Networked embedded systems for active flow control in aircraft

Aerodynamic drag is known to be one of the factors contributing more to increased aircraft fuel consumption. The primary source of skin friction drag during flight is the boundary layer separation. This is the layer of air moving smoothly in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft. In this paper we discuss a cyber-physical system approach able of performing an efficient suppression of the turbulent flow by using a dense sensing deployment to detect the low pressure region and a similarly dense deployment of actuators to manage the turbulent flow. With this concept, only the actuators in the vicinity of a separation layer are activated, minimizing power consumption and also the induced drag.

Simulation of offshore wind system with two-level converters: HVDC power transmission

A new integrated mathematical model for the simulation of offshore wind energy conversion system performance is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed turbine in deep water equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using full-power two-level converter, converting the energy of a variable frequency source in injected energy into the electric network with constant frequency, through a high voltage DC transmission submarine cable. The mathematical model for the drive train is a concentrate two mass model which incorporates the dynamic for the structure and tower due to the need to emulate the effects of the moving surface. Controller strategy considered is a proportional integral one. Also, pulse width modulation using space vector modulation supplemented with sliding mode is used for trigger the transistor of the converter. Finally, a case study is presented to access the system performance. © 2014 IEEE.

The effect of fractional order in variable structure control

This paper studies fractional variable structure controllers. Two cases are considered namely, the sliding reference model and the control action, that are generalized from integer into fractional orders. The test bed consists in a mechanical manipulator and the effect of the fractional approach upon the system performance is evaluated. The results show that fractional dynamics, both in the switching surface and the control law are important design algorithms in variable structure controllers.

Sedimentation pelagique et encroûtements cryptalgaires: les calcaires gremeleux du Carixien portugais

In Portugal, Carixian is generally represented by alternative layers of marly limestones characterized by nodule and lumpy levels. These layers are particularly developped [show preferential development] on passage areas to a sedimentary basin, particularly along the slope of tilted blocks between the Meseta and Berlenga's horst. This facies is included in the range of the «nodular limestone» and of the «ammonitico-rosso». Limestones are radiolaria micrites with fragments of pelagic organisms (ammonoids, thin shelled gastropods). These layers can be affected by intensive bioturbation (Brenha) which is responsible for dismantlement, specially where the initial thickness does not exceed a few centimetres. This process can lead to the isolation of residual nodules (Brenha, São Pedro de Muel, Peniche) which can be mobilised by massive sliding (Peniche). The isolated elements, shell fragments or residual nodules, can also be incrustated, thus developing oncolitic cryptalgal structures. At Brenha the lump structure developed progressively into a sequence overlapping the normal sedimentary one (thick limestone beds alternating with bituminous shales). Cryptalgal structures correspond to rather unstable environment conditions on mobile margins. These structures are known in deep pelagic sediments corresponding to well defined events of the geodynamic evolution (end of the initial rifting). Cryptalgal accretions disappear towards the sedimentary basin, and the nodular levels are less important. In the articulation areas with the Tomar platform, small mounds and cupules (Alcabideque) developed within the alternating marly-limestone levels. They represent the so called «mud mounds» of metric dimensions. The upper part of these «mud mounds» is hardened, showing track remains and supporting some brachiopods and pectinids. Hence the lumpy facies of Portugal is included among the range of sedimentaty environments and can be used as «geodynamic tracer».

A simulation of integrated photovoltaic conversion into electric grid

This paper presents a systemic modeling for a PV system integrated into an electric grid. The modeling includes models for a DC-DC boost converter and a DC-AC two-level inverter. Classical or fuzzy PI controllers with pulse width modulation by space vector modulation associated with sliding mode control is used for controlling the PV system and power factor control is introduced at the output of the system. Comprehensive performance simulation studies are carried out with the modeling of the DC-DC boost converter followed by a two-level power inverter in order to compare the performance with the experimental results obtained during in situ operation with three commercial inverters. Also, studies are carried out to assess the quality of the energy injected into the electric grid in terms of harmonic distortion. Finally, conclusions regarding the integration of the PV system into the electric grid are presented. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simulation of offshore wind system with two levels converters: HVDC power transmission

A new integrated mathematical model for the simulation of offshore wind energy conversion system performance is presented in this paper. The mathematical model considers an offshore variable-speed turbine in deep water equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator using full-power two-level converter, converting the energy of a variable frequency source in injected energy into the electric network with constant frequency, through a high voltage DC transmission submarine cable. The mathematical model for the drive train is a concentrate two mass model which incorporates the dynamic for the structure and tower due to the need to emulate the effects of the moving surface. Controller strategy considered is a proportional integral one. Also, pulse width modulation using space vector modulation supplemented with sliding mode is used for trigger the transistor of the converter. Finally, a case study is presented to access the system performance. © 2014 IEEE.

Adhesively-bonded repair proposal for wood members damaged by horizontal shear using carbon-epoxy patches

In this work, a repair technique with adhesively bonded carbon-epoxy patches is proposed for wood members damaged by horizontal shear and under bending loads. This damage is characterized by horizontal crack growth near the neutral plane of the wood beam, normally originating from checks and shakes. The repair consists of adhesively bonded carbon-epoxy patches on the vertical side faces of the beam at the cracked region to block sliding between the beam arms. An experimental and numerical parametric analysis was performed on the patch length. The numerical analysis used the finite element method (FEM) and cohesive zone models (CZMs), with an inverse modelling technique for the characterization of the adhesive layer. Trapezoidal cohesive laws in each pure mode were used to account for the ductility of the adhesive used. To fully reproduce the tests, horizontal damage propagation within the wood beam was also simulated. A good correlation with the experiments was found. Regarding the effectiveness of the repair, for the conditions selected for this work, a full strength recovery was achieved for the bigger value of patch length tested.

Low torque loss gears: austempered ductile iron versus carburized steel

Low-loss power transmission gears operate at lower temperature than conventional ones because their teeth geometry is optimized to reduce friction. The main objective of this work is to compare the operating stabilization temperature and efficiency of low-loss austempered ductile iron (ADI) and carburized steel gears. Three different low-loss tooth geometries were adopted (types 311, 411 and 611, all produced using standard 20° pressure angle tools) and corresponding steel and ADI gears were tested in a FZG machine. The results obtained showed that low-loss geometries had a significant influence on power loss, gears 611 generating lower power loss than gears 311. At low speeds (500 and 1000 rpm) and high torque ADI gears generated lower power loss than steel gears. However, at high speed and high torque (high input power and high stabilization temperature) steel gears had better efficiency.

Persistence characteristics in financial prices: evidence from the portuguese stock market returns

The objective of this article is to provide additional knowledge to the discussion of long-term memory, leaning over the behavior of the main Portuguese stock index. The first four moments are calculated using time windows of increasing size and sliding time windows of fixed size equal to 50 days and suggest that daily returns are non-ergodic and non-stationary. Seeming that the series is best described by a fractional Brownian motion approach, we use the rescaled-range analysis (R/S) and the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). The findings indicate evidence of long term memory in the form of persistence. This evidence of fractal structure suggests that the market is subject to greater predictability and contradicts the efficient market hypothesis in its weak form. This raises issues regarding theoretical modeling of asset pricing. In addition, we carried out a more localized (in time) study to identify the evolution of the degree of long-term dependency over time using windows 200-days and 400-days. The results show a switching feature in the index, from persistent to anti-persistent, quite evident from 2010.

Comparison of deposited surface area of airbone ultrafine particles generated from two welding processes

This article describes work performed on the assessment of the levels of airborne ultrafine particles emitted in two welding processes metal-active gas (MAG) of carbon steel and friction-stir welding (FSW) of aluminium in terms of deposited area in alveolar tract of the lung using a nanoparticle surface area monitor analyser. The obtained results showed the dependence from process parameters on emitted ultrafine particles and clearly demonstrated the presence of ultrafine particles, when compared with background levels. The obtained results showed that the process that results on the lower levels of alveolar-deposited surface area is FSW, unlike MAG. Nevertheless, all the tested processes resulted in important doses of ultrafine particles that are to be deposited in the human lung of exposed workers.

Determiation of airborne nanoparticles from welding operations

The aim of this study is to assess the levels of airborne ultrafine particles emitted in welding processes (tungsten inert gas [TIG], metal active gas [MAG] of carbon steel, and friction stir welding [FSW] of aluminum) in terms of deposited area in pulmonary alveolar tract using a nanoparticle surface area monitor (NSAM) analyzer. The obtained results showed the dependence of process parameters on emitted ultrafine particles and demonstrated the presence of ultrafine particles compared to background levels. Data indicated that the process that resulted in the lowest levels of alveolar deposited surface area (ADSA) was FSW, followed by TIG and MAG. However, all tested processes resulted in significant concentrations of ultrafine particles being deposited in humans lungs of exposed workers.

Influence of grease formulation on thrust bearings power loss

The minimization of the power loss and the use of the biodegradable greases have attracting considerable attention. To compare the energetic performance of biodegradable lubricant greases, power loss tests were performed on a modified four-ball machine. A correlation between the grease formulation and rheology was established with its energetic performance

Integer vs. fractional order control of a hexapod robot

This paper studies the performance of integer and fractional order controllers in a hexapod robot with joints at the legs having viscous friction and flexibility. For that objective the robot prescribed motion is characterized in terms of several locomotion variables. The controller performance is analised through the Nyquist stability criterion. A set of model-based experiments reveals the influence of the different controller implementations upon the proposed metrics.

Estudo dosimétrico prévio de irradiação da próstata com arco conformacional dinâmico

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Conditional probability applied to the definition of limestone geochemical facies: A new Methodological Approach

A new method, based on linear correlation and phase diagrams was successfully developed for processes like the sedimentary process, where the deposition phase can have different time duration - represented by repeated values in a series - and where the erosion can play an important rule deleting values of a series. The sampling process itself can be the cause of repeated values - large strata twice sampled - or deleted values: tiny strata fitted between two consecutive samples. What we developed was a mathematical procedure which, based upon the depth chemical composition evolution, allows the establishment of frontiers as well as the periodicity of different sedimentary environments. The basic tool isn't more than a linear correlation analysis which allow us to detect the existence of eventual evolution rules, connected with cyclical phenomena within time series (considering the space assimilated to time), with the final objective of prevision. A very interesting discovery was the phenomenon of repeated sliding windows that represent quasi-cycles of a series of quasi-periods. An accurate forecast can be obtained if we are inside a quasi-cycle (it is possible to predict the other elements of the cycle with the probability related with the number of repeated and deleted points). We deal with an innovator methodology, reason why it's efficiency is being tested in some case studies, with remarkable results that shows it's efficacy. Keywords: sedimentary environments, sequence stratigraphy, data analysis, time-series, conditional probability.