Specifications Matrix

Alternate Solutions Additional Image (Solution 3)

Alternate Solutions Images (Solutions 1 & 2)

Final Solution

Design Number 3: The Combination Nozzle

With a chokepoint in the middle of the nozzle and two medium sized openings, this design will encompass the best aspects of the two previous designs (Figure 3). It will provide a larger surface area than the convergent design and will supply a larger energy output then the divergent design. The tube length will also enable the design to reach as far as the arena extends, while also being short enough to allow the movements along the arena floor to be accurate and concise (Figure 3).

Nevertheless, the nozzle will not specialize in any particular area due to the balanced design. It is far easier to tackle all the tasks with a balanced design than a specialized one. Due to the balanced nature of the design, the combination nozzle will not do very well in certain areas and worse in others. Instead, it will do well in all areas, eliminating overwhelming strengths and weaknesses and replace them with a solid score in each graded area.

It will, however, be somewhat difficult to manufacture this nozzle design. Due to its somewhat unorthodox design, it will be very difficult to create. The chokepoint is located within the center of the nozzle, and will be difficult to mold in such a fashion.

The nozzle will be assembled with plastic pieces that will be put together with adhesive or by being welded together. This Frankenstein nozzle will effectively live up to its name by incorporating several different designs into one, both theoretically and physically. This way, the nozzle can be produced in the most effective manner possible and yield positive results.

Alternate Solutions and Pros and Cons

Divergent Nozzle

This nozzle has a small chokepoint to connect to the tube transferring the pneumatic flow, yet has a large opening to push out the air (Figure 1). This design applies all of the pneumatic force over a larger surface area of the object that will be moved.
The connector tube will have to be longer to gain a further reach, as the energy being released from the nozzle, while it will spread out the force over a larger surface area, will not be as powerful as it would if the nozzle opening was smaller (Figure 1). The additional reach will compensate for the lack of precise air pressure.

However, regardless of the decreased air pressure, the objects will be far easier to accurately move around due to the larger surface area of the pneumatic flow and longer reach of the tube. Conversely, because of the longer tube, the overall accuracy of the tube movement will be significantly lowered as there is a lot more to move, and little structural support to keep it entirely upright and straight when in motion.

The divergent nozzle will be manufactured by employing a wooden structure. This would provide the most solid and sturdy nozzle that could withstand any amount of pressure. However, it would be fairly difficult to sculpt from wood, as it is rather small nozzle and would probably not come out the way that it would appear in the speculations of our planning.

Convergent Nozzle

Opposite of the divergent nozzle, the convergent nozzle has the chokepoint in the opening of the nozzle, and has a large connection to the tube supplying the air pressure (Figure 2). This design applies a focused blast of pneumatic energy upon a small part of the object that is to be transferred in location.

The connector tube will be shorter than that of the connector tube of the divergent nozzle (Figure 2). By shortening the tube from the previous design, the tube and nozzle will be far easier to direct precisely and apply the focused pneumatic force wherever it is needed.

With the convergent nozzle design, excessive airflow will be forced through a small opening, thus increasing the overall force of the flow and yielding a higher energy output. With this higher energy output, it will be far easier to move the objects with relative ease. Unfortunately, the smaller tube, while more accurate, will have less room to maneuver and cannot reach as far as a longer tube could.

Molding clay will be applied to create this nozzle. This would be the easiest way to make the nozzle. With this material, the nozzle can be sculpted to the exact dimensions and have a smooth finish. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether or not the material will be able to withstand the air pressure.

Combination Nozzle

As the name implies, this nozzle concept was born of two of the common types of nozzles, importing strengths and weaknesses of each. This nozzle will have a medium sized connector to the tube and a medium sized opening at the end of the nozzle (Figure 3).

However, since everything so far has been in between the extremes presented by the other two nozzles, it was decided to go the extra mile and reach a total equilibrium. The chokepoint will be located within the middle of the nozzle, thus providing a balanced alternative as opposed to the two specialized nozzle designs already conceived (Figure 3).

This nozzle design will be constructed from plastic. By utilizing pre-existing pieces of plastic, a shadetree mechanic can be made to operate as the convergent nozzle for this project. These pieces can be glued or perhaps even soldered together to form a cohesive solid entity. However, the creation of this nozzle will take some researching and scavenging to find the correct pieces needed for the design to be assembled.

Test Procedures (Team and Individual)

It would be relatively simple to replicate the actual area we have to work with for the competition. The two foot cube will have a hole for the ball to be pushed into just like the competition area has. From there, we will attach our apparatus to the area and attempt to move a ping pong ball, golf ball, baseball, and cue ball with the pneumatic power flowing through the mechanical engineering portion I will manufacture. From there we would make sure everything functioned properly together and could in fact accurately and effectively push each size ball into the hole.
My individual part will be tested by being hooked up to Sam’s pneumatic device to see if it properly perpetuates the fluid power wrought from his mechanism. If it connects suitably, I will then proceed to check to make sure that all the fluid power from Sam’s contraption is continued throughout my device and out the nozzle in full strength without leaks or kinks.

Expectations

By using the regulations for this project, I hope to, with the help of my ever supportive group members, create the ideal apparatus that demonstrates the application and control of mechanical and fluid power that will be used to transfer several different sized spheres into a small hole accurately and smoothly. I anticipate using our groups combined ingenuity and creativity to bring forth a design that is unique and works exceptionally well. I will complete the mechanical engineering portions of the project and Sam will be providing the pneumatic flow to transfer this ball from its origin to its destine location.

Resources

Ø Metal
Ø Wire
Ø Wood
Ø 6 Volt Lantern Battery
Ø Centrifugal fan (or another source of airflow)
Ø Wheels/Axles/Gears
Ø Water
Ø Compressed Air
Ø Syringes

Individual Design Brief

Display technical prowess in mechanical engineering by designing and manufacturing a nozzle to connect to a pump that will be capable of completing objectives as dictated by the TSA event, the Technology DARE. These objectives include manipulating several different sized and weighted spheres into a position given on a 2'x2' table.

Figure 1: The Different Sized and Weighted Spheres

Figure 2: The Arena and the Spheres

Specifications and Limitations

Specifications
Ø Entrees must be initiated and completed within the parameters of the school year.
Ø Demonstrations will have 10 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to actually demonstrate
Ø The top ten semifinalists return to compete in elimination rounds
Ø Safety is paramount
Ø Electrical power as supplied by one 6-volt lantern battery. The battery is not to exceed 75mm in length or width or 150mm in height.
Ø The device, control panel, nozzle and all necessary supplies must fit inside a two-foot cube.
Ø The goal is a three inch diameter hole drilled through the base for the balls to fall through into the scoring container.
Limitations
Ø Must allow unobstructed airflow through the design
Ø Must provide sufficient output force to move objectives
Ø Must be compatible with my partners design.
Ø Must be student made

Team Design Brief

Demonstrate the use of critical thinking skills to select appropriate applications of energy and power, to select appropriate materials and fabrication of a solution, and to demonstrate the application of a solution.

Figure 1: Students With A Finished Product Competing

Summer Research

The nozzle is a key portion of the journey to explore the wonders of pneumatics. The nozzle is attached to the tube which is attached to the pump. While the pump generates the pneumatic flow, the tube transports the energy and the nozzle releases the power onto the desired object. Depending on the shape and size of the nozzle, different force can be exerted on the entity.
Converging nozzles use a chokepoint to converge (go figure) the gas and funnel it through a small area before expanding and exiting the nozzle. With this chokepoint, it takes more force to push the air out of the compression, therefore yielding a stronger output from the nozzle. This nozzle directs and focuses the flow of gas onto the desired object and applies the most pneumatic strength.
Diverging nozzles are in the shape of a cone and spread out the gas flowing through it to apply pressure to all surfaces of the object that will be moved. This type of nozzle is better than the converging nozzle by covering more surface area, but does not have the focused strength of air being propelled through a converging nozzle.

Source: http://www.engapplets.vt.edu/fluids/CDnozzle/cdinfo.html

Background Information

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is an organization devoted to the furthering of the belief that technology is a very important part of society and can perpetuate the existence of the human race. Through events, students are able to produce and compete with technological devices of their own manufacture. These events explore the possibilities that can be wrought from such career avenues as engineering or business.

Figure 1: The Arena In Which The Event Takes Place


Figure 2: Event Coordinators Discussing Logistics of the Event

Situation

Participants design, fabricate, and demonstrate the application and control of mechanical and fluid power by applying power and energy principles to move balls with pneumatic flow. Evaluation is based on a demonstration of the application of mechanical and fluid energy principles and craftsmanship.