Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Reliability Assessment Of Ion Contamination Residues On Printed Circuit Board, Minh Tam Tran Nguyen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ion contaminants from Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly processes pose a high reliability risk because they result in damaged circuits. Therefore, it is essential to understand the level of ionic species on the electronic circuitry as well as the reliability risks caused by these contaminants. There are a number of approaches available in the industry to assess the reliability risks ; for example, the water drop test (WDT) is one of the techniques used to determine the propensity of an ionic contaminant to cause electrical short failures by dendrite formation. The objective of this research is to determine the time …

Ankle Impedance And Ankle Angles During Step Turn And Straight Walk: Implications For The Design Of A Steerable Ankle-Foot Prosthetic Robot, Evandro M. Ficanha

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

During locomotion, turning is a common and recurring event which is largely neglected in the current state-of-the-art ankle-foot prostheses, forcing amputees to use different steering mechanisms for turning, compared to non-amputees. A better understanding of the complexities surrounding lower limb prostheses will lead to increased health and well-being of amputees. The aim of this research is to develop a steerable ankle-foot prosthesis that mimics the human ankle mechanical properties. Experiments were developed to estimate the mechanical impedance of the ankle and the ankles angles during straight walk and step turn. Next, this information was used in the design of a …

Novel Automotive Waste Heat Recovery Techniques, John Randall Armstead

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The United States transportation industry is predicted to consume approximately 13 million barrels of liquid fuel per day by 2025. If one percent of the fuel energy were salvaged through waste heat recovery, there would be a reduction of 130 thousand barrels of liquid fuel per day. This dissertation focuses on automotive waste heat recovery techniques with an emphasis on two novel techniques.

The first technique investigated was a combination coolant and exhaust-based Rankine cycle system, which utilized a patented piston-in-piston engine technology. The research scope included a simulation of the maximum mass flow rate of steam (700 K and …

An Experimental Investigation Into The Effects Of Biodiesel Blends On Particulate Matter Oxidation In A Catalyzed Particulate Filter During Active Regeneration, James Pidgeon

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Active regeneration experiments were carried out on a production 2007 Cummins 8.9L ISL engine and associated DOC and CPF aftertreatment system. The effects of SME biodiesel blends were investigated in this study in order to determine the PM oxidation kinetics associated with active regeneration, and to determine the effect of biodiesel on them. The experimental data from this study will also be used to calibrate the MTU-1D CPF model. Accurately predicting the PM mass retained in the CPF and the oxidation characteristics will provide the basis for computation in the ECU that will minimize the fuel penalty associated with active …

Molecular Modeling Of Pmr-15 Polyimide, Fnu Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

PMR-15 polyimide is a polymer that is used as a matrix in composites. These composites with PMR-15 matrices are called advanced polymer matrix composite that is abundantly used in the aerospace and electronics industries because of its high temperature resistivity. Apart from having high temperature sustainability, PMR-15 composites also display good thermal-oxidative stability, mechanical properties, processability and low costs, which makes it a suitable material for manufacturing aircraft structures. PMR-15 uses the reverse Diels-Alder (RDA) method for crosslinking which provides it with the groundwork for its distinctive thermal stability and a range of 280-300 degree Centigrade use temperature. Regardless of …

Two-Phase Flow In Microchannels: Morphology And Interface Phenomena, Alexandru Herescu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The existence and morphology, as well as the dynamics of micro-scale gas-liquid interfaces is investigated numerically and experimentally. These studies can be used to assess liquid management issues in microsystems such as PEMFC gas flow channels, and are meant to open new research perspectives in two-phase flow, particularly in film deposition on non-wetting surfaces. For example the critical plug volume data can be used to deliver desired length plugs, or to determine the plug formation frequency. The dynamics of gas-liquid interfaces, of interest for applications involving small passages (e.g. heat exchangers, phase separators and filtration systems), was investigated using high-speed …

Dynamic Model Based State Estimation In A Heavy Duty Diesel Aftertreatment System For Onboard Diagnostics And Controls, Harsha S. Surenahalli

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Estimating un-measurable states is an important component for onboard diagnostics (OBD) and control strategy development in diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems. This research focuses on the development of an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based state estimator for two of the main components in a diesel engine aftertreatment system: the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst. One of the key areas of interest is the performance of these estimators when the catalyzed particulate filter (CPF) is being actively regenerated.

In this study, model reduction techniques were developed and used to develop reduced order models from the 1D …

Reverse Engineering The Structural And Acoustic Behavior Of A Stradivari Violin, Michael A. Pyrkosz

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

There is a tremendous amount of mystery that surrounds the instruments of Antonio Stradivari. There have been many studies done in the past, but no one completely understands exactly how he made his instruments, or why they are still considered the best in the world. This project is designed to develop an engineering model of one of Stradivari's violins that will accurately simulate the structural and acoustic behavior of the instrument. It also hopes to shine some light on what makes the instruments of Stradivari unique when compared to other violins. It will focus on geometry and material properties, utilizing …

High Voltage Electrophoretic Deposition For Electrochemical Energy Storage And Other Applications, Sunand Santhanagopalan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

High voltage electrophoretic deposition (HVEPD) has been developed as a novel technique to obtain vertically aligned forests of one-dimensional nanomaterials for efficient energy storage. The ability to control and manipulate nanomaterials is critical for their effective usage in a variety of applications. Oriented structures of one-dimensional nanomaterials provide a unique opportunity to take full advantage of their excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties. However, it is still a significant challenge to obtain such oriented structures with great process flexibility, ease of processing under mild conditions and the capability to scale up, especially in context of efficient device fabrication and system packaging. …

Experimental Investigation Into Particulate Matter Distribution In Catalyzed Particulate Filters Using A 3d Terahertz Wave Scanner, Ryan Kristopher Foley

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The particulate matter distribution (PM) trends that exist in catalyzed particulate filters (CPFs) after loading, passive oxidation, active regeneration, and post loading conditions are not clearly understood. These data are required to optimize the operation of CPFs, prevent damage to the CPFs caused by non-uniform distributions, and develop accurate CPF models. To develop an understanding of PM distribution trends, multiple tests were conducted and the PM distribution was measured in three dimensions using a terahertz wave scanner. The results of this work indicate that loading, passive oxidation, active regeneration, and post loading can all cause non-uniform PM distributions. The density …

Development Of A 1-D Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter Model For Simulation Of The Performance And The Oxidation Of Particulate Matter And Nitrogen Oxides Using Passive Oxidation And Active Regeneration Engine Experimental Data, Kiran Premchand

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Back-pressure on a diesel engine equipped with an aftertreatment system is a function of the pressure drop across the individual components of the aftertreatment system, typically, a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), catalyzed particulate filter (CPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. Pressure drop across the CPF is a function of the mass flow rate and the temperature of the exhaust flowing through it as well as the mass of particulate matter (PM) retained in the substrate wall and the cake layer that forms on the substrate wall. Therefore, in order to control the back-pressure on the engine at low levels …

Comparative Analysis Of Efficiency And Operating Characteristics Of Automotive Powertrain Architectures Through Chassis Dynamometer Testing, Jeremy J. Anderson

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The thesis "COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EFFICIENCY AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN ARCHITECTURES THROUGH CHASSIS DYNAMOMETER TESTING" was completed through a collaborative partnership between Michigan Technological University and Argonne National Laboratory under a contractual agreement titled "Advanced Vehicle Characterization at Argonne National Laboratory". The goal of this project was to investigate, understand and document the performance and operational strategy of several modern passenger vehicles of various architectures. The vehicles were chosen to represent several popular engine and transmission architectures and were instrumented to allow for data collection to facilitate comparative analysis. In order to ensure repeatability and reliability during testing, …

Interactive Effect Of Fixed Time Order Strategies Within A Supply Chain On Actual In-Stock Probabilities, Mangesh S. Chaudhari

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This report mainly deals with the interactive effect of different in-stock probabilities used by every individual in a supply chain. Based on a simulation for 10,000 weeks, the effects of varying in-stock probabilities are observed. Based on these observations, an individual in a supply chain can take counter measures in order to avoid stock out chances hence maintaining profits.

Development Of An In Situ Measurement Device For Obtaining Material Thermal Properties, Mark A. Hepokoski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This thesis presents a methodology for measuring thermal properties in situ, with a special focus on obtaining properties of layered stack-ups commonly used in armored vehicle components. The technique involves attaching a thermal source to the surface of a component, measuring the heat flux transferred between the source and the component, and measuring the surface temperature response. The material properties of the component can subsequently be determined from measurement of the transient heat flux and temperature response at the surface alone. Experiments involving multilayered specimens show that the surface temperature response to a sinusoidal heat flux forcing function is also …

Realization Of A Dc Microgrid Using A Hamiltonian Based Controls Solution, Matthew J. Heath

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Future power grids are envisioned to be serviced by heterogeneous arrangements of renewable energy sources. Due to their stochastic nature, energy storage distribution and management are pivotal in realizing microgrids serviced heavily by renewable energy assets. Identifying the required response characteristics to meet the operational requirements of a power grid are of great importance and must be illuminated in order to discern optimal hardware topologies. Hamiltonian Surface Shaping and Power Flow Control (HSSPFC) presents the tools to identify such characteristics. By using energy storage as actuation within the closed loop controller, the response requirements may be identified while providing a …

Mode And Implementation Of A Hybrid Control System For A 2-Mode Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Zhenhua Zhu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Automotive transportation consumes more than 71% of the world's total petroleum energy. The vehicle will have to use less because it will take less than 30 years to consume the rest of the proven conventional oil reservoir if the fuel consumption keeps the current trend. One of the methods to improve the vehicle efficiency is to develop Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). An HEV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motor(s) powered by batteries or capacitors to achieve better fuel economy. Among the HEVs, 2-Mode HEV combines an ICE and two electric motors with two planetary gear sets and …

Simulation And Validation Of A Low Power Regime Based Attitude Determination And Control System For Cubesats, William D. Mcginnis, David G. Beale, J-M Wersinger

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 3: Dynamic Systems & Control; pp. 125-132

Spider Web Topology: Parameterization And Analysis, Pankaj Rajput, Giovanni Di Ilio, Ronald Diaz

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 5: Numerical Methods; pp. 172-179

Numerical Characterization Of A Passive Three Dimensional Triangular Micromixer Based On Chaotic Advection And Splitting-Recombination Mixing Mechanism, Lin Li, Qingde Chen, Chi Tay Tsai

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 5: Numerical Methods; pp. 180-185

Gas Turbine Exhaust-Heat-Driven Cooling Cycle For Steam Condenser Cooling Air Application, Muhammad M. Mahmood, Drake Viscome, Sheldon M. Jeter

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 8: Heat Transfer; pp. 271-277

Experimental Study On Analyzing Human Factor In The Process Of Planning Of Vertical Transportation, Magdalena Krstanoski, Kristina Jakimovska

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 9: Miscelleneous; pp. 289-296

Effect Of Exhaust Gas Recirculation And Combustible Oxygen Mass Fraction On Emission Index Of Nox For Counterflow Methane/Air Diffusion Flames, Mugdha S. Sane

Open Access Theses

Exhaust gas recirculation has been proven to be an effective method of reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from internal combustion engines. The present study validates this effect through flame simulations using detailed chemistry. Counterflow methane/air diffusion flames were simulated in one dimension in physical space using GRI-Mech 3.0 detailed chemistry mechanism, thermal, and transport data. The influence of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) on the flame structure and NOx emissions was studied by selecting higher than ambient inlet temperature and by varying the composition of the oxidizer stream. The Combustible Oxygen Mass Fraction (COMF), which represents the fraction of …

The Anisotropic Hyperelastic Biomechanical Response Of The Vocal Ligament And Implications For Frequency Regulation: A Case Study, Jordan E. Kelleher, Thomas Siegmund, Mindy Du, Elhum Naseri, Roger W. Chan

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fiber Reinforcement Compaction In Resin Injection Pultrusion Process, Neerad Shakya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Resin injection pultrusion is a cost-effective continuous manufacturing process to produce composites of constant cross-section. In this process, fiber reinforcements are continuously pulled through the injection chamber where liquid resin is injected to cause complete wetout of the fibers before exit. The fiber-resin combination obtained from the injection chamber is then cured to obtain the desired pultruded composite. There are various processing and geometric parameters affecting the wetout process. The main objective of this study is to present a numerical model to simulate the resin flow through the fiber reinforcement when compaction of the fibers is also taken into account. …

Structure Borne Noise Analysis Using Helmholtz Equation Least Squares Based Forced Vibro Acoustic Components, Logesh Kumar Natarajan

Wayne State University Dissertations

This dissertation presents a structure-borne noise analysis technology that is focused on providing a cost-effective noise reduction strategy. Structure-borne sound is generated or transmitted through structural vibration; however, only a small portion of the vibration can effectively produce sound and radiate it to the far-field. Therefore, cost-effective noise reduction is reliant on identifying and suppressing the critical vibration components that are directly responsible for an undesired sound. However, current technologies cannot successfully identify these critical vibration components from the point of view of direct contribution to sound radiation and hence cannot guarantee the best cost-effective noise reduction.

The technology developed …

Induced Damping And Its Relationship To Beneficial Energy Harvesting In Dielectric Elastomers With Application To Walking, Heather L. Lai

Wayne State University Dissertations

This dissertation presents a novel, interdisciplinary research which addresses the potential of applying soft polymeric materials to strategically harvest biomechanical energy in a beneficial manner for use as a viable, low power source for on-board electronics. Of particular interest are electroactive polymers (EAP), which unlike other types of electromechanical smart materials such as piezoelectric ceramics, which are often brittle, have low elastic modulus and can exhibit large strains without substantial stress generations. One type of EAP, the dielectric elastomer (DE), which utilizes electrostatic forces built up across the dielectric polymer to convert between electrical and mechanical energy, is employed in …

Simulations And Experiments Of Fuel Injection, Mixing And Combustion In Di Gasoline Engines, Yi Zheng

Wayne State University Dissertations

Direct Injection (DI) has been known for its improved performance and efficiency in gasoline spark-ignition engines. In order to take all the advantages of the GDI technology, it is important to investigate in detail the interactions of fuel spray and combustion system, such as air-fuel mixing, in-cylinder flow development, surface wetting, and turbulence intensity. The characterizations of the internal nozzle flow of DI injector are first studied using the multidimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation. In the meanwhile the numerical and experimental studies are carried out to observe the external spray and wall impingements in an optical constant volume vessel. …

Impact Damage Analysis Of Balsa Wood Sandwich Composite Materials, Suof Abdalslam

Wayne State University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Experimental Investigation And Development Of An Extended Two Color Method (Etcm) With Application To Internal Combustion Engines, Elena Florea

Wayne State University Dissertations

The internal combustion engine is on a continuous path of improvement to reduce exhaust gaseous emissions and improve fuel economy. While recent trends in diesel engine development have lowered the EGR requirements, future regulatory pressure will likely result in a reversed trend in the future.

Given this, it is of interest to improve the application range of diagnostic tools such as the two color method (TCM) typically used in evaluating the properties of engine soot, such as temperature and volume fraction. This optical diagnostic method relies on the use of the light emitted by the soot particles along with a …

Nebraska Summary: S949 Case-Ih Farmall 95u, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data. EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES Purpose The purpose of …