Os modelos existentes de propagação de ondas de ultra-som em meios líquidos e sólidos consideram a geração e recepção das ondas produzidas por transdutores simulados segundo o modelo do pistão plano ou com excitações cuja amplitude varia radialmente no pistão. Esses modelos são simplificados e não explicam completamente o comportamento real de transdutores de ultra-som interagindo com líquidos e sólidos. As verificações experimentais de propagação da onda de ultra-som em meios líquidos mostram que a onda de borda é diferente da onda plana. Observa-se também a existência de outras ondas não previstas nos modelos anteriores. Essas ondas são conhecidas como ondas head. A utilização do método dos elementos finitos (MEF) para a modelagem de propagação de ondas de ultra-som, incluindo o transdutor piezelétrico, permite a obtenção de resultados realísticos, conseguindo assim descrever com maior precisão o comportamento do transdutor e das ondas de ultra-som se propagando em diferentes meios e interagindo com defeitos que se comportam como refletores. Apesar disso, os resultados desses modelos dependem das características precisas dos materiais que compõem o transdutor. O transdutor de ultra-som é composto por uma cerâmica piezelétrica, por camadas de casamento e de retaguarda que geralmente são compósitos de epóxi com alumina e epóxi com tungstênio respectivamente, e pelo encapsulamento. Neste trabalho é analisada a resposta transiente de um transdutor circular de 2 MHz, com diâmetro de 12,7 mm, banda larga. O modelo do transdutor foi implementado com o método de elementos finitos. A análise transiente pelo MEF é implementada com o software ANSYS. Na primeira parte do trabalho o transdutor é analisado no modo de transmissão em água. Os resultados do modelo com MEF foram comparados com os resultados do modelo do pistão plano e com verificações experimentais obtidas em tanque de imersão com um hidrofone tipo agulha. Na segunda parte é realizada a análise do transdutor operando em modo pulso-eco radiando em peças de teste com e sem defeito, utilizando acoplamento direto e acoplamento por buffer de água. Os resultados do MEF apresentam boa concordância com os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. / Simple models for ultrasonic wave propagation in liquid and solid media consider the wave generation and reception by transducers that behave as plane pistons. These models are simplified and they do not explain completely the behavior of an ultrasonic transducer when interacting with other media. Experimental verifications of ultrasonic wave propagation in liquid show that the pressure amplitude of the edge wave is different from the plane wave. Also it is observed the existence of other types of waves not foreseen in these previous models. These waves are known as head waves. More realistic models for ultrasonic wave propagation are obtained using the finite element method (FEM). These models include the piezoelectric transducer, thus, describing with higher precision the behavior of the transducer and the ultrasonic waves propagating in different mediums and interacting with defects. The precision of the models depends on the accurate determination of the mechanical and electrical properties of the involved materials. The ultrasonic transducer is composed by a piezoelectric ceramic, a matching layer and a backing layer that are generally made by epoxy/alumina and epoxy/tungsten composites respectively. In this work it is analyzed the transient response of a circular transducer of 12.7 mm diameter and 2 MHz center frequency. The transducer model was implemented with the finite element method. The FEM transient analysis was executed in the ANSYS software. In the first part of the work the transducer is analyzed in transmission mode in water and the MEF results are compared with the plane piston model and with experimental verifications using a hydrophone. In the second part it is carried at the transducer analysis operating in pulse-echo mode radiating into test pieces with and without defects, using direct and water buffer coupling. The MEF results show good agreement with the results obtained experimentally in the laboratory.

Os modelos existentes de propagação de ondas de ultra-som em meios líquidos e sólidos consideram a geração e recepção das ondas produzidas por transdutores simulados segundo o modelo do pistão plano ou com excitações cuja amplitude varia radialmente no pistão. Esses modelos são simplificados e não explicam completamente o comportamento real de transdutores de ultra-som interagindo com líquidos e sólidos. As verificações experimentais de propagação da onda de ultra-som em meios líquidos mostram que a onda de borda é diferente da onda plana. Observa-se também a existência de outras ondas não previstas nos modelos anteriores. Essas ondas são conhecidas como ondas head. A utilização do método dos elementos finitos (MEF) para a modelagem de propagação de ondas de ultra-som, incluindo o transdutor piezelétrico, permite a obtenção de resultados realísticos, conseguindo assim descrever com maior precisão o comportamento do transdutor e das ondas de ultra-som se propagando em diferentes meios e interagindo com defeitos que se comportam como refletores. Apesar disso, os resultados desses modelos dependem das características precisas dos materiais que compõem o transdutor. O transdutor de ultra-som é composto por uma cerâmica piezelétrica, por camadas de casamento e de retaguarda que geralmente são compósitos de epóxi com alumina e epóxi com tungstênio respectivamente, e pelo encapsulamento. Neste trabalho é analisada a resposta transiente de um transdutor circular de 2 MHz, com diâmetro de 12,7 mm, banda larga. O modelo do transdutor foi implementado com o método de elementos finitos. A análise transiente pelo MEF é implementada com o software ANSYS. Na primeira parte do trabalho o transdutor é analisado no modo de transmissão em água. Os resultados do modelo com MEF foram comparados com os resultados do modelo do pistão plano e com verificações experimentais obtidas em tanque de imersão com um hidrofone tipo agulha. Na segunda parte é realizada a análise do transdutor operando em modo pulso-eco radiando em peças de teste com e sem defeito, utilizando acoplamento direto e acoplamento por buffer de água. Os resultados do MEF apresentam boa concordância com os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. / Simple models for ultrasonic wave propagation in liquid and solid media consider the wave generation and reception by transducers that behave as plane pistons. These models are simplified and they do not explain completely the behavior of an ultrasonic transducer when interacting with other media. Experimental verifications of ultrasonic wave propagation in liquid show that the pressure amplitude of the edge wave is different from the plane wave. Also it is observed the existence of other types of waves not foreseen in these previous models. These waves are known as head waves. More realistic models for ultrasonic wave propagation are obtained using the finite element method (FEM). These models include the piezoelectric transducer, thus, describing with higher precision the behavior of the transducer and the ultrasonic waves propagating in different mediums and interacting with defects. The precision of the models depends on the accurate determination of the mechanical and electrical properties of the involved materials. The ultrasonic transducer is composed by a piezoelectric ceramic, a matching layer and a backing layer that are generally made by epoxy/alumina and epoxy/tungsten composites respectively. In this work it is analyzed the transient response of a circular transducer of 12.7 mm diameter and 2 MHz center frequency. The transducer model was implemented with the finite element method. The FEM transient analysis was executed in the ANSYS software. In the first part of the work the transducer is analyzed in transmission mode in water and the MEF results are compared with the plane piston model and with experimental verifications using a hydrophone. In the second part it is carried at the transducer analysis operating in pulse-echo mode radiating into test pieces with and without defects, using direct and water buffer coupling. The MEF results show good agreement with the results obtained experimentally in the laboratory.

No description available.

The objective of this research is to develop novel capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays for intravascular ultrasonic (IVUS) imaging along with the fabrication processes to allow for monolithic integration of CMUTs with custom CMOS electronics for improved performance. The IVUS imaging arrays include dual-ring arrays for forward-looking volumetric imaging in coronary arteries and annular-ring arrays with dynamic focusing capabilities for side-looking cross sectional imaging applications. Both are capable of integration into an IVUS catheter 1-2 mm in diameter. The research aim of monolithic integration of CMUTs with custom CMOS electronics has been realized mainly through the use of sloped sidewall vias less than 5 µm in diameter, with only one additional masking layer as compared to regular CMUT fabrication. Fabrication of CMUTs has been accomplished with a copper sacrificial layer reducing isolation layers by 50%. Modeling techniques for computational efficient analysis of CMUT arrays were developed for arbitrary geometries and further expanded for use with larger signal analysis. Dual-ring CMUT arrays for forward-looking volumetric imaging have been fabricated with diameters of less than 2 mm with center frequencies at 10 MHz and 20 MHz, respectively, for an imaging range from 1 mm to 1 cm. These arrays, successfully integrated with custom CMOS electronics, have generated 3D volumetric images with only 13 cables necessary. Performance from optimized fabrication has reduced the bias required for a dual-ring array element from 80 V to 42 V and in conjunction with a full electrode transmit array, it was shown that the SNR can be improved by 14 dB. Simulations were shown to be in agreement with experimental characterization indicated transmit surface pressure in excess of 8 MPa. For side-looking IVUS, three versions of annular CMUT arrays with dynamic focusing capabilities have been fabricated for imaging 1 mm to 6 mm in tissue. These arrays are 840 µm in diameter membranes linked to form 8 ring elements with areas that deviate by less than 25 %. Through modeling and simulation undesirable acoustic cross between ring elements was reduced from -13 dB to -22 dB.

A modelagem do campo acústico gerado por um transdutor ultra-sônico retangular é importante porque sua geometria é usada freqüentemente por transdutores multielementos (arrays). O conhecimento do campo acústico pode otimizar alguns parâmetros de projeto de transdutores ultra-sônicos, tais como: a sua geometria, a profundidade de foco, a largura do feixe acústico, bem como os parâmetros de focalização de um array (leis de retardos e de apodização). O modelo implementado neste trabalho calcula a pressão acústica e o potencial de velocidade gerados por transdutores de geometria retangular em um conjunto de pontos do espaço. A abordagem usa o método da integral de convolução e da resposta espacial impulsiva, cuja solução computacional do problema é exata e relativamente simples, o que normalmente não ocorre com outros métodos que apresentam um alto custo computacional (tempo de processamento). A resposta em pressão do transdutor em cada ponto do espaço é obtida com o modelo implementado em Matlab e é verificada experimentalmente. São realizadas medidas experimentais do campo de pressão gerado por transdutores retangulares monoelementos na faixa de freqüências de 400 kHz a 2,2 MHz e um array na freqüência de 1 MHz, em um tanque de imersão, utilizando um hidrofone pontual e um sistema computadorizado de varredura de campo. A comparação entre os resultados simulados e experimentais mostra uma boa concordância, bem como as suas limitações. / The simulation of the acoustic field generated by a rectangular ultrasonic transducer is important because its geometry is frequently used in arrays. The knowledge of the acoustic field can optimize some design parameters of ultrasonic transducers, such as: geometry, focus depth, acoustic beam width, as well as the delay laws and the apodization of an array. Such simulation is implemented in this work, using a model that calculates the acoustic pressure in a space point. The approach uses the convolution integral and the spatial impulsive response methods. This computational solution is exact and relatively simple. That does not usually happen to other methods with a higher computational time. The acoustic field simulations obtained with the model implemented in Matlab are verified experimentally. Measurements of the pressure field generated by rectangular transducers in 400 kHz to 2.2 MHz and by an 1 MHz array were made in an immersion tank, using a punctual hidrophone and a computerized system for acoustic field measurements. The comparison between the simulated and experimental results shows good agreement.

Desde o ano 2000, o Grupo de Alta Tensão e Materiais (GATM) tem contribuído com suas pesquisas no desenvolvimento de processos para produção de novos transdutores piezoelétricos de materiais poliméricos, baseados na tecnologia dos piezoeletretos. Essa intensa investigação se justifica pelas excelentes propriedades piezoelétricas desses dispositivos, com atividade na ordem de centenas e até milhares de pC/N, ultrapassando o desempenho de algumas tradicionais cerâmicas. Destacam-se também nestes sensores, sua estrutura flexível e robusta, sua resposta na faixa de frequências ultrassônicas e seu baixo custo. Características estas que os tornam muito competitivos com os transdutores convencionais, cerâmicos e poliméricos, a exemplo do PZT e PVDF, respectivamente. Neste contexto, desenvolveu-se em 2009 no GATM um novo arranjo polimérico de múltiplos canais, em que filmes de teflon FEP foram termicamente moldados e depois expostos a um intenso campo elétrico (na ordem de kV), criando sensores com elevado coeficiente piezoelétrico. Esse novo dispositivo, batizado de Piezoeletreto de Canais Tubulares (PCT) foi construído por meio de um processo de fabricação organizado e controlado, diferentemente dos piezoeletretos vistos até então. No presente trabalho construiu-se um protótipo de hidrofone com elemento ativo dado por um filme de PCT, para aplicações de até 100 kHz e com uma eletrônica de pré-amplificação em 24 dB. O primeiro teste com o protótipo restringiu-se à obtenção da sua sensibilidade. Realizaram-se ainda testes de caracterização quanto ao padrão de diretividade e a relação sinal-ruído. A calibração foi feita em três diferentes modalidades de geração do sinal: AM, CW e Burst, todas de maneira comparativa com o auxílio de um hidrofone comercial. A sensibilidade média encontrada nas medidas foi de 0,142 mV/Pa (-196,93 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa) e, na ressonância (40 kHz) de 1,698 mV/Pa (-175,4 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa). A segunda fase de testes destinou-se a geração de imagens para diagnóstico clínico, baseada na técnica de Vibroacustografia (VA). Verificou- se a viabilidade do uso da VA com o mapeamento de dois objetos distintos, uma pequena esfera metálica de 1 mm de diâmetro e uma estrutura óssea. / Since 2000, the High-Voltage and Materials Group (GATM) has focused its research on developing new processes for manufacture piezoelectric transducers, from polymeric materials based on the piezoelectret technology. This intense research is justified by the excellent electromechanical properties of these devices, with piezoelectric coefficient in the order of hundreds up to thousands of pC/N, exceeding the performance of the most traditional ceramics. Other highlights of these sensors are the flexible and robust structure, its wide range response in ultrasonic frequencies and low cost. These characteristics make them very competitive with those conventional ceramic and polymeric transducers, such as the PZT and PVDF, respectively. In this context, in 2009 a new polymeric multiple film arrangement was laminated to create an open channel structure that after been exposed to an intense electric field (on the order of kV), produces a piezoelectric sensor with high piezoelectricity. This new device was built by an organized and controlled process, unlike the piezoelectrets seen so far. The main features inherent to tubular channels piezoelectret are the constructive uniformity, control of the resonance frequency and greater thermal stability, when compared to other piezoelectric polymers. Based on these tubular piezoelectrets, in the current study, a prototype of a 24dB preamplifier ultrasonic hydrophone was built. The first test with the prototype restricted to obtaining its sensitivity. Further tests were performed to characterize the pattern of directivity and signal-to-noise ratio. The calibration tests were conducted on three different approaches to signal generation AM, CW and Burst; all in a comparative manner with the aid of a calibration standard hydrophone. The results showed a transducer with average sensitivity of 0.142 mV/Pa (-196.93 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa), and the resonance region at 40 kHz with a sensitivity of 1,698 mV/Pa (-175.4 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa) and a unidirectional sensitive region. The feasibility of producing images by VA has been verified by mapping two distinct objects, a small metal sphere of 1 mm diameter and a bone structure.

Desde o ano 2000, o Grupo de Alta Tensão e Materiais (GATM) tem contribuído com suas pesquisas no desenvolvimento de processos para produção de novos transdutores piezoelétricos de materiais poliméricos, baseados na tecnologia dos piezoeletretos. Essa intensa investigação se justifica pelas excelentes propriedades piezoelétricas desses dispositivos, com atividade na ordem de centenas e até milhares de pC/N, ultrapassando o desempenho de algumas tradicionais cerâmicas. Destacam-se também nestes sensores, sua estrutura flexível e robusta, sua resposta na faixa de frequências ultrassônicas e seu baixo custo. Características estas que os tornam muito competitivos com os transdutores convencionais, cerâmicos e poliméricos, a exemplo do PZT e PVDF, respectivamente. Neste contexto, desenvolveu-se em 2009 no GATM um novo arranjo polimérico de múltiplos canais, em que filmes de teflon FEP foram termicamente moldados e depois expostos a um intenso campo elétrico (na ordem de kV), criando sensores com elevado coeficiente piezoelétrico. Esse novo dispositivo, batizado de Piezoeletreto de Canais Tubulares (PCT) foi construído por meio de um processo de fabricação organizado e controlado, diferentemente dos piezoeletretos vistos até então. No presente trabalho construiu-se um protótipo de hidrofone com elemento ativo dado por um filme de PCT, para aplicações de até 100 kHz e com uma eletrônica de pré-amplificação em 24 dB. O primeiro teste com o protótipo restringiu-se à obtenção da sua sensibilidade. Realizaram-se ainda testes de caracterização quanto ao padrão de diretividade e a relação sinal-ruído. A calibração foi feita em três diferentes modalidades de geração do sinal: AM, CW e Burst, todas de maneira comparativa com o auxílio de um hidrofone comercial. A sensibilidade média encontrada nas medidas foi de 0,142 mV/Pa (-196,93 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa) e, na ressonância (40 kHz) de 1,698 mV/Pa (-175,4 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa). A segunda fase de testes destinou-se a geração de imagens para diagnóstico clínico, baseada na técnica de Vibroacustografia (VA). Verificou- se a viabilidade do uso da VA com o mapeamento de dois objetos distintos, uma pequena esfera metálica de 1 mm de diâmetro e uma estrutura óssea. / Since 2000, the High-Voltage and Materials Group (GATM) has focused its research on developing new processes for manufacture piezoelectric transducers, from polymeric materials based on the piezoelectret technology. This intense research is justified by the excellent electromechanical properties of these devices, with piezoelectric coefficient in the order of hundreds up to thousands of pC/N, exceeding the performance of the most traditional ceramics. Other highlights of these sensors are the flexible and robust structure, its wide range response in ultrasonic frequencies and low cost. These characteristics make them very competitive with those conventional ceramic and polymeric transducers, such as the PZT and PVDF, respectively. In this context, in 2009 a new polymeric multiple film arrangement was laminated to create an open channel structure that after been exposed to an intense electric field (on the order of kV), produces a piezoelectric sensor with high piezoelectricity. This new device was built by an organized and controlled process, unlike the piezoelectrets seen so far. The main features inherent to tubular channels piezoelectret are the constructive uniformity, control of the resonance frequency and greater thermal stability, when compared to other piezoelectric polymers. Based on these tubular piezoelectrets, in the current study, a prototype of a 24dB preamplifier ultrasonic hydrophone was built. The first test with the prototype restricted to obtaining its sensitivity. Further tests were performed to characterize the pattern of directivity and signal-to-noise ratio. The calibration tests were conducted on three different approaches to signal generation AM, CW and Burst; all in a comparative manner with the aid of a calibration standard hydrophone. The results showed a transducer with average sensitivity of 0.142 mV/Pa (-196.93 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa), and the resonance region at 40 kHz with a sensitivity of 1,698 mV/Pa (-175.4 dB re 1 V/&#956Pa) and a unidirectional sensitive region. The feasibility of producing images by VA has been verified by mapping two distinct objects, a small metal sphere of 1 mm diameter and a bone structure.

A modelagem do campo acústico gerado por um transdutor ultra-sônico retangular é importante porque sua geometria é usada freqüentemente por transdutores multielementos (arrays). O conhecimento do campo acústico pode otimizar alguns parâmetros de projeto de transdutores ultra-sônicos, tais como: a sua geometria, a profundidade de foco, a largura do feixe acústico, bem como os parâmetros de focalização de um array (leis de retardos e de apodização). O modelo implementado neste trabalho calcula a pressão acústica e o potencial de velocidade gerados por transdutores de geometria retangular em um conjunto de pontos do espaço. A abordagem usa o método da integral de convolução e da resposta espacial impulsiva, cuja solução computacional do problema é exata e relativamente simples, o que normalmente não ocorre com outros métodos que apresentam um alto custo computacional (tempo de processamento). A resposta em pressão do transdutor em cada ponto do espaço é obtida com o modelo implementado em Matlab e é verificada experimentalmente. São realizadas medidas experimentais do campo de pressão gerado por transdutores retangulares monoelementos na faixa de freqüências de 400 kHz a 2,2 MHz e um array na freqüência de 1 MHz, em um tanque de imersão, utilizando um hidrofone pontual e um sistema computadorizado de varredura de campo. A comparação entre os resultados simulados e experimentais mostra uma boa concordância, bem como as suas limitações. / The simulation of the acoustic field generated by a rectangular ultrasonic transducer is important because its geometry is frequently used in arrays. The knowledge of the acoustic field can optimize some design parameters of ultrasonic transducers, such as: geometry, focus depth, acoustic beam width, as well as the delay laws and the apodization of an array. Such simulation is implemented in this work, using a model that calculates the acoustic pressure in a space point. The approach uses the convolution integral and the spatial impulsive response methods. This computational solution is exact and relatively simple. That does not usually happen to other methods with a higher computational time. The acoustic field simulations obtained with the model implemented in Matlab are verified experimentally. Measurements of the pressure field generated by rectangular transducers in 400 kHz to 2.2 MHz and by an 1 MHz array were made in an immersion tank, using a punctual hidrophone and a computerized system for acoustic field measurements. The comparison between the simulated and experimental results shows good agreement.

<p dir="ltr">Instantaneous fuel regression rate within a solid fuel ramjet combustor was characterized using X-ray radiography and ultrasonic transducer measurements. Experiments were performed with cylindrical, center-perforated hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) fuel grains at three mass fluxes (407-561 kg/m2-s) with consistent inlet total temperatures and chamber pressures. Ultrasonic transducer measurements demonstrated changes of web thickness ranging from 7.50-9.85 mm and regression rate measurements ranging from 1.35-1.74 mm/s. Local maxima of change in web thickness due to flow reattachment and erosive burning were consistently measured with the ultrasonic transducers. Changes in port radius on the order of 8-9 mm and regression rates of approximately 1.25 mm/s were deduced from the X-ray radiography images. Structure of the flow reattachment region was evident in measurements from the X-ray radiography images captured near the combustor entrance while images captured at the mid-length of the combustor exhibited more uniform fuel regression profiles. Ultrasonic measurements of change in web thickness were consistently greater in magnitude relative to X-ray radiography measurements. X-ray radiography imaging allowed for the more accurate measurement of fuel regression with the greatest axial spatial resolution while ultrasonic transducer measurements yielded the greatest radial spatial resolution. The change in web thickness calculated with weight-based techniques yielded smaller magnitude measurements of change in web thickness relative to X-ray radiography.</p><p dir="ltr">Time-dependent measurements of web thickness and regression rate along the port of aluminum-loaded and boron carbide-loaded, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) fuel grains were measured in a solid fuel ramjet combustor with X-ray radiography. The combustor was operated at three mass flux conditions, ranging from 397-532 kg/m2-s, with consistent chamber pressures and upstream-of-combustor total temperatures of 1313 kPa and 748 K, respectively. A cross-correlation-based edge detection scheme was used to extract the fuel grain edges within X-ray radiography images collected at 15 Hz. Cross-section photographs of the post-combustion fuel grain surfaces exhibited evidence of flow reattachment and large aft-end regression. Aluminized fuel grains exhibited average weight-based regression rates of 1.29-1.48 mm/s, and boron carbide-loaded fuel grains yielded average regression rates of 1.21-1.38 mm/s. Head-end X-ray measurements of change in port radius indicated flow reattachment, particularly for the bottom (theta = 180) edge of the fuel grain. The absolute maximum of change in port radius, which ranged between 8.56-10.31 mm for aluminized fuel grains and 8.22-9.40 mm for boron carbide-containing fuel grains, did not always coincide with the flow reattachment location. Time-averaged regression rate profiles measured with X-ray radiography were relatively uniform along the port axis but smaller in magnitude compared to the weight-based measurements; 1.17-1.35 mm/s for the aluminum-loaded fuel grains and 1.07-1.24 mm/s for the boron carbide-loaded fuel grains. Pre-ignition fuel regression, on the order of 1.5 mm, was determined to be the cause of the over-prediction of regression rate by weight-based measurements compared to X-ray measurements.</p><p dir="ltr">The weight-based average regression rates measured in tests conducted with the axisymmetric solid fuel ramjet test article in its various configurations were compared to quantify the effects of average port air mass flux, bypass air addition, carbon black addition, and metal particle addition on regression rate. Baseline tests without an aft-mixing section or bypass air addition fuel grains containing carbon black yielded a regression rate coefficient of a = 5.33E-2 and an exponent of n = 0.50 for p4 = 1179-1298 kPa. Including an aft-mixing section without bypass air addition yielded regression rates of 0.94-1.04 mm/s due to the increased residence time. Bypass air addition of 14\% bypass ratio reduced the regression rate to 0.83-0.92 mm/s, and 30% bypass ratio reduced the regression rate to 0.80-0.82 mm/s. For otherwise equal tests, adding carbon black to the fuel grain increased the regression rates from 0.76-0.78 mm/s to 0.83-0.92 mm/s (6-21%). Aluminized fuel grains exhibited an increase in regression rate coefficient over the baseline fuel grains from a = 5.33E-2 to a = 6.30E-2 (18%), but the regression rate exponent remained at n = 0.50. Boron carbide (B4C) addition reduced the regression rate exponent to n = 0.46 but increased the regression rate coefficient to a = 7.55E-2; a 42% increase.</p><p dir="ltr">A simplified solid fuel ramjet combustion model which includes (1) turbulent heat convection, (2) radiation, (3) radiation-coupled surface blowing, (4) unsteady sub-surface heat conduction, (5) solid fuel regression, (6) gas-phase combustion, and (7) fuel port hydrodynamics was developed for regression rate prediction over a range of combustor geometries and operating conditions. Turbulent convection was modeled with empirical correlations relating non-dimensional boundary layer transport numbers. Radiative heat transfer was estimated using modified empirical correlations for radiation in a slab hybrid rocket combustor. Hybrid rocket combustion theory was used to model surface blowing. The condensed-phase heat transfer was modeled by solving the unsteady, variable thermophysical property, regressing surface heat equation with an explicit time-integration, finite volume scheme on a non-uniform grid. A general Arrhenius expression was used to estimate the fuel regression rate. Chemical equilibrium calculations for a stoichiometric HTPB/air diffusion flame were used to model the gas-phase combustion. The port gas dynamics were modeled with compressible flow ordinary differential equations. The results of these individual physical processes were examined in detail for a high mass flux (G_air = 561 kg/m2-s) case. Experiments performed in the axisymmetric solid fuel ramjet combustor were simulated in the model, which yielded a lower regression rate versus mass flux exponent of n = 0.39 compared to the experimentally-obtained n = 0.50. A larger parameter sweep of the model yielded a mass flux exponent of n_1 = 0.30, a pressure exponent of n_2 = 0.04, and an inflow total temperature exponent of n_3 = 0.39. These exponents are less than those observed in other works, but the model successfully captured the relative influence of mass flux, chamber pressure, and inflow total temperature.</p><p dir="ltr">A combustion diagnostic consisting of X-ray radiography and thermocouples embedded within the fuel grain was successfully applied and demonstrated in a solid fuel ramjet slab combustor. One representative test condition with an air mass flowrate of 1 kg/s, an upstream-of-combustor static pressure of 560 kPa, and an upstream-of-combustor total temperature of 639 K was examined. Changes in web thickness of approximately 4 mm and steady-state regression rates of 0.35 mm/s were measured at the thermocouple locations. Condensed-phase temperature measurements yielded fuel grain surface temperatures of 820 K and temperature profiles which were compared to theoretical Michelson profiles. The Michelson profile closely matched the thermocouple-measured temperature profile at one axial location. Sub-surface conductive heat fluxes of 0.35 MW/m2, heat fluxes required to vaporize solid fuel of 0.60 MW/m2$, and surface heat fluxes of 0.95 MW/m2$ were estimated using the condensed-phase temperature profiles.</p>

The target of the research is to employ the autoresonant control technique in order to maintain the nonlinear oscillation mode at resonance (i.e. ultrasonic vibration at the tip of a drill bit at a constant level) during vibro-impact process. Numerical simulations and experiments have been executed. A simplified Matlab-Simulink model which simulates the ultrasonically assisted machining process consists of two parts. The first part represents an ultrasonic transducer that contains a piezoelectric transducer and a 2-step concentrator (waveguide). The second part reflects the applied load to the ultrasonic transducer due to the vibro-impact process. Parameters of the numerical models have been established based on experimental measurements and the model validity has been confirmed through experiments performed on an electromechanical ultrasonic transducer. The model of the ultrasonic transducer together with the model of the applied load was supplemented with a model of the autoresonant control system. The autoresonant control intends to provide the possibility of self-tuning and self-adaptation mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer to maintain its resonant regime of oscillations automatically by means of positive feedback. This is done through a signal to be controlled (please refer to Figure 7.2 and Figure 7.3) transformation and amplification. In order to examine the effectiveness and the efficiency of the autoresonant control system, three control strategies have been employed depending on the attributes of the signals to be controlled . Mechanical feedback control uses a displacement signal at the end of the 2nd step of the ultrasonic transducer. The other two control strategies are current feedback control and power feedback control. Current feedback control employs the electrical current flowing through the piezoceramic rings (piezoelectric transducer) as the signal to be controlled while power feedback control takes into account both the electrical current and the power of the ultrasonic transducer. Comparison of the results of the ultrasonic vibrating system excitation with different control strategies is presented. It should be noted that during numerical simulation the tool effect is not considered due to the complexity of a drill bit creates during the Ultrasonically Assisted Drilling (UAD) process. An effective autoresonant control system was developed and manufactured for machining experiments. Experiments on Ultrasonically Assisted Drilling (UAD) have been performed to validate and compare with the numerical results. Two sizes of drill bits with diameters 3mm and 6mm were applied in combination with three autoresonant control strategies. These were executed during drilling aluminium alloys with one fixed rotational speed associated with several different feed rates. Vibration levels, control efforts, feed force reduction were monitored during experiments. Holes quality and surface finish examinations supplement analysis of the autoresonant control results. In addition, another interesting research on the investigation of the universal matchbox (transformer) has been carried out. Introducing a varying air gap between two ferrite cores allows the optimization of the ultrasonic vibrating system, in terms of the vibration level, effective matchbox inductance, voltage and current level, phase difference between voltage and current, supplied active power etc (more details please refer to Appendix I).