Division of Engineering Technology

Air Jet Technology in Web Handling

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

Electrohydraulic Tech for 2 Actuators

Project objectives: (1) Design hydraulic & pneumatic setups each of which consists of two actuators that support two ends of a beam, solenoid or proportional valves, PLC, and motion sensors to demonstrate an unbalanced motion of the beam. (2) Develop feedback control methods for synchronized motion of two actuators which may not have identical characteristics.

Sponsor: National Fluid Power Association

PI: Young B. Chang

Lateral Statics of a Web Over an Air Reverser

Air reversers are noncontact supporting devices with a large wrap angle, typically 180 degrees. One problem of a web supported by air reversers is that the web, when disturbed, tends to oscillate with increasing amplitudes as it moves downstream. This phenomenon is called weaving or weave amplification. Misalignment at a splice, which in turn causes tilting of the web, is considered one major disturbance that triggers this type of instability. Perforated-drum type air reversers are considered in this research. Two-dimensional analyses and computations were done to predict the aerodynamic forces on a tilted web over an air reverser. The study model will be extended to include the three-dimensional effect. Experimental verification of the analytical models will be conducted by measuring aerodynamic pressure profile under the web, mass flow rate of the air, and lateral deflection of a stationary web.

Sponsor: Web Handling Research Center

PIs: Young B. Chang, Kenneth Belanus

Airport Inspections and Data Procurement Program

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.

Sponsor: Oklahoma Department of Transportation/Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

PIs: Charles A. Rich

College of Education: Steve K. Marks

Oklahoma State University Geothermal Smart Bridge

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

Remotely Operated Railroad Gondola Car Top Material Handler

The goal of the project is to produce a fully functional prototype for a railroad gondola car top material handler that has been field tested and ready to be produced using as-built drawings including modifications from test evaluations. The responsibilities of the OSU NPDC team will be: 1) Provide engineering and design of components/subassemblies; interface of purchased components; and total prototype of the Remotely Operated Railroad Gondola Car Top Material Handler, 2) develop control interface components and validate design, 3) fabrication of all subassemblies, 4) conduct a performance test and evaluate test results, 5) supply as-built drawings including modifications, if any, 6) provide a document to convey the design features, test results and modification recommendations will be the concluding responsibilities.

Sponsors: New Product Development Center for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, New Product Development Center for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Klutts Equipment, Inc.

PI: Marvin D. Smith

Study Geothermal Heat Pump in Selected Buildings

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