Demonstration of Multimedia Electronic Information Enhancements for a Handbook Chapter CD-ROM: Overview

A set of enhancements to the ASHRAE Handbook are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness ofmultimedia and advancedpresentation techniques, such as three-dimensional computer graphics, visualization, and animation techniques. These results can also serve as a model and guide for the broader use of these techniques in other ASHRAE publications. GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT In this paper, we present a set of enhancements to the ASHRAE Handbook that demonstrate the effectiveness of multimedia and advanced presentation techniques, such as three-dimensional computer graphics, visualization, and animation techniques. This demonstration is also meant to serve as a model and guide for the broader use of these techniques in other ASHRAE publications. The enhanced chapter is intended to be used in the CD-ROM version of the Handbook, which is also posted on ASHRAE's web site, and can be used in other ways to promote the effectiveness of improved presentation techniques and the value of ASHRAE information resources. Using compressors as the subject, the research project 1017 expanded on the material contained in Chapter 34 of the HVAC Systems and EqUipment Handbook (ASHRAE 1996). Chapter 34 covers various types of compressors, such as centrifugal, scroll, rolling piston, and twin-screw, that are used for heating, refrigerating, and air conqltioning. For engineers it is essential to Wlderstand how each type of compressor works as well as how to use technical charts and graphs to analyze and design a system. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to understand the wo~king principles of compressors just by looking at stati<: two-dimensional illustrations. It is therefore essential to create various multimedia solutions that can show how compressors work. The multimedia solutions that were developed include the following: 1. Animations that show how the individual parts ofcompressors move during compression <:ycles. 2. Animations that show how the fluid moves through the compressor during compression. 3. SoWld effects that demonstrate the noise compressors make during different modes ofoperation. 4. Interactive diagrams that indicate the various stages of compression <:ycles. 5. Animations that show detailed fluid dynamics using ~mputational fluid dynamics (CFD). This work includes these multimedia solutions and other advanced visualization methods for electronically presenting information. To accomplish this we used primarily widely available, nonproprietary, platform-independent presentation tools, which also allows the enhanced Handbook to be made available over the Internet. This enhanced version of chapter 34 is organized as an HTML hypertext document where figures are linked into and form an integral part of the document. These figures are implemented as GIF (Miano 1999) or JPEG images (pennebaker and Mitchell 1992; Miano 1999), two-dimensional and· three-dimensional Quicktime animations (Gulie 2(00), interactive JAVAapplets (SWl2001), or as three-dimensional VRML models. (pesce 1997). BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER GRAPHICS All advaDces m. multimedia presentations have their roots in the field of computer graphics. Computer graphics, a relatively new field, has advanced so quickly that it is difficult to Ergun AkJeman, JeffS. Haberl, and Malcolm Andrews are associate professors and Frederic I. Pai'k:4Hs a professor at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Sajan Skaria and H. John Halstead are technical directors, Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, Calif. ; THIS PREPRINT IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY. FOR INCLUSION IN ASHRAE TRANSACTIONS 2003, V. 109, Pt. 1. Not to be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission of the American Society of Heating. Refrigerating and Air-COnditioning Engineers. Inc.• 1791 Tullie Circle.. NE. Atlanta. GA 30329. Opinions, findings. conclusions. or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the autho~s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASHRAE. Written questions and comments regarding this paper should be received at ASHRAE no later than February 7, 2003. ESL-PA-03-01-01