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Articles 1201 - 1230 of 1700
Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Numerical Analysis On The Effects Of Blade Loading On Vortex Shedding And Boundary Layer Behavior In A Transonic Axial Compressor, Kenneth Phillip Clark
Numerical Analysis On The Effects Of Blade Loading On Vortex Shedding And Boundary Layer Behavior In A Transonic Axial Compressor, Kenneth Phillip Clark
Theses and Dissertations
Multiple high-fidelity, time-accurate computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the effects of upstream stator loading and rotor shock strength on vortex shedding characteristics in a single stage transonic compressor. Various configurations of a transonic axial compressor stage, including three stator/rotor axial spacings of close, mid, and far in conjunction with three stator loadings of decreased, nominal, and increased were simulated in order to understand the flow physics of transonic blade-row interactions. Low-speed compressors typically have reduced stator/rotor axial spacing in order to decrease engine weight, and also because there is an increase in efficiency with reduced axial spacing. …
Experimental Characterization Of Baffle Plate Influence On Turbulent And Cavitation Induced Vibrations In Pipe Flow, Gavin J. Holt
Experimental Characterization Of Baffle Plate Influence On Turbulent And Cavitation Induced Vibrations In Pipe Flow, Gavin J. Holt
Theses and Dissertations
Turbulent and cavitation induced pipe vibration is a large problem in industry often resulting in pipe failures. This thesis provides an experimental investigation on turbulent flow and cavitation induced pipe vibration caused by sharp edged baffle plates. Due to large pressure losses across a baffle plate, cavitation can result. Cavitation can be destructive to pipe flow in the form of induced pipe wall vibration and cavitation inception. Incipient and critical cavitation numbers are design points that are often used in designing baffle plate type geometries. This investigation presents how these design limits vary with the influencing parameters by exploring a …
The Passive Load-Bearing Capacity Of The Human Lumbar Spine In The Neutral Standing Posture, Shaun B. Jeffs
The Passive Load-Bearing Capacity Of The Human Lumbar Spine In The Neutral Standing Posture, Shaun B. Jeffs
Theses and Dissertations
The human lumbar spine has been shown to support compressive loads of 1000 N in standing and walking, and up to many thousands of Newtons in strenuous activities such as lifting. The literature presents a number of biomechanical models that seek to replicate the load-carrying capacity of the spine while adhering to physiological constraints. While many of these models provide invaluable insights into the mechanisms governing spinal stability, there is a nearly universal disregard for the magnitude of the muscle forces required in the neutral standing posture. In compliance with constraints on metabolic cost and muscle fatigue, muscle activations in …
Soap Bubbles And Solid Spheres: Collisions And Interactions, Joshua A. Bryson
Soap Bubbles And Solid Spheres: Collisions And Interactions, Joshua A. Bryson
Theses and Dissertations
Under the right conditions, a moving sphere may successfully enter, and leave, a soap bubble without rupturing that bubble. The physics behind this phenomena are not well understood, nor the limiting factors (such as sphere size, speed, etc.). This work, investigating this phenomenon using high speed photography, has produced several results which are presented. First, several distinct regimes, noted while photographing the interactions between the spheres and the bubbles, are classified and discussed. Next a probabilistic examination of the soap bubbles rupture by the moving spheres is presented. Then a conjecture for the limiting sphere sizes and speeds is presented. …
Experimental Study Of Liquid Squeeze-Flow As It Relates To Human Voice Production, Daniel Victor Lo Forte
Experimental Study Of Liquid Squeeze-Flow As It Relates To Human Voice Production, Daniel Victor Lo Forte
Theses and Dissertations
Approximately 7.5 million people suffer from voice disorders in the United States. Previous studies indicate that the quality of the fluid layer that coats the vocal folds appears to be different for people with voice disorders than for people whose voice is considered normal. These studies suggest that the composition and/or physical properties of the fluid layer may contribute to voice disorders. Despite these findings, little research has been undertaken to investigate the role of the fluid layer on voice, and in almost all cases, the fluid layer is considered to be insignificant. The purpose of this research was to …
Characterization Of The Initial Flow Rate Of Information During Reverse Engineering, Nicole Anderson
Characterization Of The Initial Flow Rate Of Information During Reverse Engineering, Nicole Anderson
Theses and Dissertations
The future of companies that are founded on the development of new and innovative products is threatened when competitors reverse engineer and imitate the products. If the original developers could predict how long it would take a competitor to reverse engineer a product, it may be possible for them to delay, if not prevent, that competitor's entry into the market. Metrics and measures have been developed that can estimate the time it would take an individual to reverse engineer a product. The main purpose of these metrics and measures is to help designers determine how quickly a competitor could reverse …
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulations Of Liquid Laminar Flow Over Superhydrophobic Surfaces With Post Geometries, Abolfazl Amin
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulations Of Liquid Laminar Flow Over Superhydrophobic Surfaces With Post Geometries, Abolfazl Amin
Theses and Dissertations
Frictional resistance reduction of liquid flow over surfaces has recently become a more important topic of research in the field of fluid dynamics. Scientific and technological progress and continued interest in nano and micro-technology have required new developments and approaches related to reducing frictional resistance, especially in liquid flow through nano and micro-channels. The application of superhydrophobic surfaces could be very effective in achieving the desired flow through such small channels. Superhydrophobic surfaces are created by intentionally creating roughnesses on the surface and applying a uniform hydrophobic coating to the entire surface. Liquid droplet tests have revealed that because of …
Return On Investment Analysis For Implementing Barriers To Reverse Engineering And Imitation, Darren C. Knight
Return On Investment Analysis For Implementing Barriers To Reverse Engineering And Imitation, Darren C. Knight
Theses and Dissertations
Reverse engineering (extracting information about a product from the product itself) is a competitive strategy for many firms and is often costly to innovators. Recent research has proven metrics for estimating the reverse engineering time and barrier and has shown that products can strategically be made more difficult to reverse engineer, thus protecting the innovator. Reverse engineering, however, is only the first phase of attempting to duplicate a product. Imitating – the process of discovering how to physically reproduce the performance of the reverse engineered product in one or more of its performance areas – is the second and final …
Nanocomposite High Displacement Strain Gauges For Use In Human-Machine Interfaces: Applications In Hand Pose Determination, Thomas B. Calkins
Nanocomposite High Displacement Strain Gauges For Use In Human-Machine Interfaces: Applications In Hand Pose Determination, Thomas B. Calkins
Theses and Dissertations
Conductive nanocomposites are finding many uses as multi-functional materials. One recent development involves the creation of high displacement strain gauges, which have potential applications in a variety of engineering roles. The piezoresistive nature of the gauges makes possible their strain sensing capability. The intent of this research is to show that specific High Displacement Strain Gauges can successfully be used in one human-machine interface application that will demonstrate their potential for a range of other human-machine interface applications. This will be shown in the development of these sensors to accomplish hand pose determination. The flexible and inexpensive gauges are attached …
Modeling, Design, And Testing Of An Underwater Microactuation System Using A Standard Mems Foundry Process, Gregory L. Holst
Modeling, Design, And Testing Of An Underwater Microactuation System Using A Standard Mems Foundry Process, Gregory L. Holst
Theses and Dissertations
This work presents the modeling, design, and testing of an underwater microactuation system. It is composed of several thermomechanical in-plane microactuators (TIM) integrated with a ratchet system to provide long displacements and high forces to underwater microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). It is capable of actuating a 200µN load 110µm. It is a two-layer silicon MEMS device fabricated with a MEMS fabrication process, PolyMUMPS. This work also shows the development of an elliptic integral model to analyze the compliant fixed-guided beams in the TIM and gives new insight into the buckling behavior, reaction forces, and displacement of the beams. The derivation, verification, …
An Analysis Of Analytical Methods To Produce A Varying Angular Output From A Constant Angular Input Using Gearsets, Isaac R. Jones
An Analysis Of Analytical Methods To Produce A Varying Angular Output From A Constant Angular Input Using Gearsets, Isaac R. Jones
Theses and Dissertations
Research in developing a Positively Engaged Continuously Variable Transmission (PECVT) has been underway at Brigham Young University for some time. The inherent problems associated with embodiments of this type of transmission, namely the Non-Integer Tooth Problem (NITP), have been identified. This research is focused on the development of a Positively Engaged Piecewise Continuous Transmission (PEPCT), which is a subset of the PECVT. This document describes the hypothesis and analysis of using non-circular gearsets to overcome the NITP. This proposed solution enables a varying angular output from a constant angular input. In this research two analytical methods were evaluated based on …
Strain Monitoring Of Carbon Fiber Composite With Embedded Nickel Nano-Composite Strain Gage, Timothy Michael Johnson
Strain Monitoring Of Carbon Fiber Composite With Embedded Nickel Nano-Composite Strain Gage, Timothy Michael Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites have extensive value in the aerospace, defense, sporting goods, and high performance automobile industries. These composites have huge benefits including high strength to weight ratios and the ability to tailor their properties. A significant issue with carbon fiber composites is the potential for catastrophic fatigue failure. To better understand this fatigue, there is first a huge push to measure strain accurately and in-situ to monitor carbon fiber composites. In this paper, piezoresistive nickel nanostrand (NiNs) nanocomposites were embedded in between layers of carbon fiber composite for real time, in situ strain monitoring. Several different …
The Composition And Distribution Of Coal-Ash Deposits Under Reducing And Oxidizing Conditions From A Suite Of Eight Coals, David R. Brunner
The Composition And Distribution Of Coal-Ash Deposits Under Reducing And Oxidizing Conditions From A Suite Of Eight Coals, David R. Brunner
Theses and Dissertations
Eighteen elements, including: carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, strontium, and barium were measured using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy from deposits. The deposits were collected by burning eight different coals in a 160 kWth, staged, down-fired, swirl-stabilized combustor. Both up-stream and down-stream deposits from an oxidizing region (equivalence ratio 0.86) and reducing region (equivalence ratio 1.15) were collected. Within the deposits, the particle size and morphology were studied. The average particle cross-sectional area from the up-stream deposits ranged from 10 - 75 µm2 and had a …
Multi-Resolution Obstacle Mapping With Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree Path Planning For Unmanned Air Vehicles, Brett Wayne Millar
Multi-Resolution Obstacle Mapping With Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree Path Planning For Unmanned Air Vehicles, Brett Wayne Millar
Theses and Dissertations
Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) have become an important area of research. UAVs are used in many environments which may have previously unknown obstacles or sources of danger. This research addresses the problem of obstacle mapping and path planning while the UAV is in flight. Online obstacle mapping is achieved through the use of a multi-resolution map. As sensor information is received, a quadtree is built up to hold the information based upon the uncertainty associated with the measurement. Once a quadtree map of obstacles is built up, we desire online path re-planning to occur as quickly as possible. We introduce …
A Study Of The Cause Of Failure Of Rotationally Molded, High-Density Polyethylene, Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Tanks, Dixon Harold Abell
A Study Of The Cause Of Failure Of Rotationally Molded, High-Density Polyethylene, Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Tanks, Dixon Harold Abell
Theses and Dissertations
The topic of chemical oxidative degradation in rotational molded polyethylene (high-density cross-linked) chemical (sodium hypochlorite) storage tanks is an industry problem that ranks at the top of current business issues for manufacturers of chemical storage tanks. The degradation of these tanks not only compromises the physical and mechanical properties of the tank material, but reduces the life expectancy of the tank, eventually resulting in catastrophic tank failure. Premature tank failure comes at a hefty cost. The reputation of the manufacturer is questioned often resulting in immediate loss of customer satisfaction and future business. The leaking of the chemical from the …
A Proteolytic Process To Simulate The Mechanics Of Disc Dengeration In Bovine Cadaveric Tissue, Timothy A. Bishop
A Proteolytic Process To Simulate The Mechanics Of Disc Dengeration In Bovine Cadaveric Tissue, Timothy A. Bishop
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose. The present work hypothesized that proteolytic dissolution of intervertebral discs could induce biomechanical change comparable to the change observed in natural disc degeneration. A method to do such could be utilized for in vitro research where intersample differences in geometry and chemical makeup render it difficult to compare and aggregate results into generalized conclusions.
Methods. Forty-one bovine coccygeal intervertebral discs were isolated with individual functional spinal units. Samples were loaded in three modes: compression/tension, flexion/extension, and axial rotation. The anulus fibrosus of each disc was injected with 200µl trypsin or fetal bovine serum (control) and incubated for an allotted …
Electromagnetic Modeling And Measurement Of Adaptive Metamaterial Structural Elements, Matthew E. Jussaume
Electromagnetic Modeling And Measurement Of Adaptive Metamaterial Structural Elements, Matthew E. Jussaume
Theses and Dissertations
This document addresses two major obstacles facing metamaterial development: uncertainty in the characterization of electromagnetic field behavior in metamaterial structures and the relatively small operational bandwidth of metamaterial structures. To address the first obstacle, a method of prediction aided measurement is developed and exploited to examine the field interactions within metamaterial devices. The fusion of simulation and measurement techniques enhances the understanding of the physical interactions of fields in the presence of metamaterials. To address the second obstacle, this document characterizes the effectiveness of an adaptive metamaterial design that incorporates a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) variable capacitor. Applying voltages to the …
Investigation Of Dc Motors For Electric And Hybrid Electric Motor Vehicle Applications Using An Infinitely Variable Transmission, Benjamin Carson Groen
Investigation Of Dc Motors For Electric And Hybrid Electric Motor Vehicle Applications Using An Infinitely Variable Transmission, Benjamin Carson Groen
Theses and Dissertations
Since the early 1900's demand for fuel efficient vehicles has motivated the development of electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unfortunately, some components used in these vehicles are expensive and complex. AC motors, complex electronic controllers and complex battery management systems are currently used in electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles. This research examines various motors and speed control methods in an attempt to help designers identify which motors would be best suited for an EV powertrain application. The feasibility of using DC motors coupled with an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), to obtain an innovative new electric or hybrid electric powertrain is …
Active Noise Control Of A Two-Fan Exhaust-Mounted Array Using Near-Field Control Sources And Error Sensors, Ryan Leonard Rust
Active Noise Control Of A Two-Fan Exhaust-Mounted Array Using Near-Field Control Sources And Error Sensors, Ryan Leonard Rust
Theses and Dissertations
Multiple fans are sometimes used in an array configuration to cool various types of electronic equipment. In addition to adding another noise source, using two fans with closely spaced blade passage frequencies (BPF) can create an annoying beat frequency. A two fan array with each fan having a different BPF was considered. The fans were theoretically modeled at the BPF and first harmonics. Each fan has two acoustic paths to the far field. Thus, each fan was modeled as a two source array. The first control configuration consisted of one control filter using six control sources and six error sensors …
Scanning Laser Registration And Structural Energy Density Based Active Structural Acoustic Control, Daniel Alan Manwill
Scanning Laser Registration And Structural Energy Density Based Active Structural Acoustic Control, Daniel Alan Manwill
Theses and Dissertations
To simplify the measurement of energy-based structural metrics, a general registration process for the scanning laser doppler vibrometer (SLDV) has been developed. Existing registration techniques, also known as pose estimation or position registration, suffer from mathematical complexity, instrument specificity, and the need for correct optimization initialization. These difficulties have been addressed through development of a general linear laser model and hybrid registration algorithm. These are applicable to any SLDV and allow the registration problem to be solved using straightforward mathematics. Additionally, the hybrid registration algorithm eliminates the need for correct optimization initialization by separating the optimization process from solution selection. …
Joining Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride And Tungsten Carbide By Partial Transient Liquid Phase Bonding, Grant O. Cook Iii
Joining Polycrystalline Cubic Boron Nitride And Tungsten Carbide By Partial Transient Liquid Phase Bonding, Grant O. Cook Iii
Theses and Dissertations
Friction stir welding (FSW) of steel is often performed with an insert made of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN). Specifically, MS80 is a grade of PCBN made by Smith MegaDiamond that has been optimized for the FSW process. The PCBN insert is attached to a tungsten carbide (WC) shank by a compression fitting. However, FSW tools manufactured by this method inevitably fail by fracture in the PCBN. Permanently bonding PCBN to WC would likely solve the fracturing problem and increase the life of PCBN FSW tools to be economically viable. Partial transient liquid phase (PTLP) bonding, a process used to …
Modeling And Testing Of Dna Motion For Nanoinjection, Regis Agenor David
Modeling And Testing Of Dna Motion For Nanoinjection, Regis Agenor David
Theses and Dissertations
A new technique, called nanoinjection, is being developed to insert foreign DNA into a living cell. Such DNA transfection is commonly used to create transgenic organisms vital to the study of genetics, immunology, and many other biological sciences. In nanoinjection, DNA, which has a net negative charge, is electrically attracted to a micromachined lance. The lance then pierces the cell membranes, and the voltage on the lance is reversed, repelling the DNA into the cell. It is shown that DNA motion is strongly correlated to ion transport through a process called electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis is used to move DNA using …
Identifying Potential Applications For Lamina Emergent Mechanisms And Evaluating Their Suitability For Credit-Card-Sized Products, Nathan Bryce Albrechtsen
Identifying Potential Applications For Lamina Emergent Mechanisms And Evaluating Their Suitability For Credit-Card-Sized Products, Nathan Bryce Albrechtsen
Theses and Dissertations
Lamina emergent mechanisms (LEMs) are a maturing technology that is prepared for commercial implementation into new products. LEMs are defined by three functional characteristics; they (1) are compliant, (2) are fabricated from planar materials, and (3) emerge from a flat initial state. Advantages, design challenges, and design tools are described for each of the functional characteristics. Opportunities for LEMs are discussed, namely disposable LEMs, novel arrays of LEMs, scaled LEMs, LEMs with surprising motion, shock absorbing LEMs, and deployable LEMs. Technology push product development processes were employed to select applications for LEMs. LEM technology was characterized. In a LEM workshop, …
Automated Tool Design For Complex Free-Form Components, Kevin G. Foster
Automated Tool Design For Complex Free-Form Components, Kevin G. Foster
Theses and Dissertations
In today's competitive manufacturing industries, companies strive to reduce manufacturing development costs and lead times in hopes of reducing costs and capturing more market share from early release of their new or redesigned products. Tooling lead time constraints are some of the more significant challenges facing product development of advanced free-form components. This is especially true for complex designs in which large dies, molds or other large forming tools are required. The lead time for tooling, in general, consists of three main components; material acquisition, tool design and engineering, and tool manufacturing. Lead times for material acquisition and tool manufacture …
A Flexible Context Architecture For A Multi-User Gui, Yue Xu
A Flexible Context Architecture For A Multi-User Gui, Yue Xu
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis focuses on the design and development of a flexible context architecture for a multi-user GUI that serves several users engaged in collaborative computer-aided applications (CAx). The objective of this thesis is to extend previous research into multi-user GUI's by providing multiple users with a flexible context interface for interaction with other users working on the same part at distributed locations. The investigation will consider how distributed users, through user interfaces, interact to simultaneously build models and how interaction context might be presented to regulate the way they wish to interact. The implementation integrates a Multi-User GUI (MUG) with …
Investigation Of Mechanical Differentials As Continuously Variable Transmissions, Dax B. Wells
Investigation Of Mechanical Differentials As Continuously Variable Transmissions, Dax B. Wells
Theses and Dissertations
In recent years the increasing demand for fuel efficient and less pollutant vehicles has stimulated the development of hybrid and electric vehicles. These vehicle platforms often incorporate drivetrains which utilize multiple power sources for vehicle propulsion in an effort to increase fuel mileage and reduce emissions. Coupling multiple power sources, such as an internal combustion engine and electric motor(s), has new challenges in drivetrain design. Understanding the torque and rpm relationships within the power transmission device used to combine power sources is fundamental to overcoming the design challenges associated with hybrid and electric vehicle platforms. Results from this research include …
Lean Manufacturing As A Source Of Competitive Advantage, Ryan Scott Williams
Lean Manufacturing As A Source Of Competitive Advantage, Ryan Scott Williams
Theses and Dissertations
The productivity advances generated from lean manufacturing are self-evident. Plants that adopt lean are more capable of achieving high levels of quality, shorter lead times, and less waste in the system. While it seems logical that higher levels of productivity and quality, as is common in lean companies, should result in positive financial performance, the research community has failed to establish the financial profitability of lean. Those researchers who have studied the financial returns issue report varying results. The goal of this research was to determine if a connection exists between lean and financial success and to discover why so …
Improved Measurement And Separation Techniques For Interior Near-Field Acoustical Holography, Zachary A. Collins
Improved Measurement And Separation Techniques For Interior Near-Field Acoustical Holography, Zachary A. Collins
Theses and Dissertations
Recent advances in near-field acoustical holography (NAH) have expanded the theory to interior spaces where multiple sources and/or reflections are present. In 1990, Tamura presented the spatial Fourier transform separation method to measure the reflection coefficient at oblique angles using two measurement planes in the wave number domain. This paper adapts the spatial Fourier transform separation method for application in interior NAH. A practical exploration of important experimental parameters is performed, which include the relative amplitudes of primary and disturbing sources, the measurement plane separation distance, and an acceptable noise floor. This technique is successfully applied in a reverberant environment …
Straightness Of Growth For Carbon Nanotube Microelectromechanical Systems, Kellen S. Moulton
Straightness Of Growth For Carbon Nanotube Microelectromechanical Systems, Kellen S. Moulton
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of iron catalyst thickness on the straightness of growth of carbon nanotube microelectromechanical systems (CNT-MEMS). One of the key benefits of CNT-MEMS is that they can potentially have very high aspect ratios. One of the challenges in attaining these high aspect ratios is maintaining device straightness; as these devices get taller, the edges tend to curve rather than grow straight vertically. Scanning electron mi- croscope images of samples grown using various iron catalyst thicknesses show that both straight growth and relatively good edge definition can be achieved using iron thicknesses …
Design Principles And Preliminary Actuation Approaches For Novel Multiple-Layer Lamina Emergent Mechanisms, Paul Shumway Gollnick
Design Principles And Preliminary Actuation Approaches For Novel Multiple-Layer Lamina Emergent Mechanisms, Paul Shumway Gollnick
Theses and Dissertations
Multiple-layer Lamina Emergent Mechanisms (MLEMs) are mechanisms made from multiple sheets (lamina) of material with motion that emerges out of the fabrication plane. This study has shown that understanding how layers are used in existing products and in nature provides insight into how MLEMs can also use layers to achieve certain tasks. The multi-layered nature of MLEMs and the interactions between these layers are what enhance the capabilities of MLEMs and allow them to better meet design objectives. Layer separation is one objective for which MLEMs are well-suited. Layer separation can have a variety of applications and there are a …