Mechanical Engineering - Research Publications

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    Point-wise extremum seeking control scheme under repeatable control environment
    Tan, Y ; Mareels, I ; Nešić, D ; Xu, JX (IEEE, 2007-01-01)
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    A note on robustness of linear spatially distributed parameter systems and their numerical approximations
    Tan, Y ; Nesic, D (IEEE, 2007-01-01)
    In this paper, we investigate a relationship between robust stability properties of linear spatially distributed parameter systems (LSDPS) with disturbances and robust stability properties of their numerical approximations. Since it is hard to analytically find solutions of a partial differential equation, numerical methods, such as finite-difference methods, are always used to approximately find the solutions. Moreover, it is crucial that the numerical method reproduces (approximately) the behavior of the actual system model. For instance, if the actual system is stable in some sense, then the numerical method should possess (approximately) the same stability property and vice versa. Our results show that input-to-state exponential stability (ISES) properties of the numerical approximation with respect to disturbances are equivalent to practical ISES of the LSDPS provided that: (i) the finite-difference approximation is consistent with the model; (ii) an appropriate uniform boundedness condition holds for the numerical method. Our results can be regarded as an extension of the celebrated Lax-Richtmyer theorem to systems with disturbances, as well as its application to analysis of ISES. This question is typically not considered in the numerical analysis literature and yet it is very well noticed by in control applications.
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    A trajectory based approach for robust stability properties of infinite-dimensional systems
    Tan, Y ; Nešić, D ; Teel, AR (International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC), 2007-01-01)
    In this paper, we present a trajectory based approach to discuss the robustness of parameterized families of systems with disturbances with respect to arbitrary closed sets in a normed space. Input-to-state stability (ISS) properties are discussed. Our results are applicable to infinite-dimensional systems with disturbances.
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    On automatic seeking of optimal steady-states in biochemical processes
    Bastin, G ; Nešić, D ; Tan, Y ; Mareels, I (IFAC, 2007-01-01)
    It is discussed how the automatic seeking of optimal steady states biochemical reactors can be achieved by using non-model based extremum-seeking control with semi-global practical stability and convergence properties. A special attention is paid to processes with multiple steady-states and multivalued cost functions.
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    Gene function prediction based on genomic context clustering and discriminative learning: an application to bacteriophages
    Li, J ; Halgamuge, SK ; Kells, CI ; Tang, S-L (BioMed Central, 2007-05-22)
    BACKGROUND: Existing methods for whole-genome comparisons require prior knowledge of related species and provide little automation in the function prediction process. Bacteriophage genomes are an example that cannot be easily analyzed by these methods. This work addresses these shortcomings and aims to provide an automated prediction system of gene function. RESULTS: We have developed a novel system called SynFPS to perform gene function prediction over completed genomes. The prediction system is initialized by clustering a large collection of weakly related genomes into groups based on their resemblance in gene distribution. From each individual group, data are then extracted and used to train a Support Vector Machine that makes gene function predictions. Experiments were conducted with 9 different gene functions over 296 bacteriophage genomes. Cross validation results gave an average prediction accuracy of ~80%, which is comparable to other genomic-context based prediction methods. Functional predictions are also made on 3 uncharacterized genes and 12 genes that cannot be identified by sequence alignment. The software is publicly available at http://www.synteny.net/. CONCLUSION: The proposed system employs genomic context to predict gene function and detect gene correspondence in whole-genome comparisons. Although our experimental focus is on bacteriophages, the method may be extended to other microbial genomes as they share a number of similar characteristics with phage genomes such as gene order conservation.
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    The feasibility of downsizing a 1.25 liter normally aspirated engine to a 0.43 liter highly turbocharged engine
    Attard, William ; Konidaris, Steven ; Toulson, Elisa ; Watson, Harry (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2007)
    In this paper, performance, efficiency and emission experimental results are presented from a prototype 434 cm3, highly turbocharged (TC), two cylinder engine with brake power limited to approximately 60 kW. These results are compared to current small engines found in today’s automobile marketplace. A normally aspirated (NA) 1.25 liter, four cylinder, modern production engine with similar brake power output is used for comparison. Results illustrate the potential for downsized engines to significantly reduce fuel consumption while still maintaining engine performance. This has advantages in reducing vehicle running costs together with meeting tighter carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards. Experimental results highlight the performance potential of smaller engines with intake boosting. This is demonstrated with the test engine achieving 25 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). Results are presented across varying parameter domains, including engine speed, compression ratio (CR), manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and lambda (λ). Engine operating limits are also outlined, with spark knock highlighted as the major limitation in extending the operating limits for this downsized engine.
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    Compression ratio effects on performance, efficiency, emissions and combustion in a carbureted and PFI small engine
    Attard, William ; Konidaris, Steven ; Hamori, Ferenc ; Toulson, Elisa ; Watson, Harry (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2007)
    This paper compares the performance, efficiency, emissions and combustion parameters of a prototype two cylinder 430 cm3 engine which has been tested in a variety of normally aspirated (NA) modes with compression ratio (CR) variations. Experiments were completed using 98-RON pump gasoline with modes defined by alterations to the induction system, which included carburetion and port fuel injection (PFI). The results from this paper provide some insight into the CR effects for small NA spark ignition (SI) engines. This information provides future direction for the development of smaller engines as engine downsizing grows in popularity due to rising oil prices and recent carbon dioxide (CO2) emission regulations. Results are displayed in the engine speed, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and CR domains, with engine speeds exceeding 10,000 rev/min and CRs ranging from 9 to 13. Combustion analysis is also included, allowing mass fraction burn (MFB) comparison. Experimental results showed minimum brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) or maximum brake thermal efficiency (nTH) values in the order of 220 g/kWh or 37% could be achieved. A maximum brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 13 bar was also recorded at 8000 rev/min.
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    The effect of aspect ratio and divergence on the turbulence structure of boundary layers
    Jones, M. B. ; Marusic, I. ; Perry, A. E. ( 2007)
    The effect of the aspect ratio of a turbulent boundary layer on the mean flow, broadband turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress has been studied. The aspect ratio (AR) is defined as the boundary layer thickness divided by the boundary layer width, i.e. the effective wind tunnel width. Measurements have been taken in a nominally zero pressure gradient layer at a single station for three different aspect ratio settings, AR=1/4, AR=1/7, and AR=1/13. The measurements show that the turbulent quantities were unaffected when the aspect ratio was increased from AR=1/13 to AR=1/7. However at AR=1/4 there appears to be a slight increase in the broadband turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress.
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    Some predictions of the attached eddy model for a high Reynolds number boundary layer
    Nickels, T. B. ; Marusic, I. ; Hafez, S. ; Hutchins, N. ; Chong, M. S. (Royal Society Publishing, 2007-01)
    Many flows of practical interest occur at high Reynolds number, at which the flow inmost of the boundary layer is turbulent, showing apparently random fluctuations invelocity across a wide range of scales. The range of scales over which these fluctuationsoccur increases with the Reynolds number and hence high Reynolds number flows aredifficult to compute or predict. In this paper, we discuss the structure of these flows anddescribe a physical model, based on the attached eddy hypothesis, which makespredictions for the statistical properties of these flows and their variation with Reynoldsnumber. The predictions are shown to compare well with the results from recentexperiments in a new purpose-built high Reynolds number facility. The model is alsoshown to provide a clear physical explanation for the trends in the data. The limits ofapplicability of the model are also discussed.