The research
entails the examination of current testing equipment and techniques of aircraft
repairables and determining if a more streamlined approach can be made through
the use of new techniques. The need to improve testing and repair is an ongoing
process that must be addressed continuously. Changes in technology can be used
to simplify existing tests, improve the speed of tests and the ability to
distribute test results.
Sponsor: Automated Sciences Group, Inc.
PI: Scott D. Baldwin
A
multidisciplinary team at Oklahoma State University has been formed to study
the fractured-rock aquifers in South Africa at a regional scale. The work plan
consists of the following tasks: 1) data-gathering and research planning trip
to South Africa; 2) review of data sets and scientific literature of analogous
geologic systems; and 3) proposals for long-term study.
Sponsor: Environmental Institute’s Water
Research Center
PI: Richard A. Beier
The goal of the
research is to develop new methods of handling flexible materials without
contact, mainly using air jets. One important phenomenon involved in this
research is the Coanda effect. The behavior of an air wall jet ejected from a
slot nozzle toward a curved surface was modeled and examined. The study was
extended by including the effect of a web placed near the Coanda nozzle. The
aerodynamic pressure and traction (frictional force) on the web subjected to
the Coanda air jet were determined experimentally and also computationally.
Design guidelines for energy-efficient air nozzles were developed. Also an
analytical model was developed for prediction of the uniformity of flow profile
of the air jet from a slot nozzle.
Sponsor: Web Handling Research Center
PI: Young B. Chang
Many support
rollers in web (any thin material) manufacturing plants are driven to rotate by
the friction between the roller surface and the web. At high speeds of
operation, the air film between the roller surface and the web can be large
enough to cause slippage and scratching of the web. Therefore, it is very
important to keep the friction torque of the roller bearings very small. The
friction torque was measured for a variety of bearings at various loads and
rotating speeds.
Sponsor: Web Handling Research Center
PIs: Young B. Chang
School of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: John J. Shelton, Bruce A. Feiertag
Circular tubes
with air-emitting holes or slots are widely used for non-contact supporting of
coated plastic films (usually called webs). One of the problems with such
devices is excessive vibration of the web, usually accompanied by a buzzing
sound. The objective of this study is to predict violent vibration of the web
and to develop design guidelines for flutter-free operation of air-support
devices. The exploratory tests revealed that several different types of web
vibration can occur. Recent efforts include the development of an analytical
model of web instability at circular-tube type air-turning bars.
Sponsor: Web Handling Research Center
PIs: Young B. Chang
School of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Peter M. Moretti
The scope of
this proposal is to schedule and conduct airport inspections for each facility
on an annual basis, conduct meetings with facility directors to obtain airport
data, and maintain the Oklahoma Airport Directory.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma
Aeronautics Commission
PIs: Charles A. Rich
College of
Education: Steve K. Marks
This proposal
describes a project aimed at research, development, and technology transfer
associated with a bridge deck heating system to eliminate preferential icing.
The proposed bridge deck-heating system: 1) is hydronic (i.e., a heated fluid
is circulated through tubes embedded in the bridge deck); 2) makes use of a
ground source heat pump system, which recovers energy stored in the earth, and
uses it to heat the fluid circulated through the bridge deck; 3) is automatic,
integrates with the available intelligent transportation systems and makes use
of local and remote weather stations to forecast potential icing conditions;
and 4) is expected to enhance both safety, by eliminating preferential icing
conditions, and bridge deck life, by eliminating the application of salt on the
bridge, and reducing corrosion of the reinforcing steel.
Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration
PIs: Marvin D. Smith
School of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: Jeffrey D. Spitler, Daniel E. Fisher,
Ronald D. Delahoussaye
School of Civil
and Environmental Engineering: M. Samir Ahmed
School of
Chemical Engineering: J. Rob Whiteley
Biosystems and
Agricultural Engineering: Ronald L. Elliott
Environmental
Institute: Edward T. Knobbe
This project
performed a feasibility study of replacing the current HVAC system with
water-to-air heat pumps to reduce operation and maintenance costs in selected
buildings. The investigation involved system designs, including sizing the heat
pump units to the building loads, piping and plumbing designs.
Sponsor: Automated Sciences Group, Inc.
PI: Marvin D. Smith