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The set of books on Mechanical Engineering and Solid Mechanics, of which this book is the first volume, is an essential tool for those looking to develop a rigorous knowledge of the discipline, whether students, professionals (in search of an approach to a problem they are dealing with), or anyone else interested. This volume deals with the elements required for establishing the equations of motion when dealing with solid bodies. Chapter 1 focuses on the systems of reference used to locate solid bodies relative to the observer, and demonstrates how to describe their position, orientation, and evolution during their motion. Chapter 2 introduces descriptors of motion such as velocity and acceleration, and develops the concept of torsor notation in relation to these descriptors. Finally, Chapter 3 concerns the notions of mass and inertia, as well as the kinetic torsor and dynamic torsor which consolidate the kinematic and kinetic aspects in a single concept. The set of books on Mechanical Engineering and Solid Mechanics, of which this book is the first volume, is an essential tool for those looking to develop a rigorous knowledge of the discipline, whether students, professionals (in search of an approach to a problem they are dealing with), or anyone else interested. This volume deals with the elements required for establishing the equations of motion when dealing with solid bodies. Chapter 1 focuses on the systems of reference used to locate solid bodies relative to the observer, and demonstrates how to describe their position, orientation, and evolution during their motion. Chapter 2 introduces descriptors of motion such as velocity and acceleration, and develops the concept of torsor notation in relation to these descriptors. Finally, Chapter 3 concerns the notions of mass and inertia, as well as the kinetic torsor and dynamic torsor which consolidate the kinematic and kinetic aspects in a single concept.

Presents a probabilistic and information-theoretic framework for a search for static or moving targets in discrete time and space. Probabilistic Search for Tracking Targets uses an information-theoretic scheme to present a unified approach for known search methods to allow the development of new algorithms of search. The book addresses search methods under different constraints and assumptions, such as search uncertainty under incomplete information, probabilistic search scheme, observation errors, group testing, search games, distribution of search efforts, single and multiple targets and search agents, as well as online or offline search schemes. The proposed approach is associated with path planning techniques, optimal search algorithms, Markov decision models, decision trees, stochastic local search, artificial intelligence and heuristic information-seeking methods. Furthermore, this book presents novel methods of search for static and moving targets along with practical algorithms of partitioning and search and screening. Probabilistic Search for Tracking Targets includes complete material for undergraduate and graduate courses in modern applications of probabilistic search, decision-making and group testing, and provides several directions for further research in the search theory. The authors: * Provide a generalized information-theoretic approach to the problem of real-time search for both static and moving targets over a discrete space. * Present a theoretical framework, which covers known information-theoretic algorithms of search, and forms a basis for development and analysis of different algorithms of search over probabilistic space. * Use numerous examples of group testing, search and path planning algorithms to illustrate direct implementation in the form of running routines. * Consider a relation of the suggested approach with known search theories and methods such as search and screening theory, search games, Markov decision process models of search, data mining methods, coding theory and decision trees. * Discuss relevant search applications, such as quality-control search for nonconforming units in a batch or a military search for a hidden target.  * Provide an accompanying website featuring the algorithms discussed throughout the book, along with practical implementations procedures.

This book provides a fundamental knowledge of robotic grasping and fixturing (RGF) manipulation. For RGF manipulation to become a science rather than an art, the content of the book is uniquely designed for a thorough understanding of the RGF from the multifingered robot hand grasp, basic fixture design principle, and evaluating and planning of robotic grasping/fixturing, and focuses on the modeling and applications of the RGF.

Vortex Dynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Planetary Atmospheres introduces the reader with a background in either fluid mechanics or statistical mechanics to the modeling of planetary atmospheres by barotropic and shallow-water models. These potent models are introduced in both analytical and numerical treatments highlighting the ways both approaches inform and enlighten the other. This book builds on Vorticity, Statistical Mechanics, and Monte Carlo Simulations by Lim and Nebus in providing a rare introduction to this intersection of research fields. While the book reaches the cutting edge of atmospheric models, the exposition requires little more than an undergraduate familiarity with the relevant fields of study, and so this book is well suited to individuals hoping to swiftly learn an exciting new field of study. With inspiration drawn from the atmospheres of Venus and of Jupiter, the physical relevance of the work is never far from consideration, and the bounty of results shows a new and fruitful perspective with which to study planetary atmospheres.

To forecast the hydrodynamic interference between ships accurately and intuitively so as to study the ship maneuvering considering the effect of ship-ship interaction, it is significant for navigation safety in restricted water. This paper adopted an easy way to fully simulate interference between the ships. By taking advantage of the Computational Fluid Dynamics approach, the governing equations of viscous flow and the equations of motion of the ships are solved. The ship-ship motion induced by the hydrodynamic forces is numerically simulated so as to study the characteristic of the interaction effects between ships. To verify the validity of the present numerical methods, the numerical results about the influences on the hydrodynamic force and moment are illustrated and analyzed. The simulated results are acknowledged by the experienced ship operators.

Due to the influence of the natural environment, it is very challenging to control the movement of ships to navigate safely and avoid potential risks induced by external environmental factors, especially for the development of autonomous ships in inland or restricted waterways. In this research, we propose an integrated approach for ship heading control that improves the timeliness and robustness of navigation. Recursive least squares and backward propagation neural networks are utilized to identify the ship motion model parameters under the influence of external factors and predict their development in real time. A particle swarm optimization-integrated Fractional Order Proportion Integration Differentiation (FOPID) controller is then designed based on the dynamically identified motion model to achieve accurate heading control for ships navigating in restricted waterways. A case study was conducted based on the Korea Venture Large Crude Carrier 2 (KVLCC2) model to verify the effectiveness, and a comparison between the conventional FOPID controller and the improved FOPID controller was also conducted. The results indicate that the proposed identification–prediction–optimization FOPID controller has faster speed on stabilization and has higher robustness against external influences, which could provide added value for the development of a motion controller for the autonomous ship for inland and restricted waterway navigation.

This book introduces an unified function approximation approach to the control of uncertain robot manipulators containing general uncertainties. It works for free space tracking control as well as compliant motion control. It is applicable to the rigid robot and the flexible joint robot. Even with actuator dynamics, the unified approach is still feasible. All these features make the book stand out from other existing publications.

This book develops concepts and a methodology for a rational description of the organization of three-dimensional flows considering, in particular, the case where the flow is the place of separations. The descriptive analysis based on the critical point theory of Poincaré develops conventional but rather unfamiliar considerations from aerodynamicists, who face the understanding of complex flows including multiple separation lines and vortices. These problems concern industrial sectors where aerodynamics plays a key role, such as aerospace, ground vehicles, buildings, etc. Contents 1. Skin Friction Lines Pattern and Critical Points. 2. Separation Streamsurfaces and Vortex Structures. 3. Separated Flow on a Body. 4. Vortex Wake of Wings and Slender Bodies. 5. Separation Induced by an Obstacle or a Blunt Body. 6. Reconsideration of the Two-Dimensional Separation. 7. Concluding Remarks. About the Authors Jean Délery is a Supaero (French National Higher School of Aeronautics and Space) engineer who has worked at Onera (French national aerospace research center) since 1964. He has participated in several major French and European aerospace programs, is the author of many scientific publications, and has occupied various teaching positions particularly at Supaero, the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin, Ecole polytechnique in France and \"La Sapienza\" University in Rome, Italy. He is currently emeritus adviser at Onera.