This paper investigates the concept and implementation of an energy harvesting device using a ferrofluid sloshing movement to generate an electromotive force (EMF). Ferrofluids are often applied to energy harvesting devices because they have both magnetic properties and fluidity, and they behave similarly to a soft ferromagnetic substance. In addition, a ferrofluid can change its shape freely and generate an EMF from small vibrations. The existing energy harvesting techniques, for example those using piezoelectric and thermoelectric devices, generate minimal electric power, as low as a few micro-watts. Through flow analysis of ferrofluids and examination of the magnetic circuit characteristics of the resultant electromagnetic system, an energy harvester model based on an electromagnetic field generated by a ferrofluid is developed and proposed. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is demonstrated and its EMF characteristics are discussed based on experimental data.

A new design method for topology and shape optimization to preserve high-voltage systems is proposed. The level set technique for the topology optimization is employed with the finite-element method. For the velocity field in the level set equation, the continuum sensitivity formula is used for accurate information of the electric field effect on the topology and shape variation. This technique is applied to three practical examples and the optimum designs of insulating dielectric for the systems are obtained. The optimum designs could suppress troubles, such as thermal deterioration or electrical breakdown, in the systems.Index Terms-Design optimization, finite-element methods, high-voltage system, level set method, sensitivity analysis.

No abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a new numerical technique, called adaptive level set method, for use with the finite element method. Design/methodology/approach -A conventional level set method using the smeared Heaviside function has been employed for shape and topology optimizations. The smeared Heaviside function yields an indistinct interface boundary, and so can increase computational time and cause numerical errors. The adaptive level set method does not use the smeared Heaviside function. To coincide with the material interface, it processes the zero level as the boundary data of element meshing. Findings -Usefulness and accuracy of shape optimization using the adaptive level set method are shown by comparison to the conventional level set method. A shape optimization procedure using the adaptive level set method is introduced. Numerical examples are employed to explain how the adaptive level set method is applied. Originality/value -The adaptive level set method is proposed to relieve the interface problem of the conventional level set method. Shape variation in the optimization is calculated from the continuum sensitivity analysis.

The metal oxide varistor (MOV) is a major component of the surge protection devices (SPDs) currently in use. The device is judged to be faulty when fatigue caused by the continuous inflow of lightning accumulates and reaches the damage limit. In many cases, induced lightning resulting from lightning strikes flows in to the device several times per second in succession. Therefore, the frequency or the rate at which the SPD is actually exposed to stress, called a surge, is outside the range of human perception. For this reason, the protective device should be replaced if it actually approaches the end of its life even though it is not faulty at present, currently no basis exists for making the judgment of remaining lifetime. Up to now, the life of an MOV has been predicted solely based on the number of inflow surges, irrespective of the magnitude of the surge current or the amount of energy that has flowed through the device. In this study, nonlinear data that shows the damage to an MOV depending on the count of surge and the amount of input current were collected through a high-voltage test. Then, a failure prediction algorithm was proposed by preparing a look-up table using the results of the test. The proposed method was experimentally verified using an impulse surge generator