Sensitivity analysis of the C-130 sensor deployment system arm using finite element methods

The Finite Element Method may be the most powerful tool in the engineer's toolbox today, and can be used in many different applications. The purpose of this thesis is to utilize this tool to optimize the current design of the roll-on roll-off sensor deployment system support arm for the C-130 Hercules. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard (NG) will be using these sensor pallet systems in a variety of command and control configurations for counter narco-terrorism applications. The original design for the sensor deployment arm will be drawn using CAD, and then a Finite Element Analysis will be run using Pro/MECHANICA. This will show the stress concentrations and the areas where weight can be saved. The most concerning variable will be the height of the mechanical arm attachment. By decreasing that height, and shortening the mechanical arm, the moments will decrease, and the required torque will be less. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2004

Author dc:creator

• Feragotti, Lawrence Anthony

Contributors dc:contributor

• James Smith.

• Aerospace engineering
• Mechanical engineering

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1428

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2431