Isogeometric Analysis and Harmonic Stator-Rotor Coupling for Simulating Electric Machines

This work proposes Isogeometric Analysis as an alternative to classical finite elements for simulating electric machines. Through the spline-based Isogeometric discretization it is possible to parametrize the circular arcs exactly, thereby avoiding any geometrical error in the representation of the air gap where a high accuracy is mandatory. To increase the generality of the method, and to allow rotation, the rotor and the stator computational domains are constructed independently as multipatch entities. The two subdomains are then coupled using harmonic basis functions at the interface which gives rise to a saddle-point problem. The properties of Isogeometric Analysis combined with harmonic stator-rotor coupling are presented. The results and performance of the new approach are compared to the ones for a classical finite element method using a permanent magnet synchronous machine as an example

The early development of infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder : characteristics of sibling interactions

Although sibling interactions play an important role in children's early development, they are rarely studied in very young children with an older brother or sister with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used a naturalistic, observational method to compare interactions between 18-month-old infants and their older sibling with ASD (n = 22) with a control group of 18-month-old infants and their typically developing (TD) older sibling (n = 29). In addition, role (a)symmetry and the influence of gender were evaluated. Sibling interactions in ASD-dyads were characterized by higher levels of negativity. Although somewhat less pronounced in ASD-dyads, role asymmetry was present in both groups, with the older child taking the dominant position. Finally, siblings pairs with an older sister were characterized by more positive behaviours. Since differences in sibling interactions may alter the developmental trajectories of both siblings, these early relationships should be taken into account in future ASD research and interventions

Language growth in very young siblings at risk for autism spectrum disorder

Background Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show substantial variability in their language development. Language problems are highly prevalent in these children. In addition, the quality of early language abilities contributes to the overall development of these children and is highly predictive of their adult outcome. Yet, little is known about language development in children at risk of ASD during the first years of life. Aims To compare early receptive language (RL) and expressive language (EL) development in children at risk of ASD and determine predictors of language development. Methods & Procedures Developmental trajectories of RL and EL were investigated from 10 to 36 months of age in younger siblings of typically developing children (LR-sibs, N = 30) and in younger siblings of children with ASD (HR-sibs, N = 31) using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Furthermore, both child and demographic characteristics were examined as possible predictors of language development. Outcomes & Results Both groups showed similar growth curves for RL and EL and the majority of the children showed average (within +/- 1.5 SD of the mean) or above-average language abilities. Nevertheless, the mean growth of EL was lower and the variation in growth of both RL and EL was higher in HR-sibs than in LR-sibs. Furthermore, early child characteristics were predictive of language development in both groups. Yet, some child characteristics seemed to be of more importance in HR-sibs than in LR-sibs. Consequently, lower non-verbal abilities at 10 months in both groups and a higher degree of ASD characteristics at 14 months in HR-sibs may be indicative of difficulties in language development. Conclusions & Implications HR-sibs show more variation in their language development than LR-sibs during the first 3 years of life. The majority of HR-sibs, however, did not present with below-average language abilities. Yet, early characteristics of ASD may be a red flag for difficulties in the language development of HR-sibs

A multilevel Monte Carlo method for high-dimensional uncertainty quantification of low-frequency electromagnetic devices

This work addresses uncertainty quantification of electromagnetic devices determined by the eddy current problem. The multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) method is used for the treatment of uncertain parameters while the devices are discretized in space by the finite element method. Both methods yield numerical approximations such that the total errors is split into stochastic and spatial contributions. We propose a particular implementation where the spatial error is controlled based on a Richardson-extrapolation-based error indicator. The stochastic error in turn is efficiently reduced in the MLMC approach by distributing the samples on multiple grids. The method is applied to a toy problem with closed-form solution and a permanent magnet synchronous machine with uncertainties. The uncertainties under consideration are related to the material properties in the stator and the magnets in the rotor. The examples show that the error indicator works reliably, the meshes used for the different levels do not have to be nested and, most importantly, MLMC reduces the computational cost by at least one order of magnitude compared to standard Monte Carlo

Simulation and Robust Optimization for Electric Devices with Uncertainties

This dissertation deals with modeling, simulation and optimization of low-frequency electromagnetic devices and quantification of the impact of uncertainties on these devices. The emphasis of these methods is on their application for electric machines. A Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) is simulated using Iso-Geometric Analysis (IGA). An efficient modeling procedure has been established by incorporating a harmonic stator-rotor coupling. The procedure is found to be stable. Furthermore, it is found that there is strong reduction in computational time with respect to a classical monolithic finite element method. The properties of the ingredients of IGA, i.e. B-splines and Non-Uniform B-Splines, are exploited to conduct a shape optimization for the example of a Stern-Gerlach magnet. It is shown that the IGA framework is a reliable and promising tool for simulating and optimizing electric devices. Different formulations for robust optimization are recalled. The formulations are tested for the optimization of the size of the permanent magnet in a PMSM. It is shown that under the application of linearization the deterministic and the stochastic formulation are equivalent. An efficient deterministic optimization algorithm is constructed by the implementation of an affine decomposition. It is shown that the deterministic algorithm outperforms the widely used stochastic algorithms for this application. Finally, different models to incorporate uncertainties in the simulation of PMSMs are developed. They incorporate different types of rotor eccentricity, uncertainties in the permanent magnets (geometric and material related) and uncertainties that are introduced by the welding processes during the manufacturing. Their influences are studied using stochastic collocation and using the classical Monte Carlo method. Furthermore, the Multilevel Monte Carlo approach is combined with error estimation and applied to determine high dimensional uncertainties in a PMSM

La campagne arabe : notes marginales

The campaign conducted by the Congo Free State from 1892-1895 against the 'Arabs', who dominated the western part of its territory, had important consequences. Now, at the centenary of the beginning of this campaign, it is time to shed light on two relevant historical sources of this campaign.The first is a beautiful cup with Arab inscriptions and decorations, no doubt taken as booty after the Sefu defeat at the battle of Chige, the first of the campaign (23 November 1892).The second source, this time written, is a letter from Captain Scheerlinck, sent from Lusambo, on November 3rd 1893, to a certain 'Henri'. As the author has not identified the addressee, this article will attempt to do so. The article will also try to decipher an 'illegible' passage in the letter and to clarify the reference to an American 'Factorien' in the letter

Uncertainty Quantification For A Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine With Dynamic Rotor Eccentricity

The influence of dynamic eccentricity on the harmonic spectrum of the torque of a permanent magnet synchronous machine is studied. The spectrum is calculated by an energy balance method. Uncertainty quantification is applied by using generalized Polynomial Chaos and Monte Carlo. It is found that the displacement of the rotor impacts the spectrum of the torque the most