Multi-rate sensor fusion-based adaptive discrete finite-time synergetic control for flexible-joint mechanical systems

This paper proposes an adaptive discrete finite-time synergetic control （ADFTSC） scheme based on a multi-rate sensor fusion estimator for flexible-joint mechanical systems in the presence of unmeasured states and dynamic uncertainties. Multi-rate sensors are employed to observe the system states which cannot be directly obtained by encoders due to the existence of joint flexibilities. By using an extended Kalman filter （EKF）, the finite-time synergetic controller is designed based on a sensor fusion estimator which estimates states and parameters of the mechanical system with multi-rate measurements. The proposed controller can guarantee the finite-time convergence of tracking errors by the theoretical derivation. Simulation and experimental studies are included to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

A novel Cartesian cut cell solver for incompressible viscous flow in irregular domains

A Cartesian cut cell solver with solution‐based adaptive mesh refinement is developed for simulating viscous, incompressible flows with arbitrary complex geometries. The cut cells are automatically generated using Volume CAD (VCAD), a framework for storing geometric and material attribute data. Unlike earlier cut cell methods, this solver organizes the cutting patterns into only six categories and further subdivides the resulting pentagon into two quadrilaterals, such that mesh data can be stored by uniform data structure and the post‐processing of flow data can be handled conveniently. A novel method is proposed to treat minuscule cut cells without the process of cell merging. A collocated finite volume method, which can be used even when multiple cell shapes and orthogonal and non‐orthogonal grids exist in the decomposition, is employed to discretize the Navier–Stokes equations. A modified SIMPLE‐based smoothing pressure correction scheme is applied in this cut cell method to suppress checkerboard pressure oscillations caused by collocated arrangement. The solver is first used to simulate a channel flow to demonstrate its calculation accuracy expressed with L₁ and L_∞ norm errors and then the method is utilized to solve three benchmark problems of flow and heat transfer within irregular domains to verify its feasibility, efficiency, accuracy and potential in engineering applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some improvements on free surface simulation by the particle finite element method

The Lagrangian method has become increasingly popular in numerical simulation of free surface problems. In this paper, after a brief review of a recent Lagrangian method, namely the particle finite element method, some issues are discussed and some improvements are made. The least‐square finite element method is adopted to simplify the solving of the Navier–Stokes equations. An adaptive time method is derived to obtain suitable time steps. A mass correction procedure is imported to improve the mass conservation in long time calculations and time discretization scheme is adopted to decrease the pressure oscillations during the calculations. Finally, the method is used to simulate a series of examples and the results are compared with the commercial FLOW3D code. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of the VORTFIND algorithm for the identification of vortical flow features around complex three‐dimensional geometries

Accurate prediction of the hydrodynamic forces and moments acting on a manoeuvring marine vehicle using Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes simulations requires sufficient mesh resolution to capture off‐body vortical structures. Because the path of these structures is not known a priori, a vortex identification and capture strategy is required alongside an iterative mesh adaption process. An improved version of the VORTFIND algorithm, which can identify multiple vortices of variable strength and rotational direction using a K‐means algorithm is described. The algorithm is applied to velocity fields generated from Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes simulations to increase the mesh resolution in the vortex core region, ensuring sufficient mesh density to capture the downstream propagation of the vortex for a submarine hull at drift and ship propeller–rudder interaction.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An adaptive multi-grid chemistry (AMC) model for efficient simulation of HCCI and DI engine combustion

There is a need to reduce the computational expense of practical multidimensional combustion simulations. Simulation of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine processes requires consideration of detailed chemistry in order to capture the ignition and combustion characteristics. Even with relatively coarse numerical meshes and reduced chemistry mechanisms, calculation times are still unacceptably long. For the simulation of Direct Injection (DI) engines, fine meshes are needed to achieve the resolution required by the spray and mixing models, and they are computationally expensive even with reduced chemistry. In addition, the increasing application of CFD for engine design optimization is pushing the demand to reduce computational time. In current design optimizations, depending on the size of the parametric space, hundreds of individual simulations are needed.

This work presents an efficient Adaptive Multi-grid Chemistry (AMC) model that can be used in engine CFD codes for simulations of HCCI and DI engines with detailed chemistry. It was found that the number of cells computed with the chemistry solver can be reduced by two orders of magnitude for HCCI engines. The results predicted by the present KIVA AMC code are also consistent with those calculated by the original code using every cell.

In the method, progressively coarser grids are used for cells with similar gas properties in the chemistry calculation (up to four neighbour levels) or in the global method, cells are grouped without regard for their locations in the cylinder. Averaged and gradient-preserving remapping techniques used in multi-zone engine simulations were also explored. A parametric study was conducted for determining the model variables, such as the degree of local homogeneity for the multi-grid solvers.

The simulation results were compared with experimental data obtained from a Honda engine operated with n-heptane under HCCI conditions for which directly measured in-cylinder temperature and H₂O mole fraction data are available. In addition, simulation results were found to agree well with experimental data from a DI diesel engine operated under PCCI conditions with ultra-high EGR rates. It was found that computer time was reduced by a factor of ten for HCCI cases and two to three for DI cases without losing prediction accuracy.     

An adaptive gradient smoothing method (GSM) for fluid dynamics problems

In this paper, a novel adaptive gradient smoothing method (GSM) based on irregular cells and strong form of governing equations for fluid dynamics problems with arbitrary geometrical boundaries is presented. The spatial derivatives at a location of interest are consistently approximated by integrally averaging of gradients over a smoothing domain constructed around the location. Such a favorable GSM scheme corresponds to a compact stencil with positive coefficients of influence on regular cells. The error equidistribution strategy is adopted in the solution‐based adaptive GSM procedure, and adaptive grids are attained with the remeshing techniques and the advancing front method. In this paper, the adaptive GSM has been tested for solutions to both Poisson and Euler equations. The sensitivity of the GSM to the irregularity of the grid is examined in the solutions to the Poisson equation. We also investigate the effects of error indicators based on the first derivatives and second derivatives of density, respectively, to the solutions to the shock flow over the NACA0012 airfoil. The adaptive GSM effectively yields much more accurate results than the non‐adaptive GSM solver. The whole adaptive process is very stable and no spurious behaviors are observed in all testing cases. The cosmetic techniques for improving grid quality can effectively boost the accuracy of GSM solutions. It is also found that the adaptive GSM procedure using the second derivatives of density to estimate the error indicators can automatically and accurately resolve all key features occurring in the flow with discontinuities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling language evolution: Examples and predictions

We survey recent computer modelling research of language evolution, focusing on a rule-based model simulating the lexicon–syntax coevolution and an equation-based model quantifying the language competition dynamics. We discuss four predictions of these models: (a) correlation between domain-general abilities (e.g. sequential learning) and language-specific mechanisms (e.g. word order processing); (b) coevolution of language and relevant competences (e.g. joint attention); (c) effects of cultural transmission and social structure on linguistic understandability; and (d) commonalities between linguistic, biological, and physical phenomena. All these contribute significantly to our understanding of the evolutions of language structures, individual learning mechanisms, and relevant biological and socio-cultural factors. We conclude the survey by highlighting three future directions of modelling studies of language evolution: (a) adopting experimental approaches for model evaluation; (b) consolidating empirical foundations of models; and (c) multi-disciplinary collaboration among modelling, linguistics, and other relevant disciplines.     

An optimization technique based on a vector autoregression model with state space representation: application to Ukrainian cargo transport data

This paper proposes to forecast indicators of the Ukrainian cargo transport system, taking into account their relations with macroeconomic indicators. Increased forecast accuracy at a priori information uncertainty is attained through an optimization technique, starting with a Vector Autoregression (VAR) model of observed multiple time series, its state space representation and subsequent adaptive filtering. The adaptive filter, earlier proposed by the authors, minimizes forecasting errors. Under an optimization criterion, the information divergence of Kullback–Leibler between probability distributions of real values and their estimations is established. The main advantage of the proposed technique is connected with the opportunity to estimate future values of multiple time series even in presence of structural breaks (describing the changes of the status ‘before crisis’ / ‘after crisis’). The observations are available from 2003:1–2011:12, the analysis is performed for the period 2003:1–2011:9. In-sample forecasting of multiple time series of cargo volumes transferred by different transport modes and two macro indicators is compared with the forecast based on a VAR model. In-sample forecast is realized for the last three months 2011:10–2011:12.     

Matching pursuits among shifted cauchy kernels in higher-dimensional spaces

Appealing to the Clifford analysis and matching pursuits, we study the adaptive decompositions of functions of several variables of finite energy under the dictionaries consisting of shifted Cauchy kernels. This is a realization of matching pursuits among shifted Cauchy kernels in higher-dimensional spaces. It offers a method to process signals in arbitrary dimensions.     

基于神经网络的一类非线性时滞系统自适应控制器设计

针对一类带有扰动和未知时滞的非线性系统,通过反步方法设计一种鲁棒自适应控制器.提出了一种新的Lyapunov-Krasovskii泛函,补偿了未知时滞项的不确定性.引入一种合适的偶函数,避免了控制器的奇异性问题.通过Lyapunov直接方法,证明了所设计的控制器能保证闭环系统所有信号全局一致最终有界.