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MAE Phd Defense – Daniel Kakaley
December 18, 2018 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Title: Non-Contacting Estimation of Torque, Axial Translation, and Radial Whirl in High-Speed Rotating Shafts
Advisor: Dr. Gregory Buckner
Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Time & Location: 10:00 AM in EB-III Rm. # 3115
Abstract: Since the advent of high-speed rotating machinery, methods have been proposed to accurately monitor drivetrain health, usually based on the measurement or estimation of shaft parameters such as speed, torque, radial deflection and axial translation. Real-time knowledge of these parameters is not only critical to enhancing the safe operation of aerospace drivetrains, it enables the implementation of advanced feedback control systems. This dissertation focuses on the development and experimental demonstration of a unique non-contacting Variable Reluctance (VR) sensor system that enables simultaneous estimation of shaft speed, torque, axial translation, and radial whirl in high-speed rotating shafts. With this enhanced VR sensor system and signal processing algorithms, significant improvements can be made to existing drivetrain health monitoring and control systems for aircraft. Drivetrain health monitoring is typically integrated during initial aircraft flight tests using off-the-shelf technologies, however, a VR sensor system allows permanent measurement on an aircraft despite the harsh aerospace environment. Due to its permanent, unique measurement capabilities, this dissertation’s VR sensing methods and algorithms are currently supporting aircraft control systems during both initial flight testing and production.
Biography: Daniel attended North Carolina State University and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2013. Following graduation, he accepted a job at LORD Corporation in its Electro-Mechanical Systems division. His areas of expertise at LORD include helicopter Active Vibration Control Systems and drivetrain health monitoring systems using Variable Reluctance sensors. In a cooperation between LORD Corporation and North Carolina State University’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, he began his studies toward a PhD in Mechanical Engineering under Dr. Gregory Buckner with research topics focused on industry applications at LORD. His research interests include dynamics, signal processing algorithms, control systems, and vibrations.
