Life buoy

A lifebuoy such as figure 1, or we can call as ring buoy, lifering, lifesaver, life donut, life preserver or lifebelt, also known as a "perry buoy", or "kisby ring". The "kisby ring", or sometimes will be call "Kisbie ring", is thought to be named after Thomas Kisbee (1792–1877) who was a British naval officer. Lifebuoy is a lifesaving buoy designed to save someone in the water. It also can provide buoyancy and prevent drowning. To improve aid rescue at night, mostly lifebuoys are fitted with one or more seawater-activated lights

Advanced Strategies for Robot Manipulators

Amongst the robotic systems, robot manipulators have proven themselves to be of increasing importance and are widely adopted to substitute for human in repetitive and/or hazardous tasks. Modern manipulators are designed complicatedly and need to do more precise, crucial and critical tasks. So, the simple traditional control methods cannot be efficient, and advanced control strategies with considering special constraints are needed to establish. In spite of the fact that groundbreaking researches have been carried out in this realm until now, there are still many novel aspects which have to be explored

An Application of Modified T2FHC Algorithm in Two-Link Robot Controller

Parallel robotic systems have shown their advantages over the traditional serial robots such as high payload capacity, high speed, and high precision. Their applications are widespread from transportation to manufacturing fields. Therefore, most of the recent studies in parallel robots focus on finding the best method to improve the system accuracy. Enhancing this metric, however, is still the biggest challenge in controlling a parallel robot owing to the complex mathematical model of the system. In this paper, we present a novel solution to this problem with a Type 2 Fuzzy Coherent Controller Network (T2FHC), which is composed of a Type 2 Cerebellar Model Coupling Controller (CMAC) with its fast convergence ability and a Brain Emotional Learning Controller (BELC) using the Lyaponov-based weight updating rule. In addition, the T2FHC is combined with a surface generator to increase the system flexibility. To evaluate its applicability in real life, the proposed controller was tested on a Quanser 2-DOF robot system in three case studies: no load, 180 g load and 360 g load, respectively. The results showed that the proposed structure achieved superior performance compared to those of available algorithms such as CMAC and Novel Self-Organizing Fuzzy CMAC (NSOF CMAC). The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) index of the system that was 2.20E-06 for angle A and 2.26E-06 for angle B and the tracking error that was -6.42E-04 for angle A and 2.27E-04 for angle B demonstrate the good stability and high accuracy of the proposed T2FHC. With this outstanding achievement, the proposed method is promising to be applied to many applications using nonlinear systems

Pitch angle control with fault diagnosis and tolerance for wind turbine generation systems

To enhance the reliability of wind turbine generation systems that are generally located in the remote area and subjected to harsh environment, we design the pitch angle control for variable speed wind turbines with the function of fault diagnosis and fault tolerance. The main fault targeted in this research is the mechanical wear and possible break of the blade, pitch gear set or shaft, which cause shaft rotary friction change. The proposed method uses a disturbance observer to diagnose the fault. The estimated fault is used for component assessment and later maintenance. The fault-tolerant control is achieved using a full-order terminal sliding mode control combined with an adaptive neural network estimator. With the compensation of the adaptive estimator, the post-fault states can be driven onto the sliding surface and converge to a small area around the origin. The full-order terminal sliding mode control ensures the state convergence in finite time. The Lyapunov method is used to derive the control law, so that the closed-loop post-fault stability and the convergence of the adaptive estimator adaptation are both guaranteed. The computer simulations of the pitch angle control based on a 5-MW variable-speed variable-pitch angle wind turbine model are conducted with different types of fault simulated. A third-order nonlinear state space model with fault term is derived, and real physical parameters are applied in the simulations. The simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed scheme and the potential of real-world applications. © IMechE 2021

Optimum PID Controller with Fuzzy Self-Tuning for DC Servo Motor

DC motors are simple and controllable, making them a popular choice for various applications. However, the speed and load characteristics of DC motors can change, making it difficult to control them effectively. This paper proposes an optimum PID controller with fuzzy self-tuning for DC servo motors. The controller uses two steps to adjust the PID gains: The ACS algorithm is employed to identify the optimal PID gains in the first step. A fuzzy logic (FLC) controller is employed in the second stage to further fine-tune the gains. The FLC considers two cost functions: the first function is the sum of the squares of the error between the controlled output and reference input. The second function is a mathematical expression that specifies the required characteristics of the system response. The fuzzy self-tune then uses a set of rules to adjust the PID gains in response to changes in the system. The rules are based on the two cost functions designed to maintain the optimum PID gains for various operating settings. The outcomes of the two functions are: Kp = 5.2381, Ki = 7.0427, and Kd = 0.49468, with rising time = 0.2503, overshoot = 2.5079, and settling time = 10.4824 in the first cost function. The second cost function outcomes are Kp = 8.1381; Ki = 8.6427; and Kd = 0.49468. The FST-PID controller's performance is evaluated using Matlab-Simulink. The proposed controller was tested on a DC servo motor, and the results showed good performance in both steady-state and transient responses. The controller also maintained the optimum PID gains in the event of changes or disturbances. So, the motor's speed can effectively control under a variety of conditions

Contributions of flywheel systems in wind power plants

The stepwise replacement of conventional power plants by renewable-based ones such as wind power plants could a ect the system behaviour and planning. First, the network stability may be compromised as it becomes less resilient against sudden changes in the loads or generator trips. This is because wind turbines are not synchronized with network frequency but they are usually connected to the grid through fast controllable electronic power converters. And second, due to the stochastic nature of wind, the electrical power generated by wind power plants is neither constant non controllable. This aff ects the network planning as the expected generation level depends on non reliable wind forecasts. Also it aff ects the power quality as the fast fluctuations of wind power can cause harmonics and flicker emissions. For these reasons, network operators gradually set up more stringent requirements for the grid integration of wind power. These regulations require wind power plants to behave in several aspects as conventional synchronized generating units. Among other requirements, it is set the provision of some ancillary services to the grid as frequency and voltage control, the capability of withstanding short-circuits and faults, and to respect some threshold level with regard to the quality of the power generated. Accordingly, energy storage systems may play an important role in wind power applications by enhancing the controllability of the output of wind power plants and providing ancillary services to the power system and thus, enabling an increased penetration of wind power in the system. This thesis focuses on the potential uses of flywheel energy storage systems in wind power. The thesis introduces the basis of several energy storage systems as well as identi es their applications in wind power based on an extensive literature review. It follows with the presentation of the design and setting up of a scale-lab flywheel-based energy storage system. From this work, research concentrates on the application of flywheel devices for power smoothing of wind power plants. The developed concepts are proved by simulations but also experimentally using the above mentioned scale-lab test bench. In particular, research focuses on the de nition of an optimization criteria for the operation of flywheel devices while smoothing the wind power, and the design and experimental validation of the proposed control algorithms of the storage device. The last chapters of the thesis research on the role of wind power plants in system frequency control support. In this sense, an extensive literature review on the network operator's requirements for the participation of wind power plants in system frequency control related-tasks is off ered. Also, this review covers the proposed control methods in the literature for enabling wind turbines to participate in system frequency control. The results of this work open the door to the design of control systems of wind turbines and wind power plants for primary frequency control. The contribution of flywheel devices is also considered. Results highlight the tremendous potential of energy storage systems in general for facilitating the grid integration of wind power plants. Regarding the uses of flywheel devices, it is worth noting that some of their characteristics as the high-ramp power rates can be exploited for reducing the variability of the power generated by wind turbines, and thus for improving the quality of the power injected to the grid by wind power plants. Also, they can support wind power plants to ful l the requirements for their participation in system frequency control support related tasks.El progressiu despla cament de plantes de generaci o convencionals per part de plantes de generaci o de tipus renovable, com els parcs e olics, pot afectar el comportament i la plani caci o del sistema el ectric. Primer, l'estabilitat pot ser compromesa ja que el sistema el ectric resulta m es vulnerable davant canvis abruptes provocats per les c arregues del sistema o desconnexions no programades de generadors. Aix o es degut a que les turbines e oliques no estan sincronitzades amb la freqü encia el ectrica del sistema ja que la seva connexi o es a trav es de convertidors electr onics de pot encia. Segon, degut a la gran variabilitat del vent, la pot encia el ectrica generada per les turbines e oliques no es constant ni controlable. En aquest sentit, la qualitat de la pot encia del parc e olic es pot veure compromesa, ja que es poden detectar nivells apreciables d'harm onics i emissions de "flicker" degudes a les r apides variacions de la pot encia generada pel parc e olic. Per aquests motius, els operadors dels sistemes el ectrics fan gradualment m es restrictius els requeriments de connexi o dels parcs e olics al sistema el ectric. Aquestes regulacions requereixen als parcs e olics que es comportin en molts aspectes com plantes de generaci o convencional. Entre d'altres requeriments, els parcs e olics han de proveir serveis auxiliars per a la operaci o del sistema el ectric com tamb e el suport en el control dels nivells de tensi o i freqü encia de la xarxa; oferir suport durant curtcircuits; i mantenir uns nivells m nims en la qualitat de la pot encia generada. Els sistemes d'emmagatzematge d'energia poden millorar la controlabilitat de la pot encia generada pels parcs e olics i ajudar a aquests a proveir serveis auxiliars al sistema el ectric, afavorint aix la seva integraci o a la xarxa. Aquesta tesi tracta l'aplicaci o en parcs e olics dels sistemes d'emmagatzematge d'energia basats en volants d'in ercia. La tesi introdueix les bases de diversos sistemes d'emmagatzematge i identi ca les seves potencials aplicacions en parcs e olics en base a una extensa revisi o bibliogr a ca. El treball continua amb la posta a punt d'un equipament de laboratori, que con gura un sistema d'emmagatzematge d'energia basat en un volant d'in ercia. Següents cap tols de la tesi estudien l'aplicaci o dels volants d'in ercia per a esmorteir el per l fluctuant de la pot encia generada pels parcs e olics. Els treballs es focalitzen en la de nici o dels criteris per a la operaci o optima dels volants d'in ercia per la seva aplicaci o d'esmorteir el per l fluctuant de potencia e olica, i tamb e en el disseny i validaci o experimental dels algoritmes de control desenvolupats per governar el sistema d'emmagatzematge. Els cap tols finals de la tesi tracten sobre el suport al control de freqü encia per part dels parcs e olics. S'ofereix una extensa revisi o bibliografica respecte els requeriments indicats pels operadors del sistema el ectric en aquest sentit. A m es, aquesta revisi o cobreix els m etodes de control dels parcs e olics i turbines e oliques per la seva participaci o en el suport al control de freqü encia. Les conclusions extretes serveixen per proposar sistemes de control de parcs e olics i de turbines e oliques per proveir el servei de control de freqüencia. Aquest treball, tamb e contempla la inclusi o de volants d'in ercia en els parcs e olics. Dels resultats de la tesi se'n dedueix l'important potencial dels sistemes d'emmagatzematge d'energia per a afavorir la integraci o a la xarxa dels parcs e olics. La controlabilitat de la pot encia dels volants d'in ercia, afavoreix el seu us per reduir la variabilitat de la pot encia generada pels parcs e olics, millorant aix la qualitat de pot encia del mateix. A m es, els volants d'in ercia poder ajudar als parcs e olics a complir amb els requeriments per a la seva integraci o a xarxa, com la participaci o en el control de freqüencia del sistema el ectric