水下滑翔机器人水动力研究与运动分析

水下滑翔机器人是一种无外挂推进系统,仅依靠内置执行机构调整重心位置和净浮力来控制其自身运动的新型水下机器人,主要用于长时间、大范围的海洋环境监测,因此要求其具有低阻性和高稳定性.文章主要从水动力特性出发对水下滑翔机器人进行优化设计,包括主载体线型、升降翼和稳定翼的优化等,并对水动力优化设计的结构进行了定常滑翔运动和空间螺旋回转运动分析,这将为后期的控制系统设计提供参考.

7000米载人潜水器推进器故障容错控制分配研究

介绍了7000米载人潜水器推进系统的组成和推进器布置,描述了潜水器控制分配问题,对推进器推力和期望控制量进行了归一化处理.根据载人潜水器的推进器布置,建立了系统的控制分配模型,设计了推进器故障容错处理策略,研究了基于推力最小二范数的载人潜水器控制分配求解方法.采用基于伪逆矩阵与定点分配的混合控制分配求解算法,在半物理仿真平台上实验验证了控制分配求解算法的正确性和有效性.

基于SQP算法的7000m载人潜水器有约束非线性控制分配研究

以7000m载人潜水器为研究对象,分析了潜水器的推进系统,并给出了6自由度推力转换模型,重点讨论了载人潜水器控制分配的优化问题.结合7000m载人潜水器的推进器布置和推进器特点,设计了优化准则代价函数,采用序列二次规划(sequential quadratic programm ing,SQP)算法求解了载人潜水器的非线性控制分配问题,通过半物理仿真平台实验验证了本文提出的控制分配算法的正确性和有效性.yh

ROV推进系统故障检测及容错控制研究

遥控水下机器人( ROV )工作在未知的不确定的复杂海洋环境中，其机械部件和控制系统极易出现故障。推进器是ROV的动力装置，对ROV完成水下作业，顺利回收起着至关重要的作用。推进器经常受到水草、异物的干扰而损坏，同时其内部的机械和电子组件也因老化、发热、受力而容易损坏，因此推进系统故障是ROV经常发生的故障之一。故障检测是提高其推进系统可靠性的重要环节，为ROV的容错控制和紧急回收等应急措施提供科学依据。ROV的容错控制对提高ROV的可靠性和机动性有着重要的意义。 针对ROV推进系统的特点，本文研究了ROV推进系统的系统辨识，故障检测和容错控制问题。 本文给出了一种基于控制量输入的ROV模型辨识方法，减小了辨识的工作量。该模型以螺旋桨驱动电机的电压控制量为输入，以各个自由度的运动状态为输出，不需进行螺旋桨推力标定。针对这种辨识方式，本文给出一种ROV系统辨识的非线性模型和简化的线性模型，对于相应的模型设计了辨识方法。通过实验验证了模型和方法的有效性。 针对ROV的故障检测问题，给出基于模型与推进电机电流的故障检测方法，设计了故障检测策略，实现对故障的分离和定位。通过模拟故障实验验证了方法的有效性。 针对ROV推进系统容错控制分配问题，本文提出了基于SVD分解(奇异值分解)与定点分配的混合算法。与传统的方法相比，它回避了求伪逆矩阵的问题，减小了计算量；能够满足推进器饱和约束限制。利用水下实验平台的推进系统模型进行了仿真实验，验证了算法的正确性和有效性。

Transition Space

Informal causal descriptions of physical systems abound in sources such as encyclopedias, reports and user's manuals. Yet these descriptions remain largely opaque to computer processing. This paper proposes a representational framework in which such descriptions are viewed as providing partial specifications of paths in a space of possible transitions, or transition space. In this framework, the task of comprehending informal causal descriptions emerges as one of completing the specifications of paths in transition space---filling causal gaps and relating accounts of activity varied by analogy and abstraction. The use of the representation and its operations is illustrated in the context of a simple description concerning rocket propulsion.

Optical micro- and nanofibres: Higher mode generation and particle manipulation studies

This thesis is centred on two experimental fields of optical micro- and nanofibre research; higher mode generation/excitation and evanescent field optical manipulation. Standard, commercial, single-mode silica fibre is used throughout most of the experiments; this generally produces high-quality, single-mode, micro- or nanofibres when tapered in a flame-heated, pulling rig in the laboratory. Single mode fibre can also support higher transverse modes, when transmitting wavelengths below that of their defined single-mode regime cut-off. To investigate this, a first-order Laguerre-Gaussian beam, LG01 of 1064 nm wavelength and doughnut-shaped intensity profile is generated free space via spatial light modulation. This technique facilitates coupling to the LP11 fibre mode in two-mode fibre, and convenient, fast switching to the fundamental mode via computer-generated hologram modulation. Following LP11 mode loss when exponentially tapering 125μm diameter fibre, two mode fibre with a cladding diameter of 80μm is selected fir testing since it is more suitable for satisfying the adiabatic criteria for fibre tapering. Proving a fruitful endeavour, experiments show a transmission of 55% of the original LP11 mode set (comprising TE01, TM01, HE21e,o true modes) in submicron fibres. Furthermore, by observing pulling dynamics and progressive mode-lass behaviour, it is possible to produce a nanofibre which supports only the TE01 and TM01 modes, while suppressing the HE21e,o elements of the LP11 group. This result provides a basis for experimental studies of atom trapping via mode-interference, and offers a new set of evanescent field geometries for sensing and particle manipulation applications. The thesis highlights the experimental results of the research unit’s Cold Atom subgroup, who successfully integrated one such higher-mode nanofibre into a cloud of cold Rubidium atoms. This led to the detection of stronger signals of resonance fluorescence coupling into the nanofibre and for light absorption by the atoms due to the presence of higher guided modes within the fibre. Theoretical work on the impact of the curved nanofibre surface on the atomic-surface van der Waals interaction is also presented, showing a clear deviation of the potential from the commonly-used flat-surface approximation. Optical micro- and nanofibres are also useful tools for evanescent-field mediated optical manipulation – this includes propulsion, defect-induced trapping, mass migration and size-sorting of micron-scale particles in dispersion. Similar early trapping experiments are described in this thesis, and resulting motivations for developing a targeted, site-specific particle induction method are given. The integration of optical nanofibres into an optical tweezers is presented, facilitating individual and group isolation of selected particles, and their controlled positioning and conveyance in the evanescent field. The effects of particle size and nanofibre diameter on pronounced scattering is experimentally investigated in this systems, as are optical binding effects between adjacent particles in the evanescent field. Such inter-particle interactions lead to regulated self-positioning and particle-chain speed enhancements.

Fluid flow control with transformation media.

We introduce a new concept for the manipulation of fluid flow around three-dimensional bodies. Inspired by transformation optics, the concept is based on a mathematical idea of coordinate transformations and physically implemented with anisotropic porous media permeable to the flow of fluids. In two situations-for an impermeable object placed either in a free-flowing fluid or in a fluid-filled porous medium-we show that the object can be coated with an inhomogeneous, anisotropic permeable medium, such as to preserve the flow that would have existed in the absence of the object. The proposed fluid flow cloak eliminates downstream wake and compensates viscous drag, hinting at the possibility of novel propulsion techniques.

Using ground reaction force to predict knee kinetic asymmetry following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Asymmetries in sagittal plane knee kinetics have been identified as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re-injury. Clinical tools are needed to identify the asymmetries. This study examined the relationships between knee kinetic asymmetries and ground reaction force (GRF) asymmetries during athletic tasks in adolescent patients following ACL reconstruction (ACL-R). Kinematic and GRF data were collected during a stop-jump task and a side-cutting task for 23 patients. Asymmetry indices between the surgical and non-surgical limbs were calculated for GRF and knee kinetic variables. For the stop-jump task, knee kinetics asymmetry indices were correlated with all GRF asymmetry indices (P < 0.05), except for loading rate. Vertical GRF impulse asymmetry index predicted peak knee moment, average knee moment, and knee work (R(2)  ≥ 0.78, P < 0.01) asymmetry indices. For the side-cutting tasks, knee kinetic asymmetry indices were correlated with the peak propulsion vertical GRF and vertical GRF impulse asymmetry indices (P < 0.05). Vertical GRF impulse asymmetry index predicted peak knee moment, average knee moment, and knee work (R(2)  ≥ 0.55, P < 0.01) asymmetry indices. The vertical GRF asymmetries may be a viable surrogate for knee kinetic asymmetries and therefore may assist in optimizing rehabilitation outcomes and minimizing re-injury rates.

Hyperpolarisation-activated inward current in isolated sheep mesenteric lymphatic smooth muscle.

1. Freshly isolated sheep lymphatic smooth muscle cells were studied using the perforated patch-clamp technique. Hyperpolarisation with constant-current pulses caused a time-dependent rectification evident as a depolarising 'sag' followed by an anode-break overshoot at the end of the pulse. Both sag and overshoot were blocked with 1 mM Cs+. 2. Cells were voltage clamped at -30 mV and stepped to -120 mV in 10 mV steps of 2 s duration. Steps negative to -60 mV evoked a slowly activating, non-inactivating inward current which increased in size and rate of activation with increasing hyperpolarisation. 3. The slowly activating current was reduced in Na+-free bathing solution but enhanced when the extracellular K+ concentration was increased to 60 mM. The current was significantly reduced by 1 mM Cs+ and 1 microM ZD7288 but not by 1.8 mM Ba2+. 4. The steady-state activation curve of the underlying conductance showed a threshold at -50 mV and half-maximal activation at -81 mV. Neither threshold nor half-maximal activation was significantly affected by increasing the external K+ concentration to 60 mM. 5. The frequency of spontaneous contractions and fluid propulsion in isolated cannulated segments of sheep mesenteric lymphatics were decreased by 1 mM Cs+ and by 1 microM ZD7288. 6. We conclude that sheep lymphatics have a hyperpolarisation-activated inward current similar to the If seen in sinoatrial node cells of the heart. Blockade of this current slows spontaneous pumping in intact lymphatic vessels suggesting that it is important in normal pacemaking.

Assessing the Impact of Shipping Vessel Noise on Humpback Whales

The ocean is a hub of noise. Bioacoustic noise, noise from precipitation and wind, and noise from oceanic shelf slides and other geologic processes have occurred consistently as marine species have evolved over time. However, with the discovery of oceanic oil and gas reserves, submarine systems, ship propulsion and the emergence of global trade, anthropogenic sources of sound have added significant quantities of sound to the oceanic system. Shipping has been found to be the largest input of low-frequency anthropogenic noise and Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaengliae), known to be the most vocal marine species, have an auditory sensitivity that falls within the range of frequencies emitted by shipping vessels. As Humpback Whales are heavily dependent on vocalizations, for reasons relatively unconfirmed, a better understanding of why they sing and how their communication is being impacted by vessel noise is critical. Evaluating existing literature both on Humpback behavior and communication, the mechanics of their communication, sound emissions from modern ships, oceanic sound transmission, and studies regarding Humpback's exposure to other sources of low-frequency anthropogenic noise, it is clear that more research is needed to draw any causational conclusions between vessel noise and detrimental impacts on Humpback Whales. With a projected increase in global consumption and vessel traffic, there is an urgent need for further research exploring shipping noise impacts and behavioural alterations of Humpbacks. Existing research has shown changes in Humpback communication when exposed to low-frequency sonar noise, however few studies have been conducted on their communication when in close proximity to shipping vessels. In order for the impacts to be properly assessed, preliminary understanding of humpback communication, their auditory thresholds and more studies between vessel noise exposure and Humpback Whale behavior must be conducted.

HTS Machines as Enabling Technology for All-Electric Airborne Vehicles

Environmental protection has now become paramount as evidence mounts to support the thesis of human activity-driven global warming. A global reduction of the emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere is therefore needed and new technologies have to be considered. A large part of the emissions come from transportation vehicles, including cars, trucks and airplanes, due to the nature of their combustion-based propulsion systems. Our team has been working for several years on the development of high power density superconducting motors for aircraft propulsion and fuel cell based power systems for aircraft. This paper investigates the feasibility of all-electric aircraft based on currently available technology. Electric propulsion would require the development of high power density electric propulsion motors, generators, power management and distribution systems. The requirements in terms of weight and volume of these components cannot be achieved with conventional technologies; however, the use of superconductors associated with hydrogen-based power plants makes possible the design of a reasonably light power system and would therefore enable the development of all-electric aero-vehicles. A system sizing has been performed both for actuators and for primary propulsion. Many advantages would come from electrical propulsion such as better controllability of the propulsion, higher efficiency, higher availability and less maintenance needs. Superconducting machines may very well be the enabling technology for all-electric aircraft development.

Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage: a case study on Ireland

Renewable energy is generally accepted as an important component of future electricity grids. In late 2008, the Government of the Republic of Ireland set a target of 10% of all vehicles in its transport fleet be powered by electricity by 2020. This paper examines the potential contributions Electric Vehicles (EVs) can make to facilitate increased electricity generation from variable renewable sources such as wind generation in the Republic of Ireland. It also presents an overview of the technical and economic issues associated with this target.