Thermography-based methodology for multifault diagnosis on kinematic chain

The procedures for condition monitoring of electromechanical systems are undergoing a reformulation, mainly, due to the current thermographic affordability of infrared cameras to be incorporated in industrial applications. However, high-performing multifault data-driven methodologies must be investigated in order to infer reliable condition information from the thermal distribution of not only electrical motors but also of shafts and couplings. To address this issue, a novel thermography-based methodology is proposed. First, the infrared capture is processed to obtain a thermographic residual image of the kinematic chain. Second, the thermal distribution of the image's regions of interest is characterized by means of statistical features. Finally, a distributed self-organizing map structure is used to model the nominal thermal distribution to subsequently perform a fault detection and identification. The method provides a reliability quantification of the resulting condition assessment in order to avoid misclassifications and identify the actual fault root-causes. The performance and the effectiveness of the proposed methodology is validated experimentally and compared with the classical maximum temperature gradient procedure.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

How to reveal subsurface defects in Kevlar® composite materials after an impact loading using infrared vision and optical NDT techniques?

An integrated system between infrared vision and optical non-destructive testing techniques can be considered a viable, robust and reliable approach for both aerospace manufacturing and in-service inspections. In this paper, infrared vision is applied in different spectral bands on two impacted panels made of aramid–phenolic composite by applying two different methods, respectively: (1) near and short-wave infrared reflectography and transmittography, and (2) mid-wave active infrared thermography. Furthermore, optical methods, namely digital speckle photography and holographic interferometry, are used as well to highlight the damages due to the impacts on the samples. Some techniques provide more straightforward detection capabilities than others for different defect types

Wind turbine condition monitoring : technical and commercial challenges.

Deployment of larger scale wind turbine systems, particularly offshore, requires more organized operation and maintenance strategies to ensure systems are safe, profitable and cost-effective. Among existing maintenance strategies, reliability centred maintenance is regarded as best for offshore wind turbines, delivering corrective and proactive (i.e. preventive and predictive) maintenance techniques enabling wind turbines to achieve high availability and low cost of energy. Reliability centred maintenance analysis may demonstrate that an accurate and reliable condition monitoring system is one method to increase availability and decrease the cost of energy from wind. In recent years, efforts have been made to develop efficient and cost-effective condition monitoring techniques for wind turbines. A number of commercial wind turbine monitoring systems are available in the market, most based on existing techniques from other rotating machine industries. Other wind turbine condition monitoring reviews have been published but have not addressed the technical and commercial challenges, in particular, reliability and value for money. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap and present the wind industry with a detailed analysis of the current practical challenges with existing wind turbine condition monitoring technology

Enhanced composite plate impact damage detection and characterisation using X-Ray refraction and scattering contrast combined with ultrasonic imaging

Ultrasonic imaging and radiography are widely used in the aerospace industry for non-destructive evaluation of damage in fibre-reinforced composites. Novel phase-based X-ray imaging methods use phase effects occurring in inhomogeneous specimens to extract additional information and achieve improved contrast. Edge Illumination employs a coded aperture system to extract refraction and scattering driven signals in addition to conventional absorption. Comparison with ultrasonic immersion C-scan imaging and with a commercial X-ray CT system for impact damage analysis in a small cross-ply carbon fibre-reinforced plate sample was performed to evaluate the potential of this new technique. The retrieved refraction and scattering signals provide complementary information, revealing previously unavailable insight on the damage extent and scale, not observed in the conventional X-ray absorption and ultrasonic imaging, allowing improved damage characterisation

Climate change mitigation by means of sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems

Integrated approaches in energy, water and environmental systems can improve the climate change reduction process. New scientific developments and advancements have provided numerous opportunities in the comprehensive human progress direction. In this regard, we have reviewed the 16th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems presented in this editorial. Examining recent scientific developments, eight research articles on this special issue are related to eight main topics. The solar energy technology and storage section reviewed the first four articles. These articles include topics such as: 1) advanced technologies to form a new TT PS-TIM window system for adaptive daylight control and advanced thermal insulation combination, 2) using experimental data for field testing located in an area with Mediterranean climate conditions, of newly installed FPVS in these areas, 3) possibilities described in short rotation of willow type and energy crop Miscanthus cultivation dedicated to former coal mining areas, 4) using solar and geothermal energy with boiling water purification and reverse osmosis. Furthermore, the following four articles are reviewed in the energy management systems section. These articles include topics such as, 5) deep analysis of facial expression and eye tracking using samples of non-expert participants to determine emotions caused by electricity consumption graphs in different time scales, 6) studying the electric vehicles (EVs) main life cycle activities using an exploratory survey and their potential inequities, 7) the biodiesel fuel production from waste sardine fish oil using methanol, ethanol or isopropanol and a solid heterogeneous catalyst prepared using eggshell and copper oxide [CaCu(OCH3)2] is analyzed. Finally, 8) biotechnology microalgae have been studied in 70-litre vertical photobioreactors that use unsupplemented secondary brewery wastewater as growth media using two collecting cells mechanically methods under hydrothermal (autohydrolysis) and dilute acid hydrolysis

Digital Twin and Cloud BIM-XR Platform Development: From Scan-to-BIM-to-DT Process to a 4D Multi-User Live App to Improve Building Comfort, Efficiency and Costs

Digital twins (DTs) and building information modelling (BIM) are proving to be valuable tools for managing the entire life cycle of a building (LCB), from the early design stages to management and maintenance over time. On the other hand, BIM platforms cannot manage the geometric complexities of existing buildings and the large amount of information that sensors can collect. For this reason, this research proposes a scan-to-BIM process capable of managing high levels of detail (LODs) and information (LOIs) during the design, construction site management, and construction phases. Specific grades of generation (GOGs) were applied to create as-found, as-designed, and as-built models that interact with and support the rehabilitation project of a multi-level residential building. Furthermore, thanks to the sharing of specific APIs (Revit and Autodesk Forge APIs), it was possible to switch from static representations to novel levels of interoperability and interactivity for the user and more advanced forms of building management such as a DT, a BIM cloud, and an extended reality (XR) web platform. Finally, the development of a live app shows how different types of users (professionals and non-expert) can interact with the DT, in order to know the characteristics with which the environments have been designed, as well as the environmental parameters, increasing their degree of control, from the point of view of improving comfort, use, costs, behaviour, and good practices. Finally, the overall approach was verified through a real case study where the BIM-XR platform was built for energy improvements to existing buildings and facade renovations