Early Stage Failure Modeling and Analysis Applied to a Wave Energy Converter

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Brown ◽  
Irem Y. Tumer ◽  
Robert Paasch
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
System Component ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Failure Modeling ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Stage Analysis

Ocean wave power is still in its infancy. New systems are conceptualized on nearly a daily basis. The systems vary wildly in complexity and scope, but share one common trait; they have never been built. This scenario is ripe with massive financial risk and of course the possibility of reward. Providing an early stage failure and safety analysis could greatly improve the design process by identifying potential weak points in the system prior to the costly build and testing stages of product development. More broadly, determining potentially successful conceptual designs which should be pursued becomes critical. However, there is currently no tool readily available for such a task. In this paper, we adapt and simplify function-based modeling and analysis to fill this void. Completing a function based failure analysis allows engineers to evaluate the dependencies and fault tolerance of their system early in the design stage. This process aids in catching design problems when they are still relatively cheap to address. This paper proposes the System Functionality Method for conceptual design stage analysis. This proposed method places systems and subsystems in a flow (mass, energy, and signal) based on their location, and assigns functionality numbers to help describe their contribution to the system. Component or sub-system faults are then used to determine the effect on other components and the system as a whole. The process is unique in its simplicity and adaptability to the conceptual stage of designing wave energy technologies.

Early-Stage Analysis for MEMS Structural Optimization I: Concept

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Miki ◽  
Koji Ishikawa ◽  
Hiroki Mamiya ◽  
Qiang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Design ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Total System ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Optimal Design Method ◽  
Stage Analysis ◽  
System Characteristics

We report on the development of a new micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) optimal design method called MEMS Early-Stage Analysis (MESA), which supports the total system evaluation of MEMS devices before the design stage. Recently total system simulation and design using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) analyses have become important in MEMS device development due to their fabrication and design complexity. Although a lot of CAE methods that can be applied to MEMS have been demonstrated, time-consuming trial-and-error processes are inevitable at the design stage in order to obtain an optimal structure. In our design method, we can clarify and simplify the relation between design parameters and the system characteristics using a MESA weighted orthogonal array. In the MESA array, the sensitivity of each design factor for the system performance shows numerically how the design parameter influences the system characteristics. The existent trade-offs between design parameters can be minimized by both modifying the design concept and adjusting the sensitivities. Therefore MEMS designers are able to optimize the total system based on the information from the MESA array. Moreover, particular system characteristics can be enhanced in order to meet the system requirement through the adjustment of weight values for the sensitivities. The MESA makes the evaluation of system validity possible at the concept design stage. To conduct the informative optimal design method at the beginning of development leads the reduction of the total MEMS design time and cost.

Tailoring Design Development and Ideation in Catering To Industry Demands

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Fadila Mohd Yusof ◽  
Azmir Mamat Nawi ◽  
Azhari Md Hashim ◽  
Ahmad Fazlan Ahmad Zamri ◽  
Abu Hanifa Ab Hamid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Protocol Analysis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Idea Generation ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase ◽  
Industry Practice

Design development is one of the processes in the teaching and learning of industrial design. This process is important during the early stage of ideas before continuing to the next design stage. This study was conducted to investigate the comparison between  academic  syllabus  and  industry  practices  whether  these  processes  are  highly dependent on the idea generation and interaction related to the designer or to the student itself. The data were gathered through an observation of industry practice during conceptual design phase, teaching and learning process in academic through Video Protocol Analysis (VPA) method and interviews with industry practitioners via structured and unstructured questionnaires. The data were analysed by using NVivo software in order to formulate the results. The findings may possibly contribute to the teaching and learning processes especially in the improvement of industrial design syllabus in order to meet the industry demands. Keywords: design development, industrial design, industry demands

scholarly journals A broadbanded pressure differential wave energy converter based on dielectric elastomer generators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Righi ◽  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
David Forehand ◽  
Lorenzo Agostini ◽  
Rocco Vertechy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Large Deformations ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Pressure Differential ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Waves

AbstractDielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are a promising option for the implementation of affordable and reliable sea wave energy converters (WECs), as they show considerable promise in replacing expensive and inefficient power take-off systems with cheap direct-drive generators. This paper introduces a concept of a pressure differential wave energy converter, equipped with a DEG power take-off operating in direct contact with sea water. The device consists of a closed submerged air chamber, with a fluid-directing duct and a deformable DEG power take-off mounted on its top surface. The DEG is cyclically deformed by wave-induced pressure, thus acting both as the power take-off and as a deformable interface with the waves. This layout allows the partial balancing of the stiffness due to the DEG’s elasticity with the negative hydrostatic stiffness contribution associated with the displacement of the water column on top of the DEG. This feature makes it possible to design devices in which the DEG exhibits large deformations over a wide range of excitation frequencies, potentially achieving large power capture in a wide range of sea states. We propose a modelling approach for the system that relies on potential-flow theory and electroelasticity theory. This model makes it possible to predict the system dynamic response in different operational conditions and it is computationally efficient to perform iterative and repeated simulations, which are required at the design stage of a new WEC. We performed tests on a small-scale prototype in a wave tank with the aim of investigating the fluid–structure interaction between the DEG membrane and the waves in dynamical conditions and validating the numerical model. The experimental results proved that the device exhibits large deformations of the DEG power take-off over a broad range of monochromatic and panchromatic sea states. The proposed model demonstrates good agreement with the experimental data, hence proving its suitability and effectiveness as a design and prediction tool.

scholarly journals TOWARDS A VERIFICATION AND VALIDATING TESTING FRAMEWORK TO DEVELOP BESPOKE MEDICAL PRODUCTS IN RESEARCH-FUNDED PROJECTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 3199-3208
Author(s):  
Emanuel Balzan ◽  
Pierre Vella ◽  
Philip Farrugia ◽  
Edward Abela ◽  
Glenn Cassar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Detailed Design ◽  
Testing Framework ◽  
Medical Products ◽  
Manufacturing Technologies ◽  
Validation Testing

AbstractResearch funded projects are often concerned with the development of proof-of-concept products. Consequently, activities related to verification and validation testing (VVT) are often not considered in depth, even though various design iterations are carried out to refine an idea. Furthermore, the introduction of additive manufacturing (AM) has facilitated, in particular, the development of bespoke medical products. End bespoke products, which will be used by relevant stakeholders (e.g. patients and clinicians) are fabricated with the same manufacturing technologies used during prototyping. As a result, the detailed design stage of products fabricated by AM is much shorter. Therefore, to improve the market-readiness of bespoke medical devices, testing must be integrated within the development from an early stage, allowing better planning of resources. To address these issues, in this paper, a comprehensive VVT framework is proposed for research projects, which lack a VVT infrastructure. The framework builds up on previous studies and methods utilised in industry to enable project key experts to capture risks as early as the concept design stage.

scholarly journals Early Dropout Prediction in MOOCs through Supervised Learning and Hyperparameter Optimization

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 1701
Author(s):  
Theodor Panagiotakopoulos ◽  
Sotiris Kotsiantis ◽  
Georgios Kostopoulos ◽  
Omiros Iatrellis ◽  
Achilles Kameas
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Supervised Machine Learning ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Student Dropout ◽  
Wide Range

Over recent years, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have gained increasing popularity in the field of online education. Students with different needs and learning specificities are able to attend a wide range of specialized online courses offered by universities and educational institutions. As a result, large amounts of data regarding students’ demographic characteristics, activity patterns, and learning performances are generated and stored in institutional repositories on a daily basis. Unfortunately, a key issue in MOOCs is low completion rates, which directly affect student success. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for educational institutions and faculty members to find more effective practices and reduce non-completer ratios. In this context, the main purpose of the present study is to employ a plethora of state-of-the-art supervised machine learning algorithms for predicting student dropout in a MOOC for smart city professionals at an early stage. The experimental results show that accuracy exceeds 96% based on data collected during the first week of the course, thus enabling effective intervention strategies and support actions.

scholarly journals Geotechnical Approach to Early-Stage Site Characterisation of Shallow Wave Energy Sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Craig Heatherington ◽  
Alistair Grinham ◽  
Irene Penesis ◽  
Scott Hunter ◽  
Remo Cossu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Energy ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Terrain Analysis ◽  
Site Suitability ◽  
Site Characterisation ◽  
A Site

Marine renewable energy is still in its infancy and poses serious challenges due to the harsh marine conditions encountered for wave or tidal installations and the survivability of devices. Geophysical and hydrodynamic initial site surveys need to be able to provide repeatable, reliable, and economical solutions. An oscillating water column wave energy converter is to be installed on the west coast of King Island, Tasmania. The location is in a high-energy nearshore environment to take advantage of sustained shoaling non-breaking waves of the Southern Ocean and required site-specific information for the deployment. We provide insight into scalable geophysical site surveys capable of capturing large amounts of data within a short time frame. This data was incorporated into a site suitability model, utilising seabed slope, sediment depth, and water depth to provide the terrain analysis needed to match deployment-specific characteristics. In addition, short-term hydrology and geotechnical work found a highly energetic seabed (near seafloor water velocities <1 m/s) with sufficient bearing capacity (6 MPa). In a highly energetic environment, care was taken to collect the relevant data needed for an assessment of critical information to an emerging technology companies primary project. This is in addition to the malleable methodology for a site suitability model that can incorporate various weighted parameters to prioritise the location for shallow wave energy sites in general.

An Analytical Approach to Functional Design

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Lu Wang ◽  
Yan Jin
Keyword(s):  
Design Stage ◽  
Application Software ◽  
Functional Design ◽  
Functional Dependencies ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Early Design Stage ◽  
And Function ◽  
Selected Functions ◽  
Function Structures

Functional design is a process in engineering design that dominates the key features of the result to be developed. Designing good functions that both satisfies the requirements and leads to better results is a challenge due to uncertainties on the consequences of the selected functions, and the lack of analysis methods for identifying the properties of function structures. Therefore, extensive experiences are usually required for functional design. This research argues that the physical relationships among the resulting components of a design are the consequences of functional dependencies developed during the functional design process. Therefore based on the understanding of functions and functional dependencies, a reasoning procedure can be developed to predict the performance properties of the design so that the effectiveness of the functional design can be evaluated at an early design stage. This paper proposes a dependency-based function modeling and analysis method that can be applied to represent and assess functions and function structures at the functional design stage. Designers can predict the properties of the functions they designed without having to have similar design experiences. An application software is also developed to implement the method and demonstrate its effectiveness.

Feature-Based 3-D Sketching for Early Stage Design

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata M. Sturgill ◽  
Elaine Cohen ◽  
Richard F. Riesenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Feature Based ◽  
Mere Presence ◽  
Early Stage Design ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Sectional Shape

Abstract During early stages of design, the mere presence of items, their relative positioning, and their interrelationships can be more significant than fine details, like exact dimensions, whether a hole is counterbored, or the exact cross-sectional shape of a groove. Most CAD systems have little, if any, support for this critical, incipient design stage, In addressing this economically compelling and highly leveraged area, we present an intuitive, feature-based approach to 3-D design which permits a complete first pass through the design-manufacturing cycle even before a detailed specification is complete. We report a functioning 3-D design front-end for a solid modeling system that has been used for fast intra-part and inter-part, visual, generalized feature specification, a frontend that is intimately connected to the system so that both visual and detailed design can be carried out concurrently on the same model to meet designer needs. Hence, the design that is “captured” during the sketch and modify phase using this approach is fully usable for activities that traditionally require a fully detailed solid model, such as rendering, finite element and other analysis, assembly analysis, process planning, and manufacturing at this initial stage instead of the traditionally late stages.

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