Physical dynamic simulation of shipboard power system components in a distributed computational environment

Shipboard power systems have different characteristics than the utility power systems. In the Shipboard power system it is crucial that the systems and equipment work at their peak performance levels. One of the most demanding aspects for simulations of the Shipboard Power Systems is to connect the device under test to a real-time simulated dynamic equivalent and in an environment with actual hardware in the Loop (HIL). The real time simulations can be achieved by using multi-distributed modeling concept, in which the global system model is distributed over several processors through a communication link. The advantage of this approach is that it permits the gradual change from pure simulation to actual application. In order to perform system studies in such an environment physical phase variable models of different components of the shipboard power system were developed using operational parameters obtained from finite element (FE) analysis. These models were developed for two types of studies low and high frequency studies. Low frequency studies are used to examine the shipboard power systems behavior under load switching, and faults. High-frequency studies were used to predict abnormal conditions due to overvoltage, and components harmonic behavior. Different experiments were conducted to validate the developed models. The Simulation and experiment results show excellent agreement. The shipboard power systems components behavior under internal faults was investigated using FE analysis. This developed technique is very curial in the Shipboard power systems faults detection due to the lack of comprehensive fault test databases. A wavelet based methodology for feature extraction of the shipboard power systems current signals was developed for harmonic and fault diagnosis studies. This modeling methodology can be utilized to evaluate and predicate the NPS components future behavior in the design stage which will reduce the development cycles, cut overall cost, prevent failures, and test each subsystem exhaustively before integrating it into the system.

Performance assessment of vehicular connectivity in hybrid electric vehicles for fuel and emissions reduction

Nowadays, the spreading of the air pollution crisis enhanced by greenhouse gases emission is leading to the worsening of global warming. Recently, several metropolitan cities introduced Zero-Emissions Zones where the use of the Internal Combustion Engine is forbidden to reduce localized pollutants emissions. This is particularly problematic for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which usually work in depleting mode. In order to address these issues, the present thesis presents a viable solution by exploiting vehicular connectivity to retrieve navigation data of the urban event along a selected route. The battery energy needed, in the form of a minimum State of Charge (SoC), is calculated by a Speed Profile Prediction algorithm and a Backward Vehicle Model. That value is then fed to both a Rule-Based Strategy, developed specifically for this application, and an Adaptive Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (A-ECMS). The effectiveness of this approach has been tested with a Connected Hardware-in-the-Loop (C-HiL) on a driving cycle measured on-road, stimulating the predictions with multiple re-routings. However, even if hybrid electric vehicles have been recognized as a valid solution in response to increasingly tight regulations, the reduced engine load and the repeated engine starts and stops may reduce substantially the temperature of the exhaust after-treatment system (EATS), leading to relevant issues related to pollutant emission control. In this context, electrically heated catalysts (EHCs) represent a promising solution to ensure high pollutant conversion efficiency without affecting engine efficiency and performance. This work aims at studying the advantages provided by the introduction of a predictive EHC control function for a light-duty Diesel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) equipped with a Euro 7-oriented EATS. Based on the knowledge of future driving scenarios provided by vehicular connectivity, engine first start can be predicted and therefore an EATS pre-heating phase can be planned.

Neptune: a hil simulator for multiple UUVs

This paper overviews the field of graphical simulators used for AUV development, presents the taxonomy of these applications and proposes a classification. It also presents Neptune, a multivehicle, real-time, graphical simulator based on OpenGL that allows hardware in the loop simulations

Graphical simulators for AUV development

A long development time is needed from the design to the implementation of an AUV. During the first steps, simulation plays an important role, since it allows for the development of preliminary versions of the control system to be integrated. Once the robot is ready, the control systems are implemented, tuned and tested. The use of a real-time simulator can help closing the gap between off-line simulation and real testing using the already implemented robot. When properly interfaced with the robot hardware, a real-time graphical simulation with a "hardware in the loop" configuration, can allow for the testing of the implemented control system running in the actual robot hardware. Hence, the development time is drastically reduced. These paper overviews the field of graphical simulators used for AUV development proposing a classification. It also presents NEPTUNE, a multi-vehicle, real-time, graphical simulator based on OpenGL that allows hardware in the loop simulations

Sähköajoneuvon sähkökäytön ja mekaniikan reaaliaikaisen yhdistelmäsimulaation toteuttaminen virtuaaliympäristössä

Esitetyn tutkimuksen tavoite on selvittää yksinkertaisen sähköajoneuvosimulaation avulla sähkökäyttösimulaation ja mekaniikkasimulaation välisen ohjelmallisen rajapinnan toimivuutta ja samalla toteuttaa LUT Energian hybridilaboratorion ensimmäinen rajapintaa hyödyntävä sähkökäytön ja mekaniikan yhdistelmäsimulaatio. Tutkimus on osa Lappeenrannan teknillisen yliopiston hybridikäyttötutkimusta, jossa muun muassa virtuaalisimuloinnin ja in-loop –simulaatioiden avulla tutkitaan raskaiden työkoneiden hybridisoinnin vaikutuksia esimerkiksi niiden suorituskykyyn, energiatehokkuuteen ja käytettävyyteen. Tulokset osoittavat mainitun rajapinnan toimivuuden, mikä mahdollistaa tutkimuksen etenemisen. Lisäksi raportti selvittää virtuaalisimuloinnin keskeisiä käsitteitä (virtual prototyping, hardware-in-the-loop sekä human-in-the-loop –simulointi).

Virtual technology and haptic interface solutions for design and control of mobile working machines

Commercially available haptic interfaces are usable for many purposes. However, as generic devices they are not the most suitable for the control of heavy duty mobile working machines like mining machines, container handling equipment and excavators. Alternative mechanical constructions for a haptic controller are presented and analysed. A virtual reality environment (VRE) was built to test the proposed haptic controller mechanisms. Verification of an electric motor emulating a hydraulic pump in the electro-hydraulic system of a mobile working machine is carried out. A real-time simulator using multi-body-dynamics based software with hardware-in-loop (HIL) setup was used for the tests. Recommendations for further development of a haptic controller and emulator electric motor are given.

Development of Generic Simulation Model for Mobile Working Machines

This master’s thesis has been done for Drive! –project in which a new electric motor solution for mobile working machines is developed. Generic simulation model will be used as marketing and development tool. It can be used to model a wide variety of different vehicles with and without electric motor and to show customer the difference between traditionally build vehicles and those with new electric motor solution. Customers can also use simulation model to research different solutions for their own vehicles. At the start of the project it was decided that MeVEA software would be used as main simulation program and Simulink will only be used to simulate the operation of electrical components. Development of the generic model started with the research of these two software applications, simulation models which are made with them and how these simulation models can be build faster. Best results were used for building of generic simulation model. Finished generic model can be used to produce new tractor models for real-time simulations in short notice. All information about model is collected to one datasheet which can be easily filled by the user. After datasheet is filled a script will automatically build new simulation model in seconds. At the moment generic model is capable of building simulation models for wide variety of different tractors but it can be easily altered for other vehicle types too which would also benefit greatly from electric drive solution. Those could be for example wheel loaders and harvesters.

Novel virtual environment and real-time simulation based methods for improving life-cycle efficiency of non-road mobile machinery

Virtual environments and real-time simulators (VERS) are becoming more and more important tools in research and development (R&D) process of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). The virtual prototyping techniques enable faster and more cost-efficient development of machines compared to use of real life prototypes. High energy efficiency has become an important topic in the world of NRMM because of environmental and economic demands. The objective of this thesis is to develop VERS based methods for research and development of NRMM. A process using VERS for assessing effects of human operators on the life-cycle efficiency of NRMM was developed. Human in the loop simulations are ran using an underground mining loader to study the developed process. The simulations were ran in the virtual environment of the Laboratory of Intelligent Machines of Lappeenranta University of Technology. A physically adequate real-time simulation model of NRMM was shown to be reliable and cost effective in testing of hardware components by the means of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations. A control interface connecting integrated electro-hydraulic energy converter (IEHEC) with virtual simulation model of log crane was developed. IEHEC consists of a hydraulic pump-motor and an integrated electrical permanent magnet synchronous motorgenerator. The results show that state of the art real-time NRMM simulators are capable to solve factors related to energy consumption and productivity of the NRMM. A significant variation between the test drivers is found. The results show that VERS can be used for assessing human effects on the life-cycle efficiency of NRMM. HIL simulation responses compared to that achieved with conventional simulation method demonstrate the advances and drawbacks of various possible interfaces between the simulator and hardware part of the system under study. Novel ideas for arranging the interface are successfully tested and compared with the more traditional one. The proposed process for assessing the effects of operators on the life-cycle efficiency will be applied for wider group of operators in the future. Driving styles of the operators can be analysed statistically from sufficient large result data. The statistical analysis can find the most life-cycle efficient driving style for the specific environment and machinery. The proposed control interface for HIL simulation need to be further studied. The robustness and the adaptation of the interface in different situations must be verified. The future work will also include studying the suitability of the IEHEC for different working machines using the proposed HIL simulation method.

Experimentation on Wind Powered Hydraulic Heating System

It is common knowledge of the world’s dependency on fossil fuel for energy, its unsustainability on the long run and the changing trend towards renewable energy as an alternative energy source. This aims to cut down greenhouse gas emission and its impact on the rate of ecological and climatic change. Quite remarkably, wind energy has been one of many focus areas of renewable energy sources and has attracted lots of investment and technological advancement. The objective of this research is to explore wind energy and its application in household heating. This research aims at applying experimental approach in real time to study and verify a virtually simulated wind powered hydraulic house heating system. The hardware components comprise of an integrated hydraulic pump, flow control valve, hydraulic fluid and other hydraulic components. The system design and control applies hardware in-the-loop (HIL) simulation setup. Output signal from the semi-empirical turbine modelling controls the integrated motor to generate flow. Throttling the volume flow creates pressure drop across the valve and subsequently thermal power in the system to be outputted using a heat exchanger. Maximum thermal power is achieved by regulating valve orifice to achieve optimum system parameter. Savonius rotor is preferred for its low inertia, high starting torque and ease of design and maintenance characteristics, but lags in power efficiency. A prototype turbine design is used; with power output in range of practical Savonius turbine. The physical mechanism of the prototype turbine’s augmentation design is not known and will not be a focus in this study.

Zur Identifikation mechatronischer Stellglieder mit Reibung bei Kraftfahrzeugen

Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Modellbildung mechatronischer Systeme mit Reibung. Geeignete dynamische Modelle sind die Grundlage für verschiedenste Aufgabenstellungen. Sind dynamische Prozessmodelle verfügbar, so können leistungsfähige modellbasierte Entwurfsmethoden angewendet werden sowie modellbasierte Anwendungen entwickelt werden. Allerdings ist der Aufwand für die Modellbildung ein beschränkender Faktor für eine weite Verbreitung modellbasierter Applikationen in der Praxis. Eine Automatisierung des Modellbildungsprozesses ist deshalb von großem Interesse. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt für die Klasse „mechatronischer Systeme mit Reibung“ drei Modellierungsmethoden vor: semi-physikalische Modellierung, Sliding-Mode-Beobachter-basierte Modellierung und empirische Modellierung mit einem stückweise affinen (PWA) Modellansatz. Zum Ersten wird die semi-physikalische Modellierung behandelt. Gegenüber anderen Verfahren, die häufig umfangreiche Vorkenntnisse und aufwändige Experimente erfordern, haben diese neuen Verfahren den Vorteil, dass die Modellierung von Systemen mit Reibung selbst bei begrenzten Vorkenntnissen und minimalem Experimentaufwand automatisiert werden kann. Zum Zweiten wird ein neuer Ansatz zur Reibkraftrekonstruktion und Reibmodellierung mittels Sliding-Mode-Beobachter präsentiert. Durch Verwendung des vorgestellten Sliding-Mode- Beobachters, der basierend auf einem einfachen linearen Zustandsraummodell entworfen wird, lässt sich die Reibung datengetrieben aus den Ein-/Ausgangsmessdaten (im offenen Regelkreis) rekonstruieren und modellieren. Im Vergleich zu anderen Reibmodellierungsmethoden, die häufig umfangreiche Vorkenntnisse und aufwändige Messungen im geschlossenen Regelkreis erfordern, haben diese neuen Verfahren den Vorteil, dass die Modellierung von Systemen mit Reibung selbst bei begrenzten Vorkenntnissen und minimalem Experimentaufwand weitgehend automatisiert werden kann. Zum Dritten wird ein PWA-Modellierungsansatz mit einer clusterungsbasierten Identifikationsmethode für Systeme mit Reibung vorgestellt. In dieser Methode werden die Merkmale in Hinblick auf Reibeffekte ausgewählt. Und zwar wird der klassische c-Means-Algorithmus verwendet, welcher bedienfreundlich, effizient und geeignet für große und reale Datensätze ist. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Methoden sind bei dieser Methode nur wenige Entwurfsparameter einzustellen und sie ist für reale Systeme mit Reibung einfach anwendbar. Eine weitere Neuheit der vorgestellten PWA-Methode liegt darin, dass die Kombination der Clustervaliditätsmaße und Modellprädiktionsfehler zur Festlegung der Anzahl der Teilmodelle benutzt wird. Weiterhin optimiert die vorgestellte Methode die Parameter der lokalen Teilmodelle mit der OE (Output-Fehler)-Schätzmethode. Als Anwendungsbeispiele werden Drosselklappen, Drallklappen und AGR-Ventile (Abgasrückführventil) im Dieselfahrzeug betrachtet und die erzeugten Modelle werden in der industriellen HiL-Simulation eingesetzt. Aufgrund der Effizienz und Effektivität der Modellierungsmethoden sind die vorgestellten Methoden direkt in der automobilen Praxis einsetzbar.

Neptune: a hil simulator for multiple UUVs

This paper overviews the field of graphical simulators used for AUV development, presents the taxonomy of these applications and proposes a classification. It also presents Neptune, a multivehicle, real-time, graphical simulator based on OpenGL that allows hardware in the loop simulations

Graphical simulators for AUV development

A long development time is needed from the design to the implementation of an AUV. During the first steps, simulation plays an important role, since it allows for the development of preliminary versions of the control system to be integrated. Once the robot is ready, the control systems are implemented, tuned and tested. The use of a real-time simulator can help closing the gap between off-line simulation and real testing using the already implemented robot. When properly interfaced with the robot hardware, a real-time graphical simulation with a "hardware in the loop" configuration, can allow for the testing of the implemented control system running in the actual robot hardware. Hence, the development time is drastically reduced. These paper overviews the field of graphical simulators used for AUV development proposing a classification. It also presents NEPTUNE, a multi-vehicle, real-time, graphical simulator based on OpenGL that allows hardware in the loop simulations

Development of control-oriented models of Dual Clutch Transmission systems

A control-oriented model of a Dual Clutch Transmission was developed for real-time Hardware In the Loop (HIL) applications, to support model-based development of the DCT controller. The model is an innovative attempt to reproduce the fast dynamics of the actuation system while maintaining a step size large enough for real-time applications. The model comprehends a detailed physical description of hydraulic circuit, clutches, synchronizers and gears, and simplified vehicle and internal combustion engine sub-models. As the oil circulating in the system has a large bulk modulus, the pressure dynamics are very fast, possibly causing instability in a real-time simulation; the same challenge involves the servo valves dynamics, due to the very small masses of the moving elements. Therefore, the hydraulic circuit model has been modified and simplified without losing physical validity, in order to adapt it to the real-time simulation requirements. The results of offline simulations have been compared to on-board measurements to verify the validity of the developed model, that was then implemented in a HIL system and connected to the TCU (Transmission Control Unit). Several tests have been performed: electrical failure tests on sensors and actuators, hydraulic and mechanical failure tests on hydraulic valves, clutches and synchronizers, and application tests comprehending all the main features of the control performed by the TCU. Being based on physical laws, in every condition the model simulates a plausible reaction of the system. The first intensive use of the HIL application led to the validation of the new safety strategies implemented inside the TCU software. A test automation procedure has been developed to permit the execution of a pattern of tests without the interaction of the user; fully repeatable tests can be performed for non-regression verification, allowing the testing of new software releases in fully automatic mode.

Studio e implementazione di un autopilota su un UAV ad ala fissa

Si riporta inizialmente un’analisi tecnica dell’autopilota Ardupilot, utilizzato con il firmware Arduplane, che predispone la scheda all’utilizzo specifico su velivoli senza pilota ad ala fissa. La parte sostanziale della tesi riguarda invece lo studio delle leggi di controllo implementate su Arduplane e la loro modellazione, assieme ad altre parti del codice, in ambiente Matlab Simulink. Il sistema di controllo creato, chiamato Attitude Flight System, viene verificato con la tecnica del Software In the Loop in un simulatore di volo virtuale modellato anch’esso in Simulink, si utilizza la dinamica di un velivolo UAV di prova e il software FlightGear per l’ambiente grafico. Di fondamentale importanza è la verifica della compatibilità fra il firmware originale e il codice generato a partire dai modelli Simulink, verifica effettuata mediante test di tipo Hardware in the Loop. L’ultima parte della tesi descrive le prove di volo svolte per verificare le prestazioni della scheda su un aeromodello trainer.