Laboratory Exercise No. 1 (LEX-1): Measurement System Sensors

Purpose: In this exercise, you will study seven different sensors and determine their static response characteristics. You will compare their responses to those predicted from manufacturers’ calibration information or through your own calibration. The sensors studied are those used most commonly in mechanical and aerospace engineering experiments.

Teaching Assistant: Michael Wicks ( mwicks@nd.edu )

Location: Fitzpatrick B-14

Week A (1/23-1/25): Determine the static response characteristic of each of seven sensors and compare their outputs with manufacturer-specified calibrations.

Week B (1/30-2/1): Choose and study the range of response of two sensors used in Week A. Also, calibrate and use a strain-gage instrumented beam and associated electronics in the static, quarter-bridge mode as a force measurement system to determine an unknown force.

This exercise will be conducted in lab over a period of two weeks (two, one-hour lab sessions) in groups of two during Weeks 2 and 3. A group Technical Memo is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, February 9, 2 PM.

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Laboratory Exercise No. 2 (LEX-2): Measurement System Signal Conditioning

Purpose: In this exercise you will examine identify and examine the signal conditioning of a sensor’s output in order for this system to provide an appropriate signal to a data acquisition system. Sensors from LEX-1 will be used in conjunction with various operational amplifier configurations and filters.

Teaching Assistant: Dustin Coleman ( dcolema4@nd.edu )

Location: Fitzpatrick B-14

Week A (2/13-2/15): For each of two specified sensors, determine the responses of the sensor/amplifier/filter system when subjected to a time-varying input.

Week B (2/20-2/22): Complete the work assigned during Week A.

This exercise will be conducted in lab over a period of two weeks (two, one-hour lab sessions) in groups of two during Weeks 5 and 6. A group Technical Memo is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, March 1, 2 PM.

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Laboratory Exercise No. 3 (LEX-3): Measurement System Response

Purpose: In this exercise, you will use the two sensor/amplifier/filter systems of LEX-2 and interface these with a LabQuest data acquisition system. You will record the response of each sensor to a time-varying input using the LabQuest. You also will study the response characteristics of three other systems.

Teaching Assistant: Kyle Heintz ( kheintz@nd.edu )

Location: Fitzpatrick B-14

Week A (3/19-3/21): For each of the two sensor/amplifier/filter systems, study and record their responses in to time-varying inputs.

Week B (3/26-3/28): Determine the dynamic response characteristics and order of several systems, including two electrical circuits and an aluminum baseball bat.

This exercise will be conducted in lab over a period of two weeks (two, one-hour lab sessions) in groups of two during Weeks 9 and 10. A group Technical Memo is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, April 5, 2 PM.

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Laboratory Exercise No. 4 (LEX-4): Solar Panel Performance

Purpose: The student will perform electrical measurements to determine the performance of two different solar panels, in both a controlled laboratory setting and in a practical, outdoor setting.

Teaching Assistant: Tamuto Takakura ( ttakakur@nd.edu )

Location: B-14

Week A (4/16-4/18): Perform electrical measurements to characterize the voltage and current output of two different solar panels as a function of light-source distance, light wavelength, and electrical load.

Week B (4/21-4/25): Using diagnostics that measure the incident light flux to a solar panel and the panel’s output current and voltage, determine the optimum orientation of the panel in an outside environment. Examine how the panel’s actual efficiency varies from this optimum orientation.

This exercise will be conducted in over a period of two weeks (two, one-hour lab sessions) in groups of two during Weeks 13 and 14. A group Technical Report is due at the beginning of the last day of class on Tuesday, May 1, 2 PM.