Morphology and the physical and thermal properties of thermoplastic polyurethane reinforced with thermally reduced graphene oxide

In this study, thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRG)-containing polyurethane nanocomposites were obtained by the extrusion method. The content of TRG incorporated into polyurethane elastomer systems equaled 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%. The morphology, static and dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the modified materials were investigated. The application of TRG resulted in a visible increase in material stiffness as confirmed by the measurements of complex compression modulus (E′) and glass transition temperature (Tg). The Tg increased with increasing content of nanofiller in the thermoplastic system. The addition of thermally reduced graphene oxide had a slight effect on thermal stability of the obtained materials. The incorporation of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt% of TRG into a system resulted in increased char residues compared to unmodified PU elastomer. Also, this study demonstrated that after exceeding a specific amount of TRG, the physicomechanical properties of modified materials start to deteriorate

Synergistic effect of multi walled carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxides in natural rubber for sensing application

Utilizing the electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites is an important strategy to develop high performance solvent sensors. Here we report the synergistic effect of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in regulating the sensitivity of the naturally occurring elastomer, natural rubber (NR). Composites were fabricated by dispersing CNTs alone and together with exfoliated RGO sheets (thermally reduced at temperatures of 200 and 600 °C) in NR by a solution blending method. RGO exfoliation and the uniform distribution of fillers in the composites were studied by atomic force microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The solvent sensitivity of the composite samples was noted from the sudden variation in electrical conductivity which was due to the breakdown of the filler networks during swelling in different solvents. It was found that the synergy between CNTs and RGO exfoliated at 200 °C imparts maximum sensitivity to NR in recognizing the usually used aromatic laboratory solvents. Mechanical and dynamic mechanical studies reveal efficient filler reinforcement, depending strongly on the nature of filler-elastomer interactions and supports the sensing mechanism. Such interactions were quantitatively determined using the Maier and Göritz model from Payne effect experiments. It is concluded that the polarity induced by RGO addition reduces the interactions between CNTs and ultimately results in the solvent sensitivity. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Sensorless low speed PMSM control with cogging torque compensation

W pracy przedstawiono propozycję rozwiązania problemu bezczujnikowego sterowania wolnoobrotową maszyną synchroniczną z magnesami trwałymi PMSM. Przedstawiono silnik PMSM, który zastosowano w stanowisku badawczym. Omówiono problem występowania tętnień momentu napędowego wynikający głównie ze znacznego momentu zaczepowego. Pokazano rozwiązanie kompensujące tętnienia momentu napędowego w silniku PMSM. Przygotowano procedurę startową układu regulacji prędkości pozwalającą na uruchomienie napędu bez czujników prędkości i położenia. Do sterowania silnikiem użyto metodę sterowania polowo zorientowanego z regulatorami PI prądów stojana w osiach dq. Przedstawiono zależności nowej, prostszej wersji obserwatora stanu. Pokazano wyniki eksperymentów potwierdzających poprawne działanie napędu.The paper presents a possible implementation of a sensorless low speed permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) control. The test setup for this purpose consists of an individual and programmable back-to-back voltage inverter and a PMSM with nominal power of 12 kW and nominal speed of 600 rpm. The impact of cogging torque oscillations is identified, which cause significant problems in the implementation of a Field Oriented Control for low speed PMSM. In order to handle this torque oscillation problem a compensation method is proposed as well. A start-up procedure for the control system was implemented that allows a motor start without any rotor angle and speed sensors. The presented control method is based on the Field Oriented Control with PI stator current controllers in dq axes. Furthermore, the equations of the applied state observer are shown. The observer estimates all of the control variables necessary using phase current measurement and the information of the desired stator voltage. All theoretical assumptions are verified with experimental results, which show the proper operation of the low speed PMSM drive

Sensorless field oriented control for five-phase induction motors with third harmonic injection and fault insensitive feature

The paper presents a solution for sensorless field oriented control (FOC) system for five-phase induction motors with improved rotor flux pattern. In order to obtain the advantages of a third harmonic injection with a quasi-trapezoidal flux shape, two vector models, α1–β1 and α3–β3, were transformed into d1– q1, d3– q3 rotating frames, which correlate to the 1st and 3rd harmonic plane respectively. A linearization approach of the dual machine model in d – q coordinate frames is proposed by introducing a new additional variable “x” which is proportional to the electromagnetic torque. By applying the static feedback control law, a dual mathematical model of the five-phase induction motor was linearized to synthesize a control system in which the electromagnetic torque and the rotor flux can be independently controlled. The results shows the air gap flux shape in steady as well transient states under various load conditions. Moreover, the implemented control structure acquires fault tolerant properties and leads to possible emergency running with limited operation capabilities. The fault-tolerant capability of the analyzed machine was guaranteed by a special implemented control system with a dedicated speed observer, which is insensitive to open-phase fault situation. The experimental tests have been performed with single and double-open stator phase fault. A torque measurement was implemented to present the mechanical characteristics under healthy and faulty conditions of the drive system