Air Engine

Ibrahim, Abdul (2016) Air Engine. Honours thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

The Murdoch University Air Engine project was built for Industrial Computer System Engineering (ICSE) students to implement and fundamentally develop a significant understanding of the 68HC11 Microcontroller. This system was developed and designed by third-year undergraduate students for their project with the help of Murdoch University’s technician and electrician staff for installation of hardware equipment and information technology (IT) related task. This project is a learning tool that provides hands-on experience with industrial-grade equipment and the environment. This also includes maintenance and improvement of its functionality as a part of the on-going thesis project.

Air Engine was one of the first engine designs that helped to introduce the concept that an engine can be used to run a vehicle. Throughout the years, different designs have been implemented, and some of them were successful such that they were utilized in the powering vehicles. Also, it is versatile, therefore, can be used in operations where immense power is required. However, the basic principles of an engine remain almost the same since cylinders, and other associated components are used to run it.

The project deals with an Air Engine controlled by a microcontroller. The primary objective of this project is to develop an embedded and real-time control system based on the Forth programming language. Other associated aims are to incorporate user interaction via a keypad and LCD screen which make significant use of the timing interrupt system capabilities for the inputs and outputs available. Also implementing a form of control for cylinder firing sequences, designing the wiring diagram, improving the safety feature, implementing set input of Revolution Per Minute (RPM) via keypad and maintain the rotational speed was undertaken.

The project is now complete and fully operational with fully functioning hardware configurations and programming language. Additionally, the programming code has been modified and recreated using simplified code words which make it easier to understand. As well, extensive documentation is provided to help for the future development of this project.

Item Type:	Thesis (Honours)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Engineering and Information Technology
Supervisor(s):	Cole, Graeme
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/33939

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