Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Work In Progress - Role Of Faculty In Promoting Lifelong Learning: Initial Findings, John Chen, Susan M. Lord, Katharyn Nottis, Michael Prince, Candice Stefanou, Jonathon Stolk

Mechanical Engineering

Calls for educational reform emphasize the need for student-centered learning approaches that foster lifelong learning. To be a lifelong learner includes characteristics consistent with those of self-directed learners, such as being curious, motivated, reflective, analytical, persistent, flexible, and independent. Instructor support of students’ self-directed learning (SDL) development relies on understanding and balancing these factors in the classroom. Engineering educators play a critical role in influencing outcomes related to SDL through their design of courses that support students’ transitions from controlled to autonomous learning behaviors. This study will examine a variety of engineering courses and pedagogical approaches. Each will be characterized …

Sae Baja: Final Drive Gearbox, Michael Mccausland, Michael Watkins, Ian Masterson, Andrew Sommer

Mechanical Engineering

This paper presents the results of a manual transmission project for SAE Baja. A full engineering process is documented, including problem definition, scheduling, conceptualization, decision theory, synthesis, analysis, manufacturing, and testing. A comparison is made between existing and potential mechanical power train solutions. The final design is analyzed in dynamic simulations, AGMA stress, predicted FFT spectrums, and shifting rod buckling. A number of complicated parts are manufactured through investment casting and direct CNC machining. Issues in the final assembly have prevented the project from being fully realized, recommendations are made for future SAE Baja teams.

Differential Regulation Of Immature Articular Cartilage Compressive Moduli And Poisson’S Ratios By In Vitro Stimulation With Igf-1 And Tgf-Β1, Gregory M. Williams, Kristin J. Dills, Christian R. Flores, Michael E. Stender, Kevin M. Stewart, Lauren M. Nelson, Albert C. Chen, Koichi Masuda, Scott J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch, Robert L. Sah

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanisms of articular cartilage growth and maturation have been elucidated by studying composition-function dynamics during in vivo development and in vitro culture with stimuli such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). This study tested the hypothesis that IGF-1 and TGF-β1 regulate immature cartilage compressive moduli and Poisson’s ratios in a manner consistent with known effects on tensile properties. Bovine calf articular cartilage from superficial-articular (S) and middle-growth (M) regions were analyzed fresh or following culture in medium with IGF-1 or TGF-β1. Mechanical properties in confined (CC) and unconfined (UCC) compression, cartilage matrix composition, and explant …

Pg&E Flow Loop Simulator, Cole Brooks, Seth Berger, Ben Thacker

Mechanical Engineering

PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant requested a full-sized Flow Loop Simulator to train technicians by giving them hands-on experience. The basic design requirements were established to determine the scope of the project and develop the specific characteristics of the system. The detailed system design is composed of a piping schematic, a three-dimensional layout of the system components and piping, and a skid structure for the support and transportation of the system. Heat transfer and fluid mechanics were used to analyze the system to size components.

Flow Loop Simulator, Tyler Ista, Kevin Rehm, Matt Starbuck

Mechanical Engineering

PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant has requested a full-sized flow process system for training of technicians by providing them a hands-on experience in a controlled environment. The basic design requirements were established to determine the scope of the project. An initial system layout was selected from a variety of concepts after similar system schematics, components, and processes had been researched. The resulting schematic was flexible to suit several needs of the control aspect while remaining simple.

Design efforts resulted in a system capable of many configurations; allowing for implementation of three training experiments. These experiments involve control of tank level …

Tk Ripper, Charles Volk, Vincent Priolo, Zachary Mckibbin

Mechanical Engineering

The TK Ripper was designed to pull a rider on a wakeboard up from a deep water start. We believe the force and power required to pull a rider on a wakeboard out of the water provides enough force and power for many other extreme sports.

Supermileage Seat And Wheel Development And Production: Final Report, James Casey Alvernaz, Verent Chan, Brian Hamstrom, David Lewis, James Sciaini

Mechanical Engineering

This report documents the design and manufacturing efforts of the Cal Poly senior project team Central Coast Composites. It details the design, analysis and manufacturing of a composite seat and wheels for the Cal Poly Supermileage team. It further outlines suggestions for future efforts to manufacture composite wheels for Cal Poly Supermileage team's Urban Concept Vehicle.

Traversing Probe Assembly, Josh Bugni, Andrew Sofranko

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Final Design Report: Vibration Table For Cvbt- Vt4 Design Team, Thomas Bevan, Matthew Laurino

Mechanical Engineering

CVBT (Center for Vocational Building Technology) teaches villagers in Northeastern Thailand how to make various concrete products. Many of these products require the use of a vibration table in order to remove air and water trapped within the concrete. Removal of these voids improves the outside surface of the molded concrete, and also allows the use of a lower water to cement ratio, allowing a much stronger finished product. The currently used vibration table (VT3) has several disadvantages associated with it, which the new table (VT4) eliminates. Compared with the VT3, the VT4 has a more rigid tabletop and improved …

Edwards Automation Final Project Report, Benjamin (Ben) Johnson, Joel Masters, Matthew (Matt) Stewart

Mechanical Engineering

The body of this work has been created for Edwards Lifesciences in conjunction with senior project requirements. As such, the information produced and contained within is under a non‐disclosure agreement. As per request by sponsor, the body of the work will not be submitted to any outside parties, and the title page will serve as proof of completion.

Human Powered Helicopter, Brenton Haven, Daniel Hudson, Eli Knight

Mechanical Engineering

Fall of 2009, The Cal Poly Aircraft Construction club restarted Cal Poly's quest for the Sikorsky prize. The Sikorsky prize rewards the first a human powered helicopter to sustain controlled hover for one minute without stored energy. Throughout the 1980’s, Cal Poly made three attempts; the most successful being the DaVinci III. Also, the DaVinci III was the first ever publically recognized successful human powered helicopter to leave the ground. This scope of this project is to improve the DaVinci III fuselage and drivetrain for the DaVinci IV. The DaVinci IV adopts the DaVinci III system layout and improves both …

Solar Array Suspension Mechanism Final Design Report For Atk Space, Alex Gould, Randon Kruse, Jeremy Graul, Patrick Barney

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project is to improve the existing Solar Array Suspension Mechanism used by ATK Space for the manufacturing and testing of deployable solar arrays. The current system requires too much time to operate and has too many removable parts that may fall and damage the solar arrays. Through the design and verification process the team successfully constructed a quick connecting suspension mechanism that requires no tools to use and has no removable parts. The final design includes the existing force gauge and large adjustment bars used by ATK Space with the addition of a compression spring adjustment …

Strider, Eric Johnson, Alex Trask, Ricardo Garcia

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Cal Poly Formulasae Engine Development, Matthew Ales, Rafael Mendoza, Mitchell (Mitch) Thomas, Leon Vinokurov

Mechanical Engineering

This project, engine development, was sponsored by Cal Poly FormulaSAE. The FormulaSAE team proposed this project in order to have a more reliable and more powerful engine for their car, to improve their overall performance at their competition. The baseline output of the engine is 37 hp and 24 lb-ft of torque. The goal of this project was to increase the output to 45 hp, to meet requirements determined by a trade study. We planned to increase the engine’s output using several strategies.

We evaluated all potential design decisions using a Ricardo WAVE model. Ricardo WAVE is a software tool …

Medtronic Universal Crimping Machine, Justin Ginochio, Andrew Hanson, Zachary (Zach) Dieterle

Mechanical Engineering

This project is geared towards the redesign and implementation of a crimping tool for use in the manufacturing of catheters produced by Medtronic Inc. Catheters require two steering cables to maneuver the end of the catheter through the body. The steering cables have a sleeve that is crimped onto their end in order to hold the cable in place inside the catheter steering handle. The current crimping tool, designed by Astro Tool Corp, has a few problems associated with its design. Additionally we are trying to get rid of a step in the manufacturing process that involves the adhesive, cyanoacrylate, …

Guidable Motorcycle Headlight, Billie B. Fritz, Toby J. Lloyd

Mechanical Engineering

Motorcycling at night is an inherently dangerous situation and is compounded by poor illumination of the roadway when cornering through a turn. Due to stationary headlamps geometry being designed for upright riding position, cornering a motorcycle causes the illumination of the forward path to be decreased significantly. The goal of this project is to develop a lighting system that will improve road illumination for riders at night using guidable lights that deflect prior to and during a turn. In addition to developing a working prototype, this project’s intent is to work in conjunction with a partner from the school of …

Composite Suspension For Formula Sae Vehicle, Reid Olsen, Andrew Bookholt, Eric Melchiori

Mechanical Engineering

This senior project report describes how a redesign of the 2008 Cal Poly Formula SAE vehicle's suspension components was conducted using carbon fiber components.

Water Conservation Device, Michael Eichermueller, Michael (Mike) Moren, Florian Liefhold, Philipp Von Vopelius, Christoph Wagner, Tommy Stendel, Jacob Venzor

Mechanical Engineering

The Water Conservation Project (WCP) is a design concept to reduce the water consumption on startup of a shower. Every time a shower is started with a conventional tank water heater, approximately 7.5 liters of cold water is flushed down the drain without being used before the hot water reaches the faucet. For a city the size of San Luis Obispo, this amounts to approximately 121 million liter of water per year. The main goal of this project was to devise a way to conserve the cold water that is contained in the hot water pipes before every shower. Ultimately, …

Equine Hoof Block, Aaron Murano, Jason Smith

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Improved Commuter Rail Workstation Table Through Crash Energy Management, Trevor Ness, Brandon Baker

Mechanical Engineering

Workstation tables in commuter rail trains have been identified as an area for improving passenger safety during train collisions. The goal of this senior project was to create such a table using a composite sandwich structure designed to safely absorb energy. Testing of previous table designs was used to establish engineering specifications for the static loading, work surface durability, and impact performance requirements of the new table. Analytical and finite element models were used to analyze new concepts until a design was achieved that could meet all specifications. The tabletop developed consists of a crushable aluminum honeycomb core with fiberglass …

Adapted Paddle Launch Vehicle, Duane Menton, Erik Granstrom, Matthew Resendez, Shannon Crilly

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Edwards Lifesciences: Heart Valve Tension Validation, Lucas Fochler, Alex Mark, Shilpan Shah

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

The San Luis Obispo Children's Museum Energy Of Motion, Patrick Ligot, Brian Mich, Jaime Salazar, Erik Sanchez, Steven Azeka

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Flying Blanket, Keane Daquioag, Ryan Grable, Eric Reynolds, Kaitlin Spak

Mechanical Engineering

This report contains the design plan for PolyNet Design’s Senior Design Project. The PolyNet Design team comprises four mechanical engineering seniors who created a prototype for Raytheon Missile Systems. The overall goal of this project was to create a system that will launch a blanket from a packaged and folded state to an unfurled state and then securely wrap the blanket around a target. The team began with five initial concepts, and chose the Four-Rod model as their first construction concept. Construction of the Four Rod model evolved through several design iterations. The team tested the final prototype extensively, using …

Cal Poly Sit Ski: Final Report, Marc Bergreen, David Bydalek, Ross Gompertz

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project was to design, build, and test a Sit Ski for the US Adaptive Ski Team. The design is for Mr. Marlon Shepard, a new competitor on the Ski Team, who is in need of a new racing sit ski. Some of the top design priorities include reduced weight, increased rider comfort, and increased durability over existing designs. With these design considerations in mind, our team from Cal Poly designed, built and tested a cross country sit ski in June 2010 at the mechanical engineering senior project expo. The project was sponsored by a National Science …

Role Of Faculty In Promoting Lifelong Learning: Characterizing Classroom Environments, Susan M. Lord, John Chen, Katharyn E. K. Nottis, Candice Stefanou, Michael J. Prince, Jonathon Stolk

Mechanical Engineering

Calls for educational reform emphasize the need for student-centered learning approaches that foster lifelong learning. To be a lifelong learner includes characteristics consistent with those of self-directed learners, such as being curious, motivated, reflective, analytical, persistent, flexible, and independent. Educational research has shown that the building of these aptitudes involves a complex interplay among nearly every aspect of human development. Instructor support of students’ self-directed learning (SDL) development relies on understanding and balancing these factors in the classroom. Engineering educators play a critical role in influencing outcomes related to SDL through their design of courses that support students’ transitions from …

Classes That Click: Fast, Rich Feedback To Enhance Student Learning And Satisfaction, John C. Chen, Dexter C. Whittinghill, Jennifer A. Kadlowec

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Nitrous Oxide Cooling In Hybrid Rocket Nozzles, Patrick Lemieux

Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, has developed an innovative program of experimental research and development on hybrid rocket motors (where the fuel and the oxidizer are in different phases prior to combustion). One project currently underway involves the development of aerospike nozzles for such motors. These nozzles, however, are even more susceptible to throat ablation than regular converging diverging nozzles, due the nature of their flow expansion mechanism. This paper presents the result of a recent development project focused on reducing throat ablation in hybrid rocket motor nozzles. Although the method …

Boundary Layer Data System (Blds) Heating System, John Hauge, Drew Hutcheson, Paul Scott

Mechanical Engineering

The boundary layer data system (BLDS) is the result of a collaborative effort between Dr. Westphal, a researcher and instructor at Cal Poly, and Northrop Grumman. The BLDS is capable of measuring the boundary layer profile and characteristics of flow over aerodynamic surfaces and is intended for high altitude, high speed use. The instruments inside the BLDS malfunction at the low temperatures present when operating in flight at altitudes above 30,000 ft. To solve this problem, analysis was done on the existing BLDS which determined the heating requirements, around 50 watts, needed to keep the internal temperature within the rated …

Air Cooling For Aecm Module, Final Project Report, Kevin Whipp, Abraham Bruno Caulk

Mechanical Engineering

Advancements in electronics have created the need for improved cooling standards. The AECM standard, created to replace the antiquated ARINC 600 specification for aircraft, draws inspiration from a cooling specification known as VITA 48.2. The ARINC standard is in early stages of development and this project researches the feasibility of using air as a convective fluid instead of a liquid, the fluid used in the VITA specification.

A performance factor calculated from the ratio of the heat dissipated by convective heat exchanger plates over the power used to cause forced convective flow over said plates helps to quantify the effectiveness …