Electro-Mechanical Systems Commons^™

High Performance Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells With Novel Electrode Architecture, Yu Chen, Qian Liu, Zhibin Yang, Fanglin Chen, Minfang Han

Faculty Publications

In this study, we have fabricated high performance low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) with both acicular anodes and cathodes with thin Gd-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte film. The acicular Ni-Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O_2−δ (Ni-GDC) anode was prepared using freeze drying tape casting, while the hierarchically porous cathode with nano-size Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ (SSC) particles covering an acicular GDC skeleton was prepared by a combination of freeze drying tape casting and self-rising approaches. The acicular electrodes with 5–200 μm pores/channels enhance mass transport, while SSC particles of about 50 nm in the cathode promote …

Formula Sae Turbocharger Engine Development, Eric Griess, Kevin Mccutcheon, Matthew Roberts, William Chan

Mechanical Engineering

This project, Formula SAE Turbocharger System Development, was sponsored by the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Formula SAE team. The team proposed this project in order to have a powerful yet lightweight engine so they can be extremely competitive at their competition. The baseline output of the single cylinder 450cc engine (2006 Yamaha WR450F) was 46 horsepower and 27 ft-lb of torque. The goal of this project was to increase the output of that engine to 60 horsepower and 35 ft-lb through the use of a turbocharger.

Design, Construction, And Evaluation Of An Automated Chicken Coop Door, Kyle Inks

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project takes a look into the design, construction, and evaluation of an automated chicken coop door. The idea and need for such a door came from my mother Jan Inks. The parameters for the project include, low production cost, easy installation on existing coops, sleek design, automatically open at a set time in the morning, and automatically close at a set time in the evening.

Benchmarking Of A Single-Cylinder Engine Toward The Development Of A Direct Fuel-Injection System, Michael J. Nienhuis

Masters Theses

In this study, the performance and efficiency of a single-cylinder gasoline, fourstroke cycle engine was benchmarked in support of the Formula SAE student project. The development of an engine test stand, instrumentation, data acquisition, and test plan is described in detail. Experimental results in the areas of engine performance and efficiency are discussed. Physical test data were used to refine a previous model of a single-cylinder, gasoline, direct-injection engine. Results from this effort are discussed and compared to those obtained in a preliminary study. The current work advances the development of more efficient power-train technologies for application in small displacement …

California Olive Ranch Hedger, Tyler Enos, Seth Abbott, David Gamba

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the problems of the current KCI (Kingsburg Cultivator Incorporated) olive tree hedger in use at California Olive Ranch (COR) in Artois, CA, and then correct these problems which should yield a better performing, more efficient, and reliable machine. These problems include: the hydraulic oil temperature getting too high, the saw blades not having enough horsepower, and poor cutting performance due to operator error as well as terrain variations.

Formula Hybrid Drivetrain Design, Zachary (Zak) Mcfarland, Alex Pruitt, William Domhart

Mechanical Engineering

The Formula Hybrid senior project group was tasked with designing and building a drivetrain system for the Cal Poly Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Hybrid (FHSAE) team. FHSAE gave customer requirements for performance and geometry for the drivetrain and the FHSAE rulebook has guidelines regarding safety requirements. The team chose to compete in the electric category of the 2012 FHSAE competition. After getting feedback from previous car performance and researching different powertrain options, the senior project team arrived at three conceptual ideas. Using a quality function deployment method, the senior project team chose the concept where two motors independently …

A New Approach For The Preparation Of Variable Valence Rare Earth Alloys From Nano Rare Earth Oxides At A Low Temperature In Molten Salt, Milin Zhang, Yongde Yan, Wei Han, Xing Li, Zhiyao Hou, Yang Tian, Ke Ye, Lihong Bao, Xiaodong Li, Zhijian Zhang

Faculty Publications

The solubility of RE₂O₃ (RE = Eu, Sm, and Yb) with variable valence in molten salts is extremely low. It is impossible to directly obtain variable valence metals or alloys from RE₂O₃ using electrolysis in molten salts. We describe a new approach for the preparation of variable valence rare earth alloys from nano rare earth oxide. The excellent dispersion of nano–Eu₂O₃ in LiCl–KCl melts was clearly observed using a luminescent feature of Eu³⁺ as a probe. The ratio of solubility of nano-Sm₂O₃/common Sm₂O_{3 …}

Vibration-Based Health Monitoring Of Multiple-Stage Gear Train And Differential Planetary Transmission Involving Teeth Damage And Backlash Nonlinearity, Andrew Patrick Sommer

Master's Theses

The objective of this thesis is to develop vibration-based fault detection strategies for on-line condition monitoring of gear transmission systems. The study divides the thesis into three sections. First of all, the local stresses created by a root fatigue crack on a pinion spur gear are analyzed using a quasi-static finite element model and non-linear contact mechanics simulation. Backlash between gear teeth which is essential to provide better lubrication on tooth surfaces and to eliminate interference is included as a defect and a necessary part of transmission design. The second section is dedicated to fixed axis power trains. Torsional vibration …

Thrust-Vector Control, Dane Larkin, Harsimran Singh

Mechanical Engineering

Mission Statement

The purpose of this project is to design, build, and test a thrust-vectoring rocket nozzle which will aid in controlling the trajectory of a solid-booster rocket. The system prototype must meet the requirements set forth by the sponsoring enterprise.

The Enterprise

Stellar Exploration is a small space systems technology company located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Stellar Exploration is currently seeking a thrust-vectoring system for its Silver Sword rocket.

Project Scope

The design and analysis portion of this project accounted for a system that would be mounted on to a rocket for operational flight. Therefore, this team has …

Structure Climbing Monkey Robot, Paul Bessent

Master's Theses

This report describes the design, building, and testing of the Structure Climbing Monkey Robot (SCMR). It is composed of seven successive joints and linkages with two grippers at the two ends. Each gripper can act as the base or the end of the robot. The SCMR has the ability to climb any structure. The gripper plates can be changed to grab different kinds of structures, but this one is made to grab 2x4‘s. A program was written to assist the user to grab four non-coplanar, non-orthogonal points.

The SCMR is actuated by a total of nine motors: two to open …

A Review Of Variable Valve Timing Devices, Paul Shelton

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Variable valve timing (VVT) has evolved from simple, manual controlled engine management to automatic, electronic works of engineering. Starting from the need for more power and extending into fuel efficiency and low emissions, VVT has evolved from the constant changing of needs. This paper summarizes various devices used to control the timing of valves from the early 1920s up until 2007.

Restart Capabilities Of Hybrid Rocket Motor Utilizing Gaseous Propane And Oxygen Injection System, Joseph Gracy

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hybrid rockets have become an increasingly popular application in professional and amateur rocketry for their outstanding performance and reliability. An issue pressing the marketability and functionality of these rockets is the ability to restart with an exclusive system after primary ignition. Research and development of a system that can be used reliably in either application to achieve restart under various conditions has been made recently using dual injection of GOX and C3H8 using a 200kV ignition system while implementing a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) formable polymer as primary fuel. The system used a manual valve arrangement for control. The design features most …

Development Of Miniature Hybrid Rockets For Orbital Upkeep And Transfer Applications In Nano/Pico-Satellites, Derek Willingham

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research has developed and constructed a successful miniature hybrid rocket test assembly for research into hybrid rocket scaling issues. It is hoped that such systems will find eventual integration into small satellites. The test assembly houses 3" fuel grains and provides an inlet for gaseous oxidizer. Although far from complete, preliminary data were taken with PMMA and GOx and some useful conclusions were drawn that will benefit future research into this topic. Fuel grains with combustion chambers whose diameters range from 1/16" to 3/8" were tested at different flow rates and thrust data gathered. Maximum flow information was gathered …

Socio-Economic Impacts Of Computer Viruses In Tanzania, M Victor

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper reports on a research project conducted with an objective of identifying and assessing various approaches used by different computer users (Management, System Administrators and end users) in Tanzania to combat computer viruses (CVs), and to assess users' awareness level on CVs. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the awareness level on CVs to the Tanzanian business community; analyze the socio -economic impact caused by CVs in Tanzania and; assess existing methods, capacity and limitations on controlling CVs in Tanzania. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interview from financial institutions such as NBC and BOT, and telecommunications sector …

Mechanics Of Hydrogenated Amorphous Carbon Deposits From Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition Of Paraffin Precursor, W. Ding, D. A. Dikin, X. Chen, R. D. Piner, R. S. Ruoff, E. Zussman, X. Wang, Xiaodong Li

Faculty Publications

Many experiments on the mechanics of nanostructures require the creation of rigid clamps at specific locations. In this work, electron-beam-induced deposition(EBID) has been used to depositcarbonfilms that are similar to those that have recently been used for clamping nanostructures. The film deposition rate was accelerated by placing a paraffin source of hydrocarbon near the area where the EBIDdeposits were made. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, secondary-ion-mass spectrometry, and nanoindentation were used to characterize the chemical composition and the mechanics of the carbonaceous deposits. The typical EBIDdeposit was found to be hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) having …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Analytical And Fea Analysis Of Silicon Micro-Machined Capacitive Pressure Sensor, Eoghan O'Donoghue

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the electro-mechanical characterisation of MEMS capacitive pressure sensors and the determination of models to describe their behaviour.

The finite element software package ANSYS is validated as a tool for the examination of the electro-mechanical behaviour of capacitive pressure sensors. It is then used to incorporate the effects of applied load, voltage and residual stress into a model of the sensor structure. The capacitive pressure sensor is modelled both in 3D and also in 2D axis-symmetric modes. The error between the 2D and 3D models is quantified.

The behaviour of structures under electrostatic actuation is investigated. …

Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Vibration is one of the techniques employed in the determination of dynamic properties of fruits and vegetables. It entails generation of a mechanical or acoustic vibrational signal which is propagated through the flesh of the agricultural material. A transducer is either attached or held close to the specimen to monitor the propagation of the signal through the specimen. The manner in which the signal is transmitted through the material is analyzed, and the dynamic properties of the specimen which relate to its firmness or its internal being are derived. The technique has been around for the past 30 years or …

Australian Tractor Test Report No. 53 : Chamberlain Countryman 354, G H. Vasey, W. F. Baillie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

AUSTRALIAN TRACTOR TEST REPORT

No. 53 - CHAMBERLAIN COUNTRYMAN 354

THE Chamberlain Countryman 354 is a broad-acres cultivation tractor of 77 drawbar horsepower with 87 h.p. at the P.T.O.

Australian Tractor Test Report No. 52 : Chamberlain Champion 306, G H. Vasey, W. F. Baillie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

AUSTRALIAN TRACTOR TEST REPORT

No. 52 - CHAMBERLAIN CHAMPION 306

THE Chamberlain Champion 306 is a general purpose farm tractor of 57 drawbar horsepower with 68 h.p. at the P.T.O.

A Study Of Five Commercial Electric Stoves, A. E. Baragar, Edna B. Snyder

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

Five commercial electric stoves having major variations in types of surface units, in the construction, lining, and insulation of the oven, and in the retail price were studied to determine (1) the efficiency and time of heating of the various surface units, and (2) the merits of differently constructed ovens.