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Probabilistic Design Methodology and its Application to the Design of an Umbilical Retract MechanismA lot has been learned from past experience with structural and machine element failures. The understanding of failure modes and the application of an appropriate design analysis method can lead to improved structural and machine element safety as well as serviceability. To apply Probabilistic Design Methodology (PDM), all uncertainties are modeled as random variables with selected distribution types, means, and standard deviations. It is quite difficult to achieve a robust design without considering the randomness of the design parameters which is the case in the use of the Deterministic Design Approach. The US Navy has a fleet of submarine-launched ballistic missiles. An umbilical plug joins the missile to the submarine in order to provide electrical and cooling water connections. As the missile leaves the submarine, an umbilical retract mechanism retracts the umbilical plug clear of the advancing missile after disengagement during launch and retrains the plug in the retracted position. The design of the current retract mechanism in use was based on the deterministic approach which puts emphasis on factor of safety. A new umbilical retract mechanism that is simpler in design, lighter in weight, more reliable, easier to adjust, and more cost effective has become desirable since this will increase the performance and efficiency of the system. This paper reports on a recent project performed at Tennessee State University for the US Navy that involved the application of PDM to the design of an umbilical retract mechanism. This paper demonstrates how the use of PDM lead to the minimization of weight and cost, and the maximization of reliability and performance.
Document ID
20030001882
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Onyebueke, Landon
(Tennessee State Univ. Nashville, TN United States)
Ameye, Olusesan
(Tennessee State Univ. Nashville, TN United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Fifth Annual Workshop on the Application of Probabilistic Methods for Gas Turbine Engines
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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