ABET Outcomes
Outcome a: "an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering"
To determine the center of gravity and moment of inertia of the sled, a number of math techniques were needed. The solution to solve was solved by the group by hand, and the created using the program Mathcad. Science related techniques were used to check whether or not a smaller capacity compressed natural gas tank could be used to match the stock distance performance of a gasoline tank (which it could not). Several analyses were also completed on the rear suspension assembly to determine whether or not the aftermarket “fix kit” would work for the given situation caused by the large additional weight caused by the 107 pound CNG tank.
Outcome b: "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data"
The project requires the use of scales to collect data. The testing used four scales which had to be balanced to zero before use and required very strict testing conditions to insure correct data was collected. This data was then compared with a set of “correct” data for the snowmobile in stock form and used to determine what must be changed to get the actual data to match the correct data.
Outcome c: "an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability"
The handling of the sled was severely reduced due to the addition of the tank which created a difficult solution. Due to the large size and weight of the tank (which is needed to accomplish the same standards of the stock gasoline fuel system), several limitations were placed on what could be done to improve handling. The solution is to use a combination of proven aftermarket technology in the form of a suspension kit, combined with inhouse work in the form of a much stronger replacement tunnel.
Outcome d: "an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams"
The team functions very well together, whether working on the computer drawings and programs, or working on the sled in Crosby Laboratory. These provide a wide range of situations, and the team environment has allowed us to solve some major issues with the snowmobile in a short amount of time that may normally take much longer than it would for a single person to solve.
Outcome e: "an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems"
The suspension problem was an issue that the previous year’s team was unable to solve
given the time. To achieve the same mileage conditions from CNG that were possible with
gasoline, a large, heavy tank is needed which severely limits the handling. This made the
solution very difficult to complete since the weight, which is much larger than stock, cannot be
reduced in any way. By modifying the suspension rate and other parts of the suspension, we
determined how to successfully account and compensate for the additional weight of the tank.
Outcome f: "an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility"
The compressed natural gas system is under a large amount of pressure and requires extreme safety measures and understanding when working with it. Due to the hazards of the highly compressed tank, significant research was spent on the method and safety of working with the system before any lab work was completed.
Outcome g: "an ability to communicate effectively"
The project requires a large amount of communication with vendors and experts in the field. This requires good communication to make sure that a part is correct, or that an issue or question is effectively communicated to an expert so that the solution can be found simply and in a timely manner.
Outcome h: "the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context"
The Clean Snowmobile Team is very applicable to all three above areas. While snowmobiling can only happen in colder climates, there are snowmobiles all over the world which cause pollution. The only known CNG snowmobiles are sold in Europe for ski resorts where pollution is a main concern. The potential to bring CNG to the U.S. is very important because the emission levels are much better, and the cost of compressed natural gas is much lower than that of regular gasoline at this time. In some places, landowners are now banning snowmobiles when they were previously allowed, generally due to the noise of the snowmobiles. With the use of CNG and several other improvements made to the sled last year (exhaust modifications, additional bogie wheels, etc.), the snowmobile now has a much lower sound level. This could allow for landowners to open up land again with snowmobiles that have a significantly lowered sound level.
Outcome i: "a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning"
While several members of the team are familiar with automotives and snowmobiles, this project has shown that a large amount of research is needed to gain knowledge on the subject. The research done on the snowmobile has given knowledge for the snowmobile as well as for automotives and engines in general. CNG technology is still early in mainstream use and development, so it is very beneficial to continue researching it and other methods that are beneficial to future work in the engineering field.
Outcome j: "a knowledge of contemporary issues"
The use of a compressed natural gas fuel system for snowmobiles is something that has only been tested for one other known case by a major manufacturer. Given that CNG is starting to become a more mainstream fuel source, it can be very beneficial to work with. Experience with the system installed on the snowmobile can be transferred over to larger systems like those on cars or buses.
Outcome k: "an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice"
Crosby Laboratory has a number of expensive tools which require training to use. The CNC machine was used to create the bogie wheel mount kits which are used to quiet the track noise of the sled and improve its efficiency. A number of power tools and hand tools have also been used to disassemble the airbox assembly and the tunnel which will both be modified before being reinstalled. The computer program SolidWorks has been used extensively for modeling and testing parts. SolidWorks was used to model the rear suspension assembly to see the effects of the addition of the suspension fix kit to confirm whether or not it would perform as advertised. It was also used to model the tunnel and CNG tank to determine the effect of moving the tank forward towards the front of the snowmobile.
To determine the center of gravity and moment of inertia of the sled, a number of math techniques were needed. The solution to solve was solved by the group by hand, and the created using the program Mathcad. Science related techniques were used to check whether or not a smaller capacity compressed natural gas tank could be used to match the stock distance performance of a gasoline tank (which it could not). Several analyses were also completed on the rear suspension assembly to determine whether or not the aftermarket “fix kit” would work for the given situation caused by the large additional weight caused by the 107 pound CNG tank.
Outcome b: "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data"
The project requires the use of scales to collect data. The testing used four scales which had to be balanced to zero before use and required very strict testing conditions to insure correct data was collected. This data was then compared with a set of “correct” data for the snowmobile in stock form and used to determine what must be changed to get the actual data to match the correct data.
Outcome c: "an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability"
The handling of the sled was severely reduced due to the addition of the tank which created a difficult solution. Due to the large size and weight of the tank (which is needed to accomplish the same standards of the stock gasoline fuel system), several limitations were placed on what could be done to improve handling. The solution is to use a combination of proven aftermarket technology in the form of a suspension kit, combined with inhouse work in the form of a much stronger replacement tunnel.
Outcome d: "an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams"
The team functions very well together, whether working on the computer drawings and programs, or working on the sled in Crosby Laboratory. These provide a wide range of situations, and the team environment has allowed us to solve some major issues with the snowmobile in a short amount of time that may normally take much longer than it would for a single person to solve.
Outcome e: "an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems"
The suspension problem was an issue that the previous year’s team was unable to solve
given the time. To achieve the same mileage conditions from CNG that were possible with
gasoline, a large, heavy tank is needed which severely limits the handling. This made the
solution very difficult to complete since the weight, which is much larger than stock, cannot be
reduced in any way. By modifying the suspension rate and other parts of the suspension, we
determined how to successfully account and compensate for the additional weight of the tank.
Outcome f: "an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility"
The compressed natural gas system is under a large amount of pressure and requires extreme safety measures and understanding when working with it. Due to the hazards of the highly compressed tank, significant research was spent on the method and safety of working with the system before any lab work was completed.
Outcome g: "an ability to communicate effectively"
The project requires a large amount of communication with vendors and experts in the field. This requires good communication to make sure that a part is correct, or that an issue or question is effectively communicated to an expert so that the solution can be found simply and in a timely manner.
Outcome h: "the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context"
The Clean Snowmobile Team is very applicable to all three above areas. While snowmobiling can only happen in colder climates, there are snowmobiles all over the world which cause pollution. The only known CNG snowmobiles are sold in Europe for ski resorts where pollution is a main concern. The potential to bring CNG to the U.S. is very important because the emission levels are much better, and the cost of compressed natural gas is much lower than that of regular gasoline at this time. In some places, landowners are now banning snowmobiles when they were previously allowed, generally due to the noise of the snowmobiles. With the use of CNG and several other improvements made to the sled last year (exhaust modifications, additional bogie wheels, etc.), the snowmobile now has a much lower sound level. This could allow for landowners to open up land again with snowmobiles that have a significantly lowered sound level.
Outcome i: "a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning"
While several members of the team are familiar with automotives and snowmobiles, this project has shown that a large amount of research is needed to gain knowledge on the subject. The research done on the snowmobile has given knowledge for the snowmobile as well as for automotives and engines in general. CNG technology is still early in mainstream use and development, so it is very beneficial to continue researching it and other methods that are beneficial to future work in the engineering field.
Outcome j: "a knowledge of contemporary issues"
The use of a compressed natural gas fuel system for snowmobiles is something that has only been tested for one other known case by a major manufacturer. Given that CNG is starting to become a more mainstream fuel source, it can be very beneficial to work with. Experience with the system installed on the snowmobile can be transferred over to larger systems like those on cars or buses.
Outcome k: "an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice"
Crosby Laboratory has a number of expensive tools which require training to use. The CNC machine was used to create the bogie wheel mount kits which are used to quiet the track noise of the sled and improve its efficiency. A number of power tools and hand tools have also been used to disassemble the airbox assembly and the tunnel which will both be modified before being reinstalled. The computer program SolidWorks has been used extensively for modeling and testing parts. SolidWorks was used to model the rear suspension assembly to see the effects of the addition of the suspension fix kit to confirm whether or not it would perform as advertised. It was also used to model the tunnel and CNG tank to determine the effect of moving the tank forward towards the front of the snowmobile.