Background:

Fuel tank and E-85 conversion...

In 2007 the University of Maine Team was one of the few teams to show up at the competition with a gasoline fueled snowmobile.  This was due to the incompatibility of the Arctic Cat fuel pump and ethanol.  The net effect is that unlike several high profile teams, UMaine did not run out of gas on the endurance event.  This is because of the need for a larger tank because of their lower energy capacity of ethanol.  For the 2008 competition there is no gasoline option, no longer a 100 point bonus but a requirement is to use "green fuel". 

This team is responsible for the fuel system, fuel pump conversion and the new fuel tank.  The new fuel tank must be built, tested and proven to meet all safety requirements for snowmobiles.  Several manufacturing options exist for the tank.  The tank must be installed prior to winter break so that the snowmobile can be field tested for 100 miles. 

This is an ideal project if you have personal goals that include manufacturing and test engineering.

Milestones

·         Original milestones submitted: September 18, 2007.

·         Revised milestones submitted: September 27, 2007

·         First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 2, 2007, 4:00 pm.

·         Get Quote for New Gas Tank: October 2, 2007.

·         Call Yamaha and inquire about ethanol conversion:  October 4, 2007

·         Place Order for 2^nd Gas Tank: October 4, 2007

·         Report on manufacturing and safety regulations on fuel tanks submitted: October 11

·         Get baseline dynamometer readings (running on gas), and interpolate ethanol MPG: October 11

·         Complete Tank Design: October 16, 2007

·         Obtain Ethanol Fuel for Testing Purposes: October 16

·         Test Fuel Pump for Ethanol Compatibility:  October 23, 2007

·         Milestone review: November 6^th , 2007

·         Complete Conversion of Engine/Fuel System to Ethanol: November 29^th

·         Tank installed, filled and connected to fuel pump on snowmobile:  November 29^th, 2007

·         Install Gage for %Ethanol Reading: November 29^th, 2007.

·         Draft Midterm Report: December 3^rd , 2007

·         Presentation of first semester results: December 6, 2007.

·         Construct Seat Frame/Send Seat out for Upholstery: December 10^th, 2007

·         Install Seat on Snowmobile: December 17^th, 2007

·         Attend and present snowmobile at at least two events, (for example Caribou Winter Carnival/Snowmobile Festival was Feb. 16-26 in 2007 and the International Snowmobile Festival was February 3-5 in 2007). Demo must include exhaust emissions analyzer and drive by test with sound level meter with a fully operational snowmobile. (March 1^st , 2008)

·         Competition Report: Feb. 29^th, 2008.

·         CSC Competition: March 13-18, 2008.

·         Review competition results and work on final report: April 2006.

·         Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, April 30^th, 2008

·         Open House -- Review of Projects: May 1^st, 2008 (date only approximate)

·         Final Project Report: May 10, 2008.

Thanksgiving Break:  Wed. Nov. 21^st to Monday Nov. 26^th

Spring Break:  Friday Feb. 29^th to Monday March 17^th