Operation Mode Transition Research Articles

Efficient Jamming Policy Generation Method Based on Multi-Timescale Ensemble Q-Learning

With the advancement of radar technology toward multifunctionality and cognitive capabilities, traditional radar countermeasures are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of countering the advanced multifunctional radar (MFR) systems. Rapid and accurate generation of the optimal jamming strategy is one of the key technologies for efficiently completing radar countermeasures. To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of jamming policy generation, an efficient jamming policy generation method based on multi-timescale ensemble Q-learning (MTEQL) is proposed in this paper. First, the task of generating jamming strategies is framed as a Markov decision process (MDP) by constructing a countermeasure scenario between the jammer and radar, while analyzing the principle radar operation mode transitions. Then, multiple structure-dependent Markov environments are created based on the real-world adversarial interactions between jammers and radars. Q-learning algorithms are executed concurrently in these environments, and their results are merged through an adaptive weighting mechanism that utilizes the Jensen–Shannon divergence (JSD). Ultimately, a low-complexity and near-optimal jamming policy is derived. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method has superior jamming policy generation performance compared with the Q-learning algorithm, in terms of the short jamming decision-making time and low average strategy error rate.

A Refinery Production Scheduling Model with Operation Mode Transition Based on Variable Driven Modelling Approach

A Refinery Production Scheduling Model with Operation Mode Transition Based on Variable Driven Modelling Approach

Scale effects on rotating detonation rocket engine operation

Rotating detonation rocket engines are propulsive devices employing detonation waves moving circumferentially around an annular channel that consume axially fed propellants. Theoretically, this provides benefits with respect to combustion pressure gain and thermodynamic efficiency when compared to deflagration-based combustors. To facilitate size scaling of these devices, the relationships between geometric parameters, performance, and wave dynamics have been investigated with gaseous methane-oxygen propellant. Empirical relations were derived between combustor geometry, fueling conditions, and engine operation, as well as correlation to thermodynamic parameters calculated with chemical kinetics codes. The radius of curvature effects were explored in annular combustors having outer diameters of 25 mm, 51 mm, and 76 mm with a fixed gap width of 5 mm. The injectors were scaled to have same oxidizer-to-fuel injector port area ratio, impingement distance, and injector-to-gap area ratio. Larger combustors had higher wave counts during operation at a given mass flux and equivalence ratio. Combustor axial pressures were found to be more dependent on propellant mass flux and equivalence ratio than geometry. Mass flux and the inner-to-outer radius ratio, the latter of which was related to other geometric ratios, dictated the operating mode transition thresholds and the number of resulting waves, respectively.

Generalized control for distributed energy inverter in community microgrid system: Off-grid and grid-connected operation

With the increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DER) in microgrids, DER power inverters have become a critical asset for providing power support to these microgrids. Meanwhile, the grid-forming (GFM) inverters, among these DER inverters, have gained significant attention in microgrid applications for their capability to enable the DERs to operate in different microgrid conditions and various operation modes. Moreover, with the implementation of these GFM inverters, smooth operation mode transition, GFM functions as well as black start functions can be obtained to improve the operation of the microgrid systems. In this article, a generalized control method for a single-phase GFM inverter is developed for community microgrid applications, facilitating smooth operation behavior in both operation modes with grid support functions and stable transition for different microgrid conditions. The control design procedure and function analysis of the proposed control method are explained in detail based on the community microgrid system. The effectiveness of the method in this paper is demonstrated on a 10 kW single-phase GFM inverter prototype with comparison to a model predictive method in recent literature.

Inverter Intensive Hybrid Power Plant Modeling with Small-Signal Stability Augmentation through Flexible Operation Mode Transition

Inverter Intensive Hybrid Power Plant Modeling with Small-Signal Stability Augmentation through Flexible Operation Mode Transition

Modeling and optimal operation of reversible solid oxide cells considering heat recovery and mode switching dynamics in microgrids

The reversible solid oxide cell (rSOC) is a promising technology for advancing energy decarbonization by enabling bidirectional conversion between electricity and hydrogen in a single device. However, previous studies have not fully explored the operational flexibility of rSOCs due to inadequate consideration of heat recovery potentials and dynamics of operating mode transitions. To address this research gap, this paper presents a model-based optimal operation method for managing multi-energy transactions in rSOC-based microgrids, aiming to minimize operation costs. The method incorporates detailed operational models of the rSOC, including a lumped thermal model to account for heat recovery capability and modeling of various operating modes and their transitions. Additionally, a linearization process is introduced to address nonlinear and implicit operational constraints, resulting in a computationally efficient mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) formulation for the operation model. Comparative case studies are conducted using modified energy portfolios of a Danish energy island. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively captures operating mode transitions within the rSOC and enhances its profitability via waste heat recovery. Notably, the rSOC model contributes to enhanced operational flexibility through heat recovery behaviors and a wider temperature range, resulting in substantial economic savings for the microgrid.

A Hybrid Quasi-Single-Stage AC-DC Converter with Low Twice-Line-Frequency Output Voltage Ripple

Power factor correction (PFC) converters have been frequently employed in various switching power supply devices to reduce input current harmonics. However, the PFC converter suffers from an obvious twice-line-frequency output voltage ripple due to the instantaneous power imbalance between constant output power and variable input power. Suppression of twice-line-frequency ripple usually can be realized by the post-stage DC-DC converter of the two-stage cascade PFC converter; however, the two-stage cascade PFC structure is challenging to realize high efficiency since the energy is transferred twice. To achieve high power factor, high efficiency, and low twice-line-frequency ripple, a hybrid quasi-single-stage (QSS) AC-DC converter is presented in this paper, which consists of a dual output hybrid Boost/Flyback PFC converter and a Buck ripple compensation circuit (RCC). The fundamental principles of the proposed converter and the critical conditions of operation mode transition are discussed in the paper. To confirm that the twice-line-frequency ripple is effectively suppressed, the small signal model of Buck RCC is built and analyzed. Moreover, the main characteristics, including operation mode transition angle, input current, power factor, and switching frequency of the proposed hybrid QSS AC-DC converter, are analyzed. By building a 120 W experimental prototype to validate the feasibility of the proposed hybrid QSS AC-DC converter, the experimental results show that the proposed converter can realize PFC function with high efficiency and extremely low twice-line-frequency output voltage ripple.

Numerical investigation on expansion–deflection nozzle flow during an ascending–descending trajectory

The flow characteristics of an annular expansion–deflection (ED) nozzle are investigated numerically during an ascending–descending trajectory over a large nozzle pressure ratio span. The shock pattern evolution, nozzle operation mode transition, nozzle flow hysteresis, and thrust variation during this trajectory are examined, and the interactions between them are discussed. A new criterion for distinguishing the open and closed wake modes of the ED nozzle is proposed based on a perturbation front in combination with sonic lines. Using this criterion, an exact boundary between the open and closed wake modes can be readily drawn. The present study shows that the interaction between the shock pattern transition and nozzle operation mode transition is indirect. During the ascent, the open-to-closed wake mode transition lays the foundation of the downstream shock pattern variation. During the descent, however, the stretching of the dominating Mach stem delays the nozzle closed-to-open wake mode transition. The different flow mechanisms during the ascent and descent result in an overall hysteresis of nozzle operation mode transition. The nozzle thrust undergoes dropping-rising developments (the thrust troughs) in the ascent and descent. These thrust troughs are also found to be the results of two very different flow mechanisms, namely, the forward–backward movement of shock separation point on nozzle shroud and the pressure rise on pintle base after closed-to-open mode transition.

Multi-wave effects on stability and performance in rotating detonation combustors

Recently, with the development of detonation-based propulsion systems, scholars have begun to study how to perform mode control on the rotating detonation combustor (RDC). It is important to figure out the influence of operation mode transition on the RDC. Actually, the essential of different modes is the different multi-wave structures. In this study, two-dimensional numerical simulations of the RDC are conducted to study the multi-wave effect on the stability and performance of the RDC. A uniform inlet condition is adopted in simulations to eliminate the impact of discrepancy mass flow rates, and a mode-locked ignition method is used to induce RDC flow fields with different detonation wave numbers. It is found that the flow field stability and outlet uniformity are improved with increasing detonation counts, and the energy proportion in the flow field is little affected by the multi-wave structure. However, the increase in detonation number will cause a reduction of the mass-averaged total pressure ratio at the exit. Underlying relationship between the unsteady flow field and the total pressure gain is discussed. The total pressure gain is directly linked with the non-uniformity of the circumferential flow field. Then, by utilizing particle trace, the envelope of the thermodynamic cycle is illustrated and the pseudo-thermal efficiency of each case is given. The result implies that the wave number has hardly effect on the thermal efficiency of the combustion chamber. By summarizing the perimeter, axial length, and wave number in the combustor, parameter ξ is carried out and its effects on the uniformity and total pressure ratio in the RDC are concluded.

Three-Mode Variable-Frequency ZVS Modulation for Four-Switch Buck+Boost Converters With Ultra-High Efficiency

This article introduces a three-mode variable-frequency zero-voltage switching (ZVS) modulation method for the four-switch buck+boost converter. This method makes this circuit concept well suited for applications, such as wireless power charging of electric vehicles, where this circuit operates as a power buffer between the resonant converter and the battery with the function to implement the required charging profile. Herein, the buck+boost converter operation is subdivided into three operating regions according to the converter static voltage gain, i.e., buck-, buck-boost- and boost-type modes. A ZVS turn- <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">on</small> triangular current mode (TCM) control is adopted for buck-type and boost-type modes. In the buck-boost-type mode when the input-to-output voltage gain is close to unit, all the possible modulation cases are studied thoroughly based on the phase shift of the two half bridges in a full switching period. The selection of the most suitable modulation scheme is performed to minimize the rms value of the inductor current while taking into account the simplification of the practical implementation. Closed-form equations are derived, which makes it easy to implement in practice. The proposed strategy is described, analyzed, and finally verified through a 3 kW surface mounted device (SMD) silicon carbide (SiC) <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">mosfet</small> -based laboratory prototype with designed input voltage of 300–600 V and the typical output voltage of 400 V class battery. The efficiency from the measured results is remarkably high, i.e., between 99.2% and 99.6% in a power range from 1 to 3 kW. Finally, tests for the operating mode transitions demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed modulation method. The power density of this converter is 4.86 kW/L.

Self-Synchronizing Control Enabling Disruption-Free Operation and Seamless Mode Transitions in Wind–Solar Based Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid

This paper introduces a novel self-synchronizing control architecture for the power converters in a hybrid AC/DC microgrid (HMG), wherein, the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) and the solar photovoltaic (SPV) array are utilized for wind and solar generation, respectively. The self-synchronizing control enables the HMG to remain functional and provides a disruption-free power at all the four identified operation modes. Different operation modes are enforced due to grid islanding or DFIG wind generator disconnection scenarios. Meanwhile, the shifting among these four operation modes culminate into eight possible transition phases. The HMG's self-synchronizing control is devised to achieve seamless operation at all possible transition phases, and avoids any voltage spikes or transient overcurrents. Such a seamless transition functionality becomes increasingly vital in case of the DFIG-SPV based HMG. This is due to the direct interconnection of DFIG stator with the utility grid that renders the system largely vulnerable to any un-synchronized transition. Therefore, major research emphasis of this work is on the development of a novel methodology for ensuring a disruption-free operation and seamless mode transitions in a DFIG-SPV based HMG. The HMG control is based on a new affine projection sign algorithm (APSA), which supplements the HMG with unity power factor operation and load unbalance/harmonics mitigation. The viability of the HMG and its self-synchronizing control at various mode transition phases and system dynamics are extensively tested on an experimental rig developed in the laboratory. Test results endorse the feasibility of the self synchronizing control, while, a comparative analysis demonstrates the superiority of the APSA scheme over other state-of-art approaches.

Model Predictive Control for Four-Switch Buck–Boost Converter Based on Tuning-Free Cost Function With Smooth Mode Transition

Four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) converter has the capability of bidirectional voltage step-down and step-up, which has attracted attentions in the fields of energy storage and solar energy. However, it faces the challenges in multimode operation and smooth mode transition, which rely on the complex mode detection scheme and cumbersome parameter tuning. In this article, the inherent limitation is analyzed through inconsistent frequency response and noncontinuous duty cycle operation region aspects. Then, a model predictive control (MPC) method characterized by tuning-free cost function is presented to achieve multimode control and smooth transition simultaneously. With the goal of ensuring the reference current tracking under inconsistent frequency response, a duty cycle and current ripples prediction are presented for all switching combinations. Then, a tuning-free cost function is utilized to overcome the gaps in noncontinuous duty cycle operation region and a smooth mode transition is achieved. Further, the robustness of the current tracking capability is analyzed mathematically considering the inductance variation and stray resistance variation. Finally, a comparative experiment proves the effectiveness. And it shows that the method can improve the efficiency by 0.4% compared with the traditional four-mode control.

The critical role of electron induced secondary electrons in high-voltage and low-pressure capacitively coupled oxygen plasmas

Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions simulations are performed to study the effects of electron induced secondary electrons (SEs) in single-frequency (13.56 MHz) capacitively coupled oxygen discharges operated in the low-pressure regime ( Pa). A comparison of the plasma parameters is presented based on different surface models in the simulations. Both for electrons and ions, simple and realistic approaches are used to model their interactions with the electrode material. The simple approaches use constant coefficients (electron reflection, SE emission), irrespectively of the discharge conditions and the surface properties, while the realistic surface coefficients are functions of the energy of the particles hitting the electrode and depend on the surface properties. When electron induced secondary electron emission (SEE) is accounted for, a complex electron emission and ionization dynamics of ion induced γ- and electron induced δ-electrons is found. When both the electron and ion induced SEE is described by energy dependent surface coefficients, an exponential increase of the plasma density and the O2(a1Δg) metastable concentration is observed by increasing the driving voltage amplitude, as well as a strong decrease of the electronegativity of the discharge and a transition of the discharge operation mode from the drift-ambipolar mode to the α-mode are found to take place.

Energy optimization for intelligent hybrid electric vehicles based on hybrid system approach in a car‐following process

AbstractConsidering the hybrid dynamical characteristics of multimode hybrid electric vehicle during a car‐following process, a novel energy management strategy based on hybrid system theory is proposed in this article. Firstly, nonlinear powertrain model and longitudinal dynamics of a single‐shaft parallel hybrid electric vehicle is built, and hybrid characteristics combined with continuous dynamics and discrete events during operating mode transition are described. Secondly, the nonlinear powertrain model and characteristics are approximated by the piecewise affine method, the mixed‐logic dynamic modeling method is introduced and system variables are defined. Then the hybrid dynamical model for multimode hybrid electric vehicle in a car‐following process is established with the hybrid system description language. Thirdly, according to the principle of receding horizon control, a hybrid model predictive controller is designed and applied for optimizing the multiobjective energy management problem in the car‐following process. Finally, the proposed control strategy is compared with a rule‐based control strategy, and the simulation results show that the proposed control strategy achieves fuel efficiency improvement while ensure the dynamic performance, driving safety and ride comfort during the car‐following process, and the designed controller meets the requirement of deep fusion of car‐following and energy management.

Operation Mode Transition of a Low-Voltage Single Phase Microgrid based on Synchronization Controller

Operation Mode Transition of a Low-Voltage Single Phase Microgrid based on Synchronization Controller

Practical Consideration and Testing of Superior High Force Electromechanical Actuator for Electrically Driven Lathe

A superior model of a novel electromechanical actuator for the computer numerical controlled (CNC) lathe has been proposed. The proposed actuator aims to achieve a high thrust of 50 kN and a spindle speed of 6000 RPM. Furthermore, a ball screw drawbar is used in the proposed model to reduce friction losses and improve mechanical efficiency. The clutch, which decides the operation mode transition in the actuator is designed by combined operation of friction plates and solenoid operated air-piston. The improved mechanical efficiency of the drawbar has helped in the reduction of the torque-speed rating of the actuator drive motor. Moreover, In terms of system power consumption, the proposed actuator consumes 90% lower power than its hydraulic counterpart. Different tests are performed on the prototype to validate its performance and machining precision.

Feedback Linearization-Based Control Strategy for Interlinking Inverters of Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids with Seamless Operation Mode Transition

This study proposes an advanced control scheme for the interlinking inverters of the hybrid AC/DC microgrids, which facilitates a seamless transition between grid-connected and stand-alone/islanding modes for the microgrid. Due to a nonlinear relationship between the terminal voltages of the voltage-source inverter (VSI) interfacing through inductor–capacitor (LC) filters with the grid voltages and currents, a feedback linearization technique (FLT) is employed to control the interlinking VSI under both grid-connected and islanding operations. The FLT-based current controllers are applied in the grid-connected mode, in which they adjust the power exchange between the DC and AC subgrids and mitigate the distortion of the grid currents produced by nonlinear loads. Under the stand-alone operation, the AC bus voltages are directly regulated by the FLT-voltage controllers of the interlinking VSI. In order to reduce the inrush currents and voltage overshot at the instant of mode switching, the FLT-based controllers are performed all the time regardless of the operating modes, where the voltage references for the VSI are not changed abruptly. The control performance of the VSI is highly satisfactory with low-transient overshoot values of the voltages and currents and low total harmonic distortion (THD) values of the grid currents and AC bus voltages are about 3.5% and 2.7%, respectively, under the nonlinear load condition. The validity of the new control strategy is verified by the simulation work, which investigates the operation of a hybrid AC/DC microgrid.

Highly applicable small hydropower microgrid operation strategy and control technology

In this paper, a small hydropower microgrid solution with high applicability is proposed to solve the problem of high line failure rate and long maintenance time, which can improve the reliability of distribution network in mountainous areas. In this scheme, small hydropower and local load constitute a low-cost but efficient microgrid operation to improve the reliability of rural electricity. In this scheme, small-sized hydropower and local load constitute microgrid operation. In case of failure, the scheme makes full use of the independent operation of microgrid to provide qualified power quality to local load. This scheme is easy to realize and does not need additional energy storage, so it has good economy. Firstly, the frequency disturbance characteristics of small hydropower microgrid is analyzed, which lays a theoretical foundation for small hydropower microgrid operation. Then it introduces the island operation mode to grid-connected operation mode transition of small hydropower, including the key technologies such as frequency adjustment strategy in island operation stage. Finally, the simulation studies show the effectiveness of the method.

Experimental and kinetic simulation study of electron power absorption mode transitions in capacitive radiofrequency discharges in neon

The spatio-temporal ionization and excitation dynamics in low-pressure radiofrequency (RF) discharges operated in neon are studied and a detailed comparison of experimental and kinetic simulation results is provided for a wide parameter regime. Phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES) measurements and 1d3v particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions (PIC/MCC) simulations are performed in a geometrically symmetric capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) reactor at driving frequencies ranging from 3.39 MHz to 13.56 MHz, pressures between 60 Pa and 500 Pa, at a peak-to-peak voltage of 330 V. We examine the applicability of PROES (which provides information about the spatio-temporal distribution of the electron-impact excitation dynamics from the ground state into the Ne 2p1 state) to probe the discharge operation mode in neon (which is determined by the spatio-temporal distribution of the ionization dynamics). We find that the spatio-temporal excitation rates measured by PROES are in a good agreement with the excitation rates obtained from the PIC/MCC simulations, for all the discharge conditions studied here. However, the ionization dynamics is found to be significantly different from the excitation dynamics under most of the discharge conditions studied here, especially at higher values of the driving frequency and lower values of the pressure, when energetic heavy particle induced secondary electrons (γ-electrons) are more likely to ionize than to excite. PROES does not probe the discharge operation mode under these conditions. At a fixed frequency and peak-to-peak voltage, the spatio-temporal distribution of the ionization rate obtained from PIC/MCC simulations shows a transition of the discharge operation mode from the α-mode to the γ-mode by increasing the pressure. However, PROES fails to show this transition. While in the spatio-temporal distribution of the excitation rate obtained from the PROES measurements and the PIC/MCC simulations the α-peak (the intensity maximum at the bulk side of the expanding sheath edge) is dominant and a γ-peak (a maximum near the edge of the fully expanded sheath) becomes visible only at high values of the pressure or at the lowest frequency of 3.39 MHz, a γ-peak is visible in the ionization rate for all operation conditions, and it dominates the ionization in the vast majority of the cases investigated.

Study of a Bidirectional Power Converter Integrated with Battery/Ultracapacitor Dual-Energy Storage

A patented bidirectional power converter was studied as an interface to connect the DC-bus of driving inverter, battery energy storage (BES), and ultracapacitor (UC) to solve the problem that the driving motor damages the battery life during acceleration and deceleration in electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed concept was to adopt a multiport switch to control the power flow and achieve the different operating mode transitions for the better utilization of energy. In addition, in order to improve the conversion efficiency, the proposed converter used a coupled inductor and interleaved-pulse-width-modulation (IPWM) control to achieve a high voltage conversion ratio (i.e., bidirectional high step-up/down conversion characteristics). This study discussed the steady-state operation and characteristic analysis of the proposed converter. Finally, a 500 W power converter prototype with specifications of 72 V DC-bus, 24 V BES, and 48 V UC was built, and the feasibility was verified by simulation and experiment results. The highest efficiency points of the realized prototype were 97.4%, 95.5%, 97.2%, 97.1%, and 95.3% for the UC charge, battery charge, UC discharge, the dual-energy in series discharge, and battery discharge modes, respectively.