Many daily life products consist of mixtures of oil and water. When an immiscible material is dispersed an interface in-between the two phases is created which gives rise to rheological phenomena which can be exploited for product formulation; this is the case in products such as hand-creams and food products. Furthermore emulsions are used to transport hydrophobic materials, for example, many pharmaceuticals are injected as emulsions into the bloodstream. The performance of such products depends on their microstructure, which is determined by its formulation and how its constituents are mixed together; therefore the microstructure depends on the properties of the dispersed phases, the emulsifier used, the equipment used and its processing conditions. Emulsified products are seldom mono-dispersed due to the complex drop breakup mechanism in the turbulent fields inside the equipment in which the phases are forced together. The chaotic breakup mechanism of highly viscous dispersed phases yield complex and broad drop size distributions (DSD) as a result of the dominating viscous cohesive stresses inside the parent drop. Former studies have used the Sauter mean diameter and/or the size of the largest drop as the characteristic measure of central tendency of the DSD to correlate their results and to prove mechanistic or phenomenological models; however these parameters in isolation are insufficient to characterise the whole DSD of highly polydisperse emulsions. In this dissertation a vast amount of silicon oils of different viscosity were used as dispersed phase to study the effect of various processing conditions and formulations on the resulting DSD. The effect of several formulation and processing parameters were studied for two different mixing devices: stirred vessels and in-line high-shear mixers. (1) For stirred vessels, the effect of stirring speed, continuous phase viscosity and dispersed phase volume fraction were studied in combination with the viscosity of the dispersed phase for steady-state systems. (2) For in-line high-shear mixers a model that links batch and multi-pass continuous emulsification for multimodal DSD was derived from a transient mass balance. Processing parameters such as time and volume, flow rate and number of passes through the mixer, and stirring speed were studied for a wide dispersed phase viscosity range. The analytical methodology implemented included the use of one or more probability density functions to describe the shape of the DSD. The models proposed gave reasonable approximations of the Sauter mean diameter and allowed to study the drop size changes and the relative amount of different types of drops resulting from different breakup mechanisms.

O projeto de turbinas hidráulicas tem estado em constante evolução, levando a máquinas mais rápidas e mais leves, nas quais os carregamentos são mais severos e as estruturas mais flexíveis. Com isto, os cálculos dos componentes da turbina devem ser realizados com maior precisão do que no passado, entre eles a determinação das velocidades angulares críticas da linha de eixo e seus fatores dinâmicos de amplificação de deslocamento, sobre os quais a maior influência é exercida pelo rotor do gerador. Para tanto, é elaborado um modelo numérico da linha de eixo, com base na pesquisa da literatura, na qual o rotor do gerador é usualmente considerado como um corpo rígido. Entretanto, para se verificar o efeito de suas propriedades de inércia e rigidez distribuídas sobre o movimento da estrutura, ele é descrito aqui por um modelo de elementos finitos, incluído no restante do sistema através do método da síntese modal de componentes. Os resultados numéricos mostram desvios não desprezíveis entre o método tradicional e o proposto aqui, sendo que se aconselha que o rotor do gerador seja descrito por este procedimento, quando os fatores de segurança empregados forem pequenos ou se a exatidão dos valores calculados for de grande importância. / Continuous improvements in hydraulic turbines project has lead to faster and smaller machines, in which loads are more severe and structures are more flexible. As a matter of fact, its components must be calculated more accurately than in the past. Such is the case of shaft line angular critical speeds and their dynamic displacement amplification multipliers, whose main influence is caused by the generator rotor. Therefore, a shaft line numeric model is set up, based on the literature review, where the generator rotor is usually considered as a rigid body. However, in order to verify its distributed inertia and stiffness properties effect on the structure behaviour, it shall be described here by a finite element model, that is included in the overall system using the component mode synthesis method. The numerical results yield significantly deviations between the model proposed here and the traditional, taking one to recommend that, when security factors are low or when calculated values accuracy is important, the generator rotor shall be modelled by the procedure described here.

abstract: For a conventional quadcopter system with 4 planar rotors, flight times vary between 10 to 20 minutes depending on the weight of the quadcopter and the size of the battery used. In order to increase the flight time, either the weight of the quadcopter should be reduced or the battery size should be increased. Another way is to increase the efficiency of the propellers. Previous research shows that ducting a propeller can cause an increase of up to 94 % in the thrust produced by the rotor-duct system. This research focused on developing and testing a quadcopter having a centrally ducted rotor which produces 60 % of the total system thrust and 3 other peripheral rotors. This quadcopter will provide longer flight times while having the same maneuvering flexibility in planar movements. / Dissertation/Thesis / Experimental flight test for ductless quadcopter configuration / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2019

Estágio realizado no INEGI - e orientado pelo Eng. Amândio Ferreira / Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Mecânica. Área de Especialização de Energia. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2012

<div>This dissertation presents a strategy that incorporates nature and bio-inspired shapes to redesign turbine airfoils and stator-rotor rim seal cavity.</div><div><br></div><div>The first objective consists of the development of tools to optimize the turbine velocity triangles and then the 3D shape using 75 parameters. Design trends that minimize loss in the stator and rotor were discussed. The second objective expands on the first by incorporating wavy structures at the leading and trailing edges as well as the suction side mimicking design features of seal whiskers and tubercles of a whale. The airfoils were optimized to maximize the efficiency of a highly loaded high-pressure turbine at positive incidence.</div><div><br></div><div>The last objective addressed the design of the cavity to reduce cooling massflow and protect the turbine platform. A novel strategy was proposed to assess and optimize the shape of the cavity. In an attempt to simply the problem and identify the main physical phenomena, a slice of the flow was examined by considering a purely a 2D case in the relative frame of reference. This simplification enabled the cavity to be optimized in 2D using a geometry inspired by the meandering of rivers. The optimization produced designs that reduce the heat flux in the rear rotor platform and are less sensitive towards variations in gap and cavity total pressure. The methodology was demonstrated in 3D rotating cavity and later in a full turbine stage configuration. The strategy and design tools developed in this dissertation seek to provide understanding of the effects of bio-inspired shapes on turbine blades and lay the foundation for future experimental research into cavity flows.<br></div>

Squeal noise has been an on-going concern with automotive brake systems since their inception. Even after many decades of research no single theory exists that adequately describes the phenomenon, and no general methods for eliminating squeal noise exist. Broadly speaking, three primary methods of analysis have been applied to understanding and eliminating brake squeal: analytical, experimental and numerical. Analytical models provide some insight into the mechanisms involved when a brake squeals, but have limitations in applicability to specific brake systems. Experimental methods provide the backbone of brake squeal investigations, especially in an industrial environment. However, the core focus of this thesis is to use a large scale finite element analysis (FEA) model to investigate brake squeal. Initially the FEA model was developed and the dynamic characteristics were validated against experimental modal analysis results. A complex eigenvalue analysis was performed to identify potential squeal modes which appear as unstable system vibration modes. Further techniques are described that allow the deeper probing of unstable brake system modes. Feed-in energy, which is the conversion of friction work into vibrational energy during the onset of squeal, is used to determine the relative contribution of each brake pad to the overall system vibration. The distribution of the feed-in energy across the face of a brake pad is also calculated. Component strain energy distributions are determined for a brake system as a guide to identifying which components might best be modified in addressing an unstable system mode. Finally modal participation is assessed by calculating the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC) between component free modes and the component in the assembly during squeal. This allows participating modes to be visualised and aids in the development of countermeasures. The majority of the work in this thesis was performed using the commercial FEA code MSC.Nastran with user defined friction interfaces. An alternative approach using a contact element formulation available in Abaqus was also implemented and compared to the MSC.Nastran results. This analysis showed that considerable differences were noted in the results even though the overall predicted stability correlated relatively well to observed squeal. Abaqus was also used in a case study into the design of a brake rotor in a noisy brake system. The results of this study provided good correlation to observed squeal and facilitated effective rotor countermeasures to be developed. Some success was achieved in the main aims of predicting brake squeal and developing countermeasures. However, while the tools presented do allow a deeper probing of system behaviour during squeal, their use requires good correlation to observed squeal on brake system to be established. As such, their use as up-front design tools is still limited. This shortcoming stems from the complexity of brake squeal itself and the limitations in modelling the true nature of the non-linearities within a brake system.

There is an urgent need for economical, clean, sustainable energy supplies, not only in densely populated areas where electricity grids are appropriate, but also in rural areas where stand-alone power supply systems are often more suitable. Although electrical power supply is very versatile and convenient, it introduces unnecessary complexity for some off-grid applications where direct mechanical shaft power can conveniently be provided by a wind turbine. Wind energy is one of the more promising renewable energy sources. Most wind turbines are of the horizontal axis type, but vertical axis wind turbines or VAWTs have some advantages for direct mechanical drive applications. They need no tail or yaw mechanism to orient them into the wind and power is easily transmitted via a vertical shaft to a load at ground level. Blades may be of uniform section and untwisted, making them relatively easy to fabricate or extrude, unlike the blades of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) which should be twisted and tapered for optimum performance. Savonius rotor VAWTs are simple and may have a place where the power requirement is only a few Watts, but they are inefficient and uneconomical for applications with larger power requirements. VAWTs based on the Darrieus rotor principle are potentially more efficient and more economical, but those with fixed pitch blades have hitherto been regarded as unsuitable for stand-alone use due to their lack of starting torque and low speed torque. This starting torque problem can be overcome by using variable pitch blades, but most existing variable pitch VAWTs, variously known as giromills or cycloturbines, need wind direction sensors, microprocessors and servomotors to control the blade pitch, making them impracticable for stand-alone, non-electrical applications. A simpler but less well known concept is passive or self-acting variable pitch in which the blades are free to pitch under the combined action of aerodynamic and inertial forces in such a way that a favourable blade angle of attack is maintained without the complexity of conventional variable pitch systems. Several fonns of self-acting variable pitch VAWTs or SAPVAWTs have been described in the literature, several patents exist for variants on the concept, and at least two companies world-wide have attempted to commercialise their designs. However the aerodynamic behaviour of these devices has been little understood and most designs appear to have been based on nothing more than a qualitative appreciation of the potential advantages of the concept. This thesis assesses the potential of both fixed and passive variable pitch vertical axis wind turbines to provide economical stand-alone power for direct mechanical drive applications. It is shown that the starting torque and low speed torque problems of VAWTs can be overcome either by passive variable pitch or by a combination of suitable blade aerofoil sections, either rigid or flexible, and transmissions which unload the rotor at low speeds so that high starting torque is not necessary. The work done for this thesis is made up of a sequence of stages, each following logically from the previous one: 1. Several tasks have been identified which could be performed effectively by a self-starting vertical axis wind turbine using direct mechanical drive. These include, a. pumping water, b. purifying and/or desalinating water by reverse osmosis, c. heating and cooling using vapour compression heat pumps, d. mixing and aerating water bodies and e. heating water by fluid turbulence. Thus it is apparent that such a system has the potential to make a useful contribution to society. 2. A literature survey of existing VAWT designs has been carried out to assess whether any are suitable for these applications. 3. As no suitable existing design was identified, an improved form of SAPVAWT has been developed and patented. 4. To optimise the performance of the improved SAPVAWT, a mathematical model has been developed in collaboration with Mr Leo Lazauskas of the University of Adelaide (see Kirke and Lazauskas, 1991, Lazauskas and Kirke, 1992). As far as the author of the present thesis is aware, this is the only existing mathematical model able to predict the performance of this particular type of SAPVAWT, and one of only two worldwide which model SAPVAWTs. 5. In order to use the mathematical model to predict the performance of a given SAPVAWT, it is necessary to have lift, drag and moment data for the aerofoil profile to be used, over a wide range of incidence and Reynolds numbers. A literature search has revealed large gaps in the existing data. 6. Wind tunnel testing has been carried out to assess the effect of camber on the performance of one set of NACA sections at low Reynolds number, and performance figures for other sections have been estimated by interpolation from existing data. 7. Using the assembled aerofoil data, both experimental and estimated, the mathematical model has been used to predict the performance of both fixed and variable pitch VAWTs. It has been found to predict correctly the performance of known fixed pitch VAWTs and has then been used to predict the performance of fixed pitch VAWTs with cambered blades using newly developed profiles that exhibit superior characteristics at low Reynolds numbers. Results indicate that fixed pitch VAWTs using these blade sections should self-start reliably. 8. To validate the mathematical model predictions for self-acting variable pitch, a two metre diameter physical model has been built and tested in a wind tunnel, and acceptable agreement has been obtained between predicted and measured performance. 9. To demonstrate the performance of a SAP VA WT under field conditions, a six metre diameter turbine has been designed, fabricated, erected and tested. 10. Because a prime mover such as a wind turbine is of no use unless it drives a toad, particular attention has been paid to the behaviour of complete systems, including the wind turbine, the transmission and the load. It is concluded that VAWTs with the improved self-starting and low speed torque characteristics described in this thesis have considerable potential in stand-alone, direct mechanical drive applications.

Les travaux présentés proposent une nouvelle approche du contrôle actif du bruit à l'intérieur des hélicoptères. Les stratégies de contrôle s'attachaient à réduire le bruit moyennes fréquences en grande partie produit par la boite de transmission principale. Nous proposons d'utiliser le contrôle actif pour traiter les basses fréquences dans la cabine. Les niveaux mis en jeu dans ces gammes de fréquences sont tels qu'un contrôle acoustique nécessite une attention particulière dans la confection des sources antibruits.<br />Nous avons montré l'intérêt de scinder le problème en deux parties. Un premier dispositif est conçu pour traiter la fréquence produite par le rotor principal de l'autogire, et un second dispositif est destiné à traiter la partie large bande du bruit basses fréquences. Nous proposons une méthode spécifique pour la conception des sources antibruits.<br />Compte tenu de la faible disponibilité des aéronefs pour les essais du système, nous avons eu recours à une maquette à l'échelle 1. Nous avons proposé une méthode originale permettant d'y produire un champ primaire perceptivement similaire à celui présent sur l'hélicoptère.<br />Nous avons validé notre stratégie de contrôle par des simulations d'algorithmes FXLMS et IMC-FXLMS. Ces simulations, basées sur des mesures issues d'une campagne d'essaisl, ont pu être validées par des essais du dispositif sur la maquette mettant en œuvre un contrôleur et les sources que nous avons développé. Au cours de l'étude, nous avons participé à la mise au point du matériel embarquable (contrôleur, ampli. et sources). Ce matériel nous a permis de réaliser des essais en vol en fin de thèse qui ont montré l'efficacité du dispositif.

Dans ce travail de thèse, on s'intéresse à la réponse vibratoire d'un rotor affecté de fissures afin d'exhiber les paramètres vibratoires susceptibles de favoriser leur détection dans le cadre d'une procédure de surveillance. Dans un premier temps, les travaux expérimentaux, numériques et analytiques antérieurs effectués visant la modélisation de telles structures sont résumés et commentés. Puis la démarche de la prise en compte des effets de cisaillement dans la loi de comportement en flexion d'une section de rotor fissurée est présentée et est validée par des calculs tridimensionnels tenant compte du contact unilatéral entre les lèvres de fissure. La démarche est basée sur une formulation énergétique du problème et peut être appliquée à toute géométrie de fissure. L'exploration par voie numérique de la réponse d'un rotor fissuré est présentée dans le troisième chapitre de cette thèse. Différents systèmes dynamiques sont considérés. Les parties saines du rotor sont représentées part des éléments de type barre ou poutre, et la section fissurée par un ressort non-linéaire pour tenir compte du mécanisme de respiration de la fissure. Vers la fin de cette partie, on présente une méthode originale de construction d'un élément fini de poutre comportant des fissures. Le dernier chapitre est consacré à l'étude analytique du système à deux ddl. Ainsi, plusieurs fonctions de respiration de la fissure sont examinées. La stabilité linéaire des solutions périodiques est étudiée vers la fin de ce chapitre par la théorie de Floquet. Finalement quelques paramètres vibratoires sont proposés comme indicateurs de la présence de fissures.

L'utilisation de revêtements abradables pour assurer l'étanchéité dynamique des turboréacteurs est une solution répandue qui permet d'augmenter la fiabilité et le rendement aérodynamique des turboréacteurs. En fonctionnement, des touches inévitables entre le revêtement et le bout d'aubes de rotor peuvent être à l'origine d'une usure excessive du revêtement abradable et/ou de la rupture d'aube. La simulation numérique de tels incidents butte sur un manque de connaissance des interactions aube/carter et des forces mises en jeu au contact, forces qui résultent notamment de couplages entre le frottement, l'usure du revêtement et des phénomènes vibratoires.Cette thèse a pour objectif de mieux appréhender les mécanismes d'interaction entre l'aube et le revêtement abradable. Elle résulte d'une collaboration entre l'ONERA de Lille et le Laboratoire de Mécanique de Lille et concerne le revêtement de type Al-Si/hbN (Metco 320NS), couramment utilisé dans les compresseurs à basse pression.Les propriétés physico-chimiques et le comportement mécanique - notamment en dynamique - du revêtement abradable sont étudiés. Compte-tenu d'une asymétrie du comportement en traction et en compression, l'exploitation en corrélation d'images numériques d'un essai original inspiré de l'essai Brésilien permet de rendre compte des mécanismes de dégradation. Le comportement tribologique est étudié sur tribomètre dans différentes configurations de contact. L'interaction entre l'aube et le revêtement ainsi que les couplages avec les vibrations d'aube sont investigués et caractérisés dans une configuration simplifiée et fortement instrumentée, sur un banc rotatif spécifique développé à l'ONERA de Lille