Error analyses of a Multi-Input-Multi-Output cantilever beam test

Multi-Input-Multi-Output vibration testing typically requires the determination of inputs to achieve desired response at multiple locations. First, the responses due to each input are quantified in terms of complex transfer functions in the frequency domain. In this study, two Inputs and five Responses were used leading to a 5 × 2 transfer function matrix. Inputs corresponding to the desired Responses are then computed by inversion of the rectangular matrix using Pseudo-Inverse techniques that involve least-squared solutions. It is important to understand and quantify the various sources of errors in this process toward improved implementation of Multi-Input-Multi-Output testing. In this article, tests on a cantilever beam with two actuators (input controlled smart shakers) were used as Inputs while acceleration Responses were measured at five locations including the two input locations. Variation among tests was quantified including its impact on transfer functions across the relevant frequency domain. Accuracy of linear superposition of the influence of two actuators was quantified to investigate the influence of relative phase information. Finally, the accuracy of the Multi-Input-Multi-Output inversion process was investigated while varying the number of Responses from 2 (square transfer function matrix) to 5 (full-rectangular transfer function matrix). Results were examined in the context of the resonances and anti-resonances of the system as well as the ability of the actuators to provide actuation energy across the domain. Improved understanding of the sources of uncertainty from this study can be used for more complex Multi-Input-Multi-Output experiments.

An Approximate Transfer Function Model for a Double-Pipe Counter-Flow Heat Exchanger

The transfer functions G(s) for different types of heat exchangers obtained from their partial differential equations usually contain some irrational components which reflect quite well their spatio-temporal dynamic properties. However, such a relatively complex mathematical representation is often not suitable for various practical applications, and some kind of approximation of the original model would be more preferable. In this paper we discuss approximate rational transfer functions G^(s) for a typical thick-walled double-pipe heat exchanger operating in the counter-flow mode. Using the semi-analytical method of lines, we transform the original partial differential equations into a set of ordinary differential equations representing N spatial sections of the exchanger, where each nth section can be described by a simple rational transfer function matrix Gn(s), n=1,2,…,N. Their proper interconnection results in the overall approximation model expressed by a rational transfer function matrix G^(s) of high order. As compared to the previously analyzed approximation model for the double-pipe parallel-flow heat exchanger which took the form of a simple, cascade interconnection of the sections, here we obtain a different connection structure which requires the use of the so-called linear fractional transformation with the Redheffer star product. Based on the resulting rational transfer function matrix G^(s), the frequency and the steady-state responses of the approximate model are compared here with those obtained from the original irrational transfer function model G(s). The presented results show: (a) the advantage of the counter-flow regime over the parallel-flow one; (b) better approximation quality for the transfer function channels with dominating heat conduction effects, as compared to the channels characterized by the transport delay associated with the heat convection.

Vibration load and transfer path identification of vehicle using inverse matrix method based on singular value decomposition

Based on the theory of inverse transfer matrix, a novel method for simultaneous load identification of vehicle vibration is presented in this paper. Some response, excitation, reference points (called key points) and their transfer paths, which have severe effects on the vibration of a whole vehicle, are defined. The transfer functions among the key points are measured by experiments, and thereby a transfer function matrix of vehicle vibration is established. To solve ill-conditioning problem in the transfer function matrix, the methodology of singular value decomposition is introduced into matrix inversion in the excitation load identification. To reduce the identification error, four transfer function matrices with different reference points and condition numbers are selected and discussed. The results show that the more the reference points are, the smaller the condition number of transfer function matrix is, the higher the accuracy of excitation load identification. The transfer function matrix with minimum condition number is used to identify the excitation loads at the vehicle key points. Experimental verifications suggest that the newly proposed method is effective and feasible for excitation load identification of vehicle vibration. Using the identified excitation loads, furthermore, the vibration causes of the steering wheel and seat rail are obtained, which is helpful for improving vibration performance of the sample vehicle. In applications, the excitation load identification method proposed in this paper may be applied not only to other types of vehicle, but also to other complex electromechanical products for load identification in engineering.

A Numerical Evaluation of the Quadratic Transfer Function for a Floating Structure

The second order force of a floating structure can be expressed in terms of a time independent quadratic transfer functions along with the incident wave elevation, through which it is possible to evaluate the second order wave exciting forces in the frequency domain. Newman’s approximation has been widely applied in approximating the elements of the quadratic transfer function matrix while numerically evaluating the second order wave induced force. Through Newman’s approximation, the off-diagonal elements can be numerically approximated with the diagonal elements and thus the numerical calculation efficiency can be enhanced. Newman’s approximation assumes that the off-diagonal elements do not change significantly with the wave frequency and that hydrodynamic phenomenon regarding the low difference frequency are usually of interest. However, it is obviously less satisfying when an element that is close to the diagonal line in the quadratic transfer function matrix shows an extremum if the corresponding wave frequency is close to the natural frequency of the certain motion. In this paper, the full derivation and expression of the second order wave forces and moments applied to a floating structure have been presented, through which the numerical results of the quadratic transfer function matrix including the diagonal and the off-diagonal elements will be illustrated. This work will present the basis of numerically evaluating the second order forces in the frequency domain. The comparisons among various approximations regarding the second order forces in deep water will also be presented as a meaningful reference.

The Best and Worst Feed Directions in Milling Chatter

In this paper, a 2D milling stability analysis is reduced to a 1D problem by performing a modal analysis on an oriented transfer function matrix under a given feed direction. The oriented frequency response function (FRF) of the oriented transfer matrix are obtained as explicit functions of the radial immersion and feed direction. At different feed directions in most of the lower immersion range, the process is demonstrated to be the least stable when the modal direction of the directional matrix is oriented at 45° and 225° and in the −45° and 135°, yielding a local minimum critical depth of cut, regardless of up or down cuts. At higher immersion, the worst critical depth of cut is dominated by the lower frequency mode, and becomes a constant, independent of the feed direction at full cut. When the modal direction is oriented along the x or y axes, the process has a local maximum critical depth of cut.