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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 2005. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 166 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This report describes the speed characteristic and various methods of speed control of DC shunt (separately excited) motors, especially for application in electrical vehicles. The basic behavior of the DC motor is discussed, along with traditional and modern techniques of speed control. As an example, a speed controller for a shunt motor (built and tested by the author) is discussed. Two types of speed controllers for electric cars are discussed, and the performance results for an experimental electric car are presented. Finally, a design for a 24 HP car motor controller using both armature and field control was simulated on a smaller scale in the laboratory.

As an additional opportunistic component to the Southern African Mag- netotelluric Experiment (SAMTEX), audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) data were acquired during the most recent phase of the experiment (Phase IV) to inves- tigate the local-scale conductivity substructure in the Otjiwarongo and Ka- tima Mulilo regions (Namibia), as to aid in the installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) earth electrodes that has since taken place. Both of the AMT surveys are situated close to the edge of the orogenic Neo- Proterozoic Damara Mobile Belt (DMB). Previous studies all point to the existence of a highly conductive mid-crustal zone which correlates well with the spatial location of the DMB. Two-dimensional (2D) inverse modelling of the Otjiwarongo AMT data con rms the existence of the high conductive zone at mid-crustal depths (10-15 km). The high conductivity of the DMB is explained by the presence of interconnected graphite in the marble units present. The Katima Mulilo inversion results are characterized by a con- ductive upper crustal layer that does not form part of the DMB conductive belt. It is deduced that at the uppermost subsurface Kalahari sediments are responsible for the high conductivity observed while at greater depth it is due to ironstone within the Ghanzi Group. In contrast to the conductive DMB, the lithospheric structure of the neighbouring Archaean cratons, the Congo and Kalahari, are generally found to be electrically resistive. There- fore, it is hypothesized that ground return current, if present, will ow along a path between the Otjiwarongo and Katima Mulilo regions that lies either exclusively, or almost entirely within the DMB. The hypothesis is tested by inputting a three dimensional (3D) conductivity model (calculated using available magnetotelluric (MT) data and geological information) of the re- gion into a DC resistivity forward modelling code. Forward modelling shows that the return current is only con ned to, and follows regional trends char- acteristic of, the conductive DMB for approximately 200-300 km away from the injection point, after which there is no preferential flow.

Permanent magnet brushless DC motors that have found wide application in high performance servo drives need absolute rotor position sensors. However, the cost of the position sensor limits the use of brush less DC motors for low performance applications such as automotive and home appliances. A sensorless starting scheme for brushless DC motors is studied in this thesis. A hardware implementation of the starting scheme has been instrumented. The modeling and simulation of the sensorless starting performance of brushless DC motors have been accomplished to gain the insight into the process. The experimental results confirm the theoretical prediction that the permanent magnet brush less DC motor can be started without a position sensor. The experimental setup with individual subsystems are described in detail. / Master of Science

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Engineering Degree, Department of Electronic Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / The aim of this research project is to design a three phase four quadrant variable speed drive (VSD) for a permanent magnet brushless direct current motor (PMBLDC) that can be applied to an electric bicycle (e-bike). The design is confined to PMBLDC motors with a maximum power rating of 1.5kW. The speed controller operates in current mode at a maximum voltage and current rating of 50V and 30A, respectively. The VSD has the ability to smoothly control the current delivered to the DC motor and therefore controls its torque. The motor’s current is limited in all four quadrants of operation, and its speed is limited in the forward and reverse directions. The performance of the proposed DC motor VSD system is tested on an electric- bicycle. The PMBLDC motor has three hall sensors embedded into the stator to determine rotor position. A phase switcher module interprets the position signals and produces a switching pattern. This effectively transforms the BLDC motor into a direct current (DC) brushed motor. The unipolar switching scheme used ensures that current flows out of the battery only for motoring operation and into the battery during regenerative braking. The current and torque are directly proportional in a BLDC motor. Torque control is achieved in the BLDC motor using a single channel current controller. The phase switcher current is monitored and used to control the duty cycle of the synchronous converter switches. The proposed e-bike speed control system provides efficient control in all four quadrants of operation and it is a suitable alternative for a low cost transportation mode. / M

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a widespread but poorly understood condition that places a substantial burden on the sufferer, health services and the wider economy. Existing approaches to management do not demonstrate impressive levels of effectiveness. There is growing evidence that CNSLBP is associated with significant alterations in central nervous system (CNS) structure and function, suggesting a possible role for the brain in the aetiology of the condition, and presenting a case for novel therapies which aim to treat CNSLBP by affecting brain function. One such potential therapeutic approach is non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). Following a literature review discussing the epidemiology and management of low back pain, the evidence for altered CNS function and the potential role of brain stimulation in CNSLBP and chronic pain generally this thesis includes 3 original scientific studies: (i) A Cochrane systematic review of the effectiveness of NIBS techniques for the treatment of chronic pain; (ii) A randomised double-blind exploratory study of transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex in the treatment of CNSLBP; (iii) Is blinding to the stimulation condition maintained in trials comparing 2mA tDCS with sham stimulation? A randomised cross-over study. Results: There is limited existing evidence that some forms of NIBS may have a beneficial effect on chronic pain, though caution is warranted. Exploratory data from study 2 is not suggestive that tDCS to the motor cortex is effective for treating CNSLBP. Commonly used sham controls in trials of tDCS do not ensure adequate blinding, and so introduce a potential source of bias to the existing evidence base. Conclusion: Further research is required to establish the value of NIBS as a treatment for chronic pain and CNSLBP. Future research in tDCS will need to develop and employ fully validated sham controls to ensure adequate blinding. NIBS cannot currently be recommended for the treatment of CNSLBP.

The structure of direct-current microdischarges is investigated using a detailed two-dimensional multi-species continuum model. Microdischarges are directcurrent discharges that operate at a relatively high pressure of about 100 Torr and geometric dimensions in the 10-100 micrometer range. Our motivation for the study of microdischarges comes from a potential application of these devices in microthrusters for small satellite propulsion. The Micro Plasma Thruster (MPT) concept consists of a direct-current microdischarge in a geometry comprising a constant area flow section followed by a diverging exit nozzle. A detailed description of the plasma dynamics inside the MPT including power deposition, ionization, coupling of the plasma phenomena with high-speed flow, and propulsion system performance is reported in this study. A two-dimensional model is developed as part of this study. The model consists of a plasma module coupled to a flow module and is solved on a hybrid unstructured mesh framework. The plasma module provides a self-consistent, multispecies, multi-temperature description of the microdischarge phenomena while the flow module provides a description of the low Reynolds number compressible flow through the system. The plasma module solves conservation equations for plasma species continuity and electron energy, and Poisson’s equation for the self-consistent electric field. The flow module solves mass, bulk gas momentum and energy equations. The coupling of energy from the electrostatic field to the plasma species is modeled by the Joule heating term which appears in the electron and heavy species energy equations. Discretization of the Joule heating term on unstructured meshes requires special attention. We propose a new robust method for the numerical discretization of the Joule heating term on such meshes using a cell-centered, finite volume approach. A prototypical microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) is studied to guide and validate the modeling effort for theMPT. Computational results for the impedance characteristics as well as electrodynamic and chemical features of the discharge are reported and compared to experimental results. At low current (< 0.1 mA), the plasma activity is localized inside the cylindrical hollow region of the discharge operating in the so-called “abnormal regime”. For larger currents, the discharge expands over the outer flat surface of the cathode and operates in the “normal regime”. Transient relaxation oscillations are predicted in the plasma properties for intermediate discharge currents ranging from 0.1 mA to 0.3 mA; a phenomenon that is reported in experiments. The MPT, in its present configuration, is found to operate as an electrothermal, rather than as an electrostatic thruster. A significant increase in specific impulse, compared to the cold gas micronozzle, is obtained from the power deposition into the expanding gas. For a discharge voltage of 750 V, a power input of 650 mW, and an argon mass flow rate of 5 sccm, the specific impulse of the device is increased by a factor of 1.5 to a value of 74 s. The microdischarge remains mostly confined inside the micronozzle and operates in an abnormal regime. Gas heating, primarily due to ion Joule heating, is found to have a strong influence on the overall discharge behavior. The study provides crucial understanding to aid in the design of direct-current microdischarge based thrusters. / text

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 2016 / The validity of the atmospheric correction method presented in the IEC 60060-1 (2010) standard is analysed and evaluated by means of theoretical and laboratory work. In order to understand the problem, the evolution of the atmospheric correction methods, from as early as 1914, has been presented. A procedure (Calva prediction method) for predicting the direct current (DC) breakdown voltage for an air gap at any altitude was discovered and was also analysed along with the IEC 60060-1 (2010). A critique of some of the atmospheric correction methods commonly used standards was also done. Experiments were carried out at altitudes of 1 740 m (Wits University), 130 m (UKZN HVDC centre) and at less than 2 m above sea level (Scottburgh beach, Clansthal). More tests were conducted using a pressure vessel where high altitude relative air density was simulated. All tests were conducted on rod-plane air gaps using a 15 mm diameter at tip rod. Test results from Scottburgh beach were used as the standard breakdown voltages of the air gaps tested since the environmental conditions were the closest to the conventional standard conditions (stp). The test results obtained were compared with predictions using the Calva method in order to validate the method. The test results were also corrected according to IEC 60060-1 (2010) and compared to the standard breakdown voltages obtained at Scottburgh beach. It was shown that the IEC 60060-1 (2010) is quite suitable for atmospheric correction for data obtained at low altitudes (about 130 m). When applied to high altitude (1 740 m) data, the correction method is accurate and suitable for very small air gaps less than 0.1 m. As the air gap length increased, the corrected results began to deviate from the expected standard voltage. The same trend was shown with the corrected results from the pressure chamber tests. The prediction method by Calva was accurate when compared to the experimental data from the high altitude and low altitude test results. When compared to the data from the pressure chamber, the prediction method had a linear error factor which was di erent for each gap length. It was concluded that the IEC 60060-1 (2010) is not only unsuitable for atmospheric correction for data at relative air densities below 0.8, but also that the correction method is prone to an increase in error as the air gap length increases when the relative air density is higher than 0.8. The Calva prediction method was found to be suitable to use after additional factors are added when applied to high altitude conditions. / GR2016

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