Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Space Suit Attachment Quick Release System, Elyse C. Gillis-Smith, Andres I. Elzaurdia, Cole H. Stanton, Michael T. Roth

Mechanical Engineering

NASA plans to make it back to the Moon by 2024 with their Artemis Program, and stay there for a longer period of time to conduct research which will support the future of space exploration. While on the lunar surface, astronauts need to maximize their efficiency by carrying tools on their Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU), and to accommodate this need, the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tools Team is pursuing a utility belt concept. The objective of this project is to develop a system capable of interfacing between the utility belt and any given tool, while also accommodating numerous restrictions and …

Uav For Medical Equipment Distribution, Richard Barakat, Logan Christensen, Brandon Halebsky, Justin Slavick

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review report documents the senior project participating in the Vertical Flight Society’s 38th Annual Student Design Competition sponsored by The Boeing Company. The goal of this project and competition is to develop an unmanned vertical lift for medical equipment distribution capable of safely delivering a 50 kg payload over distances up to 200 km. This system must be autonomous and have a backup plan to land if any part of the system malfunctions. We discuss the research and justification that drove the selection of the aircraft configuration, a winged quadcopter with a rear propeller. Furthermore, we document …

Hands-On 3d Printed Dynamics Activities, Dakota Baker, Jacob Lindberg, Andrew Meyenberg, Junnior Rodriguez

Mechanical Engineering

The advancement of 3D printing has allowed everyday individuals to rapid prototype and manufacture in a more efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner. This has paved the way for a more adaptable educational model, by allowing instructors to easily access alternative instruments for teaching. By providing students with tangible tools, they will better be able to grasp complex principles. Dynamics professors need a way in which they can easily access these academic tools, transport them to and from class, and teach multiple dynamics principles through variations of a single 3D printed kit. Interviews with professors and students were conducted to gain …

Power Output Modeling And Optimization For A Single Axis Tracking Solar Farm On Skewed Topography Causing Extensive Shading, Logan J. Smith

Master's Theses

Many utility-scale solar farms use horizontal single axis tracking to follow the sun throughout the day and produce more energy. Solar farms on skewed topography produce complex shading patterns that require precise modeling techniques to determine the energy output. To accomplish this, MATLAB was used in conjunction with NREL weather predictions to predict shading shapes and energy outputs. The MATLAB models effectively predicted the sun’s position in the sky, panel tilt angle throughout the day, irradiance, cell temperature, and shading size. The Cal Poly Gold Tree Solar Farm was used to validate these models for various lengths of time. First, …

Failure Analysis Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament For Youth Baseball Pitchers, Carlos Soto

Master's Theses

The objectives of this study were to (1) use kinetics from motion analysis and inverse dynamics to calculate the stress experienced by the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) during a typical pitch cycle, (2) compare calculated maximum UCL pitching stresses to failure properties, and (3) investigate correlations between UCL stress with anthropometric and pitching biomechanical parameters. Prior motion analysis experiments of eighteen 10- to 11- year-old baseball pitchers throwing 10 fastballs were analyzed. Maximum internal elbow varus torques were calculated using inverse dynamics methods during a typical pitch cycle. Calculations used axial loading stress equations and maximum internal elbow varus torques …

Implementing A Data Acquisition System For The Training Of Cloud Coverage Neural Networks, Weston C. Montgomery

Master's Theses

Cal Poly is home to a solar farm designed to nominally generate 4.5 MW of electricity. The Gold Tree Solar Farm (GTSF) is currently the largest photovoltaic array in the California State University (CSU) system, and it was claimed to be able to produce approximately 11 GWh per year. These types of projections come from power generation models which have been developed to predict power production of these large solar fields. However, when it comes to near-term forecasting of power generation with variable sources such as wind and solar, there is definitely room for improvement.

The two primary factors that …

The Application Of Post-Hoc Correction Methods For Soft Tissue Artifact And Marker Misplacement In Youth Gait Knee Kinematics, Kaila L. Lawson

Master's Theses

Biomechanics research investigating the knee kinematics of youth participants is very limited. The most accurate method of measuring knee kinematics utilizes invasive procedures such as bone pins. However, various experimental techniques have improved the accuracy of gait kinematic analyses using minimally invasive methods. In this study, gait trials were conducted with two participants between the ages of 11 and 13 to obtain the knee flexion-extension (FE), adduction-abduction (AA) and internal-external (IE) rotation angles of the right knee. The objectives of this study were to (1) conduct pilot experiments with youth participants to test whether any adjustments were necessary in the …

Prediction Of In-Plane Stiffnesses And Thermomechanical Stresses In Cylindrical Composite Cross-Sections, Bryson M. Chan

Master's Theses

Accurate mechanical analysis of composite structures is necessary for the prediction of laminate behavior. Cylindrical composite tubes are a mainstay in many structural applications. The fundamental design of circular composite cross-sections necessitates the development of a comprehensive composite lamination theory. A new analytical method is developed to characterize the behavior of thin-walled composite cylindrical tubes using a modified plate theory. A generated numerical solver can predict properties such as axial stiffness, bending stiffness, layer stresses, and layer strains in composite tubes subjected to combined mechanical loading and thermal effects. The model accounts for the curvature by transforming and translating the …

Analytical, Numerical, And Computational Methods To Analyze The Time To Empty Open, Closed, And Variable-Topped Inverted Bottles, Callen Schwefler

Master's Theses

Recent unexpected experimental observations of the emptying of inverted bottles with perforations has generated interest in modeling and simulation of this phenomenon. It was observed that as a perforation, i.e., a small hole at the "top" of the inverted bottle, is added and enlarged, the overall emptying time first increases to a maximum value and then decreases until it reaches a lower limit. The change in emptying time is associated with a transition from jetting, where only water exits the neck, to glugging, a competition between air and water flows at the neck of the bottle.

This paper develops analytical …

Fluid Powered Vehicle Challenge: Team Soulenoid Cycle, Kellen Muir Giuliani, Jordan David Kochavi, Cayla Renee Quinn, Martin Reyes

Mechanical Engineering

The National Fluid Power Association is a trade association that unifies customers and manufacturers within the hydraulics industry. Extending their partnership to universities, the annual Fluid Powered Vehicle Competition challenges college teams to design, build, and test a fluid-powered vehicle with the goal of educating students about the hydraulics industry and building career connections. Soulenoid Cycle produced the next iteration of Cal Poly’s fluid powered vehicle for the 2021 competition.

This report summarizes research, ideation, component selection, initial and final design, manufacturing, and competition results conducted by Soulenoid Cycle. Relevant research includes successful current and past vehicles, the operation of …

Standardizing Patient Generated Sleep And Step Data For Evidation Health, Jade Desmet, Monroe Erle, Jamie Cullen

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Since medical data has gone digital there has been a lack of standardization among wearable devices for managing the data. Evidation Health is a company that collects biometric data from a wide variety of wearable devices through their app, Achievement. Evidation is built upon a foundation of user privacy and control over permissioned health data. This project is in partnership with them, focusing on creating a standard data model and ETL tool for sleep and step data across the wearable devices Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Oura Ring. There is not yet a successful standardization for this health data, and the …

Half-Barrel Planter Mover, Mihir Shah, Natalie Lewis, Mason James Hughes

Mechanical Engineering

A device for transporting heavy barrel planters is needed. Barrel planters are wooden wine barrels that have been cut in half along the circumference. They are used to store and grow a variety of plants. As such, they can contain more than 300 pounds of soil. The products currently on the market are not designed for such heavy planters, are cost prohibitive, and do not take advantage of the tapered design of a wine barrel half. A solution is needed that is durable, easy to use, and low cost. This final design report will show the steps used to find …

Fsae Chassis Hardpoint Optimization, Christopher Soohoo, Ethan Vallivero, Dwarak Reddy

Mechanical Engineering

Our team has been tasked with optimizing hardpoints for the Cal Poly Racing team. Hardpoints are the locations on the chassis of a car that are designed to carry both internal and external loads, they are the areas where the engine and suspension connect to the chassis. These points are subject to torsion, shear, bending and pull-out loads. Cal Poly Racing needs more thoroughly analyzed individualized hardpoints that are optimized for weight, strength and specific stiffness, so they can reduce the overall weight and improve the race times of the vehicle while maintaining their strength and stiffness standards. Our team …

Development Of Novel Hardware And Software For Wind Turbine Condition Monitoring, Ryan A. Zhan

Master's Theses

With the increased use of wind turbines as sources of energy, maintenance of these devices becomes more and more important. Utility scale wind turbines can be time consuming and expensive to repair so an intelligent method of monitoring these devices is important. Commercial solutions for condition monitoring exist but are expensive and can be difficult to implement. In this project a novel condition monitoring system is developed. The priority of this system, dubbed the LifeLine, is to provide reliable condition monitoring through an easy-to-install and low-cost system. This system utilizes a microcontroller to collect acceleration data to detect imbalances on …

Condition Monitoring And Fault Detection Of Blade Damage In Small Wind Turbines Using Time-Series And Frequency Analyses, Luke H. Costello

Master's Theses

Condition monitoring systems are critical for autonomous detection of damage when operating remote wind turbines. These systems continually monitor the turbine’s operating parameters and detect damage before the turbine fails. Although common in utility-scale turbines, these systems are mostly undeveloped in distributed, small-scale turbines due to their high cost and need for specialized equipment. The Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center is developing a low-cost, modular solution known as the LifeLine system. The previous version contained monitoring equipment, but lacked decision-making capabilities.

The present work builds on the LifeLine by developing software-based detection of blade damage. Detection is done by …

Project G.H.O.S.T., Matthew Morell, Austin Conrad, Zackeris Gordon, Conan Estes

Mechanical Engineering

Project G.H.O.S.T aimed to produce a model transmission with a control system for high performance/racing electric vehicles to utilize the full capability of the electric motor at higher speed applications. Current electric vehicles have a large amount of torque and use a fixed gear ratio that compromises between both high and low speeds with performance peaking around 65 miles per hour. A typical electric motor used in this application has approximately 1800 ft-lbs of torque up to 5,000 rpm. Past approximately 5,000 rpm, the torque rapidly drops off and so does the overall vehicle performance. Though transmissions exist that could …

Smud Solar Regatta, Logan Garby, Nam Le, Jacob Singer, Alejandro Carrera, Laura Casas

Mechanical Engineering

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) hosts the Solar Regatta every year in Rancho Seco, CA, a competition which consists of teams building a solar powered boat to compete in three races: the sprint race, endurance race, and slalom race. The Cal Poly Solar Regatta team was informed mid-project by SMUD that the competition has been canceled once again for spring 2021, but the team decided to move forward with the construction of the boat. The previous Cal Poly team from 2019/2020 designed the hull and propulsion system of the boat. The 2020/2021 team worked with the previous team in …

Enduro Campers, Ryan J. Shomsky, Alexander W. Horst, Kevin S. Pickering, Jackson L. Aplanalp, Luke Arana, Will Firestone

Mechanical Engineering

The Enduro Campers senior project team (Formerly known as Lobo Campers senior project team) was recruited by Mr. Leif Stein to assist in the design, manufacturing, and testing of the materials and components of his company’s expedition box camper. The two main focuses of the project, divided into two sub-teams, were on the testing and manufacturing process of the materials used in the camper, and on the design and analysis of the camper’s access door, step box, and other subsystems.

The focus of the materials analysis and manufacturing team was based around the design parameter to use composite sandwich panels …

Final Design Report Cal Poly Wind Power - Balancing System, Caleb Seth Cross, Ethan Andrew Czuppa

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly Wind Power club is anticipating joining the annual Collegiate Wind Competition in the year 2021. This competition hosts schools from all around the country, who meet and compete against each other by testing the wind turbines they have made throughout the academic school year. Tasks included in the competition test the wind turbine’s efficiency, power generation, overall design, and stability in extreme conditions.

Cal Poly is planning to implement a formal balancing system to support their 2021 wind turbine. Our senior project team undertook mitigating mass imbalance in the wind turbine; mass imbalance occurs when the center …

Cal Poly Wind Power - Blade Pitching System, Jenna Hartley, Ben Santos, Willie Bass

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly Wind Power club (CPWP) has sponsored our senior project team to design and implement a system to dynamically pitch the blades of their prototype horizontal-axis wind turbine. A blade pitching system can improve a turbine’s efficiency under certain operating conditions and prevent failure under extreme wind speeds. To ensure reliable control, the pitching system must be able to pitch quickly and accurately. Turbine efficiency can be improved by a pitching system with low power draw and low inertia about the rotor axis. The turbine is subjected to static and dynamic loading occurring due to changing aerodynamic forces, …

Ram Air-Turbine Of Minimum Drag, Raymond Akagi

Master's Theses

The primary motivation for this work was to predict the conditions that would yield minimum drag for a small Ram-Air Turbine used to provide a specified power requirement for a small flight test instrument called the Boundary Layer Data System. Actuator Disk Theory was used to provide an analytical model for this work.

Classic Actuator Disk Theory (CADT) or Froude’s Momentum Theory was initially established for quasi-one-dimensional flows and inviscid fluids to predict the power output, drag, and efficiency of energy-extracting devices as a function of wake and freestream velocities using the laws of Conservations of Mass, Momentum, and Energy. …

Wind Blade Manufacturing For The Cal Poly Wind Power Club, Benjamin E. Thompson, Jake R. Lund, Claudia C. Angeles

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly Wind Power Club is entering the 2021 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) in June. Last year, three senior project teams were assigned to collaborate and assist the club with the pitching mechanism, the rotor balancing, and the manufacturing process. As the manufacturing team, the goal of our project was to design a manufacturing process for the bladegeometry given. The manufacturing process was required to meet the team’s expectations and CWC’s performance requirements to place highly in the competition taking place in June 2021.These expectations included creating a manufacturing process that is repeatable and reliable for future competitions. The …

Experimental Investigation Of The Effects Of Acoustic Waves On Natural Convection Heat Transfer From A Horizontal Cylinder In Air, Katherina V. Prodanov

Master's Theses

Heat transfer is a critical part of engineering design, from the cooling of rocket engines to the thermal management of the increasingly dense packaging of electronic circuits. Even for the most fundamental modes of heat transfer, a topic of research is devoted to finding novel ways to improve it. In recent decades, investigators experimented with the idea of exposing systems to acoustic waves with the hope of enhancing thermal transfer at the surface of a body. Ultrasound has been applied with some success to systems undergoing nucleate boiling and in single-phase forced and free convection heat transfer in water. However, …

A Single-Stage Passive Vibration Isolation System For Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Toan T. Le

Master's Theses

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) uses quantum tunneling effect to study the surfaces of materials on an atomic scale. Since the probe of the microscope is on the order of nanometers away from the surface, the device is prone to noises due to vibrations from the surroundings. To minimize the random noises and floor vibrations, passive vibration isolation is a commonly used technique due to its low cost and simpler design compared to active vibration isolation, especially when the entire vibration isolation system (VIS) stays inside an Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) environment. This research aims to analyze and build a single-stage …

Tensile Environment Chamber, Cameron Ngai, Trent Hamilton, Mitchell Carroll, Jack Molitor

Mechanical Engineering

This project created the heating system, cooling system, and control system for an environmental chamber for a tensile test machine in the Cal Poly Composites Lab. This chamber allows for students to test material properties under a variety of thermal conditions. This project was done in collaboration with a team working on the structural aspect of the chamber. While consumer environmental chambers are on the market, they often cost more than $50,000. Additionally, our chamber conforms to further size and weight constraints. Because of this constraint, many conventional techniques and components used for these chambers are not feasible for our …

Dual Motor Drive System For Formula Sae Electric Race Car, Bryan D. Neill, Jackson T. Mcfaul, Cole T. Andrews, Isaiah D. Penzell

Mechanical Engineering

This paper serves as the Final Design Report (FDR) for the senior project developed by our team. This FDR builds on our CDR, in which the main deliverable was the detailed design of a planetary gearbox delivering a 5:1 reduction to be mated to an Emrax 188 motor. This planetary gearbox would allow for the possibility of implementing a dual-motor torque-vectoring rear-wheel-drive system in Cal Poly Racing’s electric FSAE car, which has demonstrated in simulation to yield significant performance gain over the current single motor/mechanical LSD system. As this project’s scope is purely mechanical, the intent is for the Cal …

Field Testing The Effects Of Low Reynolds Number On The Power Performance Of The Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center Small Wind Turbine, John B. Cunningham

Master's Theses

This thesis report investigates the effects of low Reynolds number on the power performance of a 3.74 m diameter horizontal axis wind turbine. The small wind turbine was field tested at the Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center to acquire its coefficient of performance, C­_p, vs. tip speed ratio, λ, characteristics. A description of both the wind turbine and test setup are provided. Data filtration and processing techniques were developed to ensure a valid method to analyze and characterize wind power measurements taken in a highly variable environment. The test results demonstrated a significant drop in the …

Deepsea Coral Sample Container, Sara Passantino, Andrew Noble, Casey Smith, Thomas Smith

Mechanical Engineering

In order to better understand the health of our oceans and the species that inhabit them, scientists often collect samples for later analysis onshore. The demanding deep-sea environment makes this collection process a challenging engineering task. Samples must first be located, then removed from the seafloor and stored for transportation to the surface. The performance of the engineered solutions that complete each of these tasks is critical in allowing marine scientists to maximize the insight obtained from their expeditions. Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE) is an organization that performs such collection of organisms with the help of remotely operated …

Lead To Can Abrasion (Ltca) Test, Scott Mangin, Karthik Padmanabhan, Craig Icban

Mechanical Engineering

Pacemakers are medical devices which regulate a person’s heartbeat through electric pulses delivered via an endocardial lead attached to the heart. When a pacemaker is implanted in a patient, there is usually excess length left on the lead. Surgeons will typically wrap the excess lead length around the pacemaker device and close the wound. However, wrapping the lead around the pacemaker outer surface can open the lead to abrasion and cause the lead’s vital electrical insulation to be compromised. This is currently tested using an existing abrasion fixture at Abbott. However, the current tester does not yield consistent data results …

A.C. Moyer Eye-Cap Manufacturing, Thais Bertolus, Alexa Steidl, Hana Welsh, Jarod Kinney, Maya Willis

Mechanical Engineering

A.C. Moyer company has been making eye caps as a family business since 1947. Eye caps are a product used during the embalming process. Currently the machines being used to produce the eye caps are outdated and unsafe. We are a team of 5 mechanical engineering students tasked with either designing new machines or updating the existing machines to make the manufacturing process more efficient, automated, and safer. This document describes the design process, provides background, relevant research, establishes project objectives, and defines plans for project implementation.