Engineering Commons^™

A Comparative Analysis Of The Capabilities Of Three Stereo Radar Techniques When Operating In The Presence Of System Errors, George L. Bair

Masters Theses

"Three stereo radar techniques for producing stereo images from which topographic data and maps may be obtained are described and their performance in the presence of system errors is determined. The techniques are: an improved single flight technique which uses a combination of two antenna beam characteristics which permits terrain illumination from nearly the same aircraft position, a previously proposed single flight technique which uses two horizontal linear arrays generating vertical fan beams at different azimuth angles, and an existing two flight technique which uses a horizontal array generating a side-looking fan beam.

Error analyses are performed to determine the …

A Discrete Approach To Surface Interpolation, Jerry Lee Albert Sandvos

Masters Theses

"An equidistant spacing of two dimensional data points is a requirement of most automated analysis routines. In this thesis, a method of generating such equispaced data from randomly spaced data is developed and implemented by a set of computer routines. The method represents the study area as a two dimensional spatial array, in which each array cell represents the data value of a subarea of the study area. A routine sorts and places the data in the array. Missing values in the array are interpolated from nearest neighbors. Filtering is used to smooth errors and a contouring routine is used …

A Digital Simulation Of The Statistical Properties Of Ionospheric Scintillation, William Frederick Deckelman

Masters Theses

"This thesis shows that a bandlimited bivariate-normal time series is a useful model for the envelope of scintillating radio signals traversing the ionosphere. A software computer model is designed and its parameters varied to obtain good fits of the fade duration distribution of the time series generated by the model with that of an actual block of ionospheric scintillation data. The power spectrum of the actual time series corresponding to the in-phase and phase quadrature components of ionospheric scintillation is shown to lie between that of a first- and second-order Butterworth filter through comparison with model generated data"--Abstract, page ii.

A Computerized Simulation Of A Personal Rapid Transit System., James Richard Cromer

Masters Theses

"The movement of people from an origin to a destination has become a complex and sometimes severe problem, The present modes of transportation available, which include the rapid rail systems, bus transit service, and the personal automobile, have proven quite ineffective in dealing with the situation, A new concept in the transportation area is that of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). This concept offers a promising solution to many of our people and goods movement difficulties. Before this new system can be implemented it is necessary that various design, construction, and operational criteria be evaluated to determine the optimal system to …

Feed-Forward Control Circuit For A Computer Controlled Dc Motor - Ac Generator Set., Richard Allan Smith

Masters Theses

"The current trend of development of generation in electric utility systems is toward complete on-line computer control of real and reactive power generation. In keeping with this trend this work is to design, construct and operate a laboratory model of a computer-controlled power system generator. The equipment design is guided by a desire to allow real time computer control and program assignment of generation levels.

This work is intended as a first step in the development of a complete on-line computer-controlled laboratory model of a power system. It will make possible the study of state-of-the-art methods of operation of power …

An Analysis Of The (N-1,N) Pad ̌Approximant To The Ideal Delay Operator In Terms Of Bessell Functions., Carl Richard Erdmann

Masters Theses

"A realizable, lowpass, non-minimum phase approximation to the ideal distortion less delay operator e^-st₀ is analyzed in terms of the Bessel functions. The characteristics of the first ten members of the approximation are explicitly considered in this paper. The approximation is demonstrated to be realizable for all orders. Amplitude and phase characteristics are described in relation to the ideal delay operator in compact form and in terms of existing ii tabulated functions. Both amplitude and delay bandwidths are characterized by simple and accurate approximations. The maximally flat properties of both amplitude and delay responses are demonstrated. The transient …

Design Of A Medium Pressure Hydraulic Coal Mining Machine Power Unit System., William Rudolph Heincker

Masters Theses

"In this thesis the design of the major components of a medium pressure hydraulic coal mining machine is presented. The machine is to produce water jets operating at a continuous pressure of 10,000 psi with a total flow rate of 47.8 gpm. This machine is being used to mine coal from an underground longwall coal face, with an expected output of 7 tons per minute.

The primary elements of the hydraulic coal mining machine are the power source, the pump, the cutting head, and the secondary plow supporting structures. The power source will be a British Jefferey-Diamond (BJD) Supermatic electric …

Design And Operation Of A System For The Measurement And Display Of A Railroad Train Length., Paul Clement Kriegshauser

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes the design, operation, and application of a system for the automatic measurement of a railroad train length. The system is based on sensing individual wheel crossings with two commercial variable-reluctance wheel sensors. The individual wheels are not counted as they are sensed, instead the system uses the information to compute the train velocity. These sensors are separated a known distance on the railroad track at the location a length measurement is desired. The train may pass these sensors at any desired speed and in either direction. The developed system is not dependent on car length or number …

On The Extension Of The Output Capabilities Of Flowware, A Graphical Interactive Digital System Simulator., R. Dean Delker

Masters Theses

"A research effort which addresses the problem of providing output from a register transfer level digital simulator which allows the user to better understand how his simulated system functions are described. A review of the output capabilities of existing register transfer level systems indicates that a strictly textual output leaves much to be desired, and for that reason, this work concentrates on developing forms of meaningful graphical output displays. This criterion of "meaningfulness" can be considered as a twofold objective to be reached in that the output must both reflect the functioning of the system and be presented in a …

Studies On The Yield And Rate Of Lysine Production Using Brevibacterium Lactofermentum., Ho Bao Nhan

Masters Theses

"The production of lysine by a microbial method was studied. Brevibacterium lactofermentum (ATCC 21086) was used to accumulate lysine. T1\ese experiments were done in shake flasks and a 7.5-liter fermentor.

Lysine and residual glucose were determined at fixed intervals of time during each run. Cell counts were also made for some experiments. Temperature and pH were kept constant during the runs and dissolved oxygen was recorded continuously.

The effects of casamino acid, soy peptone, certain amino acids, glucose and agitation on the rate of production and the yield were studied. It appears that reducing any one of the variables will …

Amine Flotation Of Feldspar From Magnetite Concentrate., Gary William Hudiburgh Jr.

Masters Theses

"The gangue in some magnetite ore bodies contains feldspar; the alkali content of the feldspar reduces the usefulness of these iron ores. One method of decreasing the feldspar content in magnetite concentrate is froth flotation.

The amine flotation of feldspar from magnetite concentrate was investigated using zeta potential measurements, Hallimond tube flotation tests and laboratory-scale flotation tests. The zeta potential of various feldspars (microcline, albite, anorthite, oligoclase and anorthoclase) were determined as a function of pH; the point of zero charge ranged from pH 1.4 to 2.5. Hallimond tube flotation tests using two amine reagents were conducted on the feldspars. …

Kiss Gating In Sand-Cast Aluminum Alloys., Michael Lynn Holt

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes the optimum conditions necessary for the production of macrosound plate castings of sand-cast aluminum alloys by the kiss gating process. Castings of alloys of different freezing ranges in the Al-Si-Cu system (alloys 195, 319, 380, and 384) were produced and examined visually to evaluate the effectiveness of various gating systems and superheats on the production of macrosound castings.

For the aluminum alloys used in this investigation, the optimum conditions leading to the production of macrosound castings without the use of risers are one or a combination of the following: (l) wider freezing ranges; (2) pressurized gating systems; …

Study Of Techniques For Designing Large Digital Systems Interactively., Harold Dale Puls

Masters Theses

"FLOWWARE [1-4] is an interactive register transfer language based upon the concept of flowcharting. The graphic nature of the language, however, generates a few disadvantages when it is used on a large design. Changes have been made to the basic FLOWWARE package to aid the user in specifying and displaying his design. In addition, responsibility for the design has been shifted to the remote large computer to lessen the size requirement on the local minicomputer"--Abstract, p. ii

A Training Simulation For Rural Electric Cooperative Staff., David F. Larcker

Masters Theses

"The simulation described in this thesis can be applied as a training tool to teach the management personnel of rural electric cooperatives the elements of decision making in a dynamically interreacting business environment. Initially, the major managerial problem areas of a typical rural electric cooperative were identified. These stimulated the development of a training simulation which realistically embodied the alternatives available to management personnel during the various stages of decision making. The final simulation design was a board type of game able to provide the feedback necessary for a learning experience" -- Abstract, p. ii

Two-Dimensional Radiative Transfer In Semi-Infinite Isotropically Scattering Medium., Thomas Lee Linsenbardt

Masters Theses

"Two-dimensional radiative transfer in a semi-infinite medium has been investigated. The medium was considered to be homogeneous, absorbing, non-emitting, and isotopically scattering. Cosine, step, and finite strip variations of collimated and diffuse incident radiation were considered. Collimated incident radiation was restricted to lie in planes perpendicular to the direction of its spatial variation.

Expressions for source functions, fluxes, and intensities at the boundary and inside the medium were obtained by assuming cos foe varying incident radiation. This assumption allowed the two-dimensional problem to be reduced to a one-dimensional integral equation for the source function. This integral equation vias transformed into …

Deformation Of A System Of Clamped Thin Circular Plates With Liquid Filled Interspace., Archie Forrest Gatrost

Masters Theses

"In this work the behavior of a system of thin, circular clamped plates with liquid-filled interspace in a variable pressure environment was investigated. Six plates separated by liquid-filled chambers were arranged in alternate layers in a clamping device and a pressure was applied on one side of the six plate system. The deformation of each plate and the pressure distribution from the high pressure to low i i pressure side was measured. The plate deformation was measured by a strain gage attached at the apex of each plate and the chamber pressure by a strain gage pressure transducer.

The results …

Effect Of Nodule Count And Cooling Rate On The Matrix Of Nodular Iron., Subrata Sen Gupta

Masters Theses

"The objective of this investigation was to establish the relationship between the nodule count, the matrix structure, and the cooling rate through the eutectoid in nodular iron. The chemical composition of the nodular iron was held constant while various inoculation methods, inoculants, and mold designs, including chills, were used to vary the solidification time and cooling rate through the eutectoid range. This produced variations in both the matrix structure and the nodule count.

The nodule count has a power relationship with the percent pearlite in the matrix at fixed cooling rates: Percent pearlite = K (Nodule count)^-n where the …

High Density Serial Encoded Tape Systems., Billy J. Romine

Masters Theses

"A digital approach to phase lock loop design is presented. Two separate circuits are developed and analyzed. The circuits developed have certain characteristics which can be applied to serial data encoded tape systems. One of the circuits can be expanded into a multiple track configuration with a minimum amount of hardware. The second circuit features a fast initial synchronization method over a wide input frequency range.

The application 0£ the phase lock loops to the retrieval 0£ serial encoded data is investigated. Three representative data encoding methods are considered. The approximate bit density obtainable with each encoding method is calculated …

Two-Dimensional Radiant Interchange In A Non-Isothermal Cavity Formed By Two Semi-Infinite Parallel Plates., Robert David Allen

Masters Theses

"Two-dimensional radiant interchange between non-isothermal, gray diffuse surfaces with non-uniform radiosity have been investigated for a cavity formed by two semi-infinite parallel plates. The problem is solved for two specific emissive power distribution models. Both emissive power distributions decay exponentially with depth into the cavity. The first emissive power distribution varies in a cosine manner across the front of the plates and the second has a step variation across the front of the plates.

For the cosine varying model, separation of variables and Ambarzumian's method are applied to obtain an integro-differential equation for the radiosity inside the cavity, an integral …

Development Of A Four Channel Cloud Nucleus Spectrometer., Larry Allan Brunner

Masters Theses

"A four-channel vertical flow thermal diffusion chamber for use as a cloud nucleus counter is described. The droplets in each channel are photographically counted. The instrument provides about 20 seconds of available growth time, which enables better distinction of active droplets than does ii the conventional horizontal chamber. Droplet growth calculations show that the uncertainty in droplet count due to limited available growth time is negligible for supersaturations above 0.3% but increases rapidly as the supersaturation is lowered below 0.3%. For example, at 0.1% supersaturation, the uncertainty is -27% to +38% in the drop count. The possible error in supersaturation …

Feasibility Study Of An Electromagnetic Trap Fusion Reactor., Dennis Gilbert Blondin

Masters Theses

"Through the use of detailed particle and energy balances, electromagnetic traps with magnetic cusps are found to be unsatisfactory for continuous operation when using only neutral particle beams to sustain a thermonuclear plasma. Low power multiplication characteristics inherent in this CTR design probably preclude supplemental plasma heating methods. However, by using an alternate Yin-Yang magnetic system, continuous CTR operating regimes are found at an ion temperature of 20 keV while assuming only neutral particle beam heating. Although these regimes require applied electrostatic potentials approaching a half-million volts, this device demonstrates a capability for efficient power production"-- Abstract, p. ii

Application Of An Inverse Heat Conduction Technique To A Simulated Injection Mold., Noel Joy Rytter

Masters Theses

"An analytical model was constructed to investigate the heat transfer in an injection mold for which the temperature was controlled by a special mold heating-cooling process. Several techniques were used to test the validity and accuracy of the analytical model of the mold and to explain some singularities that occurred. It was determined that the thickness of the plastic part being molded is the primary factor affecting the minimum cycle time for the molding operation. Also, abrupt changes in temperature on the molding surfaces are very difficult to obtain because this requires drastic temperature changes for the working fluid that …

Post Irradiation Changes Of The Elastic Modulus Of Aluminum, Dale A. Powers

Masters Theses

"Aluminum samples of 99.99% and 99.999% purity were irradiated to neutron fluences of 3·8·10¹⁸ nvt and 1.4·10¹⁹ nvt (E greater than 0.1 Mev) at one-third of the melting temperature. The change in Young's modulus of elasticity after isothermal annealing in the temperature range of 110⁰C to 130⁰C was measured. After 2.5 hours of annealing, the modulus reached a steady state value which was decreased by 0.25% ± 0.17% from the unannealed value. Electron microscopy suggests the hardening mechanisms were dispersion hardening by silicon precipitates and void hardening"--Abstract, page ii.

Experimental Determination Of Improved Aerodynamic Characteristics Utilizing Biplane Wing Configurations, Elmer Carl Olson

Masters Theses

"Improving the aerodynamic characteristics of an airplane with respect to a higher lift coefficient, a lower drag coefficient and a higher lift over drag ratio as a function of angle of attack will make it more efficient, thus conserving energy or improving performance. Investigations were carried out to determine if the aerodynamic characteristics of biplane wing systems could be made more efficient, for low subsonic speeds, than a monoplane of comparable area and aspect ratio. A variable position three-dimensional biplane wing system, and a fuselage that could be fitted with a monoplane wing or the variable position biplane wing system …

Thermal Fragmentation Of Rock - The Influence Of Temperature Dependent Material Properties., James Dale Scheller

Masters Theses

"This investigation is concerned with a thermal rock fragmentation system employing heat to create subsurface thermal inclusions. The effectiveness of this system as applied to three different rock types is studied. The rock types are Dresser basalt, Charcoal gray granite, and Sioux quartzite. Also, the influence of temperature dependent material properties is investigated.

The actual three-dimensional problem of in situ rock fragmentation involves parallel rows of equally spaced holes drilled to a constant depth. A heat source at the bottom of each hole creates a thermal inclusion resulting in a stress field causing fracture.

Axisymmetric models of the fragmentation system …

Effect Of Dissolved Water On Physical Properties Of Silver Borate Glasses, E Richard Reynolds

Masters Theses

"The effect of dissolved water on borate glasses containing 4-20 mol % Ag₂O was investigated. Water was dissolved in the glasses by bubbling with a carrier gas (oxygen) containing different partial pressures of water vapor. A minimum in water solubility was found at 11 mol % Ag₂O. Water contents in excess of 0.5 mol % H₂O did not have a great effect on the transition temperature or the dilatometric softening point. Below 15 mol % Ag₂O, the water content had no effect on the thermal expansion coefficients. Beyond 15 mol % Ag …

Relative Performance Of Two Activated Carbons In Treating Pharmaceutical Waste., K. A. Narasimhan

Masters Theses

"This work examined the feasibility of the carbon adsorption system to treat a high organic strength waste (having a COD of 8,100 mg/£) from a pharmaceutical plant, and also compared the relative treatment efficiencies of two different kinds of carbon~ Calgon Filtrasorb 400 and Darco S-51, both having the same size ranges.

The overall treatment scheme employed consisted of chemical clarification and activated carbon adsorption. Jar tests were conducted to select a proper type of coagulant and determine an optimum dosage. Batch and column adsorption studies were conducted using both carbons.

Alum was found to be a better coagulant than …

Liquid Metal Heat Transfer In Longitudinal Flow Along A Cylinder And Flat Plate., Marvin Eugene Lohmann

Masters Theses

"In this investigation an analytical study is performed to determine the effect of axial heat conduction on laminar forced convection for longitudinal flow of liquid metals along a horizontal cylinder and a flat plate. ii

The flow and thermal boundary layers for the problems under consideration do not admit similarity solutions, the non-similarity arising from the transverse curvature; ε = (4/R) (vx/u _∞) ^½ of the cylindrical surface and from co the effect of the axial heat conduction expressible as Ω = 1/Pe_x , where Pe_x is the local Peclet number. The governing conservation equations along with …

Characterization And Pollutional Contribution Of Stormwater Runoff From A Small Urban Area., John Lamb Wendleton

Masters Theses

"Stormwater runoff from urban areas has long been recognized as a pollutional source, however, only in the last decade has there been an extensive eff ort to measure its effect on receiving lakes and streams. Because runoff from small urban communities has received limited attention, this investigation was undertaken to determine the quality and pollutional contribution of stormwater runoff from a small urban area. The specific objectives of the study were: to characterize and correlate runoff quality with land use activity and to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the pollutants discharged with respect to time.

Runoff from 3 test watersheds in …

Predicting Natural Frequencies Of A Hydrodynamically Lubricated Journal Bearing With Constant Oil Supply Pressure., Dennis Charles Edwards

Masters Theses

"The analytical and experimental investigations presented here determined natural frequencies and system behavior of a full journal bearing loaded dynamically and with oil supply pressure held constant.

The analysis showed that the bearing could be viewed as two independent second-order systems acting perpendicular to each other. This yielded an underdamped bearing for ε_O < 0.5747 and an overdamped bearing for 0.655 < ε_O < 0.675. The analysis also showed the bearing to be unstable beyond ε_O = 0.675.

The analysis, however, is limited to a full journal bearing with an oil supply pressure of 20 psig. and therefore, various supply pressures should be tested to yield an overall analysis"- Abstract, p. ii