FRT and Transient Stability Augmentation of Grid-Connected PV Station Using Virtual Synchronous Generator

Due to the extensive integration of renewable energy sources (RESs), i.e., photovoltaic (PV) system, the future power system is developing into an inverter-based system from a dominated alternator-based power system. This massive penetration of inverter-based PV system reduced the system inertia and damping characteristics of the power grid, impacting the fault ride-through (FRT) capability and causes frequency instability. Modern grid codes require that PV systems should work in the same way as conventional power plants and assist the system during transient state. However, most of the conventional inverter control mechanisms failed to fulfill the requirements of grid codes, especially when the penetration ratio of the PV system is close to the conventional unit. Therefore, this paper proposes a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control mechanism of PV system inverter to augment FRT competency and frequency stability. The proposed VSG control system mimics the behavior of conventional power plants. To observe and evaluate the proposed controller behavior, simulation analyses were executed in the PSCAD/EMTDC software for both proposed and conventional controllers. The simulation results clearly indicate that the proposed VSG control system has sufficient damping characteristics to ensure FRT capability and frequency stability.

In vivo soft tissue compressive properties of the human hand

Background/Purpose Falls onto outstretched hands are the second most common sports injury and one of the leading causes of upper extremity injury. Injury risk and severity depends on forces being transmitted through the palmar surface to the upper extremity. Although the magnitude and distribution of forces depend on the soft tissue response of the palm, the in vivo properties of palmar tissue have not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to characterize the large deformation palmar soft tissue properties. Methods In vivo dynamic indentations were conducted on 15 young adults (21–29 years) to quantify the soft tissue characteristics of over the trapezium. The effects of loading rate, joint position, tissue thickness and sex on soft tissue responses were assessed. Results Energy absorbed by the soft tissue and peak force were affected by loading rate and joint angle. Energy absorbed was 1.7–2.8 times higher and the peak force was 2–2.75 times higher at high rate loading than quasistatic rates. Males had greater energy absorbed than females but not at all wrist positions. Damping characteristics were the highest in the group with the thickest soft tissue while damping characteristics were the lowest in group with the thinnest soft tissues. Conclusion Palmar tissue response changes with joint position, loading rate, sex, and tissue thickness. Accurately capturing these tissue responses is important for developing effective simulations of fall and injury biomechanics and assessing the effectiveness of injury prevention strategies.

Investigation on Damping Characteristics of Hydrostatic Bearing Film by Using Scale Method

The resonant peaks can be suppressed by damping, those effects is dependent on damping ratio of system. In this paper, we propose a scaling method to evaluate the damping ratio of hydrostatic bearings for the data from model test. This method fits specifically for the overdamping of all hydrostatic bearing. This is direct and the easiest method to obtain the damping characteristics of oil film for the lowest band before the first resonant peak. The frequency responses of acceleration per force for a single-degree-of-freedom mass-spring-damper model is used to generate the evaluation scales for the damping ratios of the modal test results of worktable mounting on hydrostatic bearing. The case study for experimental results of the impact response are evaluated for damping ratio of the hydrostatic film by these method. Furthermore, using this scaling method, the influences of three types of compensations on the damping ratio of a hydrostatic bearing are compared. The results reveal that the constant flow has the largest damping ratio, and the capillary restrictor has the smallest one.

Analysis and Optimization of Damping Properties of Constrained Layer Damping Structures with Multilayers

Constrained layer damping (CLD) structures, which are one of the composite structures with a softer viscoelastic material (VEM) layer sandwiched between a elastic base layer and a relatively stiffer constraining layer, are widely used in engineering applications for reducing vibration and noise radiation. To accurately predict and effectively control vibration and properly and quickly determine the design parameters, optimal designs for the CLD structures are necessary. The optimal designs depend on thoroughly understanding the damping characteristics of the CLD structures. In addition, for some cases, CLD structures with multi-constrained VEM layers are needed to suppress vibration more effectively. In this paper, an effective modeling method to accurately describe the damping properties and a quick optimization design method using COMSOL were proposed for CLD structures with multilayers in detail. The effects of nondimensional thickness ratios of the VEM and constraining layer to the base layer on the damping properties of CLD structures were analyzed. For CLD structures with different configurations, different constraints were selected to obtain the maximized damping in the optimization design. The conclusions from this research provide an insight into the effects of thicknesses of VEM and constraining layers on the damping properties of CLD structures regardless of its size. The modeling and optimal methods using COMSOL in this paper are not limited to CLD structures and can be used by other structures also.

Study on the Structure and Performance of an Antagonistic Pneumatic Bidirectional Rotary Joint

An antagonistic pneumatic bidirectional rotary flexible joint was developed to improve both safety and environmental adaptability of service robots and associated human interactions. The joint comprises two semicircular rotary actuators with positive and negative symmetrical distributions and a pneumatic brake. As such, it achieves forward and reverse rotations, and its damping and braking are adjustable in real time, enabling it to maintain its position. According to the force/torque balance at the free end of the rotary actuator, the rotation angle static model was established. The relationship between the actuator rotation angle, driving torque, impedance torque, and air pressure was obtained experimentally. The brake airbag was manufactured using additive manufacturing and silicone gel casting technologies. The mathematical model of the braking torque was established next, and the model was verified through experiments. Furthermore, an experimental system was constructed to carry out the air pressure-angle, air pressure-torque, and speed response experiments without the load on the joint. The results have shown that the joint can achieve any position within ± 68.5° when the driving air pressure varies from 0 to 0.30 MPa; the time required to reach the maximum angle was 0.85 s. The joint has shown good adjustable damping characteristics. Lastly, the braking torque reached 4.21 Nm at 0.32 MPa, effectively maintaining the position.

Dynamic Behavior of Sandwich Structures with Magnetorheological Elastomer: A Review

Magnetorheological (MR) materials are classified as smart materials that can alter their rheological features once exposed to peripheral magnetic fields. MR materials have been a standard and one of the primary smart materials for the last few decades due to their outstanding vibration control performance in adaptive sandwich structures and systems. This paper reviews the vibration suppression investigations of flexible constructions using MR elastomers (MREs). In relations of field-dependent controllability, physical features such as stiffness and the damping of different geometrical structures integrated with the core layer of MREs are explored. The veracity of the knowledge is discussed in this article, whereby sandwich structures with different MR treatment configurations are analyzed for free and forced vibration, MRE sandwich structures are analyzed for stability under different working conditions, and the optimal positions of fully and partially treated MRE sandwich structures for improved vibration control are identified. MR materials′ field-dependent stiffness and damping characteristics are also discussed in this article. A few of the most noteworthy research articles over the last several years have been summarized.