@book{Altherr2016, author = {Altherr, Lena}, title = {Algorithmic System Design under Consideration of Dynamic Processes}, publisher = {Shaker}, address = {Aachen}, isbn = {978-3-8440-4848-3}, pages = {94}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Nach Stand von Wissenschaft und Technik werden Komponenten hinsichtlich ihrer Eigenschaften, wie Lebensdauer oder Energieeffizienz, optimiert. Allerdings k{\"o}nnen selbst hervorragende Komponenten zu ineffizienten oder instabilen Systemen f{\"u}hren, wenn ihr Zusammenspiel nur unzureichend ber{\"u}cksichtigt wird. Eine Systembetrachtung schafft ein gr{\"o}ßeres Optimierungspotential - dem erh{\"o}hten Potential steht jedoch auch ein erh{\"o}hter Komplexit{\"a}tsgrad gegen{\"u}ber. Die vorliegende Arbeit ist im Rahmen des Sonderforschungsbereichs 805 entstanden, dessen Ziel die Beherrschung von Unsicherheit in Systemen des Maschinenbaus ist. Die Arbeit zeigt anhand eines realen Systems aus dem Bereich der Hydraulik, wie Unsicherheit in der Entwicklungsphase beherrscht werden kann. Hierbei ist neu, dass die durch den sp{\"a}teren Betrieb zu erwartende Systemdegradation eines jeden m{\"o}glichen Systemvorschlags antizipiert werden kann. Dadurch k{\"o}nnen Betriebs- und Wartungskosten vorausgesagt und minimiert werden und durch eine optimale Betriebs- und Wartungsstrategie die Verf{\"u}gbarkeit des Systems garantiert werden. Wesentliche Fragen bei der optimalen Auslegung des betrachteten hydrostatischen Getriebes sind dessen physikalische Modellierung, die Darstellung des Optimierungsproblems als gemischt-ganzzahliges lineares Programm, und dessen algorithmische Behandlung zur L{\"o}sungsfindung. Hierzu werden Heuristiken zum schnelleren Auffinden sinnvoller Systemtopologien vorgestellt und mittels mathematischer Dekomposition eine Bewertung des dynamischen Verschleiß- und Wartungsverlaufs m{\"o}glicher Systemvorschl{\"a}ge vorgenommen. Die Arbeit stellt die Optimierung technischer Systeme an der Schnittstelle von Mathematik, Informatik und Ingenieurwesen sowohl gr{\"u}ndlich als auch anschaulich und nachvollziehbar dar.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrBroetzDietrichetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Br{\"o}tz, Nicolas and Dietrich, Ingo and Gally, Tristan and Geßner, Felix and Kloberdanz, Hermann and Leise, Philipp and Pelz, Peter Franz and Schlemmer, Pia and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Resilience in mechanical engineering - a concept for controlling uncertainty during design, production and usage phase of load-carrying structures}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, isbn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.187}, pages = {187 -- 198}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Resilience as a concept has found its way into different disciplines to describe the ability of an individual or system to withstand and adapt to changes in its environment. In this paper, we provide an overview of the concept in different communities and extend it to the area of mechanical engineering. Furthermore, we present metrics to measure resilience in technical systems and illustrate them by applying them to load-carrying structures. By giving application examples from the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 805, we show how the concept of resilience can be used to control uncertainty during different stages of product life.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrConzenElsenetal.2023, author = {Altherr, Lena and Conzen, Max and Elsen, Ingo and Frauenrath, Tobias and Lyrmann, Andreas}, title = {Sensor retrofitting of existing buildings in an interdisciplinary teaching project at university level}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-01-6}, doi = {10.33968/2023.04}, pages = {31 -- 40}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Existing residential buildings have an average lifetime of 100 years. Many of these buildings will exist for at least another 50 years. To increase the efficiency of these buildings while keeping costs at reasonable rates, they can be retrofitted with sensors that deliver information to central control units for heating, ventilation and electricity. This retrofitting process should happen with minimal intervention into existing infrastructure and requires new approaches for sensor design and data transmission. At FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, students of different disciplines work together to learn how to design, build, deploy and operate such sensors. The presented teaching project already created a low power design for a combined CO2, temperature and humidity measurement device that can be easily integrated into most home automation systems}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrDoerigEdereretal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and D{\"o}rig, Bastian and Ederer, Thorsten and Pelz, Peter Franz and Pfetsch, Marc and Wolf, Jan}, title = {A mixed-integer nonlinear program for the design of gearboxes}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2016}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2016}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-55701-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-55702-1_31}, pages = {227 -- 233}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Gearboxes are mechanical transmission systems that provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source. Being a central element of the drive train, they are relevant for the efficiency and durability of motor vehicles. In this work, we present a new approach for gearbox design: Modeling the design problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) allows us to create gearbox designs from scratch for arbitrary requirements and—given enough time—to compute provably globally optimal designs for a given objective. We show how different degrees of freedom influence the runtime and present an exemplary solution.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrEdererFarnetaneetal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Farnetane, Lucas S. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp and Verg{\´e}, Angela and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Multicriterial design of a hydrostatic transmission system via mixed-integer programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-42901-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-42902-1_41}, pages = {301 -- 307}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In times of planned obsolescence the demand for sustainability keeps growing. Ideally, a technical system is highly reliable, without failures and down times due to fast wear of single components. At the same time, maintenance should preferably be limited to pre-defined time intervals. Dispersion of load between multiple components can increase a system's reliability and thus its availability inbetween maintenance points. However, this also results in higher investment costs and additional efforts due to higher complexity. Given a specific load profile and resulting wear of components, it is often unclear which system structure is the optimal one. Technical Operations Research (TOR) finds an optimal structure balancing availability and effort. We present our approach by designing a hydrostatic transmission system.}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrEdererLorenzetal.2016, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp}, title = {Designing a feedback control system via mixed-integer programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014: Selected Papers of the Annual International Conference of the German Operations Research}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014: Selected Papers of the Annual International Conference of the German Operations Research}, editor = {L{\"u}bbecke, Marco E. and Koster, Arie and Letmathe, Peter and Madlener, Reihard and Preis, Britta and Walther, Grit}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-28695-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-28697-6_18}, pages = {121 -- 127}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Pure analytical or experimental methods can only find a control strategy for technical systems with a fixed setup. In former contributions we presented an approach that simultaneously finds the optimal topology and the optimal open-loop control of a system via Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP). In order to extend this approach by a closed-loop control we present a Mixed Integer Program for a time discretized tank level control. This model is the basis for an extension by combinatorial decisions and thus for the variation of the network topology. Furthermore, one is able to appraise feasible solutions using the global optimality gap.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererLorenzetal.2014, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F. and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp}, title = {Experimental validation of an enhanced system synthesis approach}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, journal = {Operations Research Proceedings 2014}, editor = {L{\"u}bbecke, Marco and Koster, Arie and Letmathe, Peter and Madlener, Reihard and Peis, Britta and Walther, Grit}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Basel}, isbn = {978-3-319-28695-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-28697-6_1}, pages = {6}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Planning the layout and operation of a technical system is a common task for an engineer. Typically, the workflow is divided into consecutive stages: First, the engineer designs the layout of the system, with the help of his experience or of heuristic methods. Secondly, he finds a control strategy which is often optimized by simulation. This usually results in a good operating of an unquestioned sys- tem topology. In contrast, we apply Operations Research (OR) methods to find a cost-optimal solution for both stages simultaneously via mixed integer program- ming (MILP). Technical Operations Research (TOR) allows one to find a provable global optimal solution within the model formulation. However, the modeling error due to the abstraction of physical reality remains unknown. We address this ubiq- uitous problem of OR methods by comparing our computational results with mea- surements in a test rig. For a practical test case we compute a topology and control strategy via MILP and verify that the objectives are met up to a deviation of 8.7\%.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererPoettgenetal.2015, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and P{\"o}ttgen, Philipp and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Multicriterial optimization of technical systems considering multiple load and availability scenarios}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {807}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, editor = {Pelz, Peter F. and Groche, Peter}, isbn = {1660-9336}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.807.247}, pages = {247 -- 256}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Cheap does not imply cost-effective -- this is rule number one of zeitgeisty system design. The initial investment accounts only for a small portion of the lifecycle costs of a technical system. In fluid systems, about ninety percent of the total costs are caused by other factors like power consumption and maintenance. With modern optimization methods, it is already possible to plan an optimal technical system considering multiple objectives. In this paper, we focus on an often neglected contribution to the lifecycle costs: downtime costs due to spontaneous failures. Consequently, availability becomes an issue.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AltherrEdererSchaenzleetal.2017, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Sch{\"a}nzle, Christian and Lorenz, Ulf and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Algorithmic system design using scaling and affinity laws}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2015}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-42901-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-42902-1}, pages = {605 -- 611}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Energy-efficient components do not automatically lead to energy-efficient systems. Technical Operations Research (TOR) shifts the focus from the single component to the system as a whole and finds its optimal topology and operating strategy simultaneously. In previous works, we provided a preselected construction kit of suitable components for the algorithm. This approach may give rise to a combinatorial explosion if the preselection cannot be cut down to a reasonable number by human intuition. To reduce the number of discrete decisions, we integrate laws derived from similarity theory into the optimization model. Since the physical characteristics of a production series are similar, it can be described by affinity and scaling laws. Making use of these laws, our construction kit can be modeled more efficiently: Instead of a preselection of components, it now encompasses whole model ranges. This allows us to significantly increase the number of possible set-ups in our model. In this paper, we present how to embed this new formulation into a mixed-integer program and assess the run time via benchmarks. We present our approach on the example of a ventilation system design problem.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrJoggerstLeiseetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Joggerst, Laura and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas and Wendt, Janine}, title = {On obligations in the development process of resilient systems with algorithmic design methods}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, number = {885}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, isbn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.240}, pages = {240 -- 252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Advanced computational methods are needed both for the design of large systems and to compute high accuracy solutions. Such methods are efficient in computation, but the validation of results is very complex, and highly skilled auditors are needed to verify them. We investigate legal questions concerning obligations in the development phase, especially for technical systems developed using advanced methods. In particular, we consider methods of resilient and robust optimization. With these techniques, high performance solutions can be found, despite a high variety of input parameters. However, given the novelty of these methods, it is uncertain whether legal obligations are being met. The aim of this paper is to discuss if and how the choice of a specific computational method affects the developer's product liability. The review of legal obligations in this paper is based on German law and focuses on the requirements that must be met during the design and development process.}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrLeise2021, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp}, title = {Resilience as a concept for mastering uncertainty}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78353-2}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-78354-9}, pages = {412 -- 417}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrLeisePfetschetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Algorithmic design and resilience assessment of energy efficient high-rise water supply systems}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, issn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.211}, pages = {211 -- 223}, year = {2018}, abstract = {High-rise water supply systems provide water flow and suitable pressure in all levels of tall buildings. To design such state-of-the-art systems, the consideration of energy efficiency and the anticipation of component failures are mandatory. In this paper, we use Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming to compute an optimal placement of pipes and pumps, as well as an optimal control strategy.Moreover, we consider the resilience of the system to pump failures. A resilient system is able to fulfill a predefined minimum functionality even though components fail or are restricted in their normal usage. We present models to measure and optimize the resilience. To demonstrate our approach, we design and analyze an optimal resilient decentralized water supply system inspired by a real-life hotel building.}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltherrLeisePfetschetal.2021, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Optimal design of resilient technical systems on the example of water supply systems}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78356-3}, pages = {429 -- 433}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrundAltherr2023, author = {Grund, Raphael M. and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Development of an open source energy disaggregation tool for the home automation platform Home Assistant}, series = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, booktitle = {Tagungsband AALE 2023 : mit Automatisierung gegen den Klimawandel}, editor = {Reiff-Stephan, J{\"o}rg and J{\"a}kel, Jens and Schwarz, Andr{\´e}}, publisher = {le-tex publishing services GmbH}, address = {Leipzig}, isbn = {978-3-910103-01-6}, doi = {10.33968/2023.02}, pages = {11 -- 20}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In order to reduce energy consumption of homes, it is important to make transparent which devices consume how much energy. However, power consumption is often only monitored aggregated at the house energy meter. Disaggregating this power consumption into the contributions of individual devices can be achieved using Machine Learning. Our work aims at making state of the art disaggregation algorithms accessibe for users of the open source home automation platform Home Assistant.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LeiseAltherr2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Optimizing the design and control of decentralized water supply systems - a case-study of a hotel building}, series = {EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization}, booktitle = {EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-97773-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-97773-7_107}, pages = {1241 -- 1252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {To increase pressure to supply all floors of high buildings with water, booster stations, normally consisting of several parallel pumps in the basement, are used. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of a decentralized pump topology regarding energy savings in water supply systems of skyscrapers. We present an approach, based on Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming, that allows to choose an optimal network topology and optimal pumps from a predefined construction kit comprising different pump types. Using domain-specific scaling laws and Latin Hypercube Sampling, we generate different input sets of pump types and compare their impact on the efficiency and cost of the total system design. As a realistic application example, we consider a hotel building with 325 rooms, 12 floors and up to four pressure zones.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LeiseAltherr2021, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena}, title = {Experimental evaluation of resilience metrics in a fluid system}, series = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, booktitle = {Mastering Uncertainty in Mechanical Engineering}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-78356-3}, pages = {442 -- 447}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LeiseAltherrPelz2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Technical Operations Research (TOR) - Algorithms, not Engineers, Design Optimal Energy Efficient and Resilient Cooling Systems}, series = {FAN2018 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Fan Noise, Aerodynamics, Applications and Systems}, booktitle = {FAN2018 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Fan Noise, Aerodynamics, Applications and Systems}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The overall energy efficiency of ventilation systems can be improved by considering not only single components, but by considering as well the interplay between every part of the system. With the help of the method "TOR" ("Technical Operations Research"), which was developed at the Chair of Fluid Systems at TU Darmstadt, it is possible to improve the energy efficiency of the whole system by considering all possible design choices programmatically. We show the ability of this systematic design approach with a ventilation system for buildings as a use case example. Based on a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program (MINLP) we model the ventilation system. We use binary variables to model the selection of different pipe diameters. Multiple fans are model with the help of scaling laws. The whole system is represented by a graph, where the edges represent the pipes and fans and the nodes represents the source of air for cooling and the sinks, that have to be cooled. At the beginning, the human designer chooses a construction kit of different suitable fans and pipes of different diameters and different load cases. These boundary conditions define a variety of different possible system topologies. It is not possible to consider all topologies by hand. With the help of state of the art solvers, on the other side, it is possible to solve this MINLP. Next to this, we also consider the effects of malfunctions in different components. Therefore, we show a first approach to measure the resilience of the shown example use case. Further, we compare the conventional approach with designs that are more resilient. These more resilient designs are derived by extending the before mentioned model with further constraints, that consider explicitly the resilience of the overall system. We show that it is possible to design resilient systems with this method already in the early design stage and compare the energy efficiency and resilience of these different system designs.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LeiseAltherrPelz2018, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Energy-Efficient design of a water supply system for skyscrapers by mixed-integer nonlinear programming}, series = {Operations Research Proceedings 2017}, booktitle = {Operations Research Proceedings 2017}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-89919-0}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-89920-6_63}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The energy-efficiency of technical systems can be improved by a systematic design approach. Technical Operations Research (TOR) employs methods known from Operations Research to find a global optimal layout and operation strategy of technical systems. We show the practical usage of this approach by the systematic design of a decentralized water supply system for skyscrapers. All possible network options and operation strategies are modeled by a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program. We present the optimal system found by our approach and highlight the energy savings compared to a conventional system design.}, language = {en} } @incollection{LeiseAltherrSimonetal.2019, author = {Leise, Philipp and Altherr, Lena and Simon, Nicolai and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Finding global-optimal gearbox designs for battery electric vehicles}, series = {Optimization of complex systems - theory, models, algorithms and applications : WCGO 2019}, booktitle = {Optimization of complex systems - theory, models, algorithms and applications : WCGO 2019}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-21802-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-21803-4_91}, pages = {916 -- 925}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In order to maximize the possible travel distance of battery electric vehicles with one battery charge, it is mandatory to adjust all components of the powertrain carefully to each other. While current vehicle designs mostly simplify the powertrain rigorously and use an electric motor in combination with a gearbox with only one fixed transmission ratio, the use of multi-gear systems has great potential. First, a multi-speed system is able to improve the overall energy efficiency. Secondly, it is able to reduce the maximum momentum and therefore to reduce the maximum current provided by the traction battery, which results in a longer battery lifetime. In this paper, we present a systematic way to generate multi-gear gearbox designs that—combined with a certain electric motor—lead to the most efficient fulfillment of predefined load scenarios and are at the same time robust to uncertainties in the load. Therefore, we model the electric motor and the gearbox within a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program, and optimize the efficiency of the mechanical parts of the powertrain. By combining this mathematical optimization program with an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, we are able to derive global-optimal gearbox designs for practically relevant momentum and speed requirements.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LeiseBreuerAltherretal.2020, author = {Leise, Philipp and Breuer, Tim and Altherr, Lena and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Development, validation and assessment of a resilient pumping system}, series = {Proceedings of the Joint International Resilience Conference, JIRC2020}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Joint International Resilience Conference, JIRC2020}, isbn = {978-90-365-5095-6}, pages = {97 -- 100}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The development of resilient technical systems is a challenging task, as the system should adapt automatically to unknown disturbances and component failures. To evaluate different approaches for deriving resilient technical system designs, we developed a modular test rig that is based on a pumping system. On the basis of this example system, we present metrics to quantify resilience and an algorithmic approach to improve resilience. This approach enables the pumping system to automatically react on unknown disturbances and to reduce the impact of component failures. In this case, the system is able to automatically adapt its topology by activating additional valves. This enables the system to still reach a minimum performance, even in case of failures. Furthermore, timedependent disturbances are evaluated continuously, deviations from the original state are automatically detected and anticipated in the future. This allows to reduce the impact of future disturbances and leads to a more resilient system behaviour.}, language = {en} }