Control Co-Design of Power Take-Off Systems for Wave Energy Converters Using WecOptTool
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42 ENGINEERING↗
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Is the bulk mode conversion important in high density helicon plasma?
In a high-density helicon plasma production process, a contribution of Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) wave for surface power deposition is widely accepted. The TG wave can be excited either due to an abrupt density gradient near the plasma edge (surface conversion) or due to linear mode conversion from the helicon wave in a density gradient in the bulk region (bulk mode conversion). By numerically solving the boundary value problem of linear coupling between the helicon and the TG waves in a background with density gradient, we show that the efficiency of the bulk mode conversion strongly depends on the dissipation included in the plasma, and the bulk mode conversion is important when the dissipation is small. Also, by performing FDTD simulation, we show the time evolution of energy flux associated with the helicon and the TG waves.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
High power laser apparatus and system
A high-power, continuous-wave laser was designed for use in power transmission and energy-collecting systems, and for producing incoherent light for pumping a laser material. The laser has a high repetitive pulsing rate per unit time, resulting in a high-power density beam. The laser is composed of xenon flash tubes powered by fast-charging capacitors flashed in succession by a high-speed motor connected to an automobile-type distributor.
Evans, J. C., Jr.↗
Fine structure in RF spectra of lightning return stroke wave forms
The power spectra of the wide-band (10 Hz to 100 kHz) magnetic-field signals for a number of lightning return strokes measured during a thunderstorm which occurred in Lindau in August, 1984 have been calculated. The RF magnetic field data are obtained with the engineering unit of the Galileo Jupiter Probe lightning experiment. Each return stroke data stream is passed through an adaptive filter designed to whiten its spectrum. The spectra of the magnetic field data definitely show fine structure, with two or three distinct peaks in the spectra of many of the waveforms. A peak at f of about 60-70 kHz is often seen in the power spectra of the waveform time segments preceding and following the rise-to-peak amplitude of the return stroke.
Lanzerotti, L. J.↗
Narrowband alexandrite laser injection seeded with frequency dithered diode laser
Narrowband radiation is produced from a pulsed alexandrite laser when injection seeded with the output of a low power, tunable, continuous wave single mode diode laser. Injection seeded power oscillators are easier to frequency stabilize than etalon narrowed lasers, are more efficient and less prone to optical damage. AlGaAs diode lasers are available with wavelengths from 760 to 770 nm in the oxygen A band that can be used for differential absorption lidar remote sensing of atmospheric pressure and temperature. Diodes with room temperature output at 740 nm may be cooled sufficiently to emit in the water vapor absorption band at 720-730 nm for humidity remote sensing. The diode laser linewidth of 200 MHz is sufficient to seed 2 or 3 longitudinal modes of the multi-transverse mode alexandrite laser, giving the pulsed laser a bandwidth of 0.007 to 0.014/cm.
Schwemmer, Geary↗
System engineering study of electrodynamic tether as a spaceborne generator and radiator of electromagnetic waves in the ULF/ELF frequency band
An electrodynamic tether deployed from a satellite in low-Earth orbit can perform, if properly instrumented, as a partially self-powered generator of electromagnetic waves in the ULF/ELF band, potentially at power levels high enough to be of practical use. Two basic problems are examined. The first is that of the level of wave power that the system can be expected to generate in the ULF/ELF radiation band. The second major question is whether an electrodynamic tethered satellite system for transmitting waves can be made partially self-powering so that power requirements for drag compensation can be met within economical constraints of mass, cost, and complexity. The theoretical developments and the system applications study are presented. The basic design criteria, the drag-compensation method, the effects on the propagation paths from orbit to Earth surface of high-altitude nuclear debris patches, and the estimate of masses and sizes are covered. An outline of recommended analytical work, to be performed as a follow-on to the present study, is contained.
Estes, Robert D.↗
Studies of acoustic-electric feed-throughs for power transmission through structures
There are numerous engineering design problems where the use of wires to transfer power and communicate data thru the walls of a structure is prohibitive or significantly difficult that it may require a complex design. Using physical feedthroughs in such systems may make them susceptible to leakage of chemicals or gasses, loss of pressure or vacuum, as well as difficulties in providing adequate thermal or electrical insulation. Moreover, feeding wires thru a wall of a structure reduces the strength of the structure and makes the structure prone to cracking due to fatigue that can result from cyclic loading and stress concentrations. One area that has already been identified to require a wireless alternative to electrical feedthroughs is the container of the Mars Sample Return Mission, which will need wireless sensors to sense a pressure leak and to avoid potential contamination. The idea of using elastic or acoustic waves to transfer power was suggested recently by [Y. Hu, et al., July 2003]. This system allows for the avoidance of cabling or wiring. The technology is applicable to the transfer of power for actuation, sensing and other tasks inside any sealed container or vacuum/pressure vessel. An alternative approach to the modeling presented previously [Sherrit et a., 2005] used network analysis to solve the same problem in a clear and expandable manner. Experimental tests on three different designs of these devices were performed. The three designs used different methods of coupling the piezoelectric element to the wall. In the first test the piezoelectric material was bolted using a backing structure. In the second test the piezoelectric was clamped after the application of grease and finally the piezoelectric element was attached using a conductive epoxy. The mechanical clamp with grease produced the highest measured efficiency of 53% however this design was the least practical from a fabrication viewpoint. The power transfer efficiency of conductive epoxy joint was 40% and the stress bolts (12%).
ultrasonics↗
Dynamometer Facts
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Flatirons Campus features four dynamometers that can perform research validation on wind turbine systems and ocean energy devices. These dynamometers can validate wave and water power systems over capacity ratings ranging from 1 kilowatt (kW) to 5 megawatts (MW) by replacing water with a controllable, electric motor. By combining these capabilities with other tools, such as the controllable grid interface (https://www.nrel.gov/grid/controllable-grid-interface.html), researchers can verify how their device interacts with the grid or integrates with other technologies.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for an Asymmetric Heave Wave-Energy Converter in Regular Waves
The aim of this paper is to maximize the power-to-load ratio of the Berkeley Wedge: a one-degree-of-freedom, asymmetrical, energy-capturing, floating breakwater of high performance that is relatively free of viscosity effects. Linear hydrodynamic theory was used to calculate bounds on the expected time-averaged power (TAP) and corresponding surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and power take-off (PTO) control force when assuming that the heave motion of the wave energy converter remains sinusoidal. This particular device was documented to be an almost-perfect absorber if one-degree-of-freedom motion is maintained. The success of such or similar future wave energy converter technologies would require the development of control strategies that can adapt device performance to maximize energy generation in operational conditions while mitigating hydrodynamic loads in extreme waves to reduce the structural mass and overall cost. This paper formulates the optimal control problem to incorporate metrics that provide a measure of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force. The optimizer must now handle an objective function with competing terms in an attempt to maximize power capture while minimizing structural and actuator loads. A penalty weight is placed on the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO actuation force, thereby allowing the control focus to be placed either on power absorption or load mitigation. Thus, in achieving these goals, a per-unit gain in TAP would not lead to a greater per-unit demand in structural strength, hence yielding a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Demonstrative results in the form of TAP, reactive TAP, and the amplitudes of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force are shown for the Berkeley Wedge example.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
Utilization of Model Predictive Control to Balance Power Absorption Against Load Accumulation
Wave energy converter (WEC) control strategies have been primarily focused on maximizing power absorption. The use of model predictive control strategies allows for a finite-horizon, multiterm objective function to be solved. This work utilizes a multiterm objective function to maximize power absorption while minimizing the structural loads on the WEC system. Furthermore, a Kalman filter and autoregressive model were used to estimate and forecast the wave exciting force and predict the future dynamics of the WEC. The WEC's power-take-off time-averaged power and structural loads under a perfect forecast assumption in irregular waves were compared against results obtained from the Kalman filter and autoregressive model to evaluate model predictive control performance.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
Rapid startup in relativistic backward wave oscillator by injecting external backward signal
Investigation on accelerating the building up of oscillation and achieving a rapid startup in powerful relativistic backward wave oscillator by injecting a weak external backward signal is carried out in this paper. Synchronizing the signal with the backward wave excited by intense electron beam extracting with slow wave structure, the initial noise is greatly reduced and mode competition is restrained. The analysis is demonstrated by high power X-band backward wave oscillator experiment, in which a plasma switch is designed to realize the backward signal injection. The results show that the significant reduction of microwave output delay is attained and the start time of oscillation is ahead of 10 ns with the energy conversion efficiency increases about 62%.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
First On-Wafer Power Characterization of MMIC Amplifiers at Sub-Millimeter Wave Frequencies
Recent developments in semiconductor technology have enabled advanced submillimeter wave (300 GHz) transistors and circuits. These new high speed components have required new test methods to be developed for characterizing performance, and to provide data for device modeling to improve designs. Current efforts in progressing high frequency testing have resulted in on-wafer-parameter measurements up to approximately 340 GHz and swept frequency vector network analyzer waveguide measurements to 508 GHz. On-wafer noise figure measurements in the 270-340 GHz band have been demonstrated. In this letter we report on on-wafer power measurements at 330 GHz of a three stage amplifier that resulted in a maximum measured output power of 1.78mW and maximum gain of 7.1 dB. The method utilized demonstrates the extension of traditional power measurement techniques to submillimeter wave frequencies, and is suitable for automated testing without packaging for production screening of submillimeter wave circuits.
monolithic microwave integrated circircuit↗
High power, widely tunable, mode-hop free, continuous wave external cavity quantum cascade laser for multi-species trace gas detection
We present a high power, widely tunable, continuous wave external cavity quantum cascade laser designed for infrared vibrational spectroscopy of molecules exhibiting broadband and single line absorption features. The laser source exhibits single mode operation with a tunability up to 303 cm{sup −1} (∼24% of the center wavelength) at 8 μm, with a maximum optical output power of 200 mW. In combination with off-axis integrated output spectroscopy, trace-gas detection of broadband absorption gases such as acetone was performed and a noise equivalent absorption sensitivity of 3.7 × 10{sup −8 }cm{sup −1 }Hz{sup −1/2} was obtained.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
A research of W-band folded waveguide traveling wave tube with elliptical sheet electron beam
Folded waveguide (FWG) traveling wave tube (TWT), which shows advantages in high power capacity, moderate bandwidth, and low-cost fabrication, has become the focus of vacuum electronics recently. Sheet electron beam devices are better suited for producing radiation sources with large power in millimeter wave spectrum due to their characteristics of relatively low space charge fields and large transport current. A FWG TWT with elliptical sheet beam working in W-band is presented in this paper, with the analysis of its dispersion characteristics, coupling impedance, transmission properties, and interaction characteristics. A comparison is also made with the traditional FWG TWT. Simulation results lead to the conclusion that the FWG TWT with elliptical sheet beam investigated in this paper can make full use of relatively large electric fields and thus generate large output power with the same electric current density.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
SMALL-SCALE SOLAR WIND TURBULENCE DUE TO NONLINEAR ALFVÉN WAVES
We present an evolution of wave localization and magnetic power spectra in solar wind plasma using kinetic Alfvén waves (AWs) and fast AWs. We use a two-fluid model to derive the dynamical equations of these wave modes and then numerically solve these nonlinear dynamical equations to analyze the power spectra and wave localization at different times. The ponderomotive force associated with the kinetic AW (or pump) is responsible for the wave localization, and these thin slabs (or sheets) become more chaotic as the system evolves with time until the modulational instability (or oscillating two-stream instability) saturates. From our numerical results, we notice a steepening of the spectra from the inertial range (k{sup −1.67}) to the dispersion range (k{sup −3.0}). The steepening of the spectra could be described as the energy transference from longer to smaller scales. The formation of complex magnetic thin slabs and the change of the spectral index may be considered to be the main reason for the charged particles acceleration in solar wind plasma.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Collisionless Relaxation of the Ion Ring Distribution in Space Plasma
Energetic processes often produce transversely-heated angular distributions of the magnetized core (lowest energy) plasma. This characteristic is found in solar wind ion pickup, resulting from cometary or interstellar gas ionization, in Earths' ionosphere, and with hot ions formed around the Space Transportation System during gas releases. We investigate the thermalization of O+ ion pickup using the 2.5D hybrid simulation method (with fluid electrons and kinetic ions) of the ion pickup (ring) distributions, formed in the auroral ionosphere, with a range of ring velocities and thermal to magnetic pressure ratios. We find that in the unstable collisonless regime the anisotropy of the non-thermal distribution produces the ion-cyclotron instability, and the nonlinear relaxation is accompanied by wave-particle scattering that results in an emitted power of EMIC waves. We conclude that ionospheric pickup thermalization is slow due to the small ring speed compared to the thermal and Alfven speeds, while in the solar wind and other space plasmas regions with larger ion-ring velocity the collisionless relaxation and thermalization is rapid in terms of O+ ion gyro-period.
Ofman, Leon↗
Model predictive control of parametric excited pitch-surge modes in wave energy converters
A parametric excitation dynamic model is used for a three degrees-of-freedom (3-DOF) wave energy converter. Since the heave motion is uncoupled from the pitch and surge modes, the pitch-surge equations of motion can be treated as a linear time varying system, or a linear system with parametric excitation. In such case the parametric exciting frequency can be tuned to twice the natural frequency of the system for higher energy harvesting. A parametric excited 3-DOF wave energy converter can harvest more power, for both regular and irregular waves, compared to the linear 3-DOF. For example, in a Bretschneider wave, the harvested energy in the three modes is about 3.8 times the energy harvested in the heave mode alone; while the same device produces about 3.1 times the heave mode energy when using a linear 3-DOF model.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for an Assymmetric Heave Wave-Energy Converter in Regular Waves: Preprint
The aim of this paper is to maximize the power-to-load ratio of the Berkeley Wedge: a one-degree-of-freedom, asymmetrical, energy-capturing, floating breakwater of high performance that is relatively free of viscosity effects. Linear hydrodynamic theory was used to calculate bounds on the expected time-averaged power (TAP) and corresponding surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and power take-off (PTO) control force when assuming that the heave motion of the wave energy converter remains sinusoidal. This particular device was documented to be an almost-perfect absorber if one-degree-of-freedom motion is maintained. The success of such or similar future wave energy converter technologies would require the development of control strategies that can adapt device performance to maximize energy generation in operational conditions while mitigating hydrodynamic loads in extreme waves to reduce the structural mass and overall cost. This paper formulates the optimal control problem to incorporate metrics that provide a measure of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force. The optimizer must now handle an objective function with competing terms in an attempt to maximize power capture while minimizing structural and actuator loads. A penalty weight is placed on the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO actuation force, thereby allowing the control focus to be placed either on power absorption or load mitigation. Thus, in achieving these goals, a per-unit gain in TAP would not lead to a greater per-unit demand in structural strength, hence yielding a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio. Demonstrative results in the form of TAP, reactive TAP, and the amplitudes of the surge restraining force, pitch restraining torque, and PTO control force are shown for the Berkeley Wedge example.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗