:NEW UPDATE:
Now y'all can know what I know...
ET ROCK CRAWLER
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
To develop a plan that Western Carolina students may follow to build a World Extreme Rock Crawler that meets W.E. Rock Unlimited Class vehicle requirements. If there are any conflicts between the specifications below and W.E. Rock Rules for Unlimited Class vehicles, the W.E. Rock Rules take precedent. Construction of the vehicle in question will begin in August 2008 at the beginning of the WCU Fall 2008 semester and will be completed in two years using the students available in the ET Program. The schedule for building the vehicle should be written in phases that follow the Fall, Spring, Summer periods when students are available for work. An alternate schedule that accounts for unexpected schedule delays should be developed to complete the project in three years. Establish logical work packages or blocks of work that are capable of being completed within a semester. The budget for the project is $50K but in reality, the level of resources for the project is unknown at this time. Two funding tracks should be developed. One that outlines the cost of an all new vehicle while another accounts for a logical mix of new and used components. If costs can be lowered without affecting the performance of the vehicle and allowing test requirements to be met, establish a Plan B that clearly layout the alternatives and substitutions that may be made. Identify sources that are willing to donate parts, components, and/or major assemblies to this project so WCU may pursue acquisition of these items.
PROBLEM UNDER INVESTIGATION:
Todays engines are optimized to burn gasoline or diesel fuel, both of which are derived from oil. The United States imports 90 % of its oil, 60 % of which is transformed into liquid transportation fuels. With the historically high prices of oil, conflict and political instability in oil-rich regions and growing concern over climate change, alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel are needed. A student project that examines alternative liquid fuels derived from plant materials would be of interest to students, teach them the fundamentals of combustion chemistry and engine performance while collecting data that would show how these fuels perform in currently marketed engines. Data on engine power output and gaseous emissions would be collected in an effort to understand the performance of various liquid fuels.
Its been reported that in about ten years the worlds demand for transportation fuels will begin to exceed the worlds ability to produce these fuels. A big problem, as prices for the available fuel will soar, thus the need to identify a source of clean burning Renewable Liquid Fuel (RLF).
Our project involves the testing of various forms of RLF like bio-diesel that will be manufactured at WCU. The fuel formulas to be tested will be determined and manufactured by the Chemistry Department while the testing is conducted in the Engineering Technology Department. WCU is in the middle of determining the test equipment we will need to instrument the engine/dynamometer to measure engine performance as well as a 5-Gas Analyzer to measure emissions like carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), hydrocarbons (HC), fine particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Wheelbase: 125 130
Height: 61 73
Belly Height: 20 30
Overall Length: 150
Overall Width: Axle width 62 or wider
Weight: Approximately 4000-5000 lbs.
Ride Height: Variable
Colors: Purple, Gold, and Black.
Applications: serious off-road for industrial applications such as for military, police and rescue work. The vehicle should also be ideal for family outings, extended field trips in rough terrain or for use in recreational events.
DRIVE TRAIN
Engine: Cummins 4 cylinder Turbo Diesel 3.9L 130 - 170HP
Transmission: TH400 3 Speed Heavy Duty Automatic
Transfer Case: Atlas II 2-speed 4.3 to 1 Low Range
CHASSIS/ROLL CAGE (go to spydercustoms.com and look at the Bruiser 5 Chassis)
Frame: 1.75" .120 Wall D.O.M. Tubular Uni-Body design
Body Panels: Aluminum Tread Plate - easily replaceable
SUSPENSION
Wheels & Tires: 44 to 54 All Terrain w/Bead Locks
HYDRAULICS
Steering: Front and Rear fully hydraulic; Front rotary DCV and Rear 3 position DCV
Brakes: 4 Wheel vented disks
INSTRUMENTATION
Data Collection: Little Black Box to collect sensor data to be downloaded into a laboratory computer (i.e. one supplier Campbell Scientific makes the Data Logger)
Sensors: Measure engine performance in fuel consumption, Brake Horse Power, and RPM. Additional performance sensors include pressure transducers on all four shocks to record course conditions, accelerometers to measure G-load on occupants and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to map the route traveled. Emissions collection must include carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), hydrocarbons (HC), fine particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
SCHEDULE
Primary: 2 years broken into Fall, Spring, and Summer Phases.
Alternate: 3 years with the same phases to compensate for unexpected problems.
BUDGET
Total: $50,000.00 distributed according to Project Manager
PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS
Seating: Four to Six
Safety Belts (as per We Rock Unlimited Rules)
-Maybe we can get some
donated for this project...
