Fourth Year Projects For M.Eng Students

 

 

Student:                                                         Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title :            Flow control valve heart simulator for pulsating blood flow experiments

 

Aero

 

Mech

 

Both

X

 Suitable for: 

 

 

Description:

Traditionally, heart simulators for experimental blood flow experiments are based on variable speed, variable displacement pumps, and typically cost of order of $25 000. This project seeks to develop a lower cost solution based on the use of a fast acting flow control valve. The work will be undertaken in collaboration with Dr Philip Lewis, a consultant heart specialist in Manchester.  The project is suitable for a student with a strong background in fluid mechanics and an interest in developing experimental apparatus.

 

 

Objectives:

  1. Review existing literature on heart simulators
  2. Specify heart simulator performance (flow rates and working pressures, duty cycle)
  3. Specify flow control valve and design test rig
  4. Design and implement valve control system using real time Simulink
  5. Demonstrate capability to generate a range of specified flow duty cycles

 

 

Yes

 

No

X

 Is this a continuation project?

 

Fourth Year Projects For M.Eng Students

 

 

Student:                                                         Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title :            Aerodynamics of a spinning football

 

Aero

X

Mech

 

Both

 

 Suitable for: 

 

 

Description:

Footballers are able to produce curved ball flight paths by imparting spin to the ball as they kick it. The basic mechanism whereby lift forces are produced by spin is well known (the Magnus-Robins effect), however, success in measuring the effect in a wind tunnel study has so far been illusive. This project involves manufacture, commissioning and wind tunnel testing of a spinning football rig designed as part of BEng project last year.

 

 

Objectives:

  1. Review ProEngineer model of spinning ball rig and generate drawings for manufacture
  2. Review previous reports and papers on the aerodynamics of spinning spheres
  3. Validate rig performance using bench top test (spin rate as a function of motor voltage, check for vibration)
  4. Obtain tare wind tunnel data for ball support
  5. Obtain non spinning ball aerodynamic characteristics (drag coefficient as a function of speed (Reynolds number))
  6. Obtain spinning aerodynamic characteristics (lift and drag coefficient as a function of Reynolds number and advance ratio)
  7. Investigate the effect on non zero spin axis yaw angle

 

Yes

X

No

 

 Is this a continuation project?

 

 

 

 

Fourth Year Projects For M.Eng Students

 

 

Student:                                                         Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title :            Aerodynamics of a spinning football

 

Aero

X

Mech

 

Both

 

 Suitable for: 

 

 

Description:

Footballers are able to produce curved ball flight paths by imparting spin to the ball as they kick it. The basic mechanism whereby lift forces are produced by spin is well known (the Magnus-Robins effect), however, success in measuring the effect in a wind tunnel study has so far been illusive. This project involves manufacture, commissioning and wind tunnel testing of a spinning football rig designed as part of BEng project last year.

 

 

Objectives:

  1. Review ProEngineer model of spinning ball rig and generate drawings for manufacture
  2. Review previous reports and papers on the aerodynamics of spinning spheres
  3. Validate rig performance using bench top test (spin rate as a function of motor voltage, check for vibration)
  4. Obtain tare wind tunnel data for ball support
  5. Obtain non spinning ball aerodynamic characteristics (drag coefficient as a function of speed (Reynolds number))
  6. Obtain spinning aerodynamic characteristics (lift and drag coefficient as a function of Reynolds number and advance ratio)
  7. Investigate the effect on non zero spin axis yaw angle

 

Yes

X

No

 

 Is this a continuation project?

 

 

 

 

Fourth Year Projects For M.Eng Students

 

 

Student:                                                         Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title :            Aerodynamics of a spinning football

 

Aero

X

Mech

 

Both

 

 Suitable for: 

 

 

Description:

Footballers are able to produce curved ball flight paths by imparting spin to the ball as they kick it. The basic mechanism whereby lift forces are produced by spin is well known (the Magnus-Robins effect), however, success in measuring the effect in a wind tunnel study has so far been illusive. This project involves manufacture, commissioning and wind tunnel testing of a spinning football rig designed as part of BEng project last year.

 

 

Objectives:

  1. Review ProEngineer model of spinning ball rig and generate drawings for manufacture
  2. Review previous reports and papers on the aerodynamics of spinning spheres
  3. Validate rig performance using bench top test (spin rate as a function of motor voltage, check for vibration)
  4. Obtain tare wind tunnel data for ball support
  5. Obtain non spinning ball aerodynamic characteristics (drag coefficient as a function of speed (Reynolds number))
  6. Obtain spinning aerodynamic characteristics (lift and drag coefficient as a function of Reynolds number and advance ratio)
  7. Investigate the effect on non zero spin axis yaw angle

 

Yes

X

No

 

 Is this a continuation project?

 

 

 

 

Third Year Projects For B.Eng Students

 

Student:                                                                      Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title : EDF UAV, Subproject 2: Electric propulsion selection and integration

 

Aero

X

Mech

 

Both

 

 Suitable for: 

 

Description:

The aim of the EDF UAV is to develop understanding to support the design and test of an electric ducted fan powered lambda planform UAV free flight demonstrator based around the concept shown in figure 1.

 

 

There are 4 subprojects:

 

1.                    Planform aerodynamics

2.                    Electric propulsion selection and integration

3.                    6dof simulation and control

4.                    Flight vehicle design

 

 

 

Figure 1 Lambda UAV concept demonstrator
 
 


Objectives (Subproject 2)

 

1.                    Review commercially available electric ducted fan propulsion units

2.                    Identify and purchase suitable motor/fan/battery combination for flight demonstrator

3.                    Design balance-mounted wind tunnel intake rig to measure effect of intake and free stream conditions on installed thrust

4.                    Obtain wind tunnel measurements wind off and wind on

5.                    Propose guidelines for estimating true installed thrust from fan manufacturers data

 

 

Yes

 

No

X

·         This project requires a student with an interest in electric propulsion and the practical ability to design, make and test a wind tunnel model

 

Is this a continuation project?

 

Date Received:

 

Projects for 3rd Year B.Eng. Students.

Third Year Projects For B.Eng Students

Student:                                                                      Supervisor: Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title : EDF UAV, Subproject 4: Structural design, make and test

 

Aero

X

Mech

 

Both

 

 Suitable for: 

 

Description:

The aim of the EDF UAV Project is to develop understanding to support the design and test of an electric ducted fan powered lambda planform UAV free flight demonstrator based around the concept shown in figure 1.

 

 

There are 4 subprojects:

 

5.                    Planform aerodynamics

6.                    Electric propulsion selection and integration

7.                    6dof simulation and control

8.                    Flight vehicle design

 

 

 

Figure 1 Lambda UAV concept demonstrator
 
 

 


Objectives (Subproject 4)

1.                  Identify nature of primary loads and hence determine preliminary structural layout

2.                    Estimate load magnitudes and hence size main load bearing components

3.                    Define strength and stiffness criteria and hence optimise structure for minimum mass

4.                    Fabricate and test selected components, and compare results with predictions

 

 

Yes

 

No

X

 

Is this a continuation project?

Date Received:

 

Fourth Year Projects For M.Eng Students

 

 

Student:         Stephen Greenland  (continuation of an MEng placement)

Supervisor:   Dr W.J.Crowther

 

Project Title : Virtual Simulator for the Thunderstar Spacecraft

 

 

 

Description:

The project will build upon the work already performed in the specification of a simulator and the development of a single axis Reaction Control System (RCS) for the Thunderstar spacecraft; it will attempt to integrate these two fields by producing a RCS centric, virtual simulator.

 

This will be achieved by interfacing modifications of the existing Simulink models with a VRML graphics package.  It will create a virtual and flyable simulator, constituting a basic Real Time Loop (RTL), which may then be used as the centre for further work.  Having validated the RTL, work will begin on developing an autoflight system for the RCS, capable of controlling the attitude of the spacecraft by simultaneously considering all three axes.  Any additional time will be spent integrating more systems and functions into the simulator; the final aim being the production of a RTL similar to the architecture proposed by previous specification. 

 

Each level of growth will be seen as a milestone in the production of a working simulator, and will be subject to review and validation, so that there is always a functional product at every stage in the process.  Support documentation will be produced alongside the development of the simulator in order to ensure, upon completion of the project, that a clear route has been defined, allowing others to continue the work.

 

Objectives:

  1. Review previous work in the field of spacecraft attitude control and simulation
  2. Develop 6dof dynamic simulation of flight capsule using Simulink and investigate attitude control strategies based on Euler angles and quaternions
  3. Demonstrate attitude control using ideal thruster actuators
  4. Develop realistic thruster actuator model and evaluate impact on controller designed in 3.
  5. Develop VR simulation environment using Matlab, including virtual aircraft instruments
  6. Implement simulation as a real time model and demonstrate control input using a joystick
  7. Produce documentation and demonstrate to StarChaser

 

Yes

X

No

 

 Is this a continuation project?