Successful implementation of an active vibration control system is strictly correlated to the exact knowledge of the dynamic behavior of the system, of the excitation level and spectra and of the sensor and actuator’s specification. Only the correct management of these aspects may guarantee the correct choice of the control strategy and the relative performance. Within this paper, some preliminary activities aimed at the creation of a structurally simple, cheap and easily replaceable active control systems for metal panels are discussed. The final future aim is to control and to reduce noise, produced by vibrations of metal panels of the body of a car. The paper is focused on two points. The first one is the realization of an electronic circuit for Synchronized Shunted Switch Architecture (SSSA) with the right dimensioning of the components to control the proposed test article, represented by a rectangular aluminum plate. The second one is a preliminary experimental study on the test article, in controlled laboratory conditions, to compare performances of two possible control approach: SSSA and a feed-forward control approach. This comparison would contribute to the future choice of the most suitable control architecture for the specific attenuation of structure-born noise related to an automotive floor structure under deterministic (engine and road-tyre interaction) and stochastic (road-tyre interaction and aerodynamic) forcing actions.
This work deals with the effectiveness of a multi-body approach for the study of the dynamic behavior of a fixed landing gear, especially the research project concerns the drop tests of the AP.68 TP-300 aircraft. First, the Digital Mock-up of the of landing gear system in a C.A.D. software has been created, then the experimental structural stiffness of the leaf spring has been validated using the FEM tools MSC.Patran/Nastran. Finally, the entire model has been imported in MSC.ADAMS environment and, according to the certifying regulations, several multi-body simulations have been performed varying the heights of fall and the weights of the system. The results have shown a good correlation between numerical and experimental tests, thus demonstrating the potential of a multi-body approach. Future development of the present activity will probably be an application of the methodology, herein validated, to other cases for a more extensive validation of its predictive power and development of virtual certification procedures.
The present work focuses on a first study for a piezoelectric harvesting system, finalized to the obtaining of electrical energy from the kinetic energy of rainy precipitation, a renewable energy source not really considered until now. The system, after the realization, can be collocated on the roof of an house, configuring a “Piezo Roof Harvesting System”. After presenting a state of art of the harvesting systems from environmental energy, linked to vibrations, using piezoelectric structures, and of piezoelectric harvesting systems functioning with rain, the authors propose an analysis of the fundamental features of rainy precipitations for the definition of the harvesting system. Then, four key patterns for the realization of a piezoelectric energy harvesting system are discussed and analysed, arriving to the choice of a cantilever beam scheme, in which the piezoelectric material works in 31 mode. An electro-mechanical model for the simulation of performance of the unit for the energetic conversion, composed of three blocks, is proposed. The model is used for a simulation campaign to perform the final choice of the more suitable piezoelectric unit, available on the market, which will be adopted for the realization of the “Piezo Roof Harvesting System”.
This paper presents an estimation of performances by tests on composite material structures. In order to evaluate the effects on the structural behavior, tests changing the percentage of orientation of the fiber at 0, 45 and 90 degrees and mixing the unidirectional plies with the fabric ones have been done. Fixed the lay-up configuration and so the stacking sequence, two typology of structures have been analyzed; the first one having only unidirectional plies while the second one having a fabric ply (plain weave 0/90) in place of the top and bottom unidirectional plies. The openhole compressive strength and the filled-hole tensile strength and moduli have been characterized by test. A total of 72 specimens have been used in the test campaign. In order to well compare the test results a Performance Weight Index (PWI) has been introduced by authors in order to normalize the strength of each laminate with respect to its weight/unit of surface. Results and different laminate behaviors have been evaluated and discussed.