1. Mechanical Subsystems Electrical Components and Feedback Loop
The Meniscus Project
Team Members:
Joseph Baldwin – Mechanical Engineer
Charles Krouse – Mechanical Engineer
Alyssa Recinella – Mechanical Engineer
Robert Walkowiak – Mechanical Engineer
Advisors:
Dr. Satish Kandlikar
Harold Paschal
Pruthvik Raghupathi
Project Overview
Mechanical Subsystems
A boiling system can be an incredibly useful tool for removing vast amounts of heat from a surface. However, due to the complexity and chaos of a boiling environment, the fundamental physics of a nucleating bubble are not well understood. For this reason, the RIT Thermal Analysis, Microfluidics, and Fuel Cell Laboratory (TAµFL) has proposed a system that is capable of studying bubble nucleation at a fundamental level. The goal of this senior design project is to design TAµFL's proposed system in order to meet the requirements for observing and studying bubble nucleation. This will be accomplished by designing, and then constructing, an apparatus that creates a stable liquid meniscus, is capable of controlling the meniscus's volume, and is able to oscillate the meniscus at a desired frequency. The applications of understanding bubble nucleation pertain to any system that requires heat dissipation, ranging from jet engines to computer chips.
Design Overview
An oscillating meniscus was created using various integrated components. After various design considerations, the following parameters were chosen: a cone speaker to induce oscillations, a syringe pump for liquid injection, a stage to vary the distance between the needle and copper surface, a capacitance sensor to assist in feedback controls and a high speed camera for in-depth visualization.
Customer Requirements
Cone Speaker: The method selected for generating the oscillations, a cone speaker, is an inexpensive and readily available option with a relatively high power output that can produce consistent oscillations.
Liquid injection:
Capacitance Sensor:
Height Adjustment
Electrical Components and Feedback Loop
INSERT PIC OF LABVIEW BLOCK DIAGRAM AND CIRCUIT HERE
System Design
REMAKE SCHEMATIC ON VIZIO OR POWERPOINT TO GO HERE vs IN REAL LIFE SETUP
Results .
INSERT FRAMES OF MENISCUS VIDEO; SOME PRELIM RESULTS
Accomplishments
Acknowledgements
Submitted paper to ASME ICNMM 2016 conference
Presenting at conference in July 2016 in Washington DC
We would like to thank the following people for their guidance and assistance throughout this project:
MSD Office and Dr. Elizabeth DeBartolo
The Machine Shop – Rob Kraynik, Jan Manetti, and Craig Piccarreto
Professor Wellin and Professor Lam
Financial support from TAMFL
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