Engineering Commons^™

Development Of A Sensing System For Underground Optic Fiber Cable Conduit Mapping, Sherif Bakr

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The motivation of this research is to obtain an accurate three-dimensional (3D) layout of an underground conduit, which may be beneficial to optic fiber cable installers and engineers. A newly designed algorithm for 3D position tracking with the help of an inertial sensor and an encoder has been developed. Two types of representations (Euler angle and Quaternion) for orientation and rotation are also introduced, followed by several data pre-processing procedures. A sensing fusion method is utilized to overcome the accumulated errors introduced by the sensor drifting. Considering the application of 3D underground duct mapping in this research, a sensing system …

The Concept Of Substrate Integrated Circularly Polarized Horn Antennas, Venkata Naga Kalyan Ram Akunuru

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In this thesis, a new type of Substrate Integrated Waveguide for Horn Antennas is proposed for implementing circularly polarization on printed circuit boards. E-plane type of circuits cannot be realized by the conventional substrate integrated waveguide. Substrate integrated E-plane waveguide consists of two circuit boards attached to each other by the two copper strips which are inserted in between two circuit boards, where plated through holes are penetrated through them along the transmission direction. The plated through holes and copper strips altogether played as side walls of a conventional waveguide to support longitudinal and vertical currents. Circular Polarization has its …

Developing A Commercial Product Using A Consumer Grade 3d Printer, Calvin Smith

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The development of affordable, quality, consumer grade 3D printers has allowed entrepreneurs to develop new products and start small businesses. As the print quality of consumer grade printers has improved entrepreneurs have been able to develop consumer quality products without the traditional expense of mass manufacturing. This change from mass manufacturing to small scale and custom production has allowed for the growth of small businesses. Websites such as www.etsy.com show hundreds of small businesses based on 3D printing, these businesses showcase thousands of products ranging from useful household items to cosplay. This thesis covers the process of a small business …

Flow Fields Past Grain Bins As It Relates To Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Placement Optimization, Jon Richter

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis studies the 3D flow field of grain bins as it relates to Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) placement. Numerical CFD simulations using ANSYS FLUENT were created and validated with the Minnesota State University, Mankato water channel. It was found that the best speed-up regions were on the outer most sides of the models, closest to the walls of the water channel. The model that is furthest upwind in the group has the best speed-up velocity. As the models become closer together, an asymmetric flow field develops. VAWT placement between the models for any case researched is not recommended. …

Thévenin Equivalent Of Solar Cell Model, Chiedozie Osigwe

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis considers the problem of determining impedance parameters of a solar cell in operation. Typically, solar cell devices are characterized by the manufacturer using empirical data prior to placing the solar cell in use. There are a number of solar cell degeneration mechanisms that are of interest to measure or detect. Therefore, active measurement of solar cell impedance parameters periodically over time is advantageous. We propose a methodology developed from a Thévenin equivalent model of a typical solar cell. This method allows periodic updating of the solar cell’s parameters which can be used to update the cells characterization and/or …

Matlab Gui Based Educational Simulation Tool Box For Power Analysis, Tharuka Senevirathne

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

One of the most important and complex tasks in power engineering is the analysis of power systems under fault conditions. The detection and analysis of these faults are important to guarantee that the dependability and stability of the power system does not decline as a result of a critical event such as a fault. This thesis will conduct research on how a power system under fault conditions behaves and will examine the various scenarios of faults such as three-phase, single line-to-ground, line-to-line, and double line-to-ground faults. A simplified method based on symmetrical components is used to construct the mathematical models …

Developing A Testing Instrument To Evaluate The Performance Of 3d-Printed Body-Powered Prosthetic Hands, Araz Al-Dawoodi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

A 3D printed prosthetic hand is an open source technology that became a good substitution for many products in the market. For many reasons, Low-cost, easy made / easy build. As an open source product, 3D printed prosthetic designs are available to anyone around the world, a good option for young children because they need to have a new prosthetic more frequent until they reach the adulthood age. Most families cannot pay a thousand dollars technology. From the research, it found that that there are not enough studies cover the open source wrist body-powered prosthetic. Other studies covered products used …

Application Of Droop Control And Synchronization For Single-Phase Inverters In Ac Microgrid Integration, Shuai Yang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

With the increasing requirements on environment-friendly and sustainable clean energy [1], people have paid more attention to renewable energy around the world in the past few decades. As a result, power systems have undergone a paradigm shift from centralized generation to distributed generation. Smart grids, which are a combination of power systems and communication networks, were proposed to allow power systems to meet future challenges. In smart grids, especially in AC microgrids, converters play an important role in many areas including microgrid integration, uninterrupted power supply, and flexible alternating current transmission systems. The inverter is a power conversion device [2] …

Managing Variability In Assembly Lines, Sumanth Gokapai

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Every successful company have a diversified product portfolio based on their customer demand. Though products are branded as different variants, versions etc. most of them are similar products with little variations in their features or functions they perform. With the traditional, product centric approach to handle variation, new techniques like Clone and own were implemented in which engineers pick the most similar one available, copy it, make changes to it and present it as a new variant. Even though this approach employs reuse, but the savings occur once and only once. This project discussed how companies can exploit the commonality …

Optimization Of Energy Harvesting Mobile Nodes Within Scalable Converter System Based On Reinforcement Learning, Chengtao Xu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Microgrid monitoring focusing on power data, such as voltage and current, has become more significant in the development of decentralized power supply system. The power data transmission delay between distributed generator is vital for evaluating the stability and financial outcome of overall grid performance. In this thesis, both hardware and simulation has been discussed for optimizing the data packets transmission delay, energy consumption, and collision rate. To minimize the transmission delay and collision rate, state-action-reward-state-action (SARSA) and Q-learning method based on Markov decision process (MDP) model is used to search the most efficient data transmission scheme for each agent device. …

Employing 2-D Cfd & Lrb Model Around Trees To Improve Vawt Placement, David Chukwuebuka Bassey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In the placement of vertical axis wind turbines, trees are a constant presence in the vicinity. They are found to grow at different height and shape configurations. And in areas such as the Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) campus, they serve as blockage to airflow; limiting the efficiency of installed turbines. This work sets the precedent for the validation of vegetative numerical models created for the Xcel Energy Research Development Fund (RDF) project.

Using two-dimensional (2-D) numerical simulations of porous cylinders placed in a rectangular medium of air, insight into the flow profile and distribution in the leeward side of …

Study Of American Wood Pellet Stove Emissions, Sergio Gamarra

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Problem: The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) had not specified emissions performance standards for pellet burning stoves. Instead they were lumped in with cordwood burning stoves. IRETI’s decision to pursue this baseline study was guided by Minnesota’s concurrent “2025 Energy Action Plan” and the EPA’s pellet stove testing method development. Wood pellet fuel, a renewable resource, and the technology developed to utilize it for residential heating should be further studied to examine how together they both stand up to newly developed EPA emissions testing methods. This will establish a benchmark for testing American technology, thus guiding IRETI’s efforts of introducing foreign …

Manufacturing A Composite Wheel Prototype Using 3d Printed Molds, Steven Thuening

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Throughout the evolution of high performance racing, a large emphasis has been on reducing the weight of the vehicle in order to improve its performance. Over the years, new designs and materials have been introduced reducing weight in a variety of different locations. Comparing weight reduced in different areas has shown that some areas are more valuable to reduce than others are. Perhaps one of the most beneficial locations are the wheels. This is because the mass of the wheel is considered unsprung and rotational. Because of this, large improvements towards the reduction of wheel mass have been developed in …

Modeling Of Small-Scale Wind Power System With Virtual Synchronous Generator, Sahithi Nannapaneni

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Wind power systems are the most commonly used systems for a renewable energy source over the past few decades. Most of the current wind turbines are large scale wind turbines which produce mega watts power. This thesis is prepared to develop a small scale wind turbine with axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator for regional areas and small commercial industries. This thesis mainly focuses on the Axial Flux PMSG which is a small scale prototype with the characteristics of the large scale wind turbine generator and having a super capacitor embedded in it. The first objective is to create the …

Inspection Process Flow Development For A Warehouse, Pahalawaththage Perera

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The project is based on a medical device outsourcing company in the US. In 2018 the company added a 44,000 sq ft new warehouse. With the scales of growth and market competition, it has come to a need to optimize production capacity to achieve 98% monthly on time delivery target. Optimizing production capacity comes with efficiently managing operations that impact overall product lead time. A primary factor that impacts the overall product lead time is production preparation time. Production preparation time is impacted by lead times of 3 operations managed by the new warehouse - Receiving Inspection, Incoming Inspection, and …

Robust Power Interface For Smart Grid With Renewable Energy Source-To-Grid Functionality, Bohyun Ahn

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Many renewable energy companies design wind turbine generators, solar panels, or electrical car batteries with different specifications according to their management philosophy. And typical commercial power converters are not universally designed for all different types of renewable energy systems. Because of this lack of flexibility and interoperability, a universal and scalable smart grid power converter design is desirable. Designing a robust controlled bi-directional power converter is the motivation for this thesis as the first step to develop a more universal converter topology connecting renewable energy sources and the electrical smart-grid of the future.

Renewable energy such as wind or solar …

Comparative Study Of Cv3 Carbonaceous Chondrites Allende And Bali Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy And Sem/Eds, Raka Paul

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The birth of the solar system (over 4 billion years) is speculated to have happened from a nebula, swirling and compacting in localized regions to eventually form the Sun and planets. This complex process consists of numerous changes and intermediary steps, yet to be fully understood. Carbonaceous chondritic meteorites are relics of that process and therefore have potential to reveal information about the formation history. Several theories have been formulated linking their composition to planet formation. This study focusses on two carbonaceous chondritic specimens, Allende and Bali, both of the group CV and petrologic type 3. CV meteorites are abundant …

Process Parameter Optimization With Numerical Modelling And Experimentation Design Of Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing, Sairam Vangapally

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Binder jetting technology is an additive manufacturing technology in which powder materials are binded together layer by layer forming the product from input CAD model. The process involves printing the product layer by layer, curing and sintering. The mechanical properties of 3D printed samples varies based on process parameters, hence there is a need to tune the process parameters for optimal characteristics. Three main parameters namely layer thickness, sintering time and sintering temperature were identified and the study focuses on the effect of parameters on dimensional accuracy and compressive strength of the samples. Full factorial experimental approach was used to …

Enhanced Handheld Engine Ethanol Study, Charindu Kariyawasan Jalath Thanthree

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined consumer and professional grade handheld engines. Twenty-four consumer grade 50 hour Emissions Determination Period (EDP) trimmers and 24 professional grade 300 hour EDP backpack leaf blowers were run on four different ethanol fuel concentrations; E0, E10, E15, and E20. Six engines of each type were run on each of the fuel blends through their full EDP.

All engines were broken-in and adjusted to manufacturer specifications on E0. Then engines were emissions tested on E0 to provide a baseline and to determine the rich to lean order of the engines. Next, the leanest operating engine received E20 and …

Thermal Analysis Of 3d Printed 420 Stainless Steel, Adithya Pothuri

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Additive manufacturing opens new possibilities in the manufacturing industry. 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing. 3D printers will have a significant influence over the industrial market, with extremely positive effects in no time. The main aim of this research is to determine the effect of process parameters of Binder Jet manufactured 420 Stainless Steel (420SS) parts on thermal properties such as thermal conductivity. Different parameters, such as layer thickness, sintering time and sintering temperature were varied. A full factorial design of experiment matrix was made by varying these parameters using two levels. Testing showed that different parameters affected …

Substrate Integrated E-Plane Horn Antenna And Antenna Array, Zhewei Gu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In this paper, a novel SMA fed substrate integrated E-plane horn antenna and antenna array are proposed. The substrate integrated E-plane waveguide (SIEW) is not only able to integrate conventional waveguide circuits on printed circuit boards (PCB), but also especially falls into all E-plane circuits which substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technique fails to. Essential copper strips are sandwiched in the middle by two PCBs to support longitudinal current in the E-plane fed through an SIEW-to-SMA transition. Copper plated holes aligned along the wave propagation direction are drilled through the substrate and copper strips, so that vertical current in the H-plane …

Graphical User Interface (Gui) Development For An Optical Communication Simulator, Sratsav Ram Shrestha

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Modeling and simulation tools have been an integral part of engineering world for a long time. Various Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools have been extensively used in various industries and research to evaluate the performance of electronic systems. The advancement of such design tools also has influenced the optical communication sector such that there has been a continuous progress on the Photonic Design Automation (PDA) tools. Currently, many software for simulating optical communications are available. However, they are very expensive and conceal the information on how components are modeled. To avoid these constraints, we developed our own PDA software for …

Study Of Stability And Thermal Conductivity Of Nanoparticles In Propylene Glycol, Sumit Mahajan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis studied the effects of gravity induced settling, thermophoresis and Brownian motion on the thermal conductivity of the Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) nanofluids. The base fluid was propylene glycol. The effects were studied by making three samples with volumetric percentages of 0.2 %, 2% and 3% Al2O3 in propylene glycol. Sets of 22 experiments were conducted over time to understand the behavior of settling. All samples were manually mixed each time the experiment was conducted. A Thermtest Transient Plane Source TPS 500S was used to measure the thermal conductivity. Volumetric percentages and diameters of nanoparticle were chosen so that the …

The Impact Of Active Aerodynamics On Motorcycles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations, Aditya Sripathi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Motorcycles are mostly utilized by commuters whose requirements are cheap and affordable transportation from point A to point B. Motorcycles also provide means to tour various places and have a leisure time for the majority of motorcyclists. Unfortunately, with pros also come cons such as accidents which are disabling or life-taking. According to motorcycle crash statistics produced every year, the majority of motorcycle crashes are caused due to facing unexpected obstacles in the path causing collisions due to insufficient braking time. Thus, this thesis serves as a mean to overcome this issue and provide a technological solution to the world …

Size Effect Of Clay Filler Particles On Mechanical Properties Of Pultruded Polymer Composites Under Shear Loading, Jaysimha Reddy Sonti Reddy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Polymer composites are finding a range of applications across different fields of engineering. Hence, there is a need to understand the properties of these polymer composites. Mechanical testing can be done to determine the properties but firstly the composite must be manufactured consuming time and money. However, if the properties gained differ from those expected from composite the obtained data is rejected, and a new composite must be manufactured consuming more time and effort.

The micromechanical models play an important role in estimating the properties of the polymer composites. These models estimate the properties of the composite by estimating the …

Lean Implementation Through Process Automation, Olusola Onadipe Jr.

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

As lean manufacturing is increasingly becoming a common practice today in an effort to keep companies competitive, new and innovative processes are becoming the norm. Part of that innovation includes the development of automated machinery that can help alleviate some struggles with lead times and reduce overall labor. It is all in keeping with the trend of building products cheaper and faster to gain that edge. Company X has been focusing their efforts on lean manufacturing for years now. This paper covers an important project that involves the implementation of a complex mechanical system in an effort to build products …

Optimized Endpoint Delivery Via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Fuad Gazal

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are remotely piloted aircraft with a range of varying applications. Though early adoption of UAVs focused on military applications, surveillance, photography, and agricultural applications are presently on the rise. This work aims to ascertain how UAVs may be employed to elicit deceased transportation times, increased power efficiency, and improved safety. Resulting in optimized end point delivery. A combination of tools and techniques, involving a mathematical model, UAV simulations, redundant control systems, and custom designed electrical and mechanical components were used towards reaching the goal of a 10-kilogram maximum payload delivered 10 miles under 30 minutes. Two …

The Effects Of Fiber Orientation And Volume Fraction Of Fiber On Mechanical Properties Of Additively Manufactured Composite Material, Suresh Chandra Kuchipudi

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Additive manufacturing (AM) also known as 3D printing has tremendous advancements in recent days with a vast number of applications in industrial, automotive, architecture, consumer projects, fashion, toys, food, art, etc. Composite materials are widely used in structures with weight as a critical factor especially in aerospace industry. Recently, additive manufacturing technology, a rapidly growing innovative technology, has gained lot of importance in making composite materials. The properties of composite materials depend upon the properties of constituent’s matrix and fiber. There is lot of research on effect of fiber orientation on mechanical properties of composite materials made using conventional manufacturing …

A Wavelet Transform Module For A Speech Recognition Virtual Machine, Euisung Kim

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This work explores the trade-offs between time and frequency information during the feature extraction process of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system using wavelet transform (WT) features instead of Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) and the benefits of combining the WTs and the MFCCs as inputs to an ASR system. A virtual machine from the Speech Recognition Virtual Kitchen resource (www.speechkitchen.org) is used as the context for implementing a wavelet signal processing module in a speech recognition system. Contributions include a comparison of MFCCs and WT features on small and large vocabulary tasks, application of combined MFCC and WT features on …

Efficient Modeling And Simulation Of Wavelength Division Multiplexing Dual Polarization Qpsk Optical Fiber Transmission, Siva Kumar Raju Nadimpalli

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Due to enormous growth in communications, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems are popular because these systems allow us to expand the capacity of the networks without laying more optical fiber cables. In this thesis, we have systematically derived the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations, including a consistent definition of the complex envelope, Fourier transform, the state of polarization, and derivation under the engineering notation. After a discussion of coarse step based second order symmetrized split-step Fourier (SSSF) simulation method, which is applicable to the numerical solution of the CNLS equations, an analytical step-size selection based local error method is applied …