Propulsion

About: Propulsion is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 24977 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200311 citations.

Fault tolerance in multiphase propulsion motors

Abstract: This paper reviews the current state of marine electric propulsion motors, considers the benefits to be achieved by using a high phase number for excitation and considers the specific increased fault tolerance available through the use of a multiphase configuration. The multiphase work uses a generalised machine model of arbitrary phase number.

Artificial Equilibrium Points for a Generalized Sail in the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem

Abstract: This paper introduces a new approach to the study of artificial equilibrium points in the circular restricted three-body problem for propulsion systems with continuous and purely radial thrust. The propulsion system is described by means of a general mathematical model that encompasses the behavior of different systems like a solar sail, a magnetic sail and an electric sail. The proposed model is based on the choice of a coefficient related to the propulsion type and a performance parameter that quantifies the system technological complexity. The propulsion system is therefore referred to as generalized sail. The existence of artificial equilibrium points for a generalized sail is investigated. It is shown that three different families of equilibrium points exist, and their characteristic locus is described geometrically by varying the value of the performance parameter. The linear stability of the artificial points is also discussed.

Control for marine propulsion

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine control system for an internal combustion engine for propulsion of an associated watercraft. The engine includes an air intake in communication with a combustion chamber of the engine and an air intake adjustment means for altering the amount of air let into the combustion chamber of the engine. There is also an operation device controlling a water propulsion device of the watercraft. The device is movable between a forward, a neutral or a reverse position. A first control means for controls the air intake adjustment means based upon the position of the movable operating device. A second control means controls the air intake adjustment means independent of the first control means based upon a set of predetermined conditions.

A jellyfish-like swimming mini-robot actuated by an electromagnetic actuation system

Abstract: Among the various kinds of actuations for biomimetic robots, the electromagnetic actuation (EMA) method has been regarded as the one with the most potential. This paper proposes a jellyfish-like swimming mini-robot actuated by an EMA system in three-dimensional (3D) space. The jellyfish-like mini-robot has four flexible fins, each of which is equipped with a permanent magnet for electromagnetic actuation; the robot’s body is 17 mm long and 0.5 mm thick. Our EMA system was able to generate a uniform magnetic field in a desired direction in 3D space, which could bend the fins of the jellyfish-like mini-robot. Therefore, a cyclic change in the uniform magnetic field, in the EMA system, would synchronize the fluctuation of the fins and could generate a propulsion force for the robot, in the desired direction. In order to maximize the propulsion force of the jellyfish-like mini-robot, the waveform and frequency of the input current in the EMA system are optimized. Consequently, our jellyfish-like mini-robot was able to generate maximum propulsion force when a square waveform input current (13 A magnitude and 10 Hz frequency) was applied to the EMA system. Finally, the jellyfish-like mini-robot with the EMA system was able to perform various 3D swimming motions.