MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS:

Project 2

By

Peter Hedstrom

MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS:
PROJECT 1

Prepared for Lawrence Whitby

SAIT Polytechnic
MACH 380 Mechanical Vibrations Project 1

Prepared by
Peter Hedstrom

Submitted:
April 15, 2015

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report represents the design of a lunar excursion module. The design was to
obtain a damping period of vibration between 1 and 2 seconds. It was based on given
parameters of four symmetrically located legs, each of which were approximated as
spring-damper systems with negligible mass. The given mass of the module itself was
2000 kg.
Computerized formulas were created in Excel to simulate the design using the
given parameters. Through iteration, the correct spring constant k was found in order to
give the design the correct damping period vibration.

1.

2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ...................................................................................... 3
1.1.

Figures..................................................................................................................

1.2.

Tables ................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1.

3.

Purpose ................................................................................................................. 5

DAMPING CONSTANT............................................................................................
3.1.

Excel Analysis .....................................................................................................

4.

ADDITIONAL CALCULATIONS ...........................................................................

5.

CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 13

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 32
APPENDICES .................................................................................................................. 34

1. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
1.1. Figures
Figure 1: Damping Constant Equation................................................................................6
Figure 2: SAE 30 Oil Viscosity...........................................................................................7

Figure 3: Definition of Reyn...............................................................................................8

Figure 4: Velocity Equation.................................................................................................9
Figure 5: Flow Rate Equation..............................................................................................9

2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. Purpose
The purpose of this project is to design a lunar excursion module with a
damping period of vibration of 1 and 2 seconds.
3. DAMPING PEROID OF VIBRATION

As the designed product requires a damping period of vibration, it is

necessary to review the effect of the design parameters on this value to ensure
adequate functional operation is maintained at all times.

Figure 1: Damping period of vibration equation

Given parameters include the following: The piston length is 1 inch, and the distance
between the piston and the damper wall is 0.05 inch. The absolute viscosity of SAE 30
o

oil at 70 F was determined from information gathered in the Mechanical Vibrations

textbook as follows:

Figure 2: Viscosity of SAE oil

A definition of a reyn was also given as:

Figure 3: Definition of reyn

Based on this information, the value of

was determined to be 0.00005

Because all design parameters except D and c are controlled, the relationship
between the damping constant and piston diameter can be understood to be direct, as
demonstrated by the equation in Figure 1. (See Appendix I for all calculations.)

3.1. Excel Analysis

To complete the design analysis through Excel the equation in Figure 1 was
set up with the noted assumed parameters. The preliminary design was run
through six simulations, the first using 1.4 inches as the piston diameter, and
gradually increasing by 0.2 inches until a final diameter of 2.4 in, as shown below.

Table 1: Excel Design Calculations

4. ADDITIONAL CALCULATIONS
Additional values of the resultant velocity and flow rate were calculated based
on the following equations which were transposed to isolate the required variable.

Figure 4: Velocity Equation

Figure 5: Flow Rate Equation

The results of the calculations determined that the piston velocity and oil flow
rate, based on the application of a 20 lb piston force and with an optimum piston diameter
of 2.24541119 inches are:

Flow Rate (Q) = 11.4285714 cubic inches per minute

Velocity (V) = 3.959129526 inches per second

5. CONCLUSION

The project did produce a design concept that maintains the required
damping constant functionality and provided promising results for future
adaptation and continued development. The team is hopeful that some or all of
the project work can be incorporated into future development of a marketable
product.

REFERENCES
All figures, formulae and material properties taken from Mechanical Vibrations
Fifth Edition by Singiresu S. Rao (Copyright 2011).

APPENDICES
1. Final Design Parameters
2. Final Cylinder Dashpot Diagram
3. Hand Calculations (Answers To Questions)

APPENDIX I
Final Design Parameters

APPENDIX II
Final Cylinder Dashpot Diagram

APPENDIX III
Hand Calculations (Answers To Questions)