Design, build, and characterization of a platform for testing bio-inspired, pressure-compensating valves
Author(s)
Warren, Anne (Anne Galletti)
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Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor
Amos G. Winter, V.
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I design and build a testing platform to further the study and testing of bio-inspired, pressure-compensating valves. Research into an inexpensive design for a pressure-compensating valve designed to address the low-cost, high water efficiency needs of subsistence farmers in developing countries has already begun through proof-of-concept prototypes and testing; This project builds on the early-stage testing. A stable test set-up, designed for easy use and repeatability was needed in order to perform tests on valve prototypes with more accuracy and precision. I took into consideration the structural and systems needs of the test set-up, and proceeded to build and run tests on various tubing prototypes. By comparing these test results with previous proof-of-concept tests and analytical models, I show that this test setup can provide meaningful data for the testing of pressure-compensating valves, and could be used for future investigation into the design of such valves to be used in drip irrigation systems in developing countries.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2013. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (page 25).
Date issued
2013Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical EngineeringPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering.