156B Week 8

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

After conducting a cost analysis, it would cost less for the air source of the wind tunnel to be the fan rather than shop air. The team is still working on building the RTD circuit board for the new temperature range. The team has begun machining the exhaust box and mesh screen mounts. The majority of the wind tunnel will be fabricated by the end of the week.

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Designed fan mount

  • Fabricated mesh screen mounts

  • Spoke to Tom about different ways to mount the copper plate with the insulation

  • Created finalized design of wind tunnel on Solidworks

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

• • Assemble wind tunnel (Tian)

  • Machine insulation (Tian)

  • Begin PCB board design (Anthony)

  • Machine plate mount assembly (Austin)

  • Design Labview temperature controller and purchase hardware components (Liz)

  • Research airflow speed calibration techniques (Austin)

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

• • Seshadri approves use of fan instead of rotameter on condition that the team can determine flow speed accurately

  • Confirmed new design of wind tunnel with Seshadri

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

• • Jerry mentioned that RTD circuit signal conditioning needs to be adjusted because temperature range has now changed, so new resistors need to be purchased

  • Research how to measure power consumption with PWM using SSR (Anthony/Austin) - Jerry provided us with a diagram

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Fan rpm and airflow speed calibration technique, perhaps with pitot tubes

  • How to calculate power consumption if using duty cycle with SSR

Resources or Information Required but not Available

Schedule

• • Complete fabrication of wind tunnel tube

  • Trouble shoot temperature controller

  • Begin power measurement circuit

Budget

• • $870.97 spent, $1129.03 remaining

Progress on Report and Webpage

• • Webpage and report draft edited with instructor comments