Ceramic applications in turbine engines

Ceramic material characterization and testing of ceramic nozzle vanes, turbine tip shrouds, and regenerators disks at 36 C above the baseline engine TIT and the design, analysis, fabrication and development activities are described. The design of ceramic components for the next generation engine to be operated at 2070 F was completed. Coupons simulating the critical 2070 F rotor blade was hot spin tested for failure with sufficient margin to quality sintered silicon nitride and sintered silicon carbide, validating both the attachment design and finite element strength. Progress made in increasing strength, minimizing variability, and developing nondestructive evaluation techniques is reported

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED, MULTIDOSE, NASAL, DRUG-DELIVERY DEVICE

In recent years, the nasal route has received a great deal of attention as convenient and reliable method of systemic administration of drugs, due to its benefits of reduced pain, precise drug delivery and eliminated risk of intravenous needles. The pharmaceutical industries are facing a competitive challenge introducing novel devices for the nasal drug delivery, which is better than commercially available, unit dose and squeeze bottle sprayers. The purpose of this study is to develop such a device for the nasal drug delivery that would satisfy the needs of the patients, physicians and pharmacist. An electronically controlled multi-dose nasal drug delivery device is developed as a result of the study. The parts of the device are designed to satisfy customer needs. The developed parts are redesigned for manufacture and assembly, considering the DFMA principles. The conceptual design was tested for its functionality by developing working prototypes of using rapid prototyping techniques. Suitable materials and manufacturing processes for parts of the device are determined, and the manufacturing and assembly cost of the device is estimated to justify affordability

Ceramic applications in turbine engines

The design and testing of gas turbine engines employing ceramic components is discussed. Thermal shock and vibration test results as well as spin tests of various engine components are discussed

Group Q- Automatic Ball Launching Entity

The goal of the project is to create a machine that can track and aim at a target and deliver a tennis ball at a safe speed. The machine can be calibrated to ensure accurate aim. The application of the product is for entertainment and sports training, with calibration being able to be used to make easy shots for fun, and difficult shot for training. The device uses a two-axis rotation, allowing it to aim up/down and left/right. The device uses a microprocessor to calculate aim based on position of target and knowledge about the strength of the firing mechanism

CPR Assistive Device

350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year, 90% of which are fatal. To increase a patient’s chance for survival, adequate bystander CPR must be performed. Existing real-time feedback CPR devices don’t satisfy all criteria in being intuitive, cost-effective, portable, and giving audio and visual feedback. Our final CPR device satisfies all criteria, giving both audio and visual feedback with a 110-bpm metronome and 3 LEDs that correspond to compression depth from acceleration data collected from a 9DF accelerometer. It is portable, intuitive, and costs less than $25. A designed spring box apparatus tested compressions with the device for 100 2-minute compression tests, to prove a 73% success. IRB subject tests show that the device increased CPR confidence in 96% of users

CPR Assistive Device

350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year, 90% of which are fatal. To increase a patient’s chance for survival, adequate bystander CPR must be performed. Existing real-time feedback CPR devices don’t satisfy all criteria in being intuitive, cost-effective, portable, and giving audio and visual feedback. Our final CPR device satisfies all criteria, giving both audio and visual feedback with a 110-bpm metronome and 3 LEDs that correspond to compression depth from acceleration data collected from a 9DF accelerometer. It is portable, intuitive, and costs less than $25. A designed spring box apparatus tested compressions with the device for 100 2-minute compression tests, to prove a 73% success. IRB subject tests show that the device increased CPR confidence in 96% of users

Index to 1984 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 9, numbers 1-4

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1984 Tech B Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences

Research on compressive mechanical properties of metal rubber and its constitutive relation model

The static compression test of metal rubber components was carried out by using the control variable method. Influences of technological parameters such as relative density and metal wire diameter as well as structural parameters such as height and bearing area on mechanical properties of metal rubber material were studied. Based on micro-element infinitesimal spring theory, one-dimensional (1D) constitutive model of metal rubber material bearing compressive load was established, and it was found by comparing with experimental data that the curve fitted well and the model was reliable, could accurately describe the mechanical behaviors of metal rubber component when bearing load. The model provides theoretical basis for further study of mechanical properties of metal rubber material. It also guides design and manufacture of metal rubber products as well as its engineering application

Ceramic applications in turbine engines

Development testing activities on the 1900 F-configuration ceramic parts were completed, 2070 F-configuration ceramic component rig and engine testing was initiated, and the conceptual design for the 2265 F-configuration engine was identified. Fabrication of the 2070 F-configuration ceramic parts continued, along with burner rig development testing of the 2070 F-configuration metal combustor in preparation for 1132 C (2070 F) qualification test conditions. Shakedown testing of the hot engine simulator (HES) rig was also completed in preparation for testing of a spin rig-qualified ceramic-bladed rotor assembly at 1132 C (2070 F) test conditions. Concurrently, ceramics from new sources and alternate materials continued to be evaluated, and fabrication of 2070 F-configuration ceramic component from these new sources continued. Cold spin testing of the critical 2070 F-configuration blade continued in the spin test rig to qualify a set of ceramic blades at 117% engine speed for the gasifier turbine rotor. Rig testing of the ceramic-bladed gasifier turbine rotor assembly at 108% engine speed was also performed, which resulted in the failure of one blade. The new three-piece hot seal with the nickel oxide/calcium fluoride wearface composition was qualified in the regenerator rig and introduced to engine operation wiwth marginal success

Haptic Feedback Device for Increased BCI Learning Rate

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Winter 2010Using a non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) skullcap, electrical signals pertaining to mu rhythms (8-12 Hz) and beta rhythms (18-25 Hz) can be acquired from a subject either physically moving or imagining a movement. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been developed to acquire EEG signals and produce useful command signals. To be successful for use with BCI technology, the user must undergo a tedious and time intensive learning process in order to control EEG signals. Dr. Jane Huggins, the principal investigator of the University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface (UM-DBI) project found that it takes a user 20 to 25 sessions of an hour duration to control an on-screen cursor using BCI technology. Currently, the only BCI feedback available at the UM-DBI project is visual. We believe that the addition of a sensory feedback that imitates a natural muscle movement could improve the BCI learning process, making BCI technology available and appealing to a wider range of patients both locally and worldwide. In order to achieve this increased learning rate, we aim to create a device that not only mimics the motion imagined by the user, but also creates this motion in such a way that the user feels a sense of agency. The haptic feedback device designed by ME 450 Team 19 will be incorporated into the UM-DBI project BCI set up to test if the learning rate for BCI mastery is increased.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109377/1/me450w10project19_report.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109377/2/me450w10project19_photo.jp