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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Seattle University Science and Engineering Project Center
(College of Science and Engineering)

Mechanical Engineering Design Project ME 06.6

TITLE:
Sleeper Insulation Analysis Methods
SPONSOR:

Kenworth/PACCAR

SPONSOR LIAISON:
Lew Plummer
FACULTY ADVISOR:
Christopher Stipe
STUDENTS:
Ahmad Al-Ghanim, Abdullah Al Marzouq, Kathleen Arrigotti, Jack Burgess, Michael Clancy
PACCAR, the third largest truck manufacturer in the world, is currently working to improve the insulation effectiveness of the sleeper section of their truck cabs. They are interested in using new materials and material combinations and orientations for the insulation inside the walls of the sleeper, as well as a clear coating above the paint that rejects UV/IR radiation from the sun. They asked the team to develop a tool to compare the new designs. This tool includes three components: a numeric heat transfer model, an experimental apparatus, and a cost analysis matrix. The team used solid modeling and finite element analysis to build the numeric heat transfer model. The team also constructed a hot box apparatus to verify the accuracy of the numeric model by measuring the thermal insulation properties of the materials and material combinations under consideration. The team developed a cost analysis matrix to compare possible future designs based on the total cost, including component purchase price and installation cost. Finally, the team provided PACCAR with a recommendation for the optimal insulation material combination.

 

 

 

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Please direct questions or comments to balayj@seattleu.edu