Project |
Team |
Sponsors/Mentors |
Project Description |
Constrains and Status |
Softball Pitching Machine |
Derek Plescia
Megan Heugle
Michael Foley
|
Bill Dornfeld
Jerry Sergent
Douglas Lyon
|
A softball pitching machine was to be designed and built. The specifications called for variable speed, spin and tilt (for various curve balls). The final design included variable-speed three-phase motors with PLC controls. |
A prototype was built and tested using constant-speed, single-phase motors using radio-frequency dimmer switches on a fixed platform. A future project could incorporate the motor controls and tilt.
This project should be continued.
|
Geothermal Heating and Cooling |
Jim Pagliaro
Frank Bradley
Jon Vallee
|
Clem Anekwe
Dan Shichman
|
The team first proposed to design, build, install and test a geothermal heat pump powered by an internal combustion engine. The more limited design objective was to produce an electric-powered geothermal testbed using tap water as the heat source/sink. |
A prototype testbed was built and demonstrated but not tested. Future studies should involve complete testing and eventual installation using geothermal ground-loops.
This project could be continued.
|
Human Powered Vehicle Improvements |
Patrick Fahy
John Lee
Brandon Reilly
|
Rao Dukkipati
Joseph McFadden
|
The primary goal of this year's team was to design and build a fairing and then ready the HPV for competition. Upon discovering several performance and safety flaws, the team undertook several design changes. |
The new fairing was installed, the frame was modified to allow better pedal clearance, the chain was rerouted to reduce drag and the steering system dynamics was adjusted. The HPV was successfully raced in the ASME competition.
The project was completed.
|
Welcome Robot |
Chris Swetcky
Mike Parsons
Anthony Kunz
David Kaveney
Mike Zaffetti
|
Karen Pellegrino
Paul Botosani
Jerry Sergent
Carl Weiman
Cris Craciun
|
The team was to design a robot / kiosk for the admissions center to provide interactive answers and collect information from prospective students via touch screen and/or voice recognition. |
The robotic face of "Imago" is able to turn toward the user’s own face and then communicate using voice synthesis. Collected data is stored and accessible via a secure web connection.
The project was completed.
|
RBC Spherical Bearings Test Rig |
Bryan Bonilla
Brandon Marlowe
Jon Delaney
Mike Leahey
Randeep Singh
|
Paul Botosani
Cris Craciun
Robert Wojna
Rao Dukkipati
|
This industry-sponsored project involved the upgrading controls and extending the data acquisition capabilities of a 45-year-old bearing tester. |
Defective components were diagnosed and replace and a data acquisition system added. Several additional improvements are needed before bearings can be tested to failure.
This project should be continued.
|
Vital Signs Baby Monitor |
Mark Adams
Isaac Brickett
Dario Longhitano
Brad Martocello
|
Mark Ross |
This was an upgrade of previous versions of a device to monitor sudden drops in infant blood O2 level as a means to prevent SIDS. The goal was to miniaturize circuitry so that the device fits on an infant-size wristband. |
A complete redesign allowed for a battery-powered sender and stand-alone receiver and data processing. The code was rewritten in Java and BasicX and an attractive wristband was designed.
The project was completed.
|
Advanced Vibration Table |
Usman Asif
Tom Boe-Wiegaard
John Babu
Tushar Shah
|
Joseph McFadden
Jay Hoffman
Paul Botosani
|
The idea of this project was to provide an "advanced" vibration table by equipping the existing table with an electronic closed-loop feedback system to control the frequency and amplitude of the table motion in two directions of motion for a specified load over a desired bandwidth. |
The system delivered is capable of only one direction of motion. Some preliminary controller design studies were performed. However, a working prototype was not delivered.
This project possibly could be continued.
|
