Experimental Investigation of the Vibro-impact Capsule System

Dr. Yang Liu would like to acknowledge the financial support for the Small Research Grant (31841) by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. This work is also partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11672257 and 11402224), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China (Grant No. BK20161314).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Self-propelled capsule endoscopy for small-bowel examination: proof-of-concept and model verification

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordThis paper reports an experimental study of a vibro-impact self-propulsion technique applying for small-bowel endoscopy by using a mesoscale capsule prototype, which is 56.9 mm in length and 19.4 mm indiameter. Based on nonsmooth multibody dynamics, a mathematical model is developed for studying the dynamical characteristics of the prototype. Numerical and experimental results are compared to validate the efficacy of the proposed model as well as the feasibility of the technique under various frictional environment. By using the model, we can reveal some hidden dynamics of the prototype and optimise its progression speed and energy efficiency. Based on our calculations, by adopting this technique, the standard-sized capsule, which is 26 mm in length and 11 mm in diameter, can achieve the maximum average speeds of 8.49 mm/s for forward progression and 4.9 mm/s for backward progression, offering the potential for a ‘live’ and controllable small-bowel examinationEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Modeling, analysis and control of robot-object nonsmooth underactuated Lagrangian systems: A tutorial overview and perspectives

International audienceSo-called robot-object Lagrangian systems consist of a class of nonsmooth underactuated complementarity Lagrangian systems, with a specific structure: an "object" and a "robot". Only the robot is actuated. The object dynamics can thus be controlled only through the action of the contact Lagrange multipliers, which represent the interaction forces between the robot and the object. Juggling, walking, running, hopping machines, robotic systems that manipulate objects, tapping, pushing systems, kinematic chains with joint clearance, crawling, climbing robots, some cable-driven manipulators, and some circuits with set-valued nonsmooth components, belong this class. This article aims at presenting their main features, then many application examples which belong to the robot-object class, then reviewing the main tools and control strategies which have been proposed in the Automatic Control and in the Robotics literature. Some comments and open issues conclude the article

QUADRUPEDAL WALKING GAIT GENERATION USING GENETIC ALGORITHM.

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Optimization of the vibro-impact capsule system.

Optimization of the vibro-impact capsule system for the best progression is considered in this paper focusing on the choice of the excitation parameters and the shape of the capsule. Firstly, the fastest and the most efficient progressions are obtained through experimental investigations on a novel test bed. Control parameters, the amplitude and the frequency of harmonic excitation, and one of the system parameter, namely the stiffness ratio, are optimized. The experimental results confirm that the control parameters for the fastest progression are not the same as those for the most efficient progression from the energy consumption point of view. Therefore, the capsule system can be controlled either in a speedy mode or in an energy-saving mode depending on the operational requirements. In the second part of the paper, optimization of the capsule shape is studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Here the aim of achieving the best progression is addressed through minimizing the drag and the lift forces acting on a stationary capsule positioned in the pipe within a fluid flow. The CFD results indicate that both drag and lift forces are dependent on capsule and arc lengths, and finally, an optimized shape of the capsule is obtained

Zur Mechanik vibrationsgetriebener Roboter für terrestrische und aquatische Lokomotion

This thesis discusses the mechanics of mobile robots for terrestrial and aquatic locomotion. Vibration-driven locomotion systems are characterised by an internal periodic excitation, which is transformed to a directed motion due to asymmetric properties of the system. To perform a two-dimensional and controllable locomotion, mechanical properties of robots are investigated dependent on the frequency of the internal excitation. The mechanical description of the robots is done using analytical and numerical methods and supported by experimental studies. The applicability of the results in mobile robots is proved by prototypes.On the basis of mechanical fundamentals, terrestrial and aquatic locomotion principles are discussed and classified. Actuators are reviewed. The purpose is to evaluate the performance as vibration sources for terrestrial and aquatic systems. Piezoelectric bending elements are particular suitable for it. An extensive overview on the state of the art shows the great potential of vibration-driven locomotion systems for miniaturised applications in technics.Systems with bristles can perform unidirectional terrestrial locomotion. Different working principles of bristles are studied based on a rigid body model and experimental investigations. A prototype for the locomotion in tubes is presented. To perform a controllable two-dimensional locomotion with only one actuator, it is needed to overcome the limits of rigid body systems. The applied approach uses the frequency-dependent vibration behaviour of elastic systems, like beams and plates. Models of continuum mechanics and finite element methods are used and supported by experiments. Based on the investigations, a programmable and remote controlled prototype is developed. The locomotion of it can be controlled on different surfaces by a change of the excitation frequency. The velocity of the prototype is up to 100 mm/s and it can support five times its own weight.Concluding, an innovative prototype with a single piezoelectric actuator for a controllable locomotion on flat ground and floating in fluids is developed. The terrestrial and aquatic locomotion behaviour of the robot is investigated. The carrying capacity of it is calculated using a hydrostatic model.Die Mechanik von mobilen Robotern für terrestrische und aquatische Lokomotion ist der Gegenstand der Arbeit. In den untersuchten Systemen wird die periodische Erregung eines inneren Antriebs durch nicht symmetrische Systemeigenschaften in eine gerichtete Fortbewegung gewandelt. Durch die Nutzung des frequenzabhängigen Schwingungsverhaltens von elastischen Systemen, wie Balken oder Platten, werden Systeme realisiert, die durch nur einen Antrieb eine steuerbare zweidimensionale Lokomotion auf festem Untergrund und an der Oberfläche von Flüssigkeiten durchführen können. Der Schwerpunkt der Arbeit liegt auf der mathematisch-mechanischen Beschreibung der Roboter mittels analytischer und numerischer Methoden sowie ihrer experimentellen Untersuchung. Prototypen mobiler Roboter dienen dem funktionellen Nachweis.Auch im Buchhandel erhältlich: Zur Mechanik vibrationsgetriebener Roboter für terrestrische und aquatische Lokomotion / Felix Becker Ilmenau : Univ.-Verl. Ilmenau, 2015. - XIX, 149 S. ISBN 978-3-86360-124-9 URN urn:nbn:de:gbv:ilm1-2015000338 Preis (Druckausgabe): 21,30