Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Integrating Courses Through Project Based Learning, Lizabeth Schlemer, Sema E. Alptekin, Karen R. Bangs

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Integrating three courses (one sophomore level, two senior level) through Project Based Learning (PBL) within the Industrial Engineering curriculum at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is presented. Three courses (IME 443 Facilities Planning and Design - senior level; IME 420 Simulation - senior level; and IME 223 Process Improvement Fundamentals - sophomore level) were linked by various mechanisms: Common industry projects, common students in two of the three courses; senior students having access to sophomores in their teams to carry out time consuming tasks such as time studies, and sophomores having access to seniors as team members, …

Improving Manufacturing Processes Through Energy Monitoring, Andrew Grzelak

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

Energy efficiency and sustainability are very popular topics in the current field of manufacturing. With the increase in use of automation technology as well as the recent growth in the area of energy management, there is much focus on the overall improvement of manufacturing processes. For this research a project was completed to create a system that could improve both process efficiency as well as decrease energy consumption. By taking a look at the machine level energy consumption of an automated piece of manufacturing equipment, by eliminating waste in process, both energy efficiency and operational efficiency can be improved.

Using …

Cavitation Of A Water Jet In Water, Michael Marshall Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs in liquids when the pressure drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid. Previous research has verified that cavitation bubble collapse is a dynamic and destructive process. An understanding of the behavior of cavitation is necessary to implement this destructive mechanism from an axisymmetric jet for underwater material removal. This work investigates the influence of jet pressure and nozzle diameter on the behavior of a cloud of cavitation bubbles generated by a submerged high-pressure water jet. First, this investigation is put into context with a condensed historical background of cavitation research. Second, a description …

An Investigation Of The Ward Leonard System For Use In A Hybrid Or Electric Passenger Vehicle, Cody L. Telford

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. Today's consumer electric vehicles use dangerously high voltage,expensive electronic controllers, complex battery management systems and AC motors. The goal of this research at BYU is to increase safety by lowering the operating voltage and decrease cost by eliminating expensive controllers and decrease the number of battery cells. This paper specifically examines the use of a Ward Leonard Motor Control system for use in a passenger vehicle. The theory of the …

Effects Of Approach Techniques In Place Kicking: A 3d Analysis, Chase M. Pfeifer

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Various studies aim to understand the fundamentals of kicking, primarily the instep kick commonly used by soccer players. Of those studies, most are limited to a 2D analysis using high-speed cameras for position tracking and electromyography to observe muscle activity. The few studies that investigate a 3D model are limited in their position tracking capabilities and focus mainly on joint flexion potentials and foot speed. To the authors knowledge no study of this caliber has been performed on the kinematics and dynamics of place kicking in American football. This thesis uses a 12 camera high-speed motion tracking system to investigate …

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Hvac Optimization, Jessica Hartl

Honors Theses

The objective of the proposed project is to convert the current heating ventilating and air conditioning system, or HVAC system, on the plug in hybrid Toyota Prius into a completely electric system. As the vehicle is now, the gas engine is required to provide heat loss for the forced air heating system on extremely cold days. The data, which has been gathered over several years, shows a drop in MPG equivalence from approximately 100-120 MPG on ideal days (70° F) to about 50 MPG equivalence on cooler days. This problem can be solved by increasing the effectiveness of the HVAC …

Optimization Of An Airboat Design, Adam P. Leppek

Honors Theses

Airboats are a common recreational vehicle in southern regions of the United States. A functional prototype of an airboat design was constructed utilizing the manufacturing processes and components available to gain knowledge and experience with the design process. The hull, rudder framework, seating structure, propeller shroud, drive train, and drive unit framework were fabricated at a machine shop. Remaining components were purchased, such as the engine, rudders, and propeller. Welders, mills, lathes, band saws, grinders, hydraulic presses, and power tools were employed in the construction. Drive train and drive unit framework was designed and analyzed using RomaxDesigner, a simulation software …

Hydraulic Test Cell Power Recovery System, Peter M. Kanda

Honors Theses

Wasted power during testing and development of fluid power components is a major concern due to the negative environmental impact and overall associated energy costs. This report describes a developmental hydraulic test stand and several configurations that could result in recovering wasted power. In this test stand, a hydraulic pump capable of 300 horsepower and above is in the design stages within the testing facilities at FEMA Corporation. The pump contained on this test stand will be designed to create a flow that would simulate what a customer directional control valve would see in a real-world application. The standard hydraulic …

Feasibility Analysis Of Solid Particles As A Thermal Energy Storage Medium Using Fluidization Process, Sebastian De La Rosa^, Arturo Sepulveda, Vinod Kumar*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Constructing The Comprehensive Subsurface Structure Of Lanyang Plain, Chih-Hao Hsu, Sao-Jeng Chao, Shuh-Gi Chern, Howard Hwang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study presents an integral approach to construct a comprehensive subsurface structure of Lanyang Plain. It is well known that geophysicists and engineers use different techniques to investigate the subsurface structure, and each of these techniques has its own advantages. Therefore, in this study, the excellent results from these two fields are selected and combined to provide a comprehensive profile of the subsurface structure of Lanyang Plain. In this study, the subsurface information on nine recording stations and digital boundary lines of Lanyang Plain based on the digital geologic map published by the Central Geological Survey are utilized to create …

Slamming Induced Dynamic Response Of A Floating Structure, Mohammad Ali Lotfollahi-Yaghin1, Mehdi Rastgar, Hamid Ahmadi

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Study of the slamming phenomenon is one of the most important branches of the floating structure dynamics. Experimental study of the floating structure dynamics can be very expensive because it requires a long wave flume and a moving model. Hence, numerical methods are considered to be very useful and efficient tools for modeling and dynamic analysis of floating structures. In the present paper, slamming induced impulsive loads are investigated firstly. Afterwards, dynamic response of a barge under the slamming excitation is studied, and the natural frequencies and mode shapes are determined, using the FE software package, ANSYS. Critical cross sections …

Computational Simulations Of Carbon Dioxide Flow In Porous Media For Carbon Sequestration Applications, Eduardo Cordero^, Jesus D. Ortega, Dustin Crandall, Grant Bromhal, Vinod Kumar*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Pore Network Model Construction From Ct Scanned Rock Samples For Carbon Sequestration Simulation, Daniel Llausas^, P. Delgado, Vinod Kumar*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Method For The Simulated Layup Of Composite Fabrics, David M. Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the complexity of designing advanced composite parts, many software tools have been developed to aid the designer and reduce design cycle time. Draping is one of those tools and is used to predict the fiber angles throughout the part. This application of draping is to simulate the actual hand layup process that a technician would go through while creating a multi-layered laminate composite part. This method is the first to use plies as an underlying surface for draping instead of just using an offset mold surface. This method can visualize full 3D ply geometry taking into account the …

Application Of Parametric Nurbs Geometry To Mode Shape Identification And The Modal Assurance Criterion, Evan D. Selin

Theses and Dissertations

The dynamic characteristics of a part are highly dependent on geometric and material properties of the part. The identification and tracking of vibrational mode shapes within an iterative design process becomes difficult and time consuming due to the frequently changing part definition. Currently, visual inspection of analysis results is used as the means to identify the shape of each vibrational mode determined by the modal analysis. This thesis investigates the automation of the mode shape identification process through the use of parametric geometry and the Modal Assurance Criterion. Displacement results from finite element modal analysis are used to create parametric …

High Fidelity Thermocline Tracking Algorithm Using Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory Schemes, Claudia L. Guevara^, Kiran Kumar, Vinod Kumar*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Acoustic Emission Detection Of Metals And Alloys During Machining Operations, Jameson K. Nelson

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

Nelson, Jameson K. M.S., Purdue University, May 2012. Acoustic Emission Detection of Metals and Alloys During Machining Operations. Major Professor: Rodney G. Handy.

Practical correlation between material deformation attributes and theoretical concepts of machining has proven difficult to attain. The purpose of this study was to further explore trends and relationships using acoustic emission detection of materials undergoing single-point lathe turning machine processes. The majority of machining experiments that incorporate acoustic emissions focuses on tool degradation for the purposes of optimizing consumables required to manufacture mechanical devices. Experiments were implemented varying recording location, mechanical barrier condition, and machine parameters. The …

Computational Models Of Sub-Divided Thermal Energy Storage Tanks Used In Concentrating Solar Power Plants With Parabolic Trough Collectors, Jesus D. Ortega ^, Vinod Kumar *

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Aluminum Doped Zinc Oxide Nanowires For Photovoltaic Devices And Semiconductors, Travis J. Wilson^, Md. Ashiqur R. Khan, Mohammad A. I. Shuvo, Miguel Mendoza, Matthew Garcia, Yirong Lin*, Chintalapalle V. Ramana*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Sic-Cnt Multifunctional Nanocomposites For High Temperature Structural, Thermoelectric And Sensing Applications, Luisa A. Cabrera^, Arifur Chowdhury, Onasis Garcia, Mujibur R. Khan*

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012

No abstract provided.

Model-Based Systems And Methods For Analyzing And Predicting Outcomes Of Vascular Interventions And Reconstructions, Yuris A. Dzenis, Alexey Kamenskiy, Iraklis I. Pipinos, Jason N. Mactaggart

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Systems and methods for analyzing and predicting treatment outcomes of medical procedures such as vascular interventions and reconstructions are disclosed. An illustrative system for analyzing and predicting therapeutic outcomes of medical procedures comprises a relational database configured for classifying and storing patient specific input data for multiple patients, a fluid-solid interaction biomechanical model configured for performing a biomechanics simulation and generating biomechanics data, and a graphical user interface.

Mathematical Modeling Of Pipeline Features For Robotic Inspection, Yang Gao

Doctoral Dissertations

Underground pipeline systems play an indispensable role in transporting liquids in both developed and developing countries. The associated social and economic cost to repair a pipe upon abrupt failure is often unacceptable. Regular inspection is a preventative action that aims to monitor pipe conditions, catch abnormalities and reduce the chance of undesirable surprises. Robots with CCTV video cameras have been used for decades to inspect pipelines, yielding only qualitative information. It is becoming necessary and preferable for municipalities, project managers and engineers to also quantify the 3-D geometry of underground pipe networks. Existing robots equipped specialized hardware and software algorithms …

The Search For An Optimal Means Of Determining The Minmax Control Parameter Using Sensitivity Analysis, John Teye Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

The use of computational methods for design and simulation of control systems allows for a cost-effective trial and error approach. In this work, we are concerned with the robust, real-time control of physical systems whose state space is infinite-dimensional. Such systems are known as Distributed Parameter Systems (DPS). A body whose state is heterogeneous is a distributed parameter. In particular, this work focuses on DPS systems that are governed by linear Partial Differential Equations, such as the heat equation. We specifically focus on the MinMax controller, which is regarded as being a very robust controller. The mathematical formulation of the …

Tolerance Limit For Trucks With Excess Load In Transport Regulation In Indonesia, Sigit Pranowo Hadiwardoyo, Raden Jachrizal Sumabrata, Mohammed Ali Berawi

Makara Journal of Technology

Reliability of a road is mandatory since damaged will impede the traffic. Destruction is caused by various factors; one of the most important factors is excess load. Overload may give the load of each axle of a vehicle exceeds the determined standard. This condition occurs in trucks exceeding the load limit. In designing the structure of a road based on the method of Directorate General of Highways Ministry of Public Works of the Republic of Indonesia, axle load calculated in equivalent-number, or known as equivalent axle load (EAL), of 8.16 tons of standard axle. Total equivalent-number over the service life …

Earthquake Damage Intensity Relationship For Residential Houses In West Sumatra, Febrin Anas Ismail, Abdul Hakam, Fauzan Fauzan

Makara Journal of Technology

The Sumatra 30 September 2009 earthquake has damaged hundred thousand buildings in West Sumatra Province. The earthquake is located in 100 km offshore of Padang City, the Capital City of the province. Survey has been conducted to assess the damage of the building in few days after the earthquake. In this survey, the damage of buildings are categorised into 3 level that are heavily, moderate and slightly damages. This paper explores the level damage of building and then the intensity of the shaking in the affected area. Then based on the coordinate of every building location, the buildings are scattered …

Evaluation Of Universitas Indonesia’S Recharge Pond Performance And Potential Utilization For Raw Water Source, Nyoman Suwartha, Resky Agaslian Pramadin

Makara Journal of Technology

Evaluasi Kinerja Waduk Resapan UI dan Potensi Pemanfaatannya sebagai Sumber Air Baku. Waduk resapan Universitas Indonesia (UI) telah dibangun sejak 5 tahun yang lalu. Namun kegiatan monitoring dan evaluasinya sangat minim dilakukan. Tujuan dari studi ini adalah untuk mengetahui laju resapan, dan untuk mengevaluasi kondisi kuantitas dan kualitas air waduk resapan selama musim kemarau dan penghujan. Pengukuran kedalaman muka air, intensitas curah hujan dan penguapan dilakukan untuk menentukan ketersediaan air, laju resapan, dan imbangan air waduk. Sejumlah air permukaan diambil dari waduk resapan dan sungai di tiga titik sampling untuk mengetahui kondisi kualitas air eksisting. Hasil studi menunjukkan tidak ada …

Effect Of Methanol Induction And Incubation Time On Expression Of Human Erythropoietin In Methylotropic Yeast Pichia Pastoris, Adi Santoso, Neng Herawati, Yana Rubiana

Makara Journal of Technology

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone consists of 165 amino acids and has molecular mass of 30,400 Daltons. The large quantities of these hormone required to satisfy clinical demand are currently met by recombinant expression in mammalian cell, namely chinese hamster ovary (CHO). Pichia pastoris has become popular yeast based protein production systems to substitute mammalian expression systems. P. pastoris is capable to use methanol as sole carbon and energy source. In this study, recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) protein obtained by expressing the hEPO gene in methylotropic yeast P. pastoris, strain X33. The present work was carried out to study …

Fuel Saving Strategy In Spark Ignition Engine Using Fuzzy Logic Engine Torque Control, Aris Triwiyatno, Sumardi Sumardi

Makara Journal of Technology

In the case of injection gasoline engine, or better known as spark ignition engines, an effort to improve engine performance as well as to reduce fuel consumption is a fairly complex problem. Generally, engine performance improvement efforts will lead to increase in fuel consumption. However, this problem can be solved by implementing engine torque control based on intelligent regulation such as the fuzzy logic inference system. In this study, fuzzy logic engine torque regulation is used to control the throttle position entered by the driver to achieve optimal engine torque. An engine torque vs. throttle position and engine speed mapping …

An Agri-Food Supply Chain Model To Enhance The Business Skills Of Small-Scale Farmers Using Corporate Social Responsibility, Wahyudi Sutopo, Muh. Hisjam, Yuniaristanto Yuniaristanto

Makara Journal of Technology

In general, small-scale vegetable farmers experience problems in improving the safety and quality of vegetables for supplying high-class consumers in modern retailers. Farmer Group and/or Cooperative (FGC) should be able to assist its members to meet the relevant provisions of modern retail on product specifications, delivery terms, and internal business requirements. This study proposed an agri-food supply chain (ASC) model that involves the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to enhance the business skills of the FGC as supplier of modern retailer. Multi-objective optimization programming is developed to determine the amount and timing of supply, level of farmers training skills, quality …

The Solar Thermal Decoupled Electrolysis Of Water Process: An Investigation Of The Electrochemistry In A Base, Jessica Guertin

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

The solar research team at Valparaiso University is developing solar thermal chemical processes that will transform solar energy into economically viable and reusable energy forms. One subgroup is working on the Solar Thermal Decoupled Electrolysis of Water Process. In this multi-step process, the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen occurs at room temperature outside of the solar reactor, and it is facilitated by the oxidation of magnetite (Fe3O4) to hematite (Fe2O3). The hematite is then pumped to the solar reactor where it is reduced back to magnetite at high temperatures with the liberation of oxygen. This cycle is then repeated. …