156B Week 2

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

After meeting with Professor Seshadri, we have finalized the wind tunnel design incorporating his suggestions. We will begin the purchasing the major components of the project and begin machining components. We are also looking into different flow visualization tests.

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Acquired RTD Circuit Diagram

  • Confirmed heat plate orientation. Stagnation flow is the primary goal, with the flat plate as the secondary goal.

  • Researched possible insulation materials, mounting schemes, design for anemometer mount

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Purchase insulation material for heated plate and heat source (Tian)

  • Research and purchase air mesh filters (Austin)

  • Create solidworks assembly of entire wind tunnel design (Anthony)

  • Research flow visualization methods, perhaps fog machine (Liz)

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Professor Seshadri prefers the experiment to test stagnation point flow rather than flow over a flat plate. He wants to have a full solidworks assembly to demonstrate a complete design. He also suggested to incorporate air mesh filters within the wind tunnel and perform visualization tests to see if the flow matches the theoretical expectations, perhaps using a fog machine.

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments

• • Dr. T suggested using PWM fan for controlling fan speed and get a fan that outputs RPM via some internal tachometer.

  • Dr. T addressed some concern about the anemometer mount being over constrained, as a result, the anemometer design will have to be redesigned perhaps using some roller bearings.

  • Dr. T mentioned that temperature controllers are not very accurate and there is no way to adjust the controller type. He suggests that we use our own in-house built controller that uses a RTD and MOSFET to control the heating element.

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • To visualize stagnation point flow, is the chemicals used to produce the vapor hazardous to humans?

  • Sponsor suggested using a pushing fan, however airflow from a fan is turbulent. What is the length of mesh plates and honeycomb material required to do this?

  • Can the insulation material be molded precisely to have a surface that is collinear with that of the heating plate?

  • Depending on the insulation material chosen, what options are available for attachment to the copper plate and to the plate-holding mechanism.

Schedule

• • Describe upcoming milestone

  • Update Gantt chart.

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• • Remaining budget is at $1985.

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Report has not been started yet, and web page still needs some edits. There is difficulty in modifying the links available on the left toolbar.