Engineering Mechanics Commons^™

Me3329 Modular Phonograph Gearbox, Garrett Andrik Leighton, Preston Robert Hupe, Gavin Carter Ebner, Andrew Renato Reyes

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), seeks to develop a laboratory tool allowing students to reinforce concepts of gears for Mechanical Systems Design (ME329). Some current laboratories do not provide students with hands-on interaction, and the department lacks equipment and documentation to support a standardized lab. With ME329 expanding from ten to fifteen weeks, there is an opportunity to create a physical gearbox design lab allowing students to reinforce lecture material in engaging ways, while standardizing student learning. This senior project is presented and sponsored by Professor Alan Zhang. It will be …

3d Printed Microfluidic Fabrication Methodology, Characterization, Mechanical Design, And Applications In Electrostatic Artificial Muscles And Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells, Terak B. Hornik

Master's Theses

The fabrication of microfluidic devices often requires specialized methods. The development of these methods requires careful characterization and understanding of the processes involved. Using primarily PolyJet 3D printing technology, microfluidics offers a wide scope of applications such as microfluidic benthic microbial fuel cells (MBMFCs) and electrostatic artificial muscles. MBMFCs benefit from the confinement of the microbes resulting in close proximity between the electrode and the organisms. Using a modular design called the Sponge, assembly and upscaling is possible. Electrostatic artificial muscles benefit from a microfluidic approach due to the non-linearity of electrostatic attraction creating disproportionate benefits when miniaturized. When designed …

High Energy And Power Density Peptidoglycan Musclesthrough Super-Viscous Nanoconfined Water, Haozhen Wang, Zhi-Lun Liu, Jianpei Lao, Sheng Zhang, Rinat Abzalimov, Tong Wang, Xi Chen

Advanced Science Research Center

Water-responsive (WR) materials that reversibly deform in response to humidity changes show great potential for developing muscle-like actuators for miniature and biomimetic robotics. Here, it is presented that Bacillus (B.) subtilis’ peptidoglycan (PG) exhibits WR actuation energy and power densities reaching 72.6 MJ m−3 and 9.1 MW m−3, respectively, orders of magnitude higher than those of frequently used actuators, such as piezoelectric actuators and dielectric elastomers. PG can deform as much as 27.2% within 110 ms, and its actuation pressure reaches ≈354.6 MPa. Surprisingly, PG exhibits an energy conversion efficiency of ≈66.8%, which can be attributed to its super-viscous nanoconfined …

Performance Of Calcium Chloride- Ammonia Adsorption Refrigeration System, Michael John

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

An experimental study on the performance of calcium chloride-ammonia adsorption system is described. A single bed water cooled condenser adsorption refrigerator prototype, which utilises calcium chloride-ammonia pair has been developed and tested in the laboratory. Experiments have been conducted for desorption temperatures of 100 °C with desorption time varying from 1 to 4 hours. An electric tape heater and a timer were used to perform the experiments. The adsorption temperature profile, adsorption rate and prototype performance have been analysed and discussed. The tested heating and desorption temperature of 100 °C and heating and desorption time of 1 to 4 hours …

Assessment Of The Impacts Of Climate Variability On Hydropower Generation: A Case Study Of The New Pangani Falls, Tanzania, Dativa Byarufu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Climate change poses potential impacts on hydropower generation either positively by increasing or negatively by decreasing river flow. This study assessed the impacts of climate variability on hydropower with a focus on the New Pangani Falls in Tanzania. Rainfall and temperature time series data from 1980-2014 were analyzed in relation to river discharge and associated impacts to hydropower generation. The Man-Kendall test was used to detect trend in both annual and seasonal time series. The results showed a negative trend in annual rainfall with Z= -2.41 at α = 0.05 and the slope Q = -0.964. Seasonal trend analysis showed …

Dual-Axis Solar Tracker, Bryan Kennedy

All Undergraduate Projects

Renewable energies, and fuels that are not fossil fuel-based, are one of the prolific topics of debate in modern society. With climate change now becoming a primary focus for scientists and innovators of today, one of the areas for the largest amount of potential and growth is that of the capturing and utilization of Solar Energy. This method involves using a mechanical system to track the progression of the sun as it traverses the sky throughout the day. A dual-axis solar tracker such as the one designed and built for this project, can follow the sun both azimuthally and in …

The Potentials Of Faecal Sludge Treatment Using Local Conditioners In Tanzania: A Review, Doglas Benjamin1

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Worldwide, every day human beings generate millions of tons of Faecal Sludge (FS), which is rich in water, nutrients, energy, and organic compounds. Yet FS is not being managed in a way that permits us to derive value from its reuse, while at the same time, millions of farmers struggle with depleted soils and lack of water. In most of the developing countries, energy for cooking is mainly derived from cutting of trees, either as wood or charcoal. Resource recovery and reuse from FS can create livelihoods, enhance food security, support green economies, reduce waste and contribute to cost recovery …

Properties Of Matter, Mike Jackson, Holly Haney

High School Lesson Plans

Students will investigate the relationship(s) between thermal and electrical properties of matter. First, students will use a multimeter and temperature probe to investigate the relationship between electrical resistance and temperature of an electrical resistor composed of metals. They will then graph collected data to analyze the relationship and draw a conclusion as to their relationship. They will then perform the same investigation on a thermal resistor made of a semiconducting substance and analyze that collected data. Finally, using ClaimEvidence-Reasoning (CER) structure, students will use their experimental evidence to state the similarities and differences between the electro-thermal properties of metals and …

Energy Conversion System For Travelers (Ecost), Thipok Bovornratanaraks

The International Student Science Fair 2018

We have innovated “The Energy Conversion System for Travelers” or the ECoST. With the fact that most travelers have wheeled cabin-bags, whilst walking, the wheels will rotate so why don’t we harvest electricity from this kinetic energy? We thus install our innovation, the ECoST, to the bag to generate electricity from the spinning wheels. The electricity is then kept in the storage unit and ready to charge your empty battery devices in an emergency case via a USB port. To make life easy, our ECoST was designed to replicate the power bank charging method; therefore, we can charge …

Investigation Of Electrical Defects Arising From Excessive Sidewall Force And Excessive Tensile Strain On Power Cables, Darren Mcconnon, Joseph Kearney, Tom Looby, James O'Shaughnessy

Conference papers

The study includes a comprehensive review of the existing literature and guidelines regarding the effects of sidewall force and tensile strain on power cables during installation. The most appropriate diagnostic test methods required to analyse these effects are also assessed. The results of tests and analysis of the existing literature are then combined in an attempt to determine a realistic basis for guidelines and recommendations relevant to cable installation forces.

Electromechanics Of An Ocean Current Turbine, Vasileios Tzelepis

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The development of a numeric simulation for predicting the performance of an Ocean Current Energy Conversion System is presented in this thesis along with a control system development using a PID controller for the achievement of specified rotational velocity set-points. In the beginning, this numeric model is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink® and it is used to predict the performance of a three phase squirrel single-cage type induction motor/generator in two different cases. The first case is a small 3 meter rotor diameter, 20 kW ocean current turbine with fixed pitch blades, and the second case a 20 …

Socio-Economic Impacts Of Computer Viruses In Tanzania, M Victor

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper reports on a research project conducted with an objective of identifying and assessing various approaches used by different computer users (Management, System Administrators and end users) in Tanzania to combat computer viruses (CVs), and to assess users' awareness level on CVs. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the awareness level on CVs to the Tanzanian business community; analyze the socio -economic impact caused by CVs in Tanzania and; assess existing methods, capacity and limitations on controlling CVs in Tanzania. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interview from financial institutions such as NBC and BOT, and telecommunications sector …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Vibration is one of the techniques employed in the determination of dynamic properties of fruits and vegetables. It entails generation of a mechanical or acoustic vibrational signal which is propagated through the flesh of the agricultural material. A transducer is either attached or held close to the specimen to monitor the propagation of the signal through the specimen. The manner in which the signal is transmitted through the material is analyzed, and the dynamic properties of the specimen which relate to its firmness or its internal being are derived. The technique has been around for the past 30 years or …

Application Of Improved Pressure Transducers For Pressure Measurements, P Mtui

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Substantial improvement of low sensitivity pressure transducers aiming at obtaining a more realistic output signal is discussed. The output signal direct from these transducers has deficiencies of amplitude attenuation and phase lag, thus the measured values are not necessarily the true in- stantaneous values. In order to correct for such shortcomings the unit step response of these transducers is also studied experimentally. A math- ematical model is established based on the experimental results to build up a compensation circuit which is then included in the instrumentation setup to eliminate these deficiencies. The effectiveness of the compensated transducer is demonstrated by …

An Alternative Method Of Interfacing A Dc Motor To A Microprocessor For Mo- Tion Control, M Selekwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A Simple and cheap alternative method Of interfacing a permanent mag- net dc motor to a motion control using switch- ing transistor motor drivers is presented. This method involves the use Of very few transistor-transistor logic (TTL) devices and a 555 timer to pro- duce a pulse width modulated (P WM) signal which is required by the mo- ror driver. The motor driver in this case should be of an H-bridge type. Like other methods currently in use, it relieves the MPU of all timing func- tions which are necessary in the generation of P WM signals. The present method, …

Practical Aspects In Sensing Vrm Magneti- Sation Characteristics For Rotor Position Detection, N Mvungi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The detection of rotor position (stator/roror poles overlap) in a variable reluc- tance motor using the dependence of permeance on rotor position is the core of the effort to eliminate the need of a physical position sensor in the rotor shaft in the positional feedback operation of the motor. The reliability of the whole proc- ess Of eliminating the need of a physical sensor rests squarely On the ability to measure the instantaneous permeance ofa phase when the motor is in operation and at stand still. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the in- triguing problems of obtaining repeatable …

Theoretical And Experimental Study Of Inlet Manifold Pressure Profiles Using Compensated Transducers, P Mtui

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Computer simulation and experimental findings on single cylinder four-stroke cycle engine were done with a view of getting more realistic inlet manifold pressures. Since there is a direct relationship between the inlet pressure profiles and the volumetric efficiency of the engine, then there is a possibility of utilizing the knowledge of these profiles to enhance better engine air flow characteristics and hence improvement of engine performance.

The simulation program is based on hometropic process with constant specific heats where the results were validated using experimental findings of the engine with varying engine speeds.

Experimental results are obtained by measuring manifold …

Electrical Equivalent Method For The Calculation Of Vibrations In Transformers, D Chambega

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Noiselevel calculations may be done using an electrical equivalent method. So far a single mass and a double mass vibrating system may easily be represented by equivalent electrical circuits which are in turn useful for analysis. Multimass vibrating systems like transformers do not have straightforward methods which can enable analysis of noiselevels. This paper attempts to develop such a method by extending the method applicable to a double mass vibrating system. Then the validity of the method is tested using a transforme

An Electro Hydrodynamic Study Of The Negative Corona Electric Wind, Henry Thadei Kadete

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The velocity of corona generated electric wind is measured. From the velocity profile mass movement and electrokinetic conversion efficiencies are deduced. High speed schlieren photographs illustrate the form of the velocity distribution function as well as its high degree of turbulence.

Negative Corona Current Characteristics Of An Electric Wind System, Aviti Kadete

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The corona current characteristics of an electric wind system are investigated. First a brief summary of the negative point to plate corona mechanism and characteristics are presented. Then empirical equations for corona currents of an electric wind system are derived. Current waveform characteristics are also discussed. The effects of placing parallel rods in between a point-plate electrode gap to the corona currents are highlighted.