Fall 2021
Fall 2021 Muhammad Rashid Best Project Award winners.
Fall 2021 First Place
Power Line Data Acquisition System
NO VIDEO
Team Members
Jodie Welch, Chance Bellflower, Sam Brown
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Bhuvana Ramachandran
Abstract
Dynamic line rating gives power system operators and utilities the ability to expand the capacity of the existing grid. We designed a two-module system that will give power system operators the ability to track conductor sag and weather conditions in real-time, allowing the implementation of dynamic line rating based on collected data. A line-mounted divide makes use of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an infrared temperature sensor, and a light-detecting and ranging sensor (LiDAR) to collect data. This data is then reported via radio transceiver to the grand module. Software systems were programmed using MATLAB that takes the angle recorded by the IMU and plots the catenary curve of the conductor, as well as the maximum allowed curve based on NESC clearance requirements and the maximum operating temperature allowed for the type of conductor. This program can also provide graphs of conductor temperature and ambient temperature over time. Lastly, based on the data collected, an adjusted allowable load will be provided. This will allow system operators the ability to increase the capacity of lines and thus reduce transmission system overloading.
Fall 2021 Second Place
Automatic Aluminum Foil Dispenser
Team Members
Grant Ghesquiere, Keith Dang, Braxton Mullarkey, Christian Page, Nathan Simon
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Mohammed Khabou
Abstract
A need was identified for a machine to automatically cut and dispense aluminum foil sheets for use in hair salons to expedite hair dye and highlight services. The device accepts a standard-size roll of aluminum foil and automatically cuts and dispenses aluminum pieces in the amounts and sizes specified by the user. An Arduino microcontroller was selected to control a series of stepper motors that operate rollers and a cutting mechanism and produce foil sheets based on the user input from an LCD display screen. The Arduino was coded to display a user interface on the LCD screen and allows the user to select from several preset lengths of foil and the desired number of sheets to be produced. This basic design, as produced, has the potential for expansion into other trades, including the food service industry.
