Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls Commons^™

Me3329 Modular Phonograph Gearbox, Garrett Andrik Leighton, Preston Robert Hupe, Gavin Carter Ebner, Andrew Renato Reyes

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), seeks to develop a laboratory tool allowing students to reinforce concepts of gears for Mechanical Systems Design (ME329). Some current laboratories do not provide students with hands-on interaction, and the department lacks equipment and documentation to support a standardized lab. With ME329 expanding from ten to fifteen weeks, there is an opportunity to create a physical gearbox design lab allowing students to reinforce lecture material in engaging ways, while standardizing student learning. This senior project is presented and sponsored by Professor Alan Zhang. It will be …

Wearable Sensor System Used To Measure Linear And Angular Acceleration Of The Head Of American Football Players, David A. Emerson

LSU Master's Theses

American football players are repeatedly subject to high-velocity impacts; collisions can exceed 100 g in the NFL [1]. Rotational accelerations of the head caused by high-velocity collisions have been proven to be extremely damaging to the highly organized brain fibers at the brain-skull interface [2]. The sensor system (SS) measures the nonplanar acceleration at four locations on a chin strap using ADXL314 accelerometers and utilizes rigid-body kinematics to estimate the head rotational state from the measured acceleration of the SS [3]. The SS was validated through progressive testing, including steady-state, linear impact, and rotational impact testing. The ADLX314 sensor exhibited …

Deep Learning Based Control System For Multi-Zone Hvac Residential Buildings, Mohammad H. Z. Alghalayeeni

Mechanical Engineering Theses

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are major contributors to residential energy consumption. However, most homes continue to rely on single zone thermostat control, which regulates temperature based on a single sensor and cannot account for thermal variations across multiple rooms. This often leads to uneven thermal conditions and inefficient energy use in multi-zone residential buildings. This thesis presents a deep reinforcement learning based approach for improving HVAC zoning control through dynamic airflow distribution. A physics based multi zone thermal model of a residential house was developed to simulate heat transfer processes including conduction, convection, solar and internal heat …

Teleoperated Robotic Arm With Vision-Based Imitation Learning, Favour E. Emmanuel, Hunter J. Donahue

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report presents the design, development, and deployment of a teleoperated robotic arm system capable of vision-based imitation learning. The system uses a leader-follower architecture with myArm C650 and myArm M750 robots manufactured by Elephant Robotics. The leader arm movement is controlled by the operator, whereas the follower performs actions acquired from demonstrations. Data collection included synchronized joint-angle recording and multi- camera video streams capturing human demonstrations.

These demonstrations were processed with a deep learning imitation algorithm called Action Chunking with Transformers (ACT). The main capability of this algorithm is its ability to make future action predictions based solely on …

Akron Soap Box Derby Super Kids Car, Alexis Schultz, Cooper Sites, Sean Stevenson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to redesign the All-American Soap Box Derby Super Kids vehicle to enhance safety, accessibility, and performance while maintaining full compliance with official regulations. The Super Kids program enables children with physical and cognitive disabilities to race alongside a co-pilot, but the current vehicle design presents challenges in stability, entry/exit accessibility, and control—especially following recent regulation changes that increased vehicle speed. The redesigned car will focus on improved ergonomics, lightweight construction, and structural integrity within a $1,000 budget and a 165 lb weight limit.

An iterative engineering design process will guide the project through research, CAD modeling, FEA …

Stability Analysis Of Thermohaline Convection With A Time-Varying Shear Flow Using The Lyapunov Method, Kalin Kochnev

Honors Scholar Theses

This work applies the Lyapunov method to identify instabilities and compute the growth rate of a linear time-varying system. The linear system studied describes cold fresh water on top of hot salty water with a periodically time-varying background shear flow. A time-dependent weighting matrix is employed to construct a Lyapunov function candidate. The resulting linear matrix inequalities are discretized in time using the forward Euler method. As the number of temporal discretization points increases, the growth rate predicted by the Lyapunov method or Floquet theory, used for comparison, will converge to the same value obtained from numerical simulations. Furthermore, the …

An Engineering Solution For Fan Aeroacoustics Measurements Correction In A Non-Anechoic Testing Environment, Saad-Eldin Taha, Mohamed Y.Zakaria, Mohamed Abdelgaied, M.M. Bassuoni Prof. Dr.

Journal of Engineering Research

Abstract- Nowadays, acoustic signatures of daily used applications are to be minimized. The study of noise generated through aerodynamic interaction with moving bodies has passed through different phases since the early 50s, and this leads to the evolvement of many analytical, empirical and computational techniques in order to be able to estimate the emitted noise. Concerning fan blades, until now the researches are still going for a reliable method for noise estimation during the early phases of design which help in the development of blades with a lower aeroacoustic signature, the Brooks, Pope and Marcolini (BPM) model was chosen to …

Brush Seal Cycling Test Rig, Angelo J. Reis, Neil M. Bedagkar, Max A. Soury, Eoin K. Lenham

Mechanical Engineering

To prevent backflow from the high pressure compressor stages of their gas turbines to lower pressure regions, Solar Turbines utilizes brush seals along their driveshafts. Due to manufacturing limitations, no shaft is perfectly symmetric about its rotating axis, leading to orbiting that creates asymmetric friction on the shaft through rubbing. With this biased application of friction comes a hotspot on one side of the shaft, causing bowing of the shaft and cascading into an amplified vibrational response. Our goal is to gather data on this phenomenon and offer a potential solution.

Reconfigurable Python Autopilot Software For Rc Aircraft, Kate Doiron

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Numerical Simulation Of Airflow Properties Of The Naca 6420 Airfoil Using The Transition Rans K-Ε Model, Oluwaseyi O. Alabi, Saidat A. Salisu, Oyeyemi T. Aforolagba -Balogun, Temitope A. Ladigbolu, Ayotunde O. Fasina, Anas Bala

Al-Bahir

This study investigates the airflow properties around the airfoil using numerical simulation, addressing the longstanding challenge of accurately predicting transition phenomena in turbulent flows. The importance of this research lies in its potential to improve the design and performance of airfoils in various engineering applications, such as wind turbines, and aircraft. A custom 2-dimensional airfoil model was created using Airfoil instruments, featuring a 6% maximum curvature, 40% curvature position, and 20% thickness. COMSOL Multiphysics software performed computations at a velocity of over 19 hours, with data analyzed at 60-minute intervals. The Transition turbulent model was employed to simulate the airflow …

Modeling, Simulation, And Experimental Testing Of A Single-Legged Hopper, John Anthony Bennett

Master's Theses

Legged robots are well-suited for navigating unstructured terrain due to their ability to perform agile dynamic motions. Building on the efforts of Cal Poly's Legged Robotics Group, this project focuses on achieving stable forward hopping with a single legged robot.

A comprehensive model of leg hopping is formulated, with leg dynamics during flight and stance phases derived using Euler-Lagrange equations. During the stance phase, a spring-mass system models the leg-ground interaction. The touchdown and lift-off conditions are formulated mathematically, and state mappings between phases are determined via momentum conservation. A two-phase hybrid controller is designed, incorporating trajectory planning during flight …

Convex Approach To Data-Driven Optimal Control With Safety Constraints Using Linear Transfer Operator, Joseph Raphel Moyalan

All Dissertations

This thesis is concerned with the data-driven solution to the optimal control problem with safety constraints for a class of control-affine nonlinear systems. Designing optimal control satisfying safety constraints is a problem of interest in various applications, including robotics, power systems, transportation networks, and manufacturing. This problem is known to be non-convex. One of this thesis's main contributions is providing a convex formulation to this non-convex problem. The second main contribution is providing a data-driven framework for solving the control problem with safety constraints. The linear operator theoretic framework involving Perron-Frobenius and Koopman operators provides the convex formulation and associated …

System Identification For Motion Control Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Platform, Raj Ramesh Agarwal

Theses and Dissertations

Comprehensive research on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) system identification for motion control parameters is presented in this thesis, with a focus on the necessity of precise control and improved performance. Using Pseudorandom Binary Sequence (PRBS) and Normally Distributed Random Numbers, it presents a unique technique for excitation of UAV dynamic systems. It also shows how effective random signals are in time-domain identification for precise control in a range of flying circumstances. The piece of research includes a thorough analysis and implementation of various approaches and its further improvements, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each. These approaches include the free …

Zips Racing Electric Brakes Design, Zachary Koneval, Andrew Thompson, Cory Baczkowski

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The Zips electric racing team is a collegiate team full of engineering students to make a formula electric car that competes against other universities and their cars. But before the cars make it to competition they go through a series of tests to make sure the car is able to perform in all of the actual competition stages. One of the tests for the cars is the brakes test. Where the car has to lock up all four wheels at once and stop in a square that is on the ground. So in this report we have detailed out our …

Extending Trailer, Alex Grove

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this research project is to revolutionize the convenience in towable transportation. This innovative design aims to enhance the versatility of pull-behind trailers by incorporating an extendable feature, allowing users to effortlessly adjust the length according to their specific needs. Whether navigating tight spaces or accommodating extra cargo, our trailer adapts to diverse situations, providing unmatched flexibility. In addition to its adjustable length, the trailer is engineered to be compactable, addressing the storage constraints often faced by users with limited space. The collapsible design ensures easy storage without compromising on functionality, making it an ideal solution for individuals …

Data To Physics: Bridging Modeling Frameworks For Metastructures, Hrishikesh Suhas Gosavi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The effective attenuation of wave propagation in specific frequency ranges, known as bandgaps, makes metastructures valuable in various engineering applications. Traditionally, bandgap estimation has relied on physics-based models, which present challenges for complex metastructures where accurate material properties and geometric complexities make precise modeling difficult. This work introduces data-driven techniques for bandgap estimation, leveraging the dynamic behavior, particularly the Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) of unit cells, to calculate dispersion relations and couple unit cells through dynamic substructuring. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional methods by directly utilizing experimental data to characterize both longitudinal and flexural bandgaps.

To evaluate data-driven …

Comprehensive Review And Development Of A High-Pressure Hydraulic Impedance Tube For Vibroacoustic Attenuator Characterization, Matthew D. Beals

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This research establishes a versatile test bench for characterizing hydraulic vibroacoustic attenuators. The primary evaluation metric is the transfer matrix, determined experimentally, with an emphasis on key properties such as transmission loss. To ensure accuracy and broad applicability, the methodology is based on industry-standard techniques for determining the transfer matrix. A comprehensive literature review consolidates existing approaches for hydraulic attenuator characterization. The test bench features a hydraulic impedance tube equipped with eight dynamic pressure transducer (DPT) taps strategically positioned before and after the sample interface. This setup accommodates arbitrary samples terminated with standard hydraulic fittings. Using ASTM E2611, the transfer …

Path Planning Development Framework For Mobile Robots, Lauren-Ann Elizabeth Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Planetary exploration relies on methods of path planning to achieve autonomous navigation in hazardous environments. Simulating harsh terrain, real-time varying physics, and robotics applications is vital for testing control algorithms here on Earth. Robotics Operating System (ROS) is a set of software libraries and tools that allow you to build and simulate robotic applications. Utilizing ROS, Gazebo, and Blender, a rough terrain simulation framework is created to explore and compare path planning algorithms using various desired robots and maps. ROS supports multiple path planning algorithms given its open-source abilities. This research focuses on path planning implementation of Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control …

The Potential Of The Implementation Of Offline Robotic Programming Into Automation-Related Pedagogy, Max Rios Carballo, Xavier Brown

Publications and Research

In this study, the offline programming tool RoboDK is used to program industrial robots for the automation sector. The study explores the feasibility of using this non-disruptive robot programming software for classroom use; assesses how well RoboDK can be used to program various robots used in the industry; creates and tests various applications; and pinpoints technical obstacles that prevent a smooth link between offline programming and actual robots. Initial results indicate that RoboDK is an effective tool for deploying its offline programming code to a Universal Robot, UR3e. There are many potential for advanced applications. The goal of the project …

Development Of Mirror Flexures For Use In The Muvi Instrument, Colin W. Harrop

Master's Theses

The Miniaturized Ultraviolet Imager (MUVI), is a compact wide field UV imaging instrument in development at UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. MUVI is designed to fit in a 2U CubeSat form factor and provide wide field, high resolution images of the ionosphere at far ultraviolet wavelengths. This thesis details the design and analyses of MUVI’s deployable cover mirror mounting flexures. Three different flexure geometries were evaluated, an optimal candidate was determined based on a number of criteria including isolation of vibration and stress to the mirrors, manufacturability and cost. The design of the flexure …

Mechanical Energy Harvester For Powering Rfid Systems Components: Modeling, Analysis, Optimization And Design, Alireza Babaei

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Finding alternative power sources has been an important topic of study worldwide. It is vital to find substitutes for finite fossil fuels. Such substitutes may be termed renewable energy sources and infinite supplies. Such limitless sources are derived from ambient energy like wind energy, solar energy, sea waves energy; on the other hand, smart cities megaprojects have been receiving enormous amounts of funding to transition our lives into smart lives. Smart cities heavily rely on smart devices and electronics, which utilize small amounts of energy to run. Using batteries as the power source for such smart devices imposes environmental and …

Mechanical Design Of A Microwave Imaging Device For Breast Cancer Detection In Mri Scanners, Grace M. Player

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This project seeks to develop an updated version of a microwave imaging device for use in conjunction with breast MRI, improving upon existing technology and developing novel concepts for the device. It posits three primary redesign targets for updating the previous system: resizing the system height, making the device more iteration- friendly, and improving the overall manufacturability of the device by replacing custom components with commercially available alternatives. All three of these redesign targets are met in the new design, V2.0. The height is reduced by reducing antenna travel and height, embedding some components, and shortening the tank wall, resulting …

Novel Hitch Cargo Cart, Cesilio Sanchez Ramirez, Lance Haidet, Richard Lontoc, Tyler Selinka

Mechanical Engineering

This document presents the engineering design process used to develop, manufacture, and test a new and improved iteration of a hitch cart prototype. This process was performed by a team of four mechanical engineering seniors as part of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s senior design pathway. The goal of this project was to develop a sturdy and reliable iteration of our sponsor’s hitch cart prototype, that integrated the functionality of a vehicle hitch cargo platform and that of a height adjustable cargo cart into a single streamlined and easy to use product. This design could be used by …

Modeling, Control And Estimation Of Reconfigurable Cable Driven Parallel Robots, Adhiti Raman Thothathri

All Dissertations

The motivation for this thesis was to develop a cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) as part of a two-part robotic device for concrete 3D printing. This research addresses specific research questions in this domain, chiefly, to present advantages offered by the addition of kinematic redundancies to CDPRs. Due to the natural actuation redundancy present in a fully constrained CDPR, the addition of internal mobility offers complex challenges in modeling and control that are not often encountered in literature.

This work presents a systematic analysis of modeling such kinematic redundancies through the application of reciprocal screw theory (RST) and Lie algebra while …

Novelty Ice Cream Assembly Prototype, Mason Sylvester, Logan Williamson, Alvaro Martinez, Adin Gilman-Cohen

Mechanical Engineering

Cool Beans USA is a novelty ice cream startup company founded by Keith Zachow. In the winter of 2022, our team began working with Mr. Zachow to develop a machine to automate parts of the production process for his product. This product consists of two hemispherical ice-cream cone shell halves filled with soft serve ice cream and pressed together. The assembled pods are around the size and shape of a small walnut and are intended to be sold in stores as a frozen finger food. At the time of project inception, this product was in its early stages and was …

Baby Soothing Device, Grace Kalene Mekrut, Matteo Gozzini, Miles Angel Ibarra, Christian Joel Roberts

Mechanical Engineering

This document is the official final design review for the Baby Soothing Device. This product is intended to help families sleep throughout the night by allowing a baby to be soothed back to sleep without constant and direct parental interaction. It is maintained by Mechanical Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Dustin Yoder, the project sponsor. The purpose of this document is to present the design process from ideation to finished design in great enough detail that its manufacturing procedure may be replicated if desired. This document further explains all the research, testing, and benchmarks …

Aerodynamics And Vibrations Of A Helicopter Rotor Blade, Mohammad Khairul Habib Pulok

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The nature of the aerodynamic environment surrounding a helicopter causes a significant amount of vibration to its whole body. Among different sources of vibrations, the aerodynamic loading on the main rotor blade is the major contributor. Therefore, analyzing a rotor blade's vibration characteristics and aerodynamic behavior becomes essential. The vortex characteristics and the wake surrounding a helicopter rotor blade play an important role because they affect the aerodynamic behavior of the rotor blade. An advanced mathematical and computational model of rotor wake and blade vortex gives a better understanding of the helicopter rotor dynamics. This study develops computational models of …

Interactive Lego Girl Scout Arm, Chris Suzuki, Emi Okuyama, Bryson Shores, Karina Sandoval

Mechanical Engineering

This Senior Project Report document outlines the senior design project for Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) led by a team of four Mechanical Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The project encompasses the researching, designing, prototyping, and testing of a LEGO robotic arm for the Girl Scouts to learn more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and provide support to each Girl Scouts cookie sales in their stores. Their goal was to build a LEGO robotic arm that will interact with customers at the Girl Scout stores and promote the girl scouts' interest …

Evaluating The Effects Of Granulated Rubber And Glass Fibers In Polymer Concrete As A Structural Material For Wafer Grinding Machines, Kevin Gabriel Kuehn, Philip Randall Streeter

Materials Engineering

Polymer concrete is a composite material used to replace cast iron and steel in wafer grinding machines for vibration damping. During the grinding and lapping processes of manufacturing silicon wafers, excessive vibrations may cause subsurface damage which requires additional polishing and reduces yield. Nine compositions containing various levels of granulated rubber and glass fibers were manufactured. CRM WRF-10 granulated rubber was examined at 0%, 5%, and 10% and Corning Cem-Fil glass fibers were added at 0%, 0.5%, and 1% by weight. Smooth-On EpoxAcast 690 epoxy resin was held constant at 16% for each composition. Crushed granite aggregate from Martin Marietta, …

Challenges And Signal Processing Of High Strain Rate Mechanical Testing, Barae Lamdini

Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic testing provides valuable insight into the behavior of materials undergoing fast deformation. During Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar testing, stress waves are measured using strain gauges as voltage variations that are usually very small. Therefore, an amplifier is required to amplify the data and analyze it. One of the few available amplifiers designed for this purpose is provided by Vishay Micro-Measurements which limits the user’s options when it comes to research or industry. Among the challenges of implementing the Hopkinson technology in the industry are the size and cost of the amplifier. In this work, we propose a novel design of …