Although wind power as a renewable energy is assumed to be an all-round advantageous source of energy, its intermittent nature can cause difficulties, especially in the islanding mode of operation. Conventional synchronous generators can help to compensate for wind fluctuations, but the slow behavior of such systems may result in stability concerns. In this study, the virtual inertia method, which imitates the kinetic inertia of a synchronous generator, is used to improve the system’s dynamic behavior. Since the proposed method incorporates no long-term power regulation, it requires no mass storage device and is thus economical. To preclude additional costs, a rotating mass connected to the Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) shaft or a super-capacitor connected to the DC-link on a back-to-back converter of a wind power generator could be used. The concept and the proposed control methods are discussed in detail, and eigen-value analysis is used to study how the proposed method improves system stability. As well, the advantages and disadvantages of using DFIG rotating mass or a super-capacitor as the virtual inertia source are compared. The proposed approach also shows that while virtual inertia is not incorporated directly in long-term frequency and power regulation, it may indirectly enhance the system’s steady-state behavior. A time domain simulation is used to verify the results of the analytical studies.

The effect of variable inertia flywheel (VIF) on the driving speed fluctuation, and residual vibration of high speed machine systems is investigated in this thesis. Different variable inertia flywheels are proposed to an experimental purpose roller gear cam system and a commercial super high speed paper box folding machine. The effects of time varying inertia and intermittent cam motion on the dynamic responses of different high speed cam droved mechanism systems are simulated numerically. The nonlinear time varied system models are derived by applying the Lagrange¡¦s equation and torque-equilibrium equations. The dynamic responses of these two nonlinear systems under different operating speed are simulated by employing the 4th order Runge-Kutta method. The effects of VIF parameters on the dynamic responses, i.e. the output precision, variation of motor speed, and torque, during the active and dwell periods for these two systems are studied and discussed. The difference between the dynamic responses of constant inertia and variable inertia flywheel systems are also compared. The feasibility and effectiveness of depression of driving speed and torque fluctuations by analying variable inertia flywheel has also been demonstrated.

¡@¡@The dynamic power flow in a dual-input parallel planetary gear train system is simulated in this study. Different wind powers for the small wind turbines are merged to the synchronous generator in this system to simplify and reduce the cost of the system. Nonlinear equations of motion of these gears in the planetary system are derived. The fourth order Runge-Kutta method has employed to calculate the time varied torque, root stress and Hertz stress between engaged gears. The genetic optimization method has also applied to derive the optimized tooth form factors, e.g. module and the tooth face width. ¡@¡@The dynamic power flow patterns in this dual input system under various input conditions, e.g. two equal and unequal input powers, only single available input power, have been simulated and illustrated. The corresponding dynamic stress and safety factor variations have also been explored. Numerical results reveal that the proposed dual-input planetary gear system is feasible. To improve the efficiency of this wind power generation system. An inertia variable flywheel system has also been added at the output end to store or release the kinetic energies at higher or lower wind speed cases. A magnetic density variable synchronous generator has also been studied in this work to investigate the possible efficiency improvement in the system. Numerical results indicate that these inertia variable flywheel and magnetic density variable generator may have advantages in power generation.

To align firm strategy with the changing environment has always been a challenge for executives. The business literature consists of different perspectives on how to solve the problem and whether to resist change, adapt or do both at the same time. Each got their own implications, inertia could lead to rigidness, adaptability might negatively influence reliability and ambidexterity is seen as a combination of both. The core is exploiting present capabilities meanwhile exploring future opportunities. To study these notions we have conducted a cross-sectional study including four Swedish service-firms which operates in either a stable or dynamic environment. Executives were interviewed and asked to elaborate on their strategies. By doing this we were able to construct a model who suggests when to adapt, when to resist change depending on environmental stability. We also observed that capital- and knowledge-intensity has been somewhat neglected in previous research and could be studied further.

The research area of recruitment utility analysis (RUA) models has been somewhat unexplored for decades, and has earlier been reduced to simplified mathematic formulas measuring only dollar term value. The need for more dynamic models and theories surrounding the area has been voiced numerous times, yet little has been done. The purpose of this study was to highlight this need to encourage to further research, and to examine the managerial perspective on RUA from a semi explorative perspective. Eight interviews were conducted where the managers received questions concerning the recruitment process and the method used to conduct RUA. The results of this study indicate somewhat unimpressed attitudes toward the added value of conducting RUA. The reasons for not conducting RUA were found to be due to time constraint, lack of skills and managerial support. The majority of the RUA was found to be reactive and based on gut feeling implying a need for proactive RUA hence ensuring the value of the recruitment process.

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Although wind power as a renewable energy is assumed to be an all-round advantageous source of energy, its intermittent nature can cause difficulties, especially in the islanding mode of operation. Conventional synchronous generators can help to compensate for wind fluctuations, but the slow behavior of such systems may result in stability concerns. In this study, the virtual inertia method, which imitates the kinetic inertia of a synchronous generator, is used to improve the system’s dynamic behavior. Since the proposed method incorporates no long-term power regulation, it requires no mass storage device and is thus economical. To preclude additional costs, a rotating mass connected to the Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) shaft or a super-capacitor connected to the DC-link on a back-to-back converter of a wind power generator could be used. The concept and the proposed control methods are discussed in detail, and eigen-value analysis is used to study how the proposed method improves system stability. As well, the advantages and disadvantages of using DFIG rotating mass or a super-capacitor as the virtual inertia source are compared. The proposed approach also shows that while virtual inertia is not incorporated directly in long-term frequency and power regulation, it may indirectly enhance the system’s steady-state behavior. A time domain simulation is used to verify the results of the analytical studies.

Evolutionary Structural Optimisation (ESO) is a relatively new design tool used to improve and optimise the design of structures. It is a heuristic method where a few elements of an initial design domain of finite elements are iteratively removed. Such a process is carried out repeatedly until an optimum design is achieved, or until a desired given area or volume is reached. There have been many contributions to the ESO procedure since its conception back in 1992. For example, a provision known as Bi-Directional ESO (BESO) has now been incorporated where elements may not only be removed, but added. Also, rather than deal with elements where they are either present or not, the designer now has the option to change the element's properties in a progressive fashion. This includes the modulus of elasticity, the density of the material and the thickness of plate elements, and is known as Morphing ESO. In addition to the algorithmic aspects of ESO, a large preference exists to optimise a structure based on a selection of criteria for various physical processes. Such examples include stress minimisation, buckling and electromagnetic problems. In a changing world that demands the enhancement of design tools and methods that incorporate optimisation, the development of methods like ESO to accommodate this demand is called for. It is this demand that this thesis seeks to satisfy. This thesis develops and examines the concept of multicriteria optimisation in the ESO process. Taking into account the optimisation of numerous criteria simultaneously, Multicriteria ESO allows a more realistic and accurate approach to optimising a model in any given environment. Two traditional methods � the Weighting method and the Global Criterion (Min-max) method have been used, as has two unconventional methods � the Logical AND method and the Logical OR method. These four methods have been examined for different combinations of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) solver types. This has included linear static FEA solver, the natural frequency FEA solver and a recently developed inertia FE solver. Mean compliance minimisation (stiffness maximisation), frequency maximisation and moment of inertia maximisation are an assortment of the specific objectives incorporated. Such a study has provided a platform to use many other criteria and multiple combinations of criteria. In extending the features of ESO, and hence its practical capabilities as a design tool, the creation of another optimisation method based on ESO has been ushered in. This method concerns the betterment of the bending and rotational performance of cross-sectional areas and is known as Evolutionary Moment of Inertia Optimisation (EMIO). Again founded upon a domain of finite elements, the EMIO method seeks to either minimise or maximise the rectangular, product and polar moments of inertia. This dissertation then goes one step further to include the EMIO method as one of the objectives considered in Multicriteria ESO as mentioned above. Most structures, (if not all) in reality are not homogenous as assumed by many structural optimisation methods. In fact, many structures (particularly biological ones) are composed of different materials or the same material with continually varying properties. In this thesis, a new feature called Constant Width Layer (CWL) ESO is developed, in which a distinct layer of material evolves with the developing boundary. During the optimisation process, the width of the outer surrounding material remains constant and is defined by the user. Finally, in verifying its usefulness to the practical aspect of design, the work presented herein applies the CWL ESO and the ESO methods to two dental case studies. They concern the optimisation of an anterior (front of the mouth) ceramic dental bridge and the optimisation of a posterior (back of the mouth) ceramic dental bridge. Comparisons of these optimised models are then made to those developed by other methods.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Kausik Sarkar, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

Many models in the physical and life sciences formulated as dynamical systems have a positive steady state, with the local behavior of this steady state determined by the eigenvalues of its Jacobian matrix. The first part of this thesis is concerned with analyzing the linear stability of the steady state by using sign patterns, which are matrices with entries from the set {+,-,0}. The linear stability is related to the allowed refined inertias of the sign pattern of the Jacobian matrix of the system, where the refined inertia of a matrix is a 4-tuple (n+, n_-, ; nz; 2np) with n+ (n_) equal to the number of eigenvalues with positive (negative) real part, nz equal to the number of zero eigenvalues, and 2np equal to the number of nonzero pure imaginary eigenvalues. This type of analysis is useful when the parameters of the model are of known sign but unknown magnitude. The usefulness of sign pattern analysis is illustrated with several biological examples, including biochemical reaction networks, predator{prey models, and an infectious disease model. The refined inertias allowed by sign patterns with specific digraph structures have been studied, for example, for tree sign patterns. In the second part of this thesis, such results on refined inertias are extended by considering sign and zero-nonzero patterns with digraphs isomorphic to strongly connected orientations of the Petersen graph. / Graduate