Integrated Distributed Electric Augmented Lift (IDEAL) applies upper-surface blowing in a novel way using an array of electric ducted fans (EDFs) to achieve electric short take-off and landing to meet the growing need for urban air transportation. Additional research on the use of vortex generators (VGs) to reduce flow separation...
An information processing model of the problem-solving
performance of mechanical designers is presented for four design
tasks: conceptual assembly design, layout component design, detail
component design, and catalog selection. These tasks are organized
into six kinds of segments called episodes, which describe the goal
structure of the designer while performing...
This dissertation investigates by means of computer simulation the potential of a
Band Variable-Inertia Flywheel (BVIF) to store energy for an urban transit bus.
Replacing both a fixed-inertia flywheel (FIF) and a continuously variable transmission
(CVT), the Band Variable-Inertia Flywheel is capable of accelerating a vehicle
from rest to a...
This thesis reports on research conducted to determine
the information which should be included in a mechanical
design history. This is part of a larger research effort
aimed at developing a computer tool for storing and
replaying mechanical design history information. Three
question-asking protocols were conducted to determine what
information...
A representation for the process of mechanical design,
along with its computer implementation is presented and
discussed. The representation consists of three
fundamental concepts: design objects, constraints, and
decisions. The design objects are the structures with
which the physical artifacts of the design are described.
A design object consists of...
A system which allows the computer to capture sketches
made by a mechanical designer is described. The system not
only recognizes basic features as they are sketched, but it
also reasons the spatial relationships between features and
builds a high level abstract representation (feature model)
of the artifact. The temporal...
In current practice, design documentation often fails
to support the activities of design understanding,
communication, and redesign. A Design History Tool has been
developed to improve current design documentation. This
tool is a computerized design history that represents and
plays back important information generated during the
process of designing a...
The purpose of this study is to provide the necessary technical
background and data for the development of a suspension system for a
recumbent bicycle. For this reason, the customer requirements-design
criteria for the development of the suspension system were set, and several
static and dynamic tests were conducted on...
The sketching software developed in this thesis, is aimed to serve as an intelligent design tool for the conceptual design stage of the mechanical design process. This sketching software, Sketch Pad for Windows, closely mimics the traditional paper-and-pencil sketching environment by allowing the user to sketch freely on the computer...
An Engineering Decision Support System, EDSS, was developed using Bayesian mathematics which incorporates knowledge and confidence components observed in alternative-criterion pair decision making. The separation of knowledge and confidence has been previously unaccounted for in decision-making methods. EDSS provides decision support to individuals or teams which must make choices between...