3D Geometric Analysis of Tubular Objects based on Surface Normal Accumulation

This paper proposes a simple and efficient method for the reconstruction and extraction of geometric parameters from 3D tubular objects. Our method constructs an image that accumulates surface normal information, then peaks within this image are located by tracking. Finally, the positions of these are optimized to lie precisely on the tubular shape centerline. This method is very versatile, and is able to process various input data types like full or partial mesh acquired from 3D laser scans, 3D height map or discrete volumetric images. The proposed algorithm is simple to implement, contains few parameters and can be computed in linear time with respect to the number of surface faces. Since the extracted tube centerline is accurate, we are able to decompose the tube into rectilinear parts and torus-like parts. This is done with a new linear time 3D torus detection algorithm, which follows the same principle of a previous work on 2D arc circle recognition. Detailed experiments show the versatility, accuracy and robustness of our new method.Comment: in 18th International Conference on Image Analysis and Processing, Sep 2015, Genova, Italy. 201

Evolutionary techniques for sensor networks energy optimization in marine environmental monitoring

The sustainable management of coastal and offshore ecosystems, such as for example coral reef environments, requires the collection of accurate data across various temporal and spatial scales. Accordingly, monitoring systems are seen as central tools for ecosystem-based environmental management, helping on one hand to accurately describe the water column and substrate biophysical properties, and on the other hand to correctly steer sustainability policies by providing timely and useful information to decision-makers. A robust and intelligent sensor network that can adjust and be adapted to different and changing environmental or management demands would revolutionize our capacity to wove accurately model, predict, and manage human impacts on our coastal, marine, and other similar environments. In this paper advanced evolutionary techniques are applied to optimize the design of an innovative energy harvesting device for marine applications. The authors implement an enhanced technique in order to exploit in the most effective way the uniqueness and peculiarities of two classical optimization approaches, Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithms. Here, this hybrid procedure is applied to a power buoy designed for marine environmental monitoring applications in order to optimize the recovered energy from sea-wave, by selecting the optimal device configuration

On tracking control problem for polysolenoid motor model predictive approach

The Polysolenoid Linear Motor (PLM) have been playing a crucial role in many industrial aspects due to its functions, in which a straight motion is provided directly without mediate mechanical actuators. Recently, with several commons on mathematic model, some control methods for PLM based on Rotational Motor have been applied, but position, velocity and current constraints which are important in real systems have been ignored. In this paper, position tracking control problem for PLM was considered under state-independent disturbances via min-max model predictive control. The proposed controller forces tracking position errors converge to small region of origin and satisfies state including position, velocity and currents constraints. Further, a numerical simulation was implemented to validate the performance of the proposed controller

Analysis and testing of internal combustion engine driven linear alternator

Introduction. Internal combustion engine technology has been considered for the alternator system in the last two decades. Especially when considering fuel diversity, reliability, portability, power density, research studies are increasing day by day. In this respect, interest has been focused on linear generator studies. Purpose. The goal of the research is to investigate the performance of a linear generator and its application to generate electrical energy from an internal combustion engine to solve the range problem of small electric powered vehicles. The generator, unlike a traditional generator, consists of a linear generator with a crank mechanism driven by an internal combustion engine. Originality. The configuration of the linear generator with internal combustion engine crank has not previously been reported. Methods. The numerical solution of the generator was carried out by the finite element method in the Ansys Maxwell software in a cylindrical coordinate system. The effect of stroke length and frequency on voltage and output power was investigated by monitoring an external electrical load. A prototype linear generator has been designed and produced considering the sizing dimensions. The configuration can be used in power-hungry applications and increase the range of small electric vehicles. Results. The results from simulation and practice are largely in agreement. Practical value. A practical mechanical system was built comprising a linear generator connected to a 2.2 kW internal combustion engine via a crank connecting rod for analysis.Вступ. Останні два десятиліття розглядалася техніка двигуна внутрішнього згоряння для системи генератора змінного струму. Особливо з урахуванням різноманітності видів палива, надійності, портативності, питомої потужності кількість досліджень зростає з кожним днем. У зв’язку з цим інтерес був зосереджений на дослідженнях лінійних генераторів. Мета. Метою дослідження є аналіз продуктивності лінійного генератора та його застосування для вироблення електроенергії від двигуна внутрішнього згоряння для вирішення проблеми запасу ходу малих електромобілів. Генератор, на відміну від традиційного, складається з лінійного генератора з кривошипно-шатунним механізмом, що рухається двигуном внутрішнього згоряння. Оригінальність. Про конфігурацію лінійного генератора з кривошипом двигуна внутрішнього згоряння раніше не повідомлялося. Методи. Чисельне рішення генератора проводилося методом скінченних елементів у програмі Ansys Maxwell в циліндричної системі координат. Вплив довжини та частоти ходу на напругу та вихідну потужність досліджували шляхом моніторингу зовнішнього електричного навантаження. З урахуванням габаритних розмірів розроблено та виготовлено прототип лінійного генератора. Конфігурація може використовуватися в енергоємних застосуваннях і збільшувати запас ходу невеликих електромобілів. Результати. Результати моделювання та з практики переважно збігаються. Практична цінність. Для аналізу було побудовано практичну механічну систему, що складається з лінійного генератора, з’єднаного з двигуном внутрішнього згоряння потужністю 2,2 кВт через шатун кривошипу

Analysis and design of a slotless tubular permanent magnet actuator for high acceleration applications

This paper presents the design of a linear actuator for high acceleration applications. In the analysis, a slotless tubular permanent magnet actuator is modeled by means of semianalytical field solutions. Several slotless topologies are modeled and compared to achieve the highest acceleration. A design has been proposed and built, and measurements are conducted to verify the model

Mechanical and analytical screening of braided composites for transport fuselage applications

The mechanics of materials progress in support of the goal of understanding the application of braided composites in a transport aircraft fuselage are summarized. Composites consisting of both 2-D and 3-D braid patterns are investigated. Both consolidation of commingled graphite/PEEK and resin transfer molding of graphite-epoxy braided composite processes are studied. Mechanical tests were used to examine unnotched tension, open hole tension, compression, compression after impact, in-plane shear, out-of-plane tension, bearing, and crippling. Analytical methods are also developed and applied to predict the stiffness and strengths of test specimens. A preliminary study using the test data and analytical results is performed to assess the applicability of braided composites to a commercial aircraft fuselage

Solar energy bibliography

Listings are provided of technical briefs, reports, and papers pertaining to research being performed in the field of solar energy