Vibration Properties of a Concrete Structure with Symmetries Used in Civil Engineering

The paper aims to study a concrete structure, currently used in civil engineering, which has certain symmetries. This type of problem is common in engineering practice, especially in civil engineering. There are many reasons why structures with identical elements or certain symmetries are used in industry, related to economic considerations, shortening the design time, for constructive, simplicity, cost or logistical reasons. There are many reasons why the presence of symmetries has benefits for designers, builders, and beneficiaries. In the end, the result of these benefits materializes through short execution times and reduced costs. The paper studies the eigenvalue and eigenmode properties of vibration for components of the constructions’ structure, often encountered in current practice. The identification of such properties allows the simplification and easing of the effort necessary for the dynamic analysis of such a structure.

Impeller Optimization in Crossflow Hydraulic Turbines

Crossflow turbines represent a valuable choice for energy recovery in aqueducts, due to their constructive simplicity and good efficiency under variable head jump conditions. Several experimental and numerical studies concerning the optimal design of crossflow hydraulic turbines have already been proposed, but all of them assume that structural safety is fully compatible with the sought after geometry. We show first, with reference to a specific study case, that the geometry of the most efficient impeller would lead shortly, using blades with a traditional circular profile made with standard material, to their mechanical failure. A methodology for fully coupled fluid dynamic and mechanical optimization of the blade cross-section is then proposed. The methodology assumes a linear variation of the curvature of the blade external surface, along with an iterative use of two-dimensional (2D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and 3D structural finite element method (FEM) simulations. The proposed methodology was applied to the design of a power recovery system (PRS) turbine already installed in an operating water transport network and was finally validated with a fully 3D CFD simulation coupled with a 3D FEM structural analysis of the entire impeller.

Generation of compressed air by cascaded thermocompressors – project status

Compressed air is one of the most widely used industrial energy sources, and its production by mechanical compressors is extremely expensive and, in addition, inefficient. Therefore, the utilization of waste heat, which accrues on a large scale in many industrial applications, by means of a thermocompressor is an obvious alternative. This contribution presents a design approach to experimentally investigate a reciprocating thermocompressor with a self-actuated overdriven free displacer. These experiments shall be the basis for the design and realization of a cascade of identical stages, which has so far only been investigated by means of analytical modelling and theoretical similarity considerations. The main advantage of this approach is its extreme constructive simplicity and the expected self-regulating effect, which both facilitate a cost-effective production and operation. As the minimization of dead volume and fluid friction losses is essential, the heat exchangers and the regenerator are plainly realized by an annular gap around the displacer in the proposed design, thus further increasing its simplicity. The design parameters are determined by an optimization based on an analytical model extended by various losses and heat transfer limitations.

Modeling and Performance Evaluation of an Electromagnetic Voltage Regulator via Series Compensation

Although there currently exists a wide range of voltage regulators that are commercially available, the search for devices with a simpler physical design remains the focus of research studies. Following this line, an electromagnetic voltage regulator (EVR) arrangement has been proposed. The EVR is constituted of an autotransformer that supplies, via discrete taps, a series transformer that injects voltage for regulating the feeder voltage. Even though its operating principle is shown as being similar to that of other devices on the market, the physical arrangement and operating strategy of EVR show novelties which result in properties such as: economic attractiveness, constructive simplicity, and operational reliability. Moreover, when installing voltage regulators, efficacy studies must be carried out to optimize equipment design. In this context, this paper aims at evaluating the factors that influence the effectiveness of the EVR in restoring voltage variations according to the determinations imposed by regulatory agencies. The ultimate goal of this study is to determine the voltage deviation range that the EVR is able to restore. To achieve this goal, a mathematical modeling of the EVR is given and study cases are computationally carried out to investigate its performance when connected to a typical distribution feeder.

On New High Performance Systems with Linear Actuators for Diurnal Orientation of PV Platforms

The paper presents new mechatronic systems used to perform the diurnal orientation of photovoltaic (PV) platforms, aiming to achieve high angular strokes and also low cost, high precision, constructive simplicity and relative low pressure angles. Starting from the disadvantages of the existing tracking mechanism identified in the literature (patents, scientific articles, market documentation, etc.), new high performance linkages and gear mechanisms driven by linear actuators are proposed in the paper. Hence, four new tracking mechanisms, achieving high angular strokes (over 180o), are described: a) quadrilateral type, b) rhombus type, c) slider-crank type, and d) linkage with gears type. These mechanisms are designed especially for concentrating PV systems, which require high orientation precision on the entire angular stroke.