Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Removed actuated valve system, implemented closed loop control of the vortex tube airflow output via pressure regulator
Current system can reliably attain temperatures between 20 and 40 degrees with great steadiness using only the vortex tube and a silicon coupon when heated via hair dryer (very similar to real test flow)
Data has been collected and plotted, following rounds of experimentation
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Determined how airflow will be controlled (pressure regulator rather than actuated valve combination)
Implemented closed loop control
Achieved steady-state controlled coupon temperatures
Assignments for Coming Week
Jayant Mathur
Continue programming control loop
Assist with data collection software writing
Nate Goldberg
Perform necessary CFD analyses
Assist with hardware assembly
Kristen Matsuno
Update CAD models
Assist with hardware assembly
Nathaniel Liu
Compile receipts and obtain refund
Assist with controller design
Sponsor Feedback and Corresponding Action Items
The sponsor is pleased with the vortex tube and is fine with any control we decide to implement. Closed-loop control is preferred, so that is what will be delivered.
Instructor Feedback and Corresponding Action Items
Professor Tustaniwskyj expressed concern about using a pulley system to enhance the torque of the stepper motor we had at the time. This will be remedied by either using a direct drive and a stronger stepper motor, or with a more secured coupling method.
Comments from Other Students
Peer feedback on the website and report was mostly favorable, and much appreciated.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Control tuning and data collection smoothness is now the priority, since the control works and is able to achieve setpoints. One concern is that data collected will still have to be manually imported to MATLAB because it is written to an intermediate text file.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Mass balance testing could still be attempted (Professor Garay's scale was stolen, and we have not found a suitable replacement yet). However, this is a low priority. More specific information about the heated airflow from the sponsor could always be used, but is not absolutely necessary.
Schedule
Monday 6/5 - 2:00 pm Team meeting
3:00 pm Meeting with professor
5:00 pm Additional team meeting (if necessary)
Wednesday 6/7 - 2:00 pm Phone call with sponsor contact (Jeremy)
5:00 pm Team meeting
Thursday 6/8 - Final Design Review (video call with sponsor)
Budget
Remaining Funds: $100.84
Progress on Report and Webpage
Received feedback from peers about report and webpage, will make edits accordingly.
Poster draft is nearing completion.