Modeling and control for simulated wind in immersive virtual environment

Update Item Information
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Engineering
Department Mechanical Engineering
Author Chakravarthy, Shanthanu
Title Modeling and control for simulated wind in immersive virtual environment
Date 2009-04-09
Description This study is a contribution towards ongoing research to enhance immersion in the University of Utah Treadport Virtual Environment (UUTVE) by adding wind display. A wind tunnel built around this virtual environment called the Treadport Active Wind Tunnel (TPAWT) includes an intricate flow network that provides controllable air flow into the UUTVE. This study investigates the system modeling, characterization and control strategies for the ducts, valves, and vents comprising the TP AWT. A unique valve design and assembly into the duct overcomes design challenges and allows control of wind entering the virtual environment. A lumped parameter model of the flow network unified with empirical mappings and flow characterization based on experiments form the basis for controller design. Robust nonlinear control strategies based on a sliding surface are developed and implemented to regulate flow velocity exiting the vents. Controller performance is evaluated by combined experimental and simulation techniques. The addition of a feedforward loop and integrator reset show -85% improvement in performance and the velocity control of wind exiting the vents is achieved in less than Is.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Virtual reality; Wind tunnels
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Modeling and control for simulated wind in immersive virtual environment" J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections TL8.5 2009 .C43
Rights Management © Shanthanu Chakravarthy
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 40,996 bytes
Identifier us-etd2,126043
Source Original: University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
Conversion Specifications Original scanned on Epson GT-30000 as 400 dpi to pdf using ABBYY FineReader 9.0 Professional Edition.
ARK ark:/87278/s6n01n30
Setname ir_etd
ID 193387
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6n01n30