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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Efficient Incorporation Of Fatigue Damage Constraints In Wind Turbine Blade Optimization, Bryce Taylor Ingersoll
Efficient Incorporation Of Fatigue Damage Constraints In Wind Turbine Blade Optimization, Bryce Taylor Ingersoll
Theses and Dissertations
Improving the wind turbine blade design has a significant effect on the efficiency of the wind turbine. This is a challenging multi-disciplinary optimization problem. During the blade design process, the aerodynamic shapes, sizing of the structural members, and material composition must all be determined and optimized. Some previous blade design methods incorporate the wind turbine's static response with an added safety factor to account for neglected dynamic effects. Others incorporate the dynamic response, but in general is limited to a few design cases. By not fully incorporating the dynamic response of the wind turbine, the final turbine blade design is …
Gekko Optimization Suite, Logan Beal, Daniel Hill, Ronald Abraham Martin, John Hedengren
Gekko Optimization Suite, Logan Beal, Daniel Hill, Ronald Abraham Martin, John Hedengren
Faculty Publications
This paper introduces GEKKO as an optimization suite for Python. GEKKO specializes in dynamic optimization problems for mixed-integer, nonlinear, and differential algebraic equations (DAE) problems. By blending the approaches of typical algebraic modeling languages (AML) and optimal control packages, GEKKO greatly facilitates the development and application of tools such as nonlinear model predicative control (NMPC), real-time optimization (RTO), moving horizon estimation (MHE), and dynamic simulation. GEKKO is an object-oriented Python library that offers model construction, analysis tools, and visualization of simulation and optimization. In a single package, GEKKO provides model reduction, an object-oriented library for data reconciliation/model predictive control, and …
Design And Analysis Of Compressed Air Power Harvesting Systems, Zachary James Sadler
Design And Analysis Of Compressed Air Power Harvesting Systems, Zachary James Sadler
Theses and Dissertations
Procedure for site discovery, system design, and optimization of power harvesting systems is developed with an emphasis on application to air compressors. Limitations for the usage of infrared pyrometers is evaluated. A system of governing equations for thermoelectric generators is developed. A solution method for solving the system of equations is created in order to predict power output from the device. Payback analysis is proposed for determining economic viability. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize the power harvesting system payback with changing quantities and varieties of thermoelectric generators, as well as the back work put into cooling the thermoelectric …
Design And Analysis Of Compressed Air Power Harvesting Systems, Zachary James Sadler
Design And Analysis Of Compressed Air Power Harvesting Systems, Zachary James Sadler
Theses and Dissertations
Procedure for site discovery, system design, and optimization of power harvesting systems is developed with an emphasis on application to air compressors. Limitations for the usage of infrared pyrometers is evaluated. A system of governing equations for thermoelectric generators is developed. A solution method for solving the system of equations is created in order to predict power output from the device. Payback analysis is proposed for determining economic viability. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize the power harvesting system payback with changing quantities and varieties of thermoelectric generators, as well as the back work put into cooling the thermoelectric …
Improving The Floris Wind Plant Model For Compatibility With Gradient-Based Optimization, Jared Thomas, Pieter Gebraad, Andrew Ning
Improving The Floris Wind Plant Model For Compatibility With Gradient-Based Optimization, Jared Thomas, Pieter Gebraad, Andrew Ning
Faculty Publications
The FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady-state (FLORIS) model, a parametric wind turbine wake model that predicts steady state wake characteristics based on wind turbine position and yaw angle, was developed for optimization of control settings and turbine locations. This paper provides details on the recent changes made to the FLORIS model to make the model more suitable for gradient-based optimization. Changes to the FLORIS model were made to remove discontinuities and add curvature to regions of non-physical zero gradient. Exact gradients for the FLORIS model were obtained using algorithmic differentiation. A set of three case studies demonstrate that using …
Optimization Under Uncertainty For Wake Steering Strategies, Julian Quick, Jennifer Annoni, Ryan King, Katherine Dykes, Paul Fleming, Andrew Ning
Optimization Under Uncertainty For Wake Steering Strategies, Julian Quick, Jennifer Annoni, Ryan King, Katherine Dykes, Paul Fleming, Andrew Ning
Faculty Publications
Wind turbines in a wind power plant experience significant power losses because of aerodynamic interactions between turbines. One control strategy to reduce these losses is known as 'wake steering,' in which upstream turbines are yawed to direct wakes away from downstream turbines. Previous wake steering research has assumed perfect information, however, there can be significant uncertainty in many aspects of the problem, including wind inflow and various turbine measurements. Uncertainty has significant implications for performance of wake steering strategies. Consequently, the authors formulate and solve an optimization under uncertainty (OUU) problem for finding optimal wake steering strategies in the presence …
Polynomial Chaos For The Computation Of Annual Energy Production In Wind Farm Layout Optimization, Santiago Padrón, Andrew P.J. Stanley, Jared Thomas, Juan Alonso, Andrew Ning
Polynomial Chaos For The Computation Of Annual Energy Production In Wind Farm Layout Optimization, Santiago Padrón, Andrew P.J. Stanley, Jared Thomas, Juan Alonso, Andrew Ning
Faculty Publications
Careful management of wake interference is essential to further improve Annual Energy Production (AEP) of wind farms. Wake effects can be minimized through optimization of turbine layout, wind farm control, and turbine design. Realistic wind farm optimization is challenging because it has numerous design degrees of freedom and must account for the stochastic nature of wind. In this paper we provide a framework for calculating AEP for any relevant uncertain (stochastic) variable of interest. We use Polynomial Chaos (PC) to efficiently quantify the effect of the stochastic variables—wind direction and wind speed—on the statistical outputs of interest (AEP) for wind …
Dynamic Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Processing With Energy Storage Applications, Farhad Fazlollahi
Dynamic Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Processing With Energy Storage Applications, Farhad Fazlollahi
Theses and Dissertations
The cryogenic carbon capture™ (CCC) process provides energy- and cost-efficient carbon capture and can be configured to provide an energy storage system using an open-loop natural gas (NG) refrigeration system, which is called energy storing cryogenic carbon capture (CCC-ES™). This investigation focuses on the transient operation and especially on the dynamic response of this energy storage system and explores its efficiency, effectiveness, design, and operation. This investigation included four tasks.The first task explores the steady-state design of four different natural gas liquefaction processes simulated by Aspen HYSYS. These processes differ from traditional LNG process in that the CCC process vaporizes …
An Automated Method For Optimizing Compressor Blade Tuning, Kurt Berlin Hinkle
An Automated Method For Optimizing Compressor Blade Tuning, Kurt Berlin Hinkle
Theses and Dissertations
Because blades in jet engine compressors are subject to dynamic loads based on the engine's speed, it is essential that the blades are properly "tuned" to avoid resonance at those frequencies to ensure safe operation of the engine. The tuning process can be time consuming for designers because there are many parameters controlling the geometry of the blade and, therefore, its resonance frequencies. Humans cannot easily optimize design spaces consisting of multiple variables, but optimization algorithms can effectively optimize a design space with any number of design variables. Automated blade tuning can reduce design time while increasing the fidelity and …
Comparison Of Two Wake Models For Use In Gradient-Based Wind Farm Layout Optimization, Jared Thomas, Eric Tingey, Andrew Ning
Comparison Of Two Wake Models For Use In Gradient-Based Wind Farm Layout Optimization, Jared Thomas, Eric Tingey, Andrew Ning
Faculty Publications
Wind farm layout has a significant impact on the productivity of a wind farm. To ensure that the turbines are placed in the most advantageous arrangement, optimization algorithms are often used during the layout design process. Depending on the wake model used for the optimization, optimizing the layout can be time intensive or potentially inaccurate. In this paper we present a comparison of optimization results using two simple wake models, the FLORIS model and the Jensen model. Results highlight some of the key similarities and differences of layout optimization results when different wake models are used.
Active Control Of The Human Voice From A Sphere, Monty J. Anderson
Active Control Of The Human Voice From A Sphere, Monty J. Anderson
Theses and Dissertations
This work investigates the application of active noise control (ANC) to speech. ANC has had success reducing tonal noise. In this work, that success was extended to noise that is not completely tonal but has some tonal elements such as speech. Limitations such as causality were established on the active control of human speech. An optimal configuration for control actuators was developed for a sphere using a genetic algorithm. The optimal error sensor location was found from exploring the nulls associated with the magnitude of the radiated pressure with reference to the primary pressure field. Both numerically predicted and experimentally …
A Multi-Objective Optimization Method For Maximizing The Value Of System Evolvability Under Uncertainty, Jason Daniel Watson
A Multi-Objective Optimization Method For Maximizing The Value Of System Evolvability Under Uncertainty, Jason Daniel Watson
Theses and Dissertations
System evolvability is vital to the longevity of large-scale complex engineered systems. The need for evolvability in complex systems is a result of their long service lives, rapid advances to their integrated technologies, unforeseen operating conditions, and emerging system requirements. In recent years, quantifiable metrics have been introduced for measuring the evolvability of complex systems based on the amount of excess capability in the system. These metrics have opened opportunities for optimization of systems with evolvability as an objective. However, there are several aspects of such an optimization that require further consideration. For example, there is a trade-off between the …
Optimized Photogrammetric Network Design With Flight Path Planner For Uav-Based Terrain Surveillance, Ivan Yair Rojas
Optimized Photogrammetric Network Design With Flight Path Planner For Uav-Based Terrain Surveillance, Ivan Yair Rojas
Theses and Dissertations
This work demonstrates the use of genetic algorithms as a stochastic optimization technique for developing a camera network design and the flight path for photogrammetricapplications using Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. This study develops a Virtual Optimizer for Aerial Routes (VOAR) as a new photogrammetric mapping tool for acquisition of images to be used in 3D reconstruction. 3D point cloud models provide detailed information on infrastructure from places where human access may be difficult. This algorithm allows optimized flight paths to monitor infrastructure using GPS coordinates and optimized camera poses ensuring that the set of images captured is improved for 3D …
Articulated Spine For A Robot To Assist Children With Autism, Brandon M. Norton
Articulated Spine For A Robot To Assist Children With Autism, Brandon M. Norton
Theses and Dissertations
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1.5 million individuals in the US alone. The consequences of ASD affect families, caregivers, and social structures. This thesis adds to a growing group of people performing research on mitigating the effects of autism through robotics. Children with ASD tend to interact with robots more easily than with other humans. The goal of robotic therapy is not to help children interact with robots, but to generalize the behavior to humans. An articulated spine is a key to human emotional expression through shaping, weight shifting, and flow. Despite this importance, this feature is all but …
Optimal Trajectory Generation Using Model Predictive Control For Aerially Towed Cable Systems, Liang Sun, John Hedengren, Randal W. Beard
Optimal Trajectory Generation Using Model Predictive Control For Aerially Towed Cable Systems, Liang Sun, John Hedengren, Randal W. Beard
Faculty Publications
This paper studies trajectory generation for a mothership that tows a drogue using a flexible cable. The contributions of this paper include model validation for the towed cable system described by a lumped mass extensible cable using flight data, and optimal trajectory generation for the towed cable system with tension constraints using model predictive control. The optimization problem is formulated using a combination of the squared error and l1-norm objective functions. Different desired circular trajectories of the towed body are used to calculate optimal trajectories for the towing vehicle subject to performance limits and wind disturbances. Trajectory generation for transitions …
Structural Analysis And Optimization Of Skyscrapers Connected With Skybridges And Atria, Amy Jean Taylor Mccall
Structural Analysis And Optimization Of Skyscrapers Connected With Skybridges And Atria, Amy Jean Taylor Mccall
Theses and Dissertations
Skybridges and atria between buildings are becoming more and more popular. Most current skybridge connections are either roller or rigid-connections. This dissertation presents an investigation of the structural analysis and optimization of skyscraper systems with hinge-connected skybridges, and compares the results to skyscraper systems with roller-connected skybridges and to skyscraper systems without skybridges altogether. Also presented is an investigation of the structural analysis and optimization of skyscrapers both with and without atria between the buildings. It was assumed that the atria envelope was constructed with cushions made from lightweight, transparent, and flexible Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). A simplified skyscraper skybridge model …
Accuracy Of A Simplified Analysis Model For Modern Skyscrapers, Jacob Scott Lee
Accuracy Of A Simplified Analysis Model For Modern Skyscrapers, Jacob Scott Lee
Theses and Dissertations
A new simplified skyscraper analysis model (SSAM) was developed and implemented in a spreadsheet to be used for preliminary skyscraper design and teaching purposes. The SSAM predicts linear and nonlinear response to gravity, wind, and seismic loading of "modern" skyscrapers which involve a core, megacolumns, outrigger trusses, belt trusses, and diagonals. The SSAM may be classified as a discrete method that constructs a reduced system stiffness matrix involving selected degrees of freedom (DOF's). The steps in the SSAM consist of: 1) determination of megacolumn areas, 2) construction of stiffness matrix, 3) calculation of lateral forces and displacements, and 4) calculation …
Constrained Control And Optimization Of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells For Extending Cell Lifetime, Ben Spivey, John Hedengren, Thomas F. Edgar
Constrained Control And Optimization Of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells For Extending Cell Lifetime, Ben Spivey, John Hedengren, Thomas F. Edgar
Faculty Publications
Extending fuel cell lifetime is a necessary objective for reducing fuel cell power generation cost of electricity. Capital costs comprise the most significant fraction of the cost of electricity. Reducing the frequency of fuel cell replacement can be achieved by implementing a control strategy that prevents excursions into operating regions causing failure. In this paper we implement a constrained MIMO model predictive controller (MPC) to avoid the failure modes relevant for a high-temperature tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system while performing load-following. The primary causes of failure are catalyst poisoning, fuel or air starvation, carbon deposition, and microcracking. Prior …
Automated Flow Path Design Optimization Using Mesh Morphing, William Dennis Gough
Automated Flow Path Design Optimization Using Mesh Morphing, William Dennis Gough
Theses and Dissertations
The use of CAD models and CFD analysis has become an essential part of fluid flow design. To reduce the time spent determining a design, optimization frameworks have been implemented to automate the process. Mesh morphing has been implemented within these frameworks to further reduce the time needed. While optimization methods have been developed to optimize a fluid flow path, the optimum design needs to be recreated in a CAD model. A method has been developed which eliminates the need to recreate the optimal results in CAD. This is accomplished by using mesh morphing, CAD and CFD together in an …
Analytical Comparison Of Multimicrophone Probes In Measuring Acoustic Intensity, Curtis P. Wiederhold
Analytical Comparison Of Multimicrophone Probes In Measuring Acoustic Intensity, Curtis P. Wiederhold
Theses and Dissertations
In the late 1970s, a method was developed to estimate acoustic intensity in one dimension by taking the cross-spectral density of two closely-spaced microphone signals. Since then, multimicrophone probes have been developed to measure three-dimensional intensity as well as energy density. Their usefulness has led to the design of various types of multimicrophone probes, the most common being the four-microphone orthogonal, the four-microphone regular tetrahedron, and the six-microphone designs. These designs generally either consist of microphones suspended in space near each other or mounted on the surface of a sphere. This work analytically compares the relative merits of each probe …
Analytical Modeling And Optimization Of A Thermoelectric Heat Conversion System Operating Betweeen Fluid Streams, Stephen H. Taylor
Analytical Modeling And Optimization Of A Thermoelectric Heat Conversion System Operating Betweeen Fluid Streams, Stephen H. Taylor
Theses and Dissertations
Analytical, closed-form solutions governing thermoelectric behavior are derived. An analytical model utilizing a thermal circuit is presented involving heat transfer into, through, out of, and around a thermoelectric device. A nondimensionalization of the model is presented. Linear heat transfer theory is applied to the model to obtain a series of closed form equations predicting net power output for the thermoelectric device. Fluid streams flowing through shrouded heat sinks with square pin fins are considered for the thermal pathways to and from the device. Heat transfer and pressure drop are characterized in a manner conducive to an analytical model using previously …
Automated Multidisciplinary Optimizations Of Conceptual Rocket Fairings, Ronald S. Smart
Automated Multidisciplinary Optimizations Of Conceptual Rocket Fairings, Ronald S. Smart
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to develop and architect a preliminary multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) tool that creates multiple types of generalized rocket fairing models. These models are sized relative to input geometric models and are analyzed and optimized, taking into account the primary objectives, namely the structural, thermal, and aerodynamic aspects of standard rocket flights. A variety of standard nose cone shapes is used as optimization proof of concept examples, being sized and compared to determine optimal choices based on the input specifications, such as the rocket body geometry and the specified trajectory paths. Any input models can …
Minimizing Base Column Demands In Multi-Story Buckling Restrained Braced Frames Using Genetic Algorithms, Christopher Hiroshi Yeates
Minimizing Base Column Demands In Multi-Story Buckling Restrained Braced Frames Using Genetic Algorithms, Christopher Hiroshi Yeates
Theses and Dissertations
Most structural optimization procedures focus on minimizing the total volume of steel in an attempt to reduce overall costs. However, many other factors can have an effect on the overall cost of a structure. Base column demands in particular, can affect base plate sizes, anchorage, and foundation design. Researchers have found that present methods for estimating column demands are too conservative. Nonlinear time history analyzes were conducted on buckling-restrained braced frames of six heights. Optimized results were found considering three ductility constraints and two optimization objectives. The two optimization objectives were minimized total brace area and minimized base column demands. …
Methods To Streamline Laminate Composite Design, Analysis, And Optimization, Ammon Ikaika No Kapono Hepworth
Methods To Streamline Laminate Composite Design, Analysis, And Optimization, Ammon Ikaika No Kapono Hepworth
Theses and Dissertations
Advanced composite materials have seen major market growth in recent years due to their high strength and low weight properties. These materials are often made using a process that creates a composite laminate by stacking several composite layers together. However, the design, analysis and optimization of laminate composite materials are often a labor intensive process when done manually. This thesis discusses CAD independent algorithms that are integrated into commercial CAD tools to streamline these processes. Methods have been developed to automatically create 3D ply geometry for a laminate composite lay-up, streamline the creation of a laminate composite finite element model …
Cad-Centric Dynamic Workflow Generation, Travis L. Kenworthy
Cad-Centric Dynamic Workflow Generation, Travis L. Kenworthy
Theses and Dissertations
CAD systems are important design tools that enable the designer to conceptualize, visualize, analyze, and manufacture a design (Shahin 2008). Although high-end CAD systems provide several built-in design applications, the users of CAD often select various custom or proprietary non-CAD analyses that constrain, optimize, or evaluate their designs. An efficient method is needed to perform trade studies from within the CAD environment. Methods have been developed to meet the challenges associated with this need. The methods have been implemented in a program, called the Process Integrator, which resides in a CAD system and allows the user to perform trade studies …
Product Family Design Using Smart Pareto Filters, Jonathan D. Yearsley
Product Family Design Using Smart Pareto Filters, Jonathan D. Yearsley
Theses and Dissertations
Product families are frequently used to provide consumers with a variety of appealing products and to help maintain reasonably low production costs for manufacturers. Three common objectives in the design of product families are used to balance the interests of both consumers and manufacturers. These objectives are to maximize (i) product performance, (ii) product distinctiveness as perceived by the consumer, and (iii) product commonality as seen by the manufacturer. In this thesis, three methods are introduced that use multiobjective optimization and Smart Pareto filtering to satisfy the three objectives of product family design. The methods are progressive in nature and …
Design Of A Three-Passage Low Reynolds Number Turbine Cascade With Periodic Flow Conditions, Daniel R. Rogers
Design Of A Three-Passage Low Reynolds Number Turbine Cascade With Periodic Flow Conditions, Daniel R. Rogers
Theses and Dissertations
A numerical method for modeling a low Reynolds number turbine blade, the L1M, is presented along with the pitfalls encountered. A laminar solution was confirmed to not accurately predict the flow features known in low Reynolds number turbine blade flow. Three fully turbulent models were then used to try to predict the separation and reattachment of the flow. These models were also found to be insufficient for transitioning flows. A domain was created to manually trip the laminar flow to turbulent flow using a predictive turbulence transition model. The trip in the domain introduced an instability in the flow field …
Optimization Constrained Cad Framework With Iso-Performing Design Generator, Kelly Eric Bowman
Optimization Constrained Cad Framework With Iso-Performing Design Generator, Kelly Eric Bowman
Theses and Dissertations
Design decisions have a large impact early in the design process. Optimization methods can help engineers improve their early decision making, however, design problems are often ill-posed for optimization at this early stage. This thesis develops engineering methods to use optimization during embodiment design, despite these difficulties. One common difficulty in designing mechanical systems is in handling the effects that design changes in one subsystem have on another. This is made more difficult in early engineering design, when design information is preliminary. Increased efforts have been made to use numerical optimization methods in early engineering design – because of the …
Parametric Optimization Design System For A Fluid Domain Assembly, Matthew Jackson Fisher
Parametric Optimization Design System For A Fluid Domain Assembly, Matthew Jackson Fisher
Theses and Dissertations
Automated solid modeling, integrated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and optimization of a 3D jet turbine engine has never been accomplished. This is due mainly to the computational power required, and the lack of associative parametric modeling tools and techniques necessary to adjust and optimize the design. As an example, the fluid domain of a simple household fan with three blades may contain 500,000 elements per blade passage. Therefore, a complete turbine engine that includes many stages, with sets of thirty or more blades each, will have hundreds of millions of elements. The fluid domains associated with each blade creates …
A Comparison Of Optimized Nonlinear Time History Analysis And The Equivalent Lateral Forces Method For Brace Design, Lukas Balling
A Comparison Of Optimized Nonlinear Time History Analysis And The Equivalent Lateral Forces Method For Brace Design, Lukas Balling
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the development of a design procedure for buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBF's). This procedure uses nonlinear time history analysis and a formal optimization algorithm. The time history analysis includes an elasto-plastic model for the braces. The optimization algorithm is a genetic algorithm. This procedure is referred to throughout the thesis as the "Nonlinear Time History Analysis Procedure with Optimization" (NTHO). Current design specifications for BRBF's are based on inelastic design spectra and approximate formulas for the determination of natural period. These spectra are used to obtain seismic base shear, and the distribution of equivalent lateral forces. Yielding and …