STEMM Report

Introduction
Practical Application of Concept
Sonic (critical flow venturi) nozzles have been used by some organizations as calibration standards for the accuracy testing of gas meters and have sometimes been used as flow transfer standards in inter-laboratory comparisons, but their routine application has been limited, possibly due to the lack of practical guidelines. “The implementation of ISO 9300: 1990 ‘Measurement of gas flow by means of critical flow venturi nozzles’ is discussed in relation to the practical application of flow-calibrated nozzles.” (Sciencedirect.com). Working equations applicable to meter accuracy testing are presented. The high level of repeatability of sonic nozzles has been demonstrated by nozzle inter-comparison work using a “‘Wheastone bridge’ technique in this laboratory and at the Australian National Measurement Laboratory.” (Sciencedirect.com). Considerations in the practical application of the bridge technique are presented in relation to nozzles used for gas meter testing.
Also, if by happenstance, a crazed gunman placed the barrel of a .45 to my head and demanded that I 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 by way of manufacturing a nozzle system to connect to a pump to move a motley crew of spheres into an objective, I would be aptly prepared to meet his or her somewhat irrational insistences.
Design Solution Description (image here)
Figure 1:












The Technology DARE has multiple components that are used in conjunction to serve as a system. My particular portion of the project is to complete the nozzle and control panel. The nozzle (as featured in Figure 1) is comprised of two different pieces adjoined to provide a fixed adapter that will lead to the output nozzle. The clear tubing will connect to my partner’s portion of the project, but more specifically the storage tank. The full port ball valve will act as a shut off valve to control airflow from the storage tank and to regulate pressure build up. The brass hose barbs and the brass output hose barb adapter will connect the valves and nozzle (respectively) to the tubing. The servo will be attached to the nozzle apparatus and will serve as the method of aiming the nozzle. The wireless controller will control this servo and the directions it turns. Lastly, the nozzle is featured at the end of the system and will release the output of the airflow.
Image of most recent solution
Figure 2:


Systems Engineering
Invention/Innovation
The nozzle apparatus as well as the control system each fall under the category of innovation. The Technology DARE rules dictate that the system and each of its components must be student made. However, though the literal translation supplies no leeway in interpretation, this commandment has been circumvented by the participants along with the judges, as there is simply no feasible way for a student to have access to the proper equipment fabricate the correct mechanisms. Instead, it is understood that students may adapt preexisting pieces of related objects into making their own machinations.
Type of System/Part of System
Personally, my objective is to complete two major components to attach to my partner’s portion and thereby successfully complete a system.
Involved Engineering Fields
Hydrodynamic, Electrical, and Mechanical engineering are each evident within the Technology DARE event. The transfer and manipulation of fluids (i.e. air) is the single most important factor of the project, as it is considered the driving force of the system. The control panel allows the hydrodynamic portion of the system to accurately and competently complete the objectives laid out before us through the application of circuitry and wireless commanding. Mechanical engineering binds hydrodynamic and electrical engineering together by fluidly and efficiently combining the two to make a complete system.
Necessary Manufacturing
Lean Manufacturing is an operational strategy oriented toward achieving the shortest possible cycle time by eliminating waste. The benefits generally are lower costs, higher quality, and shorter lead times. The term "lean manufacturing" is coined to represent half the human effort in the company, half the manufacturing space, half the investment in tools, and half the engineering hours to develop a new product in half the time.
Manufacturing Category Label
Electronics, Engineering, industrial design, and Metalworking are all manufacturing categories that charade as important factors in the production and design of the Technology DARE event. Electronics apply to the wireless control panel I am designing and producing. Engineering is evident in any project that requires the application of problem solving through fabrication of a system. Industrial design is more loosely apparent in the Technology as compared to the other category labels. Industrial designers are basically conceptual engineers, which I would consider myself to have been initially (more prominently, that is) and continue to be throughout the design process. Without a competent background, I essentially was forced to design a theoretic model, and then test it, now I must do the same for a control panel. Metalworking can be found in the fabrication and application of custom metal pieces in a format of my own design.

Applicable Science Concepts
Project Related Concept/Principle/Law and Creditor
Bernoulli’s Principle physical principle formulated by Daniel Bernoulli that states that as the speed of a moving fluid (liquid or gas) increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases. The phenomenon described by Bernoulli's principle has many practical applications; it is employed in the carburetor and the atomizer, in which air is the moving fluid, and in the aspirator, in which water is the moving fluid. In the first two devices air moving through a tube passes through a constriction, which causes an increase in speed and a corresponding reduction in pressure. As a result, liquid is forced up into the air stream (through a narrow tube that leads from the body of the liquid to the constriction) by the greater atmospheric pressure on the surface of the liquid. In the aspirator air is drawn into a stream of water as the water flows through a constriction. Bernoulli's principle can be explained in terms of the law of conservation of energy. As a fluid moves from a wider pipe into a narrower pipe or a constriction, a corresponding volume must move a greater distance forward in the narrower pipe and thus have a greater speed. At the same time, the work done by corresponding volumes in the wider and narrower pipes will be expressed by the product of the pressure and the volume. Since the speed is greater in the narrower pipe, the kinetic energy of that volume is greater. Then, by the law of conservation of energy, this increase in kinetic energy must be balanced by a decrease in the pressure-volume product, or, since the volumes are equal, by a decrease in pressure.
Examples In Explanation of Design

Figure 3: Flowmeters (http://www.lmnoeng.com/Flow/bernoulli.htm) Used for determining the change in static pressure in a pipe due to a diameter change, determining flowrate, or designing a flow meter.

Involved Technology
Applied Technology Description
The brass hose barb is an essential piece to the system. It acts as a connector, linking the hose to and from each of the different valves. Without it, there would be no way to attach the valves seamlessly to the system.


Figure 4: Brass Hose Barb (http://images.orgill.com/200x200/5476155.jpg) Used to connect tubing to different valves.

The brass output hose barb adapter is very similar to the brass hose barb. In fact, it is identical in every way except that its function is slightly different. Contrary to the attachment method on the regular brass hose barb (simply by screwing it into one of the valves), the brass output hose barb adapter has the attachments screwed into it. In this case, it will serve as the attachment point for the nozzle, and the input area will serve as a containment section for flowing air.


Figure 5: Brass Output Hose Barb Adapter (http://images.orgill.com/200x200/2902781.jpg) Used to connect tubing to nozzle output.

The clear tubing allows the continuation of airflow throughout the system. It connects to the storage tank and carries the air to each of the barbs, and subsequently the valves, and stops only at the brass output hose barb adapter, which leads to the output nozzle.


Figure 6: Clear Tubing (http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/files/detail/xspctube.jpg) Used to perpetuate airflow throughout system.

The full port ball valve allows the control of airflow through the tubing. It is a shut off valve that cuts off airflow from the storage container, permitting pressure build up.


Figure 7: Full Port Ball Valve (http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/1/hash/938/672272/1/1%2F4%22+Full+Port+Ball+Valve.jpg) Used to shut off airflow through the tube to allow pressure build up in the holding tank.

The wireless controller will serve as the control method for the servo directing the nozzle in the system. As the name would indicate, this will allow the user to direct the airflow without being in direct contact with the servo. This will have to be wired and programmed properly to interact with the servo.


Figure 8: Wireless Controller (http://superdroidrobots.com/images/TE-033-006.jpg) Used to wirelessly control the servo attached to the nozzle

The servo is the mechanism that will be controlling the motion of the nozzle in the system. Wirelessly connected to the wireless remote, it can be adroitly maneuvered by the user. The servo is comprised of a rotating gear that would turn the nozzle left and right.


Figure 9: Servo (http://www.bluemelon.org/images/0/02/Servo.gif) Used to mechanically move nozzle through wireless controller.

The pressure washer nozzle is the output for the airflow generated by the system. It will be attached to the brass output hose barb adapter to allow it access to the air in the tubing. This will be the last and final portion of the system located on the very end of the design.


Figure 10: Pressure Washer Nozzle (http://www.malcleanse.info/images/04_Rotating_200_BarTurbo_Nozzle_ART25172040.jpg) Used to expel the airflow generated by the system to complete the objective.

Mathematical Computations
Identification of Mathematical Theory for Conceptual Explanation


Q= Flowrate
V= Pipe Velocity
V2= Throat Velocity
P2-P1= Pressure Difference
Z2-Z1= Elevation Difference
D= Pipe Diameter
D2= Throat Diameter
A= Pipe Area
A2= Throat Area
If calculated properly, this equation will allow me to discern the flowrate, pipe velocity, throat velocity, pipe area, and throat area. Utilizing the known variables of pressure distance, pipe diameter, and throat diameter, I can discover the variables previously listed. Meanwhile, elevation difference is disregarded, as it is unnecessary in this application of the equation.
Formulas and Calculations


Figure 10: Equation (http://www.lmnoeng.com/Flow/bernoulli.htm) Bernoulli’s Principle

Unfortunately, I cannot complete this equation for the time being. I need the variables from my partner’s portion of the project to be found before I can begin my own. However, here is a sample of how the equation would work:

0= 100-70 + V22+V12
30*9.8 2*9.8

-100-70 = V22+V12
-30*9.8 2*9.8

-3332= V22+V12
-30*9.8

11 1/3= V22+V12

Conclusion
Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing Synopsis and Final Design Solution Summary
Designing the nozzle took a turn for the worse when we were finally able to use the compressed air tank. Shortly thereafter, to progress this series of unfortunate events, the piece I had intended to use as my main factor in my nozzle did not comply with the design. Meeting with a mentor, we discussed the benefits of a new design, the brass output hose barb adapter attached to a pressure washer nozzle. By taking this new attribute and fusing it with the rest of my designs, I was able to simulate an engineer’s standpoint, innovating a design to complete an assigned objective. To take the engineering concept further, I determined that I could use Lean Manufacturing to produce the system as a readily available product on the market.
Reiteration of Significant Technology, Science, and Math Elements
Bernoulli’s Principle physical principle formulated by Daniel Bernoulli that states that as the speed of a moving fluid (liquid or gas) increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases. This was the leading scientific concept that I derived my calculations from. The mathematics involved in the project were dictated by the Bernoulli Principle’s equation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Technology DARE is just ridden with mathematics, science, and engineering. Though the project itself has no immediate purpose (other than a grade), the applications in real life are actually evident. By being able to solve a problem with engineering, it allows one to demonstrate and hone critical thinking skills.