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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s human powered
vehicle team started the 2010 racing season with a first-place finish in
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ west coast regional last
weekend in Northridge, Calif. –- the fifth straight triumph in a
national competition.
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West Coast Regional Champions: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's human powered vehicle team won the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' west coast regional competition for the third straight year. The team is now preparing to duplicate its performance at the east coast regional on May 7-9. |
The team earned first place among unrestricted
division entries in the utility endurance race, featuring riders Ariel
Young, Sean Hannon, Andrew Bomar, Eddie Mayhew; and the design report
and presentation category, featuring team leaders Jeff VanTreuren and
Chris Wlezien, and Cole Pearson. Riders Rachelle Cobb, Hannon, Mayhew,
Bomar and VanTreuren combined to help the team place second in the speed
endurance race. And, Cobb was third in the female drag race.
All of those performances combined to give Rose-Hulman top honors among
15 colleges in the unrestricted division, which presents new
opportunities for creativity and innovation, allowing teams to
incorporate regenerative energy storage devices in their designs.
Colleges in the class also included vehicles from University of
Oklahoma, Colorado State University, Boise State University, University
of Houston, California State University-Los Angeles, California State
Univsity-Fresno, Portland State University and University of
Nevada-Reno. Other teams competed in the Speed Class vehicles.
Rose-Hulman’s convertible two-wheel/three-wheel system earned the
competition’s Knovelty Award for design innovation, and the squad also
showcasing their problem-solving skills in the racing competition.
During the drag race event, Rose-Hulman’s vehicle suffered a major
mechanical failure in the drivetrain. The pedal arms seized, and the
bracket which houses the arms was torn loose from the vehicle.
Quick fixes could not solve the problem. Failing to compete in
several male and female racing events, the team was losing valuable
points and falling in the overall competition standings.
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Sleek Vehicle: Senior Rachelle Cobb concentrates on keeping Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology's human powered vehicle on an efficient path around
the track during the recent ASME west coast regional competition in
Northridge, Calif. Cobb, from Vancouver, Wash., placed third in the female
drag race. |
Faculty Advisor Michael Moorhead, assistant professor
of mechanical engineering, was able to obtain access to a machine shop
at a nearby university, and members developed a creative and rugged fix
in a short amount of time.
However, the mechanical miscues weren't over. The team overcame
two flat tires to win the utility race. Then, two more small
failures cost the team nearly three laps in the endurance race.
However, the riders were able to make up an enormous amount of time to
earn a second-place finish in the race -- and overall first place in the
competition.
"The ability of our team to
respond so quickly to these failures we experienced kept our team from
falling too far behind," said Bomar, a junior mechanical engineering
major. "A few areas of the vehicle will surely need to be
re-evaluated before the east coast competition, but due to the
outstanding performance of our team as mechanics and riders, we managed
to win our first competition and we have a chance to be the ASME
Unrestricted Class National Champions."
Moorhead added:
“The performance at the west coast competition was another testament to
our team's ‘never say die’ tradition."
Other members of Rose-Hulman’s regional winning team included Jeff
Dovalovsky, Ethan Rockett, Jeremy Webb and Petras Swissler.
Driving Rose-Hulman's vehicle is a unique experience,
according to Bomar.
"Like any bicycle race, or any sort of athletic race,
preparation and willpower are key to going fast. However, more so
than other races, a 'driving' element is introduced. Often
vehicle's speed through a course is determined not by its top speed on
straight sections but how well the drivers carry speed through the
course's turns," he noted. "Our vehicle was designed to corner
incredibly well, leaving the drivers with the additional tasks of
becoming comfortable on the bike before the race and maintaining
concentration during the race. It is this combined demand of
fitness and skills that I find so unique."
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Rounding The Turn: Andrew Bomar completes a lap to help Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology's human powered vehicle team place second in the
speed endurance race at the ASME west coast regional. The vehicle was
designed to turn efficiently, providing the team with a competitive
advantage. |
The team will now prepare for the ASME’s east coast regional on May 7-9
being hosted by Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Ct.
Rose-Hulman is the defending overall champions of that competition.
The Human Powered Vehicle Challenge provides an opportunity for
undergraduate and graduate engineering students to demonstrate the
application of sound engineering design principles in the development of
sustainable and practical transportation alternatives. The vehicles
incorporate engineering innovations which allow for optimum performance
and functionality, as well as structural soundness and safety.
Throughout the competition, students work in teams to design and build
the vehicles, which will be judged based on their design and safety
attributes as well as speed and functionality.
“The ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge gives student engineers a
unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and explore the field of
engineering in a very practical and fun way,” said Amos Holt, president
of ASME, in a press release. “This competition provides participants
with the hands-on experience and teambuilding skills that they may not
necessarily receive in a classroom setting.”
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