Syftet med examensarbetet har varit att undersöka möjligheterna att utveckla, producera och lansera en ny universell laddare. Målet har varit att kunna ladda så många modeller av så många produkter som möjligt, vilket innefattar mobiltelefoner, kameror, datorer och MP3-spelare etc. Arbetet skulle leda fram till ett förslag på produkt. Genom att undersöka befintliga patent och produkter, har marknaden granskats och slutsatsen är att det finns en uppsjö av universella laddare på marknaden. Dock finns det få produkter som inger säkerhet, möjliggör multipel laddning och som är stationära. Dessa egenskaper blev grundstenar i den kravspecifikation som utarbetades. Genom en teknisk analys och kundundersökning sammanställdes ytterligare viktiga parametrar. Resultatet blev en stationär produkt som kan ladda både en bärbar dator och flera mindre elektroniska produkter. Genom att använda en metod som i rapporten betecknas tappteknik kan rätt laddningsförhållande garanteras. Med hjälp av en mikroprocessor och produktspecifika tappar eller ändadaptrar kan laddning av i princip alla sorters produkter och modeller ske. Arbetet har även innefattat konstruktion, CAD och prototypframtagning. / The purpose with this thesis work has been to investigate the possibilities to develop, manufacture and introduce a new universal charger. The aim has been to be able to charge as many models of as many different products as possible, including cell phones, cameras, laptops, MP3-players etc. The work would lead to a product proposal. By an examination of existing patents and products, has the market been reviewed. The conclusion is that there already are big amount of universal chargers in the international market. Yet there are only a few products that inspire safety, have a multiple charging function and which are for stationary use. Those properties became fundamentals in the specification. With a technical analyse and a customary review were more parameters included. The result is a stationary product that can be used to charge both a laptop and several smaller electronic products. By using a method that is called tip technology can the right charging conditions be guaranteed. With a micro processor and with tips which are specific for each product can mostly all sorts of products and models be charged. The work has also included mechanical design, CAD and the build of a prototype.

The decisions taken during the aircraft conceptual design stage are of paramount importance since these commit up to eighty percent of the product life cycle costs. Thus in order to obtain a sound baseline which can then be passed on to the subsequent design phases, various studies ought to be carried out during this stage. These include trade-off analysis and multidisciplinary optimisation performed on computational processes assembled from hundreds of relatively simple mathematical models describing the underlying physics and other relevant characteristics of the aircraft. However, the growing complexity of aircraft design in recent years has prompted engineers to substitute the conventional algebraic equations with compiled software programs (referred to as models in this thesis) which still retain the mathematical models, but allow for a controlled expansion and manipulation of the computational system. This tendency has posed the research question of how to dynamically assemble and solve a system of non-linear models. In this context, the objective of the present research has been to develop methods which significantly increase the flexibility and efficiency with which the designer is able to operate on large scale computational multidisciplinary systems at the conceptual design stage. In order to achieve this objective a novel computational process modelling method has been developed for generating computational plans for a system of non-linear models. The computational process modelling was subdivided into variable flow modelling, decomposition and sequencing. A novel method named Incidence Matrix Method (IMM) was developed for variable flow modelling, which is the process of identifying the data flow between the models based on a given set of input variables. This method has the advantage of rapidly producing feasible variable flow models, for a system of models with multiple outputs. In addition, criteria were derived for choosing the optimal variable flow model which would lead to faster convergence of the system. Cont/d.

The main area of emphasis in this study is to investigate the methods and technology for aerodynamic configuration sizing of missiles and to develop a software platform in MATLAB&reg / environment as a design tool which has an ability of optimizing the external configuration of missiles for a set of flight requirements specified by the user through a graphical user interface. A genetic algorithm based optimization tool is prepared by MATLAB is expected to help the designer to find out the best external geometry candidates in the conceptual design stage. Missile DATCOM software package is employed to predict the aerodynamic coefficients needed in finding the performance merits of a missile for each external geometry candidate by integrating its dynamic equations of motion. Numerous external geometry candidates are rapidly eliminated according to objectives and constraints specified by designers, which provide necessary information in preliminary design. In this elimination, the external geometry candidates are graded according to their flight performances in order to discover an optimum solution. In the conceptual design, the most important performance objectives related to the external geometry of a missile are range, speed, maneuverability, and control effectiveness. These objectives are directly related to the equations of motion of the missile, concluding that the speed and flight range are related to the total mass and the drag-to-lift ratio acting on missile. Also, maneuverability depends on the normal force acting on missile body and mass whereas the control effectiveness is affected by pitching moment and mass moment of inertia of missile. All of the flight performance data are obtained by running a two degree-of-freedom simulation. In order to solve the resulting multi-objective optimization problem with a set of constraint of linear and nonlinear nature and in equality and inequality forms, genetic-algorithm-based methods are applied. Hybrid encoding methods in which the integer configuration variables (i.e., nose shape and control type) and real-valued geometrical dimension (i.e., diameter, length) parameters are encoded in the same individual chromosome. An external configuration design tool (EXCON) is developed as a synthesis and external sizing tool for the subsonic cruise missiles. A graphical user interface (GUI), a flight simulator and optimization modules are embedded into the tool. A numerical example, the re-configuration problem of an anti-ship cruise missile Harpoon, is presented to demonstrate the accuracy and feasibility of the conceptual design tool. The optimum external geometries found for different penalty weights of penalty terms in the cost function are compared according to their constraint violations and launch mass values. By means of using EXCON, the launch mass original baseline Harpoon is reduced by approximately 30% without deteriorating the other flight performance characteristics of the original Harpoon.

The primary goal for the conceptual design phase of a generic air-to-ground missile is to reach an optimal external configuration which satisfies the flight performance requirements such as flight range and time, launch mass, stability, control effectiveness as well as geometric constraints imposed by the designer. This activity is quite laborious and requires the examination and selection among huge numbers of design alternatives. This thesis is mainly focused on multi objective optimization techniques for an air to-ground missile design by using heuristics methods namely as Non Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm and Multiple Cooling Multi Objective Simulated Annealing Algorithm. Futhermore, a new hybrid algorithm is also introduced using Simulated Annealing cascaded with the Genetic Algorithm in which the optimized solutions are passed to the Genetic Algorithm as the intial population. A trade off study is conducted for the three optimization algorithm alternatives in terms of accuracy and quality metrics of the optimized Pareto fronts.

A hybrid method that addresses the design and optimization of long-span steel trusses is presented. By utilizing advancements in present day computing and biologically inspired analysis and design, an effort has been made to automate the process of evolving optimal trusses in an unstructured problem domain. Topology, geometry and sizing optimization of trusses are simultaneously addressed using a three stage methodology. Multi-objective genetic algorithms are used to optimize the member section sizes of truss topologies and geometries. Converting constraints into additional objectives provides a robust algorithm that results in improved convergence to the pareto-optimal set of solutions. In addition, the pareto-curve plotted based on how well the different objectives are satisfied helps in identifying the trade-offs that exist between these objectives, while also providing an efficient way to rank the population of solutions during the search process. A comparison study between multi-objective genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, and reactive taboo search is conducted to evaluate the efficiency of each method with relation to its overall performance, computational expense, sensitivity to initial parameter settings, and repeatability of finding near-global optimal designs. The benefit of using a three stage approach, and also implementing the entire model on parallel computers, is the high level of computational efficiency that is obtained for the entire process and the near-optimal solutions obtained. The overall efficiency and effectiveness of this method has been established by comparing the truss design results obtained using this method on bridge and roof truss benchmark problems with truss designs obtained by other researchers. One of the salient features of thisresearch is the large number of optimal trusses that are produced as the final result. The range of designs available provides the user with the flexibility to select the truss design that best matches their design requirements. By supporting human-computer interactions between these stages, the program also incorporates subjective aesthetic criteria, which assist in producing final designs in consonance with the user's requirements.

<p>Throughout the development of this report there will be a brief explanation of what the actual Aircraft Design Process is and in which stages the methodology that the authors are proposing will be implemented as well as the tools that will interact to produce this methodology.</p><p>The proposed tool will be the first part of a methodology that, according to the authors, by integrating separate tools that are currently used in different stages of the aeronautical design, will promote a decrease in the time frame for the initial stages of the design process.</p><p>The first part of the methodology above, that is proposed in this project, starts by creating a computer generated aircraft model and analyzing its basic aerodynamic characteristics “Lift Coefficient” and “Induced Drag Coefficient”, this step will be an alternative to statistical and empirical methods used in the industry, which require vast amount of data.</p><p>This task will be done in several steps, which will transfer the parametric aircraft model to an input file for the aerodynamic analysis program. To transfer the data a “translation” program has been developed that arranges the geometry and prepares the input file for analysis.</p><p>During the course of this report the reader will find references to existing aircrafts, such as the MD-11 or Airbus 310. However, these references are not intended to be an exact computer model of the mentioned airplanes. The authors are using this as reference so the reader can relate what he/she is seeing in this paper to existing aircrafts. By doing such comparison, the author intends to demonstrate that the Parametric Model that has been created possesses the capability to simulate to some extend the shape of existing aircrafts.</p><p>Finally from the results of this project it is concluded that the methodology in question is promising. Linking the two programs is possible and the aerodynamic characteristics of the models tested fall in the appropriate range. None the less the research must continue following the line that has been discussed in this report.</p>

Throughout the development of this report there will be a brief explanation of what the actual Aircraft Design Process is and in which stages the methodology that the authors are proposing will be implemented as well as the tools that will interact to produce this methodology. The proposed tool will be the first part of a methodology that, according to the authors, by integrating separate tools that are currently used in different stages of the aeronautical design, will promote a decrease in the time frame for the initial stages of the design process. The first part of the methodology above, that is proposed in this project, starts by creating a computer generated aircraft model and analyzing its basic aerodynamic characteristics “Lift Coefficient” and “Induced Drag Coefficient”, this step will be an alternative to statistical and empirical methods used in the industry, which require vast amount of data. This task will be done in several steps, which will transfer the parametric aircraft model to an input file for the aerodynamic analysis program. To transfer the data a “translation” program has been developed that arranges the geometry and prepares the input file for analysis. During the course of this report the reader will find references to existing aircrafts, such as the MD-11 or Airbus 310. However, these references are not intended to be an exact computer model of the mentioned airplanes. The authors are using this as reference so the reader can relate what he/she is seeing in this paper to existing aircrafts. By doing such comparison, the author intends to demonstrate that the Parametric Model that has been created possesses the capability to simulate to some extend the shape of existing aircrafts. Finally from the results of this project it is concluded that the methodology in question is promising. Linking the two programs is possible and the aerodynamic characteristics of the models tested fall in the appropriate range. None the less the research must continue following the line that has been discussed in this report.

Distributed intelligence systems are starting to gain dominance in the field of large-scale complex systems. These systems are characterized by nonlinear behavior patterns that are only predicted through simulation-based engineering. In addition, the autonomy, intelligence, and reconfiguration capabilities required by certain systems introduce obstacles adding another layer of complexity. However, there exists no standard process for the design of such systems. This research presents a design methodology focusing on distributed control architectures while concurrently considering the systems design process. The methodology has two major components. First, it introduces a hybrid design process, based on the infusion of the control architecture and conceptual system design processes. The second component is the development of control architectures metamodel, placing a distinction between control configuration and control methods. This enables a standard representation of a wide spectrum of control architectures frameworks.

Analogies play a well-noted role in innovative design. Analogical reasoning is central to the practices of design-by-analogy and bio-inspired design. In both, analogies are used to derive abstracted principles from prior examples to generate new design solutions. While numerous laboratory and classroom studies of analogy usage have been published, relatively few studies have systematically examined real-world design-by-analogy to describe its characteristics and impacts. To better teach design-by-analogy and develop support tools for engineers, specific insights are needed regarding, for example, what types of product advantages are gained through design-by-analogy and how different design process characteristics influence its outcomes. This research comprises two empirical product studies which investigate analogical inspiration in real-world design to inform the development of new analogy methods and tools. The first, an exploratory pilot study of 57 analogy-inspired products, introduces the product study method and applies several categorical variables to classify product examples. These variables measure aspects such as the composition of the design team, the driving approach to analogical reasoning, and the achieved benefits of using the analogy-inspired concept. The full scale study of 70 analogy-inspired products uses formal collection and screening methods and a refined set of classification variables to analyze examples. It adopts a cross-sectional approach, using statistical tests of association to detect relationships among variables. Combined, these surveys of real-world analogy-inspired innovation inform the development of analogy tools and provide a general account of distant analogy usage across engineering disciplines. The cross-sectional product study method demonstrated in this work introduces a valuable tool for investigating factors and impacts of real-world analogy usage in design.

The primary objective of wastewater treatment is the removal of pollutants to meet given legal effluent standards. To further reduce operators costs additional recovery of resources and energy is desired by industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. Hence the objective in early stage of planning of treatment facilities lies in the identification and evaluation of promising configurations of treatment units. Obviously this early stage of planning may best be supported by software tools to be able to deal with a variety of different treatment configurations. In chemical process engineering various design tools are available that automatically identify feasible process configurations for the purpose to obtain desired products from given educts. In contrast, the adaptation of these design tools for the automatic generation of treatment unit configurations (process chains) to achieve preset effluent standards is hampered by the following three reasons. First, pollutants in wastewater are usually not defined as chemical substances but by compound parameters according to equal properties (e.g. all particulate matter). Consequently the variation of a single compound parameter leads to a change of related parameters (e.g. relation between Chemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solids). Furthermore, mathematical process models of treatment processes are tailored towards fractions of compound parameters. This hampers the generic representation of these process models which in turn is essential for automatic identification of treatment configurations. Second, treatment technologies for wastewater treatment rely on a variety of chemical, biological, and physical phenomena. Approaches to mathematically describe these phenomena cover a wide range of modeling techniques including stochastic, conceptual or deterministic approaches. Even more the consideration of temporal and spatial resolutions differ. This again hampers a generic representation of process models. Third, the automatic identification of treatment configurations may either be achieved by the use of design rules or by permutation of all possible combinations of units stored within a database of treatment units. The first approach depends on past experience translated into design rules. Hence, no innovative new treatment configurations can be identified. The second approach to identify all possible configurations collapses by extremely high numbers of treatment configurations that cannot be mastered. This is due to the phenomena of combinatorial explosion. It follows therefrom that an appropriate planning algorithm should function without the need of additional design rules and should be able to identify directly feasible configurations while discarding those impractical. This work presents a planning tool for the identification and evaluation of treatment configurations that tackles the before addressed problems. The planning tool comprises two major parts. An external declarative knowledge base and the actual planning tool that includes a goal oriented planning algorithm. The knowledge base describes parameters for wastewater characterization (i.e. material model) and a set of treatment units represented by process models (i.e. process model). The formalization of the knowledge base is achieved by the Web Ontology Language (OWL). The developed data model being the organization structure of the knowledge base describes relations between wastewater parameters and process models to enable for generic representation of process models. Through these parameters for wastewater characterization as well as treatment units can be altered or added to the knowledge base without the requirement to synchronize already included parameter representations or process models. Furthermore the knowledge base describes relations between parameters and properties of water constituents. This allows to track changes of all wastewater parameters which result from modeling of removal efficiency of applied treatment units. So far two generic treatment units have been represented within the knowledge base. These are separation and conversion units. These two raw types have been applied to represent different types of clarifiers and biological treatment units. The developed planning algorithm is based on a Means-Ends Analysis (MEA). This is a goal oriented search algorithm that posts goals from wastewater state and limit value restrictions to select those treatment units only that are likely to solve the treatment problem. Regarding this, all treatment units are qualified according to postconditions that describe the effect of each unit. In addition, units are also characterized by preconditions that state the application range of each unit. The developed planning algorithm furthermore allows for the identification of simple cycles to account for moving bed reactor systems (e.g. functional unit of aeration tank and clarifier). The evaluation of identified treatment configurations is achieved by total estimated cost of each configuration. The planning tool has been tested on five use cases. Some use cases contained multiple sources and sinks. This showed the possibility to identify water reuse capabilities as well as to identify solutions that go beyond end of pipe solutions. Beyond the originated area of application, the planning tool may be used for advanced interrogations. Thereby the knowledge base and planning algorithm may be further developed to address the objectives to identify configurations for any type of material and energy recovery.