This analysis calculates the velocity profile and recirculation ratio in the aspirator region of an enhanced once-through steam generator of the Babcock & Wilcox design. This information is important to the development of accurate RELAP5 models, steam generator level calculations, steam generator downcomer models, and flow induced vibration analyses. The OpenFOAM CFD software package was used to develop the three-dimensional model of the EOTSG aspirator region, perform the calculations, and post-process the results. Through a series of cases, each improving upon the modeling accuracy of the previous, insight is gained into the importance of various modeling considerations, as well as the thermal-hydraulic behavior in the steam generator downcomer. Modeling the tube support plates and tube nest is important for the accurate prediction of flow rates above and below the aspirator port, but has little affect on the aspirator region itself. Modeling the MFW nozzle has minimal influence on the incoming steam velocity, but does create a slight azimuthal asymmetry and alter the flow pattern in the downcomer, creating recirculation patterns important to inter-phase heat transfer. Through the development of a two-phase solution that couples the aspirated steam and liquid feedwater, it was found that the ratio of droplet surface area to volume plays the most important role in determining the rate of aspiration. Calculations of the velocity profile and recirculation ratio are compared against those of historical calculations, demonstrating the possibility that these parameters were previously underpredicted. Such a conclusion can only be confidently made once experimental data is made available to validate the results of this analysis. / Master of Science

Male cicada’s superior sound producing ability has been well studied by entomologists and ethologists. The secret behind the loud sound is the dual-resonator structure: the primary resonator is a series of buckled ribs/beams on its tymbal organ, while the secondary resonator is a large air cavity in the abdomen with a pair of openings. However, the understanding of the dual-resonator structure is incomplete, and few endeavors have been reported on developing cicada-inspired novel acoustic devices. To this end, this dissertation research aims to achieve a fundamental understanding of the cicada-inspired sound generating structures, and to apply the knowledge to develop a dual-resonator system with superior sound generating ability.First, a clamped-clamped buckled beam – the fundamental vibration source of the dual-resonator system – is modeled and tested for free vibration responses during the snap-through process between its bistable positions. It is found that the free vibration of the buckled beam is independent from actuation. In terms of the natural frequencies and the vibrational mode shapes, the free vibration is determined only by the geometry and material properties of the buckling beam. The experiment provides a comprehensive insight of the snap-through process and the induced free vibrations. Second, both analytical and experimental methods are used to investigate the buckling beam from an energy perspective, including the force needed for actuating the buckled beam, the work by the actuation force, the elastic energy of the buckling beam, and the sound radiation characteristics. Results show that although the actuation forces depend on its acting locations, the work by the force remains constant, which is equal to the elastic energy difference between the first symmetric buckling mode and the first anti-symmetric buckling mode. Acoustic analysis shows that the sound radiation is mostly generated from the first symmetric vibrational mode. Third, the dual-resonator system consisting of a buckling beam and a Helmholtz resonator is proposed. Considered as an equivalent two-degree-of-freedom vibration system, the dual-resonator system is modeled and studied for optimal sound output. Finally, a dual-resonator system is fabricated with the optimal parameters. Experimental characterization shows superior sound outputs of the dual-resonator system similar to what are observed in male cicadas. This dissertation sheds new lights on the structural-acoustic interaction of buckling beam and Helmholtz resonator that is found in the sound-producing organs of male cicadas and develops a cicada-inspired dual-resonator system for the first time. Findings from this research not only enhance the existing knowledge on male cicadas, but also pave the way for its engineering applications that require highly efficient sound radiation. / Mechanical Engineering

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a solid state technology based on the Seebeck effect that can generate electrical power from waste heat. For continuous electrical power generation heat exchangers are integrated into the “cold side” and the “hot side” of the TEG such that a temperature difference across the TEG can be established and maintained. This thesis will focus on characterizing two different flat-plate cold side heat exchanger prototypes specifically designed for dissipating the thermal loads from TEG modules. The majority of TEGs modules available have a flat geometry design and a square shape with typical dimension of 40 mm × 40 mm or 56 mm × 56 mm. To maximize the net electrical power generated by the TEGs the cold side heat exchanger is required to have uniform surface temperature distribution, and excellent heat transfer performance with minimum pressure drop. To achieve the previously mentioned requirements, two flat-plate heat exchanger prototypes having two distinct heat transfer techniques were investigated. Each heat exchanger is designed to accommodate an array of 14 TEG modules arranged in two parallel rows with 7 TEGs per row a typical arrangement for large waste energy harvesting applications. The first heat exchanger prototype utilized single-phase forced convection through 140 minichannels (1 mm × 1 mm × 90 mm long) as a heat transfer technique. The second prototype utilized 14 liquid jets, 3 mm in diameter and 40.3 mm apart, impinging on a flat surface located 5 mm above. Each impinging jets was positioned at the centre of the TEG cooling area. An experimental facility was constructed in order to test the minichannels heat exchanger and the impinging jets thermally and hydrodynamically. The heat transfer, pressure drop and temperature distribution results were compared to determine the most appropriate cold side heat exchanger prototype for the TEG POWER system. The TEG POWER system is a waste heat recovery system designed to recoup waste heat from the exhaust gases of commercial pizza ovens. The TEG POWER system is capable of harvesting waste thermal energy produced by an establishment and utilize it for electrical power generation and thermal storage purposes. Heat transfer results indicated that for a given mass flow rate the minichannels heat exchanger has better heat transfer performance compared to the impinging jets heat exchanger. The minichannels heat exchanger design had a thermal conductance of 238 W/C at 0.19 kg/s coolant flow rate compared to 111 W/C for the impinging jets heat exchanger. The total pressure drop and the minor losses for each heat exchanger prototype were measured experimentally. For the minichannels heat exchanger, the total pressure drop is 23.3 kPa at flow rate of 0.235 kg/s. Comparatively, the total pressure drop for the impinging jets heat exchanger was 27.4 kPa at the same flow rate. Fittings losses for the minichannels heat and impinging jets heat exchanger were found to be 50% and 80% respectively. The maximum total measured drop corresponded to pumping power requirements of 5.7 W and 6.8 W for the minichannels and impinging jets heat exchanger respectively. Local and average temperature distributions and their influence on the electrical power generated were studied for both heat exchanger prototypes. It was found that the minichannels heat exchanger offers more uniform surface temperature distribution per row of TEGs compared to the impinging jets heat exchanger. Therefore the minichannels heat exchanger is well suited for cooling two rows of TEGs simultaneously. Based on the thermal and hydrodynamics comparison results the minichannels heat exchanger prototype is recommended for implementation in the TEG POWER system. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

No description available.

No description available.

The classical methodologies for synchronous machine modeling provide a solid estimation for synchronous machine behavior but are limited in terms of accuracy due to the assumptions made in the modeling process. The equivalent circuit model developed by the classical approach breaks down the entire machine into a singular impedance component. This allows the model to be generated more quickly but limits its accuracy. In the pursuit of developing a more realistic model, this thesis outlines the parameter measurement of a Hampden SM-100 synchronous machine. In determining the SM-100’s experimental parameters, this thesis executes and analyzes new experimental approaches to synchronous machine modeling. With the results of these approaches, a model for the Hampden SM-100 synchronous machine is developed that considers the rotor, stator, and core parameters of the synchronous machine separately.

The main scope of this project was to determine if a plasma torch could operate on pure hydrocarbon feedstocks and, if so, to catalogue the torch operational characteristics. The future goal of the project is to design a plasma torch for supersonic combustion applications that operates off of the vehicle main fuel supply to simplify onboard fuel systems. Experiments were conducted with argon, methane, ethylene and propylene. Spectrographic tests and tests designed to catalogue current/voltage characteristics, plasma jet phenomena, arc stability dependencies, electrode erosion rate and torch body temperature were performed. Spectrographic analysis of the plasma jet exhaust confirmed the presence of combustion-enhancing radicals for each hydrocarbon gas tested. Also, it was discovered that simple hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, produced smooth torch operation, while even slightly more complex gases, ethylene and propylene, caused unsteady performance. Plasma jet oscillation was found to be related to the voltage waveform of the power supplies, indicating that plasma jet length and oscillation rate could be controlled by changing the input voltage. The plasma torch for this study was proven to have the capability of operating with pure hydrocarbon feedstocks and producing radicals that are known to reduce combustion reaction rate times. The torch was demonstrated to have potential for use in supersonic combustion applications. / Master of Science

A new method and mechanism for generating non-uniform, or distorted, aircraft engine inlet flow is being developed in order to account for dynamic changes during the creation and propagation of the distortion. Total pressure distortions occur in gas turbine engines when the incoming flow is disturbed. Dynamic total pressure changes may happen slowly, or may occur very rapidly. The disturbance of the incoming flow can change engine operating characteristics, including lowering the surge limit and creating High Cycle Fatigue incidents. In order to create a distorted flow with dynamic characteristics, a mechanism must be developed that when actuated, can change the distortion pattern and intensity with respect to time. This work covers the initial design of both the distorting and actuating device. The design chosen is a low force design that is practically independent of flow forces. This allows the system to be easily sized for all flow conditions. The study also includes developing the working design into an overall prototype. Testing is also performed to validate the design as the most advantageous choice. / Master of Science

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop an Adaptive Control Algorithm for a CNC milling machine. The milling machine is controlled by a 2100A Hewlett Packard mini-computer. The Adaptive Control Software has to operate in unison with an already available Numerical Control Software. Both these programmes are stored in the computer and the computer operates on them with the aid of the interrupt pulses received from the Time Base Generator located in the Controller.</p> <p> The Adaptive Control Software should be capable of optimising the milling process, that is enabling the milling machine to operate at the highest feed-rate without violating or overriding the maximum permissible values of the horizontal force and torque acting on the cutter. These maximum values of the force and torque are determined from the tool strength and capacities of the servo drives and spindle motor. Further, the machine should be able to arrive at the above feed-rate in the shortest possible time interval without causing cyclic variations in the feed-rate which could lead to an unstable system. The programme should be able to obtain ten samples of the parameters per revolution of the spindle. The feed-rate thus obtained (after comparing with the maximum and minimum feed-rates of the machine and making any corrections, if necessary) should be stored in a memory location accessible to the Numerical Control Programme. The instantaneous values of the force and torque are transmitted to the computer via the transducers attached on the spindle of the machine and the Analog-to-Digital Processor, therefore, the Adaptive Control Software will have to communicate with the Analog-to-Digital Processor in order to receive the values of the forces and torque. Thus the above mentioned requirements will have to be met by this piece of software. With this end in view, the following algorithm was developed.</p> <p> The algorithm consists of two portions, namely, the Data Reading Routine and the Policy Routine. The former accepts the two horizontal forces (which are phase shifted by 90°) and the torque acting on the cutter by communicating with the Analog-to-Digital Processor. However, all these three parameters are received through the same channel from the Analog-to-Digital Processor as such a method of identifying the variables was necessary. For this purpose, the Data Reading Routine consists of software capable of communicating with the Analog-to-Digital Processor at time intervals of 10 m.sec. and receiving the data in a digital form, decoding the input and ascertaining which input parameter was received. The Policy Routine has two modes of operation viz., the constraint and optimizing modes. This routine ascertains the critical error and arrives at the new feed-rate depending on the Policy used. After checking the value of this feed-rate with the maximum and minimum feed-rates available on the machine (and corrections made if necessary), the suitable value of this feed-rate is stored in a memory location accessible to the Numerical Control programme. This gives the general structure of the Adaptive Control Algorithm developed in this project.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Electrical Engineering Department and the Power Energy Institute have developed a microgrid laboratory with various generators, loads, and protection systems over the past several years. To improve and make the Cal Poly microgrid laboratory more realistic, this thesis outlines the process of improving the EE microgrid setup by adding a wind energy generation system via an induction generator, excitation capacitors, and a protection relay. By adding an induction generator, the microgrid system becomes more resilient to sudden power fluctuations by maintaining a stable voltage and frequency when the microgrid is islanded. To test this, a disturbance was introduced to the islanded microgrid by turning on and off the pump motor load for one second and by adding a torque load. Without the wind energy system, the system frequency drops below 59.7Hz causing the microgrid to collapse. However, with the wind energy system, the microgrid frequency is kept above 59.7Hz and can remain operational even if the pump motor is loaded to 2 lb•in. This is due to the large inertia the induction generator contains. This is further investigated by creating a Simulink model that models a wind turbine system with wind fluctuations. The model shows that by having a large rotating mass, the inertia keeps the output power stable even if there are rapid wind speed fluctuations.