On non-linear and non-ideal interactions in two vibrating problems

In practical situations, the dynamics of the forcing function on a vibrating system cannot be considered as given a priori, and it must be taken as a consequence of the dynamics of the whole system. In other words, the forcing source has limited power, as that provided by a DC motor for an example, and thus its own dynamics is influenced by that of the vibrating system being forced. This increases the number of degrees of freedom of the problem, and it is called a non-ideal problem. In this work, we considerer two non-ideal problems analyzed by using numerical simulations. The existence of the Sommerfeld effect was verified, that is, the effect of getting stuck at resonance (energy imparted to the DC motor being used to excite large amplitude motions of the supporting structure). We considered two kinds of non-ideal problem: one related to the transverse vibrations of a shaft carrying two disks and another to a piezoceramic bar transducer powered by a vacuum tube generated by a non-ideal source Copyright © 2007 by ASME.

Variable structure control of switched systems based on Lyapunov-Metzler-SPR systems

This paper presents two Variable Structure Controllers (VSC) for continuous-time switched plants. It is assumed that the state vector is available for feedback. The proposed control system provides a switching rule and also the variable structure control input. The design is based on Lyapunov-Metzler (LM) inequalities and also on Strictly Positive Real (SPR) systems stability results. The definition of Lyapunov-Metzler-SPR (LMS) systems and its direct application in the design of VSC for switched systems are introduced in this paper. Two examples illustrate the design of the proposed VSC, considering a plant given by a switched system with a switched-state control law and two linear time-invariant systems, that are not controllable and also can not be stabilized with state feedback. ©2008 IEEE.

On the analytical solution for the slewing flexible beam-like system: analysis of the linear part of the perturbed problem

The dynamical system investigated in this work is a nonlinear flexible beam-like structure in slewing motion. Non-dimensional and perturbed governing equations of motion are presented. The analytical solution for the linear part of these perturbed equations for ideal and for non-ideal cases are obtained. This solution is necessary for the investigation of the complete weak nonlinear problem where all nonlinearities are small perturbations around a linear known solution. This investigation shall help the analyst in the modelling of dynamical systems with structure- actuator interactions.

HPF boost interleaved operating in discontinuous conduction mode for trolleybus application

This paper deals with results of a research and development (R&D) project in cooperation with Electric Power Distribution Company in São Paulo (Brazil) regarding the development and experimental analysis of a new concept of power drive system suitable for application in traction systems of electrical vehicles pulled by electrical motors, which can be powered by urban DC or AC distribution networks. The proposed front-end structure is composed by five boost power cells in interleaving connection, operating in discontinuous conduction mode as AC-DC converter, or as DC-DC converter, in order to provide the proper DC output voltage range required by DC or AC adjustable speed drivers. Therefore, when supplied by single-phase AC distribution networks, and operating as AC-DC converter, it is capable to provide high power factor, reduced harmonic distortion in the input current, complying with the restrictions imposed by the IEC 61000-3-4 standards resulting in significant improvements for the trolleybuses systems efficiency and for the urban distribution network costs. Considering the compliance with input current restrictions imposed by IEC 61000-3-4 standards, two digital control strategies were evaluated. The digital controller has been implemented using a low cost FPGA (XC3S200) and developed totally using a hardware description language VHDL and fixed point arithmetic. Experimental results from a 15 kW low power scale prototype operating in DC and AC conditions are presented, in order to verify the feasibility and performance of the proposed system. © 2009 IEEE.

A comparative analysis of FBD, PQ and CPT current decompositions - Part II: Three-phase four-wire systems

This paper investigates the major similarities and discrepancies among three important current decompositions proposed for the interpretation of unbalanced and/or non linear three-phase four-wire power circuits. The considered approaches were the so-called FBD Theory, the pq-Theory and the CPT. Although the methods are based on different concepts, the results obtained under ideal conditions (sinusoidal and balanced signals) are very similar. The main differences appear in the presence of unbalanced and non linear load conditions. It will be demonstrated and discussed how the choice of the voltage referential and the return conductor impedance can influence in the resulting current components, as well as, the way of interpreting a power circuit with return conductor. Under linear unbalanced conditions, both FBD and pq-Theory suggest that the some current components contain a third-order harmonic. Besides, neither pq-Theory nor FBD method are able to provide accurate information for reactive current under unbalanced and distorted conditions, what can be done by means of the CPT. © 2009 IEEE.

Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of the apical third of curved roots after mechanical preparation with different automated systems

The present study evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) the apical canal transportation and centralizing ability of different automated systems after root canal preparation. The mesiobuccal canals of maxillary first molars (n=10 per group) were prepared with: GI - reciprocating system with K-Flexofile; GII - reciprocating system with NiTiFlex files; GIII - rotary system with K3 instruments; GIV - rotary system with RaCe instruments. CBCT scans were taken before and after biomechanical preparation up to a #40.02 diameter. Canal transportation was determined by measuring the smallest distance between the inner canal walls and the mesial and distal sides of the root. The centralization ability corresponded to the difference between the measurements from transportation evaluation, using the linear voxel to voxel method of analysis. The mean transportation was 0.06 ± 0.14 mm, with a tendency to deviate to the mesial side of the root (n=22), with no statistically significant difference among the groups (p=0.4153). The mean centralization index was 0.15 ± 0.65 also without statistically significant difference among the groups (p=0.0881). It may be concluded that apical canal transportation and centralization ability were not influenced by the type of mechanical movement and instruments used.

Harmonic content identification based on neural method for single phase power systems

An alternative method is presented in this paper to identify the harmonic components of non-linear loads in single phase power systems based on artificial neural networks. The components are identified by analyzing the single phase current waveform in time domain in half-cycle of the ac voltage source. The proposed method is compared to the fast Fourier transform. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed approach.

Active control in rotating machinery using magnetic actuators with linear matrix inequalities (LMI) approach

The recent years have seen the appearance of innovative system for acoustic and vibration attenuation, most of them integrating new actuator technologies. In this sense, the study of algorithms for active vibrations control in rotating machinery became an area of enormous interest, mainly due to countless demands of an optimal performance of mechanical systems in aircraft, aerospace and automotive structures. In this way, this paper presents an approach that is numerically verified for active vibration control in a rotor using Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB). The control design in a discrete state-space formulation is carried out through feedback technique and Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) approach. LMI is useful for system with uncertainties. The AMB uses electromagnetic forces to support a rotor without mechanical contact. By monitoring the position of the shaft and changing the dynamics of the system accordingly, the AMB keeps the rotor in a desired position. This unique feature has broadened for the applications of AMB and now they can be considered not only as a main support bearing in a machine but also as dampers for vibration control and force actuators. © 2009 Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc.

Design of a state observer using decay rate LMI constraints for fault detection in mechanical systems

Nowadays, one of the most important concerns for many companies is to maintain the operation of their systems without sudden equipment break down. Because of this, new techniques for fault detection and location in mechanical systems subject to dynamic loads have been developed. This paper studies of the influence of the decay rate in the design of state observers using LMI for fault detection in mechanical systems. This influence is analyzed by the performance index proposed by Huh and Stein for the condition of a state observer. An example is presented to illustrate the methodology discussed.

On stability of differential equations with piecewise constant argument using dichotomic maps

This paper deals with the study of the basic theory of existence, uniqueness and continuation of solutions of di®erential equations with piecewise constant argument. Results about asymptotic stability of the equation x(t) =-bx(t) + f(x([t])) with argu- ment [t], where [t] designates the greatest integer function, are established by means of dichotomic maps. Other example is given to illustrate the application of the method. Copyright © 2011 Watam Press.

A generalized Riemann- Stieltjes integral on time scales and discontinuous dynamical equations

This paper is concerned with a generalization of the Riemann- Stieltjes integral on time scales for deal with some aspects of discontinuous dynamic equations in which Riemann-Stieltjes integral does not works. © 2011 Academic Publications.

Improving the stability conditions of TS fuzzy systems with fuzzy Lyapunov functions

In this paper, the fuzzy Lyapunov function approach is considered for stabilizing continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems. Previous linear matrix inequality (LMI) stability conditions are relaxed by exploring further the properties of the time derivatives of premise membership functions and by introducing a slack LMI variable into the problem formulation. The stability results are thus used in the state feedback design which is also solved in terms of LMIs. Numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the new stabilizing conditions presented. © 2011 IFAC.

Necessary and sufficient condition for generalized passivity, passification and application to multivariable adaptive systems

Recently, a generalized passivity concept for linear multivariable systems was obtained which allows circumventing the restrictiveness of the usual passivity concept. The latter is associated with the classical SPR (Strictly Positive Real) condition whereas the new concept of passivity is associated with the so called WSPR condition and its advantage in multivariable systems is that it does not require a restrictive symmetry condition of SPR systems. As a result, it allows the design of multivariable adaptive control that, unlike some existing factorization approaches, does not imply in additional overparameterization of the adaptive controller. In this paper, we complete a previously established WSPR sufficient condition and prove that it is also necessary. We also propose some methods of passification by either premultiplying the system output tracking error vector or the system input vector by an adequate passifying matrix multiplier, so that the resulting input/output transfer function becomes WSPR. The efficiency of our proposals are illustrated by simulation utilizing a well known robotics adaptive visual servoing problem. © 2011 IFAC.

A set of linear equations to calculate the steady-state operation of an electrical distribution system

In this paper, the calculation of the steady-state operation of a radial/meshed electrical distribution system (EDS) through solving a system of linear equations (non-iterative load flow) is presented. The constant power type demand of the EDS is modeled through linear approximations in terms of real and imaginary parts of the voltage taking into account the typical operating conditions of the EDS's. To illustrate the use of the proposed set of linear equations, a linear model for the optimal power flow with distributed generator is presented. Results using some test and real systems show the excellent performance of the proposed methodology when is compared with conventional methods. © 2011 IEEE.

Optimal allocation of capacitors in radial distribution systems with distributed generation

This paper presents a mixed-integer linear programming approach to solving the optimal fixed/switched capacitors allocation (OCA) problem in radial distribution systems with distributed generation. The use of a mixed-integer linear formulation guarantees convergence to optimality using existing optimization software. The results of one test system and one real distribution system are presented in order to show the accuracy as well as the efficiency of the proposed solution technique. © 2011 IEEE.