VirtuLab: Web Based Flow Visualization Facility

1
VirtuLab Web Based Flow Visualization Facility

• Final Presentation
• Team 6 Members
• Justin Scott
• Karen Davis
• Sydni Credle

Mentor/Client Professor Dr. Shih
Dr.Luongo
April 12, 2001
2
Overview

• Objective/Client Statement
• Background Information
• WBS and Scheduling
• Camera Mount Design
• LabVIEW 6.i

• Contingency Plan
• Live Video Configuration
• VirtuLab Demonstration
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements

3
Objectives/Client Statement

• Design and build a towing tank facility and the
  associated imaging process.
• Provide visualization enhanced information to
  supplement the teaching of fluid mechanics.
• Create computer interfaced instrument control
  for remote operation via the Internet.

4
Background Information

• A fluid is a substance that readily flows under
  applied shear (gases, liquids i.e. water,
  alcohol, gasoline).
• Fluids cant be detected by the human eye,
  therefore, the concepts behind fluid mechanics
  prove to be very difficult to learn.
• Use of flow visualization to take out the guess
  work from the phenomena.

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Introduction

• Learning/teaching Thermal Fluids is complex.
• Distance learning purposes
• Pre-lab student aid
• Master each component separately
• Move at own pace

6
Goals for the Spring Semester

• Web Page Design
• Incorporate LabVIEW programming into design
• Embed live video streaming
• Background and procedure for experiment
• Upload class deliverables for public use

7
Spring Semester Goals (continued)

• LabVIEW
• Acquire LabVIEW version 6.i
• Train team members to use 6.i
• Final experiment interface design (educational
  module)
• Consolidate motor controller functions into one
  program
• Control via the Internet

8
Spring Semester Goals (continued)

• Existing Experiment Set-up
• Preliminary test of system
• Performance Analysis
• Design Modifications
• Calibration
• Final Testing

9
Work Breakdown Structure

• Project Management Activities
• Refinement of Client Statement
• Web Camera
• Imaging Camera Mount
• LabVIEW - Motor Controller
• Simulation/Testing
• Web Page Publishing

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(WBFVF) Web-Based Flow Visualization Facility
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
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Project Schedule
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Camera Mount Design Needs

• Easily manufactured
• Cost efficient
• Lightweight
• Easily used

13
Camera Mount Design Needs (Continued)

• Capable of supporting camera
• Appearance uniform with existing equipment
• Locking mechanism
• Long lasting

14
Existing Camera Mount
Camera Mount Location
Adjustable Pole
15
Detailed Designs 1st Plate and Slider
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Detailed Designs 2nd Plate and Slider
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Camera Mount (continued)
18
Finished Camera Mount

• Machined and Assembled by Will Kincannon and
  Kevin Pittman

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Camera Mount View 2
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Schematic diagram illustrating basic setup of
web-based flow visualization system.
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Physical Laboratory
System Set-up
(motor controller)
LabVIEW Interface
Remote Users
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System Configuration
Motor
Camera mount location
Towing Tank
Web Cam Location
Motor Controller
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What is LabVIEW?

• Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering
  Workbench
• Automation and Control of Equipment
• G-programming
• Creation of programs using graphics
• Pictorial Block Diagrams instead of long lines
  of syntax
• Straightforward data flow methodology

24
LabVIEW 6.i Basics
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LabVIEW Diagram
Global Variable
Local Variable
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Local and Global Variables
Local variables pass information between
applications within the same VI that cannot be
wired.
Global variables are similar to local variables,
except that information can be passed among
several VIs.
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Location of All Global Variables
Figure (left), shows the VI that contains all of
the Booleans and radio buttons that were used in
all of the programs.
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LabVIEW Diagram with CGI Scripts
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LabVIEW Diagram (continued)
This CGI contains the environment and the content
from the client.
Sends the response back to the client to the
specified web browser.
Frees the resources associated with this specific
subVI
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LabVIEW Troubleshooting

• Published front panel would not appear from web
  browser.
• LabVIEW program must be open
• HTTP server must be running

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LabVIEW Troubleshooting

• LabVIEW programs would not run consistently
• Consolidated all of the global variables into
  one VI (virtual instruments)
• Tried different wiring configuration
• Changed global variables from read to write
• Made Booleans and globals constants

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LabVIEW Troubleshooting (contd)

• Testing the VIs with radio buttons in on and off
  within the specific VI and in myglobal2.vi
• Attempted to consolidate the functions within a
  VI into various subVIs (sub program)
• Tried to use the subVIs contents instead of the
  actual subVI

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LabVIEW Troubleshooting (contd)

• Used different formatting within the command
  string to the motor controller (i.e. commas,
  slashes, clears, as well as returns)

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Major Road Blocks

• Consistency Problems
• Heavy Usage
• Equipment Access
• Surpassing Technical Support Knowledge
• Cutting Edge Application of LabVIEW Technology
• As complexity increased, the amount of viable
  help decreased

35
Contingency Plan for the Future

• Allocate one PC machine as dedicated workstation
• Create a controlled environment
• Implement Security System

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Computer Related Aspects

• Remote instrument control via the Internet using
  LabVIEW programming
• Video studio design for the lab imaging
• Real time video and data streaming via the
  Internet

37
Live Video

• Enables students participating in the lab to view
  the flow visualization experiment
• The students have video control in real time

38
Steps Taken

• Creation of initial web page
• Embedding live video window and controls
• Setting up web cam
• Installing and configuring RealProducer Basic on
  experiment computer
• Setting up link to RealServer on COE server

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Creation of Initial Web Page
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Embedding Live Video Window and Controls
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VirtuLab Demonstration
http//www.eng.fsu.edu/jwscott/projectpage.htm
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Conclusion

• Fulfilled all main objectives stated at the onset
• The interactive portion of the experiment via the
  web has been developed and is ready for use
• Applied principles from the Mechanical Design
  Process

43
Conclusion (continued)

• Success even through many road blocks and many
  barriers.
• Great team dynamic.
• Acquired skills that can be used in future
  endeavors.

44
Acknowledgements

• Dr. Shih
• Dr. Luongo
• Bill Kinkannon, Kevin Pittman and Crew
• LabVIEW Technical Support
• Jason Hobbs
• COE WebMasters
• Drew Kokur
• Dr. Van Dommelon