156B Week 4

Week 4 Accomplishments:

More information and reasearch was gathered in order to better understand the necessities in terms of  finding the ideal clamp spacing. Reasearch papers were found that could possibly relate to our problem with bolt spacing. However, after discussion with an engineer ( Jennifer Jaramillo), it was determined that the concept is not at all simple and very intense with calculation and FEA. We are now given an improved sense of direction of how to approach a feasible solution to placement of clamps. 

Test rig CAD and BOM were further updated to prepare drawings to send to the machine shop

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Due by sponsor meeting on Wednesdays.

1. Continue working on finding the ideal model for spacing of the clamps.

2. Provide a solution for clamps + sika flex and another solution involving another gasket if it is possible to solve for.

3. Order parts (clamps and other components)

4. Submit test rig to machine shop for manufatcuring 

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

In Person (via Microsoft Teams):

1. Not much feedback regarding the issue of clamp/bolt spacing. They were able to schedule a meeting with an engineer with experience in the area.

2. Jennifer and team will send any releveant results from a previously conducted FEA analysis. (By the end of the week?)

Actions to take: Use the documentation that will be sent to hopefully perform our own FEA simulation to obtain promising results.

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

In person (via zoom):

1. Split up team. One group of members work to implement a clamp solution to mimic the current "60 bolt" solution. Other group will continue to find the "wow" solution of implementing another gasket other than sikaflex.

2. For the test rig, proceed by replicating the current bolt spacing for the bolt holes. Send out to manufacture so that testing can begin.

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

None

Risks and Areas of Concern

1. We need to consider hyperelastic properties of gaskets. This calls for a very fine, good mesh or else convergence will not be achieved.

2. Concern from Jennifer whether clamps will be an adequate replacement for clamps. They wont handle stress as well as bolts.

Resources or Information Required but not Available

1. Motives behind solar turbines choose the current implementation of 60 bolts on their ancillary inlet system. 

2. No additional resources to assist in testing our prototype model.

3. Finding the max spacing may yield to components yielding (based on Solar Turbines experience when testing.)

Schedule

• Refer to the Gantt Chart 

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

spent: $0

remaining: $1800