Modeling and control of discrete event systems using finite state machines with variables and their applications in power grids

Control theories for discrete event systems modeled as finite state machines have been well developed to address various fundamental control issues. However, finite state machine model has long suffered from the problem of state explosion that renders it unsuitable for some practical applications. In an attempt to mitigate the state explosion problem, we propose an efficient representation that appends finite sets of variables to finite state machines in modeling discrete event systems. We also present the control synthesis techniques for such finite state machines with variables (FSMwV). We first present our notion and means of control under this representation. We next present our algorithms for both offline and online synthesis of safety control policies. We then apply these results to the control of electric power grids.     

Passive ZBO storage of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen applied to space science mission concepts

Liquid hydrogen and oxygen cryogenic propulsion and storage were recently considered for application to Titan Explorer and Comet Nuclear Sample Return space science mission investigations. These missions would require up to 11 years of cryogenic storage. We modeled and designed cryogenic propellant storage concepts for these missions. By isolating the propellant tank’s view to deep space, we were able to achieve zero boil-off for both liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellant storage without cryocoolers. Several shades were incorporated to protect the tanks from the sun and spacecraft bus, and to protect the hydrogen tank from the warmer oxygen tank. This had a dramatic effect on the surface temperatures of the propellant tank insulation. These passive storage concepts for deep space missions substantially improved this application of cryogenic propulsion. It is projected that for missions requiring larger propellant tank sizes, the results would be even more dramatic.     

Tracking control for magnetic-suspension systems with online unknown mass identification

This paper proposes a new nonlinear tracking control scheme with simultaneous unknown mass identification for magnetic suspension systems. Specifically, an amplitude-saturated adaptive control law is developed to achieve stable tracking and accurately estimate the unknown suspended mass simultaneously. The stability is assured with rigorous Lyapunov-based analysis. As far as we know, this is the first continuous control method for magnetic suspension systems with unknown levitated ball mass and actuator saturation, yielding an asymptotic result to achieve simultaneous tracking control and mass identification. Through hardware experiments, we verify the performance of the proposed method and compare it with existing methods.     

Measurement of the neutral plane of an internal fire whirl using the background-oriented Schlieren technique for a vertical shaft model of a high-rise building

Since the height of the neutral plane is related to the direction of the high-temperature smoke and airflow diffusion of fires in high-rise buildings, the identification of the neutral plane is important for both the evacuation of residents and the safety of fire fighters. As yet, there are no effective methods for directly measuring the constantly changing neutral plane position. There are complex internal fire whirl phenomena in the inner space in particular cases. In this study, the background-oriented Schlieren (BOS) technique was used to visualize the neutral plane when a fire whirl occurs in a vertical shaft with a single corner gap. With n-propanol used as the fuel, the scale modeling experiments of fuel trays 5.8 cm and 7 cm in diameter were tested in a 34 cm (W) × 35 cm (L) × 145 cm (H) model for open and covered roof types. It is observed in the experimental process that the height of the neutral plane changes dynamically as the fire whirl is formed. The thermocouples were used to measure the temperature variation at different heights of openings to validate the measurement accuracy of the BOS technique. It is found that once a fire whirl occurs in the inner space of a high-rise building, the height of the neutral plane increases instantly. The experimental results demonstrate that the BOS technique can measure the neutral plane position of a large-scale model of a high-rise building fire scene directly, immediately and accurately.     

Lifetime estimation for IGBT modules in wind turbine power converter system considering ambient temperature

Power semiconductors in the wind turbine power converter system suffer from two-scale thermal loadings, the fundamental frequency thermal cycling caused by the output frequency of converter and the low frequency thermal cycling due to the variation of long-term wind speed. These two-scale thermal loadings introduce different consumed lifetimes. Accurate lifetime estimation in the wind power application is desired for reliability prediction and health management. This paper adopts the Bayerer lifetime model to evaluate the consumed lifetime of power semiconductors in wind power converter systems based on a numerical junction temperature calculation method. Lifetime estimation can be improved by taking into account the ambient temperature. Studies show that fluctuations of the ambient temperature increase the consumed lifetime due to the low frequency thermal cycling, but have little effect on the consumed lifetime due to the fundamental frequency thermal cycling. Our results also show that the consumed lifetime due to fundamental frequency thermal cycling mainly falls on the high wind speed area, whereas the consumed lifetime due to low frequency thermal cycling is clustered in the area due to large low frequency junction temperature fluctuations. The resulting distribution characteristics can be used in the thermal management for reliability improvement.     

Simulation and software design of continuous flexible roll bending process for three dimensional surface parts

Continuous flexible roll bending process, due to its advantages of flexibility and continuous roll forming, exhibits a great ability to manufacture three dimensional surface parts effectively. To obtain a final part with desired shape and eliminate the need to depend on the experiences and skills of the operator, the longitudinal and transverse mathematical models were presented for predicting the curvatures in sheet metal forming process. A software system, which was guided with the automation and precision producing concepts, was designed based on the mathematical models for controlling the continuous flexible roll bending process. The algorithms of the mathematical models were verified by comparisons of the desired and the numerical simulation results. An application experiment for saddle surface part was performed using the developed software. Compare the experiment result with the target shape, it shows that the software system is reliable.     

Mechanics and dynamics of thread milling process

This paper presents the mechanics and dynamics of thread milling operations. The tool follows a helical path around the wall of the pre-machined hole in thread milling, which has varying tool-part engagement and cut area during one threading cycle. The variation of cut area that reflects the kinematics of threading as well as structural vibrations is modeled along the helical, threading path. The mechanics of the process are first experimentally proven, followed by the formulation of dynamic thread milling which is periodic in threading cycle, in a semi-discrete time domain. The stability of the operation is predicted as a function of spindle speed, axial depth of cut, cutter path and tool geometry. The mechanics and stability models are experimentally proven in opening M16×2 threads with a five-fluted helical tool on a Steel AISI1045 workpiece.     

Evaluation of gluing of CFRP onto concrete structures by infrared thermography coupled with thermal impedance

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) have been increasingly employed for structural strengthening, and are attached to structures using bonding adhesives. The aim of this work is to characterize defects in the bond between CFRP and concrete (after they are located by pulse infrared thermography), and assign the defects a “numerical value” (ranging from 0 for a complete air–gap to 1 for a fully glued bond). Quantitative characterization is performed by measuring the thermal impedance, and then identifying the thermophysical parameters of the system through fitting the measured impedance to a theoretical model. An inversion procedure is carried out to estimate the unknown parameters, without prior knowledge of sample properties. In particular, it is possible to estimate more accurately both the amount of glue within a defect and the thermal contact resistance.     

Mechanism of mid-spatial-frequency waviness removal by viscoelastic polishing tool

Nanoscale roughness with ultra-precise form control can be readily achieved using compliant finishing methods such as bonnet polishing. However, their weak point lies in the difficulty of removing mid-spatial-frequency (MSF) waviness in the typical range from 0.1 to 5.0 mm wavelength. To overcome this shortcoming, a bonnet tool filled with viscoelastic fluid is developed and a comprehensive model is established to disclose its distinct removal behavior in the MSF range. The model considers tool viscoelasticity, stress distribution and workpiece topography. Experiments show high consistency with theoretical predictions, and show that MSF waviness can be effectively reduced using the proposed method.