Search Results - mechanical

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Soft Actuators with Stiffness and Shape Modulation

Executive SummaryAccurate and stable robotic systems have traditionally been constructed using rigid materials. However, soft and deformable structures have seen growing interest and application in recent years because they tend to outperform rigid systems. Soft robotics is a subfield that utilizes soft and deformable features, similar to ones found...
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): Xiaobo Tan, Mohammed Al-Rubaiai, Thassyo Pinto
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Advanced Materials, Materials, Mechanical

Novel Lubrication for MAF Processing

Executive SummaryManual labor remains one of the most expensive operating costs for machine shops. This MSU-developed technology seeks to improve the use of Magnetic Field-Assisted Finishing (MAF) to reduce the amount of hand finishing, particularly for mold cavities. Additionally, this technology seeks to improve the lifetime of abrasive particles,...
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): Patrick Kwon, Haseung Chung, Pil-Ho Lee
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Advanced Materials, Manufacturing Equipment, Materials, Mechanical, Nanotechnology

Passive Mechanical Frequency Divider

Executive SummaryPassive frequency conversion is an essential component for sensor networks and is ideal for critical applications requiring low power and good phase noise characteristics, such as in frequency synthesizers. Researchers at Michigan State University and the University of California, Santa Barbara have created a unique solution to address...
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): Steven Shaw, Brian Strachan, Kimberly Turner, Kamala Qalandar
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Mechanical, Transportation

Knocking Sensor and Prevention for Internal Combustion Engine

Executive SummaryEffects of knocking in spark-ignition internal combustion engines range from inconsequential such as an annoying noise to completely destructive such as blasting holes through cylinder heads or pistons. With the rise in turbo charged engines, high efficiency engines, and high performance engines in everything from lawnmowers to automobiles,...
Published: 2/17/2023   |   Inventor(s): Guoming Zhu, Kevin Moran
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Energy, Mechanical, Transportation

Chemical Efficacy, Environmental Safety, and Operational Design Improvements for the SandSprayer "Spreader Apparatus for Sand Based Formulations" (Patent No. 8,028,928)

Executive SummaryCurrently, as a part of turfgrass installation and maintenance, topdressing sand and active ingredients (fungicide/growth regulators) are applied sequentially, requiring two passes over the turf. Carrying out these processes separately requires additional time to make two identical passes, leads to spray drift when spraying chemicals,...
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): A. Ronald Detweiler, Joseph Vargas, Gary Zehr
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Mechanical

Sprayer/Top Dresser Machine for Application of Treated Sand to Golf Course Turf

Executive SummaryCurrently, as a part of turfgrass installation and maintenance, topdressing sand and active ingredients (fungicide/growth regulators) are applied sequentially, requiring two passes over the turf. Carrying out these processes separately requires additional time to make two identical passes, leads to spray drift when spraying chemicals,...
Published: 2/17/2023   |   Inventor(s): A. Ronald Detweiler, Joseph Vargas, Nancy Dykema
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Mechanical

Quasi-Static Self-Powering, Sensing, and Data Logging

Executive SummarySlowly acting events can be very difficult to sense, especially for self-powered sensors. Most sensors require an external energy source in order to detect the desired property and report results. For some applications however, a self-powered sensor is desirable that uses energy from the object being sensed in order to record the data....
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): Nizar Lajnef, Shantanu Chakrabartty, Rigoberto Burgueno, Borchani Wassim
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Devices, Test and Measurement, Mechanical

Flexible Hybrid Fastening Systems and Installation Processes

Introduction Fasteners are often installed through holes drilled in individual pieces to be joined. While significant advancements have been made in fasteners over the past several decades, construction techniques such as using composites (including wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber), in particular, have exposed serious limitations to existing...
Published: 2/17/2023   |   Inventor(s): Gary Cloud
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Advanced Materials, Defense, Mechanical, Subassemblies and Components, Energy

Radial Wave Rotor (Wave Disc)

IntroductionTraditional attempts to use depressions or pockets to control wave reflection of off-design operation in internal combustion engines undesirably reduce the sensitivity of axial wave rotors to engine speed changes. Nevertheless, there still exists a need to improve the performance and reduce the size of traditional wave rotors to enhance...
Published: 6/8/2021   |   Inventor(s): Norbert Mueller, Janusz Piechna, Pejman Akbari, Florin Iancu
Keywords(s): Automotive, Internal Combustion Engine, Turbo-Machinery Category(s): Mechanical

Novel Electroactive Polymer-based Flow Sensors for Automotive Systems

Description of TechnologyMichigan State University’s sensing technology enables potential commercial applications in a broad range of industrial applications where information is needed on a combination of fluid/gas flow rates (e.g., in a line), along with the real-time density/viscosity variation of those fluids or gases. The invention uses electroactive...
Published: 8/20/2022   |   Inventor(s): Guoming Zhu, Xiaobo Tan, David Hung
Keywords(s): 3D Cursor, Automotive, Engine Control Module, Ethanol, Mass Air Flow Sensor, Polymers Category(s): Mechanical, Electrical, Devices