Construction: SLS printing, acrylic bonding, aluminium frame

CAD / Analysis Software: SolidWorks FEA, Ansys CFD

Role: Structural Lead, Assembly Lead, and Analysis Advisor

The Navier-Stokes equations are a complex confusing subject when teaching fluid dynamics to students. Making it easier to digest, a series of assumptions are allowed to simplify the equations into only the essentials. 

This project has different features to manipulate the flow to show where these assumptions are derived. There are more features to demonstrate how gravity and flow rate can impact the system. 

To gather real time data, 2 pressure sensor read the real time pressure differential of the tank and laser-illuminated particles are video’d with the app, smartPIV, to measure flow velocity.

The tank is an 8" W x 3" H x 40" L acrylic tank containing a viscous 70% glycerin 30% water fluid with 20-micron particles. Constructed from 1/4" acrylic tank made of acrylic panels bonded using Weld-On 4. All sitting on an 80/20 frame with Gas struts to aid in lifting a filled tank (~50lb) and trunk Hinges to hold the tank at the max tilt angle

Started designing with a square cross section tank, 5" W x 5" H x 36" L, after receiving feedback, the tank dimensions were revised to 8" W x 3" H x 40" L, to more accurately resemble the infinite long flat plates used in Navier-Stokes problems. 

During testing, the PIV (particle image velocimetry) system would have trouble following the particles in a bright classroom; testing in a darkened room helped with this problem.

Throughout the 6 months, tank sealing was an issue as the viscous fluid slowly dripped through the sealed panels. The removable lids also showed signs of improperly designed seals and blocked the key feature of being able to tilt the tank.