Esophageal transit time assessed by magnetic methods: An in vitro feasibility study of the novel alternating current biosusceptometry with 3-axis magnetorresistor

A hybrid magnetic instrumentation to detect a magnetic field from a permanent magnet, and to detect magnetic markers and tracers using alternating current biosusceptometry (ACB) is discussed. The instrument was used to in vitro evaluation of the esophageal transit time. The sensitivity between both magnetic methods was compared, showing sensitivity for in vivo applications. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.

Bancada experimental para ensaios em geradores elétricos utilizados em aerogeradores de pequeno porte

Este trabalho apresenta uma bancada para testes em geradores elétricos, utilizados em aerogeradores de pequeno porte. O sistema é composto basicamente por um motor de indução trifásico, que simula um rotor eólico, acoplado mecanicamente ao gerador elétrico submetido ao ensaio; um inversor de frequência, usado para variação da velocidade do motor; transdutores de grandezas elétricas, que efetuam a medição dos parâmetros de interesse (tensões e correntes instantâneas) na saída do gerador; um sensor de velocidade angular, para medição da rotação que é fornecida ao eixo do motor; um microcomputador, para monitoração e armazenamento dos parâmetros medidos, e controle do inversor de frequência, por meio de um programa computacional desenvolvido; e uma placa de aquisição de dados, que serve como interface entre os transdutores/sensores e o microcomputador. A velocidade angular fornecida ao gerador em ensaio pode ser variada conforme valores fornecidos de velocidades de vento, as quais são associadas a valores correspondentes de rotação, a fim de simular o comportamento de um rotor eólico. Dessa forma, é possível traçar a curva de potência (potência versus velocidade de vento) do gerador ensaiado e analisar seu desempenho. Apresenta-se também neste trabalho os resultados de medições realizadas na bancada, referentes aos ensaios de um gerador comercial de pequena potência (1 kW) e de outro desenvolvido em projeto de pesquisa, ambos do tipo de imã permanente com fluxo axial.

Comportamento dinâmico de suspensão eletromecânica: análise da resposta devido ao amortecimento e à rigidez não linear

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEB

Caracterização in vitro de técnica biomagnética empregando magnetômetros 3D para avaliar tempo de trânsito esofagiano

The biomagnetic techniques use different magnetic field detectors to measure parameters of the human physiology. Those techniques present the advantage of being noninvasive and radiation free. Among them we can show up the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), the Current Alternate Biosusceptometry (ACB) and, more recently, the employment of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors. Those magnetic sensors have a low cost and good sensitivity to measure different physiological parameters using magnetic markers. The biomagnetic techniques have being used successfully through study on the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research, the magnetoresistors were used to evaluate the transit time and localization of magnetic sources in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this work is the characterization, with in vitro tests, of a biomagnetic instrumentation using two 3-axis magnetoresistors arranged in a gradiometric coplanar setup to evaluate esophageal transit time, analyze and compare the results of experimental signals and the magnetic theory, as well as evaluate the instrumentation gain with use of tri-axial sensor front to the mono-axial sensor. The instrumentation is composed by two three-axis sensing magnetometers, precision power supply and amplifier electronic circuits. The sensors fixed in a coplanar setup were separate by distance of 18 cm. The sensitivity tests had been carried through using a cylindrical magnet (ø = 4 mm and h = 4 mm) of neodymium-iron-boron (grid 35). The tests were done moving the permanent magnet on the sensors parallel axis, simulating the food transit in... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Determination of quality parameters for mustard sauces in sealed packets using time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemometrics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Contribution of electrical parameters on the dynamical behaviour of a nonlinear electromagnetic damper

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Development of a grid connected micro wind generator. A practical activity for the course on electric generation with wind energy

This paper describes a practical activity, part of the renewable energy course where the students have to build their own complete wind generation system, including blades, PM-generator, power electronics and control. After connecting the system to the electric grid the system has been tested during real wind scenarios. The paper will describe the electric part of the work surface-mounted permanent magnet machine design criteria as well as the power electronics part for the power control and the grid connection. A Kalman filter is used for the voltage phase estimation and current commands obtained in order to control active and reactive power. The connection to the grid has been done and active and reactive power has been measured in the system.

A sensorless virtual slave control scheme for kinematically dissimilar master-slave teleoperation

The use of telerobotic systems is essential for remote handling (RH) operations in radioactive areas of scientific facilities that generate high doses of radiation. Recent developments in remote handling technology has seen a great deal of effort being directed towards the design of modular remote handling control rooms equipped with a standard master arm which will be used to separately control a range of different slave devices. This application thus requires a kinematically dissimilar master-slave control scheme. In order to avoid drag and other effects such as friction or other non-linear and unmodelled slave arm effects of the common position-position architecture in nonbackdrivable slaves, this research has implemented a force-position control scheme. End-effector force is derived from motor torque values which, to avoid the use of radiation intolerant and costly sensing devices, are inferred from motor current measurement. This has been demonstrated on a 1-DOF test-rig with a permanent magnet synchronous motor teleoperated by a Sensable Phantom Omni® haptic master. This has been shown to allow accurate control while realistically conveying dynamic force information back to the operator.

Analysis and Design Considerations of an Electric Vehicle Powertrain regarding Energy Efficiency and Magnetic Field Exposure

En esta tesis se analiza el sistema de tracción de un vehículo eléctrico de batería desde el punto de vista de la eficiencia energética y de la exposición a campos magnéticos por parte de los pasajeros (radiación electromagnética). Este estudio incluye tanto el sistema de almacenamiento de energía como la máquina eléctrica, junto con la electrónica de potencia y los sistemas de control asociados a ambos. Los análisis y los resultados presentados en este texto están basados en modelos matemáticos, simulaciones por ordenador y ensayos experimentales a escala de laboratorio. La investigación llevada a cabo durante esta tesis tuvo siempre un marcado enfoque industrial, a pesar de estar desarrollada en un entorno de considerable carácter universitario. Las líneas de investigación acometidas tuvieron como destinatario final al diseñador y al fabricante del vehículo, a pesar de lo cual algunos de los resultados obtenidos son preliminares y/o excesivamente académicos para resultar de interés industrial. En el ámbito de la eficiencia energética, esta tesis estudia sistemas híbridos de almacenamiento de energía basados en una combinación de baterías de litio y supercondensadores. Este tipo de sistemas son analizados desde el punto de vista de la eficiencia mediante modelos matemáticos y simulaciones, cuantificando el impacto de ésta en otros parámetros tales como el envejecimiento de las baterías. Respecto a la máquina eléctrica, el estudio se ha centrado en máquinas síncronas de imanes permanentes. El análisis de la eficiencia considera tanto el diseño de la máquina como la estrategia de control, dejando parcialmente de lado el inversor y la técnica de modulación (que son incluidos en el estudio como fuentes adicionales de pérdidas, pero no como potenciales fuentes de optimización de la eficiencia). En este sentido, tanto la topología del inversor (trifásico, basado en IGBTs) como la técnica de modulación (control de corriente en banda de histéresis) se establecen desde el principio. El segundo aspecto estudiado en esta tesis es la exposición a campos magnéticos por parte de los pasajeros. Este tema se enfoca desde un punto de vista predictivo, y no desde un punto de vista de diagnóstico, puesto que se ha desarrollado una metodología para estimar el campo magnético generado por los dispositivos de potencia de un vehículo eléctrico. Esta metodología ha sido validada mediante ensayos de laboratorio. Otros aspectos importantes de esta contribución, además de la metodología en sí misma, son las consecuencias que se derivan de ella (por ejemplo, recomendaciones de diseño) y la comprensión del problema proporcionada por esta. Las principales contribuciones de esta tesis se listan a continuación: una recopilación de modelos de pérdidas correspondientes a la mayoría de dispositivos de potencia presentes en un vehículo eléctrico de batería, una metodología para analizar el funcionamiento de un sistema híbrido de almacenamiento de energía para aplicaciones de tracción, una explicación de cómo ponderar energéticamente los puntos de operación par-velocidad de un vehículo eléctrico (de utilidad para evaluar el rendimiento de una máquina eléctrica, por ejemplo), una propuesta de incluir un convertidor DC-DC en el sistema de tracción para minimizar las pérdidas globales del accionamiento (a pesar de las nuevas pérdidas introducidas por el propio DC-DC), una breve comparación entre dos tipos distintos de algoritmos de minimización de pérdidas para máquinas síncronas de imanes permanentes, una metodología predictiva para estimar la exposición a campos magnéticos por parte de los pasajeros de un vehículo eléctrico (debida a los equipos de potencia), y finalmente algunas conclusiones y recomendaciones de diseño respecto a dicha exposición a campos magnéticos. ABSTRACT This dissertation analyzes the powertrain of a battery electric vehicle, focusing on energy efficiency and passenger exposure to electromagnetic fields (electromagnetic radiation). This study comprises the energy storage system as well as the electric machine, along with their associated power electronics and control systems. The analysis and conclusions presented in this dissertation are based on mathematical models, computer simulations and laboratory scale tests. The research performed during this thesis was intended to be of industrial nature, despite being developed in a university. In this sense, the work described in this document was carried out thinking of both the designer and the manufacturer of the vehicle. However, some of the results obtained lack industrial readiness, and therefore they remain utterly academic. Regarding energy efficiency, hybrid energy storage systems consisting in lithium batteries, supercapacitors and up to two DC-DC power converters are considered. These kind of systems are analyzed by means of mathematical models and simulations from the energy efficiency point of view, quantifying its impact on other relevant aspects such as battery aging. Concerning the electric machine, permanent magnet synchronous machines are studied in this work. The energy efficiency analysis comprises the machine design and the control strategy, while the inverter and its modulation technique are taken into account but only as sources of further power losses, and not as potential sources for further efficiency optimization. In this sense, both the inverter topology (3-phase IGBT-based inverter) and the switching technique (hysteresis current control) are fixed from the beginning. The second aspect studied in this work is passenger exposure to magnetic fields. This topic is approached from the prediction point of view, rather than from the diagnosis point of view. In other words, a methodology to estimate the magnetic field generated by the power devices of an electric vehicle is proposed and analyzed in this dissertation. This methodology has been validated by laboratory tests. The most important aspects of this contribution, apart from the methodology itself, are the consequences (for instance, design guidelines) and the understanding of the magnetic radiation issue provided by it. The main contributions of this dissertation are listed next: a compilation of loss models for most of the power devices found in a battery electric vehicle powertrain, a simulation-based methodology to analyze hybrid energy storage performance in traction applications, an explanation of how to assign energy-based weights to different operating points in traction drives (useful when assessing electrical machine performance, for instance), a proposal to include one DC-DC converter in electric powertrains to minimize overall power losses in the system (despite the new losses added by the DC-DC), a brief comparison between two kinds of loss-minimization algorithms for permanent magnet synchronous machines in terms of adaptability and energy efficiency, a predictive methodology to estimate passenger magnetic field exposure due to power devices in an electric vehicle, and finally some useful conclusions and design guidelines concerning magnetic field exposure.

Curvature Induced by Amyloplast Magnetophoresis in Protonemata of the Moss Ceratodon purpureus1

After gravistimulation of Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. protonemata in the dark, amyloplast sedimentation was followed by upward curvature in the wild-type (WT) and downward curvature in the wwr mutant (wrong way response). We used ponderomotive forces induced by high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMF) to simulate the effect of gravity and displace the presumptive statoliths. The field was applied by placing protonemata either between two permanent magnets at the edge of the gap, close to the edge of a magnetized ferromagnetic wedge, or close to a small (<1 mm) permanent magnet. Continuous application of an HGMF in all three configurations resulted in plastid displacement and induced curvature in tip cells of WT and wwr protonemata. WT cells curved toward the HGMF, and wwr cells curved away from the HGMF, comparable to gravitropism. Plastids isolated from protonemal cultures had densities ranging from 1.24 to 1.38 g cm−3. Plastid density was similar for both genotypes, but the mutant contained larger plastids than the WT. The size difference might explain the stronger response of the wwr protonemata to the HGMF. Our data support the plastid-based theory of gravitropic sensing and suggest that HGMF-induced ponderomotive forces can substitute for gravity.

Direct current ripple compensation for multi-phase fault-tolerant machines

A second-harmonic direct current (DC) ripple compensation technique is presented for a multi-phase, fault-tolerant, permanent magnet machine. The analysis has been undertaken in a general manner for any pair of phases in operation with the remaining phases inactive. The compensation technique determines the required alternating currents in the machine to eliminate the second-harmonic DC-link current, while at the same time minimising the total rms current in the windings. An additional benefit of the compensation technique is a reduction in the magnitude of the electromagnetic torque ripple. Practical results are included from a 70 kW, five-phase generator system to validate the analysis and illustrate the performance of the compensation technique.

Analysis of clogging in constructed wetlands using magnetic resonance

In this work we demonstrate the potential of permanent magnet based magnetic resonance sensors to monitor and assess the extent of pore clogging in water filtration systems. The performance of the sensor was tested on artificially clogged gravel substrates and on gravel bed samples from constructed wetlands used to treat wastewater. Data indicate that the spin lattice relaxation time is linearly related to the hydraulic conductivity in such systems. In addition, within biologically active filters we demonstrate the ability to determine the relative ratio of biomass to abiotic solids, a measurement which is not possible using alternative techniques. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Rotor retaining sleeve design for a 1.12-MW high-speed PM machine

Permanent-magnet (PM) synchronous machines (PMSMs) can provide excellent performance in terms of torque density, energy efficiency, and controllability. However, PMs on the rotor are prone to centrifugal force, which may break their physical integrity, particularly at high-speed operation. Typically, PMs are bound with carbon fiber or retained by alloy sleeves on the rotor surface. This paper is concerned with the design of a rotor retaining sleeve for a 1.12-MW 18-kr/min PM machine; its electromagnetic performance is investigated by the 2-D finite-element method (FEM). Theoretical and numerical analyses of the rotor stress are carried out. For the carbon fiber protective measure, the stresses of three PM configurations and three pole filler materials are compared in terms of operating temperature, rotor speed, retaining sleeve thickness, and interference fit. Then, a new hybrid protective measure is proposed and analyzed by the 2-D FEM for operational speeds up to 22 kr/min (1.2 times the rated speed). The rotor losses and machine temperatures with the carbon fiber retaining sleeve and the hybrid retaining sleeve are compared, and the sleeve design is refined. Two rotors using both designs are prototyped and experimentally tested to validate the effectiveness of the developed techniques for PM machines. The developed retaining sleeve makes it possible to operate megawatt PM machines at high speeds of 22 kr/min. This opens doors for many high-power high-speed applications such as turbo-generator, aerospace, and submarine motor drives.

A nanoliter volume nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system using tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensors to recognize biomolecules

The need to incorporate advanced engineering tools in biology, biochemistry and medicine is in great demand. Many of the existing instruments and tools are usually expensive and require special facilities.^ With the advent of nanotechnology in the past decade, new approaches to develop devices and tools have been generated by academia and industry. ^ One such technology, NMR spectroscopy, has been used by biochemists for more than 2 decades to study the molecular structure of chemical compounds. However, NMR spectrometers are very expensive and require special laboratory rooms for their proper operation. High magnetic fields with strengths in the order of several Tesla make these instruments unaffordable to most research groups.^ This doctoral research proposes a new technology to develop NMR spectrometers that can operate at field strengths of less than 0.5 Tesla using an inexpensive permanent magnet and spin dependent nanoscale magnetic devices. This portable NMR system is intended to analyze samples as small as a few nanoliters.^ The main problem to resolve when downscaling the variables is to obtain an NMR signal with high Signal-To-Noise-Ratio (SNR). A special Tunneling Magneto-Resistive (TMR) sensor design was developed to achieve this goal. The minimum specifications for each component of the proposed NMR system were established. A complete NMR system was designed based on these minimum requirements. The goat was always to find cost effective realistic components. The novel design of the NMR system uses technologies such as Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and a special Backpropagation Neural Network that finds the best match of the NMR spectrum. The system was designed, calculated and simulated with excellent results.^ In addition, a general method to design TMR Sensors was developed. The technique was automated and a computer program was written to help the designer perform this task interactively.^

Design optimization of modern machine drive systems for maximum fault tolerant and optimal operation

Modern electric machine drives, particularly three phase permanent magnet machine drive systems represent an indispensable part of high power density products. Such products include; hybrid electric vehicles, large propulsion systems, and automation products. Reliability and cost of these products are directly related to the reliability and cost of these systems. The compatibility of the electric machine and its drive system for optimal cost and operation has been a large challenge in industrial applications. The main objective of this dissertation is to find a design and control scheme for the best compromise between the reliability and optimality of the electric machine-drive system. The effort presented here is motivated by the need to find new techniques to connect the design and control of electric machines and drive systems. ^ A highly accurate and computationally efficient modeling process was developed to monitor the magnetic, thermal, and electrical aspects of the electric machine in its operational environments. The modeling process was also utilized in the design process in form finite element based optimization process. It was also used in hardware in the loop finite element based optimization process. The modeling process was later employed in the design of a very accurate and highly efficient physics-based customized observers that are required for the fault diagnosis as well the sensorless rotor position estimation. Two test setups with different ratings and topologies were numerically and experimentally tested to verify the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. ^ The modeling process was also employed in the real-time demagnetization control of the machine. Various real-time scenarios were successfully verified. It was shown that this process gives the potential to optimally redefine the assumptions in sizing the permanent magnets of the machine and DC bus voltage of the drive for the worst operating conditions. ^ The mathematical development and stability criteria of the physics-based modeling of the machine, design optimization, and the physics-based fault diagnosis and the physics-based sensorless technique are described in detail. ^ To investigate the performance of the developed design test-bed, software and hardware setups were constructed first. Several topologies of the permanent magnet machine were optimized inside the optimization test-bed. To investigate the performance of the developed sensorless control, a test-bed including a 0.25 (kW) surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine example was created. The verification of the proposed technique in a range from medium to very low speed, effectively show the intelligent design capability of the proposed system. Additionally, to investigate the performance of the developed fault diagnosis system, a test-bed including a 0.8 (kW) surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine example with trapezoidal back electromotive force was created. The results verify the use of the proposed technique under dynamic eccentricity, DC bus voltage variations, and harmonic loading condition make the system an ideal case for propulsion systems.^