Projects on Tyler's Site

HVAC&R Senior Design | Making Air Visible

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My HVAC&R senior design project focuses on developing hands-on airflow visualization laboratories using a desktop wind tunnel and fog generator.

The goal is to help future HVAC&R students physically see airflow behavior that is difficult to understand through equations alone, including flow separation, recirculation, wakes, turning, mixing, and the effects of obstructions.

Our team is currently developing test pieces for several laboratory concepts. I am CADing components for Lab 1, which focuses on how duct geometry affects airflow, and Lab 3, which explores louvers, dampers, and flow distribution. We are fabricating the prototypes using translucent PETG so the fog patterns remain visible during testing.

Human-in-the-Loop Robotic Assembly Research

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Through Cal Poly’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program, I am developing a robotic insertion system that combines a UFACTORY Lite6 robot, computer vision, force and torque sensing, Python, and a RoboDK digital twin.

The system performs automated alignment and insertion trials while recording synchronized measurements from the robot, cameras, and load cell. My work has included improving robot motion, refining camera alignment, setting force and torque thresholds, and developing a repeatable experimental workflow.

Automotive Radiator Thermal Analysis

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As part of my Thermal Systems Design course at Cal Poly, my teammate and I evaluated the cooling performance of an automotive radiator under a severe operating condition involving high ambient temperature and an extended uphill climb.

We used Engineering Equation Solver, or EES, to calculate the required heat rejection, coolant and air flow rates, fluid temperatures, thermal resistances, and overall heat exchanger conductance.

Our first model predicted significantly more heat transfer capacity than expected, so we checked our assumptions and compared the analytical model with empirical heat transfer correlations. The refined model showed that the existing radiator was close to the required performance but would benefit from a slight increase in size.

Cal Poly Electromotion

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I serve as Co-President of Cal Poly Electromotion, a student engineering team currently designing and building an electric go-kart.

Our team has developed the initial vehicle layout and currently has the frame, front assembly, and rear assembly mocked up. The next stage of the project is focused on validating the design through mechanical design calculations and finite element analysis before moving further into fabrication.

My role includes helping coordinate the overall design while also making sure our decisions follow a real engineering design process. Instead of choosing components simply because they are available or have good reviews, I encourage the team to define requirements, research alternatives, compare designs, and perform calculations or analysis to confirm that a component will work for our specific vehicle.