Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Finished data collection under open air in multiple pipe scenarios in the backyard configuration.
Halfway through test bed construction. Require poly-carbonate pieces, 80/20 bolt assemblies to attach poly-carbonate, water pump (sponsors are providing), and water reservoir.
Piping configuration for the testbed designed and mostly glued (rise valve requires assembly and flexible piping or hose needs to be purchased that will lead into the pump and water reservoir).
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Piping configuration for the testbed designed and mostly glued (rise valve requires assembly and flexible piping or hose needs to be purchased that will lead into the pump and water reservoir).
Finished testing in open air and took data with the trench filled.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Take data from the solenoid valve in the front yard All
Purchase polycarbonate sheets Bryan
Finish Solidworks drawings of backyard setup and testbed Madeline
Machine parts that will attach to the pressure sensor on the testbed Gordon
Finish comparison of data between soil and no soil in the backyard Sam
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Our current theory is that time allows for an exchange of water and air, and once the water in the pipe is pressurized after the air inside evacuates, a "water hammer" pressure wave travels back to toward the valve, which is the second spike in the data. Because air escapes faster in a "broken" sprinkler system, the distance between the first and second spike is smaller than that of the "unbroken system."
Find a way to correlate the amount of water out with the time difference between the first and second spike in the data and test the theory above.
Dan wants to experiment and see whether an incline in the piping will affect readings. The other sponsors are not so dead set on this idea.
Related to our theory, there is a greater difference in signal from 2 consecutive runs for an "unbroken" system than there is for a "broken" one. This is because air moves in and out quickly for a "broken system" and most of the air evacuates the first time for the "unbroken system."
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Does varying amount of pressure in the pipes affect your readings?
A pressure sensor will be added to the test bed setup
Look into acoustic impedance still.
There is some difficulty finding the speed of sound and exact density for a lot of materials. The error range for our impedance calculations is large.
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Why are you creating a testbed if you can take data from the backyard? It is because we can manipulate the pipe configurations on the testbed and the testbed can be transported to show off results to other audiences.
Is there still a debate between soil and foam? No, the sponsors decided they do not want the testbed to be filled for now.
Risks and Areas of Concern
Drain system in/on the test bed leading to the water reservoir underneath (proper drainage while maintaining good appearance)
Making sure the pipe setup on the test bed is modular enough and also is believable as a replacement for in the ground pipes.
Schedule
This week finish creating piping for testbed, assemble aluminum bars, conduct testing in the front yard, and machine parts for the new sensor.
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
We spent $94.15 this past week. $1752.85 remains.
Progress on Report and Webpage
Finished draft 1 of the report and webpage