This contribution presents an operating strategy for a novel valve structure for mobile machines’ working hydraulics which combines the flexibility and energetic benefits of individual metering with the functionality of common primary pressure compensation (IPC). The aim is to set up a system that uses a minimal amount of sensors and simple control algorithms. A control strategy theoretically described in /1/ is modified to facilitate the practical implementation on a mini excavator implement as a test rig. This test rig consists only of components that are currently available off-the-shelf to show that it is possible to develop an individual metering system under these economic restrictions. The novel is more energy efficient than common flow sharing systems but provides the same functionality. The control algorithm is experimentally evaluated in terms of functionality and energy consumption. Simulations show potential for further improvements.

The drive train components and the machine control system significantly influence the fuel consumption of mobile machinery. The demonstrator vehicle “Green Wheel Loader” developed within the joint research project “TEAM” combines the most promising drive concepts currently available for mobile machines with an innovative operating strategy. The developed drive and control system proved its functionality and performance under realistic operation conditions in a gravel pit. Reference test showed 10 – 15 % fuel savings of the prototype vehicle compared to a state-of-the-art series machine.

Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 1986 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: High turbulence, high shear forces and high centrifugal forces characterise the flow in hydrocyclones. These characteristics are employed advantageously in the air-sparged hydrocyclone so that a space time of only one second is necessary for effective flotation. Conventional flotation processes on the other hand require a few minutes. Flotation of pyrite from a coarse Witwatersrand ore (100% -300 micron; 92% +38 micron) produces a sulphur recovery of 90% with a sulphur grade of 40% in the concentrate when the content of solids of the slurry feed equals 10%. Higher recoveries up to 93% are possible when slurries with a higher content of solids (e.g. 30%) are used. However, the sulphur grade then decreases to about 35%. Flotation in a batch cell produces a recovery of sulphur of 95% with a sulphur grade of 40%, but in this case a flotation time of 5 minutes is required. A hydrocyclone with a diameter of 50 mm and a length of 410 mm produces optimum results at a slurry feed rate of 35 to 40 l/min and an air-flow rate of 200 l/min. An air-flow rate of about 150 l/min is adequate at slurry feed rates lower than 35 l/min. Flotation of particles finer than 38 micron is more successful at higher slurry feed rates. The optimum flotation of coarse particles (i.e. +106 micron) occurs at lower feed rates. The best flotation results are obtained in the size fraction between 38 and 75 micron, which produces a recovery and content of sulphur of 95% and 51% respectively. A collector concentrate of 160 g/ton, which is thrice the quantity used in conventional processes, is required. The best recoveries at slurry feed rates lower than 35 l/min are obtained when the frother concentrate is low (approximately 20 mg/l). A higher frother concentrate, i.e. between 50 to 60 mg/l, is required at higher feed rates. The air-sparged hydrocyclone may be used effectively for rougher flotation and especially for the flotation of ore finer than 150 micron. The use of a specially designed pedestal can minimize blockage of the underflow. Such a pedestal has been designed and tested successfully. / MINTEK

Thesis (PhD (Statistics and Actuarial Science))—University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The problem of variable selection in binary kernel classification is addressed in this thesis. Kernel methods are fairly recent additions to the statistical toolbox, having originated approximately two decades ago in machine learning and artificial intelligence. These methods are growing in popularity and are already frequently applied in regression and classification problems. Variable selection is an important step in many statistical applications. Thereby a better understanding of the problem being investigated is achieved, and subsequent analyses of the data frequently yield more accurate results if irrelevant variables have been eliminated. It is therefore obviously important to investigate aspects of variable selection for kernel methods. Chapter 2 of the thesis is an introduction to the main part presented in Chapters 3 to 6. In Chapter 2 some general background material on kernel methods is firstly provided, along with an introduction to variable selection. Empirical evidence is presented substantiating the claim that variable selection is a worthwhile enterprise in kernel classification problems. Several aspects which complicate variable selection in kernel methods are discussed. An important property of kernel methods is that the original data are effectively transformed before a classification algorithm is applied to it. The space in which the original data reside is called input space, while the transformed data occupy part of a feature space. In Chapter 3 we investigate whether variable selection should be performed in input space or rather in feature space. A new approach to selection, so-called feature-toinput space selection, is also proposed. This approach has the attractive property of combining information generated in feature space with easy interpretation in input space. An empirical study reveals that effective variable selection requires utilisation of at least some information from feature space. Having confirmed in Chapter 3 that variable selection should preferably be done in feature space, the focus in Chapter 4 is on two classes of selecion criteria operating in feature space: criteria which are independent of the specific kernel classification algorithm and criteria which depend on this algorithm. In this regard we concentrate on two kernel classifiers, viz. support vector machines and kernel Fisher discriminant analysis, both of which are described in some detail in Chapter 4. The chapter closes with a simulation study showing that two of the algorithm-independent criteria are very competitive with the more sophisticated algorithm-dependent ones. In Chapter 5 we incorporate a specific strategy for searching through the space of variable subsets into our investigation. Evidence in the literature strongly suggests that backward elimination is preferable to forward selection in this regard, and we therefore focus on recursive feature elimination. Zero- and first-order forms of the new selection criteria proposed earlier in the thesis are presented for use in recursive feature elimination and their properties are investigated in a numerical study. It is found that some of the simpler zeroorder criteria perform better than the more complicated first-order ones. Up to the end of Chapter 5 it is assumed that the number of variables to select is known. We do away with this restriction in Chapter 6 and propose a simple criterion which uses the data to identify this number when a support vector machine is used. The proposed criterion is investigated in a simulation study and compared to cross-validation, which can also be used for this purpose. We find that the proposed criterion performs well. The thesis concludes in Chapter 7 with a summary and several discussions for further research.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Certain types of electric machines are particularly susceptible to the proliferation of eddy currents flowing within the solid conducting regions in the rotor. Single-layer, non-overlapping windings within uneven open slots are some stator properties that can produce damaging, asynchronous magnetic field harmonics which manifest in the rotor as eddy currents. The ohmic losses caused by these eddy currents are a source of inefficiency and can cause a marked increase in the temperature of the rotor. This temperature rise can be dangerous for the magnets, which have to be kept within temperature limits to avoid partial or full demagnetization. The research work presented here is concerned with reducing the effect of eddy currents in the rotor magnets and solid rotor yoke of an electric machine. The work presents analytical methods to calculate the magnetic fields, eddy currents and solid loss in an electric machine due to current in the winding and due to the interaction of the permeance variation in the stator with the magnets in the rotor. A method is also suggested where the analytical theory can be used with a magnetostatic finite element solution to produce a transient solid loss result. The research work also investigates a method for optimal segmentation in both level and penetration, and provides some design suggestions. The work presents the method of partial magnet segmentation, which is a technique whereby thin incisions are made into the magnet material from one or both sides. Another method of partial rotor segmentation is also presented where the incisions are made into a portion of the magnet-facing solid yoke. These methods attempt to interrupt the flow of eddy currents and increase the resistance ‘seen’ by the eddy currents, while also keeping construction difficulty and cost to a minimum. The methods are verified using finite element calculations which are compared to measured results. The result is that partial magnet segmentation is a very useful, effective and practical method of segmenting magnets. The loss reduction profile can be similar to that of traditional full segmentation. The method of partial rotor segmentation also shows a large reduction in rotor power loss. With implementation of these methods on a test machine, one can expect an efficiency increase of more than 4 % / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sekere tipes van elektriese masjiene is veral sensitief vir die vloei van werwelstrome in solied geleidende gebiede in die rotor. Enkellaag, nie-oorvleuelende wikkelings in oneweredige oop gleuwe is enkele stator eienskappe wat skadelike, asinchrone magneetveld harmonieke tot gevolg kan hê, wat as werwelstrome in die rotor manifesteer. Die ohmiese verliese wat deur hierdie werwelstrome teweeg gebring word is 'n bron van ondoeltreffendheid en kan lei tot 'n merkbare toename in die temperatuur van die rotor. Hierdie temperatuur styging hou gevaar in vir die magnete en moet binne temperatuur limiete gehou word om gedeeltlike of self volle demagnetisering te vermy. Die navorsing vervat in hierdie document is gemoeid met die vermindering van die effek van werwelstrome in die rotor magnete en in die soliede rotor juk van 'n elektriese masjien. Die werk bied analitiese metodes aan vir die berekening van die magneetvelde, werwelstrome en soliede verliese in ’n elektriese masjien as gevolg van strome in die wikkelings en die interaksie van die permeansie variasie van die stator met die magnete in die rotor. ’n Metode word ook voorgestel waar die analitiese teorie saam met ’n magnetostatiese eindige element oplossing gebruik word om ’n resultaat vir die oorgang soliede verliese te verkry. Die navorsingswerk ondersoek ook ’n metode vir die optimale segmentering in beide vlak sowel as penetrasie, en verskaf sekere ontwerp voorstelle. Die werk bied die metode aan van gedeeltelike magneet segmentering, wat 'n tegniek is waarvolgens dun insnydings gemaak word aan een of beide kante van die magneet materiaal. Nog ’n metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering word beskou waar die insnydings in in ’n gedeelte aan die magneetkant van die soliede rotor juk gemaak word. Hierdie metodes poog om die vloei van werwelstrome te onderbreek en die weerstand soos "gesien" deur die werwelstrome te verhoog, terwyl konstruksie kompleksiteit en koste tot ’n minimum beperk word. Die metodes word bevestig deur eindige element berekeninge wat met gemete resultate vergelyk word. Die gevolg is dat gedeeltelike magneet segmentering 'n baie nuttige, doeltreffende en praktiese metode van die segmentering van magnete is. Die verliesverminderingsprofiel van gedeeltelike segmentering kan soortgelyk wees aan dit van tradisionele volle segmentering. Die metode van gedeeltelike rotor segmentering toon ook 'n groot afname in rotor drywingsverlies. Met die implementering van hierdie metodes op ’n toetsmasjien, kan ’n mens ’n verhoging in benuttingsgraad verwag van meer as 4 %

Thesis (PhDEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The advent of new high energy product permanent magnet materials has opened great opportunities for novel electrical machine topologies with advantageous features such as high efficiency and high power/weight ratio. Amongst others, axial field permanent magnet (AFPM) machines with ironless stators are increasingly being used in power generation applications. Because of the absence of the core losses, a generator with this type of design can operate at a substantially high efficiency. Besides, the high compactness and disc-shaped profile make this type of machine particularly suitable for compact integrated power generation systems. Due to construction problems, the generator application of this type of machine has been limited to quite a low power range. There is a need to investigate the performance capability of this type of AFPM machine in the upper medium power level. The focus of this thesis is on the design optimisation of the air-cooled AFPM generator with an ironless stator. A design approach that directly incorporates the finite element field solution in a multi-dimensional optimisation procedure is developed and applied to the design optimisation of a 300 kW (at unity power factor) AFPM generator. To enable an overall design optimisation of the machine, different design aspects, such as the cooling capacity, the mechanical strength and eddy loss, are also studied in this research. To enable the free movement of the rotor mesh with respect to the stator mesh, the air-gap element originally proposed by Razek et. al. is derived for Cartesian coordinate systems. For minimising the large computation overhead associated with this macro element, a number of existing time-saving schemes have been utilised together with the derived Cartesian air-gap element. The developed finite element time-step model is applied to calculating the steadystate performance of the AFPM machine. Since the flux distribution in an AFPM machine is three dimensional by nature, calculating the eddy current loss by merely using a simple analytical method may be subject to a significant error. To overcome this problem, the two dimensional finite element field modelling is introduced to perform accurate field analysis. To exploit the full advantages of the twodimensional finite element modelling, a multi-layer approach is proposed, which takes into account the variation of the air-gap flux density in the conductors with regard to their relative positions in the air-gap. To account for the radial variation of the field, a multi-slice finite element modelling scheme is devised. The thermal analysis is an important aspect of the design optimisation of AFPM machines. From a design point of view, it is preferable to have a simple but effective method for cooling analysis and design, which can easily be adapted to a wide range of AFPM machines. In this thesis a thermofluid model of the AFPM machine is developed. The fluid flow model is needed for calculating the air flow rate, which is then used to find the convective heat transfer coefficients. These are important parameters in the subsequent thermal calculations. Experimental investigations have been carried out to verify each of the above-mentioned models/methods. With these models implemented, the design optimisation of an air-cooled ironless stator 300 kW (at unity power factor) AFPM generator is carried out. The performance measurements done on the fabricated prototype are compared in this thesis with predicted results. The study shows that the proposed design approach can be applied with success to optimise the design of the AFPM machine. The advantages of high power density, high efficiency, no cogging torque and good voltage regulation make this type of AFPM machine very suitable for power generator applications. The optimum steady-state performance of the AFPM machine shows that this machine with an ironless stator is an excellent candidate for high speed power generator applications, even in the upper medium power level. The good cooling capacity of this type of machine holds the promise of its being a self-cooled generator at high power ratings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitvinding van nuwe hoë energiedigtheid permanent magneet materiale het groot geleenthede vir nuwe elektriese masjien topologië laat ontstaan met voordelige eienskappe soos hoë benuttingsgraad en hoë drywing/gewig verhouding. Onder andere word die aksiaalveld permanente magneet (AVPM) masjiene met kernlose stators toenemend gebruik vir elektriese generator toepassings. As gevolg van die afwesigheid van kernverliese kan 'n generator met hierdie tipe ontwerp teen 'n aansienlik hoë benuttingsgraad werk. Daarbenewens maak die hoë kompaktheid en skyfvorm-profiel die masjien in besonder geskik vir die ontwikkeling van kompak geïntegreerde drywing generator stelsels. As gevolg van konstruksie probleme is die toepassing van hierdie tipe masjien as generator beperk tot redelik lae drywingsgebiede. Dit is nodig om die werkverrigtingsvermoë van hierdie tipe AVPM masjien in die boonste medium drywingsgebied te ondersoek. Die fokus van hierdie tesis is op die ontwerp-optimering van 'n lugverkoelde AVPM generator met 'n kernlose stator. 'n Ontwerpsbenadering wat die eindige element veldoplossing in 'n multi-dimensionele optimeringsprosedure insluit, is ontwikkel en toegepas op die ontwerpsoptimering van 'n 300 kW (by eenheidsarbeidsfaktor) AVPM generator. Om 'n globale ontwerpsoptimering van die masjien te kan doen is verskillende ontwerpsaspekte soos die verkoelingskapasiteit, meganiese sterkte en werwelverliese ook in hierdie navorsing bestudeer. Om die vrye beweging van die rotormaas ten opsigte van die statormaas te verseker is die lugspleet-element, soos oorspronklik deur Razek et al voorgestel, afgelei vir Cartesiaanse koórdinaat stelsels. Om die lang berekeningstyd geassosieer met hierdie makro-element te minimaliseer is 'n aantal bestaande tydbesparende metodes saam met die ontwikkelde Cartesiaanse lugspleet-element gebruik. Die ontwikkelde eindige element tydstapmodel is toegepas om die bestendige werkverrigting van die AVPM masjien te bereken. Aangesien die vloedverspreiding in 'n AVPM masjien van nature drie-dimensioneel is, kan die berekening van die werwelstroomverliese tot aansienlike foute lei as eenvoudige analitiese metodes gebruik word. Om hierdie probleem te oorkom is twee-dimensionele eindige element modellering gebruik om akkurate veld-analise te doen. Om die volle voordele van die twee- dimensionele eindige element modellering te eksploiteer is 'n multi-laag benadering voorgestel wat die variasie van die lugspleetvloeddigtheid in die geleiers met betrekking tot hulle relatiewe lugspleetposisies in ag neem. Om voorsiening te maak vir die radiale variasie van die veld, is 'n multi-skyf eindige element modelleringstegniek ontwikkel. Die termiese analise is 'n belangrike aspek van die ontwerpsoptimering van AVPM masjiene. Vanuit 'n ontwerpsoogpunt is dit verkieslik om 'n eenvoudige maar tog effektiewe metode van verkoelingsanalise en -ontwerp te hê wat maklik toegepas kan word op 'n wye reeks van AVPM masjiene. In hierdie tesis word 'n termovloeimodel van die AVPM masjien ontwikkel. Hierdie vloeimodel is nodig vir die berekening van die lugvloeitempo, wat op sy beurt weer nodig is om die konveksie hitte-oordrag koëffisiënte te bepaal. Hierdie is belangrike parameters in die opvolgende termiese berekeninge. Eksperimentele ondersoek is uitgevoer om elkeen van die bogenoemde modelle en metodes te verifieer. Nadat hierdie modelle geïmplimenteer is, is die ontwerpsoptimering van 'n 300 kW (by eenheidsarbeidsfaktor) lugverkoelde kernlose stator AVPM generator uitgevoer. Die werkverrigtingmetings gedoen op 'n vervaardigde prototipe masjien, word in hierdie tesis vergelyk met voorspelde resultate. Daar word getoon dat die voorgestelde ontwerpsbenadering met sukses toegepas kan word om die ontwerp van die AVPM masjien te optimeer. Die voordele van hoë drywingsdigtheid, hoë benuttingsgraad, geen vertandingsdraaimomente en goeie spanningsregulasie maak hierdie masjien baie aantreklik vir generator toepassings. Die optimum bestendige werkverrigting van die AVPM masjien toon dat hierdie masjien met 'n kernlose stator 'n goeie kandidaat is vir hoë spoed generator toepassings, selfs in die boonste medium drywingsgebied. Die goeie verkoelingskapasiteit van hierdie tipe masjien hou die belofte in van'n selfverkoelde generator by hoë drywing aanslae.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται τη μελέτη και προσομοίωση ενός τμήματος μιας ανεμογεννήτριας η οποία μελλοντικά θα συνδεθεί στο τριφασικό δίκτυο. Η εργασία αυτή εκπονήθηκε στο Εργαστήριο Ηλεκτρομηχανικής Μετατροπής Ενέργειας του Τμήματος Ηλεκτρολόγων Μηχανικών και Τεχνολογίας Υπολογιστών της Πολυτεχνικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Συγκεκριμένα μελετήθηκε και προσομοιώθηκε μια σύγχρονη μηχανή μόνιμου μαγνήτη, η οποία θα αποτελέσει τη γεννήτρια της διάταξης, η οποία συνδέεται στην έξοδο με έναν τριφασικό μετατροπέα. Σκοπός του μετατροπέα είναι η μετατροπή της εναλλασσόμενης τάσης που δέχεται στην είσοδο του, και προέρχεται από την τάση εξ επαγωγής στο στάτη της μηχανής, σε μια συνεχή τάση στην έξοδο του μετατροπέα, δηλαδή πρόκειται για έναν ανορθωτή. Επιπλέον ο μετατροπέας αυτός είναι ένας μετατροπέας ανύψωσης της τάσης, δηλαδή ένας μετατροπέας τύπου boost. Η ανύψωση αυτή γίνεται έχοντας ως δεδομένο ότι ο απώτερος σκοπός μας είναι η σύνδεση της ανεμογεννήτριας στο δίκτυο των 220 V. Συγκεκριμένα η συνεχής τάση που θα μας δώσει ο ανορθωτής προορίζεται να μετατραπεί εκ νέου σε εναλλασσόμενη, από μια διάταξη αντιστροφέα, ώστε τελικά να προκύψει μια κατάλληλη τάση για σύνδεση της ανεμογεννήτριας στο δίκτυο. Ύστερα από μελέτη διαφόρων ανορθωτικών διατάξεων επιλέχθηκε να χρησιμοποιηθεί στην προσομοίωσή ο τριφασικός ανορθωτής ανύψωσης ενός διακοπτικού στοιχείου. Ο διακόπτης του ανορθωτή παλμοδοτήθηκε με την τεχνική της Διαμόρφωσης Εύρους των Παλμών (Pulse Width Modulation-P.W.M) ενώ ένας PI ελεγκτής χρησιμοποιήθηκε προκειμένου να προσαρμοστεί η συνεχής τάση εξόδου του μετατροπέα στις απαιτήσεις του δικτύου. Η μηχανή που μελετήθηκε είναι μια σύγχρονη γεννήτρια μόνιμου μαγνήτη οχτώ πόλων, ονομαστικής ισχύος 660 W, ονομαστικής τάσης 48 V και ονομαστικής ταχύτητας 3000 rpm. Για την εξομοίωσή της χρησιμοποιήθηκε το λογισμικό Οpera σε δύο διαστάσεις (2d). Στο περιβάλλον σχεδίασης κυκλωμάτων του ίδιου προγράμματος σχεδιάστηκε σε πρώτη φάση ο τριφασικός ανορθωτής και έτσι έγινε εξαγωγή των αποτελεσμάτων για το σύστημα ανοιχτού βρόχου. Στη συνέχεια έγινε διασύνδεση του λογισμικού Opera με το Simulink του Matlab ώστε να επιτευχθεί έλεγχος κλειστού βρόχου αλλά και εκ νέου εξαγωγή των αποτελεσμάτων ανοιχτού βρόχου, ενώ παράλληλα πραγματοποιήθηκε εξομοίωση του συστήματος μηχανής μετατροπέα εξ ολοκλήρου στο Simulink του Matlab με σκοπό την επιλογή των βέλτιστων παραμέτρων του PI ελεγκτή. / This thesis deals with the design and simulation of a section of a wind turbine which will in future be connected to the three-phase network. The thesis was accomplished in Electromechanical Energy Conversion Laboratory , Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of Patras. Specifically, it was studied and simulated a permanent magnet synchronous machine , which is connected to the output with a three-phase converter. The purpose of the converter is to convert the alternating voltage it receives at its entrance, and it comes from the induced voltage in the stator of the machine , into a constant output voltage. Furthermore, the converter’s purpose is to elevate the voltage as it is a boost converter. The voltage should be elevated because the ultimate goal is to connect the wind turbine to the grid of 220 V. Specifically, the dc output voltage of the rectifier, is intended to be converted back into the appropriate ac voltage in order to connect the wind turbine to the grid. Having studying various rectifier’s topologies, it had been chosen the three-phase single switch boost rectifier. The Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) was chosen for the rectifier’s switch and a PI controller was used to adjust the DC output voltage of the converter to the grid . The studied machine is a permanent magnet synchronous generator with eight poles , rated power 660 W, 48 V nominal voltage and rated speed of 3000 rpm. For the simulation, it was used Opera F.E.M. software in two dimensions (2d). In the same program’s design environment was designed the three-phase rectifier and the results for the open loop system were taken. Then, in order to achieve closed – loop control, the rectifier model was created in the “Matlab/Simulink” environment and the machine F.E.M. model was created in “Opera-2D” environment and they were combined into a composite model. By using this interface we managed to re export also results for the open loop system in order to compare the new results with the ones when only the Opera (machine-rectifier) model was used. Finally, the system machine – rectifier was simulated entirely in Simulink of Matlab in order to select the optimum parameters of the PI controller.

Mammography is used to aid early detection and diagnosis systems. It takes an x-ray image of the breast and can provide a second opinion for radiologists. The earlier detection is made, the better treatment works. Digital mammograms are dealt with by Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems that can detect and analyze abnormalities in a mammogram. The purpose of this study is to investigate how to categories cropped regions of interest (ROI) from digital mammogram images into two classes; normal and abnormal regions (which contain microcalcifications). The work proposed in this thesis is divided into three stages to provide a concept system for classification between normal and abnormal cases. The first stage is the Segmentation Process, which applies thresholding filters to separate the abnormal objects (foreground) from the breast tissue (background). Moreover, this study has been carried out on mammogram images and mainly on cropped ROI images from different sizes that represent individual microcalcification and ROI that represent a cluster of microcalcifications. The second stage in this thesis is feature extraction. This stage makes use of the segmented ROI images to extract characteristic features that would help in identifying regions of interest. The wavelet transform has been utilized for this process as it provides a variety of features that could be examined in future studies. The third and final stage is classification, where machine learning is applied to be able to distinguish between normal ROI images and ROI images that may contain microcalcifications. The result indicated was that by combining wavelet transform and SVM we can distinguish between regions with normal breast tissue and regions that include microcalcifications.

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

In this work, we investigate the active vibration isolation and damping of sensitive equipment. Several single-axis isolation techniques are analyzed and tested. A comparison between the sky-hook damper, integral force feedback, inertial velocity feedback and LagLead control techniques is conducted using several practical examples. The study of single-axis systems has been developed and used to build a six-axis isolator. A six degrees of freedom active isolator based on Stewart platform has been designed manufactured and tested for the purpose of active vibration isolation of sensitive payloads in space applications. This six-axis hexapod is designed according to the cubic configuration; it consists of two triangular parallel plates connected to each other by six active legs orthogonal to each other; each leg consists of a voice coil actuator, a force sensor and two flexible joints. Two different control techniques have been tested to control this isolator : integral force feedback and Lag-Lead compensator, the two techniques are based on force feedback and are applied in a decentralized manner. A micro-gravity parabolic flight test has been clone to test the isolator in micro-gravity environment. ln the context of this research, another hexapod has been produced ; a generic active damping and precision painting interface based on Stewart platform. This hexapod consists of two parallel plates connected to each other by six active legs configured according to the cubic architecture. Each leg consists of an amplified piezoelectric actuator, a force sensor and two flexible joints. This Stewart platform is addressed to space applications where it aims at controlling the vibrations of space structures while connecting them rigidly. The control technique used here is the decentralized integral force feedback.