Η διπλωματική εργασία συνίσταται στην κατασκευή και λειτουργία, μέσω προγραμματισμού, μιας πειραματικής διάταξης αυτοματισμού που περιλαμβάνει εξοπλισμό όπως πνευματικά έμβολα κλατικού τύπου ή τύπου μυών, αισθητήρες θέσης κλπ.- είτε ανεξάρτητα είτε συνδυασμός αυτών - και έναν Προγραμματιζόμενo Λογικό Ελεγκτή (PLC) που ελέγχει τη λειτουργία της διάταξης. Το κομμάτι του προγραμματισμού αναφέρεται στο PLC. Η πειραματική διάταξη αυτοματισμού που κατασκευάστηκε είναι ένας μηχανικός αναρριχητής. Η διάταξη αναρρίχησης αποτελείται απο 4 έμβολα / τεχνητούς μύες πεπιεσμένου αέρα προσαρμοσμένα στο ένα τους άκρο σε μια κοινή βάση (σώμα του αναρριχητή). Στο άλλο άκρο υπάρχει κατάλληλος μηχανισμός ολίσθησης που τους επιτρέπει να κινηθούν πάνω στην επιφάνεια των κάθετων δοκών αλουμινίου που συνθέτουν τη διαταξη προς αναρρίχηση. Κάθε μηχανισμός ολίσθησης διαθέτει μικρό έμβολο πεπιεσμένου αέρα με χρήση του οποίου επιτυγχάνουμε την παύση της ολίσθησης του άκρου. Η συνδυασμένη και διαδοχική έκταση-συστολή των εμβόλων προκαλεί την κίνηση προς τα πάνω ή προς τα κάτω του σώματος, το οποίο μιμείται κατά έναν τρόπο την αναρρίχηση του ανθρώπου σε σκάλα. Η λειτουργια της διάταξης έχει σχεδιαστεί έτσι ώστε ο αναρριχητής να φθάνει στο επιθυμητό ύψος το οποίο και θα ορίζεται απο τον χρήστη. Η αναρρίχηση στο επιθυμητό σημείο μπορεί να εκτελεστεί με τέσσερις (4) διαφορετικους τροπους: 1) Αναρρίχηση με λειτουργία μόνο των άνω άκρων. 2) Αναρρίχηση με λειτουργία μόνο των κάτω άκρων. 3) Αναρρίχηση με ταυτόχρονη λειτουργία των άνω και κάτω άκρων. 4) Αναρρίχηση με λειτουργία των άνω & κάτω άκρων και PID έλεγχο θέσης. Ο χρήστης έχει τη δυνατότητα να ορίσει το επιθυμητό σημείο θέσης και να διαλέξει ένα από τα τέσσερα μοτίβα ανάβασης. Στα τρία πρώτα μοτίβα η έκταση και συστολή των μυών γίνεται με χρήση προκαθορισμένων τιμών πίεσης. Με αυτό το τρόπο για τα τρία αυτά σενάρια κίνησης ο έλεγχος θέσης προσεγγίζει τη διακοπτική ON/OFF θεωρία ελέγχου. Στο τέταρτο σενάριο, η ανάβαση πραγματοποιείται επίσης με το διακοπτικό ON/OFF τρόπο, ο τελικός όμως έλεγχος θέσης επιτυγχάνεται με χρήση PID ελεγκτή. Μετά την ολοκλήρωση ή και κατά την διάρκεια εκτέλεσης του εκάστοτε μοτίβου κίνησης, ο χρήστης έχει επίσης την δυνατότητα ενεργοποίησης της ρουτίνας κατάβασης που επιστρέφει τον αναρριχητή στην αρχική του θέση. / This Diploma Thesis consists of the construction and operation, through the means of programming, of an experimental automated system which includes equipment such as pneumatic cylinders (classic or muscle type), position sensors etc. - combined or independent – and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) which controls the functions of the automated system. The programming part is referred to the PLC. The experimental automated system that was constructed is that of a mechanical climber. The climber consists of 4 pneumatic cylinders / artificial muscles, the one end of which is attached to a common body. The other end is attached to a sliding mechanism which allows the movement of the muscles on the surface of the vertical aluminum beams that compose the climbing structure. A small pneumatic cylinder is attached on every sliding mechanism, which is used to stop the sliding of the muscles. The combined and successive outstroke and instroke of the cylinders causes the upward or downward movement of the climber’s body, which mimics in a way the movements of a human body while climbing a ladder. Those functions are designed so that the mechanical climber reaches a desired height, which is set by the user. The climb to the desired height can be executed with four (4) different movement patterns: 1) Climb using only the upper limbs. 2) Climb using only the lower limbs. 3) Climb using the upper and lower limbs simultaneously. 4) Climb using the upper and lower limbs and PID position control. The user can set the desired height and choose one of the four movement routines. During the first three movement patterns, the instroke and outstroke of the cylinders is done with the use of predetermined pressure values. In this way, during those patterns the position control approximates the ON/OFF control theory. During the fourth movement pattern, the climb is executed with the same ON/OFF way but the final position control is done by use of a PID controller. After the completion of a movement pattern, or even during movement, the user can always enable the descendance movement routine which returns the climber to its former position.

A wireless body network with sensors and actuators is a topical subject in current situation, because the healthcare services cannot meet peoples requirements for personal health-care. Such a network can be used to monitor the health status of e.g. elderly people and provide a drug delivery without external human interaction. In this project we will implement a prototype of a distributed system of sensors and actuator using the human body as a transmission line for communication purposes (Capacitive Body-coupled Communication), as a solution for the problem. Similar systems have been implemented earlier, using radio-based wireless communication which consumes more power and have critical security issues, compared to capacitive body-coupled communication. This document describes how the system is implemented with focus on robust gathering of sensor data from several sensors from a single node using capacitive body-coupled communication and an actuator control with user interaction.

Este trabalho foca o estudo e desenvolvimento de um atuador linear com ímãs permanentes aplicado a sistemas de suspensão ativa, com ênfase em suspensão veicular. Seu desenvolvimento considera aspectos específicos como força, volume, razão força/volume, curso e resposta em frequência. Junto ao estudo teórico desenvolve-se o projeto baseado na simulação paramétrica em elementos finitos que analisa aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos importantes para tomada de decisão do projeto, especificamente na definição de materiais e geometrias. Para servir como ferramenta de análise foi empregada uma modelagem analítica que se mostrou eficiente, pois foi capaz de produzir resultados de forma mais rápida que o método de elementos finitos para avaliar grandezas de interesse como força e densidade de fluxo magnético. Por fim e com base nos aspectos de projeto, foi construído um protótipo que permitiu validar os modelos. Os resultados experimentais e teóricos mostraram boa concordância o que permite concluir que os métodos empregados são eficazes, fornecendo subsídios à aplicação em foco. / This work aims the study and development of a linear actuator with permanent magnets applied to active suspension systems, with emphasis on vehicular suspension. That development takes into account specific features such as force, volume, force per volume ratio, stroke and frequency response. Together with the theoretical study the design of the actuator is carried out based on parametric simulation by means of finite elements which analyses qualitative and quantitative aspects that are important to make the project decision, specifically to define materials and geometry. To suit as an analysis tool it was employed an analytical modelling, which showed to be efficient because it was capable of producing faster results than the finite elements method to evaluate physical quantities of interest such as force and magnetic flux density. Finally and based on project aspects, a prototype was built which allowed to validate all models. Experimental and theoretical results showed a good agreement which led to conclude that the employed methods are efficient, providing subsidies to the studied application.

Este trabalho apresenta a formulação de um problema de otimização topológica para o posicionamento ótimo de atuadores baseado na teoria de controle. A estrutura é composta por dois materiais: um material passivo elástico e um material ativo piezelétrico, ambos lineares. Pretende-se obter um sistema de controle no qual todos os estados sejam controláveis. O processo de otimização topológica busca a distribuição de material piezelétrico que maximize o menor autovalor do Gramiano de controlabilidade garantindo, assim, sua não singularidade e, consequentemente, que o sistema seja completamente controlável. Programação linear sequencial (SLP) é utilizada para a solução do problema de otimização e as sensibilidades para o modelo de elementos finitos são deduzidas para a função objetivo e restrições. Análises modais das topologias ótimas são utilizadas para a definição de um controlador LQR e as respostas das estruturas controladas submetidas à uma carga impulsiva são analisadas. / This work presents a topology optimization formulation for the actuator placement based on the control theory. The structure is composed by two materials: a passive elastic material and an active piezoelectric material, both linear. The aim is to obtain a control system which all states are controllable. The topology optimization process searches the piezoelectric material distribution which maximizes the smallest eigenvalue of the controllability Gramian ensuring its non-singularity and, therefore, the system is completely controllable. Sequential linear programming (SLP) is used to solve the optimization problem. The sensitivities for the finite element model were derived for the objective function and constraints. Modal analysis from the optimal topologies were employed in an LQR controller and the responses for the controlled structures submitted to an impulsive load are analyzed.

Dans ce travail, on s'intéresse aux problèmes de localisation et de classification des capteurs pour des propriétés de commande et d'observation de systèmes dynamiques. Lorsqu'une propriété considérée du système n'est pas vérifiée avec l'ensemble des capteurs initiaux, on cherche à implanter de nouveaux capteurs pour rendre cette propriété vraie. Lorsqu'une propriété du système est vérifiée avec l'ensemble des capteurs existants, on classe ces capteurs en différentes catégories en fonction de leur importance pour la préservation de cette propriété. On détermine les capteurs essentiels dont la défaillance fait perdre la propriété considérée et les capteurs inutiles qui peuvent tomber en panne sans aucun impact sur la propriété. Pour étudier ces deux problèmes, on utilise l'approche des systèmes linéaires structurés avec les graphes orientés associés. Les systèmes linéaires structurés sont une classe particulière de systèmes linéaires où les éléments des matrices d'état sont soit fixés à zéro soit des paramètres libres. Avec cette approche structurée, on étudie les problèmes de localisation et de classification des capteurs pour le rejet de perturbation par retour de mesure et la détection et localisation de défauts. Les résultats sont représentés en termes graphiques. Mots-Clés:Systèmes linéaires structurés ; Analyse structurelle ; Localisation de capteurs ; Classification de capteurs ; Rejet de perturbation; Détection et localisation de défaut. / In this work, we are interested in sensor location and classification problems for control and observation of dynamical systems. When a considered property of the system is not satisfied with the initial set of sensors, we seek to implement additional sensors to make this property true. When a property is satisfied with the existing sensors, these sensors are classified into different categories according to their importance for the preservation of this property. We determine the critical sensors whose failure implies the property loss and the useless sensors which can fail without impact on the property. To study these two problems, we use the structured system approach with the associated directed graphs. Structured linear systems are a particular class of linear systems where the elements of state matrices are either zero or free parameters. With this approach, we study the problems of location and classification of sensors for disturbance rejection by measurement feedback and fault detection and isolation. The results are given in graphic terms. Keywords: Structured linear systems ; Structural analysis ; Sensor location ; Sensor classification; Disturbance rejection ; Fault detection and isolation.

Orientador: Cláudio Kitano / Banca: Aparecido Augusto de Carvalho / Banca: Demartonne Ramos França / Resumo: Atuadores piezoelétricos convertem energia elétrica em energia mecânica, sendo amplamente utilizados como transdutores de deslocamento micrométricos ou sub-micrométricos de elevada precisão. Neste trabalho, atuadores piezoelétricos flextensionais (APFs), projetados pelo método de otimização topológica, são caracterizados em termos de linearidade entre a tensão de excitação e o deslocamento gerado, bem como em termos de resposta em frequência, utilizando-se um interferômetro de Michelson homódino e em malha aberta. Interferômetros homódinos não realimentados têm seu desempenho prejudicado pelo fenômeno de desvanecimento, causado por perturbações ambientais espúrias que incidem aleatoriamente entre seus braços. Nesta dissertação, enfatizam-se métodos de demodulação de fase óptica baseados em relações envolvendo as componentes espectrais do sinal de saída do interferômetro que são imunes ao problema do desvanescimento. Dentre estes, destacam-se métodos clássicos como J1... J4, J1... J4 modificado, J1... J6 neg e J1... J6 pos. Estes métodos permitem a medição direta de deslocamentos microscópicos, sem a necessidade de qualquer procedimento de calibração. Além disso, não são afetados por instabilidades da fonte óptica, da responsividade do fotodiodo e da visibilidade das franjas de interferência. Contudo, apresentam reduzidas faixas dinâmicas de demodulação de fase. A fim de superar esta deficiência, investiga-se um método adicional de detecção direta, baseado na análise do espectro do sinal fotodetectado, exibindo todas as vantagens dos demais métodos, mas que é capaz de estender a faixa dinâmica de demodulação a valores tão elevados quanto 100 rad. Simulações computacionais são executadas com este método, levando-se em consideração o efeito do desvanecimento e tensões de ruído eletrônico do tipo 1/f, evidenciando... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, being widely used as micrometric or sub-micrometric displacement transducer of high accuracy. In this work, piezoelectric flextensional actuators (PFA's), designed by the topology optimization method, are characterized in terms of linearity between the drive voltage and the corresponding displacement, as well as in terms of frequency response, using a homodyne, open-loop, Michelson interferometer. Homodyne interferometers without feedback have their performance spoiled by signal fading, caused by spurious environmental disturbances that occur randomly between their arms. This thesis emphasizes methods of optical phase demodulation, based on relations involving the spectral components of the interferometer output signal, which are immune to signal fading. Among these methods, it is detailed here the classical ones, such as J1... J4, modified J1... J4, J1... J6 neg e J1... J6 pos. These methods allow direct measurements of microscopic displacements, free of calibration procedures. Besides, they are not affected by optical source oscillations, photodiode responsivity and interferometric fringe visibility. However, they have reduced dynamic range for phase demodulation. In order to overcome this, this work investigates an additional method for direct detection, based on spectral analysis drawback of the photodetected signal. The method has all the advantages of the others, but it is able to span its demodulation dynamic range to values as high as 100 rad. Numerical simulations are done using this method (considering the signal fading and the 1/f electronic noise voltage), showing its viability to characterize PFA's. Experiments are performed in laboratory, involving tests with different PFA's. The method validation is carried out with the aid of an electrooptic intensity modulator, whose phase characteristics can... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Vicente Lopes Júnior / Banca: Walter Katsumi Sakamoto / Banca: Alberto Luiz Serpa / Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta o projeto do regulador linear quadrático (LQR - do inglês Linear Quadratic Regulator) para atenuar vibrações em estruturas mecânicas. Estas estruturas, com atuadores e sensores acoplados, são denominadas estruturas inteligentes. Os projetos de controladores ativos são resolvidos utilizando desigualdades matriciais lineares (LMIs - do inglês Linear Matrix Inequalities). Assim, é possível projetar controladores robustos considerando incertezas paramétricas na planta a ser controlada. São utilizados atuadores e sensores piezelétricos (PZTs) para aplicações em estruturas flexíveis dos tipos vigas e placas e, também, atuadores de pilha para aplicações em estruturas do tipo treliça. O problema do posicionamento ótimo dos atuadores e sensores piezelétricos também é resolvido utilizando as normas de sistemas H2, H , Hankel e as matrizes grammianas de observabilidade e controlabilidade. O modelo matemático da estrutura inteligente é obtido a partir do Método dos Elementos Finitos e, também, utilizando o Método de Identificação de Subespaços através de dados experimentais. O problema de posicionamento ótimo dos atuadores e sensores e o controle ativo de vibração são apresentados em simulações numéricas e experimentais. Os resultados mostram que os controladores robustos aumentam o amortecimento estrutural minimizando as amplitudes de vibração. / Abstract: This work presents the Linear Quadratic Regulator design to vibration attenuation in mechanical structures. These structures are named Smart Structures because they use actuators and sensors electromechanically coupled. Active controller designs are solved using Linear Matrix Inequalities. So, it is possible to consider polytopic uncertainties. Piezoelectric actuators and sensors are used for applications in flexible structures as beams and plates and, also, stack actuators for applications in truss structures. Optimal placement problem of piezoelectric actuators and sensors also solved using H2, H , Hankel system norms and controllability and observability grammian matrices. The mathematical model of the smart structure is obtained through Finite Element Method and, also, through Numerical State Space of Subspace System Identification (Subspace Method) by experimental data. The optimal placement of actuator and sensor and the active vibration control is numerically and experimentally implemented. Results show that the robust controllers increase the structural damping minimizing magnitude of vibrations. / Mestre

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. / This thesis outlines a proposed mechanical design, prototyping and testing of a five fingered artificial hand made of 15 articulated joints actuated by Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) mimicking muscular functions. SMAs Artificial muscles were incorporated in the forearm and artificial tendons made of nylon wires passing through a hollow palm transmit the pulling force to bend the fingers. Torsion springs set in each joint of the fingers create enough restoring force to straighten the finger when the actuators are disengaged. Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) wires were intrinsically embedded within the hand structure allowing significant movements mimicking human hand-like gestures. A control box made of switches connected to the artificial hand helps to control each gesture. A modular approach was taken in the design to facilitate the manufacture and assembly processes. Nickel-Titanium wires were used as actuators to perform the artificial muscle functions by changing their crystallographic structures due to Joule's heating. Rapid prototyping techniques were employed to manufacture the hand in ABS plastic.

Este trabalho apresenta a formulação de um problema de otimização topológica para o posicionamento ótimo de atuadores baseado na teoria de controle. A estrutura é composta por dois materiais: um material passivo elástico e um material ativo piezelétrico, ambos lineares. Pretende-se obter um sistema de controle no qual todos os estados sejam controláveis. O processo de otimização topológica busca a distribuição de material piezelétrico que maximize o menor autovalor do Gramiano de controlabilidade garantindo, assim, sua não singularidade e, consequentemente, que o sistema seja completamente controlável. Programação linear sequencial (SLP) é utilizada para a solução do problema de otimização e as sensibilidades para o modelo de elementos finitos são deduzidas para a função objetivo e restrições. Análises modais das topologias ótimas são utilizadas para a definição de um controlador LQR e as respostas das estruturas controladas submetidas à uma carga impulsiva são analisadas. / This work presents a topology optimization formulation for the actuator placement based on the control theory. The structure is composed by two materials: a passive elastic material and an active piezoelectric material, both linear. The aim is to obtain a control system which all states are controllable. The topology optimization process searches the piezoelectric material distribution which maximizes the smallest eigenvalue of the controllability Gramian ensuring its non-singularity and, therefore, the system is completely controllable. Sequential linear programming (SLP) is used to solve the optimization problem. The sensitivities for the finite element model were derived for the objective function and constraints. Modal analysis from the optimal topologies were employed in an LQR controller and the responses for the controlled structures submitted to an impulsive load are analyzed.

Este trabalho foca o estudo e desenvolvimento de um atuador linear com ímãs permanentes aplicado a sistemas de suspensão ativa, com ênfase em suspensão veicular. Seu desenvolvimento considera aspectos específicos como força, volume, razão força/volume, curso e resposta em frequência. Junto ao estudo teórico desenvolve-se o projeto baseado na simulação paramétrica em elementos finitos que analisa aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos importantes para tomada de decisão do projeto, especificamente na definição de materiais e geometrias. Para servir como ferramenta de análise foi empregada uma modelagem analítica que se mostrou eficiente, pois foi capaz de produzir resultados de forma mais rápida que o método de elementos finitos para avaliar grandezas de interesse como força e densidade de fluxo magnético. Por fim e com base nos aspectos de projeto, foi construído um protótipo que permitiu validar os modelos. Os resultados experimentais e teóricos mostraram boa concordância o que permite concluir que os métodos empregados são eficazes, fornecendo subsídios à aplicação em foco. / This work aims the study and development of a linear actuator with permanent magnets applied to active suspension systems, with emphasis on vehicular suspension. That development takes into account specific features such as force, volume, force per volume ratio, stroke and frequency response. Together with the theoretical study the design of the actuator is carried out based on parametric simulation by means of finite elements which analyses qualitative and quantitative aspects that are important to make the project decision, specifically to define materials and geometry. To suit as an analysis tool it was employed an analytical modelling, which showed to be efficient because it was capable of producing faster results than the finite elements method to evaluate physical quantities of interest such as force and magnetic flux density. Finally and based on project aspects, a prototype was built which allowed to validate all models. Experimental and theoretical results showed a good agreement which led to conclude that the employed methods are efficient, providing subsidies to the studied application.