Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
We received our group assignments, introduced ourselves, and scheduled a meeting with our sponsors for the next week Wednesday (3/8) from 5:30-7.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Brainstorm Risk Reduction Ideas before Tuesday (3/14). -group effort
Meet on Tuesday (3/14) to discuss questions with Steve and Ian. -group effort
Ask Steve for his suggestions about sensors to test and where to purchase them. -group effort
Ask Ian about possible lab space for us. -group effort
Decide on a risk reduction test in our meeting with the professors on Tuesday (3/14). -group effort
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Analysis/Tests: Sponsors have analyzed pipe flow using vibration (acoustic) sensors. Sensors can read vibrations from the "water hammer effect," in which water flow is abruptly stopped and a resulting wave travels backward in the flow. The signal from a good pipe will be different from the signal of a bad pipe. Other ideas that our sponsors brought up were using a microphone, an accelerometer, a supersonic sensor, and detecting static electricity.
Actions: Read up on current leak detection methods. Next week ask Steve about sensors.
Design/Fabrication: Sponsors suggest building a testbed that has two sensors, one manual valve, a flow meter, a control valve, and a control device. They have a prototype with one sensor and a processor with memory, but do not believe it is optimal. Another suggestion for the testbed was a 4'x8' sheet of plywood with interwoven PVC piping.
Actions: Talk to Chris about how to approach the construction of the test bed. Create preliminary designs (hand drawn or CAD/SolidWorks).
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments
Risks and Areas of Concern
In our meeting with Professor Gravish (3/9) he recommended to not 3D print pipes but rather buy them ready-made. The same goes for most materials we may need.
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Schedule
Budget: Nothing spent this week.
This week
Meet with sponsors Wednesday (3/8) from 5:30-7
Meet with professors Thursday (3/9) during class.
Next week
Brainstorm Risk Reduction Ideas before Tuesday (3/14). -group effort
Meet on Tuesday (3/14) to discuss questions with Steve and Ian. -group effort
Decide on a risk reduction test in our meeting with the professors on Tuesday (3/14). -group effort
Progress on Report and Webpage