Rotor Blade Tracking System Design
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Led a multidisciplinary team to design a new product for tracking helicopter rotor blades
- Performed individual research and bench-marking, theoretical modeling using linear algebra and geometry, and data visualization for demonstrating theoretical system performance characteristics. Provided the recommendation for the selected design and continued to lead the development of this design
- Conducted electro-optical radiometric modeling of solid state sensors for blade detection
- Completed optical design of system hardware using matrix ray tracing in MathCAD, Python, and Matlab
- Developed opto-mechanical design of illuminator and sensor to minimize space requirements while considering reliability, affordability, and maintainability
- Reviewed materials and manufacturing processes for component design and selection
- Design criteria included the following: overall size, weight, and cost; IR
safety compliance according to
IEC 60825-1andIEC 62471; insensitivity to environmental lighting conditions; environmental qualification according toDO-160andMIL-STD-810; hardware reliability, aesthetic appeal, and convenience of operation to the end user
- Design criteria included the following: overall size, weight, and cost; IR
safety compliance according to
- The system is currently entering the prototype stage and is estimated to cost less than existing systems while improving performance and reducing maintenance costs
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Performed all engineering analysis, design, and fabrication of a stand for testing developmental systems
- The stand replicated a scaled rotor of approximately
8 ft.diameter, capable of rotational speed over300 rpm - Used finite airfoil drag analysis to model the transient and steady-state speed based
on input power. Total cost was under
$1,000, and the test stand was used for rotor track and balance tests
- The stand replicated a scaled rotor of approximately