Master thesis and internship proposals -...

Master thesis and internship proposals

for the Academic year 2016-2017, BruFacE, Electromechanical engineering

ULB, BEAMS dpt, Electrical energy group

Academic promoter/supervisor: J. Gyselinck ([email protected])

(last update: 13/05/2016)

1. Design of a single-phase grid-tied inverter

2. Integration of module-level power optimizers in a photovoltaic system

3. Testbench to measure thermal impedance of simple heatsinks (with possibility of internship at Triphase, Leuven)

4. Drive train of a treadmill for horses (with possibility of internship at Octinion, Leuven)

5. Rotating machinery stator current fault diagnosis techniques (with possibility of internship at Siemens, Leuven)

6. Advanced testing methodologies and models for E-driveline components (with possibility of internship at Siemens, Leuven)

7. Multiphysical 1D modeling of the SRM (with possibility of internship at Siemens, Leuven)

8. Implementation of a standalone controller for switched reluctance machines

9. Numerical and experimental noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) analysis of switched reluctance machines

10. Design and control of PMSMs for automotive applications (with possibility of internship at Brose, Wurzburg, Germany)

11. Numerical and experimental study of a wound-rotor induction machine with variable rotor eccentricity

12. Design and control of multiple active bridge converters for digital power conversion in satellites (with possibility of internship at Thales Alenia Space, Charleroi)

13. Design and optimization of a wound rotor induction machine prototype used for combined rotating and power transfer functions (with possibility of internship at Thales Alenia Space, Charleroi)

Title: Design of a single-phase grid-tied inverter Supervisors: Ander GONZÁLEZ ([email protected]), Ramón LÓPEZ ([email protected]) Details: Context of the work In order to connect renewable energy sources to the loads a widespread solution is connecting them to the utility grid. For that purpose, an inverter that converts the DC power to AC has to be placed. The connection of power electronic converters into the grid requires a proper harmonic filter so as to ensure the proper and reliable operation of the utility grid.

Fig. 1. Solar micro-inverter from TI

Description of the work In this master thesis, the student will be asked to design a grid-tied inverter for renewable energy generation. The objective is to design the power electronics stage, current filter and control. The control has to be able to keep the DC-bus voltage at the required voltage that depends on the actual power generation and the grid voltage. This will be developed either in dSPACE or in a DSP. Requested skills Knowledge in Power Electronics and Matlab Simulink or C programming language.

Title: Integration of module-level power optimizers in a photovoltaic system Supervisors: Ramón LÓPEZ ([email protected]), Ander GONZÁLEZ ([email protected]) Details: Context of the work Solar power optimizers (SPO) serve to maximize the energy harvest from each individual photovoltaic (PV) panel. These optimizers are, basically, step-up DC-DC converters that track the maximum power point (MPP) of the PV panel. The integration of these dedicated module-level converters can pleasantly improve the production of energy of a PV array. As these SPOs can operate each of them independently from the others, the maximum level of modularity can be obtained. This way, the flexibility of the system is increased. The set of converters can be connected to an inverter in order to integrate the production with the utility grid. So as to supply a low ripple power to the inverter, control and/or modulation strategies can be implemented.

Fig. 1. Power optimizer from TIGO

Description of the work In this master thesis, the student will be asked to develop and implement different modulation strategies that improve power transmission. These have to deal with the different working points of the panels in the same array and the change in irradiation over the time. The goal is to study the behavior of the integration of power optimizers and select the best control strategies. The student has to select a proper control architecture and the corresponding hardware. The converters will be installed in the PV panels of the rooftop to validate the simulation results. Requested skills Knowledge in Power Electronics and Matlab Simulink or C programming language.

Title:Testbenchtomeasurethermalimpedanceofsimpleheatsinks

Supervisor:KorawichNiyomsatian(ULB,Triphase)

Description:

Nowadaysthepowerelectronicssystemcanbedevelopedtoachievemorethan90%withoutaproblemthanks to the advancement of technology in semiconductor devices. Still, to develop the system toachievealsohighpowerdensity,oneneedstooptimizethewholesystemwithtakingintoaccountbroadaspects of the system tomeet their requirements such as thermal dissipation. One of the importantelements inthismechanismistheheatsinkwhichisthemajorparttodissipateheat lossoutofpowersemiconductordevices.

Inthisproject,thethermaldissipationofheatsinkswillbefocusedandreflectedasthermalimpedance.Thestudentwillbuildasimpletestbenchtoestimatethethermalimpedanceofsimplesmallheatsinks.Alsothemethodtoextractparametersfromtheexperimentalresultsshouldbestudied.

Note.PossibilitytocombinewithaninternshipatTriphase,Leuven.https://triphase.com/

1/2 [internship master thesis ULB]

Octinion bvba Romeinsestraat 18 B3001 Heverlee BE0811.437.464 http://www.octinion.com

Internship + Master thesis

subject

General Octinion is a young dynamic fast growing company near Leuven with mainly two kinds of activities: Mechatronic Product Development and Test & Measurement Solutions. The target market is the agro-food industry. For our customers, engineering projects are carried out and also brand new products are developed. Octinion also develops products that will be marketed and sold by themselves. More information: http://www.octinion.com/

Internship Octinion is developing a fruit picking robot and vehicle for autonomous navigation in maintenance of sport fields, gardens, park areas and agricultural applications. The actuators in these applications are all electric. The intern will be involved in the product development team and will focus on actuator selection. For the picking robot, a redesign will be performed. Actuators for the vehicle, robot arm and gripper need to be selected. The same is true for the autonomous vehicle applications were actuators for the propulsion as well as for the implements need to be selected. The work will go further than the electric motors. Also reductions, power electronics and sensors like encoders need to be considered. Of course the whole context of the application needs to be taken into account and interaction with mechanical designers and software engineers is important. The internship will involve motor calculations, electronics, basic control and some software developments.

Context master thesis subject The master thesis fits within the product development activities and links to the internship as actuator selection and design are important. During the internship, there is possibility to get familiar with the master thesis subject.

2/2 [internship master thesis ULB]

To keep horses in good shape, one of the activities is to make them walking and running in a treadmill. A picture of a treadmill is shown below. It consists of a mill with a diameter of a few meters. The mill drives the horse at a certain speed by blades. The horse is not expected to touch the blades and special measures are taken such that the horse doesn’t touch them. To impose the speed to the horse, the mill is equipped with an electromotor and a gearbox. To speed up the mill, given the large moment of inertia, a high torque is required. At constant speed, only a torque to overcome friction forces is required. Given the large diameter of the mill, the mill rotates at a few rpm’s. There are several treadmills on the market. However, their weak point is the gearbox, which breaks down quite often. One of the most important reason is peak load due to wind gusts and other impact forces.

Master thesis subject Octinion has new ideas to overcome these issues and will develop a treadmill that will last longer, while providing the same features as existing mills. The key is to work on the gearbox and the electro motor. The master thesis will found the basis for this new treadmill. First different concepts are created. A concept consists of a certain motor type, possibly a gearbox and a mechanical construction to take up the different loads. She/he will perform calculations to motivate the selection of the right concept. During the selection process, also other criteria like cost, maintenance, easiness of operation are taken into account. The selected concept is worked out in more detail with specific attention to the issues that need to be resolved.

Contact Jan Anthonis [email protected] Romeinse straat 18 3001 Leuven-Heverlee

Siemens Industry Software nv Interleuvenlaan 68 Researchpark Haasrode Z1 B – 3001 Leuven [Belgium]

1

M a s t e r I n t e r n s h i p P r o p o s a l

Rotating machinery stator current fault diagnosis techniques Internship location: Siemens Industry Software NV, Leuven, Belgium

Local coach: Ir. Ing. Mathieu Sarrazin ( [email protected] ); tel. : +32 16 384 484

Project summary:

In many industrial applications, an increasing request exists to improve the reliability and availability of electromechanical systems. Examples include systems in cranes, airplanes, electromechanical (railway) traction vehicles or industrial production lines. A sudden failure in such a system lead to a costly downtime, damage to neighboring equipment or even danger to humans. Failure detection and monitoring of drivetrains increase the reliability and availability. This will avoid sudden system failure which can have serious consequences. Electromechanical machines are the key element in many drivetrain applications. Amongst all types of electromechanical motors, induction motors are a frequent used example due to their robustness and high efficiency. Common failures occurring in electromechanical drives can be roughly categorized into:

• Electrical faults: stator winding short circuit, broken rotor bar, broken end-ring, inverter failure, phase unbalance.

• Mechanical faults: rotor eccentricity, bearing faults, shaft misalignment, load faults (unbalance, gearbox fault or general failure in the load part of the drive)

The student needs to make i) a literature study on electric signature analysis techniques, ii) become familiar with our software/hardware measurement tools, iii) perform measurements on an electromechanical drivetrain in a wide range of operating conditions and scenarios, iv) post process the measured data in a correct way and v) try to model such a fault with the aid of multi-physical software packets. In this way, tests and simulations can be combined to strengthen the research results of the student.

Project main objectives: § Gain skills on condition monitoring § Gain skills on signature post-processing techniques § Gain skills on electromechanical machines. § Gain knowledge and practical testing skills

Candidate profile:

§ Master student in Applied Physics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering § Skills in System, control and electrical machines § Hardware/software: Matlab/ Simulink § Be fluent in English (both oral and written) § have a problem-solving mind (take own initiative to solve a problem case)

Siemens Industry Software nv Interleuvenlaan 68 Researchpark Haasrode Z1 B – 3001 Leuven [Belgium]

1

M a s t e r I n t e r n s h i p P r o p o s a l

Advanced testing methodologies and models for E-driveline components Internship location: Siemens Industry Software NV, Leuven, Belgium

Local coach: Ir. Ing. Mathieu Sarrazin ( [email protected] ); tel. : +32 16 384 484

Project summary: With the first electric vehicle (EV) prototypes becoming available, it is clear that the energy flow aspects become critical. Many driveline components were simply connected to each other in the development phase without taken into account the real driving cycles of the E-vehicle. Troubleshooting is quite difficult in such a late development phase. Therefore, a closer analysis, assessment and optimization of the electrical drivetrains could happen already in early development phase with Model-in-the-loop (Mil) and Hardware-in-the-loop (Hil) simulations. In the case of Hil simulations, the real world is combined with a virtual simulation world to optimize the development time and production, from the component (electrical machine) to the subsystem (electrical drive) and system level (full powertrain). This will depend on the design/development stage, different analyses which require different model accuracy levels, different algorithms, and different modelling languages. The student needs to make i) a literature study, ii) become familiar with our software/hardware platform and iii) develop accurate and robust MiL and HiL simulations for electric vehicles/drivetrains to test and validate a wide range of operating conditions and scenarios. The environment will contribute to improving the availability and reliability of electrical drives and a better understanding of system interactions before their insertion on a system level. In this way, tests and simulations can be combined to strengthen the research results of the student.

Project main objectives: § Gain skills on rapid prototyping and model based testing; § Gain skills on electrical machines. § Gain knowledge and practical testing skills

Candidate profile:

§ Master student in Applied Physics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering § Skills in System, control and electrical machines § Hardware/software: Matlab/ Simulink § Be fluent in English (both oral and written) § have a problem-solving mind (take own initiative to solve a problem case)

LMS International nv Interleuvenlaan 68 Researchpark Haasrode Z1 B – 3001 Leuven [Belgium]

T +32 16 384 200 F +32 16 384 350 [email protected] www.lmsintl.com

In ternship Proposa l

Mul t iphys ica l 1D model ing o f the SRM

Page 1

Contact: Dr. Cassio Faria ([email protected]) Dr. Gustavo Myrria ([email protected]) Context Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM) is widely known by their capability to provide mechanical energy in a wide range of applications. However, they have some drawbacks that can make them not suitable for some particular applications. For instance, one of the main drawbacks of these devices is their high noise emissions, which is a problem for applications that are located close to humans. Hence, the proper modeling of these machines is mandatory to prevent any undesired responses. A very powerful and fast approach to represent the behavior of these devices is through the One Dimensional (1D) simulation. Through this methodology, the systems can be written by a set of non-linear time-dependent analytical equations that represent the system’s hydraulic, pneumatic, electric and mechanical behavior. Then, the multi-physical modeling of the SRM can enable the designers to evaluate the machine with different configurations and assess their impact on the different physical responses. Finally, it might speed-up the design process and gives to the designer an estimation of the response of the SRM during the early design stage. Research Goal: The main objective of this proposal is to create a methodology that enables the 1D simulation of the SRM taking into account the different physical systems involved during its operation. The software LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim, which is developed by our company, allows the integration of different physical systems in just one model. So, it can be used as a platform to develop a procedure to achieve this objective. Then, the thermal, the vibroacoustic and electrical behavior of the SRM must be modeled and the relationship between these physical systems quantified. Candidate Profile The candidate to be considered must have a strong background in system modeling and scientific coding, supported by excellent Matlab/Simulink skills. He/she should also be a self-motivated person with good communication skills in technical English and well organized. Experience with LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim or Python is considered an additional asset. The work will be performed in collaboration with the research team of LMS Engineering, the services division of Siemens PLM Software.

ImplementationofastandalonecontrollerforSwitchedreluctancemachines(SRM)

Researchunit:Energy

Supervisor:JulienPelletier

Summary:

Thepresentworkconsistsofintegratingexistingcontrolstrategiesonastandaloneplatform(suchasaRaspberryPioranothermicrocomputerplatformforexample).ThepresentsystemonourSRMtestbenchcomprisesadSPACEinterfaceforthecontrolstrategyandmicrocontrollersforthehysteresiscontrolasshowninthediagrambelow.

ThenewplatformwillreplacethemicrocontrollersanddSPACEinordertogetbetterperformances.Itwillreceivemeasurements(voltages,currents,speedandtorque)andwillapplyoneofthecontrolstrategiesdefinedtocontroltheIGBTdrivers.

ThestudentneedstobefamiliarwithCorpythonprogramming,interfacingdifferentsensors,usingmicrocomputerwithembeddedsystem.He/shewillfirststudydifferentoptionsofplatformandthenimplementthesensorsinterfaceandthecontrolofthemachinesforfinallytestingandevaluatingtheperformancesofthenewsystem.

Numericalandexperimentalnoise,vibrationandharshness(NVH)analysisofswitchedreluctancemachines

Supervisors:YvesMollet,JulienPelletier

Summary:

Theuseofswitchedreluctancemachinesisexpectedtoincreaseinthecomingyearsinautomotive

applications,duetotheircompactness,simpledesign,robustnessandinherentfaulttolerance.SRM

driveshave,however,tocopewithnoise,vibrationandharshnessissuesthatneedtobesolvedfor

anextensiveuseinhybridorelectricalvehicles.

ThepresentworkconsistsofinvestigatingsuchNVHissuesonSRMs.Theinfluenceofcontrol

strategies(averageandinstantaneoustorquecontroltechniques,PWMorcurrent-hysteresis

control,softorhardchopping)onNVHwillbestudied,aswellastheinfluenceofspeed,loadtorque

andDC-busvoltage.Theinfluenceofdriveaccessories(fan,pumpforwatercooling)andofSRMor

converterfaultsmayalsobeinvestigated.Theinteractionbetweenthegeneratedvibrationandthe

resonancemodesofthemachinewillbedetermined.Soundmetricswillbeusedtocomparethe

comfortablecharacterofthesoundproducedbythemachineinthedifferentsituations.

Theanalysiswillbeperformedinsimulationsusingfinite-elementtechniqueandvalidatedonthe15

kWSRMofthelab,combiningcurrent,torque,vibrationandacousticnoisemeasurements.

PreliminarytestscanbeperformedusingaNationalInstrumentsdataacquisitionsystemavailablein

thelab.However,themaintestcampaignwillbeachieved(insteadyandtransientsstates(e.g.using

ramps)withanLMS-SCADASacquisitionsystem,incollaborationwithSiemensIndustrySoftware,in

whichthestudentcanperformapreliminaryinternshiptogetfamiliarwithNVHanalysisand

measurements.

Figure1:Waterfallplotoftheevolutionofvibration,phasecurrentandsoundpressurewaveamplitudeswithfrequencyandspeed(10Nmloadtorque,softchopping,averagetorquecontrol),showingspeedorders(obliquelines)and

resonancefrequencies(verticallines)

Title: Design and control of PMSMs for automotive applications (in collaboration with Brose) Supervisor: Yves MOLLET ([email protected]) Details:

ThiscanbecombinedwithaninternshipatBrose,Wurzburg,Germany.

Contactperson:AdrianPop([email protected])

Broseistheworld’sfifth-largestfamily-ownedautomotivesupplier.Ourmechatronicsystemsfordoors,seatsorelectricmotorsanddrivescanbefoundineverysecondnewvehiclearoundtheworldtoday.Over80manufacturersand40suppliersrelyonourefficiencyandperformance.Morethan24,000employeesat60locationsin23countriesguaranteequalityandinnovation.http://www.brose.com/en/

ThesemechatronicsystemsareoftenequippedwithbrushedDCmotorsorPermanent-MagnetSynchronousMotors(PMSMs).

Dependingontheinterestsofthestudent,thisMasterthesiscancomprise

• finite-elementmodelingofPMSMs(design,advancedparameteridentification,…)• lumped-parametermodelinginSimulinkforoptimizingthecontrol• co-simulation,i.e.runningjointlySimulink(master)andtheFEmachinemodel(slave)• experimentalwork(parameteridentification,control,…)

Title: Numerical and experimental study of a wound-rotor induction machine with variable rotor eccentricity Supervisor: Yves MOLLET ([email protected]) Details:

OneoftheoldACECmachinesintheBEAMSlaboratoryisawound-rotorinductionmachinewhichisquiteparticularasitincludesamechanismformakingtherotoreccentrictoacertainandcontrollableextent;seethearmwithblueknobsinthepicturebelow.Eccentricityisoneoftheclassicalelectromechanicalfaultsthatmayoccurinarotatingelectricalmachine,besidespurelyelectricalfaults(short-circuitsinthewindinge.g.)andpurelymechanicalones(bearingfaultse.g.).Faultdetectionisofparamountimportanceforcertainapplications,e.g.onshoreandafortiorioffshorewindturbines[Gritli].

Dependingontheinterestofthestudent,thisMasterthesismaycomprise

• finite-elementanalysis,• experimentalstudyandidentification,• modelingandsimulationinSimulink,• developmentoffaultdetectionalgorithms.

Thisisdefinitelynicematerialbothfromateachingandscientificresearchpointofview!

Gritli, Yasser, et al. "Advanced diagnosis of electrical faults in wound-rotor induction machines." Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on 60.9 (2013): 4012-4024.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yasser_GRITLI2/publication/260541782_Advanced_Diagnosis_of_Electrical_Faults_in_Wound-Rotor_Induction_Machines/links/546ebd7c0cf2bc99c2155ba2.pdf

© 2016, Thales Alenia Space

Design and Control of Multiple Active Bridge Converters

for Digital Power Conversion in Satellites

Contact: Dr. ir. Fabien Meinguet, [email protected] Thales Alenia Space – Belgium is a world leader in power conditioning and distribution for satellites and space applications. Power conversion in satellites consists essentially in DC/DC conversion and distribution due to the nature of sources and loads (solar arrays, batteries, thrusters,…). All sources and loads are presently connected to a DC network through DC/DC converters, which present some dissipation issues as multiple conversion stages are required in some operating modes of the satellite (in eclipse mode, for example). Multiple Active Bridge (MAB) topologies are DC/AC/DC converters, which offer an alternative to conventional DC/DC conversion, since a local AC grid can be used by all users. Advantages of these topologies are: conversion with a single stage for all users, high efficiency through Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) capability, possibility to use multiphase architectures for high-power systems (three phases or ore), natural galvanic insulation required by some users,… On the other hand, new space-qualified microcontrollers offer new possibilities for digital control of power converters used in space applications. Due to several reasons, these microcontrollers are generally limited in term of resources, which make an implementation of the control very challenging for MAB topologies.


MAB-basedPower Conditioning Unit

AC

DC

AC

DC

Solar Array

Battery

DC

AC

DC

AC

DC

AC

LV-users

HV-users

Thrusters

The objectives of this work are:

• provide a state-of-the-art of MAB topologies (multiple access, multiple phases); • analysis of digital controller requirements and resources for MAB converter control; • study and implementation of ZVS modulation strategies for a specified MAB converter; • (prototype manufacturing and test) (*)

Required skills:

• good understanding of power electronics and microcontrollers/microprocessors and/or FPGAs; • knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink/SimPowerSystems, Micro-Cap and/or Eagle/Orcad is an

advantage; • motivation and autonomy.

(*) Note: possibility of internship and master thesis on this topic. A prototype can only be considered in case of combined internship and master thesis


Design and optimization of a wound rotor induction

machine prototype used for combined rotating and power transfer functions

Contact: Dr. ir. Fabien Meinguet, [email protected] Thales Alenia Space – Belgium is a world leader in power conditioning and distribution for satellites and space applications. Some of these applications require to have a rotating function and to integrate a power transformer. Usually, these functions are performed by separate devices, i.e. a motor and a transformer. Previous work has shown the feasibility to use a wound rotor induction machine (WRIM) for combining both functions in a single electro-mechanical device. This thesis will explore additional aspects which have not been addressed up to now, i.e. the design and optimization of the electromagnetic circuit (characteristics and manufacturability of magnetic material, optimization of architecture, windings and losses, etc.).

The objectives of this work are:


• provide a state-of-the-art of magnetic material fitting the application; • analytical and finite element modelling of the WRIM prototype; • optimization of the WRIM design for given specifications; • (manufacturing and test of a WRIM prototype) (*)

Required skills:

• good understanding of electric machines and magnetic transformers; • knowledge of finite element software (FEMM, COMSOL) is an advantage; • motivation and autonomy.

(*) Note: possibility of internship and master thesis on this topic. A prototype can only be considered in case of combined internship and master thesis

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