User:Criveros0248/enes100/Engines

Link to project ARM team page.

Give instructor top 3 project choice list

 * 1. Engines (This is the next project I will be working on)
 * 2. Escher
 * 3. Art Parade

Weekend Activities

 * Come up with possible project ideas.
 * Do some research and decide what type of engine I would like to work on.
 * Work on the V-8 Engine Model found on the Engineering Lab.

Write problem statement
Work on the model for the internal combustion engine to observe the mechanics behind it.

Assign Task1
Make a final decision on the type of engine I would like to work on. Choices are narrowed down to Stirling, ball-bearing, and steam engine. Find out how each of these types of engines work and how we can build a model of each.

Compare actual work done to Task1
I did make a final decision on the type of engine I would like to work on. Stirling engine was my choice because it appears to be the easiest type to model in an inexpensive and manageable way. I learned the basics about the Stirling engine, but I still need to learn more about the prototype found in the Engineering lab. I still need to meet with team members and get their contribution to the internal combustion engine model.

Week1 Narrative
On Monday of Week 1, I met with the other group members and discussed my experiences during the weekend. I came to the conclusion of working on the Stirling engine, and then moved to the engineering lab where I tried to test a few models. Personally, none of the engines tested worked and I could not observe a functioning model of a Stirling engine. I used youtube.com to satisfy my need to see a working model. I came across different models and this diversity indicated the endless possibilities of building something unique. I discussed my Internet findings with my team, and then I left class and headed home. At home, I continued working on the internal combustion engine model that was in the engineering lab. I spent approximately two hours that night working on this model. Some of the problems I encountered were: a confusing manual, lost and broken parts, and impatience on my part. The manual on how to assemble this model had complicated illustrations and sometimes skipped some steps; I had to decipher what to work on next every time I got stuck. It was helpful reading the "How an Internal Combustion Engine Works" booklet included in the box; this helped me move on when I got stuck. On Wednesday, I met again with my team and discussed my progress. We talked to Professor Foerster and received feedback and ideas from him. He recommended that we work on building a model of a Stirling engine that was designed on his class on the Spring of 2011. He showed us the prototype that was never finished and we decided we wanted to see if this was going to be a working model or just a theoretical model. Later, I went into the folder for the Intro. to Engineering class Spring 2011 and found presentations, pictures, and a website dedicated to the design of this Stirling engine. I placed them into my flash drive and emailed them to my team for review. We decided to meet again Saturday from 12pm-2pm and headed home. On Saturday, I presented my progress on the internal combustion engine model I took home. I promised I would take to class on Monday, so we could all work on it and finish it. I also worked on my wikiversity page and the team's page.

Week1 Peer Review
Peer review week 1

Assign Task2
Find materials for the construction of the Stirling engine and continue working on the project's documentation.

Compare actual work done to Task2
Most of the internal combustion engine model has been assembled. I was able to get assistance from my team on building the model; I should be able to deliver a finished product by the end of week 3. I was able to find some materials (foam, wire, soda cans, caulking, and tools) for the Stirling engine model that we're planning to work on.

Week2 Narrative
On Monday of week 2, I took the internal combustion engine model to class and I was able to work on it with my team. I found out that the crankshaft was not rotating completely inside the engine. Later, I analyzed my possible solutions, and by sanding and forcing the crankshaft to rotate, I was able to achieve normal operation. On Wednesday, I continued working on the internal combustion engine model and completed most of the glue assembling. On Saturday, I met with my team and continued working on the model. I found out that I had previously glued down a part incorrectly due to the ambiguous directions of the instructions manual. The arrows in one of the illustrations were incorrectly positioned signaling the assembler to glue the engine cover on top of the cylinders when it really is supposed to go on the side of the engine. I managed to separate the glued parts from each other and correct the problem.

Week2 Peer Review
Peer review week 2

Assign Task3
Complete the internal combustion engine model and finish gathering materials for the Stirling engine model. Update Wikiversity team and individual pages.

Compare actual work done to Task3
I was able to fulfill my goals set during the weekend. We still need to start building the Stirling engine model though.

Week3 Narrative
During this week, I was able to complete the internal combustion engine model with the help of my team. I had difficulties during the final assembling steps because of previous assembling errors. I had to correct the placement of some parts by separating them and positioning them correctly. I also had problem on making the moving parts of the model move freely. I had to take some parts apart and lubricate the inside of the cylinders and the crankshaft to facilitate movement. Some small plastic parts and screws and were also lost during the assembling process. I was able to overcome this obstacle by finding similar screws and using those. I also used spare parts from other models I work on personally to replace the missing plastic parts. Finally, I also finished collecting my share of parts for the Stirling engine model (foam, metal can, saw, silicone, and plyers). Overall, I am satisfied with the outcome of this part of the project, but I feel like we still need to work on the Stirling engine model to learn more about engines.

Week3 Peer Review
Peer review week 3

Assign Task4
Start working on Stirling engine model and document progress and conclusions. Finish needed documentation.

Compare actual work done to Task4
I could not build the Stirling engine model that was designed by the engineering class of Spring 2011 due to the lack of resources, instead I worked on building a design that I found on the internet using inexpensive and available materials found around the house.

Week4 Narrative


After doing rigorous research about the Stirling engine and looking online on how to build one, I came across the video of an individual who had made one using a bunch of soda cans and a balloon. Here's the video: soda can Stirling engine. Well, after watching his videos, I went on to build my own using things I already had laying around the house. First, I went on and drank a few cokes and a ate some tuna; I was going to need these cans later. Also, I found some pliers, wire, screws, shrink tubing, fishing line, foam, super glue, silicone, and a balloon. First, I cut out a hole on the soda can at the top. I cut two holes through the tuna can so my soda can could fit through the tuna can. The tuna can was to surround the soda can. Then, I used silicone to tightly seal the places where the two cans joined. Then, I coiled the foam inside the soda can using the wire as its support. Then, I placed the balloon on top of the soda and constructed the crankshaft using the wire. I had problem getting the 90 degree angle needed but after trial and error I managed to get it right. Later, I made the base, and connected the balloon and the crankshaft using the nylon string and some wire. Finally, I tried it and it moved for a few minutes before the balloon melted. I believe my heat source was too powerful (a torch) and was the cause for this. For next time, I would use some stronger latex material to replace the balloon and actually record a video of my trial run. I could also work on using lighter and stronger materials, and doing a neater job (sanding rough edges and painting the cans).

Week4 Peer Review
Peer review week 4