Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Object Oriented Cae Software For The Exploration And Design Of Microstructures, Stephen D. Sintay

Theses and Dissertations

Through the use of generalized spherical harmonic basis functions a spectral representation is used to model the microstructure of cubic materials. This model is then used to predict the macroscopic elastic and plastic properties of materials with cubic crystal symmetry and various sample symmetry including triclinic and axial—symmetric. Building on the work of citeN{Barnett-FractureMechanics} the influence that anisotropy has on the fatigue response of the material is also modeled. This is accomplished through using the effective elastic stiffness tensor in the computation of crack extension force G. The resulting material model and macroscopic property calculations are the foundation for …

Global Finish Curvature Matched Machining, Jianguo Wang

Theses and Dissertations

As competition grows among manufacturing companies, greater emphasis has recently been placed on product aesthetics and decreasing the product development time. This is promoting and standardizing widespread use of sculptured surface styling within product design. Therefore, industries are looking for high efficiency machining strategies for sculptured surface machining (SSM). Many researchers have produced various methods in tool path generation for SSM. Five-axis curvature matched machining (CM2) is the most efficient. With the widespread use of 5-axis mill in industries, CM2 is a better solution for improving the machining efficiency for product concept models. CM2 has very good performance for global …

Development Of Commercial Applications For Recycled Plastics Using Finite Element Analysis, Nanjunda Narasimhamurthy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the suitability of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics for use in commercial product applications using finite element analysis and statistics. Different recycled material blends were tested and evaluated for their use in commercial product applications. There are six different blends of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics used for testing and CATIA is used for finite element analysis. The different types of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics blends are: pop bottles made of PolyethyleneTeraphthalate (PET), milk jugs made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Vinyl seats made of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and small amount of Polypropylene (PP) and Urethane, electronic scrap made of engineering resins …

Piezoresistive Sensing Of Bistable Micro Mechansim State, Jeffrey K. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of on-chip sensing of bistable mechanism state using the piezoresistive properties of polysilicon, thus eliminating the need for electrical contacts. Changes in position are detected by observing changes in resistance across the mechanism. Sensing the state of bistable mechanisms is critical in their various applications. The research in this thesis advances the modeling techniques of MEMS devices which use piezoresistivity for position sensing. A fully compliant bistable micro mechanism was designed, fabricated, and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of this sensing technique. Testing results from two fabrication processes, Fairchild's SUMMiT …

Evolution Of Turbine Blade Deposits In An Accelerated Deposition Facility: Roughness And Thermal Analysis, James Edward Wammack

Theses and Dissertations

During the operation of a gas turbine, ingested contaminants present in the air form deposits on the surfaces of the turbine blades. These deposits grow over time, resulting in an increasingly rough surface. This gradual increase in roughness results in several negative consequences, among which is an increase in the rate of heat transfer to the blade which shortens blade life. This thesis presents research in which deposits were evolved on three different turbine blade coupons and their evolution was studied. A trend in roughness change over time was discovered. Also, an attempt was made to find the effect of …

Methodology For Determining The Variance Of The Taylor Factor: Application In Fe-3%Si, Craig P. Przybyla

Theses and Dissertations

The variance of the Taylor factor due to variations in the microstructure and window size is explored using both a random sampling method and a previously developed statistical relationship. The results from the random sampling method correlated well with the statistical variance relationship when the magnitude of the variance was greater than that of the numerical errors observed in the statistical calculation. An empirical relation was developed to model the results and the constants for this relationship were determined for pseudo-three dimensional Fe-3%Si. Implementation of the statistical variance relationship in true 3D microstructures is not limited by material opacity, since …

Grain Boundary Character Distribution In The Haz Of Friction Stir-Processed Al 7075 T7, John A. Basinger

Theses and Dissertations

The heat affected zone (HAZ) of friction stir welded Al 7075 T7 shows diminished corrosion resistance properties when compared with the parent material. Corrosion attack in this region of the weld is primarily intergranular and is associated with the presence of precipitate free zones. Current TEM research conducted at Brigham Young University by Dr. Bin Cai finds a correlation between precipitate free zone (PFZ) width and grain boundary geometry. As both grain boundary geometry and the PFZ are associated with modes of failure in 7XXX aluminum, this paper makes a comparison of grain boundary character distributions (GBCD) in the HAZ …

Percolation In Two-Dimensional Grain Boundary Structures And Polycrystal Property Closures, David T. Fullwood

Theses and Dissertations

The thesis addresses two topics in the study of material properties as determined by the microstructure. The first topic involves percolation as a tool in relating the grain boundary structure to global properties such as fracture and corrosion resistance. The second investigates optimization techniques in order to find the space of values that properties of a material can take, from consideration of the microstructure. In part I, the applicability of standard lattice percolation models to a random 2-D grain structure is explored. A random network based on the triangle lattice is proposed as a more appropriate model, and results in …

Compliant Ortho-Planar Spring Behavior Under Complex Loads, Nathan Oliver Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents research on the feasibility of applying compliant-ortho-planar springs (COPS) to rotational applications. The primary motivation of this research is the application of COPS to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The design space limitations, loading conditions, stresses, stress concentrations, and limitations of current design tools, such as pseudo-rigid-body models (PRBM) for COPS, are discussed. A new 3D PRBM is presented along with a discussion on the possible applications of such to a rotating COPS. Stress stiffening and lateral stability are two major phenomena occurring in a rotating COPS. Both phenomena are a direct result of the inertial loads …

Experimental Measurements Of Longitudinal Load Distributions On Friction Stir Weld Pin Tools, Aaron L. Stahl

Theses and Dissertations

The longitudinal forces generated from the Friction Stir Welding process are substantial. An understanding of these forces is critical to proper tool design. This study describes a technique to measure the longitudinal force distribution on a friction stir weld pin tool. Total longitudinal forces were recorded on a dynamometer while welding 6061 aluminum with non-threaded pins that varied in length and diameter. A model was developed that characterizes pin force as a function of pin length and diameter. Results suggest that force generally increases with pin length, while forces remain relatively constant with pin diameter. Unexpected force variation was found …

Protein Impregnated Polymer (Pip) Film Infrared Sensor Using Suspended Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Pixels, Tetsuo Kaieda

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate have developed a novel protein impregnated polymer (PIP) suspension that changes resistivity as a function of absorbed infrared radiation. Due to this property, the PIP is a potential material for use as an uncooled bolometer, or thermal sensor. In this research, a thermally-isolated pixel design, sensor characterization methods, and sensor fabrication and processing steps were developed. To create a microbolometer, the PIP was applied to two prototype micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) surface micro-machined structures. The first is a raised cantilever pixel array that uses residual stress polysilicon and metal film arms to …

An Investigation Of Improving Wear Of 390 Die-Cast Aluminum Through Hardcoat Anodizing, Michael J. Whiting

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to investigate the wear that occurs on the surface of a Hardcoat anodized die-cast aluminum surface, which was sliding against a composite rubber belt. This research investigated known wear theories and the results for previous testing to understand the mechanisms that were likely occurring in this application. These theories indicated that the wear occurring may be reduced by changing the hardness of the materials involved. Archard's equation gave tangible evidence of this fact, but related to the base material and not a surface coating. It was hypothesized that Hardcoat anodizing would follow the theory …

Approximate Thermal Modeling Of Radiofrequency Cardiac Ablation, Aaron Joseph Walter

Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate objective of the research which led to this thesis is to increase the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of cardiac tissue. The purpose of RFCA is to carefully heat selected locations in the heart. The resulting thermal injury creates lesions which prevent the generation or propagation of arrhythmias. The ability to predict the appropriate amount of energy required at any ablation site is essential to increasing the efficacy and safety of RFCA. The research documented in this thesis focuses on the development of an approximate thermal model of the time-dependent temperature profile within the myocardium …

A Method For Characterizing The Properties Of Industrial Foams, Shaun M. Salisbury

Theses and Dissertations

Assessing the effect of foam layers on transport phenomena is of significant interest in many industries, so a method for predicting foam layer properties has been developed. A model of the propagation of radiation from an amplitude-modulated laser beam through a non-absorbing foam layer has been developed using diffusion theory. Measurements predicted by diffusion theory were compared to results generated using Monte Carlo methods for a variety of foam layer properties in both the time-domain and the frequency-domain. The properties that were varied include the layer thickness, the scattering coefficient, and the asymmetry parameter. Layer thicknesses between 8.5 mm and …

Cooperative Control Of Miniature Air Vehicles, Derek R. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Cooperative control for miniature air vehicles (MAVs) is currently a highly researched topic. There are many application for which MAVs are well suited, including fire monitoring, surveillance and reconaissance, and search and rescue missions. All of these applications can be carried out more effictively by a team of MAVs than by a single vehicle. As technologies for microcontrollers and small sensors have improved so have the capabilities of MAVs. This improvement in MAV performance abilities increases the possibility for cooperative missions. The focus of this research was on cooperative timing missions. The issues faced when dealing with multi-MAV flight include …

Incorporating Computational Fluid Dynamics Into The Preliminary Design Cycle, Jonathan Knighton Shelley

Theses and Dissertations

Industry is constantly looking for ways to bring new or derivative products to market in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money. To accomplish this, Industry has adopted Computer Aided Engineering (CAX) tools that perform structural, flow, manufacturing, and cost analysis. The way in which a company utilizes these CAX tools can determine the success of these new products. One of these tools that Industry often struggles with in the preliminary design of a product is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Some of the challenges presented by CFD are the time it takes to create a CAD …

Nesting Automated Design Modules In An Interconnected Framework, Jared Matthew Young

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis seeks to extend the PDG methodology by developing a generalized formal method for nesting PDGs in an interconnected system. A procedure for decomposing an individual PDG into reusable modules will be defined and a software architecture will be presented which takes advantage of these reusable modules. This method breaks the PDG structure into discrete elements known as PDG objects, PDG modules and PDG services. Each of these elements forms a distinct unit of reuse and each can be seen as a "little" PDG. Two different industrial implementations of this method are presented. These examples show that it is …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of Tool Heating During Friction Stir Welding, Joshua L. Covington

Theses and Dissertations

The heat input to the tool has been investigated for friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminum alloy AL 7075-T7351 over a wide range of process operating parameters using a combined experimental/numerical approach. In a statistical Design of Experiments fashion, 54 experimental welds (bead-on-plate) were performed at 27 different parameter combinations. Measured outputs during each of the welds included forces in all three coordinate directions and internal temperature of the rotating tool at three locations near the tool/workpiece interface. The heat input to the tool was also identified for each weld using infrared imaging temperature measurement techniques and the portion of …

Visualizing And Interacting With Externally Coupled Engineering Analysis Results, Paul Frederick Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Visualizing and interacting with engineering analysis results can provide valuable insights into a system's performance and aid in engineering decision-making. Currently, the majority of analysis codes are developed as isolated solutions focusing only on the most prominent physical influence to a system, such as thermal, structural, fluid, etc. Frequently, more than one of these physical influences combined to force engineers to evaluate complex, coupled systems. Coupled analysis codes are becoming more common place tools for engineers demanding high fidelity simulations of complex systems. External code coupling solutions are emerging to permit generic coupling of separate, world class CAE solvers thus …

Development Of A Weatherproof Windscreen For A Microphone Array, Jeffrey R. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Microphone windscreens are typically used to reduce the noise associated with wind flowing over a microphone diaphragm by reducing the velocity of the airflow. While most windscreens are effective at reducing this noise, they do not protect the microphone from many natural elements, such as moisture, sand, and other small particles. The focus of this research was to design a windscreen that protects an array of five microphones located around a 4.5-inch diameter cylinder from these natural elements. The design goals were to have a wind noise attenuation of at least 8 dB, an insertion loss of less than 1 …

Integrating Value Stream Mapping And Simulation, Michelle E. Scullin

Theses and Dissertations

An important principle in Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping (VSM) can be helpful in understanding how process flow and information flow affect each other. A VSM is a static picture of a process that allows the user to see where value is added into the value stream. Simulation is used to evaluate the behavioral issues of processes. In a manufacturing realm this means simulation shows how each operation affects other operations so determinations can be made about where bottlenecks or other problems exist in the process. Theoretically, the integration of VSM and Simulation can aide in process improvement by showing …

Ortho-Planar Mechanisms For Microelectromechanical Systems, Craig P. Lusk

Theses and Dissertations

A method for representing the design space of ortho-planar mechanisms has been developed. The method is based on the Theorem of Equality of Orientation Set Measures (TEOSM) which allows mechanisms to be represented by points in an abstract space. The method is first developed for single loop planar folded mechanisms with revolute joints, and later extended to mechanisms with prismatic joints and to spherical folded mechanisms. Functions which assign a value to each point in design space can be used to describe classes of mechanisms and evaluate their utility for MEMS design. Additionally, this work introduces the use of spherical …

Vision-Based Target Localization From A Small, Fixed-Wing Unmanned Air Vehicle, Joshua D. Redding

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are attracting increased attention as their envelope of suitable tasks expands to include activities such as perimeter tracking, search and rescue assistance, surveillance and reconnaissance. The simplified goal of many of these tasks is to image an object for tracking or information-gathering purposes. The ability to determine the inertial location of a visible, ground-based object without requiring a priori knowledge of its exact location would therefore prove beneficial. This thesis discusses a method of localizing a ground-based object when imaged from a fixed-wing UAV. Using the target's pixel location in an image, with measurements of UAV …

Attribution Standardization For Integrated Concurrent Engineering, Tyson J. Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Product design is a creative process, often subject to rapid and numerous design change requirements. To facilitate geometric redesign iterations, Parametric Computer-Aided Design CAD) systems were introduced. To manage the numerous product design iterations produced by parametric CAD systems, Product Data Management (PDM) systems were developed to capture, document, and manage each product revision. PDM has proved effective thus far at managing design history. However, PDM is built upon database management systems (DBMS), which have the capability of doing far more than simply managing product revision history. Product data consists not only of the physical geometry used to describe it, …

An Analysis Of Microstructure And Corrosion Resistance In Underwater Friction Stir Welded 304l Stainless Steel, Tad Dee Clark

Theses and Dissertations

An effective procedure and parameter window was developed for underwater friction stir welding (UWFSW) 304L stainless steel with a PCBN tool. UWFSW produced statistically significant: increases in yield strengths, decreases in percent elongation. The ultimate tensile strength was found to be significantly higher at certain parameters. Although sigma was identified in the UWFSWs, a significant reduction of sigma was found in UWFSWs compared to ambient FSWs. The degree of sensitization in UWFSWs was evaluated using double loop EPR testing and oxalic acid electro-etched metallography. Results were compared to base metal, ambient FSW, and arc welds. Upper and lower sensitization localization …

Insulator Charging In Rf Mems Capacitive Switches, Jay F. Kucko

Theses and Dissertations

While capacitive radio frequency microelectromechanical (RF MEM) switches are poised to provide a low cost, high isolation, low power alternative to current RF switch technologies, there are still reliability issues limiting switch lifetime. Previous research identified insulator charging as a primary cause of switch failure. Changes in switch pull-in and release voltages were measured to provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for charging and switch failure. A spatial and temporal dependent model was developed to describe silicon nitride's time-dependent charging as a function of applied bias. This model was verified by applying constant biases to metal-silicon nitride-silicon capacitors and tracking …

The Accuracy Of Energy-Based Crash Reconstruction Techniques Using Event Data Recorder Measurements, Peter Niehoff

Theses and Dissertations

In the field of accident investigation, a vehicle's delta-V is commonly used to quantify the severity of a collision. Delta-V is defined as the impulsive change in vehicle velocity caused by a collision. Often, the method used to obtain delta-Vs in real-world collisions is estimation based on post-collision vehicle crush measurements. However, these estimates have been known to result in large errors. The recent advent of Event Data Recorder (EDR) technology has provided engineers with measured delta-Vs from real-world collisions. These accurate measurements were the basis for several studies conducted in this thesis.

As EDRs are a new technology, little …

The Sensitivity Of Aircraft Emergency Locator Transmitters To Non-Distress Impact Events, Christopher John Molnar

Theses and Dissertations

Emergency locator transmitters are radio beacons that help locate aircraft in distress and are required on many aircraft, primarily general aviation aircraft. The purpose of an emergency locator transmitter is to assist SAR teams in rapidly locating downed aircraft so aid can be provided to the pilot and passengers. The first emergency locator transmitters, still in use today, were found to have crash activation rates of only twenty-five percent (25%). This means that three out of every four crashes are not detected by these devices. Newer emergency locator transmitters were found to have crash activation rates of seventy-three percent (73%) …

Microparticle Influenced Electroosmotic Flow, John M. Young

Theses and Dissertations

The influence of microparticles on electroosmotic flow was investigated experimentally and numerically. Experiments were conducted using four different particle types of varying chemical composition, surface charge and polarity. Each particle type was tested at five different volume fractions ranging from 0.001 – 0.025. With a constant applied electric field, positively charged particles enhanced the electroosmotic flow by as much as 850%. The enhancement depended on particle composition, size and concentration. For negatively charged particles, the bulk electroosmotic flow was retarded with the largest reductions being 35%. This occurred for the greatest negative paricle concentration studied. A final experimental study utilizing …

Development Of An Energy-Based Nearfield Acoustic Holography System, Michael C. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Acoustical-based imaging techniques have found merit in determining the behavior of vibrating structures. These techniques are commonly used in numerous applications to obtain detailed noise source information and energy distributions on source surfaces. This thesis focuses on the continued development of the nearfield acoustic holography (NAH) approach. Conventional NAH consists of first capturing pressure data on a two-dimensional conformal measurement contour in the nearfield of the radiating source. These data are then propagated back to the vibrating structure to obtain the normal velocity profile on the source surface. With the source surface velocity profile known, the acoustic pressure, particle velocity, …