ME Project: Air Conditioner Lab Team: 10 Members: Sean M. Gallagher, Brian Davison, Prathana Vannarath, Pam McDowell Customer: University of Delaware Mechanical Engineering Department Advisor: Dr. Keefe Mission: Design a thermodynamic and heat transfer experiment for the University of Delaware Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory, using a window air conditioner, that will be completed by April for approximately $4000. Approach: Determine the nature of the problem by identifying customer(s) and their wants, needs and constraints. Then benchmark to identify competitors, metrics and possible solutions. Generate concepts; compare, eliminate, expand and synthesize possible solutions based on the metrics. Proceed to a Go/No-Go review of the concepts. Build and test a prototype.

Project Background ME 2000 Curriculum –Joint Laboratory Classes –Combined Thermodynamics II and Heat Transfer Lab Single lab apparatus for multiple labs Increased understanding of Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer fundamentals

Mission Statement

Customers Dr. Tony Wexler Dr. Suresh Advani Undergraduate students who perform the laboratory experiment Graduate students who supervise the experiment Dr. Sun as a representative laboratory professor George Sestak from ASHRAE Manufacturers who would fabricate our device Other schools who would be interested in a similar experiment Dr. Michael Keefe for Senior Design requirements

Wants (Prioritized) Effective learning tool Easy to Use Self Evident Easy to set up Low manufacturing cost Easy fabrication LabView compatible data acquisition Forgiving of incompetence Quiet Quick Accessible parts Durable

Constraints (Prioritized) Safety regulations set by U of D Portable Schedule dictated by NCDA Budget

Benchmarking: Areas under investigation Lab supply companies Educational methods Safety issues

Detailed Two Week Schedule (Division of Labor) Week of 9/28 –Continue to contact & interview customers (group) –Refine customer wants (group) –Benchmark lab supply companies (Brian) –Benchmark educational methods (Prathana) –Benchmark safety issues (Pam) Week of 10/5 –Developing the fundamentals of the lab What key lessons to include (Sean) Best way to demonstrate lessons (group) Required equipment (Brian)

Schedule Overview Preliminary Lab Layout by 10/16 –Multiple lab lessons developed –Best educational format used Preliminary Equipment Design by 10/29 –Hardware components selected –Design of component installation on AC unit Develop detailed lab layout and design for Preliminary Design Report on 11/24

Preliminary Budget