Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Physical Testing Of Potential Football Helmet Design Enhancements, Michael Jeremy Schuster

Master's Theses

Football is a much loved sport in the United States. Unfortunately, it is also hard on the players and puts them at very high risk of concussion. To combat this an inventor in Santa Barbara brought a new design to Cal Poly to be tested.

The design was tested in small scale first in order to make some preliminary conclusions about the design. In order to fully test the helmet design; however, full scale testing was required. In order to carry out this testing a drop tower was built based on National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, NOCSAE, …

Scalable Three-Dimensional Grasping Mechanism, Ikya Mamidala

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

In this work, we develop a scalable end-effector mechanism for grasping three- dimensional objects with sizes ranging from micrometer to millimeter scale. The design architecture of the gripper comprises an array of identical fingers patented in a circular fashion. Each finger is designed from a novel linkage mechanism whose end effector is manipulated by two independent actuators. In this research, we study three finger gripper device, where each is obtained from a 3 - linkage mechanism. The device is controlled by three independent piezo actuators, and one electro-magnetic solenoid common to each mechanism. The gripping capability depends on how fingers …

Particle Image Velocimetry Design & Installation, Zach Ritchie

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This work will mainly focus on the design, construction, and installation of the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system in the Chemical Hazards Research Center wind tunnel. The PIV system utilizes a Class IV (double pulsed) laser, optics to produce a light sheet, timing circuitry, and a high-resolution camera (with buffered output) to measure a system’s velocity (two-dimensional) field by determining the displacement of particles over the time between laser pulses. For maximum mobility and functionality, the PIV system was installed in the center of the tunnel on a moveable cart with the laser and camera mounted to an adjustable support. …

Tractor Measurement And Data Acquisition System For Hydraulic Power, Draft Force, And Power Take-Off Torque, James Roeber

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Numerous advancements in machinery performance of agricultural tractors have been made in recent years. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tests predetermined points (e.g., maximum power and torque) for drawbar, Power Take-Off (PTO), and hydraulic power as separate tests for tractor performance. Testing methods with the tractor operating at a steady state have been done for years, which were uncharacteristic of agricultural tractor operations in field conditions. As part of this thesis work, field usable data acquisition systems (DAQs) were developed to record implement energy consumption (e.g., drawbar loading, PTO torque, and hydraulic power). The system used LabVIEW …

Evaluation Of Alternative Implementation Methods Of Failure Sampling Approach For Structural Reliability Analysis, Kapil Patki, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

In this paper, several alternative approaches are used to implement the failure sampling method for structural reliability analysis and are evaluated for effectiveness. Although no theoretical limitation exists as to the types of problems that failure sampling can solve, the method is most competitive for problems that cannot be accurately solved with reliability index-based approaches and for which simulation is needed. These problems tend to have non-smooth limit state boundaries or are otherwise highly nonlinear. Results from numerical integration and three extrapolation approaches using the generalized lambda distribution, Johnson's distribution, and generalized extreme value distribution are compared. A variety of …

Multi-Axial Failure Of High-Performance Fiber During Transverse Impact, Matthew C. Hudspeth

Open Access Dissertations

The effect of projectile nose geometry on ensuing wave development in high-performance yarns is explored during single yarn transverse impact. Special attention has been placed on visualizing the immediate region around the projectile-yarn contact site for 0.30-cal round, 0.30-cal fragment simulation projectiles (FSP), and razor blades using high-speed imaging. Kevlar® KM2, Dyneema®SK76 and AuTx have been impacted at velocities ranging from ∼100 m/s to ∼1200 m/s depending on projectile nose shape, with an emphasis set on determining the critical velocity wherein below said velocity significant development of wave propagation occurs and above said velocity the yarn fails immediately upon impact. …

Drag Reduction Using Femtosecond Laser Surface Processing: Experimental Setup, Derek Wallin, Henry Ems, Craig Zuhlke, Dennis R. Alexander, George Gogos, Sidy Ndao

UCARE: Research Products

The experimental setup for developing a system to test the drag effects of different superhydrophorbicities. This is used to revise the current Moody Chart and redefine fluid drag in a pipe.

Fluid drag reduction is important in many applications such as reducing the power requirement to pump a fluid through a channel or pipe. The Center for Electro-Optics and Functionalized Surfaces (CEFS) at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln uses a femtosecond laser to functionalize 304 stainless Steel to become superhydrophilic or superhydrophobic The Processing produces microscale and nanoscale surface roughness that when treated with siloxanes becomes superhydrophobic. Small vortices …

Application Of A Multi-Zone Model For The Prediction Of Species Concentrations In Rapid Compression Machine Experiments, David Wilson

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Accurate chemical kinetic models, which predict species evolution and heat release rates in chemically reactive systems, are essential for further advancements in fuel and combustion technology. An experimental facility that is widely used for evaluating the accuracy of kinetic models is a rapid compression machine (RCM), which creates a well-defined reaction environment by compressing a reactive mixture inside a chamber. Generally, RCM experiments are conducted in order to obtain ignition delay data. However, chemical speciation data provides greater insight into reaction pathways, and is therefore a more rigorous benchmark for validating kinetic models. In order for a chemical kinetic model …

Mixed Mesh/Nodal Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Modeling Of A Six-Phase Claw-Pole Automotive Alternator, Daniel C. Horvath

Open Access Theses

Magnetic equivalent circuits (MECs) have been employed by many researchers to model the relationship between magnetic flux and current in electromagnetic systems such as electric machines, transformers and inductors [1] ,[2]. Magnetic circuits are analogous to electric circuits where voltage, current, resistance and conductance are the respective counterparts of magneto-motive force (MMF), magnetic flux, reluctance and permeance. The solution of MECs can be accomplished with the plethora of techniques developed for electrical circuit analysis. Specifically, mesh analysis, based on Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL), and nodal analysis, based on Kirchoffs Current Law (KCL), are two very common solution techniques. Once an …

Design Live Load Factor Calibration For Michigan Highway Bridges, Christopher D. Eamon, Valid Kamjoo, Kazuhiko Shinki

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

In this study, a reliability-based calibration of live load factors for bridge design specific to the State of Michigan was conducted. Two years of high frequency WIM data from 20 representative state-wide sites were analyzed, and load effects were generated for bridge spans from 6 to 122 m (20 to 400 ft), considering simple and continuous moments and shears, as well as single lane and two lane effects. Seventy-five year statistics for maximum live load were then estimated with probabilistic projection. Bridge girders considered for the calibration included composite steel, prestressed concrete, side-by-side and spread box beams, as well as …

Field Tests Of Two Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges For Live Load Distribution And Moment Continuity, Christopher D. Eamon, Alaa Chehab, Gustavo Parra-Montesinos

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

Two similar bridges constructed with a live load continuous connection were tested for live load distribution and joint continuity. Girder distribution factors (GDFs) were compared to AASHTO equivalent values. For positive moments on all girders as for negative moments on interior girders, results using AASHTO equivalent GDFs were found to be generally conservative. However, for negative moments on exterior girders, test results exceeded AASHTO values, with 2-lane results significantly so. GDF results were verified with a FEA model, which produced similar behavior to the field tests. With respect to joint continuity, it is estimated that a simple span would produce …

Orchard Bin Atv Trailer, Neil F. Leitz

All Undergraduate Projects

A local orchardist was experiencing a problem that was being caused by their lack of apple picking bin moving equipment. The orchardist needed a well-engineered solution to this lack of equipment. The solution arrived at was a five bin trailer. There were multiple design requirements for this trailer, including the device needing to be able to interface with an ATV, be able to be loaded by hand, be able to carry five bins, and not exceed a budget of $750. While perfecting the design of the trailer, a number of different disciplines were utilized, which included dynamics, kinematics, static loading …

Multiple Apple Box Lift 1/10th Scale Model, Kyle J. Burlingame

All Undergraduate Projects

Title and Author: 1/10th Scale Multiple Apple Box Lift by Kyle Burlingame (Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction) Abstract/Artist statement: A 1/10th scale Multiple Apple Box Lift was designed and built as a proof of concept for a full scale device. The Multiple Apple Box Lift was designed to meet a customer’s requirements and to be presented at SOURCE. This device lifts the top half of the stacked apple boxes on a pallet in order to allow access to the boxes in the middle of the stack. The device can be manually operated by two people while in-between narrow rows of …

Suspension For Electrathon Vehicle, Mackenzie Ericson Angeledes

All Undergraduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a rear suspension system to support the frame of an Electrathon Vehicle. The vehicle is designed to compete in the Electrathon America competition on behalf of the Central Washington University Electric Vehicle Club. The suspension system was designed to use readily available parts sourced from manufacturers to keep the components serviceable. Using dynamic and static engineering analysis (spring equations, equations of equilibrium, stress calculations), the necessary custom components were designed. Space restrictions and limitations of the preexisting frame necessitated modifications, such as the straightness of the frame and the positioning of existing …

Flag Raising Device, Josh Quintero

All Undergraduate Projects

The motivation for this project stems from a lifetime of boating with father Richard Jones. One problem that many people encounter, including Richard, was when towing someone behind a boat, is the difficulty with handling the warning flag. This flag is used to show other surrounding boats that someone has fallen into the water behind their boat. This warns other boats to stay far away from that area to keep safe from running over the swimmer. Although, when holding the flag in the boat, it can be hard to see at times. The boat driver, or other people standing in …

Hydraulic Sprayer Boom Upgrade, Chad R. Omlin

All Undergraduate Projects

Title and Author: Agriculture sprayer hydraulic boom upgrade by Chad Omlin (engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction)

Abstract: Today’s agriculture industry is all about being the most efficient with your time, land, employees, and machinery. One thing that has made farming more efficient has been the use of hydraulics. Having a sprayer unit with manual booms is not being efficient with your time and/or employees. To make the sprayer unit more efficient, hydraulic cylinders were added. Sketched solutions were analyzed using statics and mechanics of materials principles. Drawings were completed for the successful analysis solutions. Solid works software was used to …

Asme Mini-Baja Rc Car (Steering And Suspension Systems), Michael E. Cox

All Undergraduate Projects

The issue that this project is concerned with is how to design and build a drivetrain, steering and suspension systems for an RC car. The systems must be simple and functional. Furthermore, these systems will be designed to fit on a small chassis and not interfere with each other. They also need to be strong and durable enough to propel the car forward and maneuver through various obstacles and be built in a way that is easy to take apart and repair quickly. These design problems were approached using basic mechanical design concepts such as gear kinematics, spur and bevel …

A Parametric Study Of Meso-Scale Patterns For Auxetic Mechanical Behavior Optimization, Matthew C. Schuler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis focuses on the development, parameterization and optimization of a novel meso-scale pattern used to induce auxetic behavior, i.e., negative Poisson's ratio, at the bulk scale. Currently, the majority of auxetic structures are too porous to be utilized in conventional load-bearing applications. For others, manufacturing methods have yet to realize the meso-scale pattern. Consequently, new auxetic structures must be developed in order to confer superior thermo-mechanical responses to structures at high temperature. Additionally, patterns that take into account manufacturing limitations, while maintaining the properties characteristically attached to negative Poisson's Ratio materials, are ideal in order to utilize the potential …

Modeling Time-Dependent Performance Of Submerged Superhydrophobic Or Slippery Surfaces, Ahmed A. Hemeda

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to quantify the transient performance of microfabricated superhydrophobic surfaces when used in underwater applications. A mathematical framework is developed and used to predict the stability, longevity, and drag reduction benefits of submerged superhydrophobic surfaces with two- or three-dimensional micro-textures. In addition, a novel design is proposed to improve the drag-reduction benefits of lubricant-infused surfaces, by placing a layer of trapped air underneath the lubricant layer. The new design is referred to as lubricant–infused surfaces with trapped air, and it is designed to eliminate the long-lasting longevity problem of submerged superhydrophobic surfaces. The effectiveness of …

Biventricular Finite Element Modeling And Quantification Of 3d Langragian Strains And Torsion Using Dense Mri, Zhanqiu Liu

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Statistical data suggests that increased use of evidence-based medical therapies has largely contributed to the decrease in American death rate caused by heart disease. And my studies are about two applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive approach in evidence-based health care research. In my first study, the achievement of a pulmonary valve replacement surgery was assessed on a patient with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In order to evaluate the remodeling of right ventricle, two biventricular finite element models were built up for pre-surgical images and post-surgical images. In my second study, 3D Lagrangian strains and torsion in …

Restraint System Design And Evaluation For Military Specific Applications, Sebastian Karwaczynski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This research focuses on designing an optimal restraint system for usage in a military vehicle applications. The designed restraint system must accommodate a wide range of DHM’s and ATD’s with and without PPE such as: helmet, boots, and body armor. The evaluation of the restraint systems were conducted in a simulated vehicle environment, which was utilized to downselect the ideal restraint system for this program.

In December of 2011 the OCP TECD program was formulated to increase occupant protection. To do this, 3D computer models were created to accommodate the entire Soldier population in the Army. These models included the …

The University Of Akron Nfpa 2015/2016 Chainless Challenge, Andrew Tupta, Andrew Ball, Stefan Stamboldziev, Jordon Spence, Sean Catchpole

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Parker Hannifin has issued a challenge to student design teams of creating a Chainless bike using a hydraulic system. Each student design team will be assigned a technical advisor from the University. The project will be divided into two phases after the initial kickoff. The first phase will align with senior design course for motion control and hydraulics and will yield the student obtaining knowledge in hydraulics, including bio-degradable fluids, pneumatics, electromechanical systems, green technologies (sustainable energy) and controlling force and motion. Students will be provided data sheets, a list of in-stock Parker components and by the end of the …

Design And Fabrication Of A Suspension Rig, Abhijith Geo Philip

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Owing to its placement under the vehicle body, the suspension system is one of the parts of the vehicle which are difficult to comprehend completely, albeit being a vital component. For demonstrating the working of a suspension system, a physical model in which one can actually see the movement of all the components would be a great tool. A Mustang II independent front suspension system was purchased from Heidts Engineering Performance and a rig that can emulate some of the real world situations of vehicle suspension action was designed and fabricated. All the components are accessible and conditions like bounce, …

In-Field Fuel Use And Load States Of Agricultural Field Machinery, Santosh Pitla, Joe D. Luck, Jared Werner, Nannan Lin, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The ability to define in-field tractor load states offers the potential to better specify and characterize fuel consumption rate for various field operations. For the same field operation, the tractor experiences diverse load demands and corresponding fuel use rates as it maneuvers through straight passes, turns, suspended operation for adjustments, repair and maintenance, and biomass or other material transfer operations. It is challenging to determine the actual fuel rate and load states of agricultural machinery using force prediction models, and hence, some form of in-field data acquisition capability is required. Controller Area Networks (CAN) available on the current model tractors …

Inter-Row Robot Navigation Using 1d Ranging Sensors, Tyler A. Troyer, Santosh Pitla, Ethan Nutter

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this paper a fuzzy logic navigation controller for an inter-row agricultural robot is developed and evaluated in laboratory settings. The controller receives input from one-dimensional (1D) ranging sensors on the robotic platform, and operated on ten fuzzy rules for basic row-following behavior. The control system was implemented on basic hardware for proof of concept and operated on a commonly available microcontroller development platform and open source software libraries. The robot platform used for experimentation was a small tracked vehicle with differential steering control. Fuzzy inferencing and defuzzification, step response and cross track error were obtained from the test conducted …

Three-Dimensional Microstructural Effects On Multi-Site Fatigue Crack Nucleation Behaviors Of High Strength Aluminum Alloys, Yan Jin

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

An experimental method was further developed to quantify the anisotropy of multi-site fatigue crack initiation behaviors in high strength Al alloys by four-point bend fatigue testing under stress control. In this method, fatigue crack initiation sites (fatigue weak-links, FWLs) were measured on the sample surface at different cyclic stress levels. The FWL density in an alloy could be best described using a three-parameter Weibull function of stress, though other types of sigmoidal functions might also be used to quantify the relationship between FWL density and stress. The strength distribution of the FWLs was derived from the Weibull function determined by …

Determination Of Rejected Landing Roll Runway Point-Of-No-Return And Go-Around In Transport Category Airplanes, Nihad E. Daidzic, Ph.D., Sc.D.

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The decelerate-accelerate-takeoff maneuver in transport category airplanes has been discussed. Mathematical model based on total energy conservation has been used to calculate the rejected landing point-of-no-return on a runway which will still enable the airplane to safely execute go-around and achieve regulatory screen heights and takeoff safety speeds. After this point has been exceeded or below the point-of-no-return speed no go-around should ever be considered. Landing long and fast and/or decelerating on slippery runways may very well result in an overrun which could be prevented if the go-around is attempted before reaching this critical runway point. The point-of-no-return on the …

Technical Feasibility Analysis Of Utilizing Special Purpose Machine Tools, Ana Vafadar, Majid Tolouei Rad, Kevin Hayward, Kazem Abhary

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Special purpose machine tools (SPMs) are primarily used for performing drilling-related operations and are widely used in mass production including automotive component manufacturing. Utilization of SPM is considerably widespread; however, this technology is relatively new and expensive. The important problems facing manufacturing industries wishing to utilize this technology is feasibility analysis to decide whether a SPM can be utilised for production of the given part and if it is feasible which SPM components would be appropriate. Since the cost of utilizing SPM is high, feasibility analysis must be performed before any investment on detailed design. This paper proposes a technical …

Investigation Of A Numerical Algorithm For A Discretized Rubber-Belt Continuously Variable Transmission Dynamic Model And Techniques For The Measurement Of Belt Material Properties., Brian Gene Ballew

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A numerical algorithm for modeling the dynamic response of a rubber-belt Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) belt is recreated. The numerical attributes applied to the algorithm and difficulties with numerical stability are discussed in detail. The degrees of freedom of the system have been expanded to include the dynamics of the engine torque output and vehicle loads such as rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. This was done to emphasize the use of the model as an analysis tool for simulating CVT/engine/vehicle response. The increased degrees of freedom require the addition of a linear dampening element between belt nodes to dampen resonance …

Carbon Articulating Backpack Spine, Salvatore Monforte Iii, Darci Lawrence, Savan Patel

Mechanical Engineering

In the field, firefighters and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) personnel need to transport variable loads efficiently, safely, and comfortably while simultaneously performing certain physical tasks. Current models of external and internal framed backpacks distribute the load of a pack efficiently, but do not allow for the natural movement of the wearer. Wolfpack Gear, Inc. proposed the need for a system which both effectively carries a load and allows for the unhindered natural movement of the user. The goal of this project was to design, build, and test an articulating backpack support system. The first stage of the project comprised …