Melody Baglione

Incorporating Practical Laboratory Experiments to Reinforce Dynamic Systems and Control Concepts

The Cooper Union is developing a new simultaneous lecture and laboratory approach to address the pedagogical challenge of finding the appropriate balance between theory and hands-on experimentation in teaching dynamic systems and control concepts. The new approach dedicates one hour each week to laboratory experiments with the class subdivided into small student groups having greater faculty interaction. Bench top experiments from National Instruments and Quanser include DC motor and inverted pendulum modeling and control workstations. Process control test rigs from Feedback Inc. include level, flow, temperature, and pressure control trainers. Devoting significant time to laboratory experiments gives students the opportunities to fully appreciate feedback control concepts and to acquire valuable practical skills. This paper discusses the new instructional approach, preliminary results, lessons learned, and future plans for improving the systems and control curriculum.Copyright

Reverse dynamic optimization methodology for maximizing powertrain system efficiency

Abstract A reverse tractive road load demand model, dynamic optimization methodology, and Matlab®/Simulink® based tool are being developed to address the challenge of matching the powertrain hardware and control strategy to specific vehicle attributes and driver applications for improved overall vehicle system efficiency. The reverse dynamic optimization methodology can be used to assess transmission shift and lock-up control strategies, evaluate alternative powertrain hardware configurations, and establish design criteria.

Developing Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum Material Using the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Building Management Systems of a High Performance Academic Building

The Mechanical Engineering faculty at the Cooper Union is leveraging a new high performance academic building as a learning resource for students to connect undergraduate theory to professional practice. The new teaching strategy utilizes an energy efficient building to provide students with direct, practical exposure to modern heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and Building Management Systems. Students are taken on tours of the building’s HVAC mechanical rooms and partake in laboratory experiments that illustrate the principles of operation and control of these building systems. Furthermore, the student activities are supplemented with new undergraduate curriculum material that introduces basic thermodynamic principles of HVAC operation and provides an overview of the control systems theory involved. This paper will present the pedagogical motivation and goals of the new teaching methods, an overview of the building systems under study, and the development of corresponding curriculum materials and assessment methods.Copyright

Development of Reverse Dynamic Optimization Methodology for Optimal Powertrain Integration and Control Design

A reverse tractive road load demand model, dynamic optimization methodology, and Matlab®/Simulink® based tool are developed to address the challenge of matching the powertrain hardware and control strategy to specific vehicle attributes and driver applications for improved overall vehicle system efficiency. The reverse dynamic optimization methodology can be used to assess and develop transmission shift and lock-up control strategies, evaluate alternative powertrain hardware configurations, and establish design criteria. The advantages of the reverse dynamic optimization approach are demonstrated and key system integration concepts are revealed by performing vehicle attribute, engine, transmission, and axle sensitivity analyses.Copyright

Reverse Dynamic Optimization of Variable Displacement Engine Operation and System Integration

Variable displacement engines are a proven technology for improving fuel economy without sacrificing performance. To achieve the most benefit, variable displacement needs to be properly integrated into the vehicle system. A reverse tractive road load demand model, dynamic optimization methodology, and Matlab®/Simulink® based tool are developed to address the challenge of properly matching variable displacement engines and their control strategies to specific vehicle applications for improved overall vehicle system efficiency. Using a reverse model and a dynamic programming algorithm, optimal variable displacement control strategies considering the gear shift and torque converter clutch interaction effects for various drive cycles are developed virtually. The development of an optimal control strategy facilitates better integration of variable displacement into vehicle system designs.Copyright

Developing Installations and Activities for an Interactive Light Studio at the American Sign Language and English Lower School

Students from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art created new installations and activities for an Interactive Light Studio for pre-kindergarten students at The American Sign Language and English Lower School (P.S. 347) in New York City. The studio creates ways for both deaf and hearing students to explore light and sound while simultaneously promoting science and technology to students at a young age. Improvements to the studio in the 2011–12 school year strove to further the educational mission of the project while introducing new and exciting interactive multimedia installations. A digital projection system was created using easily assessable sensors, electronics, and open-source computer software creating an interactive play and learning environment that encourages self-driven discovery. The project engages young children, including minorities, girls, and disabled children, in active science learning while providing Cooper Union students with an opportunity to work on a real world project in their community.Copyright

Design of Artificial Neural Network Using Solar Inputs for Assessing Energy Consumption in a High Performance Academic Building

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a commonly used and effective method for estimating the outputs of nonlinear plants. In this paper, a neural network is used to estimate the electricity consumption of Cooper Union’s new high performance academic building at 41 Cooper Square. Although neural networks have been used for over 20 years to estimate municipal or regional energy consumption, extending their application to analyzing the energy consumption of individual buildings offers great potential. Because most existing ANN models are implemented over a municipal or regional scale, additional variables were considered as inputs to this model to account for factors specific to individual buildings. Depending on a building’s height and aspect ratio, the location of the sun can have a significant effect on heating and cooling loads. This paper analyzes the effect of cloud cover and solar position on the accuracy of ANN models and finds that the presence of solar position as an input can decrease the predicted energy consumption error by as much as 48%.Copyright

Creating an Interactive Light Studio for the American Sign Language and English Lower School

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art created an Interactive Light Studio for pre-kindergarten students at The American Sign Language and English Lower School (P.S. 347) in New York City. Specific goals included designing a space for science exploration and creating ways for both deaf and hearing students to explore light and sound. Deaf and hearing impaired students, in particular, benefit from the design of a sound-to-light installation that uses microphones to provide visual feedback. Another installation includes a network of circuits, which imitate the interaction of fireflies when placed in various configurations by the children. The Interactive Light Studio promotes science to young children and engages a diverse student population in science and engineering. The project offers undergraduate engineering students an opportunity to improve their technical and professional skills and develop a broader appreciation of the role of engineers in bettering society.Copyright