Control of a hybrid active-passive vibration isolation system

Precision vibration control is a major issue in nanotechnology. In particular, nano-precision measurement systems such as Atomic force microscopes (AFM) and Scanning probe microscopes (SPM) are sensitive to ground vibrations. The amplitude of a ground vibration is typically sub-micrometer and ground vibrations adversely affect both the precision and accuracy of these measuring equipment. Consequently, hybrid active-passive vibration isolation systems are typically used as they reduce ground vibrations. This paper presents a hybrid vibration isolation system composed of four spiral metal springs for passive isolation and eight voice coil motors for active isolation. H-infinite and Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers are applied to its 6-DOF vibration control system using six velocity sensors to measure system vibrations. The transmissibility of the presented hybrid isolation system is in the range -10 to -48 dB at its passive resonance frequency and is at least -4 dB better than hybrid isolation systems employing acceleration sensors. The results of various tests conducted to verify the control performance of the developed system with a separately developed shaker indicate that it can serve as a bench-top device for precision measurement machines.     

Effects of surface texturing on friction and vibration behaviors of sliding lubricated concentrated point contacts under linear reciprocating motion

Friction and vibration behaviors of lubricated concentrated point contacts with surface texturing have been experimentally investigated under reciprocating motions. Ground, lapped and textured lapped flat surfaces are tested against polished ball surfaces. Coefficient of friction, surface temperature, electrical resistance and vibrations at the lubricated contacts have been measured and analyzed. In the presence of surface texture, the coefficient of friction reduces by 30% in some of the cases. Surface temperature distributions on reciprocating tracks have also been measured and compared. Vibrations associated with lubricated point contacts formed between textured surfaces/balls reduce significantly at resonance frequency in comparison to polished surfaces/balls.     

Analysis of Natural Vibrations of Round Bimorph Piezoelectric Ceramic Plates of Arbitrary Dimensions. II. Rigidly Fixed Piezoelectric Plate

The problem of natural vibrations of a round bimorph rigidly fixed supported piezoelectric ceramic plate (piezoplate) of an arbitrary thickness with arbitrary axisymmetric electrodes is solved using the method of finite elements. The natural frequency spectra are analyzed in the resonance and antiresonance regimes. The displacement distributions over the piezoplate surfaces (vibration modes) are also analyzed and the dynamic electromechanical coupling coefficient (DCC) is investigated as a function of the relative plate thickness for various piezoelectric ceramic compositions. Round bimorph piezoplates with partial electrodes are considered; it is shown that the DCC can be significantly (by tens times) raised using partial electrodes. The results obtained make it possible to estimate the limits of applicability of the approximate one-dimensional theory and choose the optimum geometric dimensions of the plate and electrodes that ensure the maximum DCC.     

Analysis of Natural Vibrations of Round Bimorph Piezoelectric Ceramic Plates of Arbitrary Dimensions. I. Simply Supported Piezoelectric Plate

The problem of natural vibrations of a round bimorph simply supported piezoelectric ceramic plate (piezoplate) of an arbitrary thickness with arbitrary axisymmetric electrodes is solved in the exact formulation using the method of finite elements. The natural frequency spectra are analyzed in the resonance and antiresonance regimes. The displacement distribution over the piezoplate surfaces (vibration modes) is also analyzed and the dynamic electromechanical coupling coefficient (DCC) is investigated as a function of the relative plate thickness for various piezoelectric ceramic compositions. Round bimorph piezoplates with partial electrodes have been also considered. The results obtained make it possible to estimate the limits of applicability of an approximate one-dimensional theory and choose the optimum geometric dimensions of the plate and electrodes that ensure the maximum DCC.     

转子弯扭耦合振动非线性动力学特性研究

对Jeffcott转子的非线性弯扭耦合振动微分方程进行了理论分析，得出了在弯扭组合共振区内弯曲振动和扭转振动的频率特征，利用数值方法对转子系统在较宽的参数域内进行分岔研究，得出了弯扭组合共振为概周期运动的结论，求出了弯扭组合共振区与不平衡量之间的关系，分析结果为转子的安全运行和弯扭组合共振故障的判别提供了理论依据。     

Analysis of Natural Vibrations of Round Flexing Membrane-Type Piezoelectric Transducers with an Arbitrary Dimension Ratio

The problem of natural vibrations of a round exing membrane-type piezoelectric transducer (piezoelectric plate) with an arbitrary dimension ratio is solved in the exact formulation using the finite element method for two variants of fastening the membrane (simply supported and rigidly fixed plate). The natural frequency spectra are analyzed in the resonance and antiresonance regimes. The displacement distributions over the plate surfaces are also analyzed and the dependences of the dynamic electromechanical coupling coefficient are investigated as functions of the geometric dimensions of the piezoelectric transducer, the plate material, and the piezoelectric ceramic composition. The optimum geometric dimensions of the transducer which ensure the maximum dynamic electromechanical coupling coefficient are determined and the value of the coefficient is estimated.     

Elastic and Magnetoelastic Properties of an Iron–Carbon Powder Steel

The resonance frequency, internal friction, and emf of the double conversion are measured in samples of ZhGr steels of the variable density and carbon content by means of the resonance electromagnetic-acoustic conversion method. For the contactless excitation, the close correlation between the density (porosity) and the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations is obtained. It is shown that the magnetic state of the samples affects the internal friction. The dynamics of the field dependences of the emf is investigated with allowance for the internal friction in variation of the carbon content. This makes it possible to determine the optimum interval of the field for estimating this parameter.     

Application of Laser and Holographic Interferometry to Vibrational Investigations of Complex Three-Dimensional Constructions

Investigations of a pipeline of complex configuration made it possible to analyze the possibilities of laser and holographic interferometry methods in studies of strains of three-dimensional constructions under the effect of vibrational loads. The combined application of the holographic method of induced fringes, the method of recording the amplitude–frequency characteristics of object's vibrations using a laser interferometer, and the method of recording holographic interferograms averaged in time was considered. The most dangerous resonance frequencies and pipeline sections, in which its material is subjected to maximum stresses, were revealed.     

Effect of the parameters of a material on the surface displacements caused by waves propagating in a layer

The amplitude—frequency characteristics of the vibrations of the surface of a free elastic layer are determined. These vibrations are caused by propagating Lamb waves under the action of a normal surface load. The changes in the spectra of surface displacements and in the tangential-to-normal displacement-amplitude ratios during changes in the Poisson ratio are studied. Studying the spectrum of surface displacements of an elastic layer is of interest owing to the necessity of discriminating modal components of the wave field [1] and as one of possible methods for determining some of the parameters of a material. The ratio of the amplitudes of the horizontal and vertical displacements as a function of the frequency of a vibration source is sensitive to the Poisson ratio of the material and the conditions of the contact with the base. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of the surface displacements of an elastic isotropic layer are plotted and compared to those obtained in the case of a layer that is in contact with a rigid base.     

Method for nonlinear characterization of radio frequency coils made of high temperature superconducting material in view of magnetic resonance imaging applications

A contactless method based on reflectometry to accurately characterize an inductive radio frequency (rf) resonator even in the occurrence of a strong electrical nonlinearity is presented. Nonlinear extraction of the unloaded quality factor and resonance frequency is possible by combining an initial low-level swept-frequency calibration with high-level single-frequency measurements. The extraction protocol relies on a simple intrinsic R, L, C model and does not involve a fitting procedure according to a particular nonlinearity model. It includes a correction for strong coupling conditions between the probe and the rf coil, which allows extending the analysis over a wide range of transmitted power. Electrical modeling based on the extracted intrinsic data allows predicting the coil behavior when loaded by any kind of matching network. The method will have implications in different domains such as Magnetic Resonance (MR) applications with superconducting probe heads or analysis of rf properties in nonlinear materials. The method is demonstrated here by characterizing a high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil dedicated to MR imaging at 64 MHz. The coil consists in a multiturn spiral design that is self-resonant close to the MR frequency of interest. The Q factor and the resonance frequency are determined as a function of the actual power dissipated in the HTS coil accounting for losses occurring in the measurement system. Further characteristics of the HTS coil are considered in the present paper. The relation between the transmitted power and the magnetic field generated by the coil, which is the most relevant characteristics for MR applications, is directly accessible. The equivalent impedance of the coil under test is also expressed as a function of the total current flowing in the windings. The method could be extended to assess the fundamental properties of the nonlinear material (e.g., the London penetration depth or the critical current density) by including any pertinent model.     

Self-centering probes with parallel kinematics to verify machine-tools

In this paper, a new type of self-centering probe is presented to verify the performance of machine-tools in an efficient and rapid way using ball artifacts. A self-centering probe is placed in the spindle of the machine-tool and a ball artifact on the work table. The probe is moved to the calibrated center positions of the balls of the reference artifact. The probe touches these balls and, in a single measurement, it provides the X, Y, Z offset of the actual machine position from the desired (programmed) position. A non-conventional probe design has been chosen: three independently movable probe styli form a miniature coordinate measuring machine with parallel kinematics. The development process of two variants of such a self-centering probe is presented in this paper. The results obtained in laboratory tests show a repeatability of less than 0.5 μm and an error range of less than 2 μm throughout the large measurement range (2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm) of the probe.     

Eddy Current Sensing of Torque in Rotating Shafts

The noncontact torque sensing in machine shafts is addressed based on the stress induced in a press-fitted magnetoelastic sleeve on the shaft and eddy current sensing of the changes of electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability due to the presence of stress. The eddy current probe uses dual drive, dual sensing coils whose purpose is increased sensitivity to torque and decreased sensitivity to variations in distance between probe and shaft (liftoff). A mechanism of keeping the distance constant is also employed. Both the probe and the magnetoelastic sleeve are evaluated for performance using a standard eddy current instrument. An eddy current instrument is also used to drive the coils and analyze the torque data. The method and sensor described are general and adaptable to a variety of applications. The sensor is suitable for static and rotating shafts, is independent of shaft diameter and operational over a large range of torques. The torque sensor uses a differential eddy current measurement resulting in cancellation of common mode effects including temperature and vibrations.     

Automatic elimination of vibrations for a centrifuge

This paper presents a centrifuge with a system of automatic elimination of vibrations of the centrifuge that are generated by its unbalance. The rotor of the centrifuge spins around an axis with a fixed point. Two or more balls inside the ring which is fixed to the rotor can automatically eliminate its vibrations. The balls, also called free elements, would be able to change their positions inside a ring in such a way to compensate the dynamic forces. This paper presents equations that define the behavior of the system and also the diagrams that present the vibration of the rotor and the behavior of the balls when the unbalance is present. This paper explains the final positions that the balls occupy and when they are dynamically stable.     

A hot-wire probe for thermal measurements of nanowires and nanotubes inside a transmission electron microscope

A hot wire probe has been developed for use inside a transmission electron microscope to measure the thermal resistance of individual nanowires, nanotubes, and their contacts. No microfabrication is involved. The probe is made from a platinum Wollaston wire and is pretensioned to minimize the effects of thermal expansion, intrinsic thermal vibrations, and Lorentz forces. An in situ nanomanipulator is used to select a particular nanowire or nanotube for measurement, and contacts are made with liquid metal droplets or by electron-beam induced deposition. Detailed thermal analysis shows that for best sensitivity, the thermal resistance of the hot-wire probe should be four times that of the sample, but a mismatch of more than two orders of magnitude may be acceptable. Data analysis using the ratio of two ac signals reduces the experimental uncertainty. The range of detectable sample thermal resistances spans from approximately 10(3) to 10(9) KW. The probe can also be adapted for measurements of the electrical conductance and Seebeck coefficient of the same sample. The probe was used to study a multiwalled carbon nanotube with liquid Ga contacts. The measured thermal resistance of 3.3 x 10(7) KW had a noise level of approximately +/-3% and was repeatable to within +/-10% upon breaking and re-making the contact.     

An envelope analysis based on the resonance modes of the mechanical system for the bearing defect diagnosis

In this paper, an envelope estimation algorithm based on the resonance modes of the mechanical system is proposed and the exponential decay frequency of the envelope signal could be further estimated to be a quantified index for the bearing defect diagnosis. According to the vibration spectrum of the bearing system, the resonance frequencies in the range of its corresponding resonance modes could be initially designated and further revised. Under the assumption of stepwise functions for the envelope signals, the vibration signal could be decomposed into the sinusoidal function bases with fundamental frequencies at the corresponding resonance frequencies. Thus, the envelope signals could be retrieved by estimating the stepwise functions. In addition, the reconstructed signal with noise rejection could be derived from the envelope signals. According to the envelope signals, the exponential decay frequency is estimated to be the diagnosis index of the bearing running condition. In the simulated and experimental studies, it is found that the envelope estimation algorithm could be effectively applied in the signal processing for the bearing vibrations. In addition, the envelope spectra also show good consistency between the proposed method and the high-frequency resonance technique. Finally, it is shown that the exponential decay frequency could successfully be the quantified index for the bearing defect diagnosis.     

Resonance sensors for measuring dielectric spectra of liquid crystals in a wide frequency range

Designs of resonance sensors covering a wide frequency range of 1–10⁴ MHz and intended for measuring the dispersion of the permittivity of liquid crystals are proposed. Using an example of a 4-methoxybenzyliden-4′-buthylanilin (MMBA) liquid crystal, it is shown that these sensors are characterized by a high sensitivity and allow measurements of temperature and field dependences of dielectric spectra of samples with volumes of ～1 mm³. The behavior of dispersion of the MMBA permittivity observed experimentally is described by the Debye equation with a continuous spectrum of relaxation times within a certain range. A numerical method is proposed that allows reconstruction of the relaxation-time distribution function from the measured spectra of the real component of the permittivity. This distribution function represents the features of both the motion of molecules and the processes of intramolecular vibrations of movable fragments.     

Dual resonance excitation system for the contact mode of atomic force microscopy

We propose an improved system that enables simultaneous excitation and measurements of at least two resonance frequency spectra of a vibrating atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever. With the dual resonance excitation system it is not only possible to excite the cantilever vibrations in different frequency ranges but also to control the excitation amplitude for the individual modes. This system can be used to excite the resonance frequencies of a cantilever that is either free of the tip-sample interactions or engaged in contact with the sample surface. The atomic force acoustic microscopy and principally similar methods utilize resonance frequencies of the AFM cantilever vibrating while in contact with the sample surface to determine its local elastic modulus. As such calculation demands values of at least two resonance frequencies, two or three subsequent measurements of the contact resonance spectra are necessary. Our approach shortens the measurement time by a factor of two and limits the influence of the AFM tip wear on the values of the tip-sample contact stiffness. In addition, it allows for in situ observation of processes transpiring within the AFM tip or the sample during non-elastic interaction, such as tip fracture.     

Electron cyclotron resonance ion source plasma chamber studies using a network analyzer as a loaded cavity probe

A method and first results utilizing a network analyzer as a loaded cavity probe to study the resonance properties of a plasma filled electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) plasma chamber are presented. The loaded cavity measurements have been performed using a dual port technique, in which two separate waveguides were used simultaneously. One port was used to ignite and sustain the plasma with a microwave source operating around 11 GHz and the other was used to probe the cavity properties with the network analyzer using a frequency range around 14 GHz. The first results obtained with the JYFL 14 GHz ECRIS demonstrate that the presence of plasma has significant effects on the resonance properties of the cavity. With plasma the frequency dependent behavior is strongly damped and this trend strengthens with increasing microwave power.     

Contact of a Finger on Rigid Surfaces and Textiles: Friction Coefficient and Induced Vibrations

The tactile information about object surfaces is obtained through perceived contact stresses and friction-induced vibrations generated by the relative motion between the fingertip and the touched object. The friction forces affect the skin stress-state distribution during surface scanning, while the sliding contact generates vibrations that propagate in the finger skin activating the receptors (mechanoreceptors) and allowing the brain to identify objects and perceive information about their properties. In this article, the friction coefficient between a real human finger and both rigid surfaces and fabrics is retrieved as a function of the contact parameters (load and scanning speed). Then, the analysis of the vibration spectra is carried out to investigate the features of the induced vibrations, measured on the fingernail, as a function of surface textures and contact parameters. While the friction coefficient measurements on rigid surfaces agree with empirical laws found in literature, the behaviour of the friction coefficient when touching a fabric is more complex, and is mainly the function of the textile constructional properties. Results show that frequency spectrum distribution, when touching a rigid surface, is mainly determined by the relative geometry of the two contact surfaces and by the contact parameters. On the contrary, when scanning a fabric, the structure and the deformation of the textile itself largely affect the spectrum of the induced vibration. Finally, some major features of the measured vibrations (frequency distribution and amplitude) are found to be representative of tactile perception compared to psychophysical and neurophysiologic works in literature.