College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Industrial Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2021
Primary Advisor
Karla Carichner, College of Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
We were tasked by Holmes Solutions to find a way to stabilize their patented SWITCHBACK passenger gondola system. This system is a self-propelled pod that transitions smoothly between cables and rails. The main goal for this project is to dampen side-to-side swing of gondola pods using a modular stabilization system. This device must be within these constraints: it must fit within a work envelope, must be safe for user and operator, must perform a dampening effect, and must be compliant with the current system. We formulated many ideas to achieve the goal, including making the pod more aerodynamic, adding sliding weights beneath the seat, adding air jets to the side to counteract motion, and affixing a gyroscope. After deliberation and calculations, we found the best option would be a gyroscopic stabilizer. We built a scaled down model of a gondola pod and tested our gyroscope application with similarly scaled forces. We found that the gyroscope can effectively dampen the oscillations caused by external forces, but it struggles to restrict the initial swing and maximum accelerations.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/genengsp/17