Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Mechanical Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

A Multi-Regulator Sliding Mode Control Strategy For Output-Constrained Systems, Hanz Richter Oct 2011

A Multi-Regulator Sliding Mode Control Strategy For Output-Constrained Systems, Hanz Richter

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper proposes a multi-regulator control scheme for single-input systems, where the setpoint of a regulated output must be changed under the constraint that a set of minimum-phase outputs remain within prescribed bounds. The strategy is based on a max–min selector system frequently used in the aerospace field. The regulators used for the regulated and limited outputs are of the sliding mode type, where the sliding variable is defined as the difference between an output and its allowable limit. The paper establishes overall asymptotic stability, as well as invariance properties leading to limit protection. The design methodology is illustrated with …


Modeling Disk Cracks In Rotors By Utilizing Speed Dependent Eccentricity, Andrew L. Gyekenyesi, Jerzy T. Sawicki, Wayne C. Haase Mar 2010

Modeling Disk Cracks In Rotors By Utilizing Speed Dependent Eccentricity, Andrew L. Gyekenyesi, Jerzy T. Sawicki, Wayne C. Haase

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the feasibility of vibration-based structural health monitoring for detecting disk cracks in rotor systems. The approach of interest assumes that a crack located on a rotating disk causes a minute change in the system’s center of mass due to the centrifugal force induced opening of the crack. The center of mass shift is expected to reveal itself in the vibration vector (i.e., whirl response; plotted as amplitude and phase versus speed) gathered during a spin-up and/or spin-down test. Here, analysis is accomplished by modeling a Jeffcott rotor that is characterized by analytical, numerical, and experimental data. The …


A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator For Enhancing Reliability And Performance Of Stirling Engines: Phase Iii Final Report For The Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Nra Contract Nas3-03124, Mounir B. Ibrahim, David Gedeon, Gary Wood, Jeffrey Mclean Jun 2009

A Microfabricated Segmented-Involute-Foil Regenerator For Enhancing Reliability And Performance Of Stirling Engines: Phase Iii Final Report For The Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Nra Contract Nas3-03124, Mounir B. Ibrahim, David Gedeon, Gary Wood, Jeffrey Mclean

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Under Phase III of NASA Research Announcement contract NAS3-03124, a prototype nickel segmented-involute-foil regenerator was microfabricated and tested in a Sunpower Frequency-Test-Bed (FTB) Stirling convertor. The team for this effort consisted of Cleveland State University, Gedeon Associates, Sunpower Inc. and International Mezzo Technologies. Testing in the FTB convertor produced about the same efficiency as testing with the original random-fiber regenerator. But the high thermal conductivity of the prototype nickel regenerator was responsible for a significant performance degradation. An efficiency improvement (by a 1.04 factor, according to computer predictions) could have been achieved if the regenerator was made from a low-conductivity …


Multiplexed Predictive Control Of A Large Commercial Turbofan Engine, Hanz Richter, Anil V. Singaraju, Jonathan S. Litt Jan 2008

Multiplexed Predictive Control Of A Large Commercial Turbofan Engine, Hanz Richter, Anil V. Singaraju, Jonathan S. Litt

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Model predictive control is a strategy well-suited to handle the highly complex, nonlinear, uncertain, and constrained dynamics involved in aircraft engine control problems. However, it has thus far been infeasible to implement model predictive control in engine control applications, because of the combination of model complexity and the time allotted for the control update calculation. In this paper, a multiplexed implementation is proposed that dramatically reduces the computational burden of the quadratic programming optimization that must be solved online as part of the model-predictive-control algorithm. Actuator updates are calculated sequentially and cyclically in a multiplexed implementation, as opposed to the …


Modelling And Validation Of A Propellant Mixer For Controller Design, Hanz Richter, Enrique Barbieri, Fernando Figueroa Nasa Stennis Space Center Feb 2005

Modelling And Validation Of A Propellant Mixer For Controller Design, Hanz Richter, Enrique Barbieri, Fernando Figueroa Nasa Stennis Space Center

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

A mixing chamber used in rocket engine testing at the NASA Stennis Space Center is modelled by a system of two nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The mixer is used to condition the thermodynamic properties of cryogenic liquid propellant by controlled injection of the same substance in the gaseous phase. The three inputs of the mixer are the positions of the valves regulating the liquid and gas flows at the inlets, and the position of the exit valve regulating the flow of conditioned propellant. Mixer operation during a test requires the regulation of its internal pressure, exit mass flow, and exit …