Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The electromagnetic and mechanical design aspects of an optimally designed double-sided rotor radial flux permanent magnet wind generator with non-overlap iron-cored stator windings are analysed in this thesis. The generator topology proposed in this study aims to reduce the strength demand on the generator structural support, caused by the magnetic attraction forces between the rotor and stator iron components, and in so doing reducing the overall generator mass. The proposed design has very good cooling properties. Compared to a conventional iron-cored permanent magnet generator and an air-cored permanent magnet generator, the double-sided rotor iron-cored topology performs the best with reference to mass and efficiency. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die elektro-magnetiese en meganiese ontwerp-aspekte van ‘n optimal ontwerpte tweesydige rotor radial-vloed permanente magneet windgenerator met nie-oorvleulende ysterkern statorwindings word in hierdie tesis ontleed. Met die generator topologie wat in hierdie studie voorgestel word, word beoog om die strukturele materiaal wat vir die generator benodig is te verminder. Die magnetise aantrekkingskragte tussen die yster komponente van die rotor en stator word dus aangespreek in hierdie studie, om sodoende ook die algehele massa van die permanente magneet generator te verminder. Die voorgestelde tweesydige-rotor ontwerp het baie goeie verkoelings eienskappe en het ‘n kleiner massa en hoër effektiwiteit as beide ‘n konvensionele ysterkern generator met ‘n enkelsydige-rotor en ‘n tweesydige-rotor lugkern permanente magneet generator met dieselfde drywingsvermoë.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy

This work is dedicated to faulty induction motors. These motors are often used in industrial applications thanks to their usability and their robustness. However, nowadays optimisation of production becomes so critical that the conceptual reliability of the motor is not sufficient anymore. Motor condition monitoring is expanding to serve maintenance planning and uptime maximisation. Moreover, the use of drive control sensors (namely stator current and voltage) can avoid the installation and maintenance of dedicated sensors for condition monitoring. Many authors are working in this field but few approach the diagnosis from a detailed and clear physical understanding of the localised phenomena linked to the faults. Broken bars are known to modulate stator currents but it is shown in this work that it also changes machine saturation level in the neighbourhood of the bar. Furthermore, depending on the voltage level, this change in local saturation affects the amplitude and the phase of the modulation. This is of major importance as most diagnosis techniques use this feature to detect and quantify broken bars. For stator short-circuits, a high current is flowing in the short-circuited coil due to mutual coupling with the other windings and current spikes are flowing in the rotor bars as they pass in front of the short-circuited conductors. In the case of rotor eccentricities, the number of pole-pairs and the connection of these pole-pairs greatly affect the airgap flux density distribution as well as the repartition of the line currents in the different pole-pairs. These conclusions are obtained through the use of time-stepping finite element models of the faulty motors. Moreover, circuit models of faulty machines are built based on the conclusions of previously explained fault analysis and on classical Park models. A common mathematical description is used which allows objective comparison of the models for representation of the machine behaviour and computing time. The identifiability of the parameters of the models as well as methods for their identification are studied. Focus is set on the representation of the machine behaviour using these parameters more than the precise identification of the parameters. It is shown that some classical parameters can not be uniquely identified using only stator measurements. Fault detection and identification using computationally cheap models are compared to advanced detection through motor stator current spectral analysis. This last approach allows faster detection and identification of the fault but leads to incorrect conclusions in low load conditions, in transient situations or in perturbed environments (i.e. fluctuating load torque and unideal supply). Efficient quantification of the fault can be obtained using detection techniques based on the comparison of the process to a model. Finally, the work provides guidelines for motor supervision strategies depending on the context of motor utilisation.

A cryogenic thermoelectric generator is proposed to increase the efficiency of a vehicle propulsion system that uses liquid nitrogen as its fuel. The proposed design captures some of the heat required for vaporizing or initial heating of the liquid nitrogen to produce electricity. The thermoelectric generator uses pressurized liquid nitrogen as its cold reservoir and ambient air as the high-temperature reservoir to generate power. This study concentrated on the selection of thermoelectric materials whose properties would result in the highest efficiency over the operating temperature range and on estimating the initial size of the generator. The preliminary selection of materials is based upon their figure of merit at the operating temperatures. The results of this preliminary design investigation of the cryogenic thermoelectric generator indicate that sufficient additional energy can be used to increase overall efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle of a vehicle propulsion system.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Operational characteristics of a valveless pulse detonation engine system were characterized by experimental measurements of thrust, fuel flow, and internal gas dynamics. The multi-cycle detonation experiments were performed on an axis-symmetric engine geometry operating on an ethylene/air mixtures. The detonation diffraction process from a small 'initiator' combustor to a larger diameter main combustor in a continuous airflow configuration was evaluated during multi-cycle operation of a pulse detonation engine and was found to be very successful at initiating combustion of the secondary fuel/air mixture at high frequencies. The configuration was used to demonstrate the benefit of generating an overdriven detonation condition near the diffraction plane for enhanced transmission of the larger combustor. Results have shown that the addition of optical sensors, such as tunable diode lasers, to provide fuel profile data are invaluable for providing high fidelity performance results. The performance results demonstrated the ability of the valveless pulse detonation engine to run at efficiencies similar to valved pulse detonation engine geometries and may be a low cost alternative to conventional air-breathing propulsion systems. / Funded By: N00014OWR20226. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited / Steam leakage from an aircraft carrier catapult is sometimes ingested into the aircraft engines upon launch which may induce compressor stall. Investigation of this phenomenon is of particular interest to the Navy with its new F35C, the aircraft carrier variant of the joint strike fighter. The single engine configuration of the F-35C makes this aircraft particularly vunerable to steam-induced stall. The present study examined both throttle-induced stall and steam-induced stall in a compressor at 90% and 95% speed through the use of 9 Kulite and 2 hot-film pressure transducers. The use of Fast Fourier Transform waterfall plots of the transient data before and during stall proved invaluable in determining stall precursors as well as the mode of rotor stall. In addition, a new computational fluid dynamic model was designed using CFX-5 software to represent a single blade passage of the compressor rotor, in order to predict compressor performance. The computed results were compared to experimental results gathered at various throttle settings. An accurate model will enable researchers to predict compressor performance for various and multiple gases. / Outstanding Thesis

<p>Definisan je metod za određivanje prostornih vektora struje rotora asinhronih mašina sa kaveznim namotajem, kao i metod za proračun fazora fluksnih obuhvata i struja rotora i statora.<br />Uvedena je strujni fluksni obuhvat, koji pojednostavljulje postupak&nbsp; određivanja fazora fluksnih obuhvata.<br />Definisan je metod za proračun induktivnosti i otpornosti T ekvivalentne šeme asinhronih mašina.<br />Definisan je metod za proračun komponenata momenta, koje potiču od visokih prostornih harmonika struje, kao i pravilo za proračun rezultantnog momenta na osnovu harmoničkih komponenata momenta.</p> / <p>Method for determination of space vectors of currents in induction motors with squirrel cage, and a method for calculation phasors of flux linkages and currents of rotor and stator are determined.<br />Current-flux linkage is introduced, which simplifies determination of phasors of flux linkages.<br />Methods for calculation of inductances and resistances of T equivalent circuit for induction motors are defined.<br />A method for calculation of components of torque, which originate from high space harmonics of currents, and rules for calculation resultant torque on the basis of harmonic components of torque are determined.</p> / null

M.Comm. / Change is inevitable in today’s world. Multinational companies are constantly being forced to adapt in order to survive. When companies are not able to adjust to the changing environment they run the risk of becoming obsolete. When General Motors (GM) returned to South Africa and bought back Delta Motors Corporation (DMC) in 2004, dealers were faced with new procedures, policies and management styles. This study aimed to establish how GM dealers viewed change, by exploring their views on the Delta Motors takeover in 2004. Five dealerships participated in the study and 15 employees were interviewed. The results were analysed through content analysis. Recommendations are made with regard to addressing the change process and the difficulties that accompany it. The study reinforces the importance of communication, planning and employee development in a change process. By encouraging involvement, people own the change process and do not feel that change is being forced upon them. Although change is critical, research shows that it is a complex process that needs to be planned thoroughly. This research includes lessons learned from the change process that GM went through when it took over from DMC.

The Thesis summarizes development and management of multinational corporation which must deal with the consequences of the financial crisis. It includes theoretical background within international management and strategic analyses which are applied in functional part to General Motors Corporation. The result of the strategic analyses is to map the current situation of the company, its prospective trend and recommendations.