Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Abstract

As part of the University of Rhode Island Senior Capstone Design Project, Team 1, dubbed as The Ultimate Ram's, were selected by Dr. Nassersharif to assist Magnetic Seal Corporation, denoted MAGSEAL, to optimize their magnetic seal demagnetization instrument. As part of the general engineering design process, The Ultimate Ram's were tasked to develop a solution while encapsulating the responsibilities of a proper engineer as well as following the provided curriculum of the academic year. Through active patent and literature searches, numerous research inquires as well as proper analytical investigations, a knowledgeable foundation was formed towards de- magnetizer theory and operation. Furthermore, the advancement of 120 conceptualized designs generated from the team were designated three design tiers for convenient management. Subsequently, the design tiers and MAGSEAL demagnetizer design were compared and distinguished using a Pugh and QFD analysis, assigning each design aspect a quantitative value for reference and discrimination. After diagnosing the design tiers, a final design was chosen and discussed. Through engineering analysis, calculations and theoretical experiments, focused on thermal heat e ciency and electrical circuit compatibility, were operated using MATLAB, LTSpice, 3-D simulation and the desire design speci cation researched throughout the Fall 2020 semester. After reaching the desired conclusions, various product components, such as Peltier devices, High wattage resistors, and Arduino Uno temperature sensors, were purchased and tested to ensure full cooperation in the final prototype.

The ensuing prototypical design was formed by the previous analytical examination to develop an inexpensive, thermal e cient and operationally cooperative demagnetizer composition. As a complete construction, a solid MDF wood base along with an aluminum slide-on side cover provided a stable yet dynamic model base. For increased system ventilation, Peltier thermoelectric coolers with CPU fans administered cool air swiftly through the system while placed across from the capacitor arrangement and capacitor housing using. In addition, a high wattage resistor was equipped to eliminate excessive or improperly discharged current from the RLC circuit, at will, where braided wire replaced the inefficient solid copper wire used in previous designs. An Arduino Uno microcontroller electrically linked to an LCD display screen allowed extensive device information to be relayed to the operator, such as internal temperature of the inductor coil and capacitor unit. Consummately, the final device design will provide easy maintenance access to the capacitor arrangement by lifting the aluminum sidings and maintaining any components through the access window.

As a completion to the Senior Capstone Design, the Ultimate Ram's successfully created a working prototype, providing MAGSEAL with more techniques to replicate our demagnetizer ten fold throughout the following years to come.

Comments

Nick Daggett - MAGSEAL Engineering Director

Jared Desrosiers - MAGSEAL Manufacturing and Facilities Manager

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