2,349 research outputs found

    Instantaneous Rotational Speed Measurement Using Image Correlation and Periodicity Determination Algorithms

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    Dynamic and accurate measurement of instantaneous rotational speed is desirable in many industrial processes for both condition monitoring and safety control purposes. This paper presents a novel imaging based system for instantaneous rotational speed measurement. The low-cost imaging device focuses on the side surface of a rotating shaft without the use of a marker, entailing benefits of non-contact measurement, low maintenance and wide applicability. Meanwhile, new periodicity determination methods based on the Chirp-Z transform and parabolic interpolation based auto-correlation algorithm are proposed to process the signal of similarity level reconstructed using an image correlation algorithm. Experimental investigations are conducted on a purpose-built test rig to quantify the effects of the periodicity determination algorithm, frame rate, image resolution, exposure time, illumination conditions, and photographic angle on the accuracy and reliability of the measurement system. Experimental results under steady and transient operating conditions demonstrate that the system is capable of providing measurements of a constant or gradually varying speed with a relative error no greater than ±0.6% over a speed range from 100 to 3000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute). Under step change conditions the proposed system can achieve valid speed measurement with a maximum error of 1.4%

    Rotational speed measurement using a low-cost imaging device and image processing algorithms

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    Accurate and reliable measurement of rotational speed is desirable in many industrial processes. A novel method for rotational speed measurement using a low-cost camera and image processing techniques is presented in this paper. Firstly, sequential images are continuously processed using a similarity evaluation method to obtain the periodic similarity level of captured images. Subsequently, the rotational speed is determined from the periodicity of a restructured signal through Chirp-Z transform and parabolic interpolation based auto-correlation, respectively. The measurement principle and system design are presented. The advantages of the proposed measurement system include non-contact measurement, low cost, no markers required and high accuracy. Experimental investigations into the effects of the periodicity detection algorithm, frame rate and image resolution on the accuracy and reliability of the measurement system are conducted on a purpose-built test rig. Experimental results demonstrate that the system with the frame rate of 100 fps yields a measurement error within ±0.6% over a speed range from 100 to 3000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute). More accurate and reliable speed measurements over a wider speed range are achievable with higher frame rates

    Time Domain Analysis and Spectral Methods for Determining Rotational Speed of Rotary Machines

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    Accurate estimation of rotational speed of rotary machines has usually high priority in technical applications. This information should be calculated for many diagnostic algorithms, control or regulation processes. Incorrectly estimated values could occur serious disturbances in the operation of machines. Additional instrumentation often may be obstructed due to lack of space, but the construct of the machine may also affect the accuracy of measurement. In such cases, vibration diagnostic tools can be the disposal of difficulty. Mounting an acceleration sensor onto the outer surface of the measured device is not a major challenge. In most cases using time, frequency or quefrency domain analysis, it is possible to estimate the rotational speed of the analysed rotary machine. The calculated spectra and cepstra can help to determine the rotational speed more easily and more accurate than the time domain methods. This paper presents the comparison of these methods in terms of their usability and rotational speed estimation accuracy. A possible error of traditional optical measurement due to misalignment and benefits of the other methods are illustrated in this article via measured data series of a Brushless DC (BLDC) motor driven system

    Rotational Speed Measurement through Image Similarity Evaluation and Spectral Analysis

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    Accurate and reliable measurement of rotational speed is desirable in a variety of industries. This paper presents a rotational speed measurement system based on a low-cost imaging device with a simple marker on the rotor. Sequential images are pre-processed through denoising, histogram equalization and circle Hough transform, and then processed by similarity evaluation methods to obtain the similarity level of images. Finally, the rotational speed is obtained through Chirp-Z transform on the restructured signals. The measurement principle, structure design and performance assessment of the proposed system are presented. The effects of different influence factors, including frame rate, marker shape and size, algorithm for image similarity evaluation, illumination conditions, shooting angle and photographic distance, on the performance of the measurement system are quantified and discussed through a series of experimental tests on a laboratory test rig. Experimental results suggest that the system is capable of providing constant rotational speed measurement with a maximum relative error of ±0.6% and a repeatability of less than 0.6% over a speed range from 100 to 900 RPM. Under varying speed conditions the proposed system can achieve valid measurement with a relative error within ±1% over the speed range of 300 to 900 RPM

    Optically gated beating-heart imaging

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    The constant motion of the beating heart presents an obstacle to clear optical imaging, especially 3D imaging, in small animals where direct optical imaging would otherwise be possible. Gating techniques exploit the periodic motion of the heart to computationally "freeze" this movement and overcome motion artefacts. Optically gated imaging represents a recent development of this, where image analysis is used to synchronize acquisition with the heartbeat in a completely non-invasive manner. This article will explain the concept of optical gating, discuss a range of different implementation strategies and their strengths and weaknesses. Finally we will illustrate the usefulness of the technique by discussing applications where optical gating has facilitated novel biological findings by allowing 3D in vivo imaging of cardiac myocytes in their natural environment of the beating heart

    Particle image velocimetry applications in complex flow systems

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    El objetivo principal de esta tesis es la mejora y la aplicación de la técnica PIV para analizar diferentes flujos de fluidos complejos en los sistemas que contienen partes sólidos móviles o estacionarias. Las partículas de alginato con/sin compuesto de fluoresceína incrustada se han desarrollado como una serie de elementos alternativos de siembra de nuevas aplicaciones de flujo para el PIV. Se ha encontrado que las micro-partículas de alginato tienen muchas ventajas sobre los tradicionales utilizados en sistemas de PIV. Un estudio amplio sobre el análisis del flujo en tres dimensiones de la bomba de engranajes externa se ha hecho por la técnica tiempo-resuelva PIV para investigar la dinámica y las estadísticas de flujo turbulento. Vorticidad y zonas turbulentas de alta energía cinética se han identificado dentro de la bomba de engranajes externa. La técnica PIV se ha aplicado de manera eficiente para analizar un intercambiador de calor de motor de flujo de bypass en un túnel del viento de bajo velocidad. Las partículas de alginato que contienen fluoresceína se han utilizado eficientemente en los experimentos que conducen a mejorar la calidad de la imagen PIV y analizar las estructuras de pequeña escala de los flujos.The main objective of the thesis is the improvement and application of the PIV technique to analyse different complex fluid flows in systems that contain solid moving or stationary parts. The alginate particles with/without fluorescein compound imbedded have been developed as a new alternative flow seeding elements for PIV applications. It has been found that the alginate micro particles have many advantages over traditional ones used in PIV systems. A comprehensive study on the three-dimensional flow analysis of the external gear pump has been done by time-resolved PIV technique to investigate its turbulent flow dynamics and statistics. Vorticity and high turbulent kinetic energy areas have been identified inside the external gear pump. The PIV technique has been efficiently applied to analyse an engine bypass flow heat exchanger in a low speed wind tunnel. The alginate particles containing fluorescein have been efficiently used in the experiments that lead to improve the PIV image quality and analyse the small-scale structures of the flows

    Design optimization and performance analysis methodology for PMSMs to improve efficiency in hydraulic applications

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    Pla de Doctorats Industrials de la Generalitat de CatalunyaIn the recent years, water pumping and other hydraulic applications are increasingly demanding motors capable to operate under different working conditions, including variable pressure and volumetric flow demands. Moreover, the technical evolution trend of pumping components is to minimize the size, offering compact and adaptable hydraulic units. Hence, the need to optimize the electric motor part to reduce the volume according this trend, maximizing the efficiency, decreasing material and fabrication costs, reducing noise and improving thermal dissipation have originated the research field of this project. So far different methodologies have been focused on designing electrical machines considering few aspects, such as the rated conditions with some size limitations. In addition, the optimization strategies have been based on single operation conditions, improving multiple aspects but not considering the overall performance of the machine and its influence with the working system. This research changes the design and optimization paradigm, focusing on defining beforehand the desired performance of the electrical machine in relation with the application system. The customization is not limited to an operating point but to the whole performance space, which in this case is the torque-speed area. Thus, the designer has plenty of freedom to study the system, and define the desired motor performance establishing the size, thermal and mechanical limitations from the beginning of the process. Moreover, when designing and optimizing electrical machines, the experimental validation is of major importance. From an industrial scope so far, the testing methodologies are focused on evaluating point by point the electrical machine performance, being a robust and trustable way to measure and validate the electrical machine characteristics. Nevertheless,this method requires a large time to prepare the experimental setup and to evaluate the whole motor performance. For this reason, there is a special interest on improving parameter estimation and performance evaluation techniques for electrical machines to reduce evaluation time, setup complexity and increase the number of physical magnitudes to measure in order to have deeper information. This research also develops methodologies to extend the electrical machine experimental validation providing information to evaluate the motor performance. This doctoral thesis has been developed with a collaboration agreement between UPC and the company MIDTAL TALENTOS S.L. The thesis is included within the Industrial Doctorates program 2018 DI 019 promoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya.En los últimos años, el bombeo de agua, entre otras aplicaciones hidráulicas, exige cada vez más motores capaces de operar en diferentes condiciones de trabajo, incluyendo las demandas variables de presión y caudal volumétrico. Además, la evolución técnica de los componentes de bombeo está cada vez más minimizando el tamaño ofreciendo unidades hidráulicas compactas y adaptables. De ahí la necesidad de optimizar la parte del motor eléctrico para reducir el volumen de acuerdo con esta tendencia, maximizando la eficiencia, disminuyendo los costos de material y fabricación, reduciendo el ruido y mejorando la disipación térmica. Todos estos factores han creado el campo de investigación sobre el cual se desarrolla este proyecto. Hasta ahora las metodologías se han centrado en diseñar las máquinas eléctricas considerando unos pocos aspectos técnicos, como las condiciones nominales con algunas limitaciones de tamaño. Además, las estrategias de optimización se han basado en condiciones de operación única, mejorando múltiples aspectos sin considerar el rendimiento general de la máquina y su influencia en el sistema de trabajo. Esta investigación cambia el paradigma de diseño y optimización centrándose en definir de antemano el rendimiento deseado de la máquina eléctrica en relación con el sistema de aplicación. La personalización no se limita a un punto de funcionamiento sino a todo el espacio de operación, que en este caso se expresa en el espacio par-velocidad. Así, el diseñador tiene libertad para estudiar el sistema, definir el rendimiento deseado del motor estableciendo el tamaño, limitaciones térmicas y mecánicas desde el inicio del proceso. Además, a la hora de diseñar y optimizar máquinas eléctricas, la validación experimental es de gran importancia. En el ámbito industrial hasta ahora, las metodologías de ensayo han sido enfocadas a evaluar punto por punto la máquina eléctrica, siendo una forma robusta y confiable de medir y validar sus características. Sin embargo, este método requiere mucho tiempo para preparar la configuración experimental y evaluar el motor en toda su zona de operación. Por esta razón, existe un interés especial en mejorar la estimación de parámetros y las técnicas de evaluación de la operación de las máquinas eléctricas reduciendo tiempo, complejidad y aumentando el número de magnitudes físicas a medir teniendo más información sobre la máquina. Esta investigación también desarrolla metodologías para extender la validación experimental de la máquina eléctrica proporcionando información para evaluar el rendimiento del motor. Esta tesis doctoral ha sido desarrollada con un convenio de colaboración entre la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña UPC y la empresa MIDTAL TALENTOS S.L. La tesis se engloba dentro del plan de Doctorados Industriales 2018 DI 019 impulsado por la Generalitat de Catalunya.Postprint (published version

    Electrochemical Noise Measurement Technique in Corrosion Research

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    Electrochemical noise measurement is one of the novel techniques currently being used in corrosion monitoring. Two major methods of analysis in use are the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM). This paper reviews the techniques fundamental background – types of noise, physical data; description, classification and characteristics; mathematical background of random data and spectral analysis. Recent progress made in its application to corrosion monitoring and other electrochemical reaction phenomena are also examined

    An investigation into the dynamical and statistical properties of dominant ocean surface waves using close-range remote sensing

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    Denne avhandlingen er basert på forskningsresultat som behandler statistiske og dynamiske egenskaper av dominante vinddrevne overflatebølger i åpent hav. Med uttrykket dominante bølger refererer vi her til de største bølgene, med størst energi, i en gitt sjøtilstand. Bølgedrevne prosesser er viktige både i klimasammenheng via atmosfære--hav interaksjon som drives i stor grad av bølgebrytning, samt for kommersiell og rekreasjonell offshorevirksomhet p.g.a. risikoen for å bli utsatt for f.eks. ekstreme enkeltbølger. Både bølgebrytning og ekstrembølgestatistikk er i skrivende stund ufullstendig representert i teoretiske og numeriske modeller. Arbeidet som presenteres i denne avhandlingen undersøker de ovennevnte temaene ved bruk av bølgeobservasjoner som er primært samlet inn på Ekofiskfeltet i den sentrale delen av Nordsjøen. Observasjonsdatasettene består av en langtidstidsserie av laser-altimetermålinger og stereoskopiske videodata fra Ekofisk, samt videomålinger av brytende bølger fra et forskningstokt i nordre Stillehavet. Forskningsresultatene er presentert i artikkelform med to publiserte verk og ett innlevert manuskript. Det blir påvist en tydelig forbindelse mellom økt bølgebrytning og dominante bølgegrupper, et resultat som tidligere har blitt påvist i laboratorie- og modelleksperiment, men sjeldent ved bruk av feltobservasjoner. Tredimensjonale stereo-rekonstruksjoner viser også at ekstreme bølgekammer, både brytende og ikke-brytende, følger nylig utviklet teori om ikke-lineær bølgegruppedynamikk. Dette funnet har konsekvenser f.eks. for estimering av geometriske og kinematiske bølgeegenskaper såsom steilhet og kamhastighet fra endimensjonale tidsseriemålinger. Som følge av en langtidsanalyse av endimensjonal bølgestatistikk blir det vist at enrettet, langkammet og bratt sjø mest sannsynlig leder til ekstreme enkeltbølger med statistiske egenskaper som avviker systematisk fra ordinære statistiske modeller. Tredimensjonal, kortsiktig tid-rom-statistikk av ekstreme bølgekammer blir også undersøkt v.h.a. stereomålingene fra Ekofisk. Her blir det vist at statistiske modeller utvidet fra endimensjonale til tredimensjonale bølgefelt i snitt er velegnet til å beskrive forekomsten av de høyeste bølgekammene, spesielt for relativt store tid-rom segment.The research presented in this thesis characterizes statistical and dynamical aspects of dominant wind-generated surface gravity waves inferred from field observations in intermediate-to-deep water. Dominant waves are the most energetic waves in a sea state, and as such, understanding their behavior is important in both engineering and geophysical contexts. Large waves impart considerable impact forces on marine structures such as oil and gas platforms and offshore wind turbines, and these forces may multiply manyfold when waves break. Wave breaking in deep water, often referred to as whitecapping, is also a key, though incompletely understood, process regulating the transfer of momentum, gas and heat across the air-sea interface, and must thus be accurately parameterized in large-scale weather and climate models. Current theory holds that the wave breaking process is closely linked kinematically and dynamically to the group structure inherent in ocean surface wave fields. Wave group dynamics is also believed to govern the characteristic shape and motion of so-called extreme or rogue waves, whose correct statistical description is central to many offshore activities. The work presented herein shows, using state-of-the-art stereoscopic imaging techniques employed at the Ekofisk platform complex in the central North Sea, that large-scale wave breaking activity in the open ocean is strongly enhanced in dominant wave groups. The topic of wave group-modulated wave breaking has received considerable attention in the past two decades from theoretical, numerical and laboratory perspectives; however, quantitative field studies of the phenomenon remain comparatively rare. The current results also support the general notion that the dominant waves in a given sea state regulate the breaking of shorter waves. The statistics of extreme wave crest elevations is investigated using a novel long-term laser altimeter data set, also located at the Ekofisk field. The validity of the extreme values is verified using a newly developed despiking methodology, and the quality controlled data set, which covers storm events over an 18-year period, is used to investigate the effects of wave steepness and directionality on crest height statistics. Narrow directional spread combined with high wave steepness is found to lead to crest height statistics that deviate the most from standard linear and second-order formulations. Finally, geometric wave shape and crest speed dynamics are analyzed for the highest wave crests encountered in three-dimensional, spatially and temporally resolved segments of the stereo-reconstructed sea surface fields. The directly measured crest steepness is found to conform to the classical breaking limit of Stokes, whereas crest steepness estimated from one-dimensional time series measurements using the linear gravity-wave dispersion relation are systematically higher. This may be at least in part explained by the observation that the directly measured crest speed just before, during and after the moment of maximum crest elevation slows down compared to the linear gravity-wave phase speed estimate. For the first time, the crest speed slowdown is shown with field measurements to apply to both breaking and non-breaking dominant wave crests.Doktorgradsavhandlin
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