The goal of this project is to design and build a portable solar power plant. During discussion and brainstorming, it became apparent that photovoltaic solar cells would be the solar power technology of choice. The following report is a detailed descr . . .

The ancient Greek civilization was the first to recognize and develop ways to harness the clean and renewable energy produced by the force of moving water. From those early grinding mills to modem hydroelectric dams, the technology for capturing and c . . .

A mechanical jack is an apparatus which lifts heavy equipment. A car jack is a form of a mechanical jack that lifts automobiles so that maintenance can be performed. Car jacks use a mechanical advantage to allow a human to lift a vehicle. Car jacks ar . . .

The purpose of this project is to design and build a human-powered water still with limitations ·and regulations set forth by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME. The determination of the best design is made by a panel of judges based o . . .

This project will focus on the research and design of a new Diver Propulsion Vehicle. A Diver Propulsion Vehicle or DPV is a piece of diving equipment used by scuba divers to increase their range while underwater. This need for increased range is driv . . .

Our rowing simulator is a culmination of one and a half years of work in design and manufacturing. It incorporates the paths taken from the initial idea stage to the completion of manufacturing and prototyping. The report documents our processes in fu . . .

Project Cogeneration Plant involves the design and synthesis of a miniature cogeneration plant trainer for the Engineering Technology Department at The California Maritime Academy. Early in the project it was determined that the project had at its dis . . .

The following report contains the engineering design process in creating a Multi Speed Chainless Bicycle transmission system, It begins with the problem definition phase, where the customer specifies what they would like to see in this new product de . . .

The world we live in today is riddled with polluting vehicles on both the land and water. We set out as a California Maritime Academy Mechanical Engineering Design Team to do our part for the environment by designing a craft that will easily propel a . . .

The Bio-diesel Refinery team knew that the process of making Bio-diesel, especially when making it with Waste Vegetable oil, is a rather lengthy and involved series of steps that need to be done in just the right order and with just the right amount . . .

The object of the competition is to provide SAE student members with a challenging project that involves the planning and manufacturing tasks found when introducing a new product to the consumer industrial market. Teams compete against one another to . . .

The objective of our senior design project was to create a quick cooling device, known as the TurboChill, to cool a six-pack of beverages from room temperature to approximately forty degrees Fahrenheit in no more than ten minutes. Two 600-watt, 24VDC . . .

Our group is designing a Regenerative Braking System for an electric vehicle. This Regenerative Braking System will capture and re-use mechanical energy from the electric vehicle, which is accomplished converting it into electrical energy in a motor w . . .

The object of this senior design project is to create a Human Powered Submarine (HPS) that can be continually expanded upon by future groups, with the ultimate goal of entering a Human Powered Submarine Race. This project concentrated on designing a d . . .

For the disabled, performing simple everyday tasks others take for granted can be excruciating and exhausting. This can leave them with no patience or desire _to attempt fun activities they can only watch others take part in. The purpose of the sip an . . .

The objective of this senior design project is to design and construct a water balloon launcher capable of propelling a four to six-inch diameter water balloon at least fifty yards without the use of combustibles or elastic bands (like a slingshot). N . . .

The purpose of this design project is to construct a model airplane that is controlled remotely is lightweight, but can produce a large amount of lift so that a heavy load can be lifted. The final design choice was to have an air-cooled gas engine dir . . .

The following report contains the engineering design process in creating a Human Powered Vehicle (HPV). It begins with the problem definition phase where the customer requirements are defined as a vehicle that is durable, cost effective, fun and safe. . . .

The Good2Go Scooter is a unique scooter design. While maintaining some of the more conventional body and frame designs, the distinctive nature of the scooter lies in different characteristics of the scooter. The improvements in our scooter includes th . . .

This project consisted of the research, design and construction of a prototype solar powered street light. A solar powered street light offers significant environmental and economic incentives, especially in new installations. In the course of this pr . . .

A vehicle that can traverse over rocky terrain and has the capability of video reconnaissance has to be useful in the field. Portable video monitors help keep track of the robot's performance and visual aid to the controller. The material analysis of . . .

Team Electrathon is comprised of three Mechanical Engineering students from The California Maritime Academy, that have taken on the task of building a fast, safe, and efficient electric race car capable of competing in a national competition. The team . . .

A system has been designed to control the depth of a submarine. A depth sensor provides input to a BASIC stamp, which controls dive fins. The system allows the user to set a desired depth for the submarine. The depth control system will then automatic . . .

The objective of our senior design project was to aid in the development of an operational diesel generator that will be utilized as an education tool for the MET department. In order to accomplish this, it was our responsibility to couple a 3126B Cat . . .

The manufacturers of small wind turbine generators specify required maintenance procedures for their products. However, currently available generator towers do not provide for a safe means of access to the turbine generator. Tower manufacturers recomm . . .

The objective of the rescue hovercraft is to be used for the rescue of those in distress whether on land or water. Our interest in hovercrafts first began when watching Junk Yard Wars on TLC. A particular show was involved with building a hovercraft. . . .

As the world advances in technology a greater need has arisen in the area of comfort type products. Comfort type products would include garage door openers, universal remotes, automatic coffee makers, and the like. It is our mission to create a remote . . .

The following report details the process of engineering design. This process begins with an idea and develops it into a viable product. In this case, the idea was to develop a front motorcycle suspension which implemented variable damping characterist . . .

The SAE Mini Baja Competition originated at the University of South Carolina in 1976, under the supervision of Dr. J.F. Stevens. Since that time, the competition has grown to become a premier engineering design series. Mini Baja competitions are held . . .

The purpose of our design project is to create electric power from the mechanical power of water using piezoelectric crystals. We seek to create an independent source of electricity solely from the mechanical power present in the motion of water. This . . .

The project will create usable electric power from heat energy generated in a ship's operating system, which would otherwise be lost to the environment. Several designs have been made to utilize "waste-heat." The current systems are not available for . . .

The objective of this project was to design a series of parts that could be assembled into various structures. The assembled structures for the design are trusses and frames in both two and three dimensions. These structures are then placed in the new . . .

The object of the design was to create an oven rack that would mechanically move out of the oven without the consumer having to make contact with the oven rack. As a result of tasks 1 through 9c, a design was created on paper then transformed into a f . . .

This report will go through the details of how a portable keg refrigeration system was designed and built. The system was built in order to allow for the versatility of being able to bring a full sized keg to many places including functions like picni . . .

Often times, it is desirable to be able to effectively work at an elevation up to 15 feet above the ground. Also, it is desirable to have a platform that is both large and safe enough to provide ample space for more than one worker. Hence, our aim has . . .

How many times have you found yourself hauling an ungainly object like a 4'x 8' plywood sheet on your roof and worrying about it flying off on your way home? Objects flying off the roof of cars are a common occurrence that presents a dangerous driving . . .

The objective of this design project was to design and construct a prototype automatic fishing rod casting device. This is do be done through the use of inexpensive and robust "off-the-shelf" technology. The concept originated from the American Societ . . .

The objective of the project is to design a paint mixer that is less noisy and has less vibration as compared to the standard reciprocating shaker. The standard shaker forces are too large and too quick to undertake any type of damping control. An imp . . .

The objective of our design was to build and analyze a system that would be capable of utilizing the temperature of liquid nitrogen to cool beverages. The goal was to cool a standard 12 ounce can of soda (water) down to 45°F in less than five minutes. . . .

The need exists in the workforce for a convenient, portable nail gun. Current pneumatic nail guns burden the worker by requiring him to transport an air compressor and receiver to supply his nail gun. Air leaks in the system create inefficiencies. Ad . . .

Many people are burned by hot water, while showering. Even when someone is showering at a comfortable temperature, they may still be burned if the cold water supply pressure is cut off or reduced. Reductions in pressure are caused when the cold water . . .

A problem faces today's modem automobiles, the damaging effects of heat generated by the sun. During the summer months, the interior temperature of an automobile can reach a dangerous level. Animals or small children left in the vehicle can be serious . . .

The extent of this design project is to examine the use of permanent magnets as thrust bearings in centrifugal pumps and other possible applications. The main objective of this project is to use the magnetic thrust bearings in pumps to complement the . . .

We set out to achieve several objectives, among which was extending the life of ordinary lube oil. decrease the frequency of oil changes, and lower the costs to the consumer. Oil changes are made necessary due to particulate matter in the oil. If this . . .

The objective of this report is to outline the increasing need and design solutions for fiber optic data telemetry equipment in oil drilling applications. The offshore oil drilling industry demands dependable and accurate control and measurement equip . . .

The project that we proposed consisted of designing an automobile air conditioning system that does not require increased fuel consumption or take power away from the engine. The system that we found that could satisfy this need is the absorption refr . . .

Battlebots are remotely controlled vehicles designed to "fight" each other in competition with the goal being to disable the other robot. This senior design project deals with the design and construction of one of these robots. There are a variety of . . .

The FDA rules, in a general sense, say that you must be able to prove that the processes you use are identical each time you use them so the end result is always the same. To achieve this goal, each system is "validated" as to equipment and performanc . . .

The initial plan is to install an incinerator (existing or new) on the 04 deck in the starboard intake plenum or in a already existing container on the deck. The incinerator will require that pipes be connected from the incinerator to the waste oil an . . .

For my senior design project I decided to take an existing drum dolly that was meant for warehouse use only and convert it into a drum dolly that was capable of being used in any location. This was done to make the job of drum retrieval easier over ro . . .

This is a low cost design for an orbital planetary speed reduction assembly to be implemented in the second generation of the TRAC STAR stone slab cutting machine. Smaller versions incorporate the use of O-rings set into circumferential grooves on a . . .

With the retirement of the older steam driven training ship (summer 1995), and the replacement ship being a modem diesel vessel, the Academy has lost a priceless instructional aid in the essential topic of the basic steam cycle. The objective of this . . .

The amount of cosmetics that women are purchasing in department stores is increasing steadily. With the increase in the amount of cosmetics women own there is a need for an organizer that can keep these cosmetics organized. Women today are on the go f . . .

The Chief Engineer of the Golden Bear Training vessel at the California Maritime Academy had asked that a dry wash method of cleaning the exhaust side of the turbochargers on the main engines be installed in place of the existing water wash system. Th . . .

Compact disks and video laser disks often fall prey to dust, oil and surface scratching from routine handling. These elements can easily cause the disk to skip or repeat while playing. This skipping is disruptive to the listener or viewer but can usua . . .

The project will use the existing CMA Psychrometric Tunnel, constructed several years ago as a senior project. Air is brought into the tunnel through a fan and duct system that allows control of the flow rate. The air can then be taken through a heati . . .

We propose to design a machine in which laundry will be placed and go through the wash cycle and then automatically through the dry cycle without having to transfer into a different machine. This machine will be able to handle up to 15lbs of laundry, . . .

Imagine a common accident scene where a motorcyclist is stuck between his side skidding motorcycle, not enabling him to break loose from the five hundred pound weight atop his leg and hip. The asphalt below him that's scraping flesh that once belonged . . .

DSW's [Dell-Simon-Wilson] design efforts have been pledged to creating a communications network for the Training Ship Golden Bear. The object of this network is to support communications within the ship and between the ship and other entities. More sp . . .

The goal of this project is to eliminate the inefficiencies and disadvantages of the traditional chain drive system currently employed in the full suspension mountain bike industry. In order to accomplish this goal, I am submitting my design for a hyd . . .

Structural vibrations are of high concern because they cause fatigue and will lead to premature material failure. When mechanical vibration can be minimized, design lifetime will increase. The need for structural vibration damping is clearly recognize . . .

The focus of this project was on designing an efficient compressed air system to serve the Monsanto facility that will be used in the retrofit of the system necessitated by the demands placed upon them as written in the contract with Tosco. A detaile . . .

Road construction equipment must be compact and maneuverable to be used effectively and safely. Right now Caltrans has two different units. A compressor, for their pneumatic machinery needs and a generator for light generation. These two units take up . . .

Static electricity can and will build up upon the metal body of a car under certain driving conditions. The chances of this phenomenon increases when the environment is dry and hot. The built up static electricity charge is discharged to the first obj . . .

The scope of our project is to maintain the Diesel Simulator's Engine Room at a temperature of 100°F, using water as a heating medium. The water will be heated by the solar panel, provided by California Maritime Academy's Engineering Department. Since . . .

The focus of this report is the re-design of a saw blade used to cut human bone. The blade is a Stryker model 1105 and is used with an oscillating, electric or pneumatically powered saw. This blade is very expensive and has a high failure rate. Alger . . .

Most home-brewers are not able to brew lager properly because of the low fermentation temperatures and precise temperature control that is required for brewing this type of beer. Generally lager beers require primary fermentation temperatures of aroun . . .

My project asks the question, "how can one build a turbocharger derived gas turbine and put it to use?" In the previous semester many options for solving this problem were identified. Three of which seemed to be practical. These were: using a reductio . . .

The focal point of this report is the design of an automated saltwater aquarium sampling and control device. Three different designs were studied and produced in an effort to derive upon the most feasible apparatus. I incorporated current market produ . . .

This is a theoretical design for using the heat rejected at the condenser of a home air conditioning unit. The waste heat is to be used to heat water for home use. This is accomplished through a set of concentric copper tube heat exchangers piped in b . . .

The vibration table is designed to have a measurable up and down motion. The design course requirements were very open-ended, so many of the requirements implemented by the group came from a financial and safety background. Many of the parts needed we . . .

The Towed Hydrofoil System was designed, built, tested, and used for the purpose of performing more accurate and efficient surveys of the ocean floor, inspections of deployed equipment, and searches in the ocean. The hydrofoil was designed using metho . . .

For my design project, I decided to design and build a car counter for large parking garages. In addition, in this report, a brief description of Binary Logic and how it has affected the modern world is given. The design process used is also discusse . . .

Based on the fundamentals of Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), this project intends to demonstrate the propulsive characteristics of an electromagnetic field on a moving ionized fluid. A heuristic analysis will be presented through the application of funda . . .

our project was to design a solar powered air conditioning unit for an automobile. As our project developed, we ended up pursuing two different designs. As we neared the completion of our project, we had two independent designs that met our design pro . . .

Shaft alignment is often a tedious and time consuming procedure, therefore it is often disregarded when the time and cost seem to outweigh the benefits, such as with small units. However the reality of the situation is far different. Improper alignmen . . .

This design project is on protein skimming. Protein skimming is mixing fine air bubbles with water; by collecting the foam that forms, proteins and other organic compounds are removed from the aquarium water. Protein skimming is very beneficial for sa . . .

The Cal Maritime physics lab could use improvement, and so, I decided to make that the focus of my senior design project. The design that I have conceived offers several advantages over the original version. The lab that I have in mind is far more ver . . .

The objectives of this design project were as follows: • conduct an evaluation of the feasibility of using a parametric emissions monitoring system (PEMS), known synonymously as an alternative continuous emissions monitoring system (ACEMS), to pred . . .

The Journal Bearing Laboratory Trainer is designed to show the effect of oil whirl, pressure· distribution, and attitude angle in a journal bearing. This trainer is designed with laboratory experiments to aid students in Machine Design and Vibration A . . .

The HOBOGEN [Hand Operated Berthing Option GENerator] Concept was described, formulated, analyzed, designed, constructed, and tested in this project. The performance analysis of the HOBOGEN was considered for different blade angles and different aspec . . .

Our objective was to design and build a smoke tunnel that will provide a facility for visual investigation of airflow phenomena occurring in the study of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics. The tunnel will be used as part of the fluid mechanics lab. Eve . . .

The purpose of this report is to determine the most suitable air-cooled enclosure for the ship service generators aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear. Also, it is a necessity to validate our recommendation to the engineering department. The driving f . . .

The first class cruise on the Training Ship Golden Bear includes a heat balance lab; where seniors apply thermodynamic theory to practical steam cycles. A heat balance can be used as a tool todetermine optimum steam conditions and cycle design or to a . . .

In the pursuit of higher sailboat speeds, one alternative is to submerge the boat's hull underwater so as to reduce wave-drag. I designed, constructed and tested a six foot model boat with three submersible pontoons and struts and tested it. The buoya . . .

This project is to design and build a device (vehicle) that would climb three stairs at a rise and run of three and one-half inches. The project is from a National Student Design Contest that is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineer . . .

In today's world, we must all look for ways to help the environment. As engineers, we play a vital role in leading the way towards environmentally conscious technology. There are many advances we have made, such as the electric automobile or cogenerat . . .

The intent of this design analysis is two-fold; first, a stress analysis will be performed to allow correct tube sizing to optimize weight to design specification criteria, second, a therma+ analysis of the frame will be undertaken to ensure adequate . . .

I designed, built, tested, and presented a "Flat-Bed Plotter." I designed a computer program that allows an operator to either draw a picture, or have a picture randomly drawn which may then be edited to his liking. The picture can have either lines, . . .

A good teaching aid can provide an invaluable resource for a teacher attempting to introduce a new subject to a young class eager to learn. To this end a lab has been created that will aid the teacher in showing new students about solar heat gain, and . . .

At present there is a limited amount of playground equipment for handicapped people, and most of the items are boring. The goal of this project was to design a playground slide to be used specifically by people (children and adults) who are wheelchair . . .

Increasing cost of electrical power has led to an increased interest in the way structures are cooled. In air conditioning, a large amount of heat has to be removed from a space. Previously this has been by using a vapor compression refrigeration cycl . . .

To assess a pre-combustion chamber (PCC) design using thermal stress and fatigue life analysis. The pre-chamber design was designed as a retrofit application to the Nordberg FSE-1316 Supairthermal series engines. These engines are operated by the Tran . . .

The objective of the project was to check the feasibility of using finite-element models in the design of cast stainless steel pump parts. A finite-element model of a centrifugal pump bracket (Price Pump Company part number 4010) intended to be used t . . .

Expenses for electricity have increased steadily for years. The old electric resistance heater consumed large amount of energy. The heated air is not distribute evenly throughout the building. These cost increases can be reduced through the use of he . . .

The vibration demonstrator was intended to be used as a desk top demonstration device. The Supporting Structure was built from aluminum. Aluminum was not only chosen for its strength and light weight, but it was also chosen because it was an easy met . . .

The purpose of this project was to design and build a laboratory apparatus which would permit the measurement of velocity profiles in boundary layer flow. Boundary layer flow is one particular type of external flow (as opposed to an internal flow) tha . . .

As future engineers it is important that we understand the fundamental principles of fluid flow so we can design and operate power plants, refrigeration plants, propulsion plants, and any other system that uses the energy of fluid. We must be able to . . .

Water is always a commodity that is in demand. Man has always dreamed of finding a cheap, endless source of water. The runoff from the mountains and well water are good sources, but even they are being taxed due to the ever increasing size of the popu . . .

The goal of our design project is to present a functional and optimal design that reflects the applications of engineering principles in the realm of Energy System Design. A functional design, in the sense that, it can be transformed into practical ut . . .