Rhythmic movementssuch as swimming, flying, and walkingare ubiquitous in nature. Intrinsically active neural networks called central pattern generators (CPGs) provide the feedforward signals to actuate these movements, but the preferred movement frequency is often equivalent to the resonant frequency of the musculoskeletal system. Sensory feedback is essential to synchronize the neural and musculoskeletal systems to the mechanical resonant frequency, a phenomenon called resonance tuning. In this dissertation, we use a simple computational model of rhythmic movement to understand how the configuration of sensory feedback affects both the sensitivity of resonance tuning to parameter variation and the resiliency of resonance tuning to perturbation. Although previous studies have shown that resonance tuning is limited to frequencies that are above the intrinsic CPG frequency, we demonstrate that this limitation is only valid with negative feedback and with endogenously bursting CPG neurons. Specifically, we show that with positive feedback, resonance tuning occurs at frequencies that are below the intrinsic CPG frequency. Moreover, when the synaptic connections within the CPG are required for bursting activity, resonance tuning occurs both above and below the intrinsic CPG frequency with negative feedback and does not occur with positive feedback. Using Floquet analysis, we then demonstrate that perturbations decay more quickly when resonance tuning is realized with positive than with negative proportional feedback. Finally, we evaluate how the intrinsic CPG frequency, feedback gain, and mechanical damping affect the stability and range of resonance tuning with negative and positive feedback. Overall, these results indicate that the configuration of sensory feedback dramatically affects both the parameter space in which resonance tuning occurs and the stability of the resultant periodic motion.

Magistro darbe tiriami dinaminio proceso perdavimo spyruokle ypatumai bei galimybės, ir kaip tą panaudoti spyruoklėmis vibroizoliuotų atramų diagnostikai. Buvo sukurta tyrimo metodika ir spyruoklės įėjimo ir išėjimo charakteristikoms gauti atitinkamas matavimo stendas. Naudojant impulsinio tipo signalą, buvo gautas sistemos savųjų virpesių spektras, taip pat sistema buvo žadinama vibratoriumi, siekiant ištirti ir įvertinti spyruoklės perdavimo funkciją esant nerezonansiniams dažniams. Analizuojant išmatuotas realizacijas, buvo išvesta perdavimo funkcija. Darbą sudaro 7 dalys: įvadas, literatūros apžvalga ir analizė, eksperimentiniai tyrimai, tyrimo rezultatai, rekomendacijos, išvados ir pasiūlymai, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 44 p. teksto be priedų, 41 iliustr., 31 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. Atskirai pridedami darbo priedai. / Particulars of the problem of the dynamics transfer function of the spring and possibilities for diagnostics of the support bearings which are insulated from the external body by the resilient elements are developed in this article. During this research work the investigation methodology was found and suitable research stand was made as well. The impulse type input signal was submitted to the system to observe free oscillations in the stand. Also the system was excited by electromagnetic vibrator to research transfer function of the spring. Finally using the output and input signals at the spring ends the transfer function was derived. The thesis consists of 7 parts: introduction, rewiew of references and analisys, experimentation investigations, experimentation results, recommendations, conclusions and suggestions, the list of the references. Thesis consist of: 44 p. of text without appendixes, 41 pictures, 31 bibliographical entries. Appendixes included.

The hardware validation of a novel average-value model (AVM) for the simulation of a synchronous-generator/controlled rectifier system is presented herein. The generator is characterized using genetic algorithm techniques to fit standstill frequency response (SSFR) measurements to q and d-axis equivalent circuits representing the generator in the rotor reference frame. The generator parameters form the basis of a detailed model of the system, from which algebraic functions defining the parametric AVM are derived. The average-value model is compared to the physical system for a variety of loading and operating conditions including step load change, change in delay angle, and external closed-loop control, validating the model accuracy for steady-state and transient operation.

This thesis present novel non-destructive laboratory test methods to characterize asphalt concrete. The testing is based on frequency response measurements of specimens where resonance frequencies play a key role to derive material properties such as the complex modulus and complex Poisson’s ratio. These material properties are directly related to pavement quality and used in thickness design of pavements. Since conventional cyclic loading is expensive, time consuming and complicated to perform, there has been a growing interest to apply resonance and ultrasonic testing to estimate the material properties of asphalt concrete. Most of these applications have been based on analytical approximations which are limited to characterizing the complex modulus at one frequency per temperature. This is a significant limitation due to the strong frequency dependency of asphalt concrete. In this thesis, numerical methods are applied to develop a methodology based on modal testing of laboratory samples to characterize material properties over a wide frequency and temperature range (i.e. a master curve). The resonance frequency measurements are performed by exciting the specimens using an impact hammer and through a non-contact approach using a speaker. An accelerometer is used to measure the resulting vibration of the specimen. The material properties can be derived from these measurements since resonance frequencies of a solid are a function of the stiffness, mass, dimensions and boundary conditions. The methodology based on modal testing to characterize the material properties has been developed through the work presented in paper I and II, compared to conventional cyclic loading in paper III and IV and used to observe deviations from isotropic linear viscoelastic behavior in paper V. In paper VI, detailed measurements of resonance frequencies have been performed to study the possibility to detect damage and potential healing of asphalt concrete.  The resonance testing are performed at low strain levels (~10^-7) which gives a direct link to surface wave testing of pavements in the field. This enables non-destructive quality control of pavements, since the field measurements are performed at approximately the same frequency range and strain level. / <p>QC 20141117</p>

Vibration generated from various sources (engine, road surface, tires, exhaust, etc.) should be considered in the design of a car body. These vibrations travel through transfer systems (drivetrain, suspension, body, etc.) to the steering wheel, seats and other areas where it is detected by the passengers of the vehicle. Transmission routes must be studied and efforts made to keep transfer systems from amplifying vibration and to absorb it instead. Since the superior vibration transfer system is the car body, finite element analysis and experimental vibration analysis are performed on car body-in-white. Body vibration analysis entails understanding and improving the body&rsquo / s dynamic characteristics that act as vibration transfer channels. In the previous study, a finite element model has been created for a car body-in-white available in Automotive Laboratory (Mechanical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara) and its natural frequencies and mode shapes have been determined using finite element analysis software. In this study, vibration tests have been performed on actual car body-in-white. Frequency response functions between 34 response locations and force application point have been measured. Using these frequency response functions, natural frequencies and mode shapes of the body-in-white have been determined. Finite element analysis and experimental results have been compared to evaluate the finite element model reliability.

Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a frequency-domain method which is used to detect mechanical faults in transformers. The frequency response of a transformer is determined by its geometry and material properties, and it can be considered as the transformer’s fingerprint. If there are any mechanical changes in the transformer, for example if the windings are moved or distorted, its fingerprint will also be changed so, theoretically, mechanical changes in the transformer can be detected with FRA. A problem with FRA is the fact that there is no general agreement about how to interpret the measurement results for detection of winding damages. For instance, the interpretation of measurement results has still not been standardized.The overall goal of this thesis is to try to enhance the understanding of the information contained in FRA measurements. This has been done in two ways: (1) by examining the FRA method for (much) higher frequencies than what is usual, and (2) by developing a new method in which FRA is combined with the ideas of Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). As tools for carrying out the above mentioned steps, models for the magnetic core and the winding have been developed and verified by comparison to measurements.The usual upper frequency limit for FRA is around 2 MHz, which in this thesis has been extended by an order of magnitude in order to detect and interpret new phenomena that emerge at high frequencies and to investigate the potential of this high-frequency region for detection of winding deteriorations.Further, in the above-mentioned new method developed in this thesis, FRA and TDR are combined as a step towards an easier and more intuitive detection and localization of faults in transformer windings, where frequency response measurements are visualized in the time domain in order to facilitate their interpretation. / QC 20111122

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 127-140) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 127-140) Also available online.

The Swedish island of Gotland , situated about 100 km from mainland Sweden in the Baltic Sea, represents a power system with a high wind power penetration. The island is connected to the mainland Sweden exclusively via two HVDC cables that provide the only source of active power and frequency control. The two cables can operate in different configurations, i.e. import or export power from or to mainland. However, in order to ensure the N-1 criterion, one of the cables currently always must import power from the mainland. This means that the available power exporting capacity is limited to the rated power of one of the cables. Therefore, in the case of having a fault on the exporting HVDC cable during low load demand and high wind power production, the power system will suffer from high active power transients that will increase the frequency above the acceptable threshold. Consequently, the protection system will trip the over-frequency relays, triggering cascading outages on the island that might eventually lead to blackout if the problem is not addressed correctly. Thus, increasing the renewable energy production on Gotland is currently considered as a risk that will increase the probability of instable over-frequency contingencies. This has led the local grid operator to cap the installed wind power capacity to its current level. Therefore, the ability to preserve the stability of the power system during islanded operations until the HVDC cables fault is cleared or the emergency reserves are online is essential for the growth of installed wind power capacity. The main objective of the thesis is to examine the capability of a centralized energy storage along with or without wind curtailment. The ESS is tested for maintaining the frequency stability during the unintentional islanding through dynamic studies using the software PSS/E. The results show that an ESS prevents frequency instabilities and provide frequency response during HVDC cables fault albeit of the absence of any form of rotating inertia. The results show that for today’s 185 MW of installed wind power capacity, an energy storage of 50 MW power capacity will reduce over-frequency instabilities in the case of HVDC cables fault from 13% to 1%. The analysis finds that the power capacity of the energy storage depends on the exported power from the HVDC cables at the instant of fault, which eventually relates to the installed wind power capacity. finally, the study shows that using wind power curtailment will significantly decrease the energy capacity of the energy storage.

Neste trabalho o autor programa e avalia algoritmos para análise e otimização de pressão sonora desenvolvidos para sistemas acoplados vibroacústicos, verificando o desempenho da análise da resposta e comparando a adequação dos algoritmos de Programação Quadrática Sequencial (SQP - Sequencial Quadratic Programming) e Genético na otimização da resposta. A otimização da resposta é implementada no programa acadêmico de elementos finitos Meflab, e utiliza para otimização a função fmincon disponível no programa comercial Matlab®. Igualmente a otimização da resposta é implementada através de um código desenvolvido de algoritmos genéticos. Para os casos acoplados estudados o algoritmo SQP mostra uma redução da pressão sonora inicial inferior ao algoritmo Genético, para casos desacoplados o método SQP consegue reduções maiores. Os resultados foram validados através de formulações analíticas disponíveis e comparados em alguns casos com soluções de programas comerciais. / In this work the author implements in a software and evaluates algorithms for analysis and optimization of the sound pressure developed for coupled vibroacoustic systems, checking the performance and response analysis comparing the suitability of the Sequencial Quadratic Programming (SQP) and Genetic algorithms in optimizing response. The optimization of the response is implemented in the academic program Meflab finite element, and uses optimization function fmincon available in the commercial program Matlab ®. Also the optimization of the response is implemented through a code developed genetic algorithms. For the coupled cases studied the SQP algorithm recduce less the inicial sunde pressure tha Genetic algorithm, for uncoupled cases SQP method has a bigger reduccion. The results were validated by analytical formulations available in some cases and compared with commercial software solutions.