M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering) / The automotive driveline design engineer is invariably confronted with a limited range of driveline components , the combination of which can result in a design which is far from optimal for vehicle overall performance. Due to the close interaction between the prime mover and the torque converter of an automotive driveline incorporating an automatic transmission , the requirement developed to be able to design or modify a torque converter to attain more optimal prime mover/torque converter interaction. Two torque converters of similar configuration formed the basis of this study. A test bench was developed to verifythe published characteristic of the torque converters under controlled conditions. A computer program was developed to analyse the performance of the specific torque converters. This program is similar to the program developed by Lamprecht [10] , which was further refined by the Buro of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. A method was established to enable accurate and consistent geometry measurement of torque converters. The analysis program was evaluated by establishing the correlation between the theoretical and published results. Based on the results further refinement was done to the analysis program. A parametric study was done based on the geometry of the larger capacity torque converter. Five components (two impellers, two turbines and a single stator) of alternative design but interchangeable with the standard components, were designed and manufactured, These components were fitted individually and tested on the test bench to establish the correlation between the experimental results and design calculations. Recommendations for further development In the field of hydrodynamic torque converters are made

Measurement of dynamic/transient torques is important in the dynamic analysis of rotating machinery as it provides insight into the internal state of the machine. Existing methods are difficult to implement, results are not obtained in real-time and are not very accurate. This thesis introduces a new method of determining real-time dynamic torque. An optical encoder is used to sense motion at a convenient point in the rotating system containing the rigid shaft of interest. The encoder's output is processed digitally to yield angular velocity, acceleration and dynamic torque. Two different experiments were conducted to demonstrate the advantages of this new method of determining dynamic torque over conventional methods. In one experiment, an extension spring was mounted on a crank arrangement coupled to a fractional horsepower motor to apply a periodic load to the system. A mathematical model of this dynamic system was developed to compare the results of this model with that of the instrumentation system. In another experiment, the instrumentation system was used on an existing motor-compressor system. The dynamic torque thus determined was again compared with the results of a simulation program. In both the above experiments the evaluated dynamic torque and computed dynamic torque were within 5% of each other, demonstrating accuracy and reliability of this personal computer based dynamic torque determining system. / Master of Science

No description available.

The thesis is concerning rotator assembly at Indexator. A need to increase production has been seen and it can be done by implementing an optimized assembly process. In addition to the assembly process a new design on workstations and new test equipment is needed.The study resulted into three assembly process proposals. The processes were balanced, layouts were produced and Plant simulation was utilized to produce simulation models. Each proposal were analyzed based on cost, performance, ease of implementation, flexibility and worker condition. This resulted in a stationary assembly process being most promising and a 3D simulation model was produced for visualization and better understanding. The stationary assembly process has a capacity for 90 rotators per day, while reducing the amount of workers by one.The layout of the workstations was done based on the assembly process layout and further developed to make the work cell lean and ergonomic. It resulted in three workstations to perform the assembly. The test bench was developed by creating target specifications, establish a test procedure and decide components for the test bench layout. The finished test bench can measure dynamic torque, count particles to ensure cleanliness and is able to run the test unattended. / Examensarbetet handlar om montering av rotatorer på Indexator. Målet är att ta fram en optimerad monteringsprocess som kan implementeras i Indexators fabrik utan svårigheter. Den nya monteringsprocessen kommer kräva en ny design på arbetsstationerna och nya testbänkar.Fyra koncept på monteringsprocessen togs fram, baserat på monteringens behov och målsättning. Efter utvärdering så modifierades de fyra koncepten till tre förslag på monteringsprocesser. Processerna balancerades, layouter utvecklades och simuleringsmodeller producerades för varje process. Varje förslag analyserades baserat på kostnad, prestanda, implementation,flexibilitet och arbetar-förhållande. Resultatet blev en stationär monteringsprocess och en 3Dsimulering gjordes för visualisering och förståelse. Den stationära monteringsprocessen har en kapacitet på 90 rotatorer per dag och reducerar behovet av montörer.Layouten för monteringsstationerna baseras på processens layout och har modifierats för ergonomiska aspekter. Inom monteringsstationerna så utvecklades layouten för att minimera antalet onödiga rörelser för montören. Testriggens design utvecklades genom att analysera de behov som fanns, skapa en kravspecifikation samt utvärdera och besluta om testprocedur, upplägg för testrigg och dess ingående komponenter. Testriggen uppfyller målsättningen som är att kunna mäta dynamiskt vridmoment, räkna partiklar för att säkerställa renhet i rotatorn och kunna utföra testningen självgående för att frigöra montören under testprogrammet.

No description available.

Two types of rotary gate microvalves are developed for flow modulation in a microfluidic system that operates at high flow rate and/or uses particulate flow. This research work encompasses design, microfabrication, and experimental evaluation of these microvalves in three distinct areas compliant micromechanism, microfluidics, and electromagnetic actuation. The microvalve consists of a suspended gate that rotates in the plane of the chip to regulate flow through the orifices. The gate is suspended by a novel fully-compliant in-plane rotary bistable micromechanism (IPRBM) that advantageously constraints the gate in all other degrees of freedom. Multiple inlet/outlet orifices provide flexibility of operating the microvalve in three different flow/port configurations. The suspended gate is made of a soft magnetic material and is electromagnetically actuated like a rotor in a variable-reluctance stepper motor. Therefore, an external electromagnetic (EM) actuation at the integrated set of posts (stator) causes the gate mass to switch from its default angular position to a second angular position. The microvalve chip is fabricated by electroplating a soft magnetic material, Permalloy (Ni80Fe20) in a sacrificial photoresist mold on a Silicon substrate. The inlet/outlet orifices are then etched into the Silicon substrate from the back-side using deep-reactive ion etch process. Finally, the gate structure is released by stripping the PR and seed layers. This research work presents the realization of a new microvalve design that is distinct from traditional diaphragm-type microvalves. The test results are encouraging and show the potential of these microvalves in effectively modulating flow in microfluidic systems that may not require a tight seal. The microvalve uses a novel in-plane rotary bistable micromechanism that may have other applications such as optical shutters, micro-locks, and passive check valves.

This thesis describes computational control of vehicle powertrains using common variable, engine torque. The thesis is divided into three main parts. The first one shows design of methods for torque estimation using known or measured variables on the vehicle. The second part contains design of powertrain control algorithm utilizing the engine torque as a common variable among individual modules. The third part describes experimental optimization of the longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle using torque control.

Este trabalho apresenta as características básicas de uma máquina elétrica com fluxo axial, ímãs permanentes, rotor duplo e estator com enrolamentos toroidais montado entre os rotores. A máquina foi construída no Laboratório de Máquinas Elétricas, Acionamentos e Energia da Escola de Engenharia da UFRGS. O trabalho contém modelos analíticos para as induções magnéticas dos ímãs permanentes e dos enrolamentos de armadura. A partir dos modelos foram desenvolvidas expressões para o cálculo de forças eletromotrizes e de conjugados, sendo utilizado um software de matemática simbólica para realização dos cálculos. É apresentada uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos através do modelo analítico e os resultados obtidos por simulação numérica. Alguns resultados são comparados também com valores experimentais. As expressões para o cálculo de conjugado desenvolvido pela máquina serão detalhadas em uma etapa posterior. Foi obtida uma razoável coerência entre os dados comparados. / This work presents the basic features of an axial flux, permanent magnet, double rotor and toroidal windings mounted between the rotors. The machine was built in the Laboratory of Electrical Machines, Drives and energy of the School of Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The work contains analytical models of permanent magnets and armature windings magnetic inductions. Based in models, expressions of electromotive forces and torques were derived. The calculations were performed with a symbolical mathematical software. It is presented a comparison between results obtained with analytical model and results of the numerical simulation. Some comparisons include experimental results. The expressions of machine torque will be detailed in a next phase. The compared results present an acceptable conformity.

Este trabalho apresenta as características básicas de uma máquina elétrica com fluxo axial, ímãs permanentes, rotor duplo e estator com enrolamentos toroidais montado entre os rotores. A máquina foi construída no Laboratório de Máquinas Elétricas, Acionamentos e Energia da Escola de Engenharia da UFRGS. O trabalho contém modelos analíticos para as induções magnéticas dos ímãs permanentes e dos enrolamentos de armadura. A partir dos modelos foram desenvolvidas expressões para o cálculo de forças eletromotrizes e de conjugados, sendo utilizado um software de matemática simbólica para realização dos cálculos. É apresentada uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos através do modelo analítico e os resultados obtidos por simulação numérica. Alguns resultados são comparados também com valores experimentais. As expressões para o cálculo de conjugado desenvolvido pela máquina serão detalhadas em uma etapa posterior. Foi obtida uma razoável coerência entre os dados comparados. / This work presents the basic features of an axial flux, permanent magnet, double rotor and toroidal windings mounted between the rotors. The machine was built in the Laboratory of Electrical Machines, Drives and energy of the School of Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The work contains analytical models of permanent magnets and armature windings magnetic inductions. Based in models, expressions of electromotive forces and torques were derived. The calculations were performed with a symbolical mathematical software. It is presented a comparison between results obtained with analytical model and results of the numerical simulation. Some comparisons include experimental results. The expressions of machine torque will be detailed in a next phase. The compared results present an acceptable conformity.

Este trabalho apresenta as características básicas de uma máquina elétrica com fluxo axial, ímãs permanentes, rotor duplo e estator com enrolamentos toroidais montado entre os rotores. A máquina foi construída no Laboratório de Máquinas Elétricas, Acionamentos e Energia da Escola de Engenharia da UFRGS. O trabalho contém modelos analíticos para as induções magnéticas dos ímãs permanentes e dos enrolamentos de armadura. A partir dos modelos foram desenvolvidas expressões para o cálculo de forças eletromotrizes e de conjugados, sendo utilizado um software de matemática simbólica para realização dos cálculos. É apresentada uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos através do modelo analítico e os resultados obtidos por simulação numérica. Alguns resultados são comparados também com valores experimentais. As expressões para o cálculo de conjugado desenvolvido pela máquina serão detalhadas em uma etapa posterior. Foi obtida uma razoável coerência entre os dados comparados. / This work presents the basic features of an axial flux, permanent magnet, double rotor and toroidal windings mounted between the rotors. The machine was built in the Laboratory of Electrical Machines, Drives and energy of the School of Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. The work contains analytical models of permanent magnets and armature windings magnetic inductions. Based in models, expressions of electromotive forces and torques were derived. The calculations were performed with a symbolical mathematical software. It is presented a comparison between results obtained with analytical model and results of the numerical simulation. Some comparisons include experimental results. The expressions of machine torque will be detailed in a next phase. The compared results present an acceptable conformity.