March Insights and Happenings in the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power

by Mike Gust, CCEFP Industry Liaison Officer

Perhaps the most frequent feedback we get from our industry contacts at the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power is the widespread need for increased fluid power education. Last month I talked about the Fluid Power Scholars Internship Program and how easy it is for your company to get involved. Next I’d like to describe how big an impact the CCEFP is having in providing new and exciting education opportunities.  Below is a list of our achievements in this critical area since our inception. I think it’s quite impressive!

• ME 3017: System Dynamics taught by Jun Ueda at Georgia Institute of Technology.  Incorporates modeling of fluid power systems.  New 2014.
• ME 4452: Control of Dynamic Systems taught by Jun Ueda at Georgia Institute of Technology.  Incorporates modeling of pneumatic systems as an example for formulating differential equations.  New 2014.
• Problem Set for Fluid Power System Dynamics Mini-Book developed by the students at the student leadership retreat in August, 2012.  The problem set will be integrated into the next edition of the mini-book, making it easier for instructors to utilize the book in existing courses by being able to assign the problems as homework.
• Developed a Video Lecture Archive from Fluid Power Controls Laboratory taught by Professor James Van de Ven at the University of Minnesota.  The videos, available in multiple formats, and the handouts from in-class activities are available on the Fluid Power OpenCourseWare site.  New 2012.
• INEN 371: Human Factors Engineering taught by Professor Eui Park & Steven Jiang at NC A&T University, uses outcomes of CCEFP funded projects
• INEN 665:  Human Machine Systems taught by Professor Eui Park at NC A&T University uses outcomes of CCEFP funded projects. New 2011.
• ME 271: Introduction to Robotics taught by Robert Webster at Vanderbilt University covers forward and inverse kinetics, dynamics and control of manipulators.  Includes a hands-on final project. Some examples are drawn from ERC funded project 2G.  New Fall 2012.
• ABE 435: Hydraulic Control Systems taught by Professor Andrea Vacca at Purdue University was prepared using material from his CCEFP research and educational program.  New Fall 2012.
• ME 310: Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics taught by Professor Randy Ewoldt and some material contributed by Andrea Vacca (Purdue U) is the traditional undergraduate fluid mechanics course.  Fluid power examples are included in homework to emphasize basic principles.  A single lecture is dedicated to fluid power.  New Spring 2013.
• ME 236/336: Linear Control Theory taught by Eric Barth at Vanderbilt University includes homework and examination questions related to the control of fluid power systems.  Fall 2010.
• ME 351:  Nonlinear Control Theory taught by Eric Barth at Vanderbilt University includes great examples of pneumatic systems are included in the course.  New Spring 2013.
• ME 340: Dynamics of Mechanical Systems taught by Andrew Alleyne at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, includes a lab that uses fluid power.
• ME 360: Signal Processing taught by Andrew Alleyne at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, includes a lab that uses fluid power.
• ME 236/336: Linear Control Theory taught by Eric Barth at Vanderbilt University includes homework and examination questions related to the control of fluid power systems.  Fall 2010.
• ABE 460: Sensors and Process Control taught by Professor John Lumkes at Purdue University utilizes the CCEFP educational activities developed by an REU student during the 2011 summer. New 2011.
• ME309: Fluid Mechanics taught by Professor Andrea Vacca at Purdue University.  The traditional introductory class on Fluid Mechanics at Purdue has been modified according to the project “Fluid Power in Fluid Mechanics” supported by CCEFP and NFPA. Two lectures were completely dedicated to fluid power. Moreover, a new lab experience on fluid power has been introduced. The lab experience is based on a high-pressure water hydraulic test rig developed by Dr. Vacca’s team at Maha Fluid Power lab. (More information, see project EO Project C.2).  New: 2011.
• ME 4803 / ISyE 4803: Model-Based Systems Engineering taught by Professor Christiaan Paredis and Leon McGinnis at Georgia Institute of Technology. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is the formalized application of modeling to support system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities beginning in the conceptual design phase and continuing throughout development and later life cycle phases. New: 2011.
• ME 8287: Passivity & Control of Interactive Mechanical and Fluid Power Systems is a new graduate course at UMN, created and taught by Professor Li.  New: 2011.
• ME 460: Industrial Control Systems – Lab taught by CCEFP Graduate Student Tim Deppen, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Lab portion of a Frequency Domain controls class. Currently offered, ongoing course using ERC related content. New: 2011.
• ME 8287: Design and Control of Automotive Powertrain taught by Professor Sun at the University of Minnesota. Significant content on hydromechanical systems and modeling and control of hydraulic hybrid vehicles CCEFP.  New: 2011.
• ME 4012:  Motion Control taught by Professor Wayne Book of Georgia Institute of Technology. Existing courses modified to include CCEFP research. New: 2011.
• ME 4232: Fluid Power Control Laboratory taught by Professors Li, Stelson and Van de Ven, includes CCEFP research and guest lectures by engineers from CCEFP member companies.  New faculty instructor 2012.
• INEN 371 Human Factors Engineering, INEN 665 Human Machine Systems, INEN 735 Human-Computer Interface taught by Professor Eui Park of North Carolina A&T State University.  These are courses at NCAT modified to include CCEFP research.
• ME 597 /ABE 591 Design and Modeling of Fluid Power Systems taught by Professor Ivantysynova at Purdue University.  Graduate course, which has substantial content from CCEFP research.
• ME 697/ABE 691 Hydraulic Power Trains and Hybrid Systems taught by Professor Ivantysynova at Purdue University.  Graduate course, which has substantial content from CCEFP research.
• ME 3015: System Dynamics and Control, taught by Professor Ueda at Georgia Institute of Technology, used a pneumatic pressure control system as a class project.
• ME 234 System Dynamics taught by Professor Webster at Vanderbilt University includes CCEFP research results and guest lectures by CCEFP graduate student researchers.
• UIUC undergraduate course in system dynamics will include fluid power material based on mini-book on fluid power system dynamics. Taught by Professor Hsiao-Wecksler.

To learn more about the CCEFP Education program or if you have further questions on how to participate please contact Alyssa Burger (alyssa@umn.edu) or (612) 624-4991.