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Article
Publication date: 20 October 2014

Haitao Yang, Minghe Jin, Zongwu Xie, Kui Sun and Hong Liu

The purpose of this paper is to solve the ground verification and test method for space robot system capturing the target satellite based on visual servoing with time-delay in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the ground verification and test method for space robot system capturing the target satellite based on visual servoing with time-delay in 3-dimensional space prior to space robot being launched.

Design/methodology/approach

To implement the approaching and capturing task, a motion planning method for visual servoing the space manipulator to capture a moving target is presented. This is mainly used to solve the time-delay problem of the visual servoing control system and the motion uncertainty of the target satellite. To verify and test the feasibility and reliability of the method in three-dimensional (3D) operating space, a set of ground hardware-in-the-loop simulation verification systems is developed, which adopts the end-tip kinematics equivalence and dynamics simulation method.

Findings

The results of the ground hardware-in-the-loop simulation experiment validate the reliability of the eye-in-hand visual system in the 3D operating space and prove the validity of the visual servoing motion planning method with time-delay compensation. At the same time, owing to the dynamics simulator of the space robot added in the ground hardware-in-the-loop verification system, the base disturbance can be considered during the approaching and capturing procedure, which makes the ground verification system realistic and credible.

Originality/value

The ground verification experiment system includes the real controller of space manipulator, the eye-in-hand camera and the dynamics simulator, which can veritably simulate the capturing process based on the visual servoing in space and consider the effect of time delay and the free-floating base disturbance.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 41 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 February 2024

Di Kang, Steven W. Kirkpatrick, Zhipeng Zhang, Xiang Liu and Zheyong Bian

Accurately estimating the severity of derailment is a crucial step in quantifying train derailment consequences and, thereby, mitigating its impacts. The purpose of this paper is…

Abstract

Purpose

Accurately estimating the severity of derailment is a crucial step in quantifying train derailment consequences and, thereby, mitigating its impacts. The purpose of this paper is to propose a simplified approach aimed at addressing this research gap by developing a physics-informed 1-D model. The model is used to simulate train dynamics through a time-stepping algorithm, incorporating derailment data after the point of derailment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a simplified approach is adopted that applies a 1-D kinematic analysis with data obtained from various derailments. These include the length and weight of the rail cars behind the point of derailment, the train braking effects, derailment blockage forces, the grade of the track and the train rolling and aerodynamic resistance. Since train braking/blockage effects and derailment blockage forces are not always available for historical or potential train derailment, it is also necessary to fit the historical data and find optimal parameters to estimate these two variables. Using these fitted parameters, a detailed comparison can be performed between the physics-informed 1-D model and previous statistical models to predict the derailment severity.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model outperforms the Truncated Geometric model (the latest statistical model used in prior research) in estimating derailment severity. The proposed model contributes to the understanding and prevention of train derailments and hazmat release consequences, offering improved accuracy for certain scenarios and train types

Originality/value

This paper presents a simplified physics-informed 1-D model, which could help understand the derailment mechanism and, thus, is expected to estimate train derailment severity more accurately for certain scenarios and train types compared with the latest statistical model. The performance of the braking response and the 1-D model is verified by comparing known ride-down profiles with estimated ones. This validation process ensures that both the braking response and the 1-D model accurately represent the expected behavior.

Details

Smart and Resilient Transportation, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2632-0487

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2010

Jinjun Shan

The purpose of this paper is to develop a tri‐axis spacecraft simulator to simulate the three‐axis attitude motion of a satellite and for ground‐based hardware‐in‐the‐loop…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a tri‐axis spacecraft simulator to simulate the three‐axis attitude motion of a satellite and for ground‐based hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of tri‐axis satellite attitude simulator is designed first. Full dynamic model is then derived. Based on the dynamic model, a simple proportional‐integral‐derivative controller is developed and applied to control the motion of simulator.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed simulator configuration has been verified through numerical simulations. The tri‐axis simulator can follow the satellite attitude motion precisely.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable for researchers working on the development of tri‐axis spacecraft attitude simulator. This work is original. The simulator configuration has been applied to a satellite mission that was launched successfully in 2006.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 82 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2014

Antonio Pérez-Bennett, Pål Davidsen and Luis E. López

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of simulators as pedagogical complements to traditional case studies. The research performs experiments with a case and its…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of simulators as pedagogical complements to traditional case studies. The research performs experiments with a case and its accompanying simulator to assess the additional learning attained by the use of a case with its simulator as compared to using the case alone. The paper also describes the development and proposed use of cases and simulators combined.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the development of one companion simulators, it outlines its proposed use, and it shows the results of an experiment to assess marginal learning with the simulator.

Findings

The research finds that simulators increase the understanding of subjects when used to support a case study. Students and teachers perceive the use of companion simulators as valuable.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides ground for developing a new generation of case studies in which the traditional case is enhanced and augmented by simulators developed for one particular case and intended to be used only with that case.

Practical implications

This research has practical implications in how management is taught and learned.

Social implications

The paper has implications in terms of possible changes that can be introduced to the teaching of management in business schools.

Originality/value

This research provides one of the few extant assessments of the learning that can be attained with the use of simulators in management education. The research proposes the creation of a new entity, the “Case+Sim” that draws on the traditional strengths of managerial case studies to be used in educating managers, but complements the case studies with simulators, which provide an added value in permitting students to test their thinking using a realistic interactive learning environment.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 52 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2008

Rogelio Oliva and Michael Bean

The purpose of this paper is to articulate the challenges of learning and improving in service delivery systems – that present managers with imperfect information, confounded…

2287

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to articulate the challenges of learning and improving in service delivery systems – that present managers with imperfect information, confounded variables, and tightly coupled interactions between operational and psychological factors – and present a simulator to assist managers to overcome these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing the literature on “learning from simulations” and the main challenges of learning in a service environment, the paper presents the assumptions underlying the service quality management simulator, its interface, and protocols to use it that have proven effective.

Findings

It is possible to assist managers to develop operational understanding – what to do, when and how much of it to do – about the drivers of service quality using a simulation environment.

Research limitations/implications

In its present form, the simulator only takes a functional definition of service quality and captures the relationships in a business‐to‐consumer service environment. These shortcomings suggest future expansions to the theory. Also, while anecdotal evidence is reported of the benefits using the simulator, quantifying these benefits remains a challenge for future research.

Practical implications

The ability to customize the simulator's parameters to represent specific service settings makes it a powerful tool for operating managers facing some of the challenges described by the theory.

Originality/value

This paper documents, in a non‐technical way, the elements a set of relationships that has been shown to confuse managers and cause erosion of service quality and describes the simulator's uses and benefits in a pedagogical environment.

Details

International Journal of Service Industry Management, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-4233

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 July 2010

F.A. DiazDelaO and S. Adhikari

In the dynamical analysis of engineering systems, running a detailed high‐resolution finite element model can be expensive even for obtaining the dynamic response at few frequency…

Abstract

Purpose

In the dynamical analysis of engineering systems, running a detailed high‐resolution finite element model can be expensive even for obtaining the dynamic response at few frequency points. To address this problem, this paper aims to investigate the possibility of representing the output of an expensive computer code as a Gaussian stochastic process.

Design/methodology/approach

The Gaussian process emulator method is discussed and then applied to both simulated and experimentally measured data from the frequency response of a cantilever plate excited by a harmonic force. The dynamic response over a frequency range is approximated using only a small number of response values, obtained both by running a finite element model at carefully selected frequency points and from experimental measurements. The results are then validated applying some adequacy diagnostics.

Findings

It is shown that the Gaussian process emulator method can be an effective predictive tool for medium and high‐frequency vibration problems, whenever the data are expensive to obtain, either from a computer‐intensive code or a resource‐consuming experiment.

Originality/value

Although Gaussian process emulators have been used in other disciplines, there is no knowledge of it having been implemented for structural dynamic analyses and it has good potential for this area of engineering.

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2015

Haitao Yang, Zongwu Xie, Kui Sun, Xiaoyu Zhao, Minghe Jin and Cao Li

The purpose of this paper is to develop a set of ground experiment system to verify the basic functions of space effector and the capturing reliability of space end-effector for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a set of ground experiment system to verify the basic functions of space effector and the capturing reliability of space end-effector for the free-floating target payload in the three-dimensional space. The development of ground experiment system for space end-effector is essential and significant, because it costs too much to launch a space robot or other spacecraft and carry out operation tasks in space. Owing to the negligible gravity in space, which is different from that in the ground environment, ground experiment system for space end-effector should have the capability of verifying the basic functions of space effector and the reliability of space end-effector in capturing the free-floating target payload in space.

Design/methodology/approach

The ground experiment system for space end-effector mainly adopts the hybrid simulation method, which includes the real hardware experiment and software simulation. To emulate the micro-gravity environment, the contact dynamics simulator is applied to emulating the motion state of the free-floating target payload, while the admittance control is used to realize the “soft” capturing of space end-effector to simulate the real situation in space.

Findings

With the gravity compensation, the influence of gravity is almost eliminated and the results meet the requirements of the experiment. In the ground experiment, the admittance control is effective and the actual motion state of space end-effector capturing the target in space can be simulated. The experiment results show that space end-effector can capture the free-floating target payload successfully and hopefully have the ability to capture a free-floating target in space.

Originality/value

The system can verify space end-effector capturing the free-floating target payload in three-dimensional space and imitate the motion of space end-effector capturing the free-floating target in space. The system can also be modified and improved for application in the verification of space robot capturing and docking the target, which is valuable for the ground verification of space applications.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2019

Francesca Costanza

The international community recognizes the role of entrepreneurship education in fostering economic growth and sustainable development. However, preparing the next generation of…

Abstract

Purpose

The international community recognizes the role of entrepreneurship education in fostering economic growth and sustainable development. However, preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs is not an easy task, since today’s complexity requires the creation of skills and capabilities for which the traditional programs reveal their inadequacy. Some scholars remark how entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention are not necessarily related and, in line with policy makers’ concerns, call for educational programs more routed in financial skills’ enhancement. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of system dynamics (SD) for entrepreneurial education, investigating the relationships between financial and entrepreneurial skills’ formation and business development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the main elements of SD, describes literature streams of SD applications fitting the entrepreneurial education spheres and proposes an SD’ insight model based on selected literature and declined in terms of stock-and-flow and causal loop structures.

Findings

The study provides a causal model capturing the links between the processes of entrepreneurial skill formation and firms’ start-ups and closures. Such model introduces a double effect of financial literacy on entrepreneurial orientation and locates the contribution of simulated entrepreneurial decisions in formal and informal educational contexts.

Originality/value

The paper displays how SD can contribute to entrepreneurship and presents an original causal model highlighting the accumulation of financial and non-financial skills through education and experience, their impact on business development and the usefulness of SD methodology for skill achievement.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 July 2020

Kamila Cabová, Filip Zeman, Lukáš Blesák, Martin Benýšek and František Wald

This paper aims to present a part of a coupled numerical model for prediction the fire resistance of elements in a horizontal furnace. Temperatures calculated inside the timber…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a part of a coupled numerical model for prediction the fire resistance of elements in a horizontal furnace. Temperatures calculated inside the timber beam are compared to measured values from the fire test.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a part of a coupled numerical model for prediction the fire resistance of elements in a horizontal furnace. The presented part lies in a virtual furnace which simulates temperature environment around tested elements in the furnace. Comparison of results show good agreement in the case when burning of timber is included in the numerical model.

Findings

The virtual furnace presented in this paper allows to calculate temperature environment around three timber beams. After validation of the fire dynamics simulator (FDS) model, the temperature conditions are passed to the FE model which solves heat transfer to the tested element. Temperatures inside the timber beam which are solved in software Atena Science are compared to measured temperatures from the fire test. The comparison of temperatures in three control points shows good accuracy of the calculation in the point closer to the heated edge. An inaccuracy is shown in points located deeper in the beam cross-section – below the char layer.

Research limitations/implications

In conclusion, the virtual furnace has a great potential for investigating the thermal behaviour of fire-resistance tests. A huge advantage inheres in the evaluation of the thermal effect throughout the volume of the furnace, which allows an accurate prediction of fire-resistance tests and evaluation of large number of technical alternatives and boundary conditions. However, passing the temperature field from the FDS model into FE model may decrease the level of accuracy. The solution lies in a coupled CFD-FE model. A weakly coupled model including fluid dynamics, heat transfer and mechanical behaviour is under development at Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. The fluid dynamics part which is presented in this paper is solved by FDS and the thermo-mechanical part is computed by object-oriented finite element model (OOFEM). The interconnection of both software is made owing to MuPIF python library.

Practical implications

The virtual furnace takes advantage of great possibilities of computational fluid dynamics code FDS. The model is based on an accurate representation of a real fire furnace of fire laboratory PAVUS a.s. located in the Czech Republic. It includes geometry of the real furnace, material properties of the furnace linings, burners, ventilation conditions and tested elements. Gas temperature calculated in the virtual furnace is validated to temperatures measured during a fire test.

Social implications

The virtual furnace has a great potential for investigating the thermal behaviour of fire-resistance tests. A huge advantage inheres in the evaluation of the thermal effect throughout the volume of the furnace, which allows an accurate prediction of fire-resistance tests and evaluation of large number of technical alternatives and boundary conditions.

Originality/value

The virtual furnace has a great potential for investigating the thermal behaviour of fire-resistance tests. A huge advantage inheres in the evaluation of the thermal effect throughout the volume of the furnace, which allows an accurate prediction of fire-resistance tests and evaluation of large number of technical alternatives and boundary conditions. However, passing the temperature field from the FDS model into FE model may decrease the level of accuracy. The solution lies in a coupled CFD-FE model. A weakly coupled model including fluid dynamics, heat transfer and mechanical behaviour is under development at Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. The fluid dynamics part which is presented in this paper is solved by FDS and the thermo-mechanical part is computed by OOFEM. The interconnection of both software is made thanks to MuPIF python library.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1983

To achieve that confidence derived from long familiarity, the trainee must know the exact degree of resistance he will experience at the controls under all operating circumstances…

Abstract

To achieve that confidence derived from long familiarity, the trainee must know the exact degree of resistance he will experience at the controls under all operating circumstances …

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 55 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

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