196,189 research outputs found
The integration of advanced active and passive structural noise control methods
No full textThis paper reports on an investigation into the feasibility of using active and passive means of vibration control in aerospace structures. In particular, attention is focused on controlling vibration transmission through light weight satellite structures at medium frequencies. The initial structure under test here is a 4.5-meter long satellite boom consisting of 10 identical bays with equilateral triangular cross sections. This structure is typical of those that might be used in space telescopes, space stations or synthetic aperture radar systems. Such a structure is typically used to support sensitive instruments in precise alignments spaced tens of metres apart. While a great deal of work has been done on this problem at low frequencies, relatively little has been achieved to date at medium frequencies (here taken to be between 150 Hz and 250 Hz). Nonetheless, this is of importance to new space missions. Using the techniques described here, an overall reduction in vibration transmission of 31.0 dB is achieved in an essentially undamped structure using passive means alone. The amounts of attenuation achievable for active control with one, two and three actuators are found to be 15.1 dB, 26.1 dB and 33.5 dB, respectively. With the combined passive control (using 10% geometric deviations) and active control (using three actuators) an overall reduction of 49.5 dB is achievable in practice
Passive vibration control of a satellite boom structure by geometric optimisation using genetic algorithm
No full textIn this paper, the superior mid-frequency vibration isolation of a geometrically optimized lightweight structure is demonstrated. The initial structure under test here was a 4.5 m long satellite boom consisting of 10 identical bays with equilateral triangular cross-sections. An unusual geometric variant of this, with inherent isolation characteristics, has been designed by the use of genetic algorithm (GA) methods. In order to obtain the best design, the joints in the boom were allowed to move around by 20% of the length of each bay (i.e., ±9 cm in all three translational directions). This work is based on results from a Fortran code (which was derived from receptance analysis) that are fully validated against detailed finite element (FE) models of the structure. The experimental forced response of the regular boom structure has been measured and compared with predicted curves. Finally, having obtained the geometrically optimized boom structure, its experimental response is compared with the theoretical results predicted by the receptance method. It is shown that the average of 30 dB isolation in the vibration energy transfer between the ends of the network of beams, over a 100 Hz bandwidth predicted in the design process, is achieved experimentally in an essentially undamped structure
Nanoindentation testing of biodegradabale polymers
No full textIndentation has been used for many years as a way of easily assessing the mechanical state of materials. However historical indentations have been limited to the assessment of the hardness of a material. Whilst this has provided essential information for many applications in tribology, quality control and materials evaluation, the technique has the potential for providing much more information on materials behaviour
A novel approach to the design of hybrid anti-vibration mounts
No full textVibration isolation of aerospace structures that support high precision instrumentations demand a novel design approach. In order to create a design that is suitable for use in harsh environments with no risk of drift in alignment of the structure, the commonly used viscoelastic elements should ideally be eliminated. The novel isolator proposed here is a space-frame structure that is folded in on itself to act as a mechanical filter over a defined frequency range. The design uses a genetic algorithm based geometric optimisation routine to maximise passive vibration isolation hybridised with a geometric feasibility search. To complement the passive isolation, an active system is incorporated in the design which in effect adds damping to the system. The active-passive structure is shown to achieve transmissibility of about 19 dB over a range of 1-250 Hz. The design has no or little consequent weight and cost penalties whilst maintaining its effectiveness with the vibration levels. The results indicate the promise of a new breed of anti-vibration mounting design
Design guidelines for optimization of an inertially coupled energy harvesting generator from boat motion
No full textThis paper proposes a set of guideline for optimum design of an energy harvester from the vertical motion of small boats and yachts. The device comprises a sprung mass coupled to an electrical generator using a ball screw. The mathematical equations describing the dynamics of the system are derived. The equations are used as a basis for determining the optimum device parameters, namely, its mass, spring stiffness, ball screw lead, and load resistance. The process of design optimization is presented as an integrated part of the design guidelines, to maximize the system output power and efficiency within practical constraints. In addition, the experimental results of testing a ball screw based energy harvester are presented. The main purpose of conducting the experiment is to observe the performance of the system and validate the dynamic equations of the system. The experimental results that investigate the frequency response, relation between base and relative displacements and the output power profile are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical calculations
Intern experience at CH���M Hill, Inc.: an internship report
No full textIncludes author's vita"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesA review of the author's internship experience with CH���M HILL, Inc.
during the period September 1975 through May 1976 is presented. During this nine month
internship the author worked as an Engineer II in the Industrial Processes discipline of this
large consulting engineering firm... The author's prime responsibility was as one of three
lead design engineers on the design of a large wastewater treatment facility for a pulp mill
in Hoquiam, Washington owned by ITT Rayonier Inc. The work generally consisted of the design
of individual treatment units and associated piping and pumping. The purpose of the project
was to provide wastewater treatment capabilities that would satisfy the effluent limitations
(standards) imposed upon the mill by the State of Washington Department of Ecology and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author's assignment also entailed necessary
interaction with the project manager and other CH���M HILL design engineers and support staff
members, the client's representatives, and representatives of two other consulting engineering
firms working on the project. Thus, the internship position at CH���M HILL provided considerable
experience coordinating the author's work with the work of other engineers, guiding the design
and administrative efforts of a support staff, and interacting regularly with the client and
other consulting firms. This broad exposure to a variety of engineering and organizational
problems provided a valuable educational experience
Energy harvesting from a rotational transducer under random excitation
No full textThis paper evaluates the performance of a proposed device for harvesting energy from the vertical motion of boats and yachts under broadband and band-limited random vibrations. The device comprises a sprung mass coupled to an electrical generator through a ball screw. The mathematical equations describing the dynamics of the system are derived. Then by utilizing the theory of random vibration, the frequency response function of the system is obtained. This is used to derive an expression for the mean power produced by the harvester when it is subjected to broadband and band-limited stationary Gaussian white noise. The power expressions are derived in dimensional form to provide an insightful understanding of the effect of the physical parameters of the system on output power. An expression for the optimum load resistance to harvest maximum power under random excitation is also derived and validated by conducting Monte-Carlo simulation. The discussion presented in the paper provides guidelines for designers to maximize the expected harvested power from a system under broadband and band-limited random excitations. Also, based on the method developed in this paper, the output power of a rotational harvester subjected to the vertical excitation of a sailing boat is obtained
An inertial coupled marine power generator for small boats
No full textThis paper proposes a device to harvest energy from the vertical motion of small boats and yachts. The device comprises a sprung mass coupled to an electrical generator through a ball screw. The mathematical equations describing the dynamics of the system are derived. The equations are used to determine the optimum device parameters, namely its mass, spring constant, ball screw lead, within practical constraints. Simulation results are presented to determine the maximum power that can be generated and the optimum load resistance as a function of boat vibration frequency
Constrained design optimisation of vibration energy harvesting devices
No full textExisting design criteria for vibration energy harvesting systems provide guidance on the appropriate selection of the seismic mass and load resistance. To harvest maximum power in resonant devices, the mass needs to be as large as possible and the load resistance needs to be equal to the sum of the internal resistance of the generator and the mechanical damping equivalent resistance. However, it is shown in this paper that these rules produce suboptimum results for applications where there is a constraint on the relative displacement of the seismic mass, which is often the case. When the displacement is constrained, increasing the mass beyond a certain limit reduces the amount of harvested power. The optimum load resistance in this case is shown to be equal to the generator’s internal resistance. These criteria are extended to those devices that harvest energy from a low-frequency vibration by utilizing an interface that transforms the input motion to higher frequencies. For such cases, the optimum load resistance and the corresponding transmission ratio are derived
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