Manoel Ribeiro Filho

A 3D learning tool for a hydroelectric unit

This paper presents a new learning system for a hydroelectric unit of energy (HUE) by using desktop virtual reality (VR) techniques. The software offers the possibility to understand the relation between the physical structures of a UHE, through computer simulations, graphical outputs, and animations. Three learning courses are offered. Educative is the first course that allows familiarizes the student with the structure and with the constituent pieces of a HUE, as well its general and technical information. The second course, maintenance, uses the learning approach based on practice and offers different learning levels, divided into three modes: automatic, guided, and exploratory, in which these modes are accessed according to the acquired degree of knowledge by the user in relation to maintenance procedures. The last course, operation learning, allows the student to visualize the operation of HUE during a certain event as the electromechanical dynamics of the turbine‐generator assemblage in the virtual world by the visualization of several requisite conditions before the startup procedure of HUE. Finally, it was made a performance comparison between the Electrical Engineering students which used the learning module with the case where that was not adopted.

Maintenance and Assembly Training in a Hydroelectric Unit of Energy Using Virtual Reality Desktop

This article presents a training system for a hydroelectric unit of energy (UHE) by using virtual reality desktop techniques. The system has two training modules: the first one, assembly module, allows the trainer to virtually execute the real assembly sequences of the concrete and the UHE equipments. The second one, maintenance module, which uses the learning approach based on practice, offers different levels of training, divided in three modes: automatic, guided and exploratory. These modes are accessed according to the trainers acquired degree of knowledge compared to the maintenance procedures. The results of the system implantation show the potentiality of using virtual reality desktop in huge industrial projects training.

SwImax: A Web Tool Using Virtual Reality for Teaching the WiMAX Protocol

The teaching of computer networks faces a number of difficulties due to low production of texts and teaching resources, and the lack of availability of laboratories for practical classes. Thus, this paper presents the SwImax, a tool developed using virtual reality technology to teach concepts related to protocols for wireless networks. This solution was focused in the IEEE 802.16 protocol, also known as WiMAX. The tool was developed using the Unity 3D as game engine and the Autodesk 3ds Max 9 as 3D modeling software

Virtual reality applied to the study of the integration of transformers in substations of power systems

The study of electrical equipment in disciplines in the field of electric power systems can be frustrating and demotivating due to the lack of a clear vision of the function and operation of such equipment in a real situation. The use of virtual reality provides a more concrete representation for the students, who often do not have the opportunity to visit a substation or power plant for the generation of electric power to get to know the equipment and its mode of operation integrated into the system. This paper aims to improve the study of such equipment in the classroom and to motivate the students by providing a clear view of the equipment and its practical functions. A software for virtual reality was developed with an authoring module whereby it is possible to create virtual operating procedures and maintenance in an electric power substation, and an execution module, in which one can eventually perform the operating and maintenance procedures in a virtual environment. The students interact with the software by visualizing a transformer installed in a substation and performing operation and maintenance procedures in a virtual environment. Also, an evaluation of the influence of software on the general motivation and student performance was performed through questionnaires and reports.