Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

A Probabilistic Model And A Software Tool For Avcs Longitudinal Collision/Safety Analysis, H.-S. Jacob Tsao, Randolph Hall

Faculty Publications

This paper develops a probabilistic model and a software tool for analyzing longitudinal collision/safety between two automated vehicles. The input parameters are the length of the gap between the two vehicles, the common speed prior to the failure, the reaction delay of the following vehicle and a bivariate pint distribution of the deceleration rates of the two vehicles. The output includes the probability of a collision and also the probability distribution of the relative speed at collision time.We will use this model to compare the safety consequences associated with the platooning and "free-agent" vehicle-following rules. We will also demonstrate that …

Multidimensional Approach To Implementation Of Continuous Process Improvement Utilizing Small Run Analysis In A Shipyard Environment, Paul Ray Hollandsworth

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nationally, both public and private shipyards are experiencing a high rework rate (over 40%) in the fabrication of plug connectors used for electronic systems onboard Navy vessels. The shipyard's survival depends on acquiring the elements necessary to maintain a major industry in a position of continuous improvement that produces a better product than their competitors, at less cost, in a safe manner, and on schedule.

This research addresses the complex problem of how to introduce quality control methodologies within a job shop environment that assists in identifying variables that influence the rework rate of plug fabrication process over a four …

Reliability Trend Analyses With Statistical Confidence Limits Using The Luke Reliability Trend Chart, Stephen R. Luke

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In electronic systems, it is interesting to understand exactly how the reliability is changing with time. Dynamic performance changes when a system passes from infant mortality stage into useful life phase and when the system passes from useful life phase into wearout phase. Dynamic performance also changes when the system is redesigned or when the system is acted on by a number of other outside forces such as a change in maintenance policy, escalation of alignment problems, or a change in training program. It is important to know when a system is changing dynamically in order to assess design, policy …

A Two-Stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (Icbm) Design Optimization Study And Life Cycle Cost Analysis, David P. Blanks, Douglas M. Bruce, Anthony M. Logue, Ralph A. Sandfry, Stephen J. Skotte, Michael L. Zywien

Theses and Dissertations

Realities of recent changes in the fiscal environment and the international domestic security structure have caused the strategic community to make some difficult decisions to preserve the capability of the current ICBM force. One of these decisions is to view Minuteman Ill as the centerpiece of the strategic force well into the next century. Extending the life of the 24-year- old Minuteman III system requires system solutions that provide required performance at an affordable life cycle cost. The intent of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of designing a 2-stage ICBM to perform the Minuteman III mission. The main …

Integrated Blade Inspection System (Ibis) Upgrade Study, Tony J. Deliberato, Steven W. Perkins, Steven K. Saplin, John G. Snyder, Gregory J. Toussaint

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this design study was to identify ways to improve the Integrated Blade Inspection System. The Air Force requires inspection of jet engine compressor and turbine blades to locate defects and prevent engine failure. The current inspection process uses fluorescent penetrant as an aid to identify cracked blades. A systems engineering design process was applied to evaluate the current inspection techniques and to develop alternative methods to satisfy the Air Force requirements. Three different inspection systems were developed and compared to the current process: manual, semi-automated, and fully automated inspection. This study made several noteworthy contributions: development of …

A Comparison Of Computer And Paper Media In Psychological Testing, Anthony C. Hensley, Timothy R. Morris

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined differences based on computer and paper modes of administration in psychological testing. The hypotheses tested were the expectations that scores on the computer Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT) would be higher than the paper version and subjects would report higher levels on the computer Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) scales. A counterbalance experimental design with two experimental groups was used. The subjects were volunteers from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and Wright State University (WSU); 90 subjects completed the study. This included 75 students from AFIT and 15 from WSU; 69 subjects were male and 21 were …

Domain Limitations And Interface Requirements For Expert Developed Knowledge Based Systems, Bernard Lee Lewis

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The expanded use of graphical, case-based and object oriented techniques in expert systems creation has made it more practical for domain experts to develop their own applications. This thesis focuses on the elements necessary in an expert/developer interface and looks at various forms and techniques that exemplify such an approach. The spreadsheet metaphor is used for an interface or managed set of interfaces that a domain expert can use in building his own expert system or prototype. criteria are established for such interfaces and recent commercial offerings that make expert-created knowledge-bases more practical are reviewed for techniques that qualify. Approaches …

A Robust Approach To Human-Computer Interface Design Using The Taguchi Method, Billie Mitchell Reed

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The application of Dr. Genichi Taguchi's approach for design optimization, called Robust Design, to the design of human-computer interface software is investigated. The Taguchi Method is used to select a near optimum set of interface design alternatives to improve user acceptance of the resulting interface software product with minimum sensitivity to uncontrollable noise caused by human behavioral characteristics.

Design alternatives for interaction with personal micro-computers are identified. Several important and representative alternatives are chosen as design parameters for the Taguchi matrix experiment. A noise field with three human behavioral characteristics as noise factors were chosen as a representative noise array. …

An Unsolicited Sociotechnical Intervention In A Public System: A Participatory Action Research Approach, Ely Alfred Dorsey Jr.

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research concerns itself with Participatory Action Research in a hostile setting. The thrust is a sociotechnical one, with the intent being to enhance the capacity of the Wallop Public School System, Wallop, USA, to address its problem of racial disparate treatment of Black children. The potential for Organizational Learning among the school system's senior staff is studied. Some new theory about such hostile interventions is proposed. Also discussed are questions about reliability and construct validity within the context of the multiple role playing that an interventionist has in this setting. The role of the press is reflected in the …

Information Technology And Wealth: Cybernetics, History And Economics, Elin Whitney-Smith

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Capitalism developed where and when it did because there was high information access. There was high information access because of a major advance in information technology--the press. Where the technology was not controlled by the "powers that be" there was economic growth and a shift in the entire social structure. Where it was controlled there was no structural change and there was economic ruin. The development of capitalism is a major step change in economic growth. It is also a major change in the way people organize themselves into groups.

Major step changes in the growth and in the organization …

Comparison Of Digital Controllers Used In Magnetic Suspension And Balance Systems, William A. Kilgore

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Dynamic systems that were once controlled by analog circuits are now controlled by digital computers. Presented is a comparison of the digital controllers presently used with magnetic suspension and balance systems. The overall responses of the systems are compared using a computer simulation of the magnetic suspension and balance system and the digital controllers. The comparisons include responses to both simulated force and position inputs. A preferred digital controller is determined from the simulated responses.

An Assessment Of Just-In-Time Manufacturing, Ronald E. O'Meara

Graduate Research Papers

Manufacturing of materials into useable products has changed dramatically since the Industrial Revolution. The United States dominated the manufacturing arena until the early 1970s. After that period, efforts of global competitors in such areas as quality control and productivity, started to surpass the efforts made by the United Stated in these same areas. For the first time, U.S. manufacturers started sensing the pressure of competition. The United Stated is using its competitive advantage over other nations in the manufacturing segment. Part of this loss is a result of the way the U.S. manufacturers are conducting their business. A larger part …

Planning For The On-Orbit Servicing Of Military Spacecraft, Michael E. Russell, Robert M. Tayloe

Theses and Dissertations

On-orbit spacecraft servicing for military programs is examined. The military community appears to be somewhat reticent to embrace or, in some cases, to even consider on-orbit servicing. The civilian community appears enthusiastic about the potential of on-orbit servicing and the majority of economic studies of civilian missions show servicing strategies to be an attractive alternative to most expendable spacecraft strategies. A model called SATSERV is presented. This model can be used to conduct economic comparisons from an overall standpoint between expendable and servicing strategies. The model is implemented in a microcomputer spreadsheet format for rapid implementation and application along with …

Polynomial Approximations To Mooring Forces In Equations Of Low-Frequency Vessel Motions, Bohdan W. Oppenheim, P. A. Wilson

Systems Engineering Faculty Works

Multivariate polynomial approximations are considered to the coupled nonlinear mooring forces acting on a vessel moored with multileg moorings. The objective is to yield explicit forms of equations of the low-frequency vessel motions, since the exact mooring forces are known numerically only. Such forms could then be used for analytical solutions of the equations of motion. It is shown that the polynomials lack sufficient generality and accuracy for this purpose, and hence solution of the problem can be considered only by the exact method.

Static 2-D Solution Of A Mooring Line Of Arbitrary Composition In The Vertical And Horizontal Operating Modes, Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Systems Engineering Faculty Works

A theoretical static solution is reported for a two-dimensional mooring line having an arbitrary multi-segment composition of wires, chains, synthetic ropes and buoys. The segments can be buoyant, neutrally buoyant or heavier than water, and they can be nonlinearly stretchable. The buoys can be of constant positive and negative buoyancy, thus representing submerged buoys and hung weights. A mooring line can operate in the 'horizontal' or slack mode, and in the 'vertical' or 'tension-moor' mode. In the former cese, a surface-floating 'spring-buoy' is allowed, as well as a linear slope of the sea bottom at the anchor.

Low-Frequency Dynamics Of Moored Vessels, Bohdan W. Oppenheim, P. A. Wilson

Systems Engineering Faculty Works

Three complete theories of the low-frequency dynamics of ships and disks moored with multileg mooring systems in deep water are derived, evaluated, and computerized. One theory is nonlinear; it includes the effects of cubic damping, nonlinear mooring forces and the excitation-yaw motion feedback, and it is handled by simulation. It yields random, regular and transient records, probabilities and statistics, exact and linearized transfer functions, and spectra of responses. The second theory is linear, solved in the frequency domain. The third is a static theory, which is a by-product of the linear one. Mooring lines of arbitrary compositions are considered.

The Biology Instrument For The Viking Mars Mission, Frederick S. Brown, H.E. Adelson, M.C. Chapman, O.W. Clausen, A.J. Cole, J.T. Cragin, R.J. Day, C.H. Debenham, R.E. Fortney, R.I. Gilje, D.W. Harvey, J.L. Kropp, S.J. Loer, J.L. Logan, Jr., W.D. Potter, G.T. Rosniak

Systems Engineering Faculty Works

Two Viking spacecraft have successfully soft landed on the surface of Mars. Each carries, along with other scientific instruments, one biology laboratory with three different experiments designed to search for evidence of living microorganisms in material sampled from the Martian surface. This 15.5-kg biology instrument which occupies a volume of almost 28.3 dm3 is the first to carry out an in situ search for extraterrestrial life on a planet. The three experiments are called the pyrolytic release, labeled release, and gas exchange. The pyrolytic release experiment has the capability to measure the fixation of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide into …

Efficiency Of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, T C. Calder

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

Shallow-rooted vegetable crops growing on sandy soils in hot, often windy summer weather, pose a difficult watering problem for most Western Australian vegetable growers.

Irregularities in wetting patterns are common. Wind effects are seldom taken into account in system design. The increasing popularity of knocker-type sprinklers makes these considerations particularily important.

Eight Tractors In The 35-45 H.P. Class. Part 1, W F. Baillie, G. H. Vasey

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

Summary report of tests on tractors in the 35-45 h.p. class by the Australian Tractor Testing Committee, based on Tractor Tests Nos. 38 to 45. Part 1