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Control Methodology (control + methodology)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Engineering	90%

Distribution within Engineering

Control Systems Technology	50%
General & Introductory Electrical & Electronics Engineering	20%

Selected Abstracts

ERROR SPACE MOTION CONTROL METHODOLOGY FOR COMPLEX CONTOURS

ASIAN JOURNAL OF CONTROL, Issue 1 2005
Robert G. Landers
ABSTRACT Motion control is a critical component of many engineering systems (e.g., manufacturing, robotics). Most systems have standard interpolation and control schemes for linear and circular contours; therefore, complex contours are often decomposed into a series of line segments and circular arcs. However, there are discontinuities where the line segments and arcs are joined together, and time to complete the contour is substantially increased when acceleration/deceleration interpolation schemes are employed. A motion control scheme known as the error space motion control methodology is proposed in this paper to design servomechanism motion control systems that may be utilized for complex contours. The error space motion control methodology is applied to a two-axis motion control system and simulation studies are conducted for linear, circular, elliptical, and limacon contours. The results demonstrate the excellent tracking ability of the proposed error space motion control methodology and its utility for complex contours. [source]

Optimal design and optimal control of structures undergoing finite rotations and elastic deformations

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 14 2004
A. Ibrahimbegovic
Abstract In this work, we deal with the optimal design and optimal control of structures undergoing large rotations and large elastic deformations. In other words, we show how to find the corresponding initial configuration through optimal design or the corresponding set of multiple load parameters through optimal control, in order to recover a desired deformed configuration or some desirable features of the deformed configuration as specified more precisely by the objective or cost function. The model problem chosen to illustrate the proposed optimal design and optimal control methodologies is the one of geometrically exact beam. First, we present a non-standard formulation of the optimal design and optimal control problems, relying on the method of Lagrange multipliers in order to make the mechanics state variables independent from either design or control variables and thus provide the most general basis for developing the best possible solution procedure. Two different solution procedures are then explored, one based on the diffuse approximation of response function and gradient method and the other one based on genetic algorithm. A number of numerical examples are given in order to illustrate both the advantages and potential drawbacks of each of the presented procedures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Experimental modelling and intelligent control of a wood-drying kiln

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 8 2001
Givon Chuen Kee Yan
Abstract Proper control of the wood-drying kiln is crucial in ensuring satisfactory quality of dried wood and in minimizing drying time. This paper presents the development, implementation, and evaluation of a control system for a lumber drying kiln process incorporating sensory feedback from in-wood moisture content sensors and intelligent control such that the moisture content of lumber will reach and stabilize at the desired set point without operator interference. The drying process is difficult to model and control due to complex dynamic nonlinearities, coupling effects among key variables, and process disturbances caused by the variation of lumber sizes, species, and environmental factors. Through system identification scheme using experimental data and recursive least-squares algorithm for parameter estimation, appropriate models are developed for simulation purpose and controller design. Two different control methodologies are employed and compared: a conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and a direct fuzzy logic controller (FLC), and system performance is evaluated through simulations. The developed control system is then implemented in a downscaled industrial kiln located at the Innovation Centre of National Research Council (NRC) of Canada. This experimental set-up is equipped with a variety of sensors, including thermocouples for temperature feedback, an air velocity transmitter for measuring airflow speed in the plenum, relative humidity sensors for measuring the relative humidity inside the kiln, and in-wood moisture content sensors for measuring the moisture content of the wood pieces. For comparison, extensive experimental studies are carried out on-line using the two controllers, and the results are evaluated to tune the controller parameters to achieve good performance in the wood-drying kiln. The combination of conventional control with the intelligent control promises improved performance. The control system developed in this study may be applied in industrial wood-drying kilns, with a clear potential for improved quality and increased speed of drying. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Epidemiologic Analysis of Factors Associated with Local Disappearances of Native Ranid Frogs in Arizona

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
CARMEL L. WITTE
análisis de factores de riesgo; declinación de anfibios; declinación de ranas; epidemiología de vida silvestre; métodos de control de casos Abstract:,We examined factors that may independently or synergistically contribute to amphibian population declines. We used epidemiologic case,control methodology to sample and analyze a large database developed and maintained by the Arizona Game and Fish Department that describes historical and currently known ranid frog localities in Arizona, U.S.A. Sites with historical documentation of target ranid species (n= 324) were evaluated to identify locations where frogs had disappeared during the study period (case sites) and locations where frog populations persisted (control sites). Between 1986 and 2003, 117 (36%) of the 324 sites became case sites, of which 105 were used in the analyses. An equal number of control sites were sampled to control for the effects of time. Risk factors, or predictor variables, were defined from environmental data summarized during site surveys and geographic information system data layers. We evaluated risk factors with univariate and multifactorial logistic-regression analyses to derive odds ratios (OR). Odds for local population disappearance were significantly related to 4 factors in the multifactorial model. Disappearance of frog populations increased with increasing elevation (OR = 2.7 for every 500 m, p < 0.01). Sites where disappearances occurred were 4.3 times more likely to have other nearby sites that also experienced disappearances (OR = 4.3, p < 0.01), whereas the odds of disappearance were 6.7 times less (OR = 0.15, p < 0.01) when there was a source population nearby. Sites with disappearances were 2.6 times more likely to have introduced crayfish than were control sites (OR = 2.6, p= 0.04). The identification of factors associated with frog disappearances increases understanding of declines occurring in natural populations and aids in conservation efforts to reestablish and protect native ranids by identifying and prioritizing implicated threats. Resumen:,Examinamos los factores que pueden contribuir independiente o sinérgicamente a la declinación de poblaciones de anfibios. Utilizamos una metodología epidemiológica de control de casos para muestrear y analizar una base de datos desarrollada y mantenida por el Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Arizona que describe las localidades históricas y actuales de ranas en Arizona, E. U. A. Los sitios con documentación histórica de las especies de ránidos (n= 324) fueron evaluados para identificar localidades donde las ranas desaparecieron durante el período de estudio (sitios caso) y localidades donde las poblaciones de ranas persistieron (sitios control). Entre 1986 y 2003, 36% (117) de los 324 sitios se volvieron sitios caso, de los cuales 105 fueron utilizados en los análisis. El mismo número de sitios control fueron muestreados para controlar los efectos del tiempo. Los factores de riesgo, o variables predictivas, fueron definidos a partir de datos ambientales obtenidos de los muestreos en los sitios y de capas de datos de un sistema información geográfica. Evaluamos los factores de riesgo con análisis de regresión logística univariada y multivariada para derivar proporciones de probabilidades (PP). Las probabilidad para la desaparición de una población local estuvo relacionada significativamente con 4 factores en el modelo multifactorial. La desaparición de poblaciones de ranas incrementó con la elevación (PP = 2.7 por cada 500 m, p < 0.01). Los sitios donde ocurrieron las desapariciones fueron 4.3 veces más propensos a estar cerca de otros sitios donde ocurrieron desapariciones (PP = 4.3, p < 0.01), mientras que la probabilidad de desaparición fue 6.7 veces menos (PP = 0.15, p < 0.01) cuando había una población fuente cercana. Los sitios con desapariciones fueron 2.6 veces más propensos a tener langostinos introducidos que los sitios control (PP = 2.6, p= 0.04). La identificación de factores asociados con la desaparición de ranas incrementa el conocimiento de las declinaciones de poblaciones naturales y ayuda a los esfuerzos de conservación para el reestablecimiento y la protección de ránidos nativos mediante la identificación y priorización de las amenazas implicadas. [source]

Optimal Control of Voltage in Distribution Systems by Voltage Reference Management

IEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009
Tomonobu Senjyu Student member
Abstract Recently, renewable energy technologies such as wind turbine generators and photovoltaic (PV) systems have been introduced as distributed generations (DGs). Connections of a large amount of distributed generations may cause voltage deviation beyond the statutory range in distribution systems. A reactive power control of DGs can be a solution of this problem, and it also has a possibility to reduce distribution loss. In this paper, we propose a control methodology of voltage profile in a distribution system using reactive power control of inverters interfaced with DGs and tap changing transformers. In the proposed method, a one-day schedule of voltage references for the control devices are determined by an optimization technique based on predicted values of load demand and PV power generation. Reactive power control of interfaced inverters is implemented within the inverter capacity without reducing active power output. The proposed method accomplishes voltage regulation within the acceptable range and reduction of distribution loss. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by simulations. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]

Non-diagonal MIMO QFT controller design reformulation

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 9 2009
Mario Garcia-Sanz
Abstract This paper presents a reformulation of the full-matrix quantitative feedback theory (QFT) robust control methodology for multiple-input,multiple-output (MIMO) plants with uncertainty. The new methodology includes a generalization of previous non-diagonal MIMO QFT techniques; avoiding former hypotheses of diagonal dominance; simplifying the calculations for the off-diagonal elements, and then the method itself; reformulating the classical matrix definition of MIMO specifications by designing a new set of loop-by-loop QFT bounds on the Nichols Chart, which establish necessary and sufficient conditions; giving explicit expressions to share the load among the loops of the MIMO system to achieve the matrix specifications; and all for stability, reference tracking, disturbance rejection at plant input and output, and noise attenuation problems. The new methodology is applied to the design of a MIMO controller for a spacecraft flying in formation in a low Earth orbit. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Optimal boundary control of cardiac alternans

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 2 2009
Stevan Dubljevic
Abstract Alternation of normal electrical activity in the myocardium is believed to be linked to the onset of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In this paper, a spatially uniform unstable steady state of small amplitude of alternans described by parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) is stabilized by boundary optimal control methods. A finite dimensional linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is utilized in both a full-state-feedback control structure and in a compensator design with the Luenberger observer, and it achieves global stabilization in a finite size tissue cable length. The ability to realize such control algorithm is analyzed based on the structure of the amplitude of alternans equation and the control methodology applied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

A hybrid model predictive control approach to the direct torque control problem of induction motors

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 17 2007
Georgios Papafotiou
Abstract Direct torque control (DTC) is a state-of-the-art control methodology for electric motor drives which features favourable control performance and implementation properties. In DTC, the core of the control system is the inverter switching table, and any efforts to enhance the system's performance aim at improving its design. This issue is addressed in this paper, where we propose a new design procedure for the DTC problem. The DTC drive, comprising a two- or three-level dc-link inverter driving a three-phase induction motor, is modelled in the hybrid mixed logical dynamical (MLD) framework, and a constrained finite-time optimal control problem is set up and solved over a receding horizon using model predictive control (MPC). Simulation results are provided and compared to the current industrial standard demonstrating the potential for notable performance improvements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Support vector machines-based generalized predictive control

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 17 2006
S. Iplikci
Abstract In this study, we propose a novel control methodology that introduces the use of support vector machines (SVMs) in the generalized predictive control (GPC) scheme. The SVM regression algorithms have extensively been used for modelling nonlinear systems due to their assurance of global solution, which is achieved by transforming the regression problem into a convex optimization problem in dual space, and also their higher generalization potential. These key features of the SVM structures lead us to the idea of employing a SVM model of an unknown plant within the GPC context. In particular, the SVM model can be employed to obtain gradient information and also it can predict future trajectory of the plant output, which are needed in the cost function minimization block. Simulations have confirmed that proposed SVM-based GPC scheme can provide a noticeably high control performance, in other words, an unknown nonlinear plant controlled by SVM-based GPC can accurately track the reference inputs with different shapes. Moreover, the proposed SVM-based GPC scheme maintains its control performance under noisy conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Vibration and stability control of robotic manipulator systems consisting of a thin-walled beam and a spinning tip rotor

JOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 10 2002
Ohseop Song
Vibration and stability feedback control of a robotic manipulator modeled as a cantilevered thin-walled beam carrying a spinning rotor at its tip is investigated. The control is achieved via incorporation of adaptive capabilities that are provided by a system of piezoactuators, bonded or embedded into the host structure. Based on converse piezoelectric effect, the piezoactuators produce a localized strain field in response to an applied voltage, and as a result, an adaptive change of vibrational and stability response characteristics is obtained. A feedback control law relating the piezoelectrically induced bending moments at the beam tip with the appropriately selected kinematical response quantities is used, and the beneficial effects of this control methodology upon the closed-loop eigenvibration characteristics and stability boundaries are highlighted. The cantilevered structure modeled as a thin-walled beam, and built from a composite material, encompasses non-classical features, such as anisotropy, transverse shear, and secondary warping, and in this context, a special ply-angle configuration inducing a structural coupling between flapping-lagging and transverse shear is implemented. It is also shown that the directionality property of the material of the host structure used in conjunction with piezoelectric strain actuation capability, yields a dramatic enhancement of both the vibrational and stability behavior of the considered structural system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]