Flexible low-cost system to test batteries and ultracapacitors for electric and hybrid vehicles in real working conditions

Batteries and ultracapacitors for hybrid and electric vehicles must satisfy very demanding working conditions that are not usual in other applications. In this sense, specific tests must be performed in order to draw accurate conclusions about their behaviour. To do so, new advanced test benches are needed. These platforms must allow the study of a wide variety of energy storage systems under conditions similar to the real ones. In this paper, a flexible, low-cost and highly customizable system is presented. This system allows batteries and ultracapacitors to be tested in many and varied ways, effectively emulating the working conditions that they face in an electric vehicle. The platform was specifically designed to study energy storage systems for electric and hybrid vehicles, meaning that it is suitable to test different systems in many different working conditions, including real driving cycles. This flexibility is achieved keeping the cost of the platform low, which makes the proposed test bench a feasible alternative for the industry. As an example of the functionality of the platform, a test consisting of a 17-minute ARTEMIS urban cycle with a NiMH battery pack is presented.

Service-oriented architecture for device lifecycle support in industrial automation

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores Especialidade: Robótica e Manufactura Integrada

Bancs de proves per motors de modelisme

Són habituals entre els aeromodelistes les discussions que giren al voltant de la potència dels motors d’explosió i quina hèlix va millor. La manca d’informació tècnica dels motors i de les hèlix fa que aquestes discussions de vegades tinguin una validesa molt limitada, doncs es fonamenten simplement en les sensacions i percepcions subjectives de cadascun dels pilots, sobretot quan es parla de potència. En aquest projecte s’utilitzarà un dinamòmetre inercial, consistent en un volant d’inèrcia el qual s’accelerarà fins assolir les revolucions per minut màximes. La acceleració d’aquest volant mesurat en intervals de temps regulars i conegut el moment d’inèrcia del volant ens permetrà calcular el parell motor i la potència a diferents règims de revolucions per minut. Per altra banda es pretén comparar diferents hèlix muntades en un mateix motor per poder-ne comparar la tracció a diferents revolucions per minut. La tracció es mesurarà utilitzant una cèl·lula de càrrega. Les dades d’ambdós bancs de proves seran recollits i emmagatzemats per un PC amb un software fet a mida per aquest projecte. Una vegada finalitzat cada test es mostraran les dades obtingudes, tant els numèricament com gràficament, permetent a més comparar el resultat de diferents tests, de diferents motors i de diferents hèlix.

Integrated optics for nulling interferometry in the thermal infrared

Modal filtering is based on the capability of single-mode waveguides to transmit only one complex amplitude function to eliminate virtually any perturbation of the interfering wavefronts, thus making very high rejection ratios possible in a nulling interferometer. In the present paper we focus on the progress of Integrated Optics in the thermal infrared [6-20 mu m] range, one of the two candidate technologies for the fabrication of Modal Filters, together with fiber optics. In conclusion of the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Integrated Optics for Darwin" activity, etched layers of clialcogenide material deposited on chalcogenide glass substrates was selected among four candidates as the technology with the best potential to simultaneously meet the filtering efficiency, absolute and spectral transmission, and beam coupling requirements. ESA's new "Integrated Optics" activity started at mid-2007 with the purpose of improving the technology until compliant prototypes can be manufactured and validated, expectedly by the end of 2009. The present paper aims at introducing the project and the components requirements and functions. The selected materials and preliminary designs, as well as the experimental validation logic and test benches are presented. More details are provided on the progress of the main technology: vacuum deposition in the co-evaporation mode and subsequent etching of chalcogenide layers. In addition., preliminary investigations of an alternative technology based on burying a chalcogenide optical fiber core into a chalcogenide substrate are presented. Specific developments of anti-reflective solutions designed for the mitigation of Fresnel losses at the input and output surface of the components are also introduced.

Analysis of polymerization time on abrasive wear of dental resins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bancada multifuncional para simulação de mecanismos de falhas em máquinas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modellizzazione numerica e caratterizzazione sperimentale di macchine e componenti oleodinamici

Nella prima parte di questa tesi di dottorato sono presentate le attività svolte, di carattere numerico, ai fini della modellizzazione di macchine volumetriche ad ingranaggi esterni. In particolare viene dapprima presentato un modello a parametri concentrati utilizzato per l’analisi dei fenomeni che coinvolgono l’area di ingranamento della macchina; un codice di calcolo associato al modello è stato sviluppato ed utilizzato per la determinazione dell’influenza delle condizioni di funzionamento e delle caratteristiche geometriche della macchina sulle sovra-pressioni e sull’eventuale instaurarsi della cavitazione nei volumi tra i denti che si trovano nell’area di ingranamento. In seguito vengono presentati i risultati ottenuti dall’analisi del bilanciamento assiale di diverse unità commerciali, evidenziando l’influenza delle caratteristiche geometriche delle fiancate di bilanciamento; a questo proposito, viene presentato anche un semplice modello a parametri concentrati per valutare il rendimento volumetrico della macchina ad ingranaggi esterni, con l’intenzione di usare tale parametro quale indice qualitativo della bontà del bilanciamento assiale. Infine, viene presentato un modello completo della macchina ad ingranaggi esterni, realizzato in un software commerciale a parametri concentrati, che permette di analizzare nel dettaglio il funzionamento della macchina e di studiare anche l’interazione della stessa con il circuito idraulico in cui è inserita. Nella seconda parte della tesi si presentano le attività legate alla messa in funzione di due banchi prova idraulici per la caratterizzazione sperimentale di macchine volumetriche e componenti di regolazione, con particolare attenzione dedicata alla messa a punto del sistema di acquisizione e gestione dei dati sperimentali; si presentano infine i risultati di alcune prove eseguite su componenti di regolazione e macchine volumetriche.

Ensayos de seguridad eléctrica orientados a la vigilancia del mercado

El presente estudio recopila los diferentes bancos de pruebas de EMC, Radio, SAR y seguridad eléctrica que se utiliza en la vigilancia del mercado. Describe las pruebas realizadas por el Estado español para llevar a cabo el seguimiento y control de los equipos vendidos. En primer lugar se presenta una descripción cualitativa de los ambientes clasificados por requisitos que explica en qué consisten las pruebas que se hacen, cómo se configura el entorno de medida y cuáles son los equipos que se deben utilizar. Está ilustrado con fotografías de los bastidores, antenas, amplificadores, generadores y otros equipos que la SETSI tiene en su laboratorio en El Casar (Guadalajara). La vigilancia de los equipos se realiza periódicamente en los estados miembros de la Unión Europea. Los funcionarios responsables también se reúnen periódicamente a nivel europeo para sacar conclusiones y hacer proyecciones futuras. El equipo adquirido en centros comerciales de venta al público, después de poco más de un mes, en el que se pasan las pruebas, vuelve a la cadena de comercialización, por lo que los dispositivos no se puedan dañar. Las pruebas realizadas en el laboratorio no pueden ser perjudiciales para los dispositivos por lo que es necesario tomar precauciones en la ejecución de las pruebas. El centro del PFC es el área de la Seguridad Eléctrica. El capítulo 4 es una reproducción de la Norma internacional IEC 60950-1:2007/A11 sobre seguridad en equipos de tecnología de la información adaptada a los requisitos de la vigilancia de mercado. Las autoridades competentes se basan en este estándar para evaluar y garantizar la seguridad del usuario en los equipos de consumo. Diseñados los procedimientos de ensayo y montado un banco de acuerdo a estos ensayos, se ha preparado un manual de operador, capítulo 5, en el que se recogen cada una de las pruebas y controles visuales que deben realizarse para probar que el equipo es conforme. Para finalizar, en el capítulo 6, se ejecutan ensayos de ejemplo sobre tres dispositivos de prueba y se elaboran las correspondientes hojas de ensayo. El propósito es proporcionar al operador un manual completo del banco de seguridad eléctrica, es por ello que en el manual de operador se han repetido muchos fragmentos de la norma para facilitar al operador el objetivo concreto de las pruebas y el acceso fácil a la información. This dissertation presents the different test benches of EMC, Radio, SAR and Electrical Safety that are used in market surveillance. Describes the tests performed by the Spanish State to carry out the monitoring and control of equipment sold. First a qualitative description of the environments classified by requisites that explains in that consist the tests that are make it, how it configures the measure environment and which are the equipment that it should use. It is illustrated with photographs of the racks, antennas, amplifiers, generators and other equipment that the S.E.T.S.I has in its laboratory on El Casar (Guadalajara). The surveillance of equipment is performed periodically in the member states of the European Union. Responsible officials also periodically meet at European level to draw conclusions and make future projections. The equipment purchased in malls public sale, after little more than a month, in which the tests are passed, returned to the trade chain, which is why the devices cannot be damaged. The tests done in the laboratory may not be harmful for devices are thus necessary to take precautions in the execution of the tests. The center of this dissertation is the area of Electrical Safety. Chapter 4 is a reproduction of the International Standard IEC 60950-1:2007/A11 safety in teams of information technology, adapted to the requirements of market surveillance. The competent authorities are based on this standard to assess and ensure the user's safety in the consumption equipment. Designed test procedures and mounted on a bench according to these tests, it has prepared a manual operator, in Chapter 5, with each of the tests and visual inspections in order to prove that the equipment complies. Finally, in Chapter 6, such tests run on three devices are developed test and test some leaves. The purpose of this book is to provide an operator manual of the bench of electrical safety, which is why the operator manual have been repeated fragments of the standard, in chapter 5, to facilitate the operator to test execution and access to information.

Fluoro-sensing applied to detection and identification of hydrocarbons in inland waters. Study of the impact of different UV light sources

This paper presents the detection and identification of hydrocarbons through flu oro-sensing by developing a simple and inexpensive detector for inland water, in contrast to current systems, designed to be used for marine waters at large distances and being extremely costly. To validate the proposed system, three test-benches have been mounted, with various UV-Iight sources. Main application of this system would be detect hydrocarbons pollution in rivers, lakes or dams, which in fact, is of growing interest by administrations.

Unified control system for three-phase electric drives operating in magnetic saturation region

The research project aims to study and develop control techniques for a generalized three-phase and multi-phase electric drive able to efficiently manage most of the drive types available for traction application. The generalized approach is expanded to both linear and non- linear machines in magnetic saturation region starting from experimental flux characterization and applying the general inductance definition. The algorithm is able to manage fragmented drives powered from different batteries or energy sources and will be able to ensure operability even in case of faults in parts of the system. The algorithm was tested using model-in-the-loop in software environment and then applied on experimental test benches with collaboration of an external company.

High performance battery chargers for full electric and hybrid cars

This Doctoral Thesis aims to study and develop advanced and high-efficient battery chargers for full electric and plug-in electric cars. The document is strictly industry-oriented and relies on automotive standards and regulations. In the first part a general overview about wireless power transfer battery chargers (WPTBCs) and a deep investigation about international standards are carried out. Then, due to the highly increasing attention given to WPTBCs by the automotive industry and considering the need of minimizing weight, size and number of components this work focuses on those architectures that realize a single stage for on-board power conversion avoiding the implementation of the DC/DC converter upstream the battery. Based on the results of the state-of-the-art, the following sections focus on two stages of the architecture: the resonant tank and the primary DC/AC inverter. To reach the maximum transfer efficiency while minimizing weight and size of the vehicle assembly a coordinated system level design procedure for resonant tank along with an innovative control algorithm for the DC/AC primary inverter is proposed. The presented solutions are generalized and adapted for the best trade-off topologies of compensation networks: Series-Series and Series-Parallel. To assess the effectiveness of the above-mentioned objectives, validation and testing are performed through a simulation environment, while experimental test benches are carried out by the collaboration of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

Cryogenic optical readout for a liquid argon neutrino imaging detector

The GRAIN detector is part of the SAND Near Detector of the DUNE neutrino experiment. A new imaging technique involving the collection of the scintillation light will be used in order to reconstruct images of particle tracks in the GRAIN detector. Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) matrices will be used as photosensors for collecting the scintillation light emitted at 127 nm by liquid argon. The readout of SiPM matrices inside the liquid argon requires the use of a multi-channel mixed-signal ASIC, while the back-end electronics will be implemented in FPGAs outside the cryogenic environment. The ALCOR (A Low-power Circuit for Optical sensor Readout) ASIC, developed by Torino division of INFN, is under study, since it is optimized to readout SiPMs at cryogenic temperatures. I took part in the realization of a demonstrator of the imaging system, which consists of a SiPM matrix connected to a custom circuit board, on which an ALCOR ASIC is mounted. The board communicates with an FPGA. The first step of the present project that I have accomplished was the development of an emulator for the ALCOR ASIC. This emulator allowed me to verify the correct functioning of the initial firmware before the real ASIC itself was available. I programmed the emulator using VHDL and I also developed test benches in order to test its correct working. Furthermore, I developed portions of the DAQ software, which I used for the acquisition of data and the slow control of the ASICs. In addition, I made some parts of the DAQ firmware for the FPGAs. Finally, I tested the complete SiPMs readout system at both room and cryogenic temperature in order to ensure its full functionality.

Adapting The Sniffin' Sticks Olfactory Test To Diagnose Parkinson's Disease In Estonia.

The aim of the study was to develop a culturally adapted translation of the 12-item smell identification test from Sniffin' Sticks (SS-12) for the Estonian population in order to help diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD). A standard translation of the SS-12 was created and 150 healthy Estonians were questioned about the smells used as response options in the test. Unfamiliar smells were replaced by culturally familiar options. The adapted SS-12 was applied to 70 controls in all age groups, and thereafter to 50 PD patients and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. 14 response options from 48 used in the SS-12 were replaced with familiar smells in an adapted version, in which the mean rate of correct response was 87% (range 73-99) compared to 83% with the literal translation (range 50-98). In PD patients, the average adapted SS-12 score (5.4/12) was significantly lower than in controls (average score 8.9/12), p < 0.0001. A multiple linear regression using the score in the SS-12 as the outcome measure showed that diagnosis and age independently influenced the result of the SS-12. A logistic regression using the SS-12 and age as covariates showed that the SS-12 (but not age) correctly classified 79.0% of subjects into the PD and control category, using a cut-off of <7 gave a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 86% for the diagnosis of PD. The developed SS-12 cultural adaption is appropriate for testing olfaction in Estonia for the purpose of PD diagnosis.

Effect Of Exercise Test On Pulmonary Function Of Obese Adolescents.

to investigate the pulmonary response to exercise of non-morbidly obese adolescents, considering the gender. a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 92 adolescents (47 obese and 45 eutrophic), divided in four groups according to obesity and gender. Anthropometric parameters, pulmonary function (spirometry and oxygen saturation [SatO2]), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), and respiratory muscle strength were measured. Pulmonary function parameters were measured before, during, and after the exercise test. BP and HR were higher in obese individuals during the exercise test (p = 0.0001). SatO2 values decreased during exercise in obese adolescents (p = 0.0001). Obese males had higher levels of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (p = 0.0002) when compared to obese and eutrophic females. Obese males showed lower values of maximum voluntary ventilation, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in the first second when compared to eutrophic males, before and after exercise (p = 0.0005). Obese females had greater inspiratory capacity compared to eutrophic females (p = 0.0001). Expiratory reserve volume was lower in obese subjects when compared to controls (p ≤ 0,05). obese adolescents presented changes in pulmonary function at rest and these changes remained present during exercise. The spirometric and cardiorespiratory values were different in the four study groups. The present data demonstrated that, in spite of differences in lung growth, the model of fat distribution alters pulmonary function differently in obese female and male adolescents.

The Lea Grating Test In Assessing Detection Grating Acuity In Normal Infants Less Than 4 Months Of Age.

To assess binocular detection grating acuity using the LEA GRATINGS test to establish age-related norms in healthy infants during their first 3 months of life. In this prospective, longitudinal study of healthy infants with clear red reflex at birth, responses to gratings were measured at 1, 2, and 3 months of age using LEA gratings at a distance of 28 cm. The results were recorded as detection grating acuity values, which were arranged in frequency tables and converted to a one-octave scale for statistical analysis. For the repeated measurements, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the detection grating acuity results between ages. A total of 133 infants were included. The binocular responses to gratings showed development toward higher mean values and spatial frequencies, ranging from 0.55 ± 0.70 cycles per degree (cpd), or 1.74 ± 0.21 logMAR, in month 1 to 3.11 ± 0.54 cpd, or 0.98 ± 0.16 logMAR, in month 3. Repeated ANOVA indicated differences among grating acuity values in the three age groups. The LEA GRATINGS test allowed assessment of detection grating acuity and its development in a cohort of healthy infants during their first 3 months of life.