Velocity Amplification Research Articles

Velocity amplification in pressure-driven flows between superhydrophobic gratings of small solid fraction.

With diminishing fraction of their solid portion, compound gas-solid superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit a large amount of slip which allows for appreciable velocity amplification in pressure-driven microchannel flows. We address this small solid-fraction limit in the context of a grating-like configuration, where superhydrophobicity is provided by a periodic array of flat-meniscus bubbles which are trapped in a Cassie state within the grooved channel walls. Asymptotic analysis for both longitudinal and transverse flows reveals a logarithmic scaling of the effective slip length in the solid fraction of the compound boundaries, thus refuting earlier claims of an algebraic singularity. The logarithmic scaling in the longitudinal problem is explained using an analogy between the unidirectional velocity and the velocity potential in two-dimensional irrotational flows. In the transverse problem it has to do with the Stokes paradox. The mechanisms identified herein explain the absence of slip-length singularity in the comparable asymmetric configuration, where only one of the channel walls is superhydrophobic.

Influence of Blasting Vibration on Young Concrete Bridge: A Case Study of Yesanhe Super Large Bridge

Influence of blasting vibration on young concrete structure is an important issue in the field of hydropower engineering, transportation, and so forth. Based on influence of blasting excavation on concrete pouring progress of box girder in nearby Yesanhe Super Large Bridge, which is located in Hubei Province of China, a method combining field test and numerical simulation is used to study influence of blasting vibration on young concrete super large bridge. The results show that blasting excavation of nearby Yesanhe Hydropower Station induced vibration response on Yesanhe Bridge and peak particle velocity (PPV) on the bridge was quite small under test conditions. Monitoring data and numerical simulation both indicate that PPV of box girder is 1 to 4 times larger than that of pier foundation; with the extension of bridge cantilever casting section, velocity amplification factors of different parts of the box girder have different changes and duration of vibration in vertical direction increases. Three days after concrete pouring, the impact of concrete ageing on PPV and damage distribution of the bridge is not obvious. When vibration velocity of pier foundation is within 2 cm/s, the maximum tensile and compressive stress of box girder concrete are less than the tensile and compressive strength of concrete, so that blasting vibration unlikely gives impact on the safety of bridge.

Central Hemodynamics and Arterial Stiffness in Systemic Sclerosis.

Although microvascular disease is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a higher prevalence of macrovascular disease and a poorer related prognosis have been reported in SSc than in the general population. The simultaneous assessment of prognostically relevant functional properties of larger and smaller arteries, and their effects on central hemodynamics, has never been performed in SSc using the state-of-the-art techniques. Thirty-four women with SSc (aged 61±15 years, disease duration 17±12 years, and blood pressure 123/70±18/11 mm Hg) and 34 healthy women individually matched by age and mean arterial pressure underwent the determination of carotid-femoral (aortic) and carotid-radial (upper limb) pulse wave velocity (a direct measure of arterial stiffness), aortic augmentation (a measure of the contribution of reflected wave to central pulse pressure), and aortobrachial pulse pressure amplification (brachial/aortic pulse pressure) through applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor). Patients and controls did not differ by carotid-femoral or carotid-radial pulse wave velocity. Aortic augmentation index corrected for a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75) was higher in women with SSc (30.9±16% versus 22.2±12%; P=0.012). Patients also had a lower aortobrachial amplification of pulse pressure (1.22±0.18 versus 1.33±0.25; P=0.041). SSc was an independent predictor of AIx@75 (direct) and pulse pressure amplification (inverse). Among patients, age, mean arterial pressure, and C-reactive protein independently predicted carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Age and mean arterial pressure were the only predictors of AIx@75. Women with SSc have increased aortic augmentation and decreased pulse pressure amplification (both measures of the contribution of reflected wave to central waveform) but no changes in aortic or upper limb arterial stiffness. Microvascular involvement occurs earlier than large artery stiffening in SSc.

Nonuniform convective Couette flow

An exact solution describing the convective flow of a vortical viscous incompressible fluid is derived. The solution of the Oberbeck–Boussinesq equation possesses a characteristic feature in describing a fluid in motion, namely, it holds true when not only viscous but also inertia forces are taken into account. Taking the inertia forces into account leads to the appearance of stagnation points in a fluid layer and counterflows, as well as the existence of layer thicknesses at which the tangent stresses vanish on the lower boundary. It is shown that the vortices in the fluid are generated due to the nonlinear effects leading to the occurrence of counterflows and flow velocity amplification, compared with those given by the boundary conditions. The solution of the spectral problem for the polynomials describing the tangent stress distribution makes it possible to explain the absence of the skin friction on the solid surface and in an arbitrary section of an infinite layer.

Hybrid electromagnetic shock absorber for energy harvesting in a vehicle suspension

Electromagnetic harvesters need to be designed with a mechanism to amplify the coil relative velocity to ensure compact size and lower weight. This paper discusses a novel technique to use fluid link for velocity amplification in an electromagnetic shock absorber. Incorporation of the fluid amplification significantly improves harvested power, without affecting the system dynamics. Numerical modelling and experimentation of a prototype shock absorber comprising of high energy rare earth magnets have been presented. Peak coil voltage of 0.60–24.2 V was recorded during experimentation on the prototype. Experimental and simulation results validate that incorporation of the fluid amplification link improves the harvested electric power by 9702%. Comprehensive design procedure for better harvesting efficiency and vibration isolation has been discussed. Lastly incorporation of the shock absorber in McPherson strut suspension is illustrated. The real size version will be able to harvest peak power of 18–227 W for the suspension velocities of 0.15–0.4 m/s.

Experimental characterisation of dual-mass vibration energy harvesters employing velocity amplification

Vibration energy harvesting extracts energy from the environment and can mitigate reliance on battery technology in wireless sensor networks. This article presents the nonlinear responses of two multi-mass vibration energy harvesters that employ a velocity amplification effect. This amplification is achieved by momentum transfer from larger to smaller masses following impact between masses. Two systems are presented that show the evolution of multi-mass vibration energy harvester designs: (1) a simplified prototype that effectively demonstrates the basic principles of the approach and (2) an enhanced design that achieves higher power densities and a wider frequency response. Various configurations are investigated to better understand the nonlinear dynamics and how best to realise future velocity-amplified vibration energy harvesters. The frequency responses of the multi-mass harvesters show that these devices have the potential to reduce risks associated with deploying vibration energy harvester devices in wireless sensor network applications; the wide frequency response reduces the need to re-tune the harvesters following frequency variations of the source vibrations.

The influence of mass configurations on velocity amplified vibrational energy harvesters

Vibrational energy harvesters scavenge ambient vibrational energy, offering an alternative to batteries for the autonomous operation of low power electronics. Velocity amplified electromagnetic generators (VAEGs) utilize the velocity amplification effect to increase power output and operational bandwidth, compared to linear resonators. A detailed experimental analysis of the influence of mass ratio and number of degrees-of-freedom (dofs) on the dynamic behaviour and power output of a macro-scale VAEG is presented. Various mass configurations are tested under drop-test and sinusoidal forced excitation, and the system performances are compared. For the drop-test, increasing mass ratio and number of dofs increases velocity amplification. Under forced excitation, the impacts between the masses are more complex, inducing greater energy losses. This results in the 2-dof systems achieving the highest velocities and, hence, highest output voltages. With fixed transducer size, higher mass ratios achieve higher voltage output due to the superior velocity amplification. Changing the magnet size to a fixed percentage of the final mass showed the increase in velocity of the systems with higher mass ratios is not significant enough to overcome the reduction in transducer size. Consequently, the 3:1 mass ratio systems achieved the highest output voltage. These findings are significant for the design of future reduced-scale VAEGs.

Shape Design of the Duct for Tidal Converters Using Both Numerical and Experimental Approaches (pre-2015)

Recently, focus has been placed on ocean energy resources because environmental concerns regarding the exploitation of hydrocarbons are increasing. Among the various ocean energy sources, tidal current power (TCP) is recognized as the most promising energy source in terms of predictability and reliability. The enormous energy potential in TCP fields has been exploited by installing TCP systems. The flow velocity is the most important factor for power estimation of a tidal current power system. The kinetic energy of the flow is proportional to the cube of the flow’s velocity, and velocity is a critical variable in the performance of the system. Since the duct can accelerate the flow velocity, its use could expand the applicable areas of tidal devices to relatively low velocity sites. The inclined angle of the duct and the shapes of inlet and outlet affect the acceleration rates of the flow inside the duct. In addition, the volume of the duct can affect the flow velocity amplification performance. To investigate the effects of parameters that increase the flow velocity, a series of simulations are performed using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code ANSYS-CFX. Experimental investigations were conducted using a circulation water channel (CWC).

A high figure of merit vibrational energy harvester for low frequency applications

Small-scale vibration energy harvesters that respond efficiently at low frequencies are challenging to realize. This paper describes the design and implementation of one such harvester, which achieves a high volumetric Figure of Merit (FoMv = 2.6% at 11.50 Hz) at the scale of a C-type battery and outperforms other state-of-the-art devices in the sub 20 Hz frequency range. The device employs a 2 Degree-of-Freedom velocity-amplified approach and electromagnetic transduction. The harvester comprises two masses oscillating one inside the other, between four sets of magnetic springs. Collisions between the two masses transfer momentum from the heavier to the lighter mass, exploiting velocity amplification. The paper first presents guidelines for designing and optimizing the transduction mechanism, before a nonlinear numerical model for the system dynamics is developed. Experimental characterisation of the harvester design is then presented to validate both the transducer optimization and the dynamics model. The resulting high FoMV demonstrates the effectiveness of the device for low frequency applications, such as human motion.

The Diurnal Profile of Central Hemodynamics in a General Uruguayan Population.

No previous population study assessed the diurnal profile of central arterial properties. In 167 participants (mean age, 56.1 years; 63.5% women), randomly recruited in Montevideo, Uruguay, we used the oscillometric Mobil-O-Graph 24-h PWA monitor to measure peripheral and central systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) pressures and central hemodynamics standardized to a heart rate of 75 bpm, including aortic pulse wave velocity, systolic augmentation (first/second peak × 100), and pressure amplification (peripheral PP/central PP). Over 24 hours, day and night, peripheral minus central differences in SBP/DBP and in PP averaged 12.2/-1.1, 14.0/-0.7, and 9.7/0.2mm Hg and 12.6, 14.7, and 9.5mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001 except for nighttime DBP (P = 0.38)). The central-to-peripheral ratios of SBP, DBP, and PP were 0.89, 1.00, and 0.70 unadjusted, but after accounting for anthropometric characteristics decreased to 0.74, 0.97, and 0.63, respectively, with strong influence of height for SBP and DBP and of sex for PP. From day (10-20h) to nighttime (0-6h), peripheral (-10.4/-10.5 mm Hg) and central (-6.0/-11.3mm Hg) SBP/DBP, pulse wave velocity (-0.7 m/s) and pressure amplification (-0.05) decreased (P < 0.001), whereas central PP (+5.3mm Hg) and systolic augmentation (+2.3%) increased (P < 0.001). The diurnal rhythm of central pressure runs in parallel with that of peripheral pressure, but the nocturnal fall in SBP is smaller centrally than peripherally. pulse wave velocity, systolic augmentation, and pressure amplification loop through the day with high pulse wave velocity and pressure amplification but low systolic augmentation in the evening and opposite trends in the morning.

Evaporative cooling amplification of the entrainment velocity in radiatively driven stratocumulus

AbstractEvaporative cooling monotonically increases as the thermodynamical properties of the inversion allow for more evaporation in shear‐free radiatively driven stratocumulus. However, the entrainment velocity can deviate from the evaporative cooling trend and even become insensitive to variations in the inversion properties. Here the efficiency of evaporative cooling at amplifying the entrainment velocity is quantified by means of direct numerical simulations of a cloud top mixing layer. We demonstrate that variations in the efficiency modulate the effect of evaporative cooling on entrainment, explaining the different trends. These variations are associated with the evaporation of droplets in cloud holes below the inversion point. The parametrization of the efficiency provides the evaporative amplification of the entrainment velocity as a function of a single parameter that characterizes the inversion. The resulting entrainment velocities match our experiments and previous measurements to within ±25%. The parametrization also predicts the transition to a broken‐cloud field consistently with observations.

Design and analysis of energy-harvesting shock absorber with electromagnetic and fluid damping

The design and numerical simulation of a linear generator for use in an automobile shock absorber are presented in this paper. The conceived linear generator employs high-performance rare earth permanent magnets with compact size to ensure efficient energy recovery. Finite element analysis and Matlab simulation are utilized to derive the generator configurations for the satisfactory utilization of magnets and optimized functioning. Experimentation was performed on a linear generator prototype and electromagnetic shock absorber to validate the numerical analysis. The numerical model is then utilized in the design of a full-scale energy-harvesting shock absorber with fluid damping and a linear generator. A novel feature of the presented work is the use of fluid amplification to simultaneously achieve energy dissipation and velocity amplification. Fluid amplification does not affect the dynamics of the system and increases the coil velocity by approximately eight times. Smooth variation in damping force, improved fail-safe characteristics, and absence of transmission elements, such as mechanical gears, are additional advantages of the system. Matlab Simscape evaluation is employed to analyze comfort, safety, and energy-harvesting characteristics, which are then compared with that of the conventional fluid shock absorber. Simulation with actual road excitation data indicates that the presented system harvests 15 W of the average power from each wheel. Lastly, the layout for integrating the presented shock absorber in McPherson suspension is discussed.

1D numerical simulation of velocity amplification of P-waves travelling through fractured rock near a free surface

Synopsis The most widely used support design damage criterion for rockburst-prone mines is based upon kinetic energy, which is proportional to the square of the ejection velocity and is commonly expressed in terms of peak particle velocity (PPV). Field monitoring and back-analyses have shown that ejection velocities of the order of 10 m/s and higher can result from seismic events of moderate magnitude. Such velocities are much higher than those predicted using PPV obtained from scaling laws. It has also been found that the peak ground motion (i.e. PPV) on the surface of an excavation is preferentially amplified (by four- to tenfold) compared to the motion in solid rock at a similar distance from the source. However, the wave propagation and interaction processes involved within the fractured rock in generating high ground motion are very complex and are not well understood at this time. In this paper, velocity amplification was investigated by modelling the dynamic interaction between fractured rock and a free surface using a 2D discontinuum-based numerical program, UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code). A 1D model with a fractured zone was used to represent the fractured rock. Velocity amplification, quantified by PPV, predicted at the free end of the model was 2.0–3.6 times higher than the input velocity. It was found that the wave frequency, fracture stiffness, fracture spacing, and thickness of fractured zone are the main factors that affect the velocity amplification. The results have proved that the interaction of the seismic wave and multiple fractures near the free surface strongly influences the ground motion.

Arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection are increased in patients suffering from severe periodontitis.

AimThis single blind cross-sectional study compared the vascular health of subjects suffering from severe chronic periodontitis, severe aggressive periodontitis and periodontal healthy controls by evaluating pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) and pulse pressure amplification (PPA).Material and MethodsIn a total of 158 subjects, 92 suffering from severe periodontitis and 66 matched periodontal healthy controls, PWV, AIx, central and peripheral blood pressure were recorded using an oscillometric device (Arteriograph).ResultsSubjects suffering from severe chronic or aggressive periodontitis exhibited significantly higher PWV (p = 0.00004), higher AIx (p = 0.0049) and lower PPA (p = 0.028) than matched periodontal healthy controls.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirm the association between periodontal inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk shown by impaired vascular health in case of severe periodontitis. As impaired vascular health is a common finding in patients suffering from severe periodontal disease a concomitant routine cardiovascular evaluation may be advised.

An Experiment and CFD Simulation for the Application of a Wind Power System Combined with Exhaust in Super High-Rise Apartment Buildings

The aim of this study was to test the application of a wind power system combined with exhaust to a high-rise apartment building. The research results can be summarized as follows ; 1) The proposed location of the wind power system was a roof-top exhaust pipe from a dining room and bathroom of a super high-rise apartment. The size of the module for concentrating wind was 500mm in diameter and 320mm in height (the upper diameter was 400mm with Venturi effect inducement). The blade was a combination of a Savonius type and a Darrieus type, and was able to rotate. 2) Simulation results show that when the outdoor wind velocity was 3m/s, the wind velocity discharged from the exhaust pipe of the system, combined with the exhaust appeared to increase compared to the wind velocity discharged from the general exhaust pipe (0.46 m/s). In particular, when the outdoor wind velocity increased (5 m/s), the wind velocity discharged from exhaust pipe increased more (0.77 m/s), and so the proposed system was found to have a wind velocity amplification effect. 3) As for the results of measuring the generation quantity for 13 days by installing the proposed system on an apartment building rooftop 35 m tall, the Case 3 system (outside air + exhaust wind + wind concentrating device) proposed in the study appeared to have a higher generation quantity than other systems. Specifically, even when there was a low outside wind velocity value, the electrical energy appeared to be high, confirming the exhaust wind concentration effect. Therefore, the wind power system proposed in this study was found to be effective in terms of increasing driving wind velocity, thus resolving the disadvantage of compact wind power generation systems. This study confirms the viability of applying small wind power generation systems to high-rise apartment buildings, which will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Acoustic particle velocity amplification and flow noise reduction with acoustic velocity horns

Small wavelength size acoustic velocity horns (AVH) were recently introduced [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 131(5), 3883–3890 (2012)] as particle velocity amplifiers having flat amplitude and phase frequency responses below their first resonance. AVH predicted amplification characteristics have been experimentally verified demonstrating interesting opportunities for vector sensors (VS) sensitivity enhancement. Present work provides enhanced analysis of amplification and characteristics of complex shape horns. Additionally, we address another AVH feature: turbulence flow noise reduction due to turbulence field spatial averaging across horn’s mouth area. Numerical analysis demonstrated up to 25 dB convective turbulent pressure and velocity reduction at the horn throat.

Design and optimisation of a footfall energy harvesting system

The scavenging of electrical energy from normal human activity has a number of attractions, and footfall energy is seen as one of the most attractive sources. However, footfall motion is characterised by relatively large forces and low velocities, and this makes it inherently poorly matched to electromagnetic generators which operate most efficiently at high speeds. In order to achieve an efficient velocity amplification, a novel mechanism has been developed which makes use of a spring and flywheel as energy storage elements and a ‘striker’ mechanism which controls energy storage and release. This energy harvesting mechanism is capable of being used either in footwear or under a floor. In this article, the structure of the proposed mechanism is described; the optimisation of the system parameters, based on a dynamic model, is discussed; and experimental results for an under-floor system are presented.

Numerical Comparison of Damping Amplification Effects Obtained in Neighbourhood of a Mechanism's Singular Position - Viscous and Electromagnetic Cases

In the paper, effects of numerical investigations are presented. Vibrations of mechanical and electromechanical systems are considered and compared. In the system, a continuous beam is considered as the main vibrating element. Two energy dissipations methods are compared: viscous dampers and DC generators. To increase the damping effectiveness, velocity amplification is proposed, i.e., a mechanism is introduced between the beam and the damping element, and the mechanism configuration is set as closed to the singular position of it. According to some observed fundamental differences in the guiding physical properties of some blocks present in the considered system, two structurally different sub-models are introduced in the numerical model of the complete system. The first sub-model corresponds to the amplification mechanism (considered as composed of rigid elements). The mechanism is modelled as a multibody system. The second sub-model corresponds to the continuous beam. The beam is modelled with used of the finite elements technique. To joint the sub-models, constraint equations are proposed. They express a revolute joint that is present between the mechanisms second rod and the beam enforced to vibrate.

Geometrical focusing as a mechanism for significant amplification of ground motion in sedimentary basins: analytical and numerical study

We study the geometrical and material conditions which lead to focusing of seismic waves traveling across a concave velocity interface representing the boundary of a sedimentary basin within a denser rock. We approximate, using geometrical analysis for plane-waves, the combination of interface eccentricities and velocity ratios for which the seismic rays converge to a near surface region of the basin. 2-D finite difference modeling is used to compute Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) and spectral amplification across the basin. We show that effective geometrical focusing occurs for a narrow set of eccentricities and velocity ratios, where seismic energy is converged to a region of \(\pm \)0.5 km from surface. This mechanism leads to significant amplification of PGV at the center of the basin, up to a factor of 3; frequencies of the modeled spectrum are amplified up to the corner frequency of the source. Finally, we suggest a practical method for evaluating the potential for effective geometrical focusing in sedimentary basins.

Non-invasive 24 hour ambulatory monitoring of aortic wave reflection and arterial stiffness by a novel oscillometric device: The first feasibility and reproducibility study

BackgroundSurrogates of aortic wave reflection and arterial stiffness, such as augmentation index (AIx), augmentation pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse pressure amplification (PPampl) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. A novel ambulatory, brachial cuff-based oscillometric device has been recently developed and validated, yielding 24-h assessment of the aforementioned parameters (Mobilo-O-Graph). Aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reproducibility of wave reflection and arterial stiffness estimation by pulse wave analysis using this device. MethodsThirty treated or untreated hypertensives (mean age: 53.6±11.6years, 17 men) had test–retest 24-h monitoring one week apart using the test device. ResultsMean numbers of valid aortic readings per subject, between test and retest, were comparable. Approximately 12 aortic readings per subject (17%) were not feasible or valid. No differences were observed for any 24-h parameter between the two assessments. Bland–Altman plots showed no systemic difference, while the limits of agreement for each parameter indicated high reproducibility (AIx: −7.2 to 8.2%, AP: −3.7 to 4.1mm Hg, PWV: −0.39 to 0.41m/s, PPampl: −0.08 to 0.06). This was further verified by intraclass correlation coefficients which were >0.8 for each parameter. ConclusionsNon-invasive 24-h estimation of wave reflection and arterial stiffness indices, derived by the test device, appear to be highly reproducible. Future studies should investigate whether these measurements have additive prognostic value for cardiovascular risk stratification, beyond common brachial blood pressure measurements or single estimations of wave reflection and PWV at office settings.