Engineering Commons^™

Synchronized On-Line Microprocessor Control Of Optical Disk Recorders And Players Using Realtime Interface Hardware/Software, William C. Reese

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research report is to describe clearly the development of an operational software program which utilizes a realtime interface hardware unit to synchronously control an optical disc player and optical disc recorder via an external microprocessor. The previous UCF Engineering College’s optical disc hardware configuration consisted of a Panasonic optical disc player and recorder, color monitor, video camera, and PRO-350 to control only one device (player or recorder) at a time as the microprocessor has only one serial input/output (I/O) port. The Digital Equipment Corporation’s realtime interface device provides two serial I/O ports and therefore allows the …

Graphics Package For Portable Alphanumerical/Graphics Terminal, Elsie S. Loh

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report describes the design of a highlevel graphics package for use by application programmers t o display pictures of two-dimensional objects on a portable alphanumeric/graphic terminal. The design is implemented on the Digital VAX-11/780™ minicomputer running under the VMS operating system environment as the host computer and uses the DECwriter Correspondent (LA12) as the graphics device. The graphics package consists both the database manipulation software which is completely device dependent, and the interface software between the normal "drawing functions" and the hardware associated with a particular graphics device, which is minimally device-dependent.

Distribution Of Lead And Zinc In Groundwater Around An Exfiltration Pipe Including A Study Of Specific Conductance, Donna M. Schiffer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Highway runoff is a significant source of nonpoint pollution to surfoce and ground waters. Underground disposal of stormwater has several advantages, such as recharge of ground water resources and reduction of flow rates at existing storm sewer outfa11s. However, there are few studies on the effects of underground disposal of stormwater on the qua1ity of ground water. The purpose of this stucty was to examine the changes 1n lead, zinc, and specific conductance in highway runoff that is routed to an underground disposal facility as the water passes through the unsaturated soil to the surficia1 aquifer. An exfiltration pipe in …

Snap, A Contract Pricing Tool For The Micro-Computer, Kris Luella Hoffman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The amount of time required during the contracting process from the solicitation of bids through contract award can be significant. Two of the main problem areas are evaluating the contractor’s proposal and completing the negotiation process. The SNAP system was developed to simplify Negotiations with Automated Pricing using the microcomputer. SNAP can track three separate positions during negotiations and provide hour/dollar summaries for each of these positions by cost account, lot, department, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Evaluation worksheets and department summaries can be produced to provide the evaluators with different perspectives of the same work effort. SNAP will also …

Multi-Computer Communication Network With Crossbar Switches, Massood. Towhidnejad

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the architecture and organization of a multi-computer communication network employing crossbar switches. The network is implemented using the Motorola EXORset development system. The network provides a flexible communication system capable of application to a wide range of data transfers. In this system each computer will perform its local tasks, in the meantime, each computer could send or receive messages to and from other computers in the network. The system logic has been partitioned into two basic board types: (a) communication interface, and (b) controller. The communication interface provides the interface of computers in the network to the …

Editor Design In The Context Of Control System Simulation, Leon Fadden

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Advances in microcomputer display devices and support software during the past decade have made the microcomputer an increasingly popular vehicle for technical education. This is especially apparent in the area of simulation. The pedagog can provide the student of control theory not merely with the block diagrams and differential algebra but with high resolution color graphic animations supported by mathematical models whose parameters are easily changed by some editor facility. This mode of control system design and behavior study is both faster and more enjoyable for the student, providing greater continuity, concentration, and learning efficiency.

This paper describes the simulation …

Propagation Of Optical Waves In Tapered Fibers And Metallic Wave Guides, Bahram Zandi

Dissertations and Theses

The equations tor the propagation of Electromagnetic and Optical waves in tapered fibers and metallic waveguides are derived. Solutions are derived for the displacement of the beam from the waveguide axis as a function of distance along the axis, and also tor the beam width as a function of distance. These equations are solved numerically for a variety of tapered guides. Experiments are conducted which verify the theoretical results.

A Shuttle Bus For The University Of Central Florida, Maryam Hosseini-Kargar

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The University of Central Florida, with an enrollment of approximately 16,000 students, is being faced with parking, traffic and transportation problems. The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a commuter campus, with over 90% of the students arriving by automobile. Parking spaces cost over $800/space, and funding to build new spaces is scarce. Existing lots on the perimeter of the UCF campus offer a potential advantage to park and ride services or a shuttle serve around UCF.

Research conducted for this paper evaluated the usage of a shuttle bus system around the UCF campus. The primary purpose of the shuttle …

Simulation Of A Parallel Manufacturing Operations, Charles P. Cochran

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines a manufacturing process using a real time interface with a 6502 microprocessor that gives the appearance of parallel processing. Two separate processes are operated, apparently simultaneously with an asynchronous interface between the two processes. An Apple microcomputer, an ISAAC data transfer system and a constructed simulation model are used to demonstrate this process. The model is constructed of Fischertechnik manufactured parts for the support framework, as well as gearing devices, small DC electric motors, and sensing devices in the form of photo-electric switches and single pole double throw switches physically activated by the constructed model. The software, …

Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform Image Compression Applied To Visual Flight Simulators, Nancy A. Burrell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A visual flight simulator requires a huge amount of image data to be stored in the database. To make a photo-based system feasible an image compression scheme must be devised to compress the data.

An adaptive discrete cosine transform (DCT) technique is used to compress 24 bit color images to an average of 3 bits per pixel. The bits for the image are distributed based on the relative activity in different parts of the scene. Results and error analysis are presented.

Feasibility Investigation Into The Use Of A Liquid Crystal Television As A Spatial Light Modulator, Edward R. Raudenbush

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The recent availability of inexpensive, electrically addressable liquid crystal displays has generated interest in the use of such devices for optical processing applications. Characterizations pertinent to this use include: maximum obtainable modulation depth, modulation transfer function (MTF), linearity of response, refresh cycle time and optical flatness. Examples of device performance as a coherent processor and as an incoherent processor will be given.

Corrosion Ability And The Chemistry Of Mercuric Chloride And Related Compounds, Martin R. Kruger

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research project found that a solution of methanol and methylene chloride saturated with mercuric chloride was very effective at diffusing through a paint film and destroying an aluminum barrier below. The project also found evidence that mercuric chloride chemically reacts with dimethylformamide and dimethysulfoxide. The project concluded that corrosion of metals in an organic solvent media is best studied by thermal analysis.

The Use Of Enlarged Feed Wells As Flocculator Units In Activated Sludge Secondary Clarifiers, Mahnaz Shahnami

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The quality of the effluent from activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is highly dependent on the performance of the final clarifier. The final clarifier performs solids/liquids separation through sedimentation. The standard design criteria (overflow rate and detention time) must be selected such that the effluent suspended solids requirements are met.

Numerous research programs have been conducted to evaluate the factors affecting the sedimentation efficiency of activated sludge mixed liquor. Flocculation has been documented as a significant factor. The flocculation process is an agglomeration of small primary particles of the surface of larger particles to achieve higher settling velocities. Increased settling …

Companding Flash Analog-To-Digital Converters, Michael P. Brig

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report will demonstrate how a companding flash analog-to-digital converter can be used to satisfy both the dynamic range and resolution requirements of an infrared imaging system. In the past, infrared imaging systems had to rely on analog electronics to process a thermal image. This was costly and, in many ways, inefficient but the only way to perform the function. Digital processing was impractical because ADC conversion speeds were slow with respect to video frequencies. Furthermore, it is impossible to gain the necessary dynamic range using linear conversion techniques without large digital wordlengths. Therefore, the principles of companding flash analog-to-digital …

Design Of A Laboratory Course In Embedded Computer Systems, Alexander Nikoloff

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report discusses and presents the design of a university undergraduate level laboratory course introducing the topic of embedded computer systems. The course utilizes the Rainbow 100 computer and the Data Translation LDT2801 interface board to illustrate this concept.

Lab problems in Digital to Analog conversions, Analog to Digital conversions, Digital input/output, serial communication, motor drivers and parallel communication are presented, as are fully documented solutions. Suggested lecture material appropriate to the course is reviewed.

Relationships Between Casting Features And Cavity Fill Time, Gate Velocity, And Gate Area For Aluminum Die Castings, Hsin-Yen Chen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between casting features (including weight, average thickness, surface area, and outside diameter) and casting process variables (including cavity fill time, gate velocity, and gate area) for aluminum die castings. Historical data of good quality aluminum round castings of the Kiowa Corporation in Marshalltown, Iowa, were used in the correlation analysis. The correlation analysis consisted of determining the following:

(1) the correlation of one casting process variable and one casting feature.

(2) the multiple correlation of one casting process variable and a combination of several casting features.

The results of statistical …

Interactive Texturing For A Computer Graphics Display System, Yin L. Wah

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Surfaces have texture, and few surfaces are truly smooth in the real world, yet this is how they are modeled. Texturing provides the illusion of increased surface roughness or granularity, and it also gives the illusion of extra detail and realism. This is accomplished by modulating surface color based on gradient function known as texture pattern.

Changing texture pattern data can be expensive and time consuming since the change must be done on database offline system and then reloaded on the Computer Image Generator (CIG) for review of the change. The Interactive Generator (IAT) system is designed for online examination …

A Computer Simulation Of An Incoherent Optical Processor For Spatial Frequency Analysis, Randall T. Stratton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computer simulation demonstrates the feasibility of a technique for performing spatial frequency analysis on an incoherent scene in one dimension using an electronically addressable spatial light modulator (SLM). By applying biased sinusoidal variation to the SLM transmittance, the real and imaginary parts of the Fourier transform are available and readily yield both magnitude and phase of the Fourier transform.

In addition to the Fourier transform this simulation investigates the use of a simple binary pulse train transform for the sake of reducing system complexity and increasing speed of operation.

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Acquisition Design, John C. Fakatselis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Spread spectrum communication techniques are utilized to provide transmission of signals which have anti-jamming properties, a low probability of being intercepted, and can support a multiple-access system by servicing simultaneously a number of channels. This thesis concentrates on the receiver acquisition problem of a transmitted signal which is the output of a spread spectrum communication system. The acquisition requirements of a spread spectrum system and also the general approaches to the problem of “active and passive correlation” are discussed. A unique general purpose all-digital acquisition hardware design is developed and described to the schematic level of detail, where specific parts …

A Two-Dimensional, Three-Phase Reservoir Simulator Using The Impes Formulation, Ralph Ross Roesler

Masters Theses

"A numerical model for two dimensional, three-phase fluid flow has been developed using the IMPES formulation. Reservoir heterogeneities have been included, such as areal variations in porosity, permeability, thickness, and depth from a reference point. The model can also solve the problem of variable bubble points.

To check the accuracy of the model, a comparison was made with the Buckley-Leverett technique of predicting waterflood performance. The reservoir in the comparison is a 40 acre five spot with an initial gas saturation of 15 percent. The study shows that the two models are in good agreement, except for differences due to …

A Study Of Problem Lead-Zinc Ores Of Southeast Missouri In Terms Of Mineralogy And Galena Oxidation, Michael G. Schroer

Masters Theses

"Recovery problems encountered at some of the St. Joe Lead Company's milling facilities prompted the study of 6 different ores. High and low grade ores had characteristics that varied from poor lead - zinc selectivity to excessive lead losses to the flotation tailings. Three ores from both the Fletcher and Viburnum mills were studied through flotation tests, mill water analysis, and ore analysis using an ore microscope.

The major cause for poor recovery was found to be due to ore oxidation. Not only was lead, in the form of oxides, reporting to the tails, but high levels of copper ions …

A Purchase Estimator For Oil And Gas Reserves, Ronald Ernest Robbins

Masters Theses

"A computerized means for analyzing the profitability and purchase potential of producing oil and gas properties was developed. LOTUS 1- 2-3, a computerized spreadsheet package, was utilized in this development. The basic input data required for the implementation of the purchase estimator (BUYOUT) are the forecasts of production, price, and expense. BUYOUT itself is composed of three separate, but interactive, parts: and the system macro. the profitability model, the acquisition table,

A before federal income tax cash-flow model and several economic indicators constitute the profitability model. The profitability model is then fully interactive with an acquisition table which contains six …

Dimensional Change Correlations For 20% Cold Worked Aisi 316 Stainless Steel For Fusion Applications, Robert Wayne Clark

Masters Theses

"Dimensional instability of structural components in a fusion reactor Is expected to occur during Its operation. This expectation is based upon experience with fast reactors In the United States, France and United Kingdom. Correlations for void swelling and Irradiation creep are developed in this thesis for 20% cold worked AISI 316 Stainless Steel for fusion applications.

The sensitivities of swelling to variations in composition, fabrication and the Irradiation environment I le al roost exclusively in the duration of the transient regime of swelling. Irradiation creep rates at high exposures are also expected to exhibit a similar parametric insensitivity, largely because …

Characteristics Of A Stirred Bed Reactor Used For Gas-Solid Reactions, Christine Joy Beyke

Masters Theses

“A fluidized bed gas-solid reactor was designed and tested in which most of the fluidization energy is provided by a helical stirrer, with gas being used primarily as a reactant. The bulk gas in which the particles are suspended is practically constant in composition except for the area immediately adjacent to the gas inlet. The reactor is capable of withstanding temperatures up to at least 800°C and can be used with a wide range of flow rates. It is intended primarily as a laboratory tool, with the potential to be scaled up to multikilogram size.

The reactoor is a useful …

Influence Of Oxygen Activity On The Lattice Parameters And Thermal Expansion Of Mg And Sr-Doped Lacro₃, Sutham Srilomsak

Masters Theses

"Lanthanum Chromite, when used as the fuel cell interconnector material is exposed to extremely different oxygen activities on its two surfaces. In addition, it must also form coherent boundaries with the fuel electrode (anode) and air electrode (cathode) layers. In order to accomplish these functions the acceptor doped LaCrO₃ must not only be chemically stable over large oxygen activity ranges, but also have good thermal expansion coefficient of match with both the anode and cathode. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate these requirements for Mg and Sr doped LaCrO₃. The study was divided into …

Bearing Capacity Of Shallow Foundations, Yassin Taissir Al-Kour

Masters Theses

"Several bearing capacity theories have been reviewed in this analysis. However, only Meyerhof's theory is considered in great detail. Bearing capacity factors N_c, N_q, and N_γ have been computed based on Meyerhof's plasticity theory and the minimum passive earth pressures have been found by iterative calculations at all grid locations.

A computer program was developed to run Meyerhof's analysis on the IBM-Personal Computer. His previous charts were not totally satisfactory, because certain geometry was ignored. The computer program considers surface and shallow foundations with various values of degree of mobilization and ratios of depth-to-width of …

Measurement Of The Dusty Gas Model Parameters For Activated Carbon, Philip James Gloor

Masters Theses

"Included in the dusty gas equation are three constants, C₀, C₁ and C₂, which depend only upon the porous medium. Values for C₀ and C₁ can be obtained for a particular porous material by performing pure gas flow experiments and a value for C₂ can be obtained for the same material by performing Wicke-Kallenbach experiments. In this work, values for the dusty gas model parameters, for activated carbon, were obtained by performing the necessary experiments. The design and operation of the experimental equipment is presented along with the results obtained. The activated …

Commercial Design Of Four Indirect-Fired Fluidized Bed Gasifer Systems, Eoin Myles Clancy

Masters Theses

"This thesis deals with the design and cost analysis of four scaled up gasification plants. Reactor outputs range from 10 to 40 million Btu/hr (heating value of gas). Scale-up design parameters are based on data obtained from a 20 inch indirectly heated steam fluidized bed gasifier. This produces a medium Btu gas (450 Btu/ft³). The gas may be burnt on site or used as a chemical feedstock.

The plant designs consider reactor sizes, steam plant dimensions, specifications for feedhoppers, cyclones, conveying equipment, internal firetube heat exchangers, and drying plants.

The economic analysis deals with the cost of the …

Expert System Technology Applied To The Sensor Allocation Problem For Multisensor Integration, Edwin Rowe Carney

Masters Theses

"The use of multiple sensors for target acquisition provides both redundant and complementary coverage of the target observation space. To effectively utilize the sensor suite and to reduce the number of operator tasks, a high level of automation is required. An expert system is used to control the sensor suite. The expert system acts as an interface between the operator and the multisensory system. The sensors and their modes of operation are selected by the expert system. The mode selections are dependent upon the operator objective, the environment, and the physical and logical constraints of the system. The goal is …

Water Desalination Using Nocturnal Radiation Cooling, Ali Mufarreh Saleh Al-Amri

Masters Theses

"In this investigation nocturnal radiation condensation cooling is considered to determine the possibility of using this method as a desalination process in remote areas, villages and resorts, etc. An experimental study was made and programs were developed to calculate water collection under ideal conditions. Both experimental and theoretical work indicated that this process is useful for small scale water production where there is no available energy sources. It can be used also in conjunction with solar desalination processes. Cost analysis and a preliminary design are included"--Abstract, page ii.