FEM Analysis of Piezoelectric Resonator Polarization Process

The polarization of the piezoelectric resonator depends on the direction of the applied electric field. The direction of the applied electric field is determined by the shape of the resonator and the position of the electrodes. In case of resonators with electrodes incompletely covering their bases, an inhomogeneous electric field is generated, which results in an inhomogeneous polarization of the resonator. The resonator will be polarized in some places either in a direction other than the desired one or not polarized at all. The aim of this work is to analyze the polarization process on resonators with electrodes incompletely covering their bases. The physical description is given by the linear piezoelectric equations, the Gaussian equation for the description of the electric field and by Newton’s law of force. On this basis, a FEM model is developed and used to analyze the polarization process. The results of the calculation of the electric field vector distribution are presented. Finally, the areas are identified in which polarization in the desired direction is achieved in the resonator as well as the ones where no polarization occurs.

Aerodynamic Pressure Mapping Technique from CFD to FEM Model of N219 Winglet

Due to relatively complex geometry of N219 winglets, CFD simulations have to be conducted to predict the aerodynamic load by the structure in some critical flight conditions. Since the aerodynamic CFD model is not the same as the finite element model of the structure, there is a need to accurately transform the load data between the two models. This paper discusses a simple alternative technique to map pressure distribution from the mesh or face zone of a CFD simulation to an FEM model using a Matlab based in-house code program. The technique focuses on how an FEM shell element has same pressure value with its nearest CFD element. Although the cumulative forces sometimes give different result, the pressure distribution is highly accurate, moreover when the FEM model has smoother elements. Validation has been conducted by comparing with other pressure mapping technique of a commercial software Patran. The results show a good agreement where the present technique provide a more accurate result especially for the critical biggest load among the cumulative forces in the three-dimensional direction. The proposed technique is currently suitable to evaluate loading characteristics of semi monocoque structures. A further treatment of the technique for other types of structure is currently under development.

Sizing by optimization of line-start synchronous motor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an algorithm and software for determining the size of a line-start permanent magnet synchronous motor (LSPMSMs) based on its optimization. Design/methodology/approach The software consists of an optimization procedure that cooperates with a FEM model to provide the desired behavior of the motor under consideration. The proposed improved version of the genetic algorithm has modifications enabling efficient optimization of LSPMSMs. The objective function consists of three important functional parameters describing the designed machine. The 2-D field-circuit mathematical model of the dynamics operation of the LSPMSMs consists of transient electromagnetic field equations, equations describing electric windings and mechanical motion equations. The model has been developed in the ANSYS Maxwell environment. Findings In this proposed approach, the set of design variables contains the variables describing the stator and rotor structure. The improved procedure of the optimization algorithm makes it possible to find an optimal motor structure with correct synchronization properties. The proposed modifications make the optimization procedure faster and more Originality/value This proposed approach can be successfully applied to solve the design problems of LSPMSMs.

Combined Energy-Seismic Retrofit of Existing Historical Masonry Buildings: The Novel “DUO System” Coating System Applied to a Case Study

The safety of the built heritage of our cities towards environmental factors and seismic actions is a pressing need for designers and researchers. The actual trend is to setup effective solutions to reduce thermal dispersions through the building envelope. Contrarily, combined systems able to enhance the resistance of constructions to earthquakes, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to increase the energetic efficiency of existing buildings are scarcely diffused on the market and are rarely investigated in the scientific literature. In this framework, the seismic design of the new envelope DUO system for seismic-environmental requalification of existing masonry constructions is illustrated in the present paper with reference to a case study in the Neapolitan area. After the geometrical and mechanical characterization of the investigated building is performed, an FEM model of the masonry construction is setup by the SAP2000 analysis program, which has allowed performing pushover analyses. Based on the non-linear seismic response of the construction, an appropriate upgrading design mainly based on the innovative seismic envelope DUO system has been made. The static non-linear analyses applied to the upgraded FEM model of the building have shown a clear increase in performance in terms of strength, stiffness and ductility, thus confirming the effectiveness of the proposed envelope system.

Hydrostatic pressure loads for a tank using “CID Distributed Loads” fields in a PATRAN FEM model

The purpose of this paper is to present a practical way to introduce distributed loads on the walls of a tank in order to perform a FEM analysis using PATRAN/NASTRAN programs. The problem is generated mainly by the fact that there are gravitational accelerations in the three directions of the moving airplane that produce a great number of combinations of inertial loads and consequently a great number of critical load cases. We compared the performed stress analysis with the loads obtained with this method in different cases for 𝑛𝑛=1. (Different forms of the fuel tanks and different placements of the tank inside the aircraft). The form and the density of the grid do not significantly affect the precision of the real inertia loads. Using the presented method one can reduce the volume of FEM files used in the analysis and can quite accurately reproduce the pressure loads on the fuel of a moving aircraft.

Automatic Tolerance Analysis of Permanent Magnet Machines with Encapsuled FEM Models Using Digital-Twin-Distiller

Tolerance analysis is crucial in every manufacturing process, such as electrical machine design, because tight tolerances lead to high manufacturing costs. A FEM-based solution of the tolerance analysis of an electrical machine can easily lead to a computationally expensive problem. Many papers have proposed the design of experiments, surrogate-model-based methodologies, to reduce the computational demand of this problem. However, these papers did not focus on the information loss and the limitations of the applied methodologies. Regardless, the absolute value of the calculated tolerance and the numerical error of the applied numerical methods can be in the same order of magnitude. In this paper, the tolerance and the sensitivity of BLDC machines’ cogging torque are analysed using different methodologies. The results show that the manufacturing tolerances can have a significant effect on the calculated parameters, and that the mean value of the calculated cogging torque increases. The design of the experiment-based methodologies significantly reduced the calculation time, and shows that the encapsulated FEM model can be invoked from an external system-level optimization to examine the design from different aspects.

Numerical Investigation on Diffusion-Induced Cracking in Solid Electrolyte of Composite Electrode and Its Impact on the Li-Ion Conductivity

In this paper, the cracking of the solid electrolyte (SE) and its impacts on the effective Li-ion conductivity of composite electrodes of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) are investigated numerically. A two-dimensional finite element (2D FEM) model was developed for composite electrodes in which active material particles (AM particles) are embedded in the solid electrolyte. The 2D FEM model can successfully calculate and simulate the diffusion-induced stress, the generation of solid electrolyte cracks (SE cracks), and the Li-ion transport. The degradation of Li-ion conductivity for cracked composite electrodes is calculated with the homogenization method. It is revealed that the diffusion-induced volume variation in AM particles can generate significant stress and thus SE cracking in composite electrodes of ASSLIBs. The calculated results suggest that swelling AM particles are more favorable than shrinking AM particles for the structural stability of composite electrodes. It is also demonstrated that the evolution of the conductivity with the propagation of SE cracking is consistent with the percolation theory. The fundamental understating of the SE cracking and its impact in this paper may benefit the design of novel ASSLIBs with more stable performance and a longer lifespan.

Preliminary analysis of the sensitivity of the FEM model of the process of dry ice extrusion in the die with a circularly converging channel on the changing its geometrical parameters

The article presents the results of a preliminary analysis of the numerical model susceptibility for simulating the process of dry ice compaction utilizing single-channel and multiple channel dies. The work focuses on a preliminary comparison of the influence of changes in the geometrical parameters of the 4 types of compression channels. Based on the results of the performed analyses, conclusions were formulated for a basis and direction of further study regarding improving the energy efficiency of the indicated manufacturing process.

A Method for Monitoring the Technical Condition of Large-Scale Bearing Nodes in the Bodies of Machines Operating for Extended Periods of Time

Failure of systems applied in machines comprising rolling and slewing bearings usually causes downtime of the entire heavy machine. The problem of failures can be aggravated by extremely difficult operating conditions, such as significant loads or a harsh environment. The entire issue inspired us to develop a method of monitoring the condition of such units. A study was carried out for six different large-scale excavators which examined strain distributions in the tested subassemblies. In order to estimate the technical condition of wheeled bogies, we used the phenomenon of strain propagation caused by the concentrated force acting in the ring girder web. Flamant theory was utilized to describe this phenomenon. Measurements were performed using strain gauges and the obtained results were compared with the FEM model. To determine whether bearing joints were in a good or bad condition, a coefficient of variation and an impulse factor were introduced as diagnostic indicators. It turned out that by evaluating these indicators, it was possible to distinguish between these two conditions. The method was successfully validated on machines that are in operation.

Numerical Prediction of Local Instability in Double Corrugated Profiles

The technological process of forming the double-corrugated structures of the K-span system causes deep transverse embossing on the surface of the profiles. Such profile geometry makes it difficult to apply classical theories related to plastic failure mechanisms to identify the formation of local instabilities. This article presents an original method for the prediction of local instabilities of double-corrugated structures. The method was developed on the basis of a hierarchical validated FEM model. The geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis method was adopted to perform numerical calculations. The results of calculations enabled the determination of reference equilibrium paths for the eccentrically compressed shell element. Based on the analysis of nonlinear equilibrium paths, a method for predicting the beginning and the end of the appearance of local instabilities in the elastoplastic pre-buckling range was developed.