Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2016

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Roger Beardsley

Second Committee Member

Charles Pringle

Third Committee Member

Dominic Klyve

Fourth Committee Member

Dr. Craig Johnson

Abstract

There is a system efficiency lab that sits in the thermodynamics lab of the Mechanical Engineering Technologies department. To expand this lab, a torque measuring device was needed to measure the torsional force that the pump exerts on the air motor. The expansion of this lab is important to give a better understanding of how the different mechanical parts effect the efficiency of the overall system. The first step in the expansion process was the design of a suitable torque measuring device. The most efficient design was a simple one with minimal moving parts. When the air motor is energized and begins to rotate the torque arm pushes down onto the load cell which has a digital readout of force in pounds. The design process used knowledge of materials, statics, dynamics, and energy concepts to decide the lightest and strongest design possible. This project showed that a more complex design is not always best. Through the manufacturing process, general concepts and ideas became an amalgamation of them all. During tests the load cell output showed accurate values up to 3 lbs. These successful values were used to calculate the system efficiencies more thoroughly. The lab was highly successful.

Comments

Project web site: http://dearingerinc.wix.com/trust-the-dearinger

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