Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Truncated Model Tests For Mooring Lines Of A Semi-Submersible Platform And Its Equivalent Compensated Method, Dong-Sheng Qiao, Jin-Ping Ou

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study conducted a model test of 1:100 model scale of a semi-submersible platform with a 1500 m full-depth mooring system in the Joint Laboratory of Wind Tunnel & Wave Flume at Harbin Institute of Technology. A truncated mooring system of 400 m water depth was designed based on the static equivalent principle. The semi-submersible platform was tested under regular wave excitation periods that ranged from 10 s to 45 s and one year of irregular wave conditions in the South China Sea. The results validated the feasibility of using numerical simulation in the motions calculation of semisubmersible platform and …

Liquefaction Potential Of Non-Plastic Silty Sand, Chun-Chi Chen, Wei F Lee, Jing-Wen Chen, Kenji Ishihara

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper is to introduce research progress on liquefaction potential of undisturbed high fines content non-plastic silty sand. A new sampling technique that was applied to the field allowing sensitive and high fines content silty sand material to be retrieved in sounding condition is described. Laboratory tests on the liquefaction resistance of non-plastic silty sand that emphasized on the influence of fines content percentages were conducted. It concludes that soil liquefaction would occur in non-plastic silty sand deposits even with high nonplastic fines contents. Both fines contents and void ratios have deterministic influences to the cyclic resistance of such silty …

Dynamics And Cutting Stability Of Dynamically Loaded Worktable Subjected To Elastic Supports, Kuo-Chiang Cha, Nenzi Wang, Jen-Yi Liao

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper investigated the dynamic characteristics and the cutting stability of a dynamically loaded worktable on elastic supports in a surface grinder. The operation of worktables is usually dynamically loaded in various positions, which results in a complex system of governing equations. In this study, the assumptions of elastic and rigid body modes of a free-free beam were specified in analyzing the worktable. By combining the Lagrange energy method with the technique of assumed mode expansion, the system of equations was developed. The absolute value of the maximum negative real part of the overall dynamic compliance (MNRPODC) and the limiting …

Design And Analysis Of A Cold Gas Propulsion System For Stabilization And Maneuverability Of A High Altitude Research Balloon, Mitchell Brownell

Honors Theses

The need for a cold gas propulsion system is crucial to the scientific industry which allows for maneuvering and stabilizing a high altitude research balloon and propose an inexpensive, light weight design that researchers can reproduce. The methodology to the design of this system was based on factors that are all dependent upon one another. The parameters that directed the decisions made throughout this design project was the thrust needed to rotate the unit, and the allowable weight permitted by federal regulations. The frame was designed with a gas storage system, gas transmission system, and nozzle assembly which was integrated …

The Design Of A Mobile, Animatronic Bald Eagle, Eric Burns

Phi Kappa Phi Research Symposium (Archived)

Modern animatronics are used as a tool to help engage audiences in realistic and entertaining experiences. Many animatronic figures are dynamic in movement, but static in mobility. The research presented covers the beginnings of mobile animatronic research. An animatronic bald eagle, Opportunity, was designed for that purpose. Animations for Opportunity are generated by integration of Arduino, Pololu Mini Maestro, and Hitec Servo Motors. Arduino receives signals from flex sensors which cause voltage variations when “flexed”. The 1:1 scale, animatronic eagle can be perched on the arm of an “actor” who simulates an eagle’s caretaker. The flex sensors are located within …

Electroplating Of Nickel And Copper Layers On Nanoengineered Plastics, Brandon Voelker, Muralidhar K. Ghantasala, Jeff Wheeler

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

Introduction

• The motivation for this project is the development and proposed use of novel nanoengineered polymeric materials in many industrial and commercial applications. This necessitated the development of a robust metallic coating that can withstand aggressive environmental conditions.
• This research explores the methods of electroplating nickel and copper to the substrate, including the effects of various duty cycles and cathode current density

A 3-D Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model For Rectangular Cantilever Beams With An Arbitrary Force End-Load, Jairo Renato Chimento

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation introduces a novel three-dimensional pseudo-rigid-body model (3-D PRBM) for straight cantilever beams with rectangular cross sections. The model is capable of capturing the behavior of the neutral axis of a beam loaded with an arbitrary force end-load. Numerical integration of a system of differential equations yields approximate displacement and orientation of the beam's neutral axis at the free end, and curvatures of the neutral axis at the fixed end. This data was used to develop the 3-D PRBM which consists of two torsional springs connecting two rigid links for a total of 2 degrees of freedom (DOF). The …

Modeling Replenishment Of Ultrathin Liquid Perfluoropolyether Z Films On Solid Surfaces Using Monte Carlo Simulation, M.S. Mayeed, T. Kato

Faculty Articles

Applying the reptation algorithm to a simplified perfluoropolyether Z off-lattice polymer model an NVT Monte Carlo simulation has been performed. Bulk condition has been simulated first to compare the average radius of gyration with the bulk experimental results. Then the model is tested for its ability to describe dynamics. After this, it is applied to observe the replenishment of nanoscale ultrathin liquid films on solid flat carbon surfaces. The replenishment rate for trenches of different widths (8, 12, and 16 nms for several molecular weights) between two films of perfluoropolyether Z from the Monte Carlo simulation is compared to that …

Autonomous Indoor Localization For Fire Safety And Resource Location Via Field Mapping Techniques, Jaeyoung Kim, Kartik Ariyur, Yan Cui, Benjamin D. Branch, Joshua Ebung Umo

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

An overall result of this collaboration between the Mechanical Engineering Dept. and the Purdue University Libraries (PUL) should result in building a big data framework that make have knowledge transfer for similar large scale geospatial data implementations. Such may promote best practices of data management where the library skill sets may aid faculty research and student learning. Here, the PUL is concerned with advancing the Mechanical Engineering‘s STEM pipeline capacity with this type of research, collaboration and data management engagement.

Autonomous Indoor Localization For Fire Safety And Resource Location Via Field Mapping Techniques (Android Version), Joshua Ebung Umo, Yan Cui, Kartik Ariyur, Benjamin D. Branch, Jaeyoung Kim

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

An overall result of this collaboration between the Mechanical Engineering Dept. and the Purdue University Libraries (PUL) should result in building a big data framework that make have knowledge transfer for similar large scale geospatial data implementations. Such may promote best practices of data management where the library skill sets may aid faculty research and student learning. Here, the PUL is concerned with advancing the Mechanical Engineering‘s STEM pipeline capacity with this type of research, collaboration and data management engagement.

Junior Design: Automatic Page Turner, Matthew Stewart, Jesse Mcintire, Seth Tilson, Hector Ortiz, Ed Meserve

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project details the design and build process of an automatic pageturner. The primary goal of this project is to design and manufacture a product that not only has an efficient operation, but is easy to use for people with disabilities and minimal assistance. The device will consist of a mechanical structure to support the book, an electrical system to facilitate the turning of pages in both directions, and additional features to support comfort and readability, such as LED reading lights.

Phase Field Modeling Of Shear Yielding And Crazing In Glassy Polymer, Yunzhe Mao

Open Access Theses

Glassy polymers are very important in industrial and commercial components manufacturing. For instance, it is used to manufacture polymer-matrix composites, the type of composite used in the Dreamliner 787. But this kind of material is also limited by its tendency to fail in brittle manner. In this study, we use phase field model to characterize the yielding condition of glassy amorphous polymer under a wide range of loading conditions. The main failure mechanisms in amorphous glassy polymers, such as poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA), are crazing and shear yielding. Crazing is formed because of the nucleation of micro-voids in the location of stress …

Development Of A Spring-Based Automotive Starter, David H. Myszka, Jonathan Lauden, Patrick Joyce, Andrew P. Murray, Christoph Gillum

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Automotive starting systems require substantial amounts of mechanical energy in a short period of time. Lead-acid batteries have historically provided that energy through a starter motor. Springs have been identified as an alternative energy storage medium and are well suited to engine-starting applications due to their ability to rapidly deliver substantial mechanical power and their long service life. This paper presents the development of a conceptual, spring-based starter. The focus of the study was to determine whether a spring of acceptable size could provide the required torque and rotational speed to start an automotive engine. Engine testing was performed on …

Processing And Characterization Of Innovative Magnesium Alloys For Biodegradable Orthopaedic Implants, Christopher E. Smith

Dissertations

There is a need for innovation in medical implant devices through novel biomaterials that will improve the quality of life. The first step in the creation of a foundation of knowledge and technology to improve these implant devices is through the creation of new alloys with the capabilities of biodegradation and bioabsorption without a toxic effect that will pass through FDA regulatory procedures. In this study, unique heat treatment processing techniques coupled with innovation in elemental alloying produced distinctive magnesium (Mg) based alloy systems. The MgZnCa system was used as the underpinning system where four groups of novel alloys were …

Hand Prosthesis, Tru Nguyen, Aaron Delano, Kyle M. Green, Jorge Maderal, Cody Poland

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project deals with engineering students’ prosthetic hand design, submitted to the University of Southern Maine’s engineering department. The primary goal of the prosthetic hand design is to allow an impaired individual to grasp and hold everyday objects ranging from a toothbrush to a jug of milk. The project consists of three teams each designing their respective portion of the prosthetic device. The teams will deal with three specific design areas; computer aided design of the mechanism, electronic integration, and manufacturing implementation. The design team turns notebook doodles into virtual models in SolidWorks. The electronics team will control a battery …

Nuts & Bolts, Volume 2, Issue 2, Lance Todd, Julie Thomson, Louis Leviticus

Friends of the Larsen Tractor Museum

Museum Open House is a Success

The Passing of Museum Volunteer Larry Ehlers

Larsen Museum to Auction Twelve Tractors

Details an Estate Planning and Memorial Designation

Bi-Harmonic Cantilever Design For Improved Measurement Sensitivity In Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopy, M. Loganathan, Douglas A. Bristow

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Particle Deposition On Superhydrophobic Surfaces By Sessile Droplet Evaporation, Mercy G. Dicuangco

Open Access Theses

Prediction and active control of the spatial distribution of particulate deposits obtained from sessile droplet evaporation is essential in ink-jet printing, nanostructure assembly, biotechnology, and other applications that require localized deposits. In recent years, sessile droplet evaporation on bio-inspired superhydrophobic surfaces has become an attractive method for depositing materials on a site-specific, localized region, but is less explored compared to evaporative deposition on hydrophilic surfaces. It is therefore of interest to understand particle deposition during droplet evaporation on superhydrophobic surfaces to enable accurate prediction and tunable control of localized deposits on such surfaces. The purpose of the present work is …

Simulation Of An Intake Manifold Pre-Heater For Cold Diesel Engine Startup, Patrick K. Kreun

Masters Theses

Ensuring consistent, reliable diesel engine startups in cold temperatures is of utmost importance in a number of applications. Under extreme temperatures, the use of glow plugs is complemented by intake manifold heaters. In these, the energy released from combustion increases the intake air temperature before the air enters the main combustion chamber. Since the process also alters the stoichiometry of the fuel-air mixture at the intake ports, the preheater operation must be optimized in order to guarantee successful and reliable in-cylinder combustion during engine startups. This paper describes the development of an intake manifold model incorporating an air pre-heater for …

Development Of Nhtsa’S Side Impact Test Procedure For Child Restraint Systems Using A Deceleration Sled : Part 1, Janet Brelin-Fornari, Sheryl Janca

Mechanical Engineering Grants

This report presents the results of the research and development of the child seat side impact tests performed at Kettering University’s Crash Safety Center for NHTSA. The tests were conducted using a deceleration sled. The objective of this testing was to obtain data for the development of a side impact test procedure for child restraint systems.

Analytical Performance Evaluation Of Thermoelectric Modules Using Effective Material Properties, Sean Lwe Leslie Weera

Masters Theses

Designers often face the predicament of non-standardized forms of performance data provided by thermoelectric module manufacturers. Other than experimental means the only method to evaluate the performance of a product would be through analytical modeling using material properties that are usually undisclosed and unknown. This work studies the theoretical approach of obtaining such material properties using the maximum operating parameters reported by the manufacturers. These values are then analytically employed to evaluate the performances of these thermoelectric modules. Experimental means are also devised and carried out on these test samples to validate the integrity of the results. Three-way comparisons between …

Team Poly Cup, John Adkins, Scott W. Hart, Elise Kiland

Mechanical Engineering

This project involves the use of mechanical engineering expertise to develop, design, and create a functioning prototype of a collapsible coffee cup. The prototype is to be designed to the specifications given by Jason Blum, the project sponsor. Allowances may be given for design freedom as specified by Jason Blum. The goal of this project is to create a product which may replace the both the disposable coffee cups distributed at coffee shops as well as to create a product which may replace the traditional travel mug due to its increased portability.

Team Poly Cup has worked throughout the year …

Transit As An Alternative Mode Of Transportation: A Case Study Of Its Usage, Availability, Patterns And Value For Non-Commuter Trips, Sara Hardman

Honors Theses

The mode of transportation a user picks impacts the environment, the social environment, and the user himself/herself. While research on alternative modes of transportation is prevalent in both the engineering and sociology fields, little attention has been given to the choices people make concerning how they run errands and other social trips, focusing instead on commuter trips. This case study examines three different shopping malls and the surrounding bus stops in order to determine the role distance plays in bus usage and the value that shopping centers place on access to local bus routes. Determination of the value and potential …

The Derivation Of Euler's Equations Of Motion In Cylindrical Vector Components To Aid In Analyzing Single Axis Rotation, James J. Jennings

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The derivation of Euler's equations of motion in using cylindrical vector components is beneficial in more intuitively describing the parameters relating to the balance of rotating machinery. Using the well established equation for Newton's equations in moment form and changing the position and angular velocity vectors to cylindrical vector components results in a set of equations defined in radius-theta space rather than X-Y space. This easily allows for the graphical representation of the intuitive design parameters effect on the resulting balance force that can be used to examine the robustness of a design. The sensitivity of these parameters and their …

A One-Dimensional Model Of A Closed-Loop Refrigeration Test Block For Centrifugal Compressors, Paul D. Gessler

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The increasingly competitive building equipment and control industry pushes manufacturers to continually improve the performance and efficiency of their products to develop and maintain a competitive edge. Compressor development is an expensive endeavor, but the cost and time required for testing can be minimized by developing a model of the compressor test block to predict its behavior with a given prototype compressor at specified operating conditions. This thesis presents a thermodynamic model of a hot gas bypass test block used to evaluate centrifugal compressor performance at a compressor development facility. The test block uses cooling towers to reject the heat …

Study Of Aluminum Honeycomb Sandwich Composite Structure For Increased Specific Damping, Aditi S. Joshi

Open Access Theses

The aluminum honeycomb sandwich composite structure is commonly used in the aerospace and automotive applications where high strength to weight ratio is desirable. However the poor performance of the aluminum honeycomb sandwich composite structure in terms of the vibration damping and the sound transmission makes their applications limited. Studying the effect of different structural modifications on the damping has become an interesting area of research in past few decades. The present study addresses the effect of adding a mass on the composite beam at various locations on the damping loss factors for the modes of vibration present in the frequency …

Experimental Investigation Of A Forced Response Condition In A Multistage Compressor, William Louis Murray

Open Access Theses

The objective of this research is twofold. Firstly, the design, development, and construction of a test facility for a Honeywell APU-style centrifugal compressor was implemented, as well as the design and construction of an inlet flow experiment. Secondly, the aeromechanical response of an embedded stage in the Purdue 3-Stage axial research compressor was analyzed through a suite of different measurement techniques in the fulfillment of the end of the GUIde IV Consortium contract. ^ The purpose of the first phase of Honeywell work was to comprehensively measure the flow field of an APU-style centrifugal compressor inlet through the use of …

Unsteady Forces On A Spherical Particle Accelerating Or Decelerating In An Initially Stagnant Fluid, Yashas Mudlapur Phaneesh Keshav

Open Access Theses

Flows with particles play an important role in a number of engineering applications. These include trajectories of droplets in sprays in fuel-injected-reciprocating-piston and gas-turbine engines, erosion of materials due to particle impact on a surface, and deposition of materials on surfaces by impinging droplets or particles that could solidify or bond on impact. For these applications, it is important to understand the forces that act on the particles so that their trajectories could be predicted.

Considerable work has been done on understanding the forces acting on spherical particles, where the Reynolds numbers (Rep ) based on the particle …

Probabilistic Fault Detection And Diagnostics For Packaged Air-Conditioner Outdoor-Air Economizers, Andrew L. Hjortland

Open Access Theses

Poor economizer control, economizer damper failure, and excess outdoor-air contribute to these performance degradations. In order to promote optimal rooftop air-conditioner (RTU) performance and reduce operating costs, an automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) tool has been designed for RTUs with integrated economizers. Based on previously proposed methods, the proposed method advances the economizer fault detection and diagnosis components by using statistical classifiers in order to provide more robust, probabilistic fault outputs. A set of air-side virtual sensors has also been added to the method in order to expand the applicable range of conditions fault detection and diagnostics can be …

Quantitative Imaging Of Radiation Intensity From A Turbulent Sooting Flame, Robert Kapaku

Open Access Theses

Quantitative imaging of radiation intensity (QIRI) is a method of investigating temporally and spatially resolved radiation from species and particulates in turbulent flames. The current study reports quantitative images of radiation intensity from a turbulent ethylene flame that matches the Reynolds number (15,200) of a non-sooting flame from the International Workshop on Measurement and Computation of Turbulent Non-premixed Flames. A calibrated high-speed infrared camera with four band-pass filters was used to acquire images of radiation intensity in wavelengths corresponding to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and soot. The luminous flame measurements show thin radiating structures corresponding to soot layers and higher …