International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=308&year=2011&vol=3&issue=5/6 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems 1756-8412 1756-8420 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijamechs_scoverijamechs.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=308&year=2011&vol=3&issue=5/6 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45004 It is hard to coordinate switches with each other in the traditional feeder automation of distribution network, for the rapidity and selectivity of protection is irreconcilable. To solve this problem, this paper introduces wireless sensor network, which can collect date and communicate it. Based on the experimental validation of wireless sensor network, and together with the recloser and sectionaliser, which are widely used in distribution network currently, a new feeder automation scheme is presented. By putting up network model and fault analysis, a protection criterion is proposed, which reference to the adjacent switch state. Finally, to verify the feasibility of this scheme, the NS2 wireless simulation is given, which analyses the delay of data transmission and packet loss rate. The application of wireless sensor network in feeder automation
Shihong Miao; Yulin Fu; Yongqing Li
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 326 - 333
It is hard to coordinate switches with each other in the traditional feeder automation of distribution network, for the rapidity and selectivity of protection is irreconcilable. To solve this problem, this paper introduces wireless sensor network, which can collect date and communicate it. Based on the experimental validation of wireless sensor network, and together with the recloser and sectionaliser, which are widely used in distribution network currently, a new feeder automation scheme is presented. By putting up network model and fault analysis, a protection criterion is proposed, which reference to the adjacent switch state. Finally, to verify the feasibility of this scheme, the NS2 wireless simulation is given, which analyses the delay of data transmission and packet loss rate.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045004 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 326 - 333 Shihong Miao; Yulin Fu; Yongqing Li Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1037, Luoyu Road, Wuhan City, China. ' Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1037, Luoyu Road, Wuhan City, China. ' Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1037, Luoyu Road, Wuhan City, China wireless sensor networks WSNs distribution networks network protection NS2 simulation feeder automation data transmission delay packet loss rate. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 326 333 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45005 This paper considers capacity planning strategies problem for an IT service firm that has to make capacity expansion decisions, such as equipment procurement, staff recruitment and skills training, to meet a demand growth which is known over finite horizon with minimum expected total cost. Unlike traditional manufacturing operations, the delivery capacity of the IT service firm which is one of the modern service organisations is not only dependent on the quantity and technology level of equipment but also largely dependent on the quantity and skills of human resources. The typical capacity expansion literature has focused on the expansion of equipment capacity, but ignoring the workforce aspect. On the other hand, the manpower literature has only focused on staffing decisions. This paper attempts to unify the two streams of research by developing a general model that considers capacity expansion with a variety of technical equipment and human resources with different skills. The factors of variable lead times, training periods and economics of scale are considered. A genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to solve the non-linear integer programming model. The computational results suggest that the model works well and prove the effectiveness of the algorithm. Capacity planning strategies for an IT service firm with skilled workforce
Tian He; HongXun Jiang
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 334 - 345
This paper considers capacity planning strategies problem for an IT service firm that has to make capacity expansion decisions, such as equipment procurement, staff recruitment and skills training, to meet a demand growth which is known over finite horizon with minimum expected total cost. Unlike traditional manufacturing operations, the delivery capacity of the IT service firm which is one of the modern service organisations is not only dependent on the quantity and technology level of equipment but also largely dependent on the quantity and skills of human resources. The typical capacity expansion literature has focused on the expansion of equipment capacity, but ignoring the workforce aspect. On the other hand, the manpower literature has only focused on staffing decisions. This paper attempts to unify the two streams of research by developing a general model that considers capacity expansion with a variety of technical equipment and human resources with different skills. The factors of variable lead times, training periods and economics of scale are considered. A genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to solve the non-linear integer programming model. The computational results suggest that the model works well and prove the effectiveness of the algorithm.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045005 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 334 - 345 Tian He; HongXun Jiang Department of Economic Information Management, School of Information, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China. ' Department of Economic Information Management, School of Information, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China capacity expansion skilled workforce manpower planning genetic algorithms GAs capacity planning IT services information technology technical equipment human resources nonlinear integer programming modelling equipment procurement staff recruitment skills training. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 334 345 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45006 Wind speed prediction and the stochastic distribution characteristic of prediction error of wind speed are important for power system operation and planning. This paper presents a rational and efficient sample organisation method when using Elman recursion neural network (ERNN) for one step ahead average ten-minute wind speed prediction. After introducing the prediction model based on the ERNN, a rational sample organisation method is presented to make ERNN feasible. Prediction error of wind speed is simply assumed following Gaussian distribution in the previous articles, this paper exemplifies that the prediction error is more likely to follow Weibull distribution rather than Gaussian distribution. Compared with back-propagation (BP) network, the effectiveness of the ERNN is tested on a case about a Chinese wind farm with the historical data using MATLAB software. The case shows that the prediction model and method are effective for one step ahead average ten-minute wind speed prediction. Wind speed prediction and error distribution based on rational sample organisation for Elman recursion neural networks
Junfang Li; Buhan Zhang; Chengxiong Mao
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 346 - 354
Wind speed prediction and the stochastic distribution characteristic of prediction error of wind speed are important for power system operation and planning. This paper presents a rational and efficient sample organisation method when using Elman recursion neural network (ERNN) for one step ahead average ten-minute wind speed prediction. After introducing the prediction model based on the ERNN, a rational sample organisation method is presented to make ERNN feasible. Prediction error of wind speed is simply assumed following Gaussian distribution in the previous articles, this paper exemplifies that the prediction error is more likely to follow Weibull distribution rather than Gaussian distribution. Compared with back-propagation (BP) network, the effectiveness of the ERNN is tested on a case about a Chinese wind farm with the historical data using MATLAB software. The case shows that the prediction model and method are effective for one step ahead average ten-minute wind speed prediction.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045006 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 346 - 354 Junfang Li; Buhan Zhang; Chengxiong Mao Electrical Power Security and High Efficiency Lab, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China. ' Electrical Power Security and High Efficiency Lab, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China. ' Electrical Power Security and High Efficiency Lab, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China wind speed prediction Elman recursion neural networks ERNNs wind farms power systems Weibull distribution wind power wind energy error distribution. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 346 354 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45007 This paper proposes the implementation of the method of SAC using neural networks with offset error reduction to control a single-input single-output (SISO) magnetic levitation system. In this paper, the control input for the SISO magnetic levitation system is given by the sum of the output of a simple adaptive controller and the output of neural networks. The role of neural networks is to compensate for constructing a linearised model so as to minimise the output error caused by non-linearities in the magnetic levitation system. The neural networks use the back-propagation algorithm for the learning process. The role of simple adaptive controller is to perform the model matching for the linear system with unknown structures to a given linear reference model. In this method, only part of the control input is fed to the parallel feedforward compensator (PFC). Thus, the error will be reduced using this method, and the output of the magnetic levitation system can follow significantly closely the output of the reference model. The stability analysis is discussed for the proposed method, and finally, the effectiveness of this method is confirmed through experiments to the real SISO magnetic levitation system. Simple adaptive control using neural networks with offset error reduction for an SISO magnetic levitation system
Muhammad Yasser; Ikuro Mizumoto
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 355 - 364
This paper proposes the implementation of the method of SAC using neural networks with offset error reduction to control a single-input single-output (SISO) magnetic levitation system. In this paper, the control input for the SISO magnetic levitation system is given by the sum of the output of a simple adaptive controller and the output of neural networks. The role of neural networks is to compensate for constructing a linearised model so as to minimise the output error caused by non-linearities in the magnetic levitation system. The neural networks use the back-propagation algorithm for the learning process. The role of simple adaptive controller is to perform the model matching for the linear system with unknown structures to a given linear reference model. In this method, only part of the control input is fed to the parallel feedforward compensator (PFC). Thus, the error will be reduced using this method, and the output of the magnetic levitation system can follow significantly closely the output of the reference model. The stability analysis is discussed for the proposed method, and finally, the effectiveness of this method is confirmed through experiments to the real SISO magnetic levitation system.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045007 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 355 - 364 Muhammad Yasser; Ikuro Mizumoto IDS Research Group, Jln. Bintara 14, Gang Beo No. 17, RT/RW: 002/014, Kel. Bintara, Bekasi Barat, Jawa Barat, 17134, Indonesia. ' Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan simple adaptive control neural networks magnetic levitation systems offset error reduction parallel feedforward compensators SISO. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 355 364 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45008 The utilisation of wind energy draws on the rediscovery of a long tradition of wind power technology to vertical-axis wind turbine generation system. A three-hastate wind wheel for vertical-axis wind turbine, which can be driven by the intra-cavity wind energy secondarily, is proposed according to the wind energy performance and the hydrodynamics theory in this research project. Structure and parameters of the wind wheel are designed. A simplified test model is made similar to the real dimension of the wind wheel to investigate its performance. A simple opening straight-flow wind tunnel is also used which is composed of wind tunnel, wind wheel test bed and testing instruments. Characteristics of the model are testified in wind tunnel tests while it is under or without loads, which include start-up wind speed, torque, correlations among wind speed, power, tip speed ratio and rotor power coefficient, etc. The experimental results show that this type of wind wheel has many advantages such as simple structure, high utilisation efficiency of wind energy, low start-up wind speed, high equipment reliability and good maintainability. Experimental research on performance of vertical-axis three-hastate wind wheel
Lei Song; Zong-Xiao Yang; Hang-Hang Yang; Shu-Qi Hou
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 365 - 374
The utilisation of wind energy draws on the rediscovery of a long tradition of wind power technology to vertical-axis wind turbine generation system. A three-hastate wind wheel for vertical-axis wind turbine, which can be driven by the intra-cavity wind energy secondarily, is proposed according to the wind energy performance and the hydrodynamics theory in this research project. Structure and parameters of the wind wheel are designed. A simplified test model is made similar to the real dimension of the wind wheel to investigate its performance. A simple opening straight-flow wind tunnel is also used which is composed of wind tunnel, wind wheel test bed and testing instruments. Characteristics of the model are testified in wind tunnel tests while it is under or without loads, which include start-up wind speed, torque, correlations among wind speed, power, tip speed ratio and rotor power coefficient, etc. The experimental results show that this type of wind wheel has many advantages such as simple structure, high utilisation efficiency of wind energy, low start-up wind speed, high equipment reliability and good maintainability.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045008 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 365 - 374 Lei Song; Zong-Xiao Yang; Hang-Hang Yang; Shu-Qi Hou Institute of Systems Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China. ' Institute of Systems Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China. ' Institute of Systems Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China. ' Institute of Systems Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China three-hastate wind wheels vertical-axis wind turbines utilisation efficiency wind energy wind tunnel testing wind power hydrodynamics theory. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 365 374 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45009 Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators are a class of smart materials-based actuators, which have some excellent features such as high power-to-weight ratio, large recovery strain and low driving voltages, etc. However, the saturated-type hysteresis non-linearities existing in the SMA actuators will degrade the system performance, and limit the improvement of the positioning precision. Focusing on this task, a robust adaptive control approach for the flap positioning system based on shape memory alloy actuators is addressed in this paper. A differential equation-based hysteresis model, Duhem model, is adopted to describe the saturation and minor loops characteristics in the SMA actuators by choosing the proper slope functions. The inverse of estimated Duhem hysteresis is preceded as the compensation. In this paper, the compensation error, lag effect and the unmodelled measure error are considered, and the proposed control method can stabilise the closed-loop system and ensure the accurate rotation of the flap to the desired angle. Simulations performed on a flap positioning system illustrate and clarify the approach. Robust adaptive control for flap positioning system with SMA actuators-inverse Duhem model-based approach
Ying Feng; Camille Alain Rabbath; Mingcong Deng; Chun-Yi Su
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 375 - 383
Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators are a class of smart materials-based actuators, which have some excellent features such as high power-to-weight ratio, large recovery strain and low driving voltages, etc. However, the saturated-type hysteresis non-linearities existing in the SMA actuators will degrade the system performance, and limit the improvement of the positioning precision. Focusing on this task, a robust adaptive control approach for the flap positioning system based on shape memory alloy actuators is addressed in this paper. A differential equation-based hysteresis model, Duhem model, is adopted to describe the saturation and minor loops characteristics in the SMA actuators by choosing the proper slope functions. The inverse of estimated Duhem hysteresis is preceded as the compensation. In this paper, the compensation error, lag effect and the unmodelled measure error are considered, and the proposed control method can stabilise the closed-loop system and ensure the accurate rotation of the flap to the desired angle. Simulations performed on a flap positioning system illustrate and clarify the approach.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045009 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 375 - 383 Ying Feng; Camille Alain Rabbath; Mingcong Deng; Chun-Yi Su College of Automation Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China. ' Defence Research and Development Canada Valcartier, 2459 Pie-XI. Blvd North, Quebec City G3J 1X5, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada. ' Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada robust control adaptive control hysteresis inverse Duhem model shape memory alloys SMA actuators mechatronic systems flap positioning system saturation flap rotation simulation. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 375 383 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45010 This research designs a new walking support system for the blind people in order to navigate without any assistance from others or using any guide cane. With the help of this device, a user can move independently and able to walk freely almost like a normal person. In this research, a belt for blind wearable around the waist is equipped with four ultrasonic sensors and one sharp infrared sensor. A mathematical model has been developed based on the specifications of the ultrasonic sensors to identify optimum orientation of the sensors for detecting stairs and holes. These sensors are connected to a microcontroller along with a laptop so that we can get sufficient data for analysing terrain on the walkway of the blind. Based on the analyses of the acquired data, we have developed an algorithm capable of classifying various types of obstacles. The developed belt for blind device is superior in terms of less weight, able to detect stair and hole, low cost, less power consumption, adjustable, less training and availability of actuation systems. It was tested and implemented successfully to address all those issues. Design and data analysis for a belt-for-blind for visual impaired people
Eklas Hossain; Raisuddin Khan; Ahad Ali
International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 384 - 397
This research designs a new walking support system for the blind people in order to navigate without any assistance from others or using any guide cane. With the help of this device, a user can move independently and able to walk freely almost like a normal person. In this research, a belt for blind wearable around the waist is equipped with four ultrasonic sensors and one sharp infrared sensor. A mathematical model has been developed based on the specifications of the ultrasonic sensors to identify optimum orientation of the sensors for detecting stairs and holes. These sensors are connected to a microcontroller along with a laptop so that we can get sufficient data for analysing terrain on the walkway of the blind. Based on the analyses of the acquired data, we have developed an algorithm capable of classifying various types of obstacles. The developed belt for blind device is superior in terms of less weight, able to detect stair and hole, low cost, less power consumption, adjustable, less training and availability of actuation systems. It was tested and implemented successfully to address all those issues.

]]> 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045010 International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, Vol. 3, No. 5/6 (2011) pp. 384 - 397 Eklas Hossain; Raisuddin Khan; Ahad Ali Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 2200 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 21000, USA walking support systems belt for blind blind people terrain detection obstacle avoidance visually impaired wearable sensors ultrasonic sensors infrared sensors mathematical modelling obstacle classification. 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00 3 5/6 384 397 2012-01-19T23:20:50-05:00