ME 407 FALL 2018 PROJECT TOPICS First Lecture 01.10courses.me.metu.edu.tr/courses/me407/Project_Topics_F2018.pdf · ME 407 FALL 2018 PROJECT TOPICS First Lecture – 01.10.2018 1.

ME 407 FALL 2018 PROJECT TOPICS

First Lecture – 01.10.2018

1. Design of a Stabilizing Handle for Parkinson’s Disease Patients

2. Design of a Sensor Positioning System (SPONSORED by Vibration

Laboratory)

3. Design of a Vehicle Barrier Gate

4. Design of a Set-Up for Demonstration of Shape Memory

Alloy(SPONSORED by Vibration Laboratory)

5. Design of a Non-Circular Variable Area Sprinkler

6. Design of a Refrigerator Door Hinge that is Adjustable at 3 Axes

(SPONSORED by Arçelik)

7. Design of a Refrigerator Internal Container Telescopic Rail System


8. Design of a Movable Glass Shelf System/Mechanism for Refrigerators

that can Move in Vertical & Horizontal Directions (SPONSORED by

Vestel)

9. Design of a Rotating Shelf System/Mechanism for Refrigerators

(SPONSORED by Vestel)

10. Design on an Automatic Pet Feeder

11. Design of a Vertical Jumping Robot with (Series) Elastic Actuation

12. Design of a Passive Dynamic Walker

13. Design of an Inverted Pendulum

14. Design of VLA (Very Light Aircraft) Nose Gear (or Main Gear)

Landing system

15. Design of VLA (Very Light Aircraft) Flight Control System

16. Projects Proposed by the Project Group (A brief 2 to 3 page proposal

must be submitted along with the project selection form.)

METU ME407 FALL 2018 PROJECTS

1. Design of a Stabilizing Handle for Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Definition of the Problem

Tremor is defined as unintentional movement in the human body which is rhythmic and

oscillatory in nature. It is found both in healthy individuals and among those suffering from

neurological movement disorders. Active tremor in the form of movement disorders such as

Essential Tremor, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders may cause significant

disability, especially when the tremors become large in amplitude. Medical treatments for

people suffering from tremor are limited. As a result, assistive devices which either suppress

or minimize the tremor are developed. Consequently, life quality of patients is increased.

The most common of these disorders are Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Essential

Tremor is commonly mistaken as Parkinson’s disease. In fact, they are different conditions

where these differences are tabulated below.

Table1. Comparison between Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor

Parkinson’s Disease Essential Tremor

Is it inherited? Generally Often, otozomal dominant

Responsive to alcohol? No Generally, it improves

The position tremor is

most active

At rest With intentional

movement

Tremor frequency 3-6 Hz 6-12 Hz

Development of disease Deteriorates with time Stable or deteriorates

slowly

The interval of symptoms

before applying for

medical assistance

6-12 months Several years or more

Considering these facts, people suffering from tremor will need assistive devices for their

daily activities such as eating, dressing and applying make-up, etc. In this project, the aim is

to design a stabilizing handle for spoon and fork. The main concern is the stabilization of the

spoon or the fork.

Figure 1. Existing active and passive designs of a stabilizing handle (Made by

ME407 students)


Project Requirements

• The handle should accept a tablespoon and a fork as a detachable

attachment which may be designed by the group.

• The handle should be self-stabilizing either actively or passively to isolate,

absorb or actively cancel the tremor of patients from its detachable attachments.

• The handle should be comfortable, ergonomic and light-enough to be used

by patients. The surface temperature of handle should be reasonable during usage

due to the durability concerns.

• Real vibration data of the Parkinson disease (which will be taken from

academic journals and articles) will be investigated. Experimental results will be

examined. And these data will be used throughout the analyses that will be

performed.

• Designing a fixture to couple the handle to a shaker, to test its performance

using real vibration data is required.

• The handle should serve for at least 3 meals without charging or maintenance.

• Base handle should be easy to grasp, hold and unhand. User or patient

shouldn’t need any help from another person to attach the spoon/fork to the base

handle and to hold the handle.

• The handle should have 2 degrees of freedom as shown in the Figure 1.

• Spoon should be easy to clean. Since spoon and fork are detachable, they should

be dishwasher safe. Base handle should be made of a material which is easy to clean.

• Materials used for the handle should be BPA free.

• The handle should be stain-resistant.

• The handle should appeal to both left-handed and right handed users.

• The handle should be resistant to possible impacts (e.g. dropping & hitting the

ground)

• Cabling should be proper. At every connection points, connectors should be

used. There shouldn't be any cable outside the case. Each electronic item (like

electronic cards) should be boxed properly.

• The handle should have long lasting service life.

• The product should be cost effective so that it should be affordable for the user.

• The design of the product should not be complex so that changing and the

repairing some components of the product can be done easily.

• Manufacturing time should be reasonable.

Design Specifications

• Handle should perform reduction in the amplitude of vibrations on two axes,

occurring at a frequency in the range of 0.8-1.5 Hz and a maximum peak amplitude of

30 millimeters (from base). It will be tested with real vibration data (i.e. variable

frequency). In this case (Output vibration amplitude)/(Input amplitude) ratio should

be 50% .

• It should serve for minimum 3 meals. (Duration of each meal is 15 min)

• Attachments excluded, handle should weigh less than 300 grams.

• Handle should be resistant to drops from 0.8 meters (0.8 meters is the height

of a regular dining table).

• Surface temperature of the handle shouldn't exceed 40 °C during usage due to

the durability concerns.

• Base-handle volume should be less than 432 (6x6x12) cm3 and spoon/fork

attachment 96 (8x4x3) cm3, with total volume less than 528 cm3. (See Figure 1).


Figure 2. Rough sketch of spoon with dimensions and movement direction

Design Criteria

• Reduction in amplitude (40%)

o 0.8 Hz Test 13% (6.5% for each axis, total 13%)

o 1.2 Hz Test 14% (7% for each axis, total 14%)

o 1.5 Hz Test 13% (6.5% for each axis, total 13%)

• Ease of cleaning/being dishwasher-safe (for attachments) (5%)

• Working duration condition (15 mins x 3 meals) (10%)

• Weight constraints (10%)

• Volume constraints (10%)

• On/Off Switch (5%)

• User friendliness, ergonomic design (hand mold grip etc) and reasonable

surface temperature (10%)

• Life cycle (1000 hours) (5%)

• Electrical packaging (5%)

Video Links

For more information and to have also a visual understanding of the design problem you can

see the videos below:

• Commercial product: https://youtu.be/WiVQcgmIi08

• Past ME 407 project (active system):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEbuAuYyD24

• Past ME 407 project (passive system):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhxkBFdpC4

Extent of Support

• Manufacturing of Components in the Department Machine Shop, Use of ME

407 Lab capabilities

• You may contact Assist.Prof. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]) for more

details.

mailto:[email protected]


2. Design of a Sensor Positioning System (SPONSORED by Vibration

Laboratory)

Definition of the Problem:

A sensor is an object whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment, and

then provide a corresponding output. Accurate positioning of the sensor is necessary because

each sensor has its nominal range within which it is able to work. Some sensors such as Eddy

Current Sensor have a nominal range as small as 0.4 mm so in order for the sensor to be able

to give an accurate reading it needs to be accurately positioned within this range. [1] Our

task in the project is to design a positioning system which allows a displacement sensor to be

fixed accurately in x and y axes and the angular position across the z axis as shown in Figure

1.

Figure 1. Degrees of Freedoms

Coarse adjustment is an adjustment that is done by eyeball estimate; it is easy, quick but not

accurate. However, in fine adjustment it is aimed to have maximum desired accuracy. For

fine adjustment, there is a relation between input and output. This can be shown as a transfer

function I(s).G(s) = O(s), I is input, G is transfer function which represents the resolution of

the motion and O is output.

Figure 2 General relation between given input and output for fine motion

Set-up Time

For the sensor positioning system it is not desired to spend a lot of time setting up the system

since frequent adjustment may be necessary.


The time required for the set-up of whole system is estimated. All the adjustment motions

are examined separately for both coarse and fine cases. At the end total required time is

evaluated.

Table 1. Set up times

X-

direct

ion

time

(sec)

Y-

direct

ion

(verti

cal)

time

(sec)

Z-

direct

ion

time

(sec)

Rotat

ion

time

(sec)

Tot

al

Tim

e

(sec

)

Motion Locking Motio

n

Lockin

g

Motion Locking Motio

n

Lockin

g

Cours

e

5 30 10 30 5 30 5 5 120

Fine 8 6 8 6 - - 8 6 42

Whol

e set-

up

162

Sensor Selection

• The table given below shows different sensor types and their properties

Table 2. Sensor Types and Properties

Skew Angle

After locking the sensor positioning system in place there might be slight unwanted

angular displacement of the sensor. This needs to be prevented or minimized to obtain a

more accurate sensor reading. Hence as can be scene above in figure 3 which is taken from

an eddy current sensor catalog, a skew angle of ±4 can be accepted and neglected in most

applications.

Types of Sensor Nominal Range Resolution Temperature

Magnetic Inductive

Displacement

Sensor[3]

20-45mm 0.05% full scale

output

Between -20°C to

80°C

Linear Displacement

Sensor[4]

10-50mm 0.5% full scale

output

Between -15°C to

80°C

Eddy-Current

Displacement

Sensor[5]

20-200mm 0.02%Full scale

output

Between -50°C to

235°C

Non-Conduct

Capacitive Sensor[6]

0.05-10mm 0.005% Full scale

output

Between -50°C to

250°C


Figure 3. Skew angle


• On X axis it should be moved coarsely

• It should be within the specified range.

• It should be adjusted easily.

• It should be locked in desired position.

• Locking should be done easily.

• On X axis it should be moved finely




• The locking should be done with an easy system.

• After locking on X direction it should satisfy the determined accuracy.

• There should be a fixed relation between input and output.

• On Y axis it should be moved coarsely





• On Y axis it should be moved finely




• The locking should be done with an easy system.


• After locking on Y direction it should satisfy the determined accuracy.

• There should be a fixed relation between input and output.

• On Z axis it should be moved coarsely





• Rotation about Z axis should be done.





• Reference frame should be placed horizontal or vertical.

• The skew angle needs to be kept low.

• Dimensions have to be in accordance with the nominal range of the sensors in each

direction.

• System has to be rigid and have high resonant frequency.

• Measurand and sensor should lie on the same reference frame.

• Should accommodate eddy-current non-contact displacement sensors or laser sensor.

• Locking feature when the sensor is in position. Backlash while adjustment has to be

prevented or minimized.

• Movements should be operated manually (easily controlled by hand).

• Must be corrosion proof in humid environments.

• Should be operated in large temperature range.

• The weight of whole system should be below the max defined weight.

• Whole system should be set up in minimum time.

• The system should not require any maintenance. No maintenance if possible.


• The table below shows fine and coarse adjustment range on x, y and rotation

Table 3. Fine and Coarse Adjustment range in X, Y and Rotation

X Axis

Y Axis

Rotation

about Z

Coarse

Adjustment

Range

200mm 150mm 360°

Fine

Adjustment

Range

15mm 15mm 360°

Fine

Adjustment

Resolution

40μm 40μm 0.5°


Figure 4 .Coarse and fine range (X & Y directions)

Note: Z direction give below is considered a bonus criteria in the design*.

Figure 5 . Coarse Adjustment Range (Z direction (Bonus))

• Coarse adjustment range in X, Y and Rotational axes: 200mm, 150mm 360°

respectively.

• Fine adjustment range in X, Y and Rotational axes: 15mm, 15mm 360° respectively.

• Fine adjustment resolution in X, Y and Rotational axes: <40μm, <40μm and <0.5°

respectively.

• Minimum accuracy in X, Y and Rotational axes: 50μm, 50μm and 0.8° respectively.

• The skew angle needs to kept below a certain value (to be asked from micro epsilon)


• Natural frequency of positioning system: 500 Hz

• System should be able to fit into a box of 500 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm length, width

and height respectively.

• Operation temperature range:-25°C to 100°C

• Weight 20 kg and easy carriage for person [7]

• Overall cost should not exceed 1000TL.

• All system should be corrosion proof.

• The system should not require maintenance.

• Maximum whole set-up time should not exceed 162 seconds.

Design Criteria

• Adjustment Performance (60%)

• Along X axis

• Ease of Adjustment along X axis. (5%)

• Ease of Locking along X. (5%)

• Accuracy and Range in fine movement along X axis after locking (10%)

• Along Y axis

• Ease of Adjustment along Y axis. (5%)

• Ease of Locking along Y axis. (5%)

• Accuracy and Range in fine movement along Y axis after locking (10%)

• Rotation about Z axis

• Ease of Adjustment in rotational axis (5%)

• Ease of Locking in rotational axis (5%)

• Accuracy and Range in fine rotation about Z axis after locking (10%)

• High resonant frequency and being rigid (10%)

• No maintenance (10%)

• Set-up time (10%)

• Corrosion proof (5%)

• Weight & Size (5%)

Bonus

• Two axes motion horizontally instead of one axis motion (coarse motion along Z axis

additional to X axis) (10%)

REFERENCES

[1] Retrieved from http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/eddy-

current-sensor/eddyNCDT_3300/index.html.

[2] Retrieved from http://www.me.metu.edu.tr/courses/me440/. March 17th 2016

[3] Retrieved from http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/magneto-

inductive-sensor/index.html [4]

Retrieved from http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/laser-

sensor/index.html

[5] Retrieved from http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/eddy-

current-sensor/index.html

[6] Retrieved from http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/capacitive-

sensor/index.html

[7] Maximum Weights in Load Lifting and Carrying (pp. 25-26, Publication No. 59). (1988).

Geneva: International Labor Office.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maintenance#English

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/eddy-current-sensor/eddyNCDT_3300/index.html

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/eddy-current-sensor/eddyNCDT_3300/index.html

http://www.me.metu.edu.tr/courses/me440/

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/magneto-inductive-sensor/index.html

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/magneto-inductive-sensor/index.html

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/laser-sensor/index.html

http://www.micro-epsilon.com/displacement-position-sensors/laser-sensor/index.html


Extent of Support:

• Manufacturing of Components in the Department Machine Shop, Use of ME 407 Lab

capabilities

• Up 1000 TL + KDV (only one group) support for hardware purchases and

manufacturing costs

• You may contact Asst.Prof. Gökhan O. ÖZGEN for more details

([email protected]).


3. Design of a Vehicle Barrier Gate


The need for prevention of unauthorized use of private spaces by

ensuring controlled entry has increased in the last years. The demand is focused on machines

which can accomplish authorization controls in order to reduce the need of the human effort

at the security tasks. A barrier system is the solution to obtain secure areas for the vehicles.

The aim of this project is to design and manufacture a barrier system which is capable of

satisfying the needs of an apartment parking lot gate.

a. Barrier with lift arm b. Barrier with scissor

mechanism

Figure 1. Barrier systems


• The barrier should block 1 m long traffic lane (standard barrier dimensions are

scaled down so that manufacturing costs are decreased), 1 m over the road surface

continuously (This design project is given as a proof–of-concept study to test the

proposed design in a scaled-down prototype).

• The barrier system should fit into 1 m x 1 m square area on the lane in close state and

0.5 m in length x 1.5 m in height rectangular area in open state without disturbing

the volume on the lane.

• The barrier system should operate on plane without any interaction with road surface.

• The barrier system should achieve 500,000 cycles.

• The barrier should complete its each opening/closing cycles in 4 seconds.

• The duration of barrier open state should be adjustable to 5-30 seconds.

• The barrier system should resist wind speed of 80 kph.

• The barrier system should be operated manually in the event of power failure.

• The barrier system should be controlled both by the cable and by wireless

communication.

• The barrier system should be closed immediately after the first authorized pass to

prevent it from being open for too long.

• The barrier system should stop and return to the fully open position once a vehicle is

present during the closing cycle.


Figure 2. Areas that can be used for the design


• (To be decided.)

Design Criteria:

• Manual operation %5

• Close state occupied area %15

• Open state occupied area %15

• Unauthorized pass prevention %10

• Detection of objects during closing cycle %10

• Opening/closing duration %15

• Cost %5

• Noticeable and aesthetic apperance %5

• Emergency shutdown %5

• Sealing %5

• Vibration control %5

• Life and resistance of the barrier %5

Bonus

• Wireless control %10

• Image verification %10

Video Links

• Past ME 407 project (Animation): https://youtu.be/zcq-t5-SZVc

• Past ME 407 project: See in class presentation

Extent of Support:


capabilities

• You may contact Assist.Prof. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]) for more

details.

https://youtu.be/zcq-t5-SZVc



4. Design of a Set-Up for Demonstration of Shape Memory Alloy


Shape Memory Alloys can change their phase at critical temperatures in a reversible manner,

which translates into recovering from large deformations. A very common example is

NITINOL, a Nickel- Titanium Alloy. They are capable of very high strains and high actuation

forces.

In this project students are expected to design a setup for demonstrating various

characteristics and uses of Shape Memory Alloys. The demonstration should include an

example for two-way actuation using a shape memory alloy helical spring, electrical actuation

of shape memory alloys, a simple demonstration of shape memory effect in shape memory

alloys, a simple demonstration of super elastic behavior of shape memory alloys. The outcome

of this project is planned to be used in the departmental course ME493 Introduction to Smart

Structures and Materials.

Figure 1. Morphing Wings (Trailing Edge) and Elastic Hinge Shape Memory Alloy

(SMA) actuators pull on structure to create curvature. source: Recent

Developments in Smart and Nanscale Materials 2009, University of Cincinnati,

2009.


The demonstration should include

• an example for two-way actuation using a shape memory alloy helical spring

• electrical actuation of shape memory alloys

• a simple demonstration of shape memory effect in shape memory alloys

o a simple demonstration of super elastic behavior of shape memory alloys.

• The outcome of this project is planned to be used in the departmental course ME493

Introduction to Smart Structures and Materials.


Figure 2. Morphing Aerial Structures. Source: Recent Developments in Smart and

Nanscale Materials 2009, University of Cincinnati, 2009.



Design Criteria


Video Links

• Shape Memory Alloy Spring Demo

• Inchworm Robot with Shape Memory Muscle-wire

• Card Trick with Shape Memory Wire

Extent of Support

• This project will be sponsored by the Vibrations Lab.

• Up 1000 TL + KDV (only one group) support for hardware purchases and

manufacturing costs.

• You may contact Assist.Prof. Gökhan O. ÖZGEN for more details

([email protected]).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsBHF_j2FJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9f-W6Xi_Wo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=proQVrJMPvk&feature=related



5. Design of A Non-Circular Variable Area Sprinkler


The area covered by a conventional sprinkler, as in Figure 1, is circular (or an arc with

adjustment). In this project a non-circular (for simplicity, consider only rectangular shapes)

area sprinkler will be designed. Other than commercial solutions for rectangular area

sprinklers, this projects requires the sprinkler to be placed anywhere inside the irrigation

area.

Figure 3 - A typical sprinkler.

(Source: Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd)

The bounding box of the area that will be covered is a 5000 x 5000 mm square, but the

boundary of the irrigation area can be of any rectangular shape fitting inside the bounding

box (as shown in Figure 2).

Figure 4 – Two different irrigation areas, A and B. For both of the areas, the

sprinkler can be positioned at the center.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl50xckbMqfW9gQHm2q130g



• The sprinkler system should be adjustable (either mechanically or programmatically)

for the shape of the irrigation area.

• The system has to fit inside a bounding box of 200x400x200.

• The irrigation system should be powerful enough for a 5000x5000 square area.

• The system should cover the area periodically (more than one times), and the period

of a single irrigation of the area should be under 5 minutes.

• The system should be a single module without adaptors for different shapes of

irrigation area.

• The maximum allowable error for irrigation area boundary (where the water should

cover) is ±100 mm, and sprinkler should not irrigate outside of this boundary (see

Figure 2, areas A and B).

• The design should be unique and should not be a replicate of an existing product or

patented idea.

• The system can be mechanical or robotic.

• You can choose any type of water supply. Thus, you have option to adjust the flow rate

and pressure of the supply.

• The project mass production cost should be below 150 TL.


• (To be decided)

Design Criteria

• (To be decided)

Useful Links and References

• A rectangular area sprinkler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7D3HacVQw

• An irregular area sprinkler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN5_N0rB3ww

Extent of Support


capabilities

• You may contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]), Assoc. Prof.

Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) and T.A. Kemal

Açıkgöz([email protected])

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7D3HacVQw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN5_N0rB3ww





6. Design of a Refrigerator Door Hinge that is Adjustable at 3 Axes



In refrigerators (Fig.1), there are “Door Hinges” mounted to the main body of the refrigerator.

There are 3 types of hinges using in the fridges (Fig.2): Upper Hinge, Middle Hinge and

Bottom Hinge. The upper hinge connects the door upper door to the body. The bottom hinge

connects the bottom door to the main body, like the upper hinge. The middle hinge (Fig.3)

has a bit different role, connects both 2 doors to the main body. In this case, to provide

alignment of the doors, the hinge could be adjustable for this mission. In the current

situation, the middle hinges are not able to allow the door position adjustment.

Fig. 1 Refrigerator Fig. 2 Refrigerator with doors opened

Fig. 3 Middle Hinge

The aim of the project is to design a “Middle Hinge System” that enables the adjustment of

the door and body fixation positions. With this system, user or service officer can be able to

adjust and align the door positions.



• The hinge mechanism should carry max. 30 Kg. door weight (vertical).

• The user should actuate the mechanism with max. 5Nm torque (screw driver - hand)

• The system should meet 150K opening-closing cycle.

• The mechanism should connect to the main body with at least 2 joint.

• The mechanism should allow the adjustment within 3 dimensions; X, Y and Z

(vertical) axis.

• The mechanism should allow the user to adjust the door position even if there are

objects in the doors.

• The user should actuate the mechanism smoothly with a screw driver or any other

tool that can be found easily.

• Total cost shouldn’t exceed 5€.



Design Criteria


Specifications for the Model

• Prototype is to be built on a 1:1 model, based on the refrigerator.

Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_fJSxFdw34

Extent of Support

• Prototypes of hinge and refrigerator will be provided by Arçelik, and 1500 TL (VAT)

funding will be available.

• You may contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]) and Assoc.

Prof. Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_fJSxFdw34




7. Design of a Refrigerator Internal Container Telescopic Rail System



In refrigerators, there are containers like crispers, “0” degree compartments and freezer

drawers (Fig.1, Fig.2).

Fig. 1 Refrigerator Fig. 2 Freezer drawer

In heavy load conditions, user couldn’t pull and push the containers easily. To prevent this,

rail systems applied to the containers (Fig.3, Fig.4). In these rail systems, there can be a cost-

up that exceeds the upper limit to apply these units to the fridge.

Fig. 3 Freezer Drawer Fig. 4 Rail System

To apply these rail systems to the refrigerators widely and without cost-up problem, a low-

cost and new ergonomic design rail systems are required.



• The rail mechanism should carry max. 30 Kg. of goods.

• The user should actuate the mechanism and pull the container with max. 10Nm

force (@20Kg. load).

• The mechanism should be mounted to the fridge body and after that, the container

should be fixed to the rail system.

• The system should meet 150K opening-closing cycle.

• The system cost shouldn’t exceed 8€ per rail unit.

Design Criteria



• Prototype is to be built on a 1:1 model, based on the refrigerator.

Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFikrXXQhSo

Extent of Support

• Prototype of refrigerator will be provided by Arçelik, and 1500 TL (VAT) funding

will be available.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFikrXXQhSo




8. Design of a Movable Glass Shelf System/Mechanism for Refrigerators

that can Move in Vertical & Horizontal Directions (SPONSORED by

Vestel)


The house appliance - refrigerators - includes a body having a cooling chamber which could

provide suitable storage conditions for the refrigerated goods. The refrigerators comprise an

inner liner which define a storage space is divided to “sub-storage spaces” by glass shelves,

drawers and door shelves according to the types of stored goods. The glass shelves are

detachably fixed to the inner liner’s accommodation recesses that are created especially for

them on the constant locations of the inner liner in order to divide storage space into storage

areas. Because of the stability of these accommodation recesses, these storage areas having

constant volume which could be loaded with refrigerated goods have certain dimensions by

user. Some goods which have a dimension larger than storage areas created by glass shelves

could not be stored on them. In this case the user has to change the location of glass shelves

to adjust suitable volume for those type goods. This situation may cause some undesired

conditions as glass shelves breakage, injuries of users, damage of the inner liner’s details etc.

Moreover, to some extent, when these storage areas are fully loaded, a user could not reach

the rear part of the glass shelf if it is located on the middle part of the inner liner. Therefore,

there is a need of movable glass shelf system which will move/adjust the location of the glass

shelves both in vertical and horizontal direction. By means of this system/design, a user

easily adjusts the storage space of the inner liner correspondent with his/her requirements.

In addition to this, with the aid of horizontal movement of the shelves, any locations of them

could be reached easily.

Fig.1 Sliding Refrigerator Shelf Fig.2 Refrigerator shelves with fixed heights

In this particular project the students are required to design a movable glass shelf system

that adjusts storage areas of the inner liner’s storage space. This design should provide

specified requirements.


Fig. 3 Shelf of the refrigerator


• When the refrigerator door is held in 900 open positions, glass shelves could be

pulled out.

• The expected service life is 10000 cycles.

• The glass shelves should carry 30 kilograms when they are stable and they should

carry 10 kilograms when they are on the movement.

• The shelf system must be designed for a refrigerator that dimensions specified at

Fig. 3

• The glass shelves could come to desired position both vertically and horizontally

in maximum 30 seconds.

• This design/mechanism could work within the ambient temperature up to -100 C

• Ease of assembly and accessibility (for repair purposes) is required.

• Safety precautions have to be taken for users and for the designed mechanism.

The system/mechanism should not be worked at high speeds so that any injuries

do not occur. Also the system/mechanism should resist any external force during

the vertical/horizontal movement.

• The movable glass shelf system must be designed as a completely mechanical

system.

• The design should be competitive. Therefore, we will support for prototypes. Cost

of mechanism for mass production should not exceed 10 € in order to be

competitive.


Model is to be built in 1:1 scale


Design Criteria (Tentative)

• Smooth running of the system. (Satisfying the vertical/horizontal movement

within the stated time interval and force requirements) (30%)

• Safety precautions for user; speed of vertical/horizontal movement, movement

force (15%)

• Safety precautions for mechanism from unexpected user behaviors; interruption

of movement (15%)

• Same performance quality of operations for 10,000 cycles without severe

maintenance requirements (10%)

• Accessibility for repair purposes (5%)

• Ease of assembly (5%)

• Cost (15%)

• Aesthetical design (5%)

Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvua-5UFG54

• https://www.mitsubishi-

electric.co.nz/materials/refrigeration/manuals/Connoisseur/1_operation/

OM_MR-E62S.pdf

Extent of Support

• Prototype of refrigerator will be provided by Vestel, and 1500 TL (VAT) funding will

be available.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvua-5UFG54

https://www.mitsubishi-electric.co.nz/materials/refrigeration/manuals/Connoisseur/1_operation/OM_MR-E62S.pdf






9. Design of a Rotating & Horizontally Moving Shelf System/Mechanism

for Refrigerators (SPONSORED by Vestel)


The house appliance - refrigerators - includes a body having a cooling chamber which could

provide suitable storage conditions for the refrigerated goods. The refrigerators comprise an

inner liner which define a storage space is divided to “sub-storage spaces” by shelves, drawers

and door shelves according to the types of stored goods. Stored goods can be loaded on shelves,

drawers and door shelves. In order to reach goods which are loaded innermost positions of

shelves, consumer has to unload or relocate frontmost goods. This situation may cause some

undesired conditions as consumer tendency not to use innermost areas of shelves, injuries of

users while relocating stored goods, etc... Therefore, there is a need to rotating shelf system

in order to reach innermost stored goods. To minimize the loss of the shelf area and make the

movement easier, horizontal movement is also required. By means of this system/design, a

user must easily reach the goods which located on back spaces of shelves.

Fig. 1 Rotating refrigerator shelf

In this particular project the students are required to design a rotating & horizontally moving

shelf system that provide easy access to hard to reach goods. This design should provide

specified requirements.

Fig. 2 Shelf of the refrigerator



• When the refrigerator door is held in 900 open positions, shelf system could be

pulled out.

• The expected service life is 30000 cycles.

• The shelf should carry total weight of 10 kilograms.

• The shelf system must be designed for a refrigerator that dimensions specified at

Fig. 2

• This design/mechanism could work within the ambient temperature up to -100 C.

• Ease of assembly and accessibility (for repair purposes) is required.

• Safety precautions have to be taken for users and for the designed mechanism.

The system/mechanism should not be worked at high speeds so that any injuries

do not occur. Also, the system/mechanism should resist any external force during

the revolving action and stable position.

• The rotating shelf system must be designed as a completely mechanical system

• The design should be competitive. Therefore, we will support for prototypes and

cost of mechanism for mass production should not exceed 8 € in order to be

competitive.

Specification for the Model

Model is to be built in 1:1 scale

Design Criteria (Tentative)

• Smooth and easy running of the system. (Satisfying rotation movement when it is

loaded) (30%)

• Safety precautions for user; speed of rotation movement, rotating force (15%)

• Safety precautions for mechanism from unexpected user behaviors; interruption

of rotation action, overloading more than 10 kilograms up to 20 kilograms (15%)

• Same performance quality of operations for 30,000 cycles without severe

maintenance requirements (10%)

• Accessibility for repair purposes (5%)

• Ease of assembly (5%)

• Cost (15%)

• Aesthetical design (5%)

Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvua-5UFG54

• https://www.mitsubishi-

electric.co.nz/materials/refrigeration/manuals/Connoisseur/1_operation/OM

_MR-E62S.pdf

Extent of Support

• Prototype of refrigerator will be provided by Vestel, and 1500 TL (VAT) funding will

be available.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvua-5UFG54







10. Design on an Automatic Pet Feeder


Domestic animals need to be fed regularly. If their owners are not present (due to work

hours, holidays, etc.) someone should take care of them, which is not always possible.

Therefore, it is desired to have automatic feeder. The requirements of an automatic feeder

for different pets are different (due to their physical size, eating habits). Thus, it must be

flexible in terms of the eating habits of the animal. The feeder must supply desired amount

of food at user defined regular time intervals.

Fig. 1 Automatic pet feeders


• The feeder must be compatible with dry food. It should not allow the change of

humidity inside the food container.

• User should be able to adjust the amount of food (at 10±1 gram intervals) and time

intervals. Therefore, a user interface is needed.

• If the food inside the container is at low level, feeder should warn the owner.

• The owner should be able to check when the feeder filled last time (thus, preventing

food poisoning).

• The cost of the system should be at most 500 TL.

• The device should bear against possible animal interactions. For instance, it

shouldn't tip over or get damaged by the animal (especially the electronics).

• The device should be safe to use and easy to clean.

• Bounding box for device volume will be 500x500x500 mm.

• The container must have a capacity of 2 kg.

• Maximum weight of the device must be 3 kg, without the container.

• As a bonus, water dispenser or remote control may be added!



Design Criteria



Video Links

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2UUftYwmCg

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A71gKe0F3mM

Extent of Support

• Students can use the available components in ME407 Lab. Also, machine shop can

be used for production.

• You may contact T.A. Melih Özcan for more details ([email protected])

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2UUftYwmCg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A71gKe0F3mM



11. Design of a Vertical Jumping Robot with (Series) Elastic Actuation


In this project, a vertically constrained continuously jumping robot will be designed.

The aim will be study Spring Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP) model for running in the

context of stability, control etc. To jump efficiently, a spring element will be included within

the design. And, as in the literature series elastic actuation (SEA) will be accompanied such

that the motor and the spring will be in series connection.

SLIP model includes a mass and spring like a pogo stick. And there are different choices of

actuation types. We will use the SEA approach.

The motivation is the observation of SLIP model’s ability to capture human and animal

running. [1] Hence, we want to design platforms able to show properties of SLIP in order to

study legged locomotion and rehabilitation. In this project, we will only consider the vertical

motion since it is shown that radial and angular dynamics are weakly coupled. [2]

Figure 1 – Generic SLIP & SEA model and a Pogo Stick.

Figure 2 – Example vertical models of SLIP and it’s possible physical application

along with an actuation which includes a position controller of rack and

pinion.[3]

The robot is not need to be exactly the same with SLIP model, but it should be

equivalent to that. Examples are given below;


Figure 3 – Example platform accompanies SLIP model which is vertically

constrained[3]

Figure 4 – ATRIAS Robot which has a 4-link(5 bar) structure with leaf springs but

has equivalent dynamics to SLIP Model.[4]

Project Requirements (Tentative)

• A vertical jumping robot will be designed, which will behave like Spring Loaded

Inverted Pendulum model. Mechanical design of the body will be free however,

equivalent dynamic behaviour should represent the SLIP model.

• Robot should be able to jump continuously as power comes through, without any

problem. So this is not a single height jumping problem.

• Robot should be fully constrained in vertical motion.

• Bounding box for the robot will be 400x200x400


• Total mass of the robot should be smaller than 6 kgs

• Robot's natural frequency (i.e. number of theoretical jumps just for initial conditions)

should be larger than 3 Hz

• Total damping within the structure shouldn't be larger than k/1000.

• Robot should be able to jump at an height of maximum 1.7*h_robot.

• A user interface is needed, from which user will give the height input(can be a signal or

a single height). After height input is given, starting from the next stride robot should

be able to reach it. Also, user should see the positional change of the robot from the

same interface.(Accuracy etc. will be determined.)


• (To be decided).

Design Criteria


Video Links

• Video from METU – ATLAS Lab; Seçer & Saranlı

• General SLIP Running(Angular motion is also included)

• Disney’s 3D Hopper Robot

• MIT’s Hoppers (Anguar motion is also included)

REFERENCES

1 - An Analytical Solution to the Stance Dynamics of Passive Spring-Loaded Inverted

Pendulum with Damping, [Geyer et al.]

2 - An Analytical Solution to the Stance Dynamics of Passive Spring-Loaded Inverted

Pendulum with Damping, [Ankaralı et al.]

3 - Energy efficient control of a 1D hopper through tunable damping, [Seçer and Saranlı]

4- ATRIAS: Design and validation of a tether-free 3D-capable spring-mass bipedal robot,

[Hubicki et al.]

Extent of Support:

• Manufacturing of Components in the Department Machine Shop, Use of ME407 Lab

capabilities

• You may contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]), Assoc. Prof.

Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) and Teach. Assist. Sinan Şahin

Candan([email protected])

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5eM1L19YNU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZccJ_V2WR8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ZXmGRCuts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ZXmGRCuts





12. Design of a Passive Dynamic Walker


In this project, a legged walker toy robot will be designed without actuation(passive). With

an initial gentle tap, robot should be able to go through an inclined surface stably with help

of gravity. Also, with another gentle tap during the motion, robot should be able to lock itself

at the last position and again a slight input should reactivate the robot.

Such passive dynamic walkers are first designed by McGeer[1]. And later used for Legged

Locomotion research purposes. However, it is later used for teaching dynamics related

courses and as toys. Here we want to design toys for children. Hence necessary safety

precautions should also be taken. And finally, aesthetics will be graded since it will be a toy.

Figure 3 - More examples for PDW toys. However, we expect a human-like version

of it.

Figure 1 Example model of a

PDW Figure 2 - Example PDW's 2 legs - 2 supports

at a time.


Project Requirements (Tentative)

• Total robot height should remain between 60cm < h < 90cm

• It will have 2 equivalent legs however you may use 2 extra support legs.

• Aesthetics will be graded.

• Inclination angle will be selected by the designers and robot will be designed

accordingly. However it must remain between 5 and 15 degrees.

• Robot must go minimum 3*h distance stably and step number should be in the region

of 5 < #step < 10 without falling.

• User should be able to stop the robot during the motion with a small push. Robot

should lock itself, and after again a small re-push robot should go on from the last

moment without a fall.

• No actuators will be used, however passive elements like springs or dampers are

allowed. However damping values will be restricted for energy efficiency (TBD). Also,

maximum friction on the surface and foots will also be restricted.(TBD)

• Total mass of the robot should not be larger than 1.5 kg.

• Bounding box for the robot volume will be (h/2) x (h/5) x (h),


• (To be decided)

Design Criteria

• (To be decided)

Useful Links and References

• Passive Dynamic Walker

• Lego Passive Dynamic Walker

• PDW with treadmill

• PDW with inclined treadmill

• PDW with flat feet, toes and ankle springs

• https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~hgeyer/Teaching/R16-899B/Papers/McGeer90IJRR.pdf

Extent of Support

• Manufacturing of Components in the Department Machine Shop, Use of ME407 Lab

capabilities

• You may contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]), Assoc.

Prof. Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) and Teach. Assist. Sinan Şahin

Candan([email protected])

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwEWki9H0Ao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwEWki9H0Ao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1BZ128YU9I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhu2xNIpgDE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhu2xNIpgDE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8IFEGmiKY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvyJhWhz38c

https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~hgeyer/Teaching/R16-899B/Papers/McGeer90IJRR.pdf





13. Design of an Inverted Pendulum


This project “Inverted Pendulum” will be used in METU Mech. Eng. Dpt. for demonstration

purposes in labs and exhibitions. In this project, we aim to stabilize an inertia against

gravity with rotational and translational degree of freedom by applying a force in

translational direction with a moving cart.

In control theory, systems with linear and stable characteristics are generally studied

extensively. In the advanced control systems, it is further improved that even unstable and

nonlinear systems with several degrees of freedom can be handled as well. Understanding

the characteristics of the unstable systems might not be as easy as the stable systems;

therefore, building a test setup with flexible features that reflects different behaviors of

applied control method would be very beneficial. For this purpose, a flexible and portable

linear inverted pendulum test setup will be constructed with a user friendly interface. And

since it will be used in demonstrations frequently, it should be impressive and have catchy

appearance. Also, we want to improve the older design in such a way that it will be lighter,

smaller, more durable, safer and robust.

Figure 1 - Example project from Fall 2015


• Power system and cabling should be covered by a transparent and safe material for

a compact design.

• System should not need any significant manual adjustments for starting.

• User should communicate with the system by using a laptop and should work well

with widely available commercial programs. System variables like position of base or

velocity of base should be transferred to laptop by using a Data Acquisition Card and

computer programs like MATLAB. Also communication protocols should be

appropriate with respect to chosen physical subsystems.

• It should be portable and light weight such that a person will be able to carry and

set it up to the stationary frame easily for demonstration purposes. Also it should

have appropriate dimensions for such purposes and to be able to run the pendulum

on any location of demonstration table instead of the edge of the table.


• The system should have a self-erecting (raising pendulum with linear motion)

property.

• To eliminate the need of putting the system on the edge of table, system should have

a frame with enough height to allow system perform at anywhere it is placed. (As

illustrated in Figure 1)

• Legs of this platform should be adjustable for planar irregularities.

• Inverted pendulum and its platform should be isolated from any vibrations to have

more accurate control.

• System should have an appropriate controller which will satisfy the stabilization

specifications and have enough disturbance compensation.

• PID controller should be used in the system. User should be able to change the

control parameters such as Kp, Kd, and Ki.

• System should have an aesthetic appearance for presentation purposes.

• It should have an easy user interface in which simulation and real time results will

be displayed and control parameters can be changed by the user.

• Pendulum should have a flexible design such that the mass of the pendulum can be

modified by using few rod alternatives.

• Power requirement for the system should be supplied from 220 AC.

• System should have appropriate reaction speed against disturbances. And especially

for small* disturbances it should overcome them even without a full rotation and

with self erection. (*Small disturbance is defined as the disturbance that can be

handled by the controller/cart's linear motion without a need of waiting for one full

rotation of the pendulum)

• System should need minimum amount of maintenance.

• User guide/manual will be prepared and GUI (Graphical User Interface) explanation

will be added which also includes maintenance and assembly-disassembly guides

• Appropriate cabling should be done in the project. All data and energy interaction

will be provided through appropriate connectors and cable holders.

• The total cost of system should be at most 3000 Turkish Lira.

• Stabilization point can be taken as input from user


• System’s service life without any need of significant maintenance should be at least

3000 hours and system should have minimum 5 years of shelf life. In addition, the

appropriate maintenance should be done to system.

• Total mass of the system should be smaller than 15 kg.

• System’s dimensions should be smaller than the given values:

• Length < 800mm

• Width < 400mm

• Height < 500mm

• Length of the rod should be less than or equal to 200mm.

• Rotational error band should lie in between + 5 degrees.

• Linear error band (of the cart and pendulum) should lie in %10 of the range of the

cart.

• Time for self-erecting should be smaller than 5 seconds.

• Settling time for small disturbances which do not need full rotation to stabilize

should be 3 seconds and classifying disturbances will be done by using an impact

hammer.


Model is to be built on a 1:1 scale


Design Criteria

• Weight of the setup %10

• Total size of the test setup %10

• Settling time (5 seconds for small disturbances) %10

• Self-erecting %15

o Self-erecting start-up (%10)

o Self-erecting in case of disturbance (%5)

• Ease of maintenance-assembly-use

o Ease of maintenance

o Ease of assembly/disassembly

%10

(%5)

(%5)

• Aesthetics %5

• Error band %15

o Rotational error band ±5° (%10)

o Linear error band, %10 of the cart range (%5)

• Communication with user %15

o Allowing user to change the control parameters (%5)

o Drawing real time graphics of the outputs and simulation

results

(%5)

o User friendly interface (%5)

• Safety for users and audience %5

• Neat cabling %5

Bonus

• Self-erecting within 3 seconds (%5)

• Changing the stabilization point (%15)

o Taking input via software from user (%5)

o Using touchless control with a user input (%10)

Video Links

• ME407 2016 Inverted pendulum project

• ME407 2011 Inverted pendulum project.

Extent of Support


capabilities

• You may contact Assist.Prof.Dr. Gökhan ÖZGEN ([email protected]) or

Assoc.Prof. Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) for more details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJI2Zwe7KOE&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/06Ir5pWVCWA

https://youtu.be/06Ir5pWVCWA




14. Design of VLA (Very Light Aircraft) Nose Gear (or Main Gear) Landing

system


Landing system is a combination of parts that are used to help a flying object to land, take-

off, and taxi. The proposed landing system is going to be used in a very light aircraft (VLA).

This VLA will be built in accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

certification specification for very light aircraft (CS-VLA) and the TAI requirements.

A landing system is composed of including but not limited to main landing gear, nose landing

gear, braking system, and steering system. The mentioned parts are the fundamental

members of a VLA landing system. For this project, nose landing gear will be designed.

However, since the steering system and the nose landing gear will be integrated, the steering

will be considered throughout the design process.

The nose landing gear is the sub-system which is located in the front side of the aircraft below

the nose as the name indicates (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 for an example). The purpose of

this sub-system is to handle the final shock at the landing and support the plane during the

ground operations. The nose landing gear may also house the steering system. For VLA class,

conventionally single tire is used but the number of tires might be increased in accordance

with the requirements of the aircraft and project. As a requirement of the project, the nose

landing gear is designed such that it must be suitable to tow the airplane with an apparatus

from the nose gear. Furthermore, nose gear must be designed in such a way that it is suitable

for towing. There has to be a mechanism that allows towing operation and the change

between the steering and towing has to be simple yet reliable. This change must be foolproof,

that is there shouldn’t be any way to tow the airplane before this procedure is done and the

procedure must be simple so anybody can easily do it.

The steering system is the sub-system that is used to steer the plane during the taxi and

ground operations. It might be designed as a sub-system of braking system or could be

independent from braking. For this project, according to the requirement, the steering must

be done from the nose gear. In this case, the steering system is integrated to the nose gear

such that the steering is done by the rotation of the nose gear. The rotational motion of the

nose gear could be generated by including but not limited to a servo motor, a gear system, a

hydraulic system.

During this project, the nose gear of the landing gear system will be designed in accordance

with the requirements (see Figure 5 for an example aircraft). The landing system will be fixed

type in tricycle format. The designed landing system sub-part will be manufactured. The nose

gear design will not include the whole steering system but the steering will be considered

during the desing. Although towing is a part of the steering system, it will be done during

the project.

For the design purposes, only the overall dimensions of the TECNAM P2002JF will be used.


Figure 5 - TECNAM P2002JC, the landing gear is fixed type in tricycle format. The

nose landing gear is indicated with a circle. Retrievied from:

http://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/3/5/2247531.jpg?v=v40

Project Requirements:

• All the subsystems in prototype aircraft should not be damaged because of the

vibration caused by different flight conditions.

• As stated in the technical requirements document, prototype aircraft will have such

fatigue loads and damage tolerant limits so that it will be functional for at least 1000

Figure 6 - Close-up of the nose landing gear of the TECNAM P2002JF. Picture is

taken by the group member İrem Köse.

http://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/3/5/2247531.jpg?v=v40


hours fatigue life or at least 10 years of operation time (whichever is earlier) under

normal operational conditions.

• There will be nose gear steering system controlling the prototype aircraft safely.

• There should be fixed-type landing gear.

• Take on/off distances will be evaluated for rigid, dry, flat airstrip and windless

conditions.

• Towing provisions of prototype aircraft will be on the nose landing gear. If steering

system need to be switched of, the switch of operation should be simple and foolproof.

• Tires will be qualified to the speed limit that prototype aircraft can reach on the

ground.

Design Specifications:

• Maximum stalling speed is 45 kts.

• Maximum Cruising speed is 81 kts.

• Maximum take-off weight is 750 kg.

• Maximum operational altitude is 7500 ft.

• Prototype aircraft safety factor is 1.5.

• Sink speed of main landing gear is 7 fps.

• Landing distance (from 50ft. to standstill position) will be aimed to be less than 1000

meters.

• Prototype aircraft will be able to take off & land exposing to cross wind till 10 kts.

“Spinning” clause of CS-VLA document will be considered in this context.

Design Criteria:

• Weight (30%)

• Simplicity (20%)

• Ease of maintenance (20%)

• Steering Architecture (10%)

• Testing (20%)

• Foolproof towing (10%)

Extent of Support


capabilities

• You may contact Assoc.Prof. Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) for more

details.

REFERENCES

[1] Tecnam P92 Echo Super, 2005.

[2] A. Bidini, Tecnam P92 Echo Super, L'Aquila Preturo, 2011.

[3] E. A. S. Agency, Certification Specifications for Very Light Aircraft, 2003.

[4] TAI, Very Light Aircraft Technical Requirement Document, 2017.



15. Design of VLA (Very Light Aircraft) Flight Control System


The directional control of a fixed-wing aircraft takes place around the lateral, longitudinal,

and vertical axes by means of flight control surfaces designed to create movement about these

axes. These control devices are hinged or movable surfaces through which the attitude of an

aircraft is controlled during takeoff, flight, and landing. They are usually divided into two

major groups:

1) primary or main flight control surfaces

2) secondary or auxiliary control surfaces.

Primary Flight Control Surfaces

The primary flight control surfaces on a fixed-wing aircraft include: ailerons, elevators, and

the rudder. In the project together with the input system one control surface (aileron or

elevator) will be controlled

Figure 1 - Flight control surfaces move the aircraft around the three axes of flight

Ailerons

Ailerons are the primary flight control surfaces that move the aircraft about the longitudinal

axis. In other words, movement of the ailerons in flight causes the aircraft to roll. Ailerons

are usually located on the outboard trailing edge of each of the wings. They are built into the

wing and are calculated as part of the wing’s surface area.


Figure 2 - Differential aileron control movement.

When one aileron is moved down, the aileron on the opposite wing is deflected

upward

The pilot’s request for aileron movement and roll are transmitted from the cockpit to

the actual control surface in a variety of ways depending on the aircraft. A system of

control cables and pulleys, push-pull tubes, hydraulics, electric, or a combination of

these can be employed. [Figure 3]

Figure 3 - Transferring control surface inputs from the cockpit


Elevator

The elevator is the primary flight control surface that moves the aircraft around the

horizontal or lateral axis. This causes the nose of the aircraft to pitch up or down. The elevator

is hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and typically spans most or all of its

width. It is controlled in the cockpit by pushing or pulling the control yoke forward or aft.

Light aircraft use a system of control cables and pulleys or push pull tubes to transfer cockpit

inputs to the movement of the elevator. High performance and large aircraft typically employ

more complex systems. Hydraulic power is commonly used to move the elevator on these

aircraft. On aircraft equipped with fly-by-wire controls, a combination of electrical and

hydraulic power is used.

Rudder

The rudder is the primary control surface that causes an aircraft to yaw or move about the

vertical axis. This provides directional control and thus points the nose of the aircraft in the

direction desired. Most aircraft have a single rudder hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical

stabilizer. It is controlled by a pair of foot-operated rudder pedals in the cockpit. When the

right pedal is pushed forward, it deflects the rudder to the right which moves the nose of the

aircraft to the right. The left pedal is rigged to simultaneously move aft. When the left pedal

is pushed forward, the nose of the aircraft moves to the left.

As with the other primary flight controls, the transfer of the movement of the cockpit controls

to the rudder varies with the complexity of the aircraft. Many aircraft incorporate the

directional movement of the nose or tail wheel into the rudder control system for ground

operation. This allows the operator to steer the aircraft with the rudder pedals during taxi

when the airspeed is not high enough for the control surfaces to be effective. Some large

aircraft have a split rudder arrangement. This is actually two rudders, one above the other.

At low speeds, both rudders deflect in the same direction when the pedals are pushed. At

higher speeds, one of the rudders becomes inoperative as the deflection of a single rudder is

aerodynamically sufficient to maneuver the aircraft.

Figure 4 - Control surfaces


Figure 7 - Ailerons and cockpit connection.

Figure 8 - A mechanism for aileron control.


Figure 9 - Aileron controls in the wing.

Figure 10 - Aileron control sticks and transmission.

For this Project, flight control system will be designed.






Design Criteria

Performance 30%

Handling

Applying Force

Sensitivity

Quality 15% Reliability

Durability

Safety 35%

Weight

Prevention of Deflection

Prevention of Failure

Design 20%

Ease of Maintenance

Ease of Assembly

Manufacturability

Feasibility

Simplicty

Extent of Support


capabilities

• You may contact Assoc.Prof. Dr. İlhan Konukseven([email protected]) for more

details.

REFERENCES

[1] http://okigihan.blogspot.com/p/the-directional-control-of-fixed-wing.html

[2] https://www.slideshare.net/sansiaf20011972/aircraft-control-systems

[3] TAI-METU VERY LIGHT AIRCRAFT(VLA) PROJECT FEASIBILITY

REPORT by Design of Flight Control Systems Group

[4] Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft 2009-2010

[5] Google Patents

[6] https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-communities-and-interests/homebuilt-aircraft-and-

homebuilt-aircraft-kits/resources/building-articles/control-systems/push-pull-tube-control-

installations


https://www.slideshare.net/sansiaf20011972/aircraft-control-systems

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-communities-and-interests/homebuilt-aircraft-and-homebuilt-aircraft-kits/resources/building-articles/control-systems/push-pull-tube-control-installations




16. Projects Proposed by the Project Group (A brief 2 to 3-page proposal

must be submitted along with the project selection form.)

We will let you define the context of your own project if you can find a sponsor who wants

you to work on a problem the solution of which is going to contribute to them. The sponsor

has to guarantee to provide necessary support towards the completion of your project.

Based on the approval of the course staff, and an agreement between us, you will be able to

work on a project determined by you!

ME 407 FALL 2018 PROJECT TOPICS First Lecture 01.10courses.me.metu.edu.tr/courses/me407/Project_Topics_F2018.pdf · ME 407 FALL 2018 PROJECT TOPICS First Lecture – 01.10.2018 1.

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