A piecewise analytical model of bearingless switched reluctance motor for full rotor angular positions

Purpose This paper aims to establish a piecewise Maxwell stress analytical model of bearingless switched reluctance motor (BSRM) for the full rotor angular positions. The proposed model varies from the existing models, which are only applicable to the partial-overlapping positions of stator and rotor poles. By extending the applicable rotor angular positions, this model provides a basic analytical model for the multi-phase excitation control of BSRM. Design/methodology/approach The full rotor angular positions are classified into the partial-overlapping positions and the non-overlapping positions. At first, two different air gap subdividing methods are proposed, respectively, for the two-position ranges. Then, different integration paths are selected accordingly. Furthermore, two approximate methods are presented to calculate the average flux density of each air gap subdivision. Finally, considering the mutual coupling between the two perpendicular radial suspension forces, a piecewise Maxwell stress analytical model is derived for the full rotor angular positions of BSRM. Findings A piecewise Maxwell stress analytical model of BSRM is built for the full rotor angular positions, and applicable to the multi-phase excitation mode of BSRM. For the partial-overlapping positions and the non-overlapping positions, two sets of air gap subdividing methods, integration paths and approximate calculation methods of air gap flux densities are proposed, respectively. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed model are verified by the finite element method. Originality/value The piecewise Maxwell stress analytical model of BSRM for the full rotor angular positions is proposed for the first time. The novel air gap subdividing methods, integration paths, approximate calculation methods of air gap flux densities and the coupling between the two radial suspension forces are adopted to improve the modeling accuracy. As the applicable range of rotor angular position is extended, this model overcomes the limitation of the existing models only for single-phase excitation mode and contributes to the accurate control of BSRM multi-phase excitation mode.

Singular gauge transformations in geometrodynamics

The new tetrads introduced previously for non-null electromagnetic fields in Einstein–Maxwell spacetimes enable a direct link to the local electromagnetic gauge group of transformations. Due to the peculiar elements in the construction of these new tetrads, a direct connection can be established between the local group of electromagnetic gauge transformations and local groups of tetrad transformations on two different local and orthogonal planes of eigenvectors of the Einstein–Maxwell stress–energy tensor. These tetrad vectors are gauge dependent. It is an interesting and relevant problem to study if there are local gauge transformations that can map on the timelike-spacelike plane, the timelike and the spacelike vectors into the intersection of the local light cone and the plane itself. How many of these local gauge transformations exist and how the mathematics and the geometry of these particular transformations play out. These local gauge transformations would be singular and it is important to identify them.

A numerical approach based on finite element method for the wrinkling analysis of dielectric elastomer membranes

Dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators are deformable capacitors capable of a muscle-like actuation when charged. When subjected to voltage, DE membranes coated with compliant electrodes may form wrinkles due to the Maxwell stress. Here, we develop a numerical approach based on the finite element method (FEM) to predict the morphology of wrinkled DE membranes mounted on a rigid frame. The approach includes two steps, I) pre-buckling and II) post-buckling. In step I, the first buckling mode of the DE membrane is investigated by substituting the Maxwell stress with thermal stress in the built-in function of the FEM platform SIMULIA Abaqus. In step II, we use this first buckling mode as an artificial geometric imperfection to conduct the post-buckling analysis. For this purpose, we develop an equivalent model to simulate the mechanical behavior of DEs. Based on our approach, the thickness distribution and the thinnest site of the wrinkled DE membranes subjected to voltage are investigated. The simulations reveal that the crests/troughs of the wrinkles are the thinnest sites around the center of the membrane and corroborate these findings experimentally. Finally, we successfully predict the wrinkles of DE membranes mounted on an isosceles right triangle frame with various sizes of wrinkles generated simultaneously. These results shed light on the fundamental understanding of wrinkled dielectric elastomers but may also trigger new applications such as programmable wrinkles for optical devices or their prevention in DE actuators.

Electrical-driven delamination of flexible piezoelectric system and its applications in surface energy testing

In the present work, a novel experiment for flexible piezoelectric system was introduced. The flexible piezoelectric film was spontaneously contact with the soft substrate conformably. And after driven by pure electrical load, the delamination between the film-substrate systems can be observed visually. By thoroughly analyses and eliminating the influence of gravity, the “force” that prevents the delamination points to the effect of surface energy. Apparently, the deformation of the flexible film is quite small, linear constitutive model still dominates the mechanics of the system in this scenario. Moreover, different from traditional piezoelectric system, the Maxwell stress cannot be neglected in current experiment. A simple mechanics model is derived in current work to reveal the mechanism behind the experiment.

Electromechanics of the liquid water vapour interface

The response of the anisotropic stress at the liquid water vapor interface to a finite electric suggests that the surface potential of water can be seen as an electro-capillary effect coupled to the Maxwell stress tensor.