2023

Engineering Principles
UNIT 8, ASSIGNMENT 2
DOUGHTY, LUKE
You have been asked to investigate elements of simple mechanical power transmission systems. The following
parts of the task were set to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge in performing such investigation. You
need to produce a technical report to show the steps you have taken work out to determine, calculate and
explain these power transmission systems. Your report should include relevant diagrams and illustrations.

Activity 1

Part1

950∗9.81
i) MA= =310.65
30
2∗π∗1200
ii) Vr= =753.98
10
Ma 310.65
iii) E= = ∗100=41.2 %
Vr 753.98
Ma 311
E= = ∗100=41.23%
Vr 745

30−20
iv) =0.22
950−500

30=0.22∗950+ b
b=30−21.1
b=9.89
B

Wd
i) T= ∗tan ( o +0 )
2

2200∗9.81∗( 40∗10−3 )
T= ∗tan ( 11.3+1.31 )=96.5 Nm
2

Torque
ii) Tangent force=
R
 96.5
Tf = =160.83 N
0.6

Mechanical Advantage
iii) Efficiency=
Velocity Ratio
Ma=E∗Vr=0.102∗41.88=4.27

tan ( 0 )
iv) Efficiency=
tan ( o+ 0 )
tan ( 1.31 )
E= ∗100=10.2 %
tan ( 11.3+ 1.31 )

Ta=60

Tb=180

Tc=120

Td=240

( )( )
Tb 180
∗Td ∗240
Ta 60
=
Tc 120

( 3∗2 )=6
Movement ratio is 6

70
Force ratio= =0.7=70 %
100
Efficiency is 70%

Force ratio=0.7∗6=4.2
Force ratio is 4.2

Ta=20
Tb=50

Tc=100

Td=40

Te=20

Tf=120

Output power=25Kw

Load=250RPM

Efficiency=90%

i)

Tb
∗Tc
Ta
∗Td
Tb
∗Te
Tc
∗Tf
Td Tf
Gear ratio= =
Te Ta
50
∗100
20
∗90
50
∗20
100
∗120
40 120
Gr= =
20 20
12 −1
Gr= =12 :2=6 R s
2

ii)

Output shaft velocity =Wi=6∗Wo=6∗250=1500 RPM

iii)
 Po
Efficiency=
Pi
Po 25
Pi= = =27.8 KW required
Efficiency 0.9

iv)

Hold downtorque=Ti +Tn+ ¿=0

−1
15000 RPM=157.07 rad s
Pi
=176.8 Nm
Wi
−25000
¿= =−955.29 Nm
26.17

−1
250 RPM=26.179 rad s
Th=−¿−Ti=955.29−176.8=778.49 Nm( Final answer )

e) The universal coupling arrangement will have a universal velocity rate to the wheels continually
no matter what angle it is in. In order to obtain this constant velocity, proper phasing of the joints is
required. Two cardan joints in series will transmit a constant angular velocity ratio which will be 1:1
between the two intersecting shafts and the intermediate shaft are equal.
At various angles of rotation, the angular velocities of the joint angles are equal. At 30 deg we can
see that they do not intersect.

The formula can be used to show proof of the relationship.

w2 coso cos 30
= =
w 1 1−sin ocos 0 1−sin 2 30 cos2 0
2 2

w2
When cos 0=1 , =1.15
w1
w2
When cos 0−0 , =1.15
w1
It can be seen that the angular velocity ratio is 1:1, therefore the velocity ratio at 30 deg is constantly
equal.

Part 2

a)
b) One mechanical energy storage device is a flywheel. A flywheel uses electrical energy inputs
which is stored as kinetic energy, which is sometimes described as energy of motion. It involves the
motion of a spinning mass, a rotor. The rotor spins in an enclosure which has very little friction, and
is used to provide short term power when the main power supply fluctuates or fails. This is due to
the inertia providing the energy required, however this will turn into thermal energy and kinetic
energy and will dissipate.

Some advantages of flywheel include a high cycle and calendar life. This is because there are few
moving parts in the system so there is less that could break and less stress on the parts. This means
that it would cost less in parts and maintenance over a longer period of time.

Another advantage is that the recharge time is quite short. This is due to the flywheel possibly being
lightweight, and due to the low amount of friction within the system, it requires less energy to speed
up and will therefore take less time to come up to speed. This makes the system more efficient
compared to alternatives.

However, a disadvantage would be that the discharge times are short due to the low amount of
potential energy that can be stored. This means that it loses out compared to other storage devices
as it can not be a more reliable replacement for a main power failure.

A further disadvantage of flywheels is that there can sometimes be lots of mechanical stress and
limits of fatigue on the shaft. This can be cause when it is ran at higher speeds to store more energy,
or used for energy discharge more often.

There is not much potential for future developments of this storage device, other than using lighter
materials for a higher speed and response rate, or heavier materials for a more prolonged discharge.

A second mechanical energy storage device is compressed air energy storage. Ths is a way to store
energy generated at one time for use at another time when it is needed. This is often used to store
energy at times of low demand and release that energy at higher demand times. This is done by
compressing air in a sealed enclosure. Pressurised air is pumped into the tanks for use when needed.

One benefit of using this method of storage is that is increases energy savings. This happens because
the load on the electrical grid is reduced when loads of this energy is stored. It can also provide an
excellent alternative for when the main energy system goes down.

A second advantage of sing compressed air energy storage is that it is better for the environment
and air quality. This is because it produces significantly lower CO2 emissions than other energy
production methods. These emissions can be reduced to almost zero, and provides less reliance on
fossil fuels.

The main drawback of using compressed air energy storage is how the plant extracts the heat from
the air. Thermal expansion requires heat, and if there is no extra heat added, then the expanded air
will be mush cooler. This reduces the amount of power extracted from the heat. This means that this
method uses heat to create more heat, which is then extracted for power. Without the use of
external resources, the system will quickly lose its efficiency.
There are not many future developments for this method, other than increasing the efficiency by
reducing the loss of energy throughout the process.

Activity 2

Part 1

a)
2 Pi
T=
w
V1 = 45m/s

V2 = 25m/s

X1 = 250mm

X2 = 400mm

V =w( √r −x )
2 2
 Do for both V1 and V2

r =√
x 22 v 12−x 12 v 22
v 12−v 22

R = 0.0211

b)

Vmax = w2r

V =w( √r 2 −x2 )

v1
w=
√ r −x 12
2

45
w=
√ 0.25 −0. 02112
2

W = 180.64

V =180.64 ¿
V =124.71

A = 40mm

w = 100rad/s

o = Pi/8

Frequency:
 w
f=
2π
100
f=
2π
f =15.915

Periodic time:

1
T = =0.0628
f

Time:

T
t= =0.0209
3

Displacement:

x=40 sin ( wt +o )

(
x=40 sin ( 100∗0.0209 ) +
π
8 )
(
x=40 sin 0.0209+
π
8 )
x=1.733 mm

(
v=40 wcos ( wt +o )=40∗100∗cos 100∗0.0209+ ( 3.148 ))=3996.246 mm s
−1

(
a=−40 w2 sin ( wt +o )=−40 ¿100 2 sin 100∗0.0209+ ( 3.148 ))=−243904.604 mm s −2
D

Deflection (d) = 20mm

Mass (m) = 3.5kg

Displacement (r) = 25mm

i) Spring stiffness:

static load
Spring stiffness=
static deflection
mg 3.5∗9.81
S= =
d 0.02
−1
S=1716.75 N m

Circular frequency:

w=
√ √
s
m
=
1716.75
3.5
−1
w=22.147 rad s

Periodic time:

2π 2π
T= =
w 22.147
T =0.284 s
 ii) Natural frequency of vibration:

1 1
f= =
T 0.284
f =3.52 Hz

iii) Maximum velocity of mass:

Vmax=wr=22.147∗0.025
−1
Vmax=0.554 m s

iv) Maximum acceleration:

2 2
amax=w r =22.147 ∗0.025
−2
amax=12.262 m s

v) When the natural frequency becomes equal to the frequency of the system, the system
will experience resonance. This means that the amplitude of the wave will be increase,
which means that the wave will have a higher intensity. By using the equation w=f*2Pi,
we can see that the angular frequency will be increased when the frequency of the wave
is increased. This will happen during resonance and will therefore affect the angular
frequency. This means that the system will gain more and more energy, increasing the
amplitude of the waves further. This can be seen in bridge collapses due to resonance or
waves in the ocean. It can also be observed and heard in sound waves.

E
Spring stiffness (k) = 30kN/m

Mass (m) = 5kg

Displacement (r) = 10mm

Angular velocity:

w=
√ √
k
m
=
30000
5
=77.46 rad s−1

Frequency:

w 77.46
f= = =12.328 Hz
2π 2π

Periodic time:

1 1
T= = =0.0811 s
f 12.328

Oscillation starts at bottom of cycle so x o = -10mm

x=xcoswt
x=−10 cos ( 77.46∗0.03 ) =6.838 mm

When differentiated once:

v=−wxsinwt =−77.46∗(−10 ) sin ( 77.46∗0.03 )=565.178 mm s−1

When differentiated twice:

a=−w 2 xcoswt

a=−77.462∗(−10)cos ( 77.46∗0.03 )
−2
a=−41030.359mm s

All of these values are confirmed by the graphs below:

I = 4kgm^2

L = 0.4m

d = 0.025mm

G = 90GNm^-2

Fn=
1
2π (√ ktI )
GJ
kt=
L

π d4
J=
32

π∗0.0254
J=
32
−8
J=3.835∗10

(90∗10 9)∗( 3.835∗10−8 )

Fn=
1
2π (√ 8628.75
4 )
Fn=7.392 Hz
L = 0.8m

d = 0.030m

π d4
J=
32
4
π∗0.030
J=
32
−8
J=7.952∗10

GJ
kt=
L

G∗( 7.952∗10 )
−8
8628.75=
0.8
10
G=8.68∗10 Pa

From the modulus of rigidity, I can propose that iron would be a suitable material for this shaft. Iron
has a modulus rigidity of 82Gpa, whereas the modulus of rigidity here is 86.8GPa. This means that
iron would most likely have the best rigidity for the job, however high carbon steel comes close to
this with between 78GPa and 82GPa.
Part 2:

Resonance is what happens when the oscillatory force applied to an object has a frequency of
vibration that is the same as the natural frequency of the material or object. When this happen, the
amplitude of the material or object is increased.

There are a few conditions where resonance is produced. These are as follows:

The material or object must have a minimum of one natural frequency of vibration.

The material or object must be driven by an external force of vibration.

The frequency of the external vibrating force must be similar to the material’s or object’s natural
frequency of vibration.

Engineers use various methods to prevent this from occurring when constructing bridges, building
and other structures.

Firstly, it is important to understand that the natural frequency of a material or object is dependant
on both stiffness and mass. Using the formula w = sqrt(k/m), we can see that in order to change the
natural frequency, w, we need to either change the stiffness or the mass. Often, the natural
frequency is raised significantly higher to reduce the chances of resonance.

To adjust the natural frequency, a few methods can be used:

Adding stiffness to the system.

Adding mass to the system.

Adjusting the damping of the system.

These methods adjust the natural frequency in various ways, for example adding stiffness will
increase the natural frequency, whereas adding mass will decrease it. When you increase the
damping, the peak response is reduced however the response range will be narrowed. The opposite
occurs when the damping is decreased.

K = 30kNm^-1

M = 20kg

C = 15Nsm^-1

i) Natural frequency:

wn
Fn=
2π

wn=
√ k
m

wn=
√ 30000
20
wn=38.73
38.73
Fn=
2π
Fn=6.164 Hz

ii) Damping ratio:

c
d=
Cc
Cc=√ 4 mk
 Cc=√ 4∗20∗30000
Cc=1549.193
15
d=
1549.193
−3
d=9.682∗10

Wn=
√ k
m
 Wn=
√ 15000
10
=38.729

Cc=√ 4 mk
Cc=√ 4∗10∗15000=774.597

C
d=
Cc
200
d= =0.258
774.597

( )( )
2
2 Fo 1
A= ∗
m 2
( W n −W ) + ( 2∗d∗Wn∗W )2
2 2

A=
2
( )
600 2
10
∗¿

A =3600∗( 7.301∗10 )
2 −7

2 −3
A =2.628∗10
A=0.051

2∗d∗W ∗Wn
tan0=
W n2−W 2
(2∗0.258∗20∗38.729)
tan 0= 2 2
38.729 −20

0=tan
−1
(( 2∗0.258∗20∗38.729 )
38.7292−202 )
0=0.349 rad
Essential Resources:
 Learning material on VLE
Indicative Reading for learners:

 BIRD, J. and ROSS, C. (2014) Mechanical Engineering Principles. 3rd Ed. London: Routledge.
 TOOLEY, M. and DINGLE, L. (2012) Engineering Science: For Foundation Degree and Higher
National. London: Routledge,
DARBISHIRE, A, (2008) Mechanical Engineering: Newnes.