Conceptual Design Research Articles

Conceptual Designing of Control System for an Unmanned Martian Airship for Exploration

This research focuses on the flight dynamics of a Martian airship designed for planetary exploration, with special attention to the unique atmospheric challenges presented by the Red Planet. The study delves into the intricacies of flight stability, buoyancy control, aerodynamic drag, and propulsion. By employing MATLAB Simulink simulations, we model the airship's ascent, hovering, and descent cycles to evaluate thrust requirements and optimal fuel management. Through a detailed examination of aerodynamic forces, we present a holistic view of the airship’s flight mechanics and control systems, including an innovative Pneumatic Propulsion System.

In-Depth Development of a Versatile Rumen Bolus Sensor for Dairy Cattle.

Precision agriculture and the increasing automation efforts in animal husbandry requires continuous and complex monitoring of the animals. Rumen bolus sensors, which are cutting-edge pieces of technology and a rapidly developing research field, present an exceptional opportunity for monitoring the health status, physiological parameters, and estrus of the animals. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the development process of a new sensor development. We address the issues of conceptual design, an overview of applicable sensor modalities, mechanical design, power supply design, applicable hardware solutions, applicable communication solutions and finally the sensor detection algorithms proved in field tests. In conclusion, we present a summary of the current opportunities in the field and provide an analysis of the foreseeable trends.

Conceptual design of a novel sustainable hybrid renewable energy system based on biogas/molten carbonate fuel cell/water desalination for a building energy supply

To ensure an independent and sustainable energy supply, including electricity, drinking water, hot water, heating, and cooling for a 4-floor building in Bandar Dayyer, located in the south of Iran, a novel hybrid renewable energy system consisting of biogas/molten carbonate fuel cell/water desalination was proposed. With a hydraulic retention time of 15 days and a temperature of 55 °C in the digester section, the daily methane production reached 16,000 L. A power output of 98 kW was achieved with the fuel cell operation at a temperature of 650 °C. Additionally, 1137.4 kg of fresh water was produced daily to meet the consumption needs and the reformer's water requirements. The amounts of CO2 produced in the combustion chamber and the fuel cell were 43.93 and 23.3 kg/h, respectively. The gas composition analysis indicated a CO2 output of 4 %. The hybrid system's overall energy and exergy efficiency were 54 % and 52.58 %, respectively. This system demonstrates outstanding performance as a sustainable renewable energy system, providing reduced waste production and electricity, drinking water, hot water, heating, and cooling while exhibiting favorable environmental impacts with limited greenhouse gas emissions.

A New Two-Phase Design Process for a Compliant Mechanism Gripper

The structural design of the components with high accuracy and controllable motion is the focus of precision industries. As a result, researchers found that components created via compliant mechanisms were much preferable. Monolithic structures known as compliant mechanisms allow motion to be achieved without the need of traditional joints. The compliant mechanisms make it easier to build microscale devices because they do not have hard junctions. In this study, a novel two-phase design methodology for compliant mechanism forceps is proposed. In order to eliminate high-stress areas, forceps are often constructed as a distributed compliant mechanism. To offer a distributed planar design, topological optimization is introduced with new approach. Design domain introduced with pattern of holes restricts the single point contact formation and large area formation which yield distributed compliant mechanism. The parametrization technique is implemented to convert the conceptual design to working design. The design of compliant forceps is assessed using finite element analysis (FEA) based on structural considerations. Finally, a handle-equipped microgripper prototype has been developed. Experimental verification demonstrates the gripper's performance and variation is less than 3% with numerical results. Integerated force sensor measure the gripping force and compared the reaction force estimated through FEA.

Exploring Vessels from the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Design of Deep-Sea Mining Vessels

_ In this paper, vessels from the offshore oil and gas industry are explored in the conceptual design of value-robust deep-sea mining vessel solutions. The responsive systems comparison method is applied in a case addressing two hypothetical stakeholders: a mining company and a vessel operator. Their value propositions are outlined and pave the ground for important attributes that consolidate into conceptual vessel design solutions. The cost–benefit trade-offs for various design solutions and technology choices are discussed for different future scenarios. The results indicate that complexity drives high CAPEX generation, yielding so-called gold-plated designs. Lower cost mitigation measures should be taken to ensure future missions of a deep-sea mining vessel. The consequences of design choices on commercial considerations are discussed, such as the vessels’ second-hand value in the market and alternative uses. Keywords deep-sea mining; offshore vessels; ship design; technology transfer; cost–benefit; scenario-testing

Laboratory Experiments on Passive Thermal Control of Space Habitats Using Phase-Change Materials

Here, we investigate the performance of phase-change materials (PCMs) in the passive thermal control of space habitats. PCMs are able to absorb and release large amounts energy in the form of latent heat during their (typically, solid-to-liquid) phase transition, which makes them an ideal choice for passive temperature control. In this study, a conceptual design of an igloo-shaped habitat is proposed. A scaled model for laboratory experiments is manufactured via 3D printing, using tap water as the PCM. The setup is used to conduct experiments and analyze PCM performance, based on temperature measurements inside and outside the habitat. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of PCMs in increasing thermal inertia and stabilizing the habitat interior temperature around the melting temperature, confirming that PCMs can be a suitable alternative for passive thermal control. The present study holds significant interest for the future of space exploration, with the emerging need to design habitats that are capable of accommodating astronauts.

A conceptual design and structural analysis of thick panel kirigami for deployable volumetric modular structure

This study addresses key challenges in modular construction, such as transportation and lifting limitations, by introducing a kirigami-inspired modular structure that folds into a compact flat-pack and deploys into a volumetric form. The research explores two pop-up kirigami kinematic (i.e.V-fold and sliding) mechanisms utilising thick panel material for modular structural elements. The study develops spatial linkage with degree-four vertices by implementing a thick panel axis-shift method, enabling transformation into volumetric forms through a single-degree-of-freedom actuation. The structural performance of the kirigami deployment pattern under service loads was evaluated using finite element modelling. Fibre-reinforced polymer was selected as the primary material due to its low self-weight and adequate structural properties, making it a viable alternative to conventional steel for deployable structures. Results demonstrated compliance with design standards for displacements, stresses, and global drift. Additionally, the inclusion of a locking mechanism significantly enhances the structural stability of the module by restraining any potential movement in its fully deployed state.

Parametric analysis of a fully coupled USV-type wave energy converter: An approach based on wave-to-grid modelling

The integration of the wave energy converter and the unmanned surface vehicle (USV), which has the power generation capability and the mobile capability, is attracting increasing attention in concept design, control, and parametric study, as the integrated system can play a crucial role in the maritime sectors of commerce, science, and military. Enhancing the power generation of a USV-integrated wave energy converter contributes to prolonged USV operations or grid supply, but the power generation performance of this new-type device is significantly influenced by its various coupled subsystems, which requires a systematic methodology for distinguishing key design parameters. To address that problem, a comprehensive wave-to-grid model that reflects all subsystem coupling, energy losses, and constraints is developed to comprehensively describe system dynamics, and then a Taguchi method is employed to investigate the influence of selected design parameters on electric power generation. Results reveal that the piston area of the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator pressure are the two most influential parameters affecting the time-averaged electric power of the proposed USV-type wave energy converter. The proposed methodology provides guidelines for technicians on how to design wave energy converters optimally.

POSITRON SOURCES OF THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL ACCELERATOR COMPLEX OF NSC KIPT

The possibility of producing positron beams using an electron recycler, the conceptual design of which is being developed at KIPT, is considered. The positron flux after the tantalum converter was estimated. The efficiency of the process of injection and acceleration of positrons to 181 and 356 MeV for high-energy physics experiments was calculated. The characteristics of the beam for use in structural studies of solid state physics are considered.

Conceptual Design of a Telemedicine System for Diseases such as Diabetes Type 1, 2 for Higher Efficiency in Disease Management & Treatment Patterns

The components of telemedicine are either electronic, mechanical or a combination of both. These have to be manufactured taking into consideration their specific requirements and the functions which they have to perform. The telemedicine system offers improved disease management and enhanced quality of care. The system should be kept debugged and virus-free. The patient’s logbook is used to register details about the patient. These details include the test results, treatments being currently undertaken, and exercises. It would also contain a record of the treatment method carried out previously and the corresponding results. This information will then facilitate the patient to mark his progress and the caregiver to suggest better medication. Ultimately, timely & effective communication within the period is achievable.

A BIM-integrated Thailand building energy code framework for building envelope thermal requirements in a conceptual design stage

This work presents the development of a building energy code (BEC) of Thailand compliance framework during conceptual design stages (CDS) using building information modeling (BIM) through visual programming language (VPL). The proposed method included five steps: (i) establish a commercial building reference; (ii) develop a BIM base model; (iii) create a BIM overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) and roof thermal transfer value (RTTV) calculation model with VPL scripts; (iv) test the BIM framework with various scenarios; and (v) verify the results with Thailand BEC software. The findings revealed an insignificant difference between the results from the BIM calculation model and those estimated by the Thailand BEC software. This study demonstrated that using BIM with VPL for OTTV and RTTV calculations during the CDS may be implemented automatically, which could help designers make timely decisions to comply with Thailand’s BEC, considering building design, materials, and fenestration ratios.

Design and analysis of a HTS internally cooled cable for the Muon Collider target and capture solenoid magnets

The Muon Collider is one of the options considered as the next step in High Energy Physics. It bears many challenges, last not least in superconducting magnet technology. The target and capture solenoid is one of them, a channel of approximately 18 m length consisting of co-axial solenoid magnets with a 1.2 m free bore and peak field on axis of 20 T. One of the main concerns come from the nuclear radiation environment that may influence the stable operation of the coil, as well as its material integrity. Energetic photons cause large radiation heat load, of the order of several kW in the cold mass, and deposit a considerable dose, several tens of MGy. Neutrons cause material damage, at the level of 10-3 DPA. These values are at the present limit of superconducting coil technology. We describe here the conceptual design of the target and capture solenoid, focusing on the HTS cable design, which is largely inspired by the VIPER concept developed at MIT. We show how to address margin and protection, cooling and mechanics specific to the HTS cable selected.

Automation of conceptual design and modification of aircraft type unmanned aerial vehicles using multidisciplinary optimization and evolutionary algorithms. Part 1: Methods and models

This paper proposes a method for selecting rational parameters for large-size aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles at the initial design stages using an optimization algorithm of differential evolution and numerical mathematical modeling of aerodynamic problems. The method assumes implementation of weight and aerodynamic balance in the main flight modes, it can consider aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles with one or two lifting surfaces, applies parallel calculations, and automatically generates a three-dimensional geometric model of the aircraft appearance based on the optimization results. A method for accelerating by more than three times the process of solving the problem of optimizing aircraft takeoff weight parameters by introducing the target function into the set of design variables is proposed and demonstrated. The results of assessing the reliability of the mathematical models used for aerodynamics and the correct calculation of the target function are presented, taking into account various constraints. A comprehensive check of the operability and effectiveness of the method were considered by solving demonstration problems by optimizing more than ten main design parameters of the appearance of two existing heavy-class unmanned aerial vehicles with known characteristics from open sources. Examples of using the optimization results to modify prototypes are provided.

Deformation Evolution and Perceptual Prediction for Additive Manufacturing of Lightweight Composite Driven by Hybrid Digital Twins

This paper proposes a deformation evolution and perceptual prediction methodology for additive manufacturing of lightweight composite driven by hybrid digital twins (HDT). In order to improve manufacturing quality of irregular lightweight composite through boosting conceptual design in aeronautic and aerospace engineering, the HDT meaning hybridization of physical and digital domains, including deformation and energy efficiency can be built, where the essential parameters can be perceptually predicted in advance, by virtue of the fusion of physical sensors and digital information. The long short term memory (LSTM) can be employed to void vanishing gradient problem and improve predicting precision via Recurrent Neural Networks, thereby laying a foundation for the HDT. The diverse manufacturing requirements of different regions are integrated into the parameters designing phase by attaching region weights confirmed via empiricism and in-service simulation. The effects of slicing strategy and external support structures on manufacturing quality are considered from the perspective of improving dimensional accuracy. The manufacturing efficiency and comprehensive costs are accounted as consideration factors, which are perceptually predicted via LSTM. The designed manufacturing parameters through HDT were virtually examined by evaluating the deformation and equivalent stress distributions of fabricated lightweight component with composite material through AM process simulation. The physical experiments were conducted to verify the HDT-based pre-designing and optimization method of manufacturing parameters via fused deposition modeling (FDM). The energy consumption of actual manufacturing process was measured via digital power meter and applied to evaluate accuracy of perceptual prediction outcomes. The dimensional accuracy and distortion distribution of the manufactured lightweight prototype made with composite material were measured through the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and 3D optical scanner. The proposed method demonstrates effectiveness in improving manufacturing quality and accurately predicting energy consumption, which have been verified with a three-way solenoid valve element, in which the maximum deformation was reduced by 39.78% and the mean absolute percentage error for perceptual prediction was 3.76%.

Conceptual Design and Economic Optimization of Different Valorization Routes for Orange Peel Waste: The Application of the Biorefinery Concept for an Integral Use of Raw Material

Biorefineries are novel biotechnological routes designed to generate sustainable processes from renewable raw materials. The valorization of orange peel waste (OPW) provides high-value products based on their composition. The economic optimization of biorefineries through conceptual design and generation of superstructures based on the analysis of processing units is a topic of great interest. This work aimed to obtain the most profitable biorefinery through economic optimization strategies based on high-value-added products from OPW. Two stages were considered: The first stage consisted of the conceptual design of multiple OPW processing units (production of essential oil, mucic acid, phenolic compounds, biogas, among others). An OPW flow rate of 140 kg/h was selected as the base case. From the stand-alone units, a biorefinery superstructure (second stage) was designed. Finally, the units with the best mass and energy results were selected in order to maximize the net present value (NPV) and obtain an optimal biorefinery configuration. The results evidenced that the production of essential oil and biogas presented the best yields (2.61 mL and 0.028 m3 per kg OPW, respectively). This biorefinery configuration obtained an NPV of −7.7 mUSD from the base case. Through the evaluation of the different superstructure configurations, the combined production of essential oil, biogas, and mucic acid and a scale-up of over 22 times the base case generated the minimum processing scale. Under a Colombian context, the implementation of the biorefineries analyzed are promising since the minimum processing scale contemplated only 8.8% of the OPW production. Efforts to increase yields and decrease capital and operating expenses while keeping environmental impacts low should be pursued.

A Human-Centered Shelter Design for People on the Move in the Al-Sahel Region

This article addresses the development of a human-centered shelter design tailored to meet the specific needs of refugees in the Al-Sahel Region. It focuses on five essential aspects of humanitarian-centered design. The goal is to create a livable unit that accommodates the three distinct phases of an emergency, transitional, and durable situation. We have adopted a non-linear design approach to develop the refugee shelter unit. We engage in discussions with team experts following each data collection phase. The conceptual design of the shelter unit is intended to align with the refugee settlement’s natural growth while maintaining a degree of control over its evolution. We have outlined a spatial configuration for a residential unit designed for three to six individuals and various patio options. Additionally, we have devised plans for an education and healthcare facility, all designed with the same structure to bring a more organized approach to the organic growth of the camp. The design proposal adopts a process-oriented approach, incorporating refugees indirectly in the design and construction of their shelters. While we do not assert that the framework of a ‘refugee camp’ can be sustainable, our goal is to show that its planning, in the absence of alternatives, should adhere to sustainability criteria.

Balanced-risk analysis in the engineering design of complex systems with extreme conditions

The engineering design of components and systems in a fusion power plant, an example of a complex system with extreme conditions, requires careful consideration and balance of the numerous associated risks. Key risks are observed from several perspectives and categorised as failure modes, situational and quality risks. Several methods exist for the separate consideration of these risks at the various design phases. However, an optimum approach is to consider all risks and balance the effects during the early design phase. The paper introduces a novel methodology to consider all associated risks at the conceptual design phase by combining a generalised Π-theorem and dimensional analysis for qualitative physics reasoning. The method is applied to a Balance of Plant components as a case study. Initial results show positive concurrent consideration and analysis of all risks in the conceptual stage.

Spatial Big Data and Analysis Strategies Supporting Geographic Information System for Transportation (GIS-T) in Conceptual Design, Modelling, and Decision-making: A Review

Abstract. Transportation is a key component in urban design for cities’ efficiency and residents’ life quality, and GIS has the capability of handling data management, model design, and scientific decision-making for transportation studies. This article reviews how spatial big data and analysis strategies help GIS-T studies from the phases of conceptual design, modelling, and decision-making. In this research, we firstly summarized categorizes of data objects and relevant information for real-world issues from transportation applications in the conceptual design phase. In the modelling phase, optimization strategies for transport planning and accessibility measures through network data were also summarized. Finally, we reviewed spatial analysis methods in supporting transport decision-making, and how spatial methods take advantage of geography features of transport variables in previous studies. Our research primarily focuses on geography research with transportation topics as applications, and this work can help transport experts to have a better understanding of GIS values for transportation modelling and planning.

Thermal Analysis of HCSB Blanket Concept for a Moderate Sized Tokamak Fusion Reactor

The conceptual design of a helium-cooled solid breeder blanket for a moderate sized tokamak fusion reactor is presented to explore the feasibility of heat extraction for power conversion. A compact reactor is considered with a major radius of 3 m, fusion power of 200 MW, and modular blankets. A configuration of radially stacked breeder units with a nested C-shaped helium flow scheme that enables nearly uniform high temperatures of the helium outlet is proposed. A detailed thermal analysis of the central module of the blanket is presented. A model is developed to carry out the one-dimensional thermal transient analysis of the breeder unit, which is benchmarked with ANSYS simulation. This can be used as a tool for rapid scan of the conceptual design for a wide range of parameters. The calculations show that a minimum pulse length of 2000s or above is required to achieve a steady-state blanket temperature for efficient heat extraction.

Overall plan optimization of BWB UAV based on comprehensive evaluation

Based on the shape and performance characteristics of the wing-body fusion layout UAV, a multidisciplinary comprehensive analysis model, comprehensive evaluation model and optimization model suitable for the overall scheme of the UAV in the conceptual design stage are established, and the corresponding tools are developed. The geometric, weight, aerodynamic and stealth characteristics of the overall scheme of the wing-body fusion layout UAV are analyzed by combining numerical analysis and engineering methods. The improved TOPSIS method is used to establish a comprehensive evaluation model from the perspective of the loading capacity, economy and adaptability of the UAV. The rationality of the analysis model is verified by taking multiple UAV schemes as examples. Using the parallel subset simulation optimization algorithm, the traditional multi-objective optimization is completed with the maximum cruise lift-to-drag ratio and the minimum forward RCS as the goal, and the scheme optimization based on comprehensive evaluation is completed with the strongest competitiveness as the goal. Based on all the schemes generated by the multi-objective optimization process, the parameter correlation analysis is completed, and the influence of the span, sweep angle and twist angle on the aerodynamic and stealth characteristics is verified. The RCS of the final multi-objective optimization scheme is reduced 41.6%, and the cruise lift-to-drag ratio is improved 3.5% ; the competitiveness score of the comprehensive evaluation optimization scheme is improved 44.0%.