bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Experimental Analysis of the Role of Flue Gas Injection for Horizontal Well Steam Flooding
Authors: Pang Zhanxi , Qi Peng , Zhang Fengyi , Ge Taotao , Liu Huiqing
Published: July 2018

Heavy oil is an important hydrocarbon resource that plays a great role in petroleum supply for the world. Co-injection of steam and flue gas can be used to develop deep heavy oil reservoirs. In this paper, a series of gas dissolution experiments were implemented to analyze the properties variation of heavy oil. Then, sand-pack flooding experiments were carried out to optimize injection temperature and injection volume of this mixture. Finally, three-dimensional (3D) flooding experiments were completed to analyze the sweep efficiency and the oil recovery factor of flue gas + steam flooding. The role in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanisms was summarized according to the experimental results. The results show that the dissolution of flue gas in heavy oil can largely reduce oil viscosity and its displacement efficiency is obviously higher than conventional steam injection. Flue gas gradually gathers at the top to displace remaining oil and to decrease heat loss of the reservoir top. The ultimate recovery is 49.49% that is 7.95% higher than steam flooding.
Tracking of a Bouncing Ball in a Planar Billiard Through Continuous-Time Approximations
Authors: Menini Laura , Possieri Corrado , Tornambè Antonio
Published: July 2018

The main goal of this paper is to design a state feedback control that makes a point mass track a non-Zeno reference trajectory in a planar billiard. This objective is achieved by first determining a continuous-time dynamical model, whose trajectories approximate the solutions of the hybrid system. Hence, a state feedback that makes the hybrid system track a reference trajectory of the continuous-time one is proposed. Finally, these two techniques are combined in order to find a state feedback that achieves tracking of the trajectories of the unforced system. Examples are reported all throughout the paper to illustrate the theoretical results.
Novel Coal-Steam Gasification With a Thermochemical Regenerative Process for Power Generation
Authors: Wang Dandan , Li Sheng , Gao Lin , Wu Handong , Jin Hongguang
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a novel high-efficiency coal gasification technology is proposed in which a regenerative unit is applied to recover syngas sensible heat to generate steam; then, the high-temperature steam is used to gasify coke from a pyrolyzer. Through such a thermochemical regenerative unit, the sensible heat with a lower energy level is upgraded into syngas chemical energy with a higher energy level; therefore, high cold gas efficiency (CGE) is expected from the proposed system. aspenplus software is selected to simulate the novel coal gasification system, and the key parameters are validated by experimentation. Then energy, exergy, and energy-utilization diagram (EUD) analyses are applied to disclose the plant performance enhancement mechanism. It is revealed that 83.2% of syngas sensible heat can be recovered into steam agent with the CGE upgraded to 90%. In addition, with the enhancement of CGE, the efficiency of an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) based on the novel gasification system can be as high as 51.82%, showing a significant improvement compared to 45.2% in the general electric company (GE) gasification-based plant. In the meantime, the irreversible destruction of the gasification procedure is reduced to 25.7% through thermochemical reactions. The increase in the accepted energy level (Aea) and the decreases in the released energy level (Aed) and heat absorption (ΔH) contribute to the reduction in exergy destruction in the gasification process. Additionally, since the oxygen agent is no longer used in the IGCC, 34.5 MW exergy destruction in the air separation unit (ASU) is avoided.
Numerically Optimizing the Distribution of the Infrared Radiative Energy on a Surface of a Thermoplastic Sheet Surface
Authors: Bachir Cherif Kahina , Rebaine Djamal , Erchiqui Fouad , Fofana Issouf , Nahas Nabil
Published: July 2018

This paper addresses the problem of distributing uniformly the energy flux intercepted by a thermoplastic sheet surface during the infrared radiation. To do so, we discretized this problem and then formulated it as an integer linear programming problem, for which we applied two meta-heuristic algorithms namely the simulated annealing algorithm (SA) and harmony search algorithm (HSA), in order to minimize the corresponding objective function. The results produced by the numerical study we conducted on the performance of both algorithms are presented and discussed.
Design of a Spatial RPR-2SS Valve Mechanism
Authors: Wang Peter L. , Rhem Ulrich , Michael McCarthy J.
Published: July 2018

This paper applies kinematic synthesis theory to obtain the dimensions of a constrained spatial serial chain for a valve mechanism that cleans and closes a soil conditioning port in a tunnel boring machine. The goal is a smooth movement that rotates a cylindrical array of studs into position and then translates it forward to clean and close the port. The movement of the valve is defined by six positions of the revolute-prismatic-revolute (RPR) serial chain. These six positions are used to compute the dimensions of the two spherical spherical (SS) dyads that constrain the RPR chain to obtain a one degree-of-freedom spatial mechanism. An example design of this valve mechanism is provided in detail.
Three-Element Vibration Absorber–Inerter for Passive Control of Single-Degree-of-Freedom Structures
Authors: Javidialesaadi Abdollah , Wierschem Nicholas E.
Published: July 2018

In this study, a novel passive vibration control device, the three-element vibration absorber–inerter (TEVAI) is proposed. Inerter-based vibration absorbers, which utilize a mass that rotates due to relative translational motion, have recently been developed to take advantage of the potential high inertial mass (inertance) of a relatively small mass in rotation. In this work, a novel configuration of an inerter-based absorber is proposed, and its effectiveness at suppressing the vibration of a single-degree-of-freedom system is investigated. The proposed device is a development of two current passive devices: the tuned-mass-damper–inerter (TMDI), which is an inerter-base tuned mass damper (TMD), and the three-element dynamic vibration absorber (TEVA). Closed-form optimization solutions for this device connected to a single-degree-of-freedom primary structure and loaded with random base excitation are developed and presented. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this novel device, in comparison to the traditional TMD, TEVA, and TMDI, is also investigated. The results of this study demonstrate that the TEVAI possesses superior performance in the reduction of the maximum and root-mean-square (RMS) response of the underlying structure in comparison to the TMD, TEVA, and TMDI.
Theoretical Performance Limits of an Isobaric Hybrid Compressed Air Energy Storage System
Authors: Houssainy Sammy , Janbozorgi Mohammad , Kavehpour Pirouz
Published: July 2018

The desire to increase power production through renewable sources introduces a number of problems due to their inherent intermittency. One solution is to incorporate energy storage systems as a means of managing the intermittent energy and increasing the utilization of renewable sources. A novel hybrid thermal and compressed air energy storage (HT-CAES) system is presented which mitigates the shortcomings of the otherwise attractive conventional compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems and its derivatives, such as strict geological locations, low energy density, and the production of greenhouse gas emissions. The HT-CAES system is investigated, and the thermodynamic efficiency limits within which it operates have been drawn. The thermodynamic models considered assume a constant pressure cavern. It is shown that under this assumption the cavern acts just as a delay time in the operation of the plant, whereas an adiabatic constant volume cavern changes the quality of energy through the cavern. The efficiency of the HT-CAES system is compared with its Brayton cycle counterpart, in the case of pure thermal energy storage (TES). It is shown that the efficiency of the HT-CAES plant is generally not bound by the Carnot efficiency and always higher than that of the Brayton cycle, except for when the heat losses following compression rise above a critical level. The results of this paper demonstrate that the HT-CAES system has the potential of increasing the efficiency of a pure TES system executed through a Brayton cycle at the expense of an air storage medium.
Analytical Solutions and Stress Concentration Factors for Annuli With Inhomogeneous Boundary Conditions
Authors: Shahzad S. , Niiranen J.
Published: July 2018

Analytical displacement and stress fields with stress concentration factors (SCFs) are derived for linearly elastic annular regions subject to inhomogeneous boundary conditions: an infinite class of the mth order polynomial antiplane tractions or displacements. The solution of the Laplace equation governing the out-of-plane problem covers both rigid and void circular inclusions forming the core of the annulus. The results show first that the SCF and the loading order are inversely proportional. In particular, the SCF approaches value 2 when either the outer boundary of the annulus tends to infinity or the order of the polynomial loading increases. Second, the number of peculiar points on the inner contour having null stress increases with the increasing loading order. The analytical solution is confirmed and extended to noncircular enclosures via finite element analysis by exploiting the heat-stress analogy. The results show that the closed-form solution for a circular annulus can be used as an accurate approximation for noncircular enclosures. Altogether, the results shown can be exploited for analyzing complex loading conditions and/or multiple rigid or void inclusions for enhancing the design of hollow and reinforced composites materials.
Effect of Mini/Micro/Nanostructures on Filmwise Condensation of Low-Surface-Tension Fluids
Authors: Aili Ablimit , Ge QiaoYu , Zhang TieJun
Published: July 2018

Micro/nanostructured surfaces have been widely explored to enhance condensation heat transfer over the past decades. When there is no flooding, micro/nanostructures can enable dropwise condensation by reducing solid-droplet adhesion. However, micro/nanostructures have mixed effects on filmwise condensation because the structures can simultaneously thin the condensate film and increase the fluid–solid friction. Although oil infusion of structured surfaces has recently been shown to render filmwise condensation dropwise in many cases, challenges remain in the case of extremely low-surface-tension fluids. This work aims to provide a unified experimental platform and study the impact of mini/micro/nanostructures on condensation heat transfer of low-surface-tension fluids in a customized environmental chamber. We first investigate the effect of microstructures, hydrophobic coating, as well as oil infusion on the filmwise condensation of a low-surface-tension fluid, e.g., refrigerant, on microporous aluminum surfaces. And we show that for low-surface-tension condensates, microstructures, hydrophobic coating, or oil infusion do not play a considerable role in enhancing or deteriorating heat transfer. Next, we study how the addition of nanostructures affects the condensation performance of the refrigerant on copper mini-fin structures. It is found that nanostructures slightly deteriorate the condensation performance due to the dominance of solid–liquid friction, although the performance of these mini-fins with nanostructured surfaces is still better than that of the mini-pin-fins. These results provide guidelines of designing mini/micro/nanoscale surface structures for enhanced condensation applications.
Simulation of Single Bubble Evaporation in a Microchannel in Zero Gravity With Thermocapillary Effect
Authors: Li Wei , Luo Yang , Zhang Jingzhi , Minkowycz W. J.
Published: July 2018

This paper presents fundamental research on the hydrodynamics and heat transfer surrounding a single elongated bubble during flow boiling in a circular microchannel. A continuum surface force (CSF) model based on the volume of fluid (VOF) method is combined with the thermocapillary force to explore the effects of thermocapillarity for flow boiling in microchannels. To validate the self-defined codes, a two-phase thermocapillary-driven flow and a Taylor bubble growing in a capillary tube are studied. Results of both test cases show good convergence and agreement with data from the earlier literature. The bubble motion and the local heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the heated wall with respect to time are discussed. It is found that for large Marangoni number (case 3), variation of surface tension has affected the bubble shape and temperature profile. The thermocapillary effect induces convection in a thin liquid film region, which augments the HTCs at specified positions. The numerical investigation also shows that the average HTC increased by 6.7% in case 3 when compared with case 1. Thus, it is very important to study further the effects of themocapillarity and the Marangoni effect on bubble growth in microchannels.
Geometric Method of Spatial Linkages Synthesis for Function Generation With Three Finite Positions
Authors: Lin Song , Wang Hanchao , Liu Jingshuai , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a geometric method as a unified synthesis process of function generation for spatial linkages. The synthesis method utilizes the mapping relationship between spatial kinematic geometric model and two-plane projection system to transform the problem from spatial geometry to plane geometry. In this way, the synthesis process of mechanisms can be simplified through the corresponding transformation. Afterward, the line-guidance model is built up. Combining the kinematic inversion in two-plane projection system, this model can be used to realize the spatial linkages synthesis for function generation with three finite positions. Finally, revolute–sphere–sphere–revolute (RSSR) and revolute–sphere–sphere–prism (RSSP) mechanisms are offered to illustrate the application of this method.
Efficiency Improvement of a Photovoltaic Module Using Front Surface Cooling Method in Summer and Winter Conditions
Authors: Sainthiya Himanshu , Beniwal Narendra S. , Garg Navneet
Published: July 2018

Photovoltaic (PV) cells exhibit long-term degradation, when its temperature exceeds a certain limit. On the other hand, decreasing the temperature results in lower PV cell efficiency. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the improvements in the output power and efficiency of PV modules using a cooling system based on flowing water on the front surface. Front surface cooling method with the help of a water pumping system is one of the most promising methods for cooling the PV cells. With poly-crystalline PV cells, different water flow rates are experimented, and the output power and the efficiency are computed for different weather conditions. These experiments yield that the cell efficiency is improved by approximately 27.3% in winter conditions and 27.6% in summer conditions.
Effect of Network Architecture on the Mechanical Behavior of Random Fiber Networks
Authors: Islam M. R. , Picu R. C.
Published: July 2018

Fiber-based materials are prevalent around us. While microscopically these systems resemble a discrete assembly of randomly interconnected fibers, the network architecture varies from one system to another. To identify the role of the network architecture, we study here cellular and fibrous random networks in tension and compression, and in the context of large strain elasticity. We observe that, compared to cellular networks of same global parameter set, fibrous networks exhibit in tension reduced strain stiffening, reduced fiber alignment, and reduced Poisson's contraction in uniaxial tension. These effects are due to the larger number of kinematic constraints in the form of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case. The dependence of the small strain modulus on network density is cubic in the fibrous case and quadratic in the cellular case. This difference persists when the number of cross-links per fiber in the fibrous case is rendered equal to that of the cellular case, which indicates that the different scaling is due to the higher structural disorder of the fibrous networks. The behavior of the two network types in compression is similar, although softening induced by fiber buckling and strain localization is less pronounced in the fibrous case. The contribution of transient interfiber contacts is weak in tension and important in compression.
Cam Profile Generation for Cam-Spring Mechanism With Desired Torque
Authors: Gao Fei , Liu Yannan , Liao Wei-Hsin
Published: July 2018

Commercial springs have linear characteristics. Nevertheless, in some cases, nonlinear behavior (e.g., nonlinear torque) is desired. To handle that, a cam-spring mechanism with a specified cam profile was proposed in our previous work. In this paper, to further study the cam profile generation, a new convenient design method is proposed. First, the model of cam-spring mechanism considering the friction force is analyzed. Based on this model, sorts of derivation processes are conducted for obtaining the expression of spring torque. When the friction coefficient is zero, the analytical solution of the equation (spring deformation) is derived. However, in practice, where the friction coefficient is not zero, an analytical solution is not available. Therefore, a numerical solution is sought. Then, with the obtained spring deformation, the cam profile and pitch curve are generated. Results of an experiment conducted to verify the new method show that the cam profile generated by the direct derivation method can precisely mimic the desired torque characteristics. In addition, the hysteresis induced by the friction force in the cam-spring mechanism is also studied. By increasing the spring stiffness, spring free length, and the cam eccentricity, the hysteresis in the cam-spring mechanism can be decreased.
Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement Inside the Pipes Filled With Radial Pore-Size Gradient Porous Materials
Authors: Ma Peiyong , Wang Baogang , Chen Shuilin , Zhang Xianwen , Tao Changfa , Xing Xianjun
Published: July 2018

The gradient porous materials (GPMs)-filled pipe structure has been proved to be effective in improving the heat transfer ability and reducing pressure drop of fluid. A GPMs-filled pipe structure in which radial pore-size gradient increased nonlinearly has been proposed. The field synergy theory and tradeoff analysis on the efficiency of integrated heat transfer has been accomplished based on performance evaluation criteria (PEC). It was found that the ability of heat transfer was enhanced considerably, based on the pipe structure, in which the pore-size of porous materials increased as a parabolic opening up. The flow resistance was the lowest and the integrated heat transfer performance was the highest when radial pore-size gradient increasing as a parabolic opening down.
Development of a High Cycle Fatigue Life Prediction Model for Thin Film Silicon Structures
Authors: Chang Chia-Cheng , Lin Sheng-Da , Chiang Kuo-Ning
Published: July 2018

The fatigue characteristics of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) material, such as silicon or polysilicon, have become very important. Many studies have focused on this topic, but none have defined a good methodology for extracting the applied stress and predicting fatigue life accurately. In this study, a methodology was developed for the life prediction of a polysilicon microstructure under bending tests. Based on the fatigue experiments conducted by Hocheng et al. (2008, “Various Fatigue Testing of Polycrystalline Silicon Microcantilever Beam in Bending,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 47, pp. 5256–5261) and (Hung and Hocheng, 2012, “Frequency Effects and Life Prediction of Polysilicon Microcantilever Beams in Bending Fatigue,” J. Micro/Nanolithogr., MEMS MOEMS, 11, p. 021206), cantilever beams with different dimensions were remodeled with mesh control technology using finite element analysis (FEA) software to extract the stress magnitude. The mesh size, anchor boundary, loading boundary, critical stress definition, and solution type were well modified to obtain more correct stress values. Based on the new stress data extracted from the modified models, the optimized stress-number of life curve (S–N curve) was obtained, and the new life-prediction equation was found to be referable for polysilicon thin film life prediction under bending loads. After comparing the literature and confirming the new models, the frequency effect was observed only for the force control type and not for the displacement control type.
Identification of Bypass Transition Onset Markers Using Direct Numerical Simulation
Authors: Bhushan Shanti , Keith Walters D. , Muthu S. , Pasiliao Crystal L.
Published: July 2018

Efficacy of several large-scale flow parameters as transition onset markers are evaluated using direct numerical simulation (DNS) of boundary layer bypass transition. Preliminary results identify parameters (k2D/ν) and u′/U∞ to be a potentially reliable transition onset marker, and their critical values show less than 15% variation in the range of Re and turbulence intensity (TI). These parameters can be implemented into general-purpose physics-based Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models for engineering applications.
A Phenomenological Model for Shakedown of Tough Hydrogels Under Cyclic Loads
Authors: Wang Zhongtong , Tang Jingda , Bai Ruobing , Zhang Wenlei , Lian Tongda , Lu Tongqing , Wang Tiejun
Published: July 2018

Most tough hydrogels suffer accumulated damages under cyclic loads. The damages may stem from breakage of covalent bonds, unzipping of ionic crosslinks, or desorption of polymer chains from nanoparticle surfaces. Recent experiments report that when a tough hydrogel is subject to cyclic loads, the stress–stretch curves of tough hydrogels change cycle by cycle and approach a steady-state after thousands of cycles, denoted as the shakedown phenomenon. In this paper, we develop a phenomenological model to describe the shakedown of tough hydrogels under prolonged cyclic loads for the first time. We specify a new evolution law of damage variable in multiple cycles, motivated by the experimental observations. We synthesize nanocomposite hydrogels and conduct the cyclic tests. Our model fits the experimental data remarkably well, including the features of Mullins effect, residual stretch and shakedown. Our model is capable of predicting the stress–stretch behavior of subsequent thousands of cycles by using the fitting parameters from the first and second cycle. We further apply the model to polyacrylamide (PAAM)/poly(2-acrylanmido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) and PAAM/alginate double-network hydrogels. Good agreement between theoretical prediction and experimental data is also achieved. The model is hoped to serve as a tool to probe the complex nature of tough hydrogels, through cyclic loads.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endovascular Repair: Profiling Postimplantation Morphometry and Hemodynamics With Image-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Tasso Paola , Raptis Anastasios , Matsagkas Mitiadis , Rizzini Maurizio Lodi , Gallo Diego , Xenos Michalis , Morbiducci Umberto
Published: July 2018

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has disseminated rapidly as an alternative to open surgical repair for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), because of its reduced invasiveness, low mortality, and morbidity rate. The effectiveness of the endovascular devices used in EVAR is always at question as postoperative adverse events can lead to re-intervention or to a possible fatal scenario for the circulatory system. Motivated by the assessment of the risks related to thrombus formation, here the impact of two different commercial endovascular grafts on local hemodynamics is explored through 20 image-based computational hemodynamic models of EVAR-treated patients (N = 10 per each endograft model). Hemodynamic features, susceptible to promote thrombus formation, such as flow separation and recirculation, are quantitatively assessed and compared with the local hemodynamics established in image-based infrarenal abdominal aortic models of healthy subjects (N = 10). Moreover, the durability of endovascular devices is investigated analyzing the displacement forces (DFs) acting on them. The hemodynamic analysis is complemented by a geometrical characterization of the EVAR-induced reshaping of the infrarenal abdominal aortic vascular region. The findings of this study indicate that (1) the clinically observed propensity to thrombus formation in devices used in EVAR strategies can be explained in terms of local hemodynamics by means of image-based computational hemodynamics approach; (2) reportedly prothrombotic hemodynamic structures are strongly associated with the geometry of the aortoiliac tract postoperatively; and (3) DFs are associated with cross-sectional area of the aortoiliac tract postoperatively. In perspective, our study suggests that future clinical followup studies could include a geometric analysis of the region of the implant, monitoring shape variations that can lead to hemodynamic disturbances of clinical significance.
A Transmission Quality Index for a Class of Four-Limb Parallel Schönflies Motion Generators
Authors: Wu Guanglei , Bai Shaoping , Caro Stéphane
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a uniform method of evaluating both transmission quality and singularity applicable for a class of parallel Schönflies-motion generators (SMGs) with four RRΠRR limbs. It turns out that the determinant of the forward Jacobian matrices for this class of parallel robots can be expressed as the scalar product of two vectors, the first vector being the cross product of the four unit vectors along the parallelograms, and the second one being related to the rotation of the mobile platform (MP). The pressure angles, derived from the determinants of forward and inverse Jacobians, respectively, are used for the evaluation of the transmission quality and the detection of robot singularities. Four robots are compared based on the proposed indices as illustrative examples.
Deformation of Microchannels Embedded in an Elastic Medium
Authors: Ramachandran Vivek , Majidi Carmel
Published: July 2018

The deformation of microfluidic channels in a soft elastic medium has a central role in the operation of lab-on-a-chip devices, fluidic soft robots, liquid metal (LM) electronics, and other emerging soft-matter technologies. Understanding the influence of mechanical load on changes in channel cross section is essential for designing systems that either avoid channel collapse or exploit such collapse to control fluid flow and connectivity. In this paper, we examine the deformation of microchannel cross sections under far-field compressive stress and derive a “gauge factor” that relates externally applied pressure with change in cross-sectional area. We treat the surrounding elastomer as a Hookean solid and use two-dimensional plane strain elasticity, which has previously been shown to predict microchannel deformations that are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Numerical solutions to the governing Lamé (Navier) equations are found to match both the analytic solutions obtained from a complex stress function and closed-form algebraic approximations based on linear superposition. The application of this theory to soft microfluidics is demonstrated for several representative channel geometries.
Sputtering of Graphite by Hydrogen Isotopes in the Fusion Environment: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Li Yang , Zhang Zheng , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: July 2018

The sputtering of graphite due to the bombardment of hydrogen isotopes is crucial to successfully using graphite in the fusion environment. In this work, we use molecular dynamics to simulate the sputtering using the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (lammps). The calculation results show that the peak values of the sputtering yield are between 25 eV and 50 eV. When the incident energy is greater than the energy corresponding to the peak value, a lower carbon sputtering yield is obtained. The temperature that is most likely to sputter is approximately 800 K for hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium. Below the 800 K, the sputtering yields increase with temperature. By contrast, above the 800 K, the yields decrease with increasing temperature. Under the same temperature and incident energy, the sputtering rate of tritium is greater than that of deuterium, which in turn is greater than that of hydrogen. When the incident energy is 25 eV, the sputtering yield at 300 K increases below an incident angle at 30 deg and remains steady after that.
Effect of Oil Viscosity on Self-Excited Noise Production Inside the Pilot Stage of a Two-Stage Electrohydraulic Servovalve
Authors: Chen Meng , Aung Nay Zar , Li Songjing , Zou Changfang
Published: July 2018

The occurrence of self-excited noise felt as squealing noise is a critical issue for an electrohydraulic servovalve that is an essential part of the hydraulic servocontrol system. Aiming to highlight the root causes of the self-excited noise, the effect of oil viscosity on the noise production inside a two-stage servovalve is investigated in this paper. The pressure pulsations' characteristics and noise characteristics are studied at three different oil viscosities experimentally by focusing on the flapper-nozzle pilot stage of a two-stage servovalve. The cavitation-induced and vortex-induced pressure pulsations' characteristics at upstream and downstream of the turbulent jet flow path are extracted and analyzed numerically by comparing with the experimental measured pressure pulsations and noise characteristics. The numerical simulations of transient cavitation shedding phenomenon are also validated by the experimental cavitation observations at different oil viscosities. Both numerical simulations and experimental cavitation observations explain that cavitation shedding phenomenon is intensified with the decreasing of oil viscosity. The small-scale vortex propagation with the characteristic of generating, growing, moving, and merging is numerically simulated. Thus, this study reveals that the oil viscosity affects the transient distribution of cavitation and small-scale vortex, which, in turn, enhances the pressure pulsation and noise. The noise characteristics achieve a good agreement with pressure pulsation characteristics showing that the squealing noise appears accompanied by the flow field resonance in the flapper-nozzle. The flow-acoustic resonance and resulting squealing noise possibly occurs when the amplitude of the pressure pulsations near the flapper is large enough inside a two-stage servovalve.
Time-Variant Ultimate Reliability Analysis of Jacket Platforms Considering a New Probabilistic Corrosion Model for the Persian Gulf
Authors: Gholami Hossein , Asgarian Behrouz , Gharebaghi Saeed Asil
Published: July 2018

Corrosion is identified as one of the most important deterioration factors for structural integrity of offshore platforms. For reliability analysis of these platforms, a probabilistic model for prediction of long-term corrosion loss as a function of time is essential. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel model for steel corrosion of jacket platforms in the Persian Gulf region. Field measurements for members in seawater are collected and statistically analyzed to identify the probability function for corrosion loss at different times. A new probabilistic model with time-dependent parameters is suggested, based on the statistical analysis results. Application of above-mentioned model in the reliability analysis of jacket platforms is investigated by introducing a new reliability analysis framework. This framework is a general solution for probabilistic analysis of jacket platforms with several stochastic variables which can be used for the platforms with different configuration and loads. In this framework, direct analysis is performed in each stage of first-order reliability method (FORM) instead of using the response surface method which is a common approach to obtaining the required response. This framework is applied to three jackets and the annual probability of failure (Pf) over the platforms service life is computed. Comparison of results revealed that among the years beyond the platform design life, the amount of annual Pf is increased in parabolic function. Also, studying the results is illustrated that in the case of ignoring the corrosion loss as a stochastic variable, Pf is estimated 7% lower than values obtained in actual condition.
A Hemispherical Motor Oscillator for Experiments on Swimming and Flying of Small Animals
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Promode R.
Published: July 2018

The propulsors of organisms from paramecia to dolphins have ball-and-socket jointed bases that allow large-amplitude, low-friction swings. Their olivo-cerebellar control also remains unchanged. Yet, the propulsive surfaces of small animals vary widely from flagellar filaments (0 < Re < 5) to flapping fins (Re > 20) with an intermediate range of Reynolds number (5 < Re < 20) where both types are present in the same swimming animal. Analysis suggests that these unsteady surfaces are mechanical oscillators coupled to their nonlinear wakes. A low-friction-driven oscillator that can interact with the oscillators of models or live swimming and flying animals could help us understand the hydro-structural events prompting the evolution of such surfaces at specific Re values. A gearless underdamped (in air) hemispherical motor oscillator is described where energetic efficiency increases by a factor of eight as the forces drop by a factor of ten from 10 N. The electrical efficiencies at 0.8 N are comparable to the total thermal efficiencies of flies, and the quality factor is comparable. The continuously varying fin oscillation of penguin fins and abruptly varying fin oscillations of Clione antarctica and flies are reproduced. When flapping at 0.3 Hz, the oscillator would respond to all wake nonlinearities. Abrupt fin turning is modeled by switching the roll and pitch phase difference between −π/2 and π/2 in successive quadrants. Defining the fish-wake lock-in error as the difference between Triantafyllou's fish Strouhal number and the tangent of the vortex-shedding angle, an experiment is discussed for measuring the minimum drag of live fish.
Extended Greenwood–Williamson Models for Rough Spheres
Authors: Zhao T. , Feng Y. T.
Published: July 2018

The current work aims to develop two extended Greenwood–Williamson (GW) models for spherical particles with surface roughness which can be incorporated into the discrete element modeling (DEM) framework. The defects of the classic GW model when directly adopted in DEM are fully addressed and illustrated by both theoretical and numerical results. The first model, the extended elastic GW (E-GW) model, which evaluates the elastic deformation of the asperities and the bulk substrate separately is developed to consider the positive overlap involved in the contact problem. The capability of incorporating the extended elastic model into the DEM is illustrated by the comparison between the classic and extended models. The second model, the extended elasto–plastic GW (EP-GW) model, is further developed to consider the plastic deformation of the asperities which reduces the pressure increased by the surface roughness. Numerical comparisons between the E-GW and EP-GW models are also conducted to demonstrate the effect of the plastic deformation on the pressure and deformation distributions in the contact region.
A Novel Design Method for Nonuniform Lattice Structures Based on Topology Optimization
Authors: Han Yafeng , Lu Wen Feng
Published: July 2018

Lattice structures are broadly used in lightweight structure designs and multifunctional applications. Especially, with the unprecedented capabilities of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and computational optimization methods, design of nonuniform lattice structures has recently attracted great research interests. To eliminate constraints of the common “ground structure approaches” (GSAs), a novel topology optimization-based method is proposed in this paper. Particularly, the structural wall thickness in the proposed design method was set as uniform for better manufacturability. As a solution to carry out the optimized material distribution for the lattice structure, geometrical size of each unit cell was set as design variable. The relative density model, which can be obtained from the solid isotropic microstructure with penalization (SIMP)-based topology optimization method, was mapped into a nonuniform lattice structure with different size cells. Finite element analysis (FEA)-based homogenization method was applied to obtain the mechanical properties of these different size gradient unit cells. With similar mechanical properties, elements with different “relative density” were translated into unit cells with different size. Consequently, the common topology optimization result can be mapped into a nonuniform lattice structure. This proposed method was computationally and experimentally validated by two different load-support design cases. Taking advantage of the changeable surface-to-volume ratio through manipulating the cell size, this method was also applied to design a heat sink with optimum heat dissipation efficiency. Most importantly, this design method provides a new perspective to design nonuniform lattice structures with enhanced functionality and manufacturability.
The Effect of Inlet Blade Angle Variation on Cavitation Performance of a Centrifugal Pump: A Parametric Study
Authors: Dönmez Aydın Hacı , Yumurtacı Zehra , Kavurmacıoğlu Levent
Published: July 2018

The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of inlet blade angles on cavitation performance in a centrifugal pump. In order to reveal this relationship, both hub and shroud blade angles are considered and a two-phase three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is carried out. Shear stress transport (SST) turbulence and Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation models are used in simulations. Inlet blade angles for both hub and shroud are changed and pump performance (head-discharge) and cavitation (head-inlet pressure) graphs are obtained for eight different designs. Afterward, numerical cavitation tests are conducted, required net positive suction head values of the each design are calculated, and variations are demonstrated. Results show that hub and shroud blade angle variations have no significant effect on the pump characteristic curves excluding for shroud blade angle at high discharge values. However, cavitation performance of the pump is excessively affected for both hub and shroud blade angle alterations. Increasing hub blade angle has slightly negative effect on cavitation performance of the pump. On the other hand, while increasing shroud blade angle from 20 deg to 30 deg have positive effect on cavitation performance, it is negatively affected from 30 deg to 50 deg.
Analysis of Magnetic Microbead Capture With and Without Bacteria in a Microfluidic Device Under Different Flow Scenarios
Authors: Miller Samuel A. , Heineman William R. , Weiss Alison A. , Banerjee Rupak K.
Published: July 2018

Efficient detection of pathogens is essential for the development of a reliable point-of-care diagnostic device. Magnetophoretic separation, a technique used in microfluidic platforms, utilizes magnetic microbeads (mMBs) coated with specific antigens to bind and remove targeted biomolecules using an external magnetic field. In order to assure reliability and accuracy in the device, the efficient capture of these mMBs is extremely important. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of an electroosmotic flow (EOF) switching device on the capture efficiency (CE) of mMBs in a microfluidic device and demonstrate viability of bacteria capture. This analysis was performed at microbead concentrations of 2 × 106 beads/mL and 4 × 106 beads/mL, EOF voltages of 650 V and 750 V, and under constant flow and switching flow protocols. Images were taken using an inverted fluorescent microscope and the pixel count was analyzed to determine to fluorescent intensity. A capture zone was used to distinguish which beads were captured versus uncaptured. Under the steady-state flow protocol, CE was determined to range from 31% to 42%, while the switching flow protocol exhibited a CE of 71–85%. The relative percentage increase due to the utilization of the switching protocol was determined to be around two times the CE, with p < 0.05 for all cases. Initial testing using bacteria-bead complexes was also performed in which these complexes were captured under the constant flow protocol to create a calibration curve based on fluorescent pixel count. The calibration curve was linear on a log-log plot, with R2-value of 0.96. The significant increase in CE highlights the effectiveness of flow switching for magnetophoretic separation in microfluidic devices and prove its viability in bacterial analysis.
A Model for Surface-Film Lubricated Cold Rolling Incorporating Interdependence of Mechanics, Heat Transfer, and Surface-Film Lubrication
Authors: Chang L. , Jeng Yeau-Ren
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to establish a theoretical feasibility of metal cold rolling with only surface-film boundary lubrication. To this end, a mathematical model for surface-film lubricated cold rolling is developed. It is formulated to factor in the interdependence of mechanics, heat transfer, and surface-film lubrication with three submodels: the lubrication-friction model, the stress-deformation model, and the thermal model. Governing equations are obtained based on fundamental physics of the rolling process and tribochemistry of the surface-film lubrication. The equations are solved simultaneously with full numerical methods of solutions. Sample results are presented to evaluate the model and to show the theoretical potential of the surface-film lubrication for cold rolling. The model may be used as a theoretical tool to aid the research and development of surface-film lubrication technology for cold rolling. It may be further developed in conjunction with precision experiments.
Tibial Contact Force and Contact Location Errors of the VERASENSE
Authors: Nicolet-Petersen Stephanie J. , Howell Stephen M. , Hull Maury L.
Published: July 2018

The OrthoSensor VERASENSE knee system is a commercially available instrumented tibial insert that provides real-time intraoperative measurements of tibial contact force and contact location to guide surgeons toward improving outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the device has been used contrary to the manufacturer's instructions in several studies and lacks published information on accuracy. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the device's error in tibial contact force when used according to and contrary to the manufacturer's instructions, and also to evaluate the device's error in anterior-posterior (A-P) and medial-lateral (M-L) contact locations. The error in tibial contact force in one-compartment distributed loading was evaluated by applying known forces in ranges within and exceeding that instructed by the manufacturer, with rezeroing as instructed by the manufacturer, and without rezeroing. The error in tibial contact location in one-compartment concentrated loading was evaluated by applying known forces at known locations on the articular surface. Exceeding the maximum allowable load and not rezeroing did not adversely affect the bias (i.e., average error) (p > 0.05). The maximum absolute bias without rezeroing was 2.9 lbf. Rezeroing more than doubled the bias. The maximum root-mean-squared error in tibial contact location was 1.5 mm in the A-P direction. The device measures tibial contact force with comparable error well above the maximum allowable load and without rezeroing, contrary to the manufacturer's instructions.
Development of n-DoF Preloaded Structures for Impact Mitigation in Cobots
Authors: Seriani S. , Gallina P. , Scalera L. , Lughi V.
Published: July 2018

A core issue in collaborative robotics is that of impact mitigation, especially when collisions happen with operators. Passively compliant structures can be used as the frame of the cobot, although, usually, they are implemented by means of a single-degree-of-freedom (DoF). However, n-DoF preloaded structures offer a number of advantages in terms of flexibility in designing their behavior. In this work, we propose a comprehensive framework for classifying n-DoF preloaded structures, including one-, two-, and three-dimensional arrays. Furthermore, we investigate the implications of the peculiar behavior of these structures—which present sharp stiff-to-compliant transitions at design-determined load thresholds—on impact mitigation. To this regard, an analytical n-DoF dynamic model was developed and numerically implemented. A prototype of a 10DoF structure was tested under static and impact loads, showing a very good agreement with the model. Future developments will see the application of n-DoF preloaded structures to impact-mitigation on cobots and in the field of mobile robots, as well as to the field of novel architected materials.
Tissue Deformation and Insertion Force of Bee-Stinger Inspired Surgical Needles
Authors: Sahlabadi Mohammad , Hutapea Parsaoran
Published: July 2018

Surgical needles are commonly used to reach target locations inside of the body for percutaneous procedures. The major issues in needle steering in tissues are the insertion force which causes tissue damage and tissue deformation that causes the needle path deviation (i.e., tip deflection) resulting in the needle missing the intended target. In this study, honeybee-inspired needle prototypes were proposed and studied to decrease the insertion force and to reduce the tissue deformation. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology was used to manufacture scaled-up needle prototypes. Needle insertion tests on tissue-mimicking polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel were performed to measure the insertion force and the tip deflection. Digital image correlation (DIC) study was conducted to determine the tissue deformation during the insertion. It was demonstrated that the bioinspired needles can be utilized to decrease the insertion force by 24% and to minimize the tip deflection. It was also observed that the bioinspired needles decrease the tissue deformation by 17%. From this study, it can be concluded that the proposed bee-inspired needle design can be used to develop and manufacture innovative surgical needles for more effective and less invasive percutaneous procedures.
Development of an Alveolar Transbronchial Catheter for Concurrent Fiber Optics-Based Imaging and Fluid Delivery
Authors: Knighton Nathan , Cottle Brian , Dentan Veronique , Vercauteren Tom , Akram Ahsan , Bruce Annya , Dhaliwal Kevin , Hitchcock Robert
Published: July 2018

Optical molecular imaging is an emerging field, and high-resolution optical imaging of the distal lung parenchyma has been made possible with the advent of clinically approved fiber-based imaging modalities. However, currently, there is no single method of allowing the simultaneous imaging and delivery of targeted molecular imaging agents. The objective of this research is to create a catheterized device capable of fulfilling this need. We describe the rationale, development, and validation in ex vivo ovine lung to near clinical readiness of a triple lumen bronchoscopy catheter that allows concurrent imaging and fluid delivery, with the aim of clinical use to deliver multiple fluorescent compounds to image alveolar pathology. Using this device, we were able to produce high-quality images of bacterial infiltrates in ex vivo ovine lung within 60 s of instilling a single microdose of (<100 mcg) imaging agent. This has many advantages for future clinical usage over the current state of the art.