Browsing by Author "Feng, Ming-Fa"

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    Fault diagnosis and prediction in reciprocating air compressors by quantifying operating parameters
    Feng, Ming-Fa (Virginia Tech, 1992-03-05)
    This research introduces a new method of diagnosing the internal condition of a reciprocating air compressor. Using only measured load torques and shaft dynamics, pressures, temperatures, flow rates, leakages, and heat transfer conditions are quantified to within 5%. The load torque acting on the rotor of the machine is shown to be a function of the dynamics (instantaneous position, velocity, and acceleration) of the driving shaft, the kinematic construction, and the internal condition of the machine. If the load torque, the kinematic construction of the machine, and the dynamics of the rotor are known, then the condition of the machine can be assessed. A theoretical model is developed to describe the physical behavior of the slider-crank mechanism and the shaft system. Solution techniques, which are based on the machine construction, crankshaft dynamics, and load torque measurements, are presented to determine the machine parameters. A personal computer based system used to measure the quantities necessary to solve for the machine parameters and the quantities used to compare with calculations is also documented. The solution algorithm for multi-stage compressors is verified by decoupling the load torque contributed by each cylinder. Pressure data for a four-stage two-cylinder high pressure air compressor (HPAC) is used. Also, the mathematical model is proven feasible by using measured angular velocity of the crankshaft and direct measurements of the load torque of a single stage, single cylinder air compressor to solve for the machine parameters. With this unintrusive and nondestructive method of quantifying the operating parameters, the cylinder pressures, operating temperatures, heat transfer conditions, leakage, and power consumption of a reciprocating air compressor can be evaluated.
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    A finite element study of bending stress variation in meshed spur gear pairs
    Feng, Ming-Fa (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987)
    A study of the bending stresses in a pair of meshed spur gears using the finite element method is presented. The models analyzed were in the shape of a circular gear with five teeth or a five-tooth rack. A unit torque (1 lbf-ft) was applied as the form of nodal forces on the nodes around the bore hole of the driver pinion. The nodes around the bore hole of the driven gear (or the nodes along the back of the driven rack) were fixed. In order to transmit the power from the driver pinion to the driven gear (or rack), the points in contact were made coincident. Seven model groups with same diametral pitch (1.0), addendum (1.0 in.), dedendum (1.3 in.), pressure angle (20°) and hob tip radius (0.35 in.) but with varying numbers of teeth on the pinion and gear were analyzed to compute the tensile stress variation in the root fillet during the duration of contact. A model for predicting the tensile stress variation at the root fillet during the duration of contact has been created. The results were compared with AGMA and other results with agreement for the peak within 3%.