Currently available prosthetic devices for trans-tibial (below the knee) amputees allow a great deal of mobility, but they do not allow amputees to walk with a normal gait. Most designs utilize passive elements to approximate the complex nonlinear response of the foot and ankle. This paper outlines early work in the design of a hybrid passive/active prosthesis that uses the inherent nonlinearity of a four bar mechanism and the power of numerical optimization to more closely duplicate the function of the human foot/ankle complex during walking.
A camless engine proof-of-concept prototype was completed on the basis of the use of piezoelectric control of a hydraulic actuator. This novel approach was taken in an attempt to enhance earlier solenoid-based camless engine prototypes, several of which are reviewed as an introduction to camless engine technology. Following a historical review, an overview of the piezoelectrically- controlled camless engine actuator is discussed. The prototype system is capable of displacing an engine valve up to 12.4 mm, and valve actuation frequencies of up to 500 Hz have been obtained. The proof of concept can be considered successful, as it demonstrates the potential of piezoelectric control of hydraulics for use as an internal combustion engine valve actuator. Furthermore, in conjunction with variable timing, the piezoelectric control based pilot allows for direct regulation of other engine valve parameters including variable lift and seating velocity.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of South Carolina has embarked upon a project to enhance the Mechatronics/microcontroller education of non-EE engineering students. NSF funds the project with cost-share by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the College of Engineering and Information Technology. This paper presents the preliminary results obtained in this project. First, the state of the art in Mechatronics education is presented and discussed. Then, focus is shifted to the Mechatronics education in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. Subsequently, the paper examines the hardware and software used for mechatronics/microcontroller education. Examples are given of the MC68HC11 microcontroller and the different evaluation boards used for (a) code development; and (b) embedded applications. Then, attention is given to the software used in the mechatronics/microcontroller education. The THRSim11 comprehensive simulation and interfacing software is described. Finally, the paper discusses the interfacing between the microcontroller and the various electro-mechanical sensing and actuation components used in a mechatronics project. The use of functional modules for teaching interfacing skills to non-EE students is described and exemplified. The paper finishes with conclusions and further work.
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