Publication Date
Fall 12-11-2019
Document Type
Final Report
Embargo Date
12-11-2020
Problem Statement
A fluid flow testing apparatus was needed to accurately test valves relative to the conditions seen in the factory of a local St. Louis brewery. After concept generation, a rotating track that toggled the valve between open and closed was decided on by the team. Construction of an initial prototype was done over 3 weeks with a total budget of 400 USD. The initial prototype satisfied almost all of the performance goals: capable of cycling 200 times without intervention, 1 paper-towel of leakage at most, and upper reservoir level consistency within 10 percent. To improve the initial prototype, the team upgraded the upper reservoir, made the track more precise, and scaled up the entire apparatus. Final prototype construction took 3 weeks. Furthermore, stress and displacement analysis were performed on the track to ensure longevity of the component. The final prototype met all the performance goals and stayed well within budget. Meanwhile, the team of Jon Fleming, Abel Soloman, and Braden Kerr presented the progress to the MEMS 411 class and received feedback and questions. The final prototype was displayed at the Design Expo and the team was honored to be voted best design and prototype be peers.
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering Design Project (MEMS 411)
Recommended Citation
Fleming, Jonathan; Kerr, Braden; and Soloman, Abel, "Group N: Fluid Flow Testing Apparatus" (2019). Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class. 121.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems411/121