Kinematic Analysis of 6-Link Mechanism Project

All coding was performed using MATLAB, and the results of this project were summarized in a final report deliverable. As an example of the results from this analysis project, the position solutions for all links in this mechanism are visualized as a function of the input angle.

Further details can be provided upon request.  

Nodal Temperature Analysis of Finite Fin 

The first triangular fin's equilibrium temperature profile was developed using a simple nodal analysis along the length. The second L-shaped fin was modeled as a transient problem using a finite-difference numerical approach with a  discretized time-domain. The resulting temperature solutions were used to calculate the overall heat transfer effected by the fin as well as its efficiency and effectiveness. 

Blasius Flat Plate & Prandtl Solution 

From the Navier-Stokes equations, the Blasius flat plate solution was derived, using a prescribed similarity variable. Solving the ordinary differential equation with MATLAB, the solutions were found. These solutions were used to recover relations between characteristics of the flow with shear stress at the wall, local skin friction and average skin friction. Using the boundary-layer equations for energy conservation, the Prandtl equation was derived (same similarity variable as before). The heat flux at the surface of the flat plate was then calculated.  

Layered-Surface Interface Temperature Profile Numerical Implementation

This project is intended to predict the temperature profile of a layered surface. Using a local function to convert the given voltage data from thermocouples to temperatures, this code first calculates the conductivity and generates Temperature-displacement plots with the data. On each plot, a linear regression is also performed and output. The thermal conductivity of each material is computed based on the regression. Using both built-in MATLAB functions and a user-defined local function that performs Gaussian elimination, the script then solves systems of equations for different cases.

Spring-Mass-Damper System Motion Analysis

Using backwards definite approximations and Gaussian elimination, a Gauss-Seidel iterative approach is used the position solutions for the 2nd-order system. Results and further details of this project can be provided upon request. 

Source Panel Numerical Implementation

The script for this project first numerically implements the source panel method by defining the geometries of a discretized contour of the cylinder and airfoil. It then performs the related calculations to determine the pressure coefficient at each point along the upper and lower surfaces. 

Flight Simulator/RCAM Simulink Implementation

Here is a FlightGear animation output from an RCAM model given input to the elevator position.

For this project,  a MATLAB-Simulink model was developed to simulate the motion of an aircraft performing different maneuvers by modeling and manipulating control surfaces (i.e., aileron, tail, and rudder angles) along with the two engine throttles. From these inputs, this model repeatedly outputting through a feedback scheme a state vector that captures the characteristic movements and positions of the aircraft: translational velocities (𝑢 ⃑, 𝑣⃑, 𝑤 ⃑), Euler rates (bank rate p, pitch rate q, yaw rate r), Eu ler angles (roll 𝜙, pitch 𝜃, yaw 𝜓), and location (north position, east position, down position). 

 The objective of this project is to study and predict the reaction of the vehicle in response to di erent actuation inputs. This project studies three di erent scenarios: a baseline and two test cases. The animations for these test cases were executed in FlightGear.