Browsing Aeronautics and astronautics by Subject "Mechanical engineering"
Now showing items 1-20 of 29
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A Gimbal-Supported, Mono Camera, Relative Position Measurement System of a Visually Distinct Object for UAV Guidance
This thesis describes a vision-based system for measuring distance and bearing between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a ground object. The system is built of a single camera, mounted on a gimbal, which stabilizes ... -
A Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking Velocimetry System for the Evaluation of Large-Eddy Simulation Turbulence Models
The necessity for evaluating the accuracy and characteristics of new Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence models in modern fluid mechanics research has inspired the development of a Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking ... -
Acoustic Emission Beamforming for Detection and Localization of Damage
The aerospace industry is a constantly evolving field with corporate manufacturers continually utilizing innovative processes and materials. These materials include advanced metallics and composite systems. The exploration ... -
Characterization of Wall Shear Stress of Underexpanded Impinging Jets
Wall shear stress is characterized for underexpanded axisymmetric impinging jets for the application of aerodynamic particle resuspension from a surface. Analysis of the flow field resulting from normally impinging jets ... -
Comprehensive Investigation of Quasibrittle Fracture of IM7/977-3 Laminates via Size Effect Analysis
This thesis investigates the non-linear size effect of fracture of IM7/977-3 laminates with different sizes in multiple modes including the matrix-dominated Mode I intralaminar fracture, the fiber-dominated Mode I intralaminar ... -
Cosine Kuramoto Based Distribution of a Convoy with Limit-Cycle Obstacle Avoidance Through the Use of Simulated Agents
This thesis presents a method for the integration of complex network control algorithms with localized agent specific algorithms for maneuvering and obstacle avoidance. This method allows for successful implementation of ... -
Development and Testing of Temperature-sensitive Beads for Simultaneous Thermometry and Velocimetry
(2012-08-10)Temperature-sensitive beads (TSBs) have been developed with promising characteristics for application to complex flows, giving the capability for flow visualization via simultaneous full-field thermometry and velocimetry. ... -
Direct numerical simulation of droplet-laden isotropic turbulence
Interaction of liquid droplets with turbulence is important in numerous applications ranging from rain formation to oil spills to spray combustion. The physical mechanisms of droplet-turbulence interaction are largely ... -
Driving Flows in Laboratory Astrophysical Plasma Jets: The Mochi.LabJet Experiment
Mochi.Labjet is a new experiment at the University of Washington developed to investigate the interaction of shear flows in plasma jets with boundary conditions similar to an accretion disc system. This thesis details the ... -
Dynamic Tuning of Structures for Aeroelastic Performance using Multiphase Material
This thesis reports the dynamic performance of aerospace structures with embeddedmultiphase materials with tunable stiffness and damping parameters. Aerospace structures face the harmful effects of environmental and ... -
Experimental Characterization and Fracture Behavior of Graphene Nanocomposites
This work investigates the structural scaling of polymer/graphene nanocomposites. Fracture tests were conducted on geometrically scaled Single Edge Notch Bending (SENB) specimens with varying contents of graphene. It was ... -
Experimental Investigation of Mode II Fracture and Fatigue in Unidirectional Carbon/Epoxy Composite Beams
This paper investigates mode II quasi-brittle fracture and fatigue in laminated compositestructures and characterizes the phenomena in the form of size effect and Cohesive Zone Models (CZMs). This research focuses primarily ... -
Heat Transfer and Convective Structure of Evaporating Films under Pressure-Modulated Conditions
This work examines the fluid mechanical and heat transfer characteristics of evaporating films under cyclical superheat conditions. This research was motivated by the need to further understand the instability drivers in ... -
Implementation of 3DPTV for turbulence analysis and subgrid-scale stress model testing of a backward-facing step flow
Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) is a constantly-expanding field with many new applications and models being introduced on a regular basis. The active nature of this field establishes the need for high-resolution, 3-dimensional ... -
Initiation of Orderly Spinning Detonation Waves via Phased Sparking
A Continuous Rotating Detonation Engine (CRDE) was tested with two unique features. First, the conventional pre-detonator was replaced by a novel detonation wave generator. This generator sequentially fired spark plugs at ... -
Investigation of Baffled Shock Tubes for Low Velocity Ram Accelerator Start
The ram accelerator is a hypervelocity launcher in which a projectile is injected into stationary tubes filled with premixed fuel and oxidizer. Combustion is initiated as the projectile passes, creating a high pressure ... -
Isogeometric Computational Modeling of Curvilinear Fiber Composites
Recently, composite materials are broadly used in a wide range of industries. Composite materials are attractive in designing applications not only because of its outstanding specific mechanical performance but also its ... -
Kilometer-scale Transient Atmospheres for Kinetic Payload Deposition on Icy Bodies
Entry, descent, and landing technologies for space exploration missions to atmospheric bodies traditionally exploit the body’s ambient atmosphere as a medium through which a spacecraft or probe can interact to transfer ... -
Nonlinear Aeroelastic Behavior of Tail / Rudder Systems with Freeplay and Actuator Failure
(2013-07-25)This thesis discusses the development of numerical simulations implemented in MATLAB and of an experimental tail/rudder model for the investigation of the effects of non-linearities on control surface flutter of a three-degree ... -
A Parametric Analysis of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Volleyballs in Turbulent Flow
(2012-08-10)A wind tunnel experiment was conducted to compare the flight path characteristics and drag of current models of volleyballs. An open circuit low speed wind tunnel was primarily used to gather lift and drag data on multiple ...