College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical 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
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2025
Primary Advisor
John Fabijanic, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Jim Widmann, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
The Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (FPVC) provides an avenue for the exploration of fluid-powered transportation, adhering to regulations set by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA). This document serves as a roadmap for our team’s research, design, and manufacturing of a vehicle for participation in the FPVC. The team’s journey began with extensive background research, encompassing stakeholder engagement, analysis of existing solutions, and education on fluid power fundamentals. From this information, we decided to focus on enhancing mechatronics systems, improving the transmission, optimizing the mounting, adding a pneumatic element, and improving the efficiency of the hydraulic system of the vehicle from previous Cal Poly teams. We then developed a conceptual model of the improvements on the vehicle and honed the specifics of the vehicle: we decided to optimize our hydraulic circuit around the endurance race of the competition, simplified our mechatronics system using one cohesive outsourced mechatronics unit, redesigned mounting to improve the consistency of mechanical power transmission, and added a pneumatic jacking system for the testing of the bike. As we developed and detailed our design, we edited some of the specifics of our improvements. Our hydraulic system was edited to include a bypass line to decrease losses for the endurance race, the mounting system was redesigned and now encloses the motors for stiffness, a past-center jack design was specified and a pneumatic circuit was designed, and the HF impulse software was chosen for controlling the mechatronic system The team then completed a midway review with industry professionals at the FPVC, which informed design decisions for more efficiency and safety in both the hydraulics and pneumatics. After multiple hydraulics and transmission iterations due to a mix of faulty hydraulic motors and alignment problems, the time landed on a final working iteration. Finally, the team competed in the competition, winning awards for their midway review presentation, final review presentation, pneumatics design, and multiple 3rd place results in the races. Overall, the team achieved 3rd place out of 6 teams.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/843