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Guildford, Surrey,
GU2 7XH, UK

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Gareth Peel's Homepage

[mep2gp]

Academic History: -

I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a European Language (German) from the University of Surrey in 1998. Later that year I rejoined the univeristy to start work on the "Johnston Project", looking at brush dynamics for a semi-autonomous sweeping vehicle.

By this we mean that the overall objective of the project is to devlop a road sweeping vehicle very much like we see on the roads, but where the sweeping process is optimised via some on board intelegence. The driver is, in this case still required to drive the vehicle on the open road but forwrd looking sensors are used to investigate the debris on the road and change the sweeper setup to ensure optimum sweeping occurs. This is required because it should minimise the wear of the brushes and therefore minimise sweeper down time while still ensuring efficient sweeping.

Co-workers on this project are:

RESEARCH WORKERS:
Mr Maarten Michielen

SUPERVISORS:
Professor Graham Parker

Current Work:-

In order to control a road sweeper brush we need to understand how it works. This is achieved through an indepth theoretical analysis where we describe the parameters of the brush mathematically, drawing on certain assumptions allow us to solve the problem. To ensure this is correct, and relate the theory to the real world, further testing is undertaken on the brust test rig:

[Test Rig]

Through this work it is hoped that a thorough understanding of the sweeping process can be established, allowing the optimum sweeping conditions to be found.

To complement this work a new test rig currently being build to run in tandem with the sensor work which will allow the brush to trial sweep a test strip. This will allow the practical testing of the sweeping theory, finally allowing the sweeping process to be fully understood.

Other Stuff:

I have undertaken a placement under the 'Pupil Research Initiative', where postgrad students enter a local school to show them that science and engineering is fun. This was great fun, but I was also quite suprised at how much the curriculum for science has changed over the last few years.

As a member of the University of Surrey Boat Club, rowing is also part of my life.

Contact Details:

Gareth Peel Mechatronic Systems and Robotics Research Group,
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering,
University of Surrey,
Guildford,
Surrey,
GU2 7XH,
United Kingdom.
tel : (01483) 87 x9681
fax: (01483) 306039
email: G.Peel@surrey.ac.uk

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Last change: April 2000