Background to Project

Over the last six months experience was gained by attending the
subjects been taught here on the Institute of Technology, Sligo. This
experience was necessary for the fulfillment of a Diploma of Bachelor
of Engineering in Product Design, which is presently being studying.
Working here principally involved use of Computer Aided Design and
Engineering, Management, Electronics and Product Design. Over
these months an appreciation was gained about the importance of
recording and documenting all work, from first bit of an idea to detailed
drawings and specifications as traceability is of great importance
particularly when developing a new product.
Once thinking of human need for socializing especially in this
cold green country with its multitude of public events – parades, music
sessions, sport events -, one could see the difficulties induced by large
number of people gathering in a small place (which often tends to be
limited).
One of these difficulties is waiting to be served – in case you
wanted a drink, carbonated or not -, due to time needed to changing a
beer barrel in a pub or a gas tank in a soft drinks vending machine
(even a mustard reservoir in a hot-dog machine, though this is not a
common equipment in Ireland).
And so the idea of developing some kind of change over system
to be used in agglomerated public places, e.g. crowded pubs, was
conceptualized. The final year project for the Bachelor of Product
Design presented an excellent opportunity to develop this idea.

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 Project Description

This project is based on a product idea, which goes by the name

of “Beer Barrel Changeover System”. The idea is to develop a change
over system connecting two beer barrels and being able to switch
between at a certain point.
The main task of the device would be measure and control of the
quantity of beer in barrels as well as continuously providing a status
report. It should do this automatically, thus allowing the owners to get
maximum use of their time.
So the effective functions of such a device would be:
 Measure quantity (using a specified parameter)
 Switch between barrels
 Display
 Waste disposal control
It will be shown later how market research indicated that an
interest exists in such a product and that the majority of potential users
favored a device with the primary functions of switching and
displaying. These functions should be the focus of attention for the
discussed device.

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 Objectives

The principle aim of the project is to systematically develop a

change over system, i.e. a compact unit that will measure and display
quantity using a specified parameter, as well as define a set point, i.e.
define what quantity of beer would act as trigger for switching to take
place.
Attempts will be made to search for the existence of similar
products to avoid duplication. Nevertheless, in order to reduce the cost
of the unit previously developed devices should be used, i.e. a
balance, pressure / flow / level sensors or electronic devices like
analog-to-digital converter / LED / micro controller. Also a two or three-
way valve should be used – electrically controlled or not-, regardless
to what parametrical approach will be considered.
With the knowledge of what accomplishments such a device
should bring, several theoretical approaches will be generated and
compared and eventually one of these will be further evaluated in
attempting to arrive at the best possible concept.
The device should also reflect the market needs expressed by
potential end users and help make life easier. Hopefully this device will
be something peoples will want to have by being useful, convenient,
safe and low in cost.
In developing the above device it is hoped to enlighten most of
the subjects studied in later years including:
 Fluid Mechanics – to analyze flow and pressure of
fluids in certain specified conditions
 Solid Edge – package used to generate drawings
and finally produce an outer housing

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 Design Techniques – to pass through each design
level in order to accomplish the best design solution
 Electronics – to simply develop the electric circuit and
PCB, by using specific software such as Circuit
Maker
 Assembly Language – to develop a program used to
control the functions of a specified device.