Hans Ingo Weber

An overview on non-ideal vibrations

We analyze the dynamical coupling between energy sources and structural response that must not be ignored in real engineering problems, since real motors have limited output power.

Biomechanical modeling and optimal control of human posture

The present work describes the biomechanical modeling of human postural mechanics in the saggital plane and the use of optimal control to generate open-loop raising-up movements from a squatting position. The biomechanical model comprises 10 equivalent musculotendon actuators, based on a 40 muscles model, and three links (shank, thigh and HAT-Head, Arms and Trunk). Optimal control solutions are achieved through algorithms based on the Consistent Approximations Theory (Schwartz and Polak, 1996), where the continuous non-linear dynamics is represented in a discrete space by means of a Runge-Kutta integration and the control signals in a spline-coefficient functional space. This leads to non-linear programming problems solved by a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method. Due to the highly non-linear and unstable nature of the posture dynamics, numerical convergence is difficult, and specific strategies must be implemented in order to allow convergence. Results for control (muscular excitations) and angular trajectories are shown using two final simulation times, as well as specific control strategies are discussed.

Chaotic vibrations of a nonideal electro-mechanical system

Abstract Nonideal systems are those in which one takes account of the influence of the oscillatory system on the energy supply with a limited power (Kononenko, 1969) . In this paper, a particular nonideal system is investigated, consisting of a pendulum whose support point is vibrated along a horizontal guide by a two bar linkage driven by a DC motor, considered to be a limited power supply. Under these conditions, the oscillations of the pendulum are analyzed through the variation of a control parameter. The voltage supply of the motor is considered to be a reliable control parameter. Each simulation starts from zero speed and reaches a steady-state condition when the motor oscillates around a medium speed. Near the fundamental resonance region, the system presents some interesting nonlinear phenomena, including multi-periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic motion. The loss of stability of the system occurs through a saddle-node bifurcation, where there is a collision of a stable orbit with an unstable one, which is approximately located close to the value of the pendulum’s angular displacement given by α C =π/2. The aims of this study are to better understand nonideal systems using numerical simulation, to identify the bifurcations that occur in the system, and to report the existence of a chaotic attractor near the fundamental resonance.

Numerical modeling of facial aging.

Facial aging is a biological phenomenon. Skin properties change with time, and gravity and facial expressions exert mechanical deformation. Knowledge of these alterations may suggest ways to reverse them by identifying the corresponding distortional forces. The aim of this study was to determine a pattern of change for parameters of the face during the aging process, based on the numerical fitting of measures from a sample of patients. The first aspect of this study was to define adequate facial parameters and means of measuring them. Subsequently, each parameter was defined individually, and these data were analyzed as a set. The sample for the research was restricted to a group of 40 white female patients with a history of limited exposure to the sun, with ages ranging from 25 to 65. The reason for choosing this sample was the availability of frontal pattern photographs at different ages. The parameters for each patient were measured at two different ages. A strong correlation was found between age and behavior of the parameters. This aging model can be verified qualitatively by comparing photographs of a patient with manipulated photographs simulating aging. The quantitative verification of the model was done through the comparison of the measured and the predicted parameters.

A Magnetostrictive Composite-Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor

This paper presents a light and compact optical fiber Bragg Grating sensor for DC and AC magnetic field measurements. The fiber is coated by a thick layer of a magnetostrictive composite consisting of particles of Terfenol-D dispersed in a polymeric matrix. Among the different compositions for the coating that were tested, the best magnetostrictive response was obtained using an epoxy resin as binder and a 30% volume fraction of Terfenol-D particles with sizes ranging from 212 to 300 μm. The effect of a compressive preload in the sensor was also investigated. The achieved resolution was 0.4 mT without a preload or 0.3 mT with a compressive pre-stress of 8.6 MPa. The sensor was tested at magnetic fields of up to 750 mT under static conditions. Dynamic measurements were conducted with a magnetic unbalanced four-pole rotor.

Estimated five component viscoelastic model parameters for human arterial walls

Abstract Parameter values in the Westerhof and Noordergraaf (1970) model for viscoelastic arterial wall behavior are obtained for the human thoracic and abdominal aorta and the iliac, femoral and carotid artery, for “young” and “old” age groups, applying a computerized estimation technique to data published by Learoyd and Taylor (1966). The asymptotic normalized Young modulus is defined as the Young modulus of the resulting model at very high frequency divided by that at zero frequency. Values are determined for each arterial segment. Results show the asymptotic modulus of the carotid artery to decrease and of the iliac and femoral artery to increase with increasing age. A possible explanation is presented. Characteristic frequencies are defined as those frequencies where the imaginary or viscous part of the model Young modulus reaches local maxima. These frequencies appear to attain higher values at high age for all segments.

On the nonlinear dynamics of two types of backup bearings - Theoretical and experimental aspects

The possible contact between rotor and stator can for some cases be considered as a serious malfunction that may lead to catastrophic failure. Rotor rub is considered a secondary phenomenon caused by a primary source that leads to a disruption of the normal operational condition. It arises from sudden mass unbalance, instabilities generated by aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces in seals and bearings among others.The contact event gives rise to normal and friction forces exerted on the rotor at impact events. The friction force plays a significant role by transferring some rotational energy of the rotor to lateral motion, impacting the stator. This event results in persistent coupled lateral vibration of the rotor and stator. This paper proposes a new unconventional backup bearing design in order to reduce the rub related severity in friction. The idea is to utilize pin connections that center the rotor during impacts. In this way, the rotor is forced to the center and the lateral motion is mitigated. The four pins are passively adjustable, which allows the clearance to be customized.A mathematical model has been developed to capture phenomena arising from impact for the conventional backup bearing (annular guide) as well for the new disk-pin backup bearing. For the conventional annular guide setup, it is reasonable to superpose an impact condition to the rub, where the rotor spin energy can be fully transformed into rotor lateral movements. Using a non ideal drive, i.e. an electric motor without any kind of velocity feedback control, it is even possible to almost stop the rotor spin under rubbing conditions. All the rotational energy will be transformed in a kind of “self-excited” rotor lateral vibration with repeated impacts against the housing. The vibration of the housing is coupled through the interaction force.The experimental and numerical analysis shows that for the conventional annular guide setup, the rotational energy is fully transformed into lateral motion and the rotor spin is stopped. However, by employing the new disk-pin design the analysis shows that the rotor at impacts is forced to the center of the backup bearing and the lateral motion is mitigated. As a result of this, the rotor spin is kept constant.Copyright

On The Nonlinear Dynamics of Two Types of Backup Bearings — Theoretical and Experimental Aspects

aspects DTU Orbit (29/12/2018) On the nonlinear dynamics of two types of backup bearings Theoretical and experimental aspects The possible contact between rotor and stator can for some cases be considered a serious malfunction that may lead to catastrophic failure. Rotor rub is considered a secondary phenomenon caused by a primary source that leads to a disruption of the normal operational condition. It arises from sudden mass unbalance, instabilities generated by aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces in seals and bearings among others. The contact event gives rise to normal and friction forces exerted on the rotor at impact events. The friction force plays a significant role by transferring some rotational energy of the rotor to lateral motion, impacting the stator. This event results in persistent coupled lateral vibration of the rotor and stator. This paper proposes a new unconventional backup bearing design in order to reduce the rub related severity in friction. The idea is to utilize pin connections that center the rotor during impacts. In this way, the rotor is forced to the center and the lateral motion is mitigated. The four pins are passively adjustable, which allows the clearance to be customized. A mathematical model has been developed to capture phenomena arising from impact for the conventional backup bearing (annular guide) and for the new disk-pin backup bearing. For the conventional annular guide setup, it is reasonable to superpose an impact condition to the rub, where the rotor spin energy can be fully transformed into rotor lateral movements. Using a nonideal drive, i.e., an electric motor without any kind of velocity feedback control, it is even possible to almost stop the rotor spin under rubbing conditions. All the rotational energy will be transformed in a kind of self-excited rotor lateral vibration with repeated impacts against the housing. The vibration of the housing is coupled through the interaction force. The experimental and numerical analysis shows that for the conventional annular guide setup, the rotational energy is fully transformed into lateral motion and the rotor spin is stopped. However, by employing the new disk-pin design the analysis shows that the rotor at impact is forced to the center of the backup bearing and the lateral motion is mitigated. As a result of this, the rotor spin is kept constant.

A study of the facial aging - a multidisciplinary approach

This paper describes a mathematical and graphical model for face aging. It considers the possibility of predicting the aging process by offering an initial quantification of this process as it applies to the face. It is concerned with physical measurements and a general law of time dependence. After measuring and normalizing a photograph of a person, one could predict, with a known amount of error, the appearance of that person at a different age. The technique described has served its purpose successfully, with a representative amount of patient data behaving sufficiently near the general aging curve of each parameter. That model uses a warping technique to emulate the aging changes on the face of women. Frequently the warping methods are based on the interpolation between images or general mathematical functions to calculate the pixel attributes. The implemented process considers the age features of selected parts of a face such as the face outline and the shape of the lips. These age features were obtained by measuring the facial regions of women that have been photographed throughout their lives. The present work is first concerned with discussing a methodology to define the aging parameters that can be measured, and second with representing the age effects graphically.

Optimization of the use of skin expanders.

Skin expansion is a physiological process that is defined as the ability of the human skin to increase its superficial area in response to stress or to a given deformation. Skin expanders are silicon bags that are implanted underneath the skin. Because the skin presents creep or relaxation, the resulting stress decreases after a time due to the imposed deformation. Skin expansions are used to reconstruct burned areas and breasts after a mastectomy or to hide scars.