The studied material is an A356 Al alloy, used to produce engine cylinder heads for the automotive industry by die casting process. The material displays a quite coarse dendritic microstructure in a eutectic matrix, with a mean grains size of 25 microns, intemetallic precipitates and porosities. The tensile properties are strongly affected by testing temperature, with a quite sensitive drop of the Young's modulus, the Yield stress as the temperature was raised. The isothermal fatigue life dropped of markedly (approximately 10 times) when the testing temperature is raised from 120 to 280 °C, under strain control. From the themomechanical in-phase cyclic tests, with temperature varying from (120 to 280 oC), it was possible to observe that life is quite similar to the isothermal fatigue test at 280 oC. In this case, the more sensitive damage caused the in-phase mechanical and thermal cycle take place at the highest temperature. Relaxation tests indicated two distinct behaviors, with the temperature of 240°C being a threshold. At lower temperatures, the material hardens cyclically whereas it softens cyclically at higher temperatures. From the fatigue crack growth results, it was observed that temperature and wave shape has a strong influence on the crack growth rate as well as on the stress intensity threshold. Considering sinusoidal wave shape (10 Hz), as the temperature increased the DKth decreased and the crack propagation rate increased. However, the rate as da/dN change with temperature is quite similar, as an indicative that the micromechanism of crack growth has not changed due to the high frequency used, and it was due only to loss of mechanical strength. An elastic-visco-plastic non-isothermal constitutive law was identified for the material. For the cast material studied in this work, the mechanical behavior parameters are statistically distributed. However, it was shown that the model was able to reproduce, with a reasonable approximation, the stress - strain relationship at different temperatures, for the isothermal and anisothermal cases.

Les écoulements rampants, recirculants et instationnaires d'un fluide viscoplastique autour d'un cylindre ont été étudiés.Numériquement, les morphologies des écoulements, la localisation des zones rigides, les champs de contraintes et pression autour du cylindre ainsi que le coefficient de traînée, ont été déterminés sur un large domaine des nombres de Reynolds et d'Oldroyd.Expérimentalement, les fluides étudiés sont des gels de polymère Carbopol®. Le comportement élastoviscoplastique de ces gels a été modélisé par une loi d'Herschel-Bulkley adaptée. Le montage expérimental conçu et réalisé a été validé par l'étude de l'écoulement d'un fluide newtonien autour d'un cylindre et la mise en place d'une procédure adaptée pour les fluides à seuil.On a pu constater l'influence des conditions d'interface avec l'apparition d'une morphologie de lâchers de tourbillons simultanés et symétriques.

The aerospace industry has been concerned with propeller noise levels for years. This interest is two-fold: government regulation and comfort in cabin. This report attempts to create a simulation mechanism needed to evaluate the far-field noise generation levels. However, in order to do that, the tandem cylinder case was evaluated first as a validation step before the SR-7A propeller case was performed. Both cases use STAR-CCM+, a commercial software, to perform the simulations.

Pjezoelektriniai keitikliai naudojami įvairiuose įrenginiuose, kur reikalingas itin didelis tikslumas, greitaveika ir nanometrų eilės matmenys. Šiame darbe pristatomas nanometrinės skyros cilindrinio pjezokeitiklio, naudojamo palydovo kameros pozicionavimui, tyrimas. Pirmame skyriuje aptartos fizikinės pjezokeraminių medžiagų savybės, pjezokeitiklių konstrukcijos, tvirtinimo sąlygos bei baigtinių elementų metodas. Antrame skyriuje pateikta išsami publikacijų, susijusių su cilindriniais pjezokeitikliais apžvalga. Trečiame skyriuje sprendžiamas cilindrinio pjezokeitiklio matmenų ir elektrodų schemos parinkimo uždavinys. Baigtinių elementų metodas naudojamas sprendžiant cilindrinio pjezokeitiklio savųjų reikšmių ir harmoninės analizės uždavinius. Cilindrinio pjezokeitiklio skaitinis modeliavimas atliktas naudojant ANSYS programinę įrangą. / Piezoelectric actuators are used in various devices where great precision, speed and nanometric scaling are needed. In this paper a nanometric scale piezoelectric actuator used for satellite camera's positioning is presented. In the first chapter physical properties of piezoeletric materials, piezoelectric constructions, support conditions and finite element method are presented. In the second chapter a wide review of literature related to cylindrical piezoelectric actuators is given. In the third chapter a problem of geometrical parameters and electrode schemes selection of cylindrical piezoelectric actuator is investigated. Finite element method is used for determining eigenfrequencies and performing harmonic analysis. Numerical modeling of piezoelectric actuator is carried out using ANSYS software.

In mobile robot applications, it is an important issue for a robot to know where it is. Accurate localization becomes crucial for navigation and map building applications because both route to follow and positions of the objects to be inserted into the map highly depend on the position of the robot in the environment. For localization, the robot uses the measurements that it takes by various devices such as laser rangefinders, sonars, odometry devices and vision. Generally these devices give the distances of the objects in the environment to the robot and proceesing these distance information, the robot finds its location in the environment. In this thesis, two vision-based robot localization algorithms are implemented. The first algorithm uses artificial landmarks as the objects around the robot and by measuring the positions of these landmarks with respect to the camera system, the robot locates itself in the environment. Locations of these landmarks are known. The second algorithm instead of using artificial landmarks, estimates its location by measuring the positions of the objects that naturally exist in the environment. These objects are treated as natural landmarks and locations of these landmarks are not known initially. A three-wheeled robot base on which a stereo camera system is mounted is used as the mobile robot unit. Processing and control tasks of the system is performed by a stationary PC. Experiments are performed on this robot system. The stereo camera system is the measurement device for this robot.

Growing concerns about interruption to oil supply and oil shortages have led to escalating global oil prices. In addition, increased public acceptance of the global warming problem has prompted car manufacturers to agree to carbon emission targets in many regions including most recently, the Californian standards. Other legislating bodies are sure to follow this lead with increasingly stringent targets. As a result of these issues, spark ignition engines in their current form will need significant improvements to meet future requirements. One technically feasible option is smaller capacity downsized engines with enhanced power that could be used in the near term to reduce both carbon emissions and fuel consumption in passenger vehicles.This research focuses on exploring the performance limits of a 0.43 liter spark ignited engine and defining its operating boundaries. Limiting factors such as combustion, gas exchange and component design are investigated to determine if they restrict small engine performance. The research gives direction to the development of smaller gasoline engines and establishes the extent to which they can contribute to future powertrain fuel consumption reduction whilst maintaining engine power at European intermediate class requirements.

Energy conversion devices using solid-state magnetocaloric materials have the potential to reduce energy consumption and mitigate environmental pollutants. To overcome the limited magnetic entropy change of magnetocaloric materials, magnetic refrigeration devices typically use the active magnetic regenerator (AMR) cycle. AMR devices have demonstrated promising performance, however costs must be reduced for broad market penetration. Although the magnet cost is of greatest importance for commercialization, literature has decoupled magnet design from AMR optimization. And while multilayered regenerators can improve performance without increasing cost, a number of questions remain unanswered as a result of the prohibitive parameter space. This dissertation explores methods of improving AMR performance and decreasing cost both at the subsystem level, namely the magnetocaloric regenerator, fluid flow system and magnetic field source, and the device level by coupling the regenerator and magnet design problems in a cost optimization framework. To improve AMR performance, multilayered regenerators with second-order magnetocaloric materials are experimentally and numerically investigated, yielding insight on how individual layers behave and interact over a wide range of regenerator compositions and operating parameters. An efficient AMR modeling approach is presented where individual layers are treated as cascaded AMR elements, and simulations are in excellent agreement with experiments. Insights from the computationally efficient model are used to inform device modifications, and a no-load temperature span of 40 K is measured in close proximity to the simulated optimum; one of the highest in literature. To simultaneously decrease AMR costs, a permanent magnet optimization framework is explored that is conducive to nonlinear objectives and constraints. This is used to investigate the optimal design of permanent magnet structures with reduced rare-earth permanent magnet materials. The regenerator and magnet design problems are then coupled in a permanent magnet topology optimization to minimize the combined capital and operating costs of an AMR. The optimal magnetic field waveform and the optimal means of producing this waveform are simultaneously obtained. The lifetime ownership costs of the optimized AMR device are shown to be in the realm of existing entry-level cooling devices. The presented cost optimization framework is of interest to both scientists and engineers, and demonstrates the importance of fast AMR models in identifying system designs, regenerator compositions and operating regimes that increase AMR performance and decrease cost. / Graduate

Les décollements autour d’un corps en mouvement sont à l’origine de détériorations des performances aérodynamiques, de fatigues structurelles ou de nuisances sonores. La compréhension de ces phénomènes reste encore aujourd’hui l’un des enjeux majeurs de la recherche en aérodynamique. Le développement de systèmes permettant de contrôler l’écoulement et d’altérer ou de réduire les décollements apparaît comme une solution prometteuse en vue d’améliorer les performances aérodynamiques. On distingue les systèmes de contrôles passifs, simples d’utilisation mais incapables de s’adapter aux modifications de l’écoulement, des systèmes actifs qui disposent d’une grande adaptabilité mais nécessitent un apport extérieur d’énergie pour fonctionner. La stratégie du contrôle auto-adaptif s’apparente à un compromis entre ces deux méthodes. En s’inspirant de mécanismes présents dans la nature, elle permet d’associer amélioration des performances aérodynamiques, adaptabilité et autonomie. Ce travail de thèse porte sur l’étude expérimentale du contrôle du sillage turbulent d’un corps épais à l’aide d’actionneurs bio-inspirés avec un double objectif : i. déterminer les paramètres optimaux du dispositif de contrôle qui prend la forme d’un couple de volets flexibles, ii. Identifier les mécanismes physiques d’interactions entre l’actionnement et l’écoulement. Pour mener à bien cet objectif, de nombreux instruments de mesure complémentaires ont été mis en oeuvre. Une étude paramétrique a permis de démontrer l’efficacité du dispositif pour différentes configurations (fixes et auto-adaptatives) et d’identifier des configurations d’intérêt. La caractérisation de l’écoulement autour et dans le sillage du cylindre carré sans et avec contrôle a révélé un allongement de la longueur de recirculation à l’arrière du cylindre et la réduction de l’expansion du sillage. L’un des résultats majeurs de l’étude est que la réduction de traînée obtenue est principalement liée à une action du système sur l’anisotropie des fluctuations de l’écoulement et plus particulièrement sur l’entrainement du fluide dans le sillage de l’obstacle. / Flow separations around moving bodies lead to detrimental effects such as aerodynamic performances loss, structural fatigue and noises production. The understanding of these phenomena remains one of the most challenging issue of modern fluid dynamics. A promising solution to improve aerodynamic performances relies on the development of flow control devices able to prevent or mitigate the effects of separation. One can distinguish the passive flow control strategy, with easy to use devices but unable to adapt to the flow changes, from the active flow control strategy which benefits from a great adaptability but requires external power supply. Self-adaptive flow control appears to be a good compromise between those two strategies. Inspired from mechanisms at play in Nature, it combines good aerodynamic performances, self-adaptability and self-sustainability. This PhD thesis is dedicated to the experimental investigation of the turbulent flow over a bluff-body controlled by means of bio-inspired devices. The objective is two-folds : i. Design the control device which consists of a couple of compliant flaps, ii. Identify the physical mechanisms governing the interactions between the flow and the devices. A great number of complementary measurement techniques have been used in order to achieve these objectives. The efficiency of the devices for different configurations – locked and self-adaptive flaps - has been demonstrated through a parametric study. It has led to the identification of the main parameters involved in the control mechanism. The flow characterization around and in the wake of both uncontrolled and controlled cylinder revealed an increase in the length of the recirculation region and the reduction of the wake width. One of the major findings of this study is that the control essentially modifies the turbulent velocity field leading to a reduction of the lateral flow entrainment in the wake of the obstacle.

Nesta contribuição apresentamos uma solução para a equação de transferência radiativa condutiva em geometria cilíndrica. Esta solução é aplicada para simular a radiação e campo de temperatura juntamente com o transporte de energia radiativa e condutiva proveniente do escape liberado em lançamentos de foguetes. Para este fim, discutimos uma abordagem semianalítica reduzindo a equação original, que é contínua nas variáveis angulares, numa equação semelhante ao problema SN da transferência radiativa condutiva. A solução é construída usando um método de composição por transformada de Laplace e o método da decomposição de Adomian. O esquema recursivo ´e apresentado para o sistema de equações de ordenadas duplamente discretas juntamente com as dependências dos parâmetros e suas influências sobre a convergência heurística da solução. A solução obtida, em seguida, permite construir o campo próximo relevante para caracterizar o termo fonte para problemas de dispersão ao ajustar os parâmetros do modelo, tais como, emissividade, refletividade, albedo e outros, em comparação com a observação, que são relevantes para os processos de dispersão de campo distante e podem ser manipulados de forma independente do presente problema. Além do método de solução, também relatamos sobre algumas soluções e simulações numéricas. / In this contribution we present a solution for the radiative conductive transfer equation in cylinder geometry. This solution is applied to simulate the radiation and temperature field together with conductive and radiative energy transport originated from the exhaust released in rocket launches. To this end we discuss a semi-analytical approach reducing the original equation, which is continuous in the angular variables, into an equation similar to the SN radiative conductive transfer problem. The solution is constructed using a composite method by Laplace transform and Adomian decomposition method. The recursive scheme is presented for the doubly discrete ordinate equations system together with parameter dependencies and their influence on heuristic convergence of the solution. The obtained solution allows then to construct the relevant near field to characterize the source term for dispersion problems when adjusting the model parameters such as emissivity, reflectivity, albedo and others in comparison to the observation, that are relevant for far field dispersion processes and may be handled independently from the present problem. In addition to the solution method we also report some solutions and numerical simulations.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:29:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6311.pdf: 6136932 bytes, checksum: 61ddcfd9f2becb52bf53455a06dd1ced (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-15 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This paper presents a didactic proposal for Spatial Geometry classes in High School. We were taken to create this proposal from our experience as a teacher, when we observed that the study of this content requires experimentation and contextualization activities. The study of the Spatial Geometry is of great importance in High School. It contributes to the development of the capacity of abstraction, solving practical problems of everyday life and helps to acquire skills to estimate and compare results, recognize properties of geometric shapes, calculate areas, volume and working with different units of measure. Our work uses as motivation the problem of constructing a silo for grain storage, for this it is necessary to compare the volumes of the prisms with triangular, square and hexagonal base and of the cylinder without the cover, height and total area of the fixed surface to choose the format representing the highest volume. Our work is not intended to define or obtain formulas to calculate areas and volumes. The main focus of this work is to develop the ability to manipulate these formulas and other knowledge, such as solving quadratic equation, using the Pythagorean theorem, and correctly use the calculator to solve a practical problem. This activity has been applied to three classes of Second Grade High School students in a State School of São Paulo in Agudos town. For this purpose two classes of 100 minutes were used. The pupils enjoyed the activity that was carried out in groups of three and the lesson was without complications. This is a didactic sequence that does not require many resources and may be useful for teachers who want to work the theme in context. Our proposal adopts suggestions from the National Curricular Parameters (NCP) and we believe that can be used by fellow teachers, to which our product is available. / Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta didática para aulas de Geometria Espacial no Ensino Médio. Fomos levados a criar essa proposta a partir de nossa experiência como professor, quando observamos que o estudo desse conteúdo necessita de atividades de experimentação e contextualização. O estudo da Geometria Espacial é de grande importância no Ensino Médio. Contribui para o desenvolvimento da capacidade de abstração, resolução de problemas práticos do quotidiano, e ajuda a adquirir habilidades como estimar e comparar resultados, reconhecer propriedades das formas geométricas, calcular áreas, volumes e trabalhar com diferentes unidades de medida. Nosso trabalho usa como motivação o problema de construir um silo para armazenamento de grãos, para isso é preciso comparar os volumes dos prismas de base triangular, quadrada, hexagonal e do cilindro, sem a tampa, altura e área total da superfície fixa para escolher o formato que apresente o maior volume. Nosso trabalho não tem o objetivo de definir ou obter fórmulas para calcular áreas e volumes. O foco principal deste trabalho é desenvolver a capacidade de manipular tais fórmulas e outros conhecimentos, como por exemplo, resolver equações do segundo grau, utilizar o teorema de Pitágoras e utilizar corretamente a calculadora para resolver um problema prático. Esta atividade foi aplicada em três turmas da segunda série do Ensino Médio de uma escola da Rede Estadual de Ensino de São Paulo em Agudos. Para isso foram utilizadas duas aulas de 100 minutos. Os alunos gostaram da atividade que foi realizada em grupos de três e a aula transcorreu sem complicações. Trata-se de uma sequência didática que não requer muitos recursos e pode ser útil para os professores que pretendam trabalhar o tema de maneira contextualizada. Nossa proposta adota sugestões dos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais (PCN) e acreditamos que pode ser utilizada por colegas professores, aos quais nosso produto está disponível.