Graduation Semester and Year

2017

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Robert L Woods

Abstract

FSAE is an international student design competition held by SAE International where students design, build and compete in static events like cost, design and dynamic events ranging from acceleration, autocross to endurance. UTA Racing has been a part of FSAE since 1982 and have been using a mechanical design for their shifter and clutch since then. This year for the 2017 design competition an electro-pneumatic system is developed to replace the mechanical system. This system consists of pneumatic cylinders controlling a sequential shifter and a servo clutch. The cylinders are controlled using direction control valves, these receive their signals from a microcontroller which has been programmed accordingly. The major part of this thesis defines the development of a feedback controlled servo clutch for the racecar. This sub system is unique by itself as this is the first time UTA Racing would be using an electro-pneumatic clutch. The shifter reduces the shift times from 150 milliseconds to 75 milliseconds. The report also includes selection of the pneumatic tank to last an endurance event which requires approximately 1000 gear shifts. The Electro-pneumatic system not only reduces effort seen by the driver while shifting but also substantially improves the lap-times thereby increasing performance during the dynamic events.

Keywords

Electro-pneumatic, FSAE, Shifter, Shifting, Clutch, Servo control, Arduino, Position control, UTA racing

Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering | Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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