Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
We decided that our risk reduction test will be to test whether an accelerometer can detect vibrations of a pipe with water flowing through. In other words, we will test whether an accelerometer can detect water flowing in a pipe.
If the test proves successful, we will further investigate how well the accelerometer can detect small variances in fluid flow. If the test is not successful, we will look into how to amplify signals or possibly use other sensors.
A preliminary sketch for our testbed was made and materials were purchased for our risk reduction test.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Met with sponsors (3/8) who shared more information about the project, theory about fluid mechanics, and different ideas they have tried to detect leaks.
Met with professors after (3/9) who gave suggestions about preliminary tests, and suggested to buy materials instead of trying to create them.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Conduct risk reduction test. -group effort
Prepare slides for our risk reduction presentation, complete "Project Management" website page, and complete Gantt chart by Tuesday (3/21) 3 pm. -group effort
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
We did not meet with sponsors this week.
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
We presented our 3 ideas for our risk reduction test: testing the accelerometer, designing a recirculation system for the water used, and how to simulate leaks reliably and with repeatability. They noted that sensor choices were the hardest point and to perform tests on that first.
We presented our idea of having our testbed have winding pipes to include as much pipe length as possible (to simulate real life), and professors suggested simplifying different situations.
Professors suggested performing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis.
Actions: We decided that our test will be to test if an accelerometer can detect water flowing in a pipe. We purchased an accelerometer from Sparkfun, and purchased 10' of 3/4'' diameter PVC piping and accessories from Home Depot.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Risks and Areas of Concern
We need to figure out how to attach our accelerometer setup to the pipe and make it water proof.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Schedule
This week:
Meet to brainstorm risk reduction ideas and discuss questions with Steve and Ian (3/14).
Meet with professors again to finalize a risk reduction test idea (3/14).
Purchase sensor and purchase materials at Home Depot (3/15).
Next week:
Perform risk reduction test Saturday (3/18).
Meet to prepare risk reduction presentation and present Tuesday (3/21).
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
$7 spent at Home Depot.
$15 spent on Sparkfun accelerometer on Amazon.
Progress on Report and Webpage