Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Have knowledge about mechanical structures with complex dynamics and elements with non-linear behaviour.

Skills

• Be able to apply identification methods for determining system dynamics, when system information is not available
• Be able to apply the fundamental aspects of non-linear control theory and enable him/her to utilise the available system information to apply selected non-linear control methods on the considered system
• Be able to use methods for documenting the project work as a scientific paper and poster
• Be able to verify the models and the simulations by measurement in the laboratory or from existing data

 

Competences

• Be able to control the working and development process within the project theme, and be able to develop new solutions within the area of control of hydraulic actuated mechanical structures
• Independently be able to define and analyse scientific problems within the area of control of hydraulic actuated mechanical structures, and based on that make and state the reasons for decisions made
• Independently be able to continue own development in competence and specialisation

Type of instruction

Problem based project oriented project work in groups. The project takes its base in a hydraulically actuated mechanical system, which is to be controlled as a feed-back system. Models of both the mechanical structure and the actuation system are made and system identification methods should be used for critical parts where no component/system information is available. The models or critical parts hereof should be experimentally verified to show the validity of the models. Based on the developed models one or more selected non-linear control methods should be used to develop a control algorithm for the system, which should be implemented and verified experimentally and the results should be compared to what may be obtained with standard linear controllers. The project must be documented as described in “Additional Information”.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 15 ECTS project module, the work load is expected to be 450 hours for the student

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

• It is a precondition for students with a bachelor’s degree from AAU that they participate in the Conference for MSc Energy Students (CES). Students are obliged to prepare a scientific paper and a poster which must be presented at the conference.

Exams

Name of exam	Control of a Hydraulically Actuated Mechanical Structure
Type of exam	Combined written and oral examination, Project Exam
ECTS	15
Permitted aids	All written and all electronic aids
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	Internal examination
Criteria of assessment	As stated in the Joint Programme Regulations. http:/​/​www.engineering.aau.dk/​uddannelse/​studieadministration/​

Additional information

For students with a Bachelor´s degree from Aalborg University heading for the specialisation in Mechatronic Control Engineering.

Guidance for the Project of 1st Semester MSc in Energy Engineering
(For students with a Bachelor’s degree from Aalborg University) (not INTRO)

1. Demands to the project documentation
The project should fulfil the objectives of the 1st semester project theme and should be documented to an acceptable technical and scientific level. The documentation shall include a scientific paper and a poster, which shall fulfil the standard for an international conference, e.g. the IEEE specifications. Moreover, the documentation shall include a project summary report - see below.

2. Project documentation
The following material must be uploaded to the system “Digital Exam” on the date given for the submission:

• Scientific paper, max. 10 pages, which presents the primary content and results of the project work
• Project summary report (see below)
• Project poster

3. Conference participation
The paper must be presented, by one or more group members at a conference arranged within the Department of Energy Technology. The conference will be run in the same manner as an international conference. The project poster must also be presented at this conference. All group members must attend the conference and the poster session to be allowed to participate in the project examination.

4. Project summary report
The project summary report should elaborate the project details and conclusions. The maximum length of the summary report (report without appendices) is 50 pages, and in addition the summary report should follow the rules as laid down by the Study Board in “Procedure for Project Work”, i.e. the total number of pages must not exceed 30 + 15 × number of students in the project group.

5. Project exam
The project evaluation will take place at a later date than the conference.

At the project examination the project group shall present its project work in accordance to the Examination Policies and Procedures, Addendum to the Joint Programme Regulations

The presentation and assessment of the project is conducted in English.