face mill. The extended wear model is then verified through experimentation over the life of the inserts. The predicted force signals are employed to train linear discriminant functions to identify the wear state of the process in a manner suitable for on-line application.

Heterogeneity Of Intergranular Damage In Copper Crept In Plane-Strain Tension, Brent L. Adams, David P. Field

Faculty Publications

The authors wish to acknowledge support of this work by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the U. S. Department of Energy. An interface damage function (IDF), which statistically describes the area fraction of interface damage as a function of up to eight parameters defining crystallite interfaces, was determined for commercial purity copper specimens crept in plane strain tension. The IDF was determined from stereological parameters measured on plane sections cut through damaged specimens. The eight-dimensional space of the function was investigated by analyzing two-dimensional projections of the complete domain. Certain special interfaces were observed to damage preferentially. A …

Pallet And Apparatus For Forming A Pallet With Deep Drawn Legs, L. Bogue Sandberg, Bruce A. Haataja, Douglas C. Jurmu, Robert D. Palardy, Frank H. Story, William A. Yates

Michigan Tech Patents

A method and apparatus for molding articles such as pallets from flake-like wood particles mixed with binder, the pallets housing a deck and integral molding legs. A loosly fitted mat of wood flakes is formed by depositing a first plurality of layers of wood flakes onto a supporting surface with a flake aligners provided for causing alignment of those flakes which will form legs of the pallet. A second plurality of layers are formed with a flake aligner provided for causing alignment of flakes which will form the legs of the pallet and in a direction transverse to the direction …

Measured Electricity Savings Of Refrigerator Replacement: Case Study And Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ted Stedman

FSEC Energy Research Center®

There are approximately seven million refrigerator-freezers in the State of Florida. The average demand of these units is at least 1,000 MW. The average life of a residential refrigerator is approximately 20 years (U.S. DOE, 1989). At least 25% of Florida's existing stock are old inefficient units built before the advent of recent appliance efficiency standards. The least efficient are existing models of which approximately 5% of the stock is replaced each year. This represents a significant opportunity for efficiency improvement since recently established standards will greatly improve refrigerator efficiency by 1993 (NAECA, 1987). A number of studies have identified …