Advanced Research and Development Methodologies

2/28/19                           Advanced R&D 1 – Servo-Motor Testing

We will be testing our motorized wheel, and how this affects the AEV’s power consumption. We also be testing the servomotor. During the testing of the servo motor we will be looking at power consumption as well as the placement of the servomotor. We will also be testing different speeds, as well as different distances for breaking the AEV with the servomotor. After each run we will be recording the values of power consumption for both the wheel and servo. We suspect the wheel to use a decent amount of power to start the wheel due to static friction, and then a constant usage of power after. This power used is expected to be less than if we were to use the fans to move the AEV. We suspect the servo motor to use some power when changing angles to brake the AEV, as well as some power to move back.

3/7/19                           Advanced R&D 2 – Prototype Testing

The lab for testing our prototype AEV will have several steps:

  1. Build the prototype incorporating the 3d printed parts.
  2. Write a code that will run the main drive motor for a short time so that data can be taken on how long it takes the AEV to stop while coasting.
  3. Write a code that will test the stopping distance of the AEV when the motor is reversed during the braking process.
  4. Test these codes with the stock AEV as well as with an attached caboose.
  5. Fill out the table with the data collected.
  6. Perform a performance analysis on the test code.
  7. Make a determination as to whether a servo brake is required.

 

4/1/19                           Advanced R&D 3  Prototype Testing Part 2

Objectives

  • Assemble the AEV the new 3D printed parts and wheel arm.
  • Assess how the new parts and arm affect performance of the AEV.
  • Collect new stopping data on the new design.
  • Collect power usage data on the new AEV design.
  • Determine whether a horizontal or vertical base piece is better

Lab Equipment

  • AEV kit
  • Test Track
  • Lab computers

Background

In aR&D 2, the group performed comprehensive performance tests on the first design for a powered wheel drive system. After completing performance tests 1 and 2 with the first iteration of the powered wheel design, the group noticed some points of weakness in the design and sought to remedy them in iteration 2. This redesign extends the motor arm out to clear friction with the wheel and screws as well as increases the extent to which the wheel encompases the track in an effort to increase stability. The purpose of this experiment is to repeat much of the performance analysis that was done on the first design of the parts so that the merits of the redesign can be assessed and potential areas of improvement can be identified.

 

Procedure

  1. Clean up the new 3D printed parts.
  2. Rebuild the prototype incorporating the new 3D printed parts.
  3. Write a code that will run the main drive motor for a short time so that data can be taken on how long it takes the AEV to stop while coasting.
  4. Write a code that will test the stopping distance of the AEV when the motor is reversed during the braking process.
  5. Test these codes with the stock AEV as well as with an attached caboose.
  6. Use data to fill the below table.
  7. Rerun code from pR&D 3 with a vertically oriented base.
  8. Reconfigure AEV to have a horizontal base, and rern pR&D 3 code.
  9. Plot power vs. time for both the horizontal and vertical base designs so that the power usage of the new wheel can be compared with the original design as well as the basic propeller design.
  10. Rerun performance test 2 to assess whether the code is still functional with the new design.

 

Trial Speed Stopping distance
Trial 1 – Coasting Stop
Trial 2 – Reversed Stop
Trial 3 – Coasting Stop Towing
Trial 4 – Reversed Stop Towing