Un écoulement fluide (air ou liquide) au-dessus d’un matériau granulaire induit, au-delà d’un seuil, un transport de grains qui peut conduire à la formation de dunes. Dans une première partie, nous étudions la morphodynamique des dunes éoliennes. Grâce à une modélisation simplifiée des transports de sédiment, la description de la dynamique d’une dune formée sur un fond plat non-érodable sous un écoulement unidirectionnel peut se réduire à un système d’équations différentielles couplées du premier ordre. Le modèle développé permet d’identifier les mécanismes qui influencent la stabilité linéaire d’une dune transverse rectiligne. Lorsque la diffusion latérale de sédiment sur la face amont est dominante devant celle sur la face aval, notre modèle prédit la stabilité de la dune transverse. Lorsque la dune transverse est instable, elle se fragmente en dunes en forme de croissant, appelées barkhanes. Grâce aux caractéristiques morphologiques des dunes éoliennes issues des données de terrain, les paramètres macroscopiques qui influencent la stabilité sont déterminés. Dans une seconde partie, nous analysons l’influence de la présence de formes sédimentaires aquatiques sur les modes de transport de sédiment (charriage ou suspension). Des expériences en chenal hydraulique permettent de suivre la déstabilisation d’un lit plat de sédiment par un écoulement unidirectionnel. Le suivi de la morphologie du fond ainsi que le piégeage différencié des modes de transport de sédiment permettent de mettre en avant que l’apparition et la croissance de dunes s’accompagnent d’une augmentation du transport de sédiment. / Above a threshold, a flow (of liquid or air) over a granular bed leads to grain transport that can induce dune formation. In the first part of this thesis, we study the morphodynamics of eolian dunes. With a simplified sediment transport model, the description of the dynamics of a dune formed on an non-erodible bed under unidirectional flow is reduced to a system of first order coupled differential equations. With this model, we identify the mechanisms that influence the linear stability of a rectilinear transverse dune. When lateral sediment diffusion on the upwind side of the dune prevails over the downwind side diffusion, our model predicts transverse dune stability. When the transverse dune is unstable, it breaks into crescent-shaped dunes called barchan dunes. With morphological characteristics of aeolian dunes taken from field data, macroscopic parameters influencing the dune stability are calculated. In the second part, we analyze the effect of aquatic bedforms on the mode of sediment transport (bedload or suspension). With flume experiments we follow the destabilization of a flat sediment bed under a unidirectionnal flow. Recorded bed morphology and differentiated trapping of sediment allow us to distinguish between bedload and suspension and to show that the dune formation and growth come along with an increase of sediment transport.

A need for a cost effective, versatile and easy to use suspension component testing method has arisen, following the development of a four-state hydro-pneumatic semi-active spring-damper system. A method known as hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) was investigated, in particular its use and compatibility with tests involving physical systems – previously HiL was used predominantly for Electronic Control Unit (ECU) testing. The suitability of HiL in the development of advanced suspension systems and their control systems, during which various vehicle models can be used, was determined. A first step in vehicle suspension design is estimating a desired spring and damper characteristic, and verifying that characteristic using software simulation. The models used during this step are usually low-order, simple models, which hampers quick development progress. To predict vehicle response before vehicle prototype completion, many researchers have attempted to use complex and advanced damper models to simulate the vehicle’s dynamics, but these models all suffer from some drawback – it is either based on empirical data, giving no indication of the physical parameters of the design sought; it may be overly complex, having many parameters and thus rendering software impractical; or it may be quick but based on the premise that there is no hysteresis in the damping character. It can be seen that an obvious answer exists – use a physical commercially available or prototype damper in the software simulation instead of the mathematical model. In this way the suspension deflection, i.e. the true motion of the damper is used as excitation, and the true damper force is measured using a hydraulic actuator and load cell. The vehicle mass motions are simulated in a software environment. This is basically what HiL simulation does. The HiL method was verified by comparing HiL simulations and tests to globally accepted testing methods, employing widely-used vehicle models: linear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) or quarter-car models were used. The HiL method was also compared to a non-linear physical system to verify that the method holds for real vehicle suspension geometries. This meant that HiL had to perform adequately at both ends of the suspension-testing spectrum – base software and real system simulation. The comparison of the HiL and software/real system simulation was done using the “Error Coefficient of Variance” (ECOV) between the compared signals; this quantitative measure proved very sensitive and performed dubiously in the presence of signal offsets, phase lags and scaling errors, but remains a tangible, measurable parameter with which to compare signals. Visual confirmation was also obtained to back the ECOV values. It was found that even using a relatively low-force actuator, the HiL simulation results followed the software/real system responses well. Phase lags and DC offsets in the HiL simulation’s measured signals (as well as the real systems responses) has an adverse effect on the performance of the HiL simulation. Special attention must thus be paid to the zeroing of equipment and the amount/type of filters in the system, as these affect the HiL results dramatically. In all, HiL was proven to be a versatile and easy to use alternative to conventional mass-based suspension testing. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

Le procédé actuel de fabrication des combustibles nucléaires MOX (UO2-PuO2) est réalisé exclusivement par voie sèche (broyage-tamisage des poudres, pressage et frittage). Afin d’améliorer ce procédé, des recherches sont menées sur le développement d’un procédé de fabrication du MOX par voie liquide. Ce procédé vise à réduire l’empoussièrement des boîtes à gants, améliorer l’homogénéité U/Pu et diminuer la quantité de défauts (fissures, éclats) des pastilles frittées, afin de minimiser le taux de pastilles rebutées. Dans cette optique, le proceed voie liquide étudié consiste à préparer une suspension aqueuse à partir des poudres brutes d’oxydes (mélange d’eau, d’additifs organiques et de poudres), puis à lui faire subir une granulation. Les granules obtenus sont ensuite pressés et frittés. Le procédé de granulation étudié est un procédé innovant de granulation cryogénique, consistant à atomiser la suspension dans de l’azote liquide puis à lyophiliser les granules gelés ainsi formés. L’étape clé du procédé est la préparation de suspension aqueuse de poudres UO2-PuO2, qui doit être dispersée, homogène, stable et suffisamment fluide pour l’étape de granulation. Une étude préliminaire a été réalisée avec des poudres simulantes, choisies pour leurs propriétés en suspension : TiO2 et Y2O3 pour simuler respectivement UO2 et PuO2. Une fois maîtrisé avec les poudres simulantes, ce procédé a été étudié avec UO2 et PuO2 pour déterminer ses conditions optimales de mise en oeuvre. La dispersion de suspensions d’UO2 et/ou de PuO2 a été étudiée par acoustophorométrie et rhéologie afin d’optimiser leur formulation, ainsi que l’étape de granulation cryogénique. Enfin, des pastilles d’UO2 et d’UO2-PuO2 ont été formées à partir des granules, puis leur frittage et leur microstructure ont été étudiés. / The current manufacturing process for MOX nuclear fuels (UO2-PuO2) is carried out by dry route exclusively (grinding, sieving, pressing and sintering). In order to improve this process, research is conducted to develop a liquid route MOX manufacturing process. It aims to reduce glove boxes dusting, increase U/Pu homogeneity and reduce the amount of defects (cracks, voids) in sintered pellets, in order to minimize scraps. In this scope, the liquid process studied consists in the preparation of an aqueous suspension from the raw oxide powders (mix of water, organic additives and powders), which is then granulated. The resulting granules are pressed into pellets and sintered. The granulation process studied is an innovative freeze granulation process that implies to spray the suspension in liquid nitrogen and then freeze-dry the frozen granules that are formed.The key step of the process is the preparation of aqueous suspension of UO2-PuO2 powders, which must be dispersed, homogeneous, stable and fluid enough for the granulation step. A preliminary study was carried out using surrogate powders, chosen for their properties in suspension: TiO2 and Y2O3 to surrogate UO2 and PuO2 respectively. Once mastered with surrogate powders, this process was studied with UO2 and PuO2 to determine its optimal working conditions. The dispersion of UO2 and/or PuO2 suspensions was studied by acoustophorometry and rheology in order to optimize their formulation, as well as the freeze granulation step. Finally, UO2 and UO2-PuO2 pellets were shaped from the granules, and their sintering and microstructure were studied.

This diploma thesis deals with the measurement of kinematic points of rear multilink suspension using 3D optical scanners TRITOP and ATOS and developing a measurement methodology of similar types of suspension with these scanners. Subsequently, kinematic features of this suspension are analyzed using the multibody system MSC.ADAMS / Car.

Das thermische Spritzen ist ein industrieller Beschichtungsprozess, der hauptsächlich zum Schutz oder zur Funktionalisierung von Bauteiloberflächen eingesetzt wird. In der Regel werden mit diesem Verfahren Schichten mit einer Dicke von 50 bis zu einigen 100 Mikrometern aufgetragen, die überwiegend durch mechanische Verklammerung haften, wodurch die Materialeigenschaften des Bauteils weitgehend erhalten bleiben. Mit der Einführung von Suspensionen als neue Kategorie der Spritzzusätze etabliert sich gerade eine der weitreichendsten Innovationen der letzten Jahre auf dem Gebiet des thermischen Spritzens. Suspensionen sind Stoffgemische, die aus einer feindispersen, festen Phase, dem Schichtwerkstoff, und einer flüssigen Phase als Trägermedium bestehen. Damit können Partikel mit geringerer Größe in den Beschichtungsprozess eingebracht werden, so dass sich dünnere Schichten und feinere Mikrostrukturen realisieren lassen. Das thermische Spritzen mit Suspensionen erweitert damit den Anwendungsbereich und bildet eine Brückentechnologie zu den Vakuum- Dünnschichtverfahren. Im Fokus dieser Arbeit stehen die drei wichtigen keramischen Werkstoffe Aluminiumoxid, Chromoxid und yttriumstabilisiertes Zirkonoxid, die in der Form von wasserbasierten Suspensionen als Spritzzusätze für das Atmosphärische Plasmaspritzen (APS) und das Hochgeschwindigkeitsflammspritzen (HVOF) verwendet werden. Für die Injektion der Suspension in das Plasma oder die Flamme wird ein automatisiertes Suspensionsfördersystem verwendet. Darüber hinaus werden spezielle mehrteilige Injektoren entwickelt und getestet. Es werden neue Erkenntnisse zur statistischen Auswertung der Zusammenhänge zwischen den Injektionsparametern, den messbaren Eigenschaften der Tropfenwolke während der Zerstäubung, den Partikeleigenschaften im Spritzstrahl und den daraus resultierenden Schichteigenschaften vorgestellt. Dafür wurde eine neue Kenngröße für den Beschichtungserfolg, ein sogenannter Beschichtungsfaktor, hergeleitet, der sich mit vergleichsweise geringem Aufwand bestimmen lässt und außerdem die zusätzlichen Prozessvariablen beim Suspensionsspritzen mit berücksichtigt. Im Anschluss werden Beispiele für wasserbasierte, suspensionsgespritzte Schichten aus den drei keramischen Werkstoffen vorgestellt, bei denen durch entsprechende Charakterisierungsmethoden das Anwendungspotential im Vergleich zu Spritzschichten nach dem Stand der Technik verdeutlicht wird. Die Anwendungsgebiete umfassen dabei die elektrische Isolation, den Verschleißschutz sowie die thermische Isolation. Den Abschluss der Arbeit bildet eine kritische Diskussion der Eignung von wasserbasierten Suspensionen für das thermische Spritzen mit Plasma- und Flammspritzprozessen. Es werden die Vor- und Nachteile dieser Beschichtungstechnik analysiert und Verbesserungsvorschläge sowohl für die weitere Suspensions- als auch für die Anlagenentwicklung unterbreitet.

Rollover prevention in Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV‟s) offers a great challenge in vehicle safety. By reducing the body roll angle of the vehicle the load transfer will increase and thus decrease the lateral force that can be generated by the tires. This decrease in the lateral force can cause the vehicle to slide rather than to roll over. This study presents the possibility of using slow active suspension control to reduce the body roll and thus reduce the rollover propensity of a vehicle fitted with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system. The slow active control is obtained by pumping oil into and draining oil out of each hydro-pneumatic suspension unit individually. A real gas model for the suspension units as well as for the accumulator that supplies the oil is incorporated in a validated full vehicle Adams model. This model is then used to simulate a double lane change manoeuvre performed by a SUV at 60 km/h and it is shown that a significant improvement in body roll can be obtained with relatively low energy requirements. The proposed control is successfully implemented on a Land Rover Defender test vehicle. A Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller is used to control on-off solenoid operated valves and the flow is adjusted using the lateral acceleration as a parameter. Experimental results confirm that a significant improvement in body roll is possible. AFRIKAANS : Omrolvoorkoming in Sportnutsvoertuie bied geweldige uitdagings in terme van voertuigveiligheid. Deur die rolhoek van die voertuig te verminder word die laterale lasoordrag verhoog en word die laterale krag wat die bande kan genereer minder. As die laterale krag genoeg verminder sal die voertuig eerder gly as omrol. Die studie ondersoek die moontlikheid om stadig-aktiewe suspensiebeheer op 'n voertuig met 'n hidropneumatiese suspensie te gebruik om bakrol te verminder en dus die omrolgeneigdheid van die voertuig te verlaag. Die beheer word toegepas deur olie in elke hidropneumaties suspensie-eenheid individueel in te pomp of te dreineer. 'n Werklike gas model word gebruik om die supensie-eenhede asook die akkumulator, wat die olie aan die suspensie voorsien, te modeleer. Hierdie modelle word in 'n gevalideerde volvoertuig ADAMS model geïnkorporeer en 'n dubbel laanverwisseling word gesimuleer teen 60 km/h. Die resultate toon dat 'n beduidende verbetering in die rolhoek moontlik is met relatiewe lae energievereistes. Die voorgestelde beheer is suksesvol op 'n Land Rover Defender geïmplimenteer en 'n Proportioneele-Differensiaal (PD) beheerder word gebruik om die aan-af solenoїde kleppe te beheer terwyl die vloei aangepas word na gelang van die laterale versnelling. Eksperimentele resultate bevestig dat 'n beduidende verbetering in bakrol moontlik is. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

Antibodies are naturally occurring in humans, with the function to protect the body from pathogens. Occasionally, antibodies towards the body’s own proteins are produced. These so called autoantibodies are present in healthy individuals but are also highly associated with diseases with autoimmune involvement. Research on autoantibodies in healthy individuals as well as in patients is important to gain knowledge and facilitate prognostics, diagnostics and treatment. However, a method for purification of these antibodies has not previously been described. In the present project, an enrichment procedure of circulating autoantibodies found in human plasma is described. Twenty protein fragments previously known to be highly reactive were attached to magnetic microbeads, enabling autoantibodies from eight human plasma sample pools to be captured. The six antigens with highest shown reactivity were chosen for elution procedure. Using pH alterations and heat treatments, a successful elution and enrichment procedure was developed. With analysis of the eluted autoantibodies, it can be established that the enrichment was successful on multiple sample pools. In the scaled-up procedure, autoantibodies could be enriched in all positive antigen-sample combinations. Concentration measurements indicated amounts of up to 0.23 mg antibodies per ml eluate. This implies sufficient concentrations for further applications of the enriched autoantibodies. / Antikroppar förekommer naturligt i människor, med syftet att skydda kroppen från patogen. I vissa fall skapas av misstag antikroppar som angriper kroppens egna proteiner. Dessa autoantikroppar förekommer hos alla människor, såväl friska som sjuka, men de är också starkt förknippade med autoimmuna sjukdomar. Kunskapen om autoantikroppar hos friska personer och hos patienter är idag begränsad, men fortsatt forskning inom området förväntas i framtiden underlätta prognostik, diagnostik och behandling. Hittills har ingen metod för anrikning av autoantikroppar ur blodplasma beskrivits. I detta projekt beskrivs en anrikningsmetod för autoantikroppar ur blodplasma från människa. Tjugo tidigare kända högreaktiva proteinfragment fästes på magnetiska mikrokulor. Dessa antigen-täckta mikrokulor användes för att fånga in autoantikroppar från åtta plasmaprover. De sex proteinfragment som hade högst reaktivitet i dessa prover valdes ut för elueringsförsök. Eluering genomfördes under basiska följt av sura förhållanden, tillsammans med värmebehandling. Denna elueringsmetod fungerade för anrikning av några autoantikroppar från flera av plasmaproverna. I ett utökat experiment kunde autoantikroppar anrikas ur alla kombinationer av antigen och plasmaprov som förväntades ge signal. Koncentrationen av autoantikroppar i eluaten uppskattades till högst 0.23 mg/ml. Denna koncentration är tillräcklig för flera vanliga metoder där antikroppar används.

No description available.

Dans la phase du recouvrement de l’impôt, le temps peut être soit exploité soit subi. Dans la première hypothèse, il profite au contribuable qui peut se libérer de son obligation fiscale du fait de l’écoulement du temps. Dans la seconde hypothèse, l’Administration court le risque de ne pas recouvrer l’impôt ; le contribuable celui de voir une atteinte portée à son patrimoine. Mais face à ces risques respectifs, le contribuable et l’Administration ne bénéficient pas à un même degré de l’attention du législateur. Les garanties reconnues au contribuable par le Livre des procédures fiscales, ont été au fil du temps vidées de leur substance. Face à cette fragilisation du contribuable et eu égard au laxisme du législateur, les juges judiciaire et administratif ont élaboré chacun un système visant à améliorer sa protection. Toutefois, l’intervention du juge dans le contentieux du recouvrement de la dette fiscale, aussi salutaire soit-elle, ne peut à elle seule suffire à réconcilier les contribuables avec l’impôt. Aussi, dans la recherche des conditions d’une consolidation et d’une amélioration continue de l’adhésion à l’impôt, les pouvoirs publics gagneraient à améliorer la situation du contribuable dans la phase de recouvrement. / Regarding tax collection, timing can be either an opportunity or a constraint depending on the case. In the first case, it provides benefits to the taxpayer. In the second case, there is a risk for French Authorities of not collecting tax in due course, and then taxpayer patrimony is also at risk. However Tax Authorities and taxpayer are not in the same position from lawmaker standpoint. Indeed, legal guaranties benefiting normally to taxpayer according to the French Tax Procedure Book were vanished over the time. In this context judges have created protection mechanisms but their various decisions, as strong as they could be for taxpayers, are not enough to reinforce their consent with tax. Therefore French Authorities need to improve taxpayers’ legal guarantees during the tax collection process in order to obtain their consent with tax.

Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia de projeto de atuadores eletromagnéticos lineares inovadora para aplicação em sistemas de suspensão semiativa e ativa. A metodologia, apresentada na forma de fluxograma, define critérios para determinar os requisitos de força e curso que um atuador deve desenvolver considerando um sistema mecânico vibratório com um grau de liberdade com excitação harmônica de base quando o método de controle skyhook é aplicado. Um atuador eletromagnético linear de bobina móvel com duplo arranjo de quase-Halbach que apresenta elevada densidade de força, reduzida massa móvel, ausência de força de relutância e baixa ondulação de força é definido como estudo de caso. Um modelo numérico parametrizado em elementos finitos do comportamento eletromagnético de um passo polar do dispositivo é criado e analisado, considerando restrições dimensionais, com os objetivos de projeto definidos como: elevada densidade de força e reduzida ondulação de força com acionamento brushless CA. Com base no modelo de um passo polar do dispositivo, define-se o volume ativo que o mesmo deve apresentar e, a partir deste, todas as dimensões são definidas de forma a atender os requisitos de projeto. Uma vez definidas as dimensões do atuador com base no modelo eletromagnético, realiza-se a modelagem térmica numérica que permite avaliar qual a máxima densidade de corrente elétrica aplicável de forma que a temperatura, estipulada como máxima, nos enrolamentos não seja excedida. Ainda, a distribuição térmica permite determinar a temperatura de operação dos ímãs permanentes que têm curva de operação dependente da temperatura. A partir dos resultados da simulação térmica e do modelo eletromagnético para um passo polar, realizou-se o acoplamento eletromagnético-térmico por meio da correção das propriedades dos ímãs permanentes e aplicando uma densidade de corrente eficaz dependente das dimensões do modelo parametrizado. O modelo acoplado é simulado e analisado, de modo que as dimensões finais do atuador podem ser obtidas atendendo aos mesmos objetivos de projeto previamente mencionados, respeitando os limites de operação térmica. Adicionalmente, são apresentados modelos analíticos do comportamento eletromagnético e térmico do atuador que podem servir de base para implementação da metodologia proposta, se esta for baseada em modelos analíticos, e podem futuramente ser empregados para a aplicação de otimização matemática do dispositivo. Por fim, um protótipo do dispositivo é construído de forma a validar a metodologia proposta. Com este protótipo são realizados ensaios de densidade de fluxo magnético no entreferro, tensão induzida a vazio, força estática e ensaio dinâmicos com o dispositivo instalado em uma bancada de testes de vibrações controladas desenvolvida durante o projeto. Os resultados mostram a eficácia da metodologia proposta, uma vez que os resultados experimentais mostraram boa concordância com os resultados esperados. / This work presents an innovative linear electromagnetic actuator design methodology for application in semi-active and active suspension systems. The methodology, synthesized in a flowchart, sets criteria to determine requirements such as axial force and stroke that an actuator should develop considering a vibration system with one degree of freedom with harmonic base excitation when the skyhook control method is applied. A linear moving-coil electromagnetic actuator with dual quasi-Halbach arrays of permanent magnets that presents high force density, low moving-mass, no reluctance force and low force ripple is defined as a case study. A finite element numerical parameterized model that describes the electromagnetic behavior of one pole pitch of the device is created and analyzed, considering dimensional constraints, with the design objectives defined as: high force density and low ripple of force with brushless AC drive. Based on the model of one pole pitch of the device the active volume and all dimensions are defined in order to meet the design requirements. Once the actuator dimensions are defined, based on the electromagnetic model, a numerical thermal model was constructed, which allows to evaluate the maximum applicable electric current density so that the maximum temperature at the windings is not exceeded. Furthermore, the thermal distribution gives the operating temperature of the permanent magnets, which present performance highly dependent on temperature. With the results of the thermal simulation, the electromagnetic-thermal coupling is performed by correcting permanent magnet properties and by applying a parametric-dependent effective current density. The coupled model is simulated and analyzed so that the final dimensions of the actuator can be obtained with the same design objectives previously mentioned, while respecting thermal operating limits. In addition, the work presents analytical models of the electromagnetic and thermal behavior of the actuator that can be the basis for implementation of the proposed methodology, if it is based on analytical models, and can further be used for the application of mathematical optimization of the device. Finally, a prototype was built to validate the proposed method. Measurements were carried out to assess magnetic flux density in the air gap, open-circuit induced voltage, static force and dynamic tests with the device installed in a test bench that was developed during this work. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed method since experimental results have shown good agreement with the expected results.