Senior Design Projects Spring 2011
The Science of Fit: Pressure Sensing Face Mask System Development
Team Members
Robert Mallow, Matt Little, Yuanfei Min, and Kyle
Grundy, Electrical Engineering
Advisor
Sponsor
3M
Project Overview
The team is creating a sensing system to identify the pressure profile created by the interaction between a facemask and a variety of faces. This system will be used for analytical studies on the science of fit. This involves creating a pressure sensing method, collecting data, and creating a visual representation of a pressure profile.
Automated Tie-Rod Load Control System for Performance Evaluations of Electric Power Steering Systems
Team Members
Monica Alger, Computer Engineering; Michael
Neuville, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering;
Alexander Schlicker, Computer Engineering and
Computer Science; and Mingfeng Zhang,
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
Sponsor
Nexteer Automotivey
Project Overview
Evaluating the performance of an electric power steering system on a test bench requires accurate replication of steering loads, as seen by the tierods. Chassis and suspension geometry result in load profiles that change as a function of steering position. A magnetic rotary brake system is used to apply the load, whose magnitude depends on electrical current supplied to the brake. This project develops an automated load-control system using LabVIEW™ to control the current to the brake based on the position of the tie-rod and a given load profile.
12-Volt Starter System Optimization for Maximum Cranking Speed
Team Members
Steve Hook, Qi Ou, and Jinxin Zhao, Electrical
Engineering; Amit Samal, Nick Anderson, and Jake
Truitt, Mechanical Engineering
Advisor
Sponsor
Darrell Robinette, General Motors Foundation
Project Overview
The goal is to optimize the twelve-volt starter system for GM vehicles to help improve the fuel efficiency and to execute auto start/stop functionality, while keeping in mind noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics.
Reducing Maintenance Costs through Continuous Monitoring
Team Members
Jeff Sudgen, Computer Engineering; Jordan
Bosque and Ethan Grindle, Electrical Engineering;
David Brown, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor
Sponsor
ITC Holdings
Project Overview
North America Electric Reliability Corp. is releasing an update to the standard for Protection Systems Maintenance and Testing, PRC-005-2. We designed a software solution to assist ITC in meeting the monitoring requirements of PRC-005-2 to maintain the current maintenance periods.
Electric Range Shifter Proof of Concept for an HD Truck Transmission
Team Members
David Veasy, Christopher Woodruff, and Christina
Buckner, Electrical Engineering; Tom Graham,
Mechanical Engineering; and Taylor Pashak,
Computer Engineering
Advisor
Donald Secor
Sponsor
Eaton Corporation
Project Overview
Currently, a small-stroke, single-rod, double-acting air cylinder actuator forces a mechanical clutch between the high and low gear for gear selection (range shift synchronizer). Confirmation of gear engagement is accomplished through a speed measurement of the rotating gears. The current actuation force using regulated air pressure is approximately 440 lbs. The envisioned system is a 12-volt, low-force, high-speed, brushless DC motor actuator with position feedback and force (current) control to provide shifting without the synchronizer. A key system design parameter: determine what type of force can be developed for the footprint available.
Power-Assisted Door Safety System for Armored Vehicles
Team Members
Brad Johnston, Alex Puestow, Matt Klotzer,
and Callin O’Farrell, Electrical Engineering; Ryan
Anderson, Mechanical Engineering
Advisor
Donald Secor and Dr. Duane Bucheger, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsor
BAE Systems-Global Tactical Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Project Overview
Extensive armoring on some military ground vehicles makes the doors too heavy to be manipulated by hand. These heavy doors utilize hydraulic or electric actuators to operate. Such systems remove the risk of operators manipulating heavy doors, but people or objects in the path of these doors could still be at risk. The goal is to develop a prototype system that demonstrates different object-detection technologies that could be used as a safety system to stop a poweroperated door. The technologies should also be applicable to improving situational awareness around the vehicle.
