Open Access
Low-frequency electromagnetic harvester for wind turbine vibrations
(Elsevier, 2024) Castellano Aldave, Jesús Carlos; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Iriarte Goñi, Xabier; Carlosena García, Alfonso; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
In this paper we describe and fully characterize a novel vibration harvester intended to harness energy from the vibration of a wind turbine (WT), to potentially supply power to sensing nodes oriented to structural health monitoring (SHM). The harvester is based on electromagnetic conversion (EM) and can work with vibrations of ultra-low frequencies in any direction of a plane. The harvester bases on a first prototype already disclosed by the authors, but in this paper, we develop an accurate model parameterized by a combination of physical parameters and others related to the geometry of the device. The model allows predicting not only the power generation capabilities, but also the kinematic behaviour of the harvester. Model parameters are estimated by an identification procedure and validated experimentally. Last, the harvester is tested in real conditions on a wind turbine.
Open Access
Dynamic considerations of heel-strike impact in human gait
(Springer, 2015) Ros Ganuza, Javier; Font-Llagunes, Josep M.; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Kövecses, József; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Based on the impulsive-dynamics formulation, this article presents the analysis of different strategies to regulate the energy dissipation at the heel-strike event in the context of human locomotion. For this purpose, a seven-link 2D human-like multibody model based on anthropometric data is used. The model captures the most relevant dynamic and energetic aspects of the heel-strike event in the sagittal plane. The pre-impact mechanical state of the system, around which the analysis of the heel impact contribution to energy dissipation is performed, is defined based on published data. In the context of the proposed impulsive-dynamics framework, different realistic strategies that the subject can apply to modify the impact dynamics are proposed and analyzed, namely, the trailing ankle push-off, the torso configuration and the degree of joint blocking in the colliding leg. Detailed numerical analysis and discussions are presented to quantify the effects of the mentioned strategies.
Open Access
Modelado simbólico para la simulación en tiempo real de sistemas multicuerpo
(2016) Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Ros Ganuza, Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Esta tesis se sitúa dentro del contexto de los métodos simbólicos en la dinámica de sistemas multicuerpo y recoge la experiencia de 25 años en este contexto. La situación anterior a la tesis era la de una librería simbólica C++ que permitía plantear las ecuaciones dinámicas de la mecánica pero con ciertas limitaciones. La más importante posiblemente eran los grandes tiempos de ejecución para la generación de las ecuaciones del sistemas dinámico (código en C que luego se compila para obtener un ejecutable) que incluso para problemas simples podía tardar horas. Además, la exportación de las ecuaciones dinámicas no era óptima en el número de operaciones. El doctorando ha estado involucrado en diversos proyectos de investigación, en uno de ellos (el más demandante respecto a las ecuaciones dinámicas) se modelaba una locomotora de ferrocarril, que tardaba en general las ecuaciones dinámicas unos 8000s y se necesitaba MAPLE para optimizar las ecuaciones, ya que no eran muy óptimas. Después de la tesis el tiempo de generar las ecuaciones es 800s y el número de operaciones del código generado es el 50% y MAPLE no es necesario. Estas cifras son extrapolables a otros problemas. El estado del arte en multicuerpo simbólico son los trabajos de J.C. Samin y P. Fisette, al menos en lo que se refiere a publicaciones, aunque J. McPhee ha colaborado en la creación de MapleSym, que es un motor simbólico de renombre. Hay también otros trabajos como el sofware NewEuler 2C y 2M. Los más avanzados son los que utilizan formulaciones recursivas, pero están limitados por la implementación que ellos realizan en su software y por el tipo de coordenadas. En esta tesis doctoral se ha desarrollado un algebra de operadores y estructuras de datos de la dinámica que permiten la implementación de cualquier formalismo con cualquier tipo de coordenadas y obtener unas ecuaciones simbólicas muy óptimas. Con lo cual se eliminan las limitaciones del formalismo y del tipo de coordenadas. Esto presenta innumerables ventajas. Además, los tiempos computacionales y la calidad del código generado es similar al de estos que tomamos como referencia. Finalmente, se presenta un algoritmo que evitaría la aparición de expresiones susceptibles de simplificación trigonométrica, que es uno de los problemas más graves en la generación de ecuaciones simbólicas óptimas. Para ello, se propone un nuevo algebra de vectores, denominados extendidos, que pasa desapercibida al usuario, y que permitiría la generación de código más óptimo, más rápido y con menores recursos de memoria. Todos los demás algoritmos simbólicos existentes en un momento u otro requieren simplificar trigonométricamente si quieren obtener expresiones lo más óptimas posibles.
Open Access
A unified analytical disk cam profile generation methodology using the Instantaneous Center of Rotation for educational purpose
(Elsevier, 2024) Iriarte Goñi, Xabier; Bacaicoa Díaz, Julen; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Aginaga García, Jokin; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Cam design is a fundamental part of the Mechanism and Machine Theory (MMT) and is included in the vast majority of MMT books. Cam profile design is usually determined with graphical and analytical methods. Graphical methods are didactically very successful to introduce the theory of cam profile generation in a simple way. In turn, analytical methods allow computer implementations of cam profile generation in order to reproduce it accurately. Most modern MMT books describe analytical methods using geometric equations and envelope theory. However, the analytical profile definition depends on the specific type of follower and there is a lack of a general formulation. This work presents a unified and general analytical formulation for the disk cam profile determination. Based on the Instantaneous Center of Rotation and the kinematic inversion, the formulation provides analytical expressions of the cam profile and is applicable to any type of follower. Thus, the unified formulation can be used in forthcoming books on this discipline.
Open Access
Trayectorias de máxima rigidez de un robot redundante actuando como soporte en el mecanizado de paredes delgadas
(Universitat Politècnica de València, 2023) Aginaga García, Jokin; García Cuesta, Iván; Iriarte Goñi, Xabier; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
La precisión de un robot está ligada a su rigidez. En comparación con la máquina herramienta tradicional, los robots industriales tienen un gran espacio de trabajo como ventaja, pero una rigidez reducida como desventaja. Además, la rigidez tiene una gran dependencia y variabilidad con la postura o configuración del robot. De ahí que resulte necesario un análisis de rigidez de los robots, que se evalúa mediante la matriz de rigidez. En este trabajo se presenta un análisis de rigidez de un robot serie. Ante la diversidad de índices representativos extraídos a partir de la matriz de rigidez, se ha propuesto el uso de un índice que tenga en cuenta la dirección de las cargas que soporta el robot y la dirección en que se desea que el robot aporte rigidez en la aplicación específica. Asimismo, se ha utilizado el índice de rigidez para llevar el robot a configuraciones que mejoren la rigidez, hecho que resulta posible en aplicaciones en las que el robot tiene al menos un grado de libertad (GDL) redundante. La metodología se ha aplicado a un robot de 7 GDL utilizado como robot de soporte en el mecanizado de paredes delgadas. Dado que para definir la trayectoria únicamente son necesarios 5 GDL, se utilizan 2 GDL reduntantes para mejorar la rigidez.
Open Access
A directivity correction for accurate semi-empirical wind turbine noise prediction
(IOP Publishing, 2024) Saldaña Barroso, Oier; Rautmann, C.; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza
Public acceptance of wind farms is a significant challenge in the development of wind energy. The acoustic impact generated by wind turbines is a common concern among local residents. The primary noise source in wind turbines is generated by aerodynamics. Atmospheric turbulence reaching the blade leading edge or turbulent boundary layer passing the trailing edge produce the main aeroacoustic sources. The noise generated by these mechanisms is commonly predicted by means of semi-empirical models, which do not demonstrate great reliability when compared to acoustic measurements. This paper presents a correction to the directivity of airfoil noise radiation, resulting in improved sound pressure levels on the ground plane surrounding a wind turbine. This improvement is achieved without requiring any additional computational effort. The sound pressure levels perceived on the ground plane are known to have asymmetrical shape. Maximum noise levels correspond to observers directly in the upwind and downwind locations, whereas the minimum levels belong to the positions close to the rotor plane. Said asymmetrical shape is not represented in the semi-empirical models. The proposed correction takes into consideration the airfoil thickness in the radiation directivity equations, resulting in the expected asymmetrical shape of noise footprints on the ground plane around a wind turbine. The correction was found to not affect the accuracy of the spectrum predicted by the semi-empirical models when compared to dedicated field measurements under the standard IEC 61400-11 procedure. When implementing the proposed correction, the virtual NREL 5 MW wind turbine's published noise footprints, which were originally calculated using computationally expensive methods, are accurately reproduced.
Open Access
Comprehensive characterisation of a low-frequency-vibration energy harvester
(MDPI, 2024) Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Iriarte Goñi, Xabier; Castellano Aldave, Jesús Carlos; Carlosena García, Alfonso; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
In this paper, we describe a measurement procedure to fully characterise a novel vibration energy harvester operating in the ultra-low-frequency range. The procedure, which is more thorough than those usually found in the literature, comprises three main stages: modelling, experimental characterisation and parameter identification. Modelling is accomplished in two alternative ways, a physical model (white box) and a mixed one (black box), which model the magnetic interaction via Fourier series. The experimental measurements include not only the input (acceleration)–output (energy) response but also the (internal) dynamic behaviour of the system, making use of a synchronised image processing and signal acquisition system. The identification procedure, based on maximum likelihood, estimates all the relevant parameters to characterise the system to simulate its behaviour and helps to optimise its performance. While the method is custom-designed for a particular harvester, the comprehensive approach and most of its procedures can be applied to similar harvesters.
Open Access
Comprehensive analysis of rotor edgewise whirling mode interaction with rotor speed harmonics
(IOP Publishing, 2024) Torres Elizondo, Antonio; Gil Soto, Javier; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Aginaga García, Jokin; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This paper presents a model that investigates the interaction between rotor edgewise whirling modes and rotor speed harmonics in wind turbines. The model is based on kinematic and dynamic principles, with a focus on the multi-blade coordinate transformation, which is critical for simulating the behaviour of the rotor whirling modes in wind turbines. The research has two objectives: to investigate the interaction between the rotor edgewise whirling modes and the rotor speed harmonics, and to provide clearer graphs that explain the complex nature of this non-intuitive rotor dynamics. The paper concludes by highlighting the practical implications of the research findings, in particular the effectiveness of visualisation techniques in identifying and explaining unexpected interactions.
Open Access
Inertia transfer concept based general method for the determination of the base inertial parameters
(Springer, 2015) Ros Ganuza, Javier; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Iriarte Goñi, Xabier; Aginaga García, Jokin; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC
This paper presents a new algorithm to obtain the symbolic expressions of any of the possible base inertial parameter sets of a multibody system. Based on the ¿inertia transfer concept¿, a procedure is proposed to write a system of equations from which the base parameters are obtained. This leads to an automatizable and general method to obtain these parameters symbolically. The method can also be used to determine base inertial parameters numerically, and it can be even more straightforward to implement and use than the standard numerical methods. An example is presented to illustrate in detail the application of the algorithm, and to compare its results with those of a standard numerical procedure. The symbolic base inertial parameters can be of interest in symbolic simplification of the dynamic equations for real-time applications, design optimization, dynamic parameter identification, model reduction, and in other fields.
Open Access
4P operational harmonic and blade vibration in wind turbines: a real case study of an active yaw system and a concrete tower
(Elsevier, 2024) Torres Elizondo, Antonio; Gil Soto, Javier; Plaza Puértolas, Aitor; Aginaga García, Jokin; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
This study aims to comprehensively investigate the impact of mechanical loads on the performance and lifetime of wind turbines, with particular emphasis on blade vibration at the 4P operational harmonic. Experiments and advanced aeroelastic simulations are combined to assess how active yaw systems and concrete towers affect this specific vibration. Contrary to previous assumptions, field tests have shown that there is a resonance phenomenon in the blade. Specifically, the first edgewise mode of the blade resonates at the 4P frequency, which did not happen in the aeroelastic simulations. Remarkably, thorough aeroelastic simulations show that this resonance is triggered by the excitation of the Edgewise Backward Whirling mode of the rotor, which occurs at the 3P operating harmonic. This study highlights the need for accurate and precise modelling using aeroelastic simulations to reproduce the resonance phenomenon and analyse the contributing factors. A major breakthrough is the discovery that stiffening the active yaw system significantly reduces the 3P hub fixed motions, resulting in reduced blade vibration at the 4P frequency. Furthermore, the simulations show the sensitivity of the 4P vibration to different wind characteristics, providing valuable insights for the design of wind turbines in different environmental conditions.