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Planar Element Alignment System
Get PDFPrecise alignment to the micron level is a necessity for microfluidic/micromechanical devices to function as designed. Because of this, a micro-alignment device was commissioned by Professor Hans Mayer on behalf of the Cal Poly Microfluidics Laboratory. Prototype creation was bounded by a set of requirements including, ability to align PDMS & Silicon wafer halves to ± 10 microns, total process speed of three minutes, and total budget of $3000. Some major design hurdles included an ability to verify alignment, possible non-planar alignment pieces, and an inability to contact any point on the face of the alignment pieces after bonding treatment. These were addressed by using clear, acrylic vacuum chucks and two digital cameras. That way, alignment could be verified visually with the camera and see-through vacuum chuck and the vacuum chuck would be able to secure the alignment pieces while only contacting a single face. The possible non-planar surface of the alignment pieces was determined to be a concern but will be assessed whether it needed addressing during testing. Manufacturing/sourcing of each piece of the prototype went generally smoothly. One delayed piece made it unable to fully assemble the prototype for a final verification test. However, the stages purchased are more than capable to meet the design alignment requirements and the total budget was more than met. The final design requirement of a total process time of under three minutes unfortunately remains untested
Mammalian Uterine Monitoring Smart Intrauterine Device (MUM sIUD)
No full textThe smart intrauterine device (sIUD) is a contraceptive device to be inserted in the uterus with added functionality to measure metrics related to IUD placement and reproductive health. The design process began with researching current designs on the market and potential competitors through current and pending intellectual property. The factors that were considered for the design of the sIUD were the shape, contraception method, arm design, and sensor configuration. From the design factors potential users were surveyed via conjoint analysis to reveal that IUD shape and contraception method were the most influential factors. An abundance of designs were developed and evaluated using a Pugh matrix yielding the front running conceptual model. The sIUD has a novel shape design compared to the FDA approved “t-shaped” designs in the United States. There is a silicone elliptical sleeve manufactured from a bio-safe silicone shaped by resin printed mold system. The sleeve holds an SLA printed electronics housing cylinder where the electronics like sensors, microcontroller, and power components are stored and sealed. A monofilament thread loop is bonded to the inside of the electronics housing for manual IUD placement monitoring and removal of the device. The contraception method used by the device is copper. A web application was developed to allow users to record, view, and share their data from the sIUD. The application uses React and Node.JS frameworks and the database for user information is hosted on MongoDB Atlas
Programmable and Modular DC-DC Converter
Get PDFThis project considers the design, implementation, and testing of an open-source dc-dc converter for microgrid prototyping. Unlike conventional dc-dc converters that are proprietary and require specialist knowledge, and are usually designed for a single function, the proposed dc-dc converter will comprise of a programmable MCU and a Raspberry Pi (RPi) interface to allow less-skilled consumers to monitor and modify a power converting system. We will develop an open-source library that contains voltage control, current control, maximum power point tracking, and battery charge control profiles. Each library will be easy to implement through a GUI on the Raspberry Pi and will be controlled using an Atmega328 located on the power conversion unit. C++ and the Arduino IDE will be used for testing and will retain functionality in the finished project for more knowledgeable customers to edit the pre-set profiles. Moreover, the Pi will need to communicate with multiple converters and monitor their set points in applications where more than one dc-dc converter is necessary. The supporting hardware around the microcontrollers is a dc-dc converter, while the connection with the RPi and any external hardware will be open-source and custom designed to accommodate multiple converters on a single system. As a result, the integration of our dc-dc converter will provide a way to easily set up a microgrid system without the use of proprietary voltage converting hardware
Turbine Integrated Pitching System
Get PDFThe Cal Poly Wind Power Club (CPWP) tasked this senior project to design, manufacture, test, and deliver a mechanism to pitch the blades for their small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine. CPWP competes in the Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) against schools across the country, and as such it was critical to comply with the provided competition rules in addition to the design requirement from CPWP. The purpose of the pitching mechanism is to improve the performance and efficiency of the wind turbine by allowing the blades to adjust angles with different wind speeds. Specifically, this project aimed to minimize hub size, minimize power draw, minimize axial depth, increase blade strength, decrease blade switch time, in addition to being a durable and lightweight mechanism. The mechanism was designed with safety and reliability in mind and has been integrated into the CPWP wind turbine. The system utilizes two actuators to push and pull a swashplate connected to a 4-bar linkage to create the rotational motion in order to effectively pitch the blades. The team used a combination of CAD software and physical prototypes to evaluate the effectiveness of the mechanism. All of the manufacturing was completed by the team in the Cal Poly machine shops using a combination of manual machines and CNC. In addition, the team conducted various component and mechanism testing, including full turbine wind tunnel tests to validate the design. The final product was delivered to CPWP in time for the CWC competition, where it was put to the test against other universities\u27 wind turbine designs
HVAC Fan Cooling System using Modicon M580
Get PDFA common problem that many devices have when operating is overheating. Whether it is operating at full capacity or idle, those devices that we use exert heat to some type of extent. The physical and electronic components of the device can only withstand so much heat before the component becomes damaged. This product provides a method of preventing overheating by being a cooling system for your device. A solution for preventing overheating of the components in these electronic devices is by having some sort of cooling system. Our product’s cooling system will be based on energy efficiency, which means that there would not be any unnecessary cooling on components that don’t need to be cooled down; the product will be able to drop the temperature of the overall system to the desired temperature by cooling down specific components that are undergoing extraneous processes and exerting large amounts of heat. Another way our product targets energy efficiency is by turning on/using a certain number of fans based on the temperature difference, with each fan operating at variable speeds to achieve optimal cooling. These points of efficiency will allow the product to not pull too much power. The key features of this fan cooling system are three 12V fans and a sensor that can analyze temperature. The operation of this product is powered by the M580’s variable data types. This aims to achieve a cooling system that detects when the device or certain components within that device are overheating and adjusts the motors of the fans to regulate and maintain a certain temperature
Emulating the Doppler-Shift for LoRa based Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication
Get PDFThis project investigates the adverse effects of the Doppler Shift on a LoRa waveform transmitted from a Low Earth Orbit Satellite or LEOSAT. This work is on behalf of Project OWL, who will use these results to justify further investment into developing a LEOSAT for their communication network. Part of the project is to design a test setup to replicate the Doppler Shift in the lab. The Doppler shift replication setup distorts the transmitted waveform, similar to how the signal gets distorted if sent from a LEOSAT. The test setup will comprise both software and hardware control, wherein software, the user provides a center frequency of transmission, LEOSAT orbital altitude, and maximum range of signal transmission. Once given test parameters, the software will calculate the Doppler shift as the satellite travels overhead, then send information to hardware that modulates the output of one of Project OWL’s radios to apply the Doppler shift to a transmission. The software will monitor another radio receiver, and determine if communication is theoretically possible from a LEOSAT to one of their radios
Backflow Relief Valve Test Stand
Get PDFThis Final Design Review (FDR) document details the final design, manufacturing, testing, and results of the Zurn Wilkins Backflow Relief Valve Test Stand Project under the sponsorship of Brian Yale and Rueben Westmoreland. This project involves simulating real-world conditions of static pressure and water hammer cycling. The stand will give Zurn Wilkins’ engineers a method by which to test their relief valves prior to a rigorous, yearlong University of Southern California (USC) testing procedure. Our design involves using city water, a pump, a Zurn backflow preventer, and a control system to apply specific pressures to each end of the relief valves and allow for automatic pressure cycling. Various manufacturing methods were used to create the final verification prototype, particularly welding and assembling brass piping. The final stand design was tested to determine if the test cycles work, and it was discovered that static pressure cycling functions as desired. However, the water hammer cycling did not produce the pressure spikes outlined in the engineering specifications. Although the water hammer cycle did not work, the stand interfaces with the current relief valves at Zurn Wilkins and will still be useful for testing the relief valves prior to the USC tests
Wood Diaphragm Deflections. Part II: Implementing a Unified Approach for Current CLT and WSP Practice
Get PDFHorizontal wood diaphragm systems, whether decked with conventional or mass timber panels, transfer wind and seismic loads to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system (LFRS), in flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid fashion. Characterizing and calculating the resulting diaphragm deflections determines the distribution of forces to critically loaded components and a significant portion of lateral building translations and rotations. Deflection equations for sheathed wood structural panel (WSP) diaphragms are well established in U.S. design standards in a 4-term expression that models flexural, shear, and fastener-slip deformations, but similar equations for cross-laminated timber (CLT) diaphragms have yet to unfold, despite growing industry consensus that CLT panels make efficient slabs and decks. Building code standards require CLT diaphragm deflections be computed using principles of engineering mechanics. The current 3-term and 4-term deflection equations for WSP diaphragms are based on various assumptions that are often outpaced by current design practice. This is the second of two companion papers, where the first paper (Lawson et al. 2023) provides the full generalized derivation of the current 4-term WSP diaphragm deflection expression with a mechanics-based expansion to unify both potential WSP and CLT applications. This second paper builds on the first paper by expanding the generalized equation with implementation insights unique to WSP and CLT diaphragms. Various challenges of calculating diaphragm deflections associated with current design practices are discussed with suggestions to assist in implementation
Branding and Designing a Website Mockup for a New Curly Hair Brand
No full textFor this project I created a fictitious curly hair brand named Twirl. Twirl’s mission is to make curly hair care fun and easy. I started by making a logo and creating branding guidelines. Next I designed some labels and put them on packaging mockups. I wanted this project to have a UX/UI element so I made a landing page wireframe and then converted it into a mockup that incorporated the branding guidelines and packaging mockup. Throughout the design process I kept the brand’s mission in mind, and prioritized the user’s experience with the products and website