Research

1122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Specific Losses in the Limbs of an Epstein Frame Using a Three Epstein Frame Methodology Applied to Grain Oriented Electrical Steels

by Guillaume Parent, Rémi Penin, Jean-Philippe Lecointe, Jean-François Brudny and Thierry Belgrand

Sensors 2016, 16(6), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16060826 - 04 Jun 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5677

Abstract

An experimental method to characterize the magnetic properties of Grain Oriented Electrical Steel in the rolling direction is proposed in this paper. It relies on the use of three 25 cm Epstein frames combined to generate three test-frames of different lengths. This enables [...] Read more.

An experimental method to characterize the magnetic properties of Grain Oriented Electrical Steel in the rolling direction is proposed in this paper. It relies on the use of three 25 cm Epstein frames combined to generate three test-frames of different lengths. This enables the identification of the effective specific losses of the electrical steel when magnetization is applied along the rolling direction. As a consequence, it evidences the deviation of the loss figures obtained using the standardised Epstein test. The difference in losses is explained by the fact that the described method gives “only” the losses attached to the straight parts. The concept of the magnetic path length as defined by the standard is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

5629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Approach to the Prototyping of an Optimized Limited Stroke Actuator to Drive a Low Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve

by Christophe Gutfrind, Laurent Dufour, Vincent Liebart, Jean-Claude Vannier and Pierre Vidal

Sensors 2016, 16(5), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16050735 - 20 May 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7193

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the design of a limited stroke actuator and the corresponding prototype to drive a Low Pressure (LP) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). The direct drive actuator topology is [...] Read more.

The purpose of this article is to describe the design of a limited stroke actuator and the corresponding prototype to drive a Low Pressure (LP) Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve for use in Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). The direct drive actuator topology is an axial flux machine with two air gaps in order to minimize the rotor inertia and a bipolar surface-mounted permanent magnet in order to respect an 80° angular stroke. Firstly, the actuator will be described and optimized under constraints of a 150 ms time response, a 0.363 N·m minimal torque on an angular range from 0° to 80° and prototyping constraints. Secondly, the finite element method (FEM) using the FLUX-3D^® software (CEDRAT, Meylan, France) will be used to check the actuator performances with consideration of the nonlinear effect of the iron material. Thirdly, a prototype will be made and characterized to compare its measurement results with the analytical model and the FEM model results. With these electromechanical behavior measurements, a numerical model is created with Simulink^® in order to simulate an EGR system with this direct drive actuator under all operating conditions. Last but not least, the energy consumption of this machine will be estimated to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed EGR electromechanical system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

3979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Field-Based Optimal Placement of Antennas for Body-Worn Wireless Sensors

by Łukasz Januszkiewicz, Paolo Di Barba and Sławomir Hausman

Sensors 2016, 16(5), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16050713 - 17 May 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5732

Abstract

We investigate a case of automated energy-budget-aware optimization of the physical position of nodes (sensors) in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). This problem has not been presented in the literature yet, as opposed to antenna and routing optimization, which are relatively well-addressed. [...] Read more.

We investigate a case of automated energy-budget-aware optimization of the physical position of nodes (sensors) in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). This problem has not been presented in the literature yet, as opposed to antenna and routing optimization, which are relatively well-addressed. In our research, which was inspired by a safety-critical application for firefighters, the sensor network consists of three nodes located on the human body. The nodes communicate over a radio link operating in the 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz ISM frequency band. Two sensors have a fixed location: one on the head (earlobe pulse oximetry) and one on the arm (with accelerometers, temperature and humidity sensors, and a GPS receiver), while the position of the third sensor can be adjusted within a predefined region on the wearer’s chest. The path loss between each node pair strongly depends on the location of the nodes and is difficult to predict without performing a full-wave electromagnetic simulation. Our optimization scheme employs evolutionary computing. The novelty of our approach lies not only in the formulation of the problem but also in linking a fully automated optimization procedure with an electromagnetic simulator and a simplified human body model. This combination turns out to be a computationally effective solution, which, depending on the initial placement, has a potential to improve performance of our example sensor network setup by up to about 20 dB with respect to the path loss between selected nodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3945 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impulse Magnetization of Nd-Fe-B Sintered Magnets for Sensors

by Marek Przybylski, Dariusz Kapelski, Barbara Ślusarek and Sławomir Wiak

Sensors 2016, 16(4), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16040569 - 21 Apr 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8078

Abstract

Magnetization of large Nd-Fe-B sintered permanent magnets is still challenging. This type of permanent magnet is electrically conductive, so impulse magnetization causes a flow of eddy currents which prevent magnetization of the whole volume of the magnet. The paper deals with the impulse [...] Read more.

Magnetization of large Nd-Fe-B sintered permanent magnets is still challenging. This type of permanent magnet is electrically conductive, so impulse magnetization causes a flow of eddy currents which prevent magnetization of the whole volume of the magnet. The paper deals with the impulse magnetization of sintered Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets and shows a method for the determination of suitable parameters for the supply system. The necessary magnetic field strength for magnetization of the magnet to saturation was determined. The optimal magnetizing fixture supply voltage for magnetization to saturation was determined from simulations in PSpice software, finite element analyses in Maxwell 15 and measurements. Measurements of magnetic induction on the surface of the Nd-Fe-B magnet are also presented to ensure that a magnet with 70 mm diameter and 20 mm in height is fully saturated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

2374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Anisotropic Model for Magnetostriction and Magnetization Computing for Noise Generation in Electric Devices

by Serigne Saliou Mbengue, Nicolas Buiron and Vincent Lanfranchi

Sensors 2016, 16(4), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16040553 - 16 Apr 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5588

Abstract

During the manufacturing process and use of ferromagnetic sheets, operations such as rolling, cutting, and tightening induce anisotropy that changes the material’s behavior. Consequently for more accuracy in magnetization and magnetostriction calculations in electric devices such as transformers, anisotropic effects should be considered. [...] Read more.

During the manufacturing process and use of ferromagnetic sheets, operations such as rolling, cutting, and tightening induce anisotropy that changes the material’s behavior. Consequently for more accuracy in magnetization and magnetostriction calculations in electric devices such as transformers, anisotropic effects should be considered. In the following sections, we give an overview of a macroscopic model which takes into account the magnetic and magnetoelastic anisotropy of the material for both magnetization and magnetostriction computing. Firstly, a comparison between the model results and measurements from a Single Sheet Tester (SST) and values will be shown. Secondly, the model is integrated in a finite elements code to predict magnetostrictive deformation of an in-house test bench which is a stack of 40 sheets glued together by the Vacuum-Pressure Impregnation (VPI) method. Measurements on the test bench and Finite Elements results are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

3287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of MEMS Accelerometers and Gyroscopes in Fast Steering Mirror Control Systems

by Jing Tian, Wenshu Yang, Zhenming Peng, Tao Tang and Zhijun Li

Sensors 2016, 16(4), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16040440 - 25 Mar 2016

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9583

Abstract

In a charge-coupled device (CCD)-based fast steering mirror (FSM) tracking control system, high control bandwidth is the most effective way to enhance the closed-loop performance. However, the control system usually suffers a great deal from mechanical resonances and time delays induced by the [...] Read more.

In a charge-coupled device (CCD)-based fast steering mirror (FSM) tracking control system, high control bandwidth is the most effective way to enhance the closed-loop performance. However, the control system usually suffers a great deal from mechanical resonances and time delays induced by the low sampling rate of CCDs. To meet the requirements of high precision and load restriction, fiber-optic gyroscopes (FOGs) are usually used in traditional FSM tracking control systems. In recent years, the MEMS accelerometer and gyroscope are becoming smaller and lighter and their performance have improved gradually, so that they can be used in a fast steering mirror (FSM) to realize the stabilization of the line-of-sight (LOS) of the control system. Therefore, a tentative approach to implement a CCD-based FSM tracking control system, which uses MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes as feedback components and contains an acceleration loop, a velocity loop and a position loop, is proposed. The disturbance suppression of the proposed method is the product of the error attenuation of the acceleration loop, the velocity loop and the position loop. Extensive experimental results show that the MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes can act the similar role as the FOG with lower cost for stabilizing the LOS of the FSM tracking control system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

4431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of an Induction Planar Actuator with Different Secondaries—A Planar Driver Application for Metallic Surface Inspection

by Felipe Treviso, Marilia A. Silveira, Aly F. Flores Filho and David G. Dorrell

Sensors 2016, 16(3), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16030407 - 19 Mar 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5392

Abstract

This paper presents a study on an induction planar actuator concept. The device uses the same principles as a linear induction motor in which the interaction between a travelling magnetic field and a conducting surface produces eddy currents that leads to the generation [...] Read more.

This paper presents a study on an induction planar actuator concept. The device uses the same principles as a linear induction motor in which the interaction between a travelling magnetic field and a conducting surface produces eddy currents that leads to the generation of a thrust force and can result in movement over a metallic surface. This can benefit the inspection of metallic surfaces based on the driving platform provided by the induction planar actuator. Equations of the magnetic and electric fields are presented and, by means of these equations, the forces involved were calculated. The behaviour of thrust and normal forces was analysed through the equations and by numerical models, and compared with the results obtained by measurements on a device prototype built in the laboratory as part of the study. With relation to the surface under inspection that forms the secondary, three cases were analysed: (1) a double-layered secondary formed by aluminium and ferromagnetic slabs; (2) a single aluminium layer and (3) a single ferromagnetic layer. Theoretical and measured values of thrust and normal forces showed good correlation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Linear Oscillatory Actuator with Variable Characteristics Using Two Sets of Coils

by Fumiya Kitayama, Katsuhiro Hirata, Noboru Niguchi and Masashi Kobayashi

Sensors 2016, 16(3), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16030377 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4322

Abstract

Nowadays, electromagnetic linear oscillatory actuators are used as vibration control devices because of their high controllability. However, there is a problem that thrust and vibration are small at a wide drive frequency range. In order to improve this problem, we propose a new [...] Read more.

Nowadays, electromagnetic linear oscillatory actuators are used as vibration control devices because of their high controllability. However, there is a problem that thrust and vibration are small at a wide drive frequency range. In order to improve this problem, we propose a new linear oscillatory actuator that can easily change its own characteristics by using two sets of coils. Through finite element analysis, large vibration was observed at 100 Hz in a series connection, and large vibration and high thrust were observed at 70 Hz and 140 Hz in a parallel connection. From these results, we verified that the actuator had two different characteristics due to switchable connections, and could generate high thrust and large vibration by smaller currents at a wide drive frequency range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

7017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design Methodology of a Dual-Halbach Array Linear Actuator with Thermal-Electromagnetic Coupling

by Paulo Roberto Eckert, Aly Ferreira Flores Filho, Eduardo Perondi, Jeferson Ferri and Evandro Goltz

Sensors 2016, 16(3), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16030360 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 12203

Abstract

This paper proposes a design methodology for linear actuators, considering thermal and electromagnetic coupling with geometrical and temperature constraints, that maximizes force density and minimizes force ripple. The method allows defining an actuator for given specifications in a step-by-step way so that requirements [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a design methodology for linear actuators, considering thermal and electromagnetic coupling with geometrical and temperature constraints, that maximizes force density and minimizes force ripple. The method allows defining an actuator for given specifications in a step-by-step way so that requirements are met and the temperature within the device is maintained under or equal to its maximum allowed for continuous operation. According to the proposed method, the electromagnetic and thermal models are built with quasi-static parametric finite element models. The methodology was successfully applied to the design of a linear cylindrical actuator with a dual quasi-Halbach array of permanent magnets and a moving-coil. The actuator can produce an axial force of 120 N and a stroke of 80 mm. The paper also presents a comparative analysis between results obtained considering only an electromagnetic model and the thermal-electromagnetic coupled model. This comparison shows that the final designs for both cases differ significantly, especially regarding its active volume and its electrical and magnetic loading. Although in this paper the methodology was employed to design a specific actuator, its structure can be used to design a wide range of linear devices if the parametric models are adjusted for each particular actuator. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI