Download Year 4 Group Project Proposals 16-17 [PDF 256.39KB]

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
860H1 MENG GROUP PROJECT PROPOSALS 2016/17
DR JULIAN F. DUNNE
JFD GP-1 Control of a linear free-piston generator
Will hardware be involved?
YES
Free piston engines are considered an attractive option for use as range extenders in electric
vehicles, or as generators in domestic combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Most free
piston engines use a bounce chamber but a new concept exploits a mechanical spring which
provides a number of advantages. Resonant build-up is achieved via timed-control of the gas
pressure forces whereas the resonant motion amplitude is pseudo-damping-controlled by
force feedback from the motor/generator system. Feedback control of the gas pressure, and
the motor/generator, and are therefore essential activities of the concept.
A previous MEng Group has successfully designed and built a linear single-cylinder opposedsemi-free-piston generator which was driven by compressed-air (rather than by timedcombustion). This has been achieved by fully-controlling air-supply valves, and by adapting
the electrical generator to achieve appropriate generator force control, The Group were able
to realise generator operation in hardware but a deeper understanding is needed for fired
combustion.
This follow-on project will examine the generator behavior to establish the impact of
stochastic variability in the gas pressure, by controlling the compressed-air flow to the freepiston generator. The dynamics and control simulation model developed in Simulink by the
previous Group, will be adapted to emulate stochastic variability. In addition, use will be made
of state-of-the-art AVL engine simulation software to understand how stable robustlycontrolled motion can be arranged to occur with fired combustion. The objectives of the
project are:
i)
ii)
iii)
To adapt the Simulink model to simulate stochastic variability in the air supply.
To control the air supply valves to emulate stochastic variability in the hardware.
To adapt the control system to achieve robust control of the generator, in the
present of stochastic variability of the air-supply.
The particular tasks in the project therefore are as follows:
1) Review the existing mechanical and electrical hardware.
2) Review the control system design.
3) Extend the Simulink model to include stochastic variability in the air supply and,
if necessary, modify the control strategy.
4) Implement the control strategy on the generator hardware to demonstrate
stable generation in the presence of stochastic variability.
5) Extend the hardware data capture capability to verify the Simulink model.
The project requires a mix of skills in mechanical, automotive, electronics, and computer
systems engineering.
(Contact: [email protected])
DR SPYROS SKARVELIS-KAZAKOS
SSK GP-1 Wave pattern and wave energy converter emulator
Will hardware be involved?
YES
Energy from waves is a very promising source of renewable energy. Different wave energy
converters are being developed and tested, but very few installations exist. This makes it
difficult to find actual data of wave energy converter output, for performing wave energy
studies. The purpose of this project is to develop a test rig which emulates/simulates a wave
energy converter. A controller will be used to control a device which will oscillate in a pattern
similar to the wave oscillation pattern. This device will then provide motion to a generator.
Responsibilities per student would be roughly split into the following:
1) Wave pattern emulator controller / electronics. This would require a controller to be
built for simulating wave patterns from existing wind data/measurements, or from a
model built in the controller.
2) Wave pattern emulator model. A theoretical model of sea waves must be developed,
either converting wind speed to wave pattern or coming up with a
randomised/modelled wave pattern. This will be then programmed into the controller.
3) Wave pattern emulator. This would be a hydraulic or mechanical rotating or oscillating
apparatus, which will be able to emulate the movement of sea waves.
4) Generator. A linear or rotating generator will need to be specified, built and fitted to
the wave pattern emulator, to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.
5) Power electronics. The electrical output of the generator must be shaped to a form
that is suitable for supply to the electricity grid. A power electronics converted must be
designed and built, in order to do that.
(Contact: [email protected])
DR NIKO MÜNZENRIEDER
NSM GP-1 Atomic force microscope
Will hardware be involved?
YES
An atomic force microscope or AFM is a device which can be used to image very small
geometrical features and even single atoms. This is done by raster scanning the surface of
a sample with an extremely tiny needle, whereas the position of the needle is monitored by
a simple optical system. Some of these AFMs can cost up to several millions of ponds, but
recently several description how to build an AFM for less than £1000 have been published.
See for example:
 http://www.media.mit.edu/nanoscale/courses/AFMsite/index.html
 http://www.opencircuits.com/Atomic_microscope
 http://www.instructables.com/id/A-DIY-AFM-Whokshop/?ALLSTEPS
Based on these design principles and approaches we want to design and build the first
AFM at the University of Sussex.
The whole project can be divided into the following steps:
1)
Familiarization with the concept and selection of a basic design.
2)
Manufacturing of a mechanical stage for coarse and fine positioning of the
scanner needle.
3)
Use of a laser diode and a photo diode to monitor the needle movement.
4)
Design of the readout and control electronics.
5)
Development of the software required to acquire a two dimensional AFM scan.
Afterwards the functionality of the AFM can be demonstrated by scanning the surface of an
object like a semiconductor crystal or a human hair.
This project includes aspects of mechanical engineering, a bit of optics, software
development as well as electrical engineering, and is a chance to work in a multidisciplinary research environment with applications in fields ranging from electronics and
physics to material science, chemistry and biology. Therefore this project requires a mix of
electronics and mechanical engineering students.
(Contact: [email protected])
PROFESSOR MARTIN ROSE
MR GP-1 Wind Turbine Powered Racing Car
Will hardware be involved?
YES
“Racing Aeolus” http://www.windenergyevents.com/the-race/
Den Helder, Holland
Once a year in August the Racing Aeolus event is held in Den Helder. Teams from across
Europe compete to be the fastest over a short course against the wind. The record currently
stands at an impressive 96% of the wind speed against the wind. But this is not a limit!
The plan would be for Sussex to put together a team to design, obtain finance, procure, build
and race such a vehicle. Maybe we could also join in the event in Holland if enough money
can be raised.
List of tasks
i.
Design of wind turbine for high power low drag
ii.
Design of transmission: mechanical or electrical?
iii.
Design of car chassis, suspension, wheels and bearings, steering and brakes
iv.
Financial search: industrial and local sponsorship
v.
Procurement of parts
vi.
Building and commissioning
vii.
Timed performance in wind
viii.
Attending the race in Holland if finances reach that far.
(Contact: [email protected])
FORMULA STUDENT
Code: FSRC17
Title: Formula Student Racing Car
Formula Student is an international student engineering competition held annually around
the world. For the UK competition, the teams are required to design, build, test and race a
small formula style car which is raced at Silverstone circuit in July against over 100
competitors from international universities. The Mobil 1 Sussex Team of Formula Student
Racing Car is supported by the Department and mainly sponsored by Exxon Mobil 1. The
details about the IMechE Formula Student competition can be found at
http://www.formulastudent.com/
For the 2016/2017 project, it is planned that a new car will be developed for Class 1
competition which will take place at Silverstone circuit in July 2017. The project is suitable
for ten to twelve team members from AE/ME and EE/EEE/CE respectively. One to three
team members will be needed for each following sub-systems : chassis, powertrain,
suspension, electronics and control, driving control and car body.
For all students interested in this project, you are advised to discuss this with other potential
team members (see below).
The following students have been approved to be members of the Formula Student Group
in year 4, to ensure continuity from 2015/16:
Chris Charles [email protected]
Tom Parker [email protected]
Luke Rondel [email protected]
(Contact Mr Dick Atkins [email protected] )