SYNCHRONIZATION OF A CLASS OF SECOND-ORDER NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

The asymptotic behavior of a class of coupled second-order nonlinear dynamical systems is studied in this paper. Using very mild assumptions on the vector-field, conditions on the coupling parameters that guarantee synchronization are provided. The proposed result does not require solutions to be ultimately bounded in order to prove synchronization, therefore it can be used to study coupled systems that do not globally synchronize, including synchronization of unbounded solutions. In this case, estimates of the synchronization region are obtained. Synchronization of two-coupled nonlinear pendulums and two-coupled Duffing systems are studied to illustrate the application of the proposed theory.

Fault Detection in Power Distribution Systems Using Automated Integration of Computational Intelligence Tools

The main purpose of this paper is to present architecture of automated system that allows monitoring and tracking in real time (online) the possible occurrence of faults and electromagnetic transients observed in primary power distribution networks. Through the interconnection of this automated system to the utility operation center, it will be possible to provide an efficient tool that will assist in decisionmaking by the Operation Center. In short, the desired purpose aims to have all tools necessary to identify, almost instantaneously, the occurrence of faults and transient disturbances in the primary power distribution system, as well as to determine its respective origin and probable location. The compilations of results from the application of this automated system show that the developed techniques provide accurate results, identifying and locating several occurrences of faults observed in the distribution system.

Robust state prediction for descriptor systems

This paper deals with the problem of state prediction for descriptor systems subject to bounded uncertainties. The problem is stated in terms of the optimization of an appropriate quadratic functional. This functional is well suited to derive not only the robust predictor for descriptor systems but also that for usual state-space systems. Numerical examples are included in order to demonstrate the performance of this new filter. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

GOOAL: A routine based on Genetic Algorithms to track harmonics in electric power systems

Voltage and current waveforms of a distribution or transmission power system are not pure sinusoids. There are distortions in these waveforms that can be represented as a combination of the fundamental frequency, harmonics and high frequency transients. This paper presents a novel approach to identifying harmonics in power system distorted waveforms. The proposed method is based on Genetic Algorithms, which is an optimization technique inspired by genetics and natural evolution. GOOAL, a specially designed intelligent algorithm for optimization problems, was successfully implemented and tested. Two kinds of representations concerning chromosomes are utilized: binary and real. The results show that the proposed method is more precise than the traditional Fourier Transform, especially considering the real representation of the chromosomes.

Modeling and analysis of laminate composite plates with embedded active-passive piezoelectric networks

The objective of this work is to present the finite element modeling of laminate composite plates with embedded piezoelectric patches or layers that are then connected to active-passive resonant shunt circuits, composed of resistance, inductance and voltage source. Applications to passive vibration control and active control authority enhancement are also presented and discussed. The finite element model is based on an equivalent single layer theory combined with a third-order shear deformation theory. A stress-voltage electromechanical model is considered for the piezoelectric materials fully coupled to the electrical circuits. To this end, the electrical circuit equations are also included in the variational formulation. Hence, conservation of charge and full electromechanical coupling are guaranteed. The formulation results in a coupled finite element model with mechanical (displacements) and electrical (charges at electrodes) degrees of freedom. For a Graphite-Epoxy (Carbon-Fibre Reinforced) laminate composite plate, a parametric analysis is performed to evaluate optimal locations along the plate plane (xy) and thickness (z) that maximize the effective modal electromechanical coupling coefficient. Then, the passive vibration control performance is evaluated for a network of optimally located shunted piezoelectric patches embedded in the plate, through the design of resistance and inductance values of each circuit, to reduce the vibration amplitude of the first four vibration modes. A vibration amplitude reduction of at least 10 dB for all vibration modes was observed. Then, an analysis of the control authority enhancement due to the resonant shunt circuit, when the piezoelectric patches are used as actuators, is performed. It is shown that the control authority can indeed be improved near a selected resonance even with multiple pairs of piezoelectric patches and active-passive circuits acting simultaneously. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Film thickness measurement techniques applied to micro-scale two-phase flow systems

Recently semi-empirical models to estimate flow boiling heat transfer coefficient, saturated CHF and pressure drop in micro-scale channels have been proposed. Most of the models were developed based on elongated bubbles and annular flows in the view of the fact that these flow patterns are predominant in smaller channels. In these models, the liquid film thickness plays an important role and such a fact emphasizes that the accurate measurement of the liquid film thickness is a key point to validate them. On the other hand, several techniques have been successfully applied to measure liquid film thicknesses during condensation and evaporation under macro-scale conditions. However, although this subject has been targeted by several leading laboratories around the world, it seems that there is no conclusive result describing a successful technique capable of measuring dynamic liquid film thickness during evaporation inside micro-scale round channels. This work presents a comprehensive literature review of the methods used to measure liquid film thickness in macro- and micro-scale systems. The methods are described and the main difficulties related to their use in micro-scale systems are identified. Based on this discussion, the most promising methods to measure dynamic liquid film thickness in micro-scale channels are identified. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Positioning of Deadeners for Vibration Reduction in Vehicle Roof Using Embedded Sensitivity

The noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance of passenger vehicles strongly depends on the fluid-structure interaction between the air in the vehicle cavity and the sheet metal structure of the vehicle. Most of the noise and vibration problems related to this interaction come from resonance peaks of the sheet metal, which are excited by external forces (road, engine, and wind). A reduction in these resonance peaks can be achieved by applying bitumen damping layers, also called deadeners, in the sheet metal. The problem is where these deadeners shall be fixed, which is usually done in a trial-and-error basis. In this work, one proposes the use of embedded sensitivity to locate the deadeners in the sheet metal of the vehicle, more specifically in the vehicle roof. Experimental frequency response functions (FRFs) of the roof are obtained and the data are processed by adopting the embedded sensitivity method, thus obtaining the sensitivity of the resonance peaks on the local increase in damping due to the deadeners. As a result, by examining the sensitivity functions, one can find the optimum location of the deadeners that maximize their effect in reducing the resonance peaks of interest. After locating the deadeners in the optimum positions, it was possible to verify a strong reduction in resonance peaks of the vehicle roof, thus showing the efficiency of the procedure. The main advantage of this procedure is that it only requires FRF measurements of the vehicle in its original state not needing any previous modification of the vehicle structure to find the sensitivity functions. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4000769]

Refined sandwich model for the vibration of beams with embedded shear piezoelectric actuators and sensors

This work extends a previously presented refined sandwich beam finite element (FE) model to vibration analysis, including dynamic piezoelectric actuation and sensing. The mechanical model is a refinement of the classical sandwich theory (CST), for which the core is modelled with a third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT). The FE model is developed considering, through the beam length, electrically: constant voltage for piezoelectric layers and quadratic third-order variable of the electric potential in the core, while meclianically: linear axial displacement, quadratic bending rotation of the core and cubic transverse displacement of the sandwich beam. Despite the refinement of mechanical and electric behaviours of the piezoelectric core, the model leads to the same number of degrees of freedom as the previous CST one due to a two-step static condensation of the internal dof (bending rotation and core electric potential third-order variable). The results obtained with the proposed FE model are compared to available numerical, analytical and experimental ones. Results confirm that the TSDT and the induced cubic electric potential yield an extra stiffness to the sandwich beam. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Study on the Relationship of Embedded Sensitivity With Measuring Grid and Mode Shapes

Embedded sensitivity analysis has proven to be a useful tool in finding optimum positions of structure reinforcements. However, it was not clear how sensitivities obtained from the embedded sensitivity method were related to the normal mode, or operational mode, associated to the frequency of interest. In this work, this relationship is studied based on a finite element of a slender sheet metal piece, with preponderant bending modes. It is shown that higher sensitivities always occur at nodes or antinodes of the vibrating system. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4002127]

Contribution to dynamic characteristics of the cutting temperature in the drilling process considering one dimension heat flow

The machining of hardened steels has always been a great challenge in metal cutting, particularly for drilling operations. Generally, drilling is the machining process that is most difficult to cool due to the tool`s geometry. The aim of this work is to determine the heat flux and the coefficient of convection in drilling using the inverse heat conduction method. Temperature was assessed during the drilling of hardened AISI H13 steel using the embedded thermocouple technique. Dry machining and two cooling/lubrication systems were used, and thermocouples were fixed at distances very close to the hole`s wall. Tests were replicated for each condition, and were carried out with new and worn drills. An analytical heat conduction model was used to calculate the temperature at tool-workpiece interface and to define the heat flux and the coefficient of convection. In all tests using new and worn out drills, the lowest temperatures and decrease of heat flux were observed using the flooded system, followed by the MQL, considering the dry condition as reference. The decrease of temperature was directly proportional to the amount of lubricant applied and was significant in the MQL system when compared to dry cutting. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Logistics information systems adoption: an empirical investigation in Brazil

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the level of logistics information systems (LIS) adoption in manufacturing companies is influenced by organizational profile variables, such as the company`s size, the nature of its operations and their subsectors. Design/methodology/approach - A review of the mainstream literature on US was carried out to identify the factors influencing the adoption of such information systems and also some research gaps. The empirical study`s strategy is based on a survey research in Brazilian manufacturing firms from the capital goods industry. Data collected were analyzed through Kruskall-Wallis and Mann Whitney`s non-parametric tests. Findings - The analysis indicates that characteristics such as the size of companies and the nature of their operations influence the levels of LIS adoption, whilst comparisons regarding the subsectors appeared to be of little influence. Originality/value - This is the first known study to examine the influence of organizational profiles such as size, nature of operations and subsector on the level of US adoption in manufacturing companies. Moreover, it is unique in portraying the Brazilian scenario on this topic and addressing the adoption of seven types of LIS in a single study.

Performance of the Equivalent Reservoir Modelling Technique for Multi-Reservoir Hydropower Systems

This paper investigates the validity of a simplified equivalent reservoir representation of a multi-reservoir hydroelectric system for modelling its optimal operation for power maximization. This simplification, proposed by Arvanitidis and Rosing (IEEE Trans Power Appar Syst 89(2):319-325, 1970), imputes a potential energy equivalent reservoir with energy inflows and outflows. The hydroelectric system is also modelled for power maximization considering individual reservoir characteristics without simplifications. Both optimization models employed MINOS package for solution of the non-linear programming problems. A comparison between total optimized power generation over the planning horizon by the two methods shows that the equivalent reservoir is capable of producing satisfactory power estimates with less than 6% underestimation. The generation and total reservoir storage trajectories along the planning horizon obtained by equivalent reservoir method, however, presented significant discrepancies as compared to those found in the detailed modelling. This study is motivated by the fact that Brazilian generation system operations are based on the equivalent reservoir method as part of the power dispatch procedures. The potential energy equivalent reservoir is an alternative which eliminates problems with the dimensionality of state variables in a dynamic programming model.

Predicting glass-forming compositions in the Al-La and Al-La-Ni systems

In this work, a criterion considering the topological instability (lambda) and the differences in the electronegativity of the constituent elements (Delta e) was applied to the Al-La and Al-Ni-La systems in order to predict the best glass-forming compositions. The results were compared with literature data and with our own experimental data for the Al-La-Ni system. The alloy described in the literature as the best glass former in the Al-La system is located near the point with local maximum for the lambda.Delta e criterion. A good agreement was found between the predictions of the lambda.Delta e criterion and literature data in the Al-La-Ni system, with the region of the best glass-forming ability (GFA) and largest supercooled liquid region (Delta T(x)) coinciding with the best compositional region for amorphization indicated by the lambda.Delta e criterion. Four new glassy compositions were found in the Al-La-Ni system, with the best predicted composition presenting the best glass-forming ability observed so far for this system. Although the lambda.Delta e criterion needs further refinements for completely describe the glass-forming ability in the Al-La and Al-La-Ni systems, the results demonstrated that this criterion is a good tool to predict new glass-forming compositions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of two reinforced concrete pile caps with embedded sockets in the presence of a locking beam

The present research studies the behavior of reinforced concrete locking beams supported by two capped piles with the socket embedded; used as connections for pre-cast concrete structures. The effect provoked by locking the beam on the pile-caps when supported by the lateral socket walls was evaluated. Three-dimensional numerical analyses using software based on the finite element method (FEM) were developed considering the nonlinear physical behavior of the material. To evaluate the adopted software, a comparative analysis was made using the numerical and experimented results obtained from other software. In the pile caps studied, a variation in the wall thickness, socket interface, strut angle inclination and action on beam. The results show that the presence of a beam does not significantly change pile cap behavior and that the socket wall is able to effectively transfer the force from the beam to the pile caps. By the tensions on the bars of longitudinal reinforcement, it was possible to obtain the force on the tie and the strut angle inclination before the collapse of models. It was found that the angles present more inclinations than those used in the design, which was made based on a strut-and-tie model. More results are available at http://www.set.eesc.usp.br/pdf/download/2009ME_RodrigoBarros.pdf

Distribution systems fault analysis considering fault resistance estimation

Fault resistance is a critical component of electric power systems operation due to its stochastic nature. If not considered, this parameter may interfere in fault analysis studies. This paper presents an iterative fault analysis algorithm for unbalanced three-phase distribution systems that considers a fault resistance estimate. The proposed algorithm is composed by two sub-routines, namely the fault resistance and the bus impedance. The fault resistance sub-routine, based on local fault records, estimates the fault resistance. The bus impedance sub-routine, based on the previously estimated fault resistance, estimates the system voltages and currents. Numeric simulations on the IEEE 37-bus distribution system demonstrate the algorithm`s robustness and potential for offline applications, providing additional fault information to Distribution Operation Centers and enhancing the system restoration process. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.