Projects

Masters Thesis

This research develops low-order modeling techniques that can be leveraged by UAV rotor designers. Here, a reduced-order FSI model of a small-scale UAV rotor blade is developed using Lagrangian mechanics paired with a blade element model. The rotor blade is discretized into rectangular elements along the span. Each blade element is constrained to uni-axial rotation about the span-wise axis and is treated as a torsional stiffness element. The quasi-static equilibrium state of the structure due to aerodynamic forces at user-defined operational conditions is then determined.

NAVSEA FLow Generation

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Washington (NUWCDIVKPT) operates a test facility that has a 45 foot long, 12 foot diameter pressure tank. The tank is used to asses weapon system performance for a number of different types of systems including torpedoes, defense systems, unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), and submarine sonar systems. The tank currently lacks a capability to provide flow during testing limiting the ability to accurately replicate real-world conditions for the systems under test. Using an externally located pump, a piping system, a distribution tank, and mounting system, a system was developed to provide flow.

Tiered Hydroponic Pipe System

Tiered, vertical, indoor hydroponic farms are a rapidly growing industry. With cities growing larger and farms located further away, the need for fresh, locally grown greens is in more demand than ever. Indoor vertical farms allow for large amounts of growing area located in a small footprint. However these farms require large, complex pipe systems in order to feed the plants, nutrients and water.

Finite Element Analysis

This project explored the function of the Magnetostatic block within ANSYS Workbench. The original premise was to simulate a electromagnetic piston engine. By solving the system as a transient problem and simulating a piston oscillating within a cylinder, the team would try and solve for the forces exerted on the piston and the power output of the engine. However, due to the inability of creating a transient problem within the Magnetostatic block, the team decided to simplify the project objective. The new project objective would be to simulate an electromagnet and its effect on a steel cylinder. This new objective, although simple, would still prove to be a challenge.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Coding Project

This project involved solving the 2D Incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using numerical methods coded within MATLAB. This was achieved using an explicit, time marching, predictor corrector method paired with a computational mesh to solve the governing equations. The pressure, and velocities are stored on a staggered grid and are predicted, corrected and then updated for every time step. The code allows for the solving of a Lid Driven cavity flow problem. Written with the intention of allowing the user to change some parameters, the code allows for the selection of fluid density, dynamic viscosity, grid size, side length, simulation time, and lid velocity.

Photovoltaic System Design

This project entailed the analysis and design of a residential photovoltaic system. The system was designed to meet at least 80% of the average yearly home power consumption. Located near Santa Fe New Mexico, the site location is positioned precisely at coordinates 5°39'20.2"N 105°53'45.5"W. Over the course of the doccument, the location, system design, and cost analysis are discussed in detail. Along with these aspects, a full system design is presented including, parts list, drawings, and wiring schematics.