Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The role of robotics and remote handling equipment in future nuclear power plant maintenance activities is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence applications. Special requirements manipulators, control systems, and man-machine interfaces for nuclear applications are noted. Tasks might include inspection with cameras, eddy current probes, and leak detectors; the collection of material samples; radiation monitoring; and the disassembly, repair and reassembly of a variety of system components. A robot with vision and force sensing and an intelligent control system that can access a knowledge base is schematically described. Recent advances in image interpretation systems are also discussed.

Science.gov (United States)

... in this paper is aimed at developing a computer vision system that will be used to automatically grade rough hardwood lumber. The purpose of the computer vision system is to locate and identify grading def...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To keep up with the speeds of modern production lines, most machine vision applications require very powerful computers (often parallel-processing machines), which process millions of points of data in real time. The human brain performs approximately 100 billion logical floating-point operations each second. That is 400 times the speed of a Cray-1 supercomputer. The right software must be developed for parallel-processing computers. The NSF has awarded Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.) a $2 million grant for parallel- and image-processing software research. Over the last 15 years, Rensselaer has been conducting image-processing research, including work with high-definition TV (HDTV) and image coding and understanding. A similar NSF grant has been awarded to Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.) Neural networks are supposed to emulate human learning patterns. These networks and their hardware ...

Science.gov (United States)

Optimization is a powerful paradigm for expressing and solving problems in a wide range of areas, and has been successfully applied to many vision problems. Discrete optimization techniques are especially interesting since, by carefully exploiting problem structure, they often provide nontrivial guarantees concerning solution quality. In this paper, we review dynamic programming and graph algorithms, and discuss representative examples of how these discrete optimization techniques have been applied to some classical vision problems. We focus on the low-level vision problem of stereo, the mid-level problem of interactive object segmentation, and the high-level problem of model-based recognition. PMID:20660950

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Computer vision imposes unique requirements on the representation and manipulation of image data and knowledge. At a vision system's lowest level are sensors that represent an image with purely numeric image arrays, while at the highest level are semantic world models that provide the final interpretation of the scene. In between are thousands of intermediate descriptions, many of which must be repeatedly accessed and processed during interpretation. In this article, the authors describe a representation and management system for use at the intermediate (symbolic) level of vision. Based on database management methodology, the intermediate symbolic representation (ISR) mediates access to intermediate-level vision data and forms an active interface to the higher-level inference processes that construct an image's interpretation. The system supports important types of ...

Science.gov (United States)

... space vehicles, robot and machine guidance systems, and in various types of autonomous UUV docking situations. Page 3. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communications is a new and rapidly developing technology for large-scale networking of devices without dependence on human interaction. Energy efficiency is one of the important design objectives for machine-to-machine network architectures that often contain multi-hop wireless subnetworks. Constructing energy-efficient routes for sending data through such networks is important not only for the longevity of the nodes which typically depend on battery energy, but also for achieving an environmentally friendly system design overall, which will be imperative as M2M networks scale in number of nodes as projected. The objective of this survey is to provide a comprehensive look into shortest-path based energy-efficient routing alternatives to provide a reference for sys...

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... for The Use of Contact Lenses In Industrial Environments Children's Vision Kids Welcome Here Infant's Vision Preschool ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

According to the development of power electronic element (GTO, IGBT) nd material for electrical machines (permanent magnet, super conductor), the technology for electrical machines is now a day rapidly developing. here with, a novel electrical machine, based on the new conception of transverse flux configuration leads to a considerable increase in power density and enables simultaneously high efficiency.The transverse flux machine with PM excitation will be applied to gearless direct drives for railway traction system. The designed and measured performance of transverse machine for railway traction system revealed a great potential of system improvements to reduce linear motor mass. (author). 10 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

... Title : Image Analysis and Computer Vision: 1996. ... bibliography,. Corporate Author : MARYLAND UNIV COLLEGE PARK COMPUTER VISION LAB. ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

In this work, we address the problem of road interpretation for driver assistance based on an early cognitive vision system. The structure of a road and the relevant traf?c are interpreted in terms of ego-motion estimation of the car, independently moving objects on the road, lane markers and large scale maps of the road. We make use of temporal and spatial disambiguation mechanisms to increase the reliability of visually extracted 2D and 3D information. This information is then used to interpret the layout of the road by using lane markers that are detected via Bayesian reasoning. We also estimate the ego-motion of the car which is used to create large scale maps of the road and also to detect independently moving objects. Sample results for the presented algorithms are shown on a stereo image sequence, that has been collected from a structured road.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author introduces a multiprocessor system which has been specially developed to enable mechanical devices to interpret pictures presented in real time. The separate processors within this system operate simultaneously and independently. By means of freely moveable windows the processors can concentrate on those parts of the picture that are relevant to the control problem. If a machine is to make a correct response to its observation of a picture of moving objects, it must be able to follow the picture sequence, step by step, in real time. As the usual serially operating processors are too slow for such a task, the author describes three models of a special picture processing computer which it has been necessary to develop. 3 references.

Science.gov (United States)

We describe a closed-loop brain-computer interface that re-ranks an image database by iterating between user generated 'interest' scores and computer vision generated visual similarity measures. The interest scores are based on decoding the electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of target detection, attentional shifts and self-monitoring processes, which result from the user paying attention to target images interspersed in rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) sequences. The highest scored images are passed to a semi-supervised computer vision system that reorganizes the image database accordingly, using a graph-based representation that captures visual similarity between images. The system can either query the user for more information, by adaptively resampling the database to create additional RSVP sequences, or it can converge to a 'done' state. The done state includes a final ranking of the ...

Science.gov (United States)

No Abstract Available

Science.gov (United States)

... Accession Number : ADA152970. Title : Optical Phenomena in Computer Vision,. Corporate Author : ROCHESTER UNIV ...

Medline Plus

... Exercises: Day and Night Classroom Exercises: Pinhole Focusing 3D Vision and Eye Health < Caring for Your Vision ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A decoupled characteristic between the damping of a specific swing mode and the stabilizer gain of the corresponding machine in multimachine power systems is identified. Using this decoupled characteristic a power system stabilizer (PSS) synthesis approach which is based on the phase compensation concept is verified on a 9-machine system and the dynamic performance of this system is significantly improved. This method is proved to be effective, simple and it can provide useful guidance for the PSS field tuning.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An outline of the instrumentation and control systems associated with fuelling machines is given. The control systems such as hydraulic system, oil hydraulic system, electric control system and the remote control systems have been discussed in detail. The difference between RAPP and MAPP fuel handling control systems has been explained. A computer based system for the Narora fuel handling control system is also discussed. (S.K.K.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The intent and purpose of this work was to investigate and demonstrate cooperative behavior among a group of mobile robot machines. The specific goal of this work was to build a small swarm of identical machines and control them in such a way as to show a coordinated movement of the group in a flocking manner, similar to that observed in nature. Control of the swarm`s individual members and its overall configuration is available to the human user via a graphic man-machine interface running on a base station control computer. Any robot may be designated as the nominal leader through the interface tool, which then may be commanded to proceed to a particular geographic destination. The remainder of the flock follows the leader by maintaining their relative positions in formation, as specified by the human controller through the interface. The formation`s configuration can be altered manually through an ...

Science.gov (United States)

The fault signature can be revealed by vibration analysis in machine fault detection and diagnosis. Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a self-adaptive method that can decompose a vibration signal into informative intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). This paper addresses the improvement of the weakness of the traditional EMD algorithm and presents a new midpoint-based EMD method for effective fault signature analysis of a rotating machine. In the proposed method, geometrical midpoints of successive extrema are employed to estimate the local mean of an analyzed signal. Signal decomposition is then self-adaptively performed to achieve IMFs through removal of the midpoint-based local means. The representative IMF containing fault information is selected for identifying the fault signature. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by means of simulation and an application to gear fault diagnosis. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During the last fifteen years a variety of instruments and transducers, such as voltage plugs, power transducers, flow and pressure transducers, recorders and tensometers, have been developed for underground use in measuring the performance and technical parameters of prototype machines. The equipment, until recently, has been in a portable form and was found useful by the industry generally, in fault finding and trouble-shooting exercises and in commissioning procedures performed by small teams on a call-out basis. Over the last five years the test equipment has been adapted and the techniques modified to suit individual colliery-based operations with more permanent machine mounted and built-in transducers. At the moment these techniques operate within the framework of a statutory planned preventive maintenance scheme for each mine. This paper discusses the merits of changing from preventive maintenance to ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to study vision in albinism from 3 perspectives: first, to determine the characteristics of grating acuity development in children with albinism; second,...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Jun 16, 2011 ... The research is part of a team effort to help the hardwood sawmill industry automate with computer vision systems, and computer-aided or ...

Science.gov (United States)

Jeffrey W. McCandless is a post-doctoral researcher at NASA Ames Research Center in the Human Factors Research and Technology Division.

Science.gov (United States)

... Accession Number : ADD801284. Title : A Computer Vision System for Inspection of Light Emitting Diodes. Descriptive Note : Conference paper,. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The basic relationships of the convolution/superposition dose calculation technique are reviewed, and a modelling technique that can be used for obtaining a satisfactory beam model for a commercially available convolution/superposition-based treatment planning system is described. A fluence energy spectrum for a Co-60 treatment machine obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation was used for modelling the fluence spectrum for a Rokus M machine. In order to achieve this model we measured the depth dose distribution and the dose profiles with a Wellhofer dosimetry system. The primary fluence was iteratively modelled by comparing the computed depth dose curves and beam profiles with the depth dose curves and crossbeam profiles measured in a water phantom. The objective of beam modelling is to build a model of the primary fluence that the patient is exposed to, which can then be used for the calculation of the dose deposited in the ...

CERN Document Server

An algorithm for pose and motion estimation using corresponding features in images and a digital terrain map is proposed. Using a Digital Terrain (or Digital Elevation) Map (DTM/DEM) as a global reference enables recovering the absolute position and orientation of the camera. In order to do this, the DTM is used to formulate a constraint between corresponding features in two consecutive frames. The utilization of data is shown to improve the robustness and accuracy of the inertial navigation algorithm. Extended Kalman filter was used to combine results of inertial navigation algorithm and proposed vision-based navigation algorithm. The feasibility of this algorithms is established through numerical simulations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors evaluated three of the top man-machine interface (MMI) software systems. The main categories upon which they based their evaluation on were the following: operator interface; network and data distribution; input/output (I/O) interface; application development; alarms; real-time and historical trending; support, documentation, and training; processing tools (batch, recipe, logic); reports; custom interfacing; start-up/recovery; external database; and multimedia. They also present their MMI requirements and guidelines for the selection and evaluation of these MMI systems.

Medline Plus

... Precautions Comprehensive Eye and Vision Examination Nutrition Lutein Antioxidants & Age-Related Eye Disease Lutein and Zeaxanthin - Eye- ...

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:19147296

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The subject of FDD (fault detection and diagnosis) has gained widespread industrial interest in machine condition monitoring applications. This is mainly due to the potential advantage to be achieved from reduced maintenance costs, improved productivity and increased machine availability. This paper presents a new FDD scheme for condition machinery of an industrial steam turbine using a data fusion methodology. Fusion of a SVM (support vector machine) classifier with an ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) classifier, integrated into a common framework, is utilized to enhance the fault detection and diagnostic tasks. For this purpose, a multi-attribute data is fused into aggregated values of a single attribute by OWA (ordered weighted averaging) operators. The simulation studies indicate that the resulting fusion-based scheme outperforms the individual SVM and ANFIS systems to detect and ...

Science.gov (United States)

The implementation of a reverse time migration algorithm on the Connection Machine, a massively

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This contribution is an informal essay based on a talk delivered at the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) in Minneapolis, under the summer program in molecular biology, July 18-22, 1994. I exclude many technical details, which can be found elsewhere, and instead focus on the basic ideas of molecular dynamics simulations, with the goal of conveying to students and non-specialists the key concepts of the theory and practice of large-scale simulations. Following a description of the basic idea in molecular dynamics, I discuss some of the practical details involved in simulations of large biological molecules, the numerical timestep problem, and approaches to this problem based on implicit-integration techniques. I end with a perspective of open challenges in the field and directions for future research. 79 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

CERN Document Server

This paper describes the National Research Council (NRC) Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) system, as applied to the English Lexical Sample (ELS) task in Senseval-3. The NRC system approaches WSD as a classical supervised machine learning problem, using familiar tools such as the Weka machine learning software and Brill's rule-based part-of-speech tagger. Head words are represented as feature vectors with several hundred features. Approximately half of the features are syntactic and the other half are semantic. The main novelty in the system is the method for generating the semantic features, based on word \\hbox{co-occurrence} probabilities. The probabilities are estimated using the Waterloo MultiText System with a corpus of about one terabyte of unlabeled text, collected by a web crawler.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A simple model based on surface chemistry is developed, based an simple concepts of contact angle, wetting and spreading. Results of the modeling can be stated by two simplified rules of thumb'': (1) A liquid will spread on the surface of a solid if the surface tension of the liquid is lose than the surface free energy of the solid, and (2) The liquid having the surface tension nearest that of the solid will preferentially wet the surface of the solid. These two rules can then be used to define the parameters that constitute a process for formulating a plastic bonded explosive (PBX), which is a crystalline high-explosive material coated with a small amount of plastic polymeric material (the binder). The PBX then can be pressed to a high density, and machined to a specific shape. The pressed and machined explosive material can then be used in a physics experiment to study fundamental ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recently, the forecasting technologies for network traffic have played a significant role in network management, congestion control and network security. Forecasting algorithms have also been investigated for decades along with the development of Time Series Analysis (TSA). Chaotic Time Series Analysis (CTSA) may be used to model and forecast the time series by Chaos Theory. As one of the prevailing intelligent forecasting algorithms, it is worthwhile to integrate CTSA and Support Vector Machine (SVM). In this paper, after the vulnerabilities of Local Support Vector Machine (LSVM) in forecasting modeling are analyzed, the Dynamic Time Wrapping (DTW) and the ?Dynamic K? strategy are introduced, as well as a short-term network traffic forecasting algorithm LSVM-DTW-K based on Chaos Theory an...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report briefly describes the background to colliery engineering maintenance, past experience in machine condition monitoring within coal preparation and the introduction of condition-based maintenance. A role model scheme has been developed for the introduction of condition-based maintenance into coal preparation plants. The report describes the instrumentation and monitoring methods suitable for application to most mineral processing plants, the use of specialist companies to monitor, gather, process and analyse the information and the actions taken by the colliery. Examples of the benefits of operating such a scheme are given in terms of safety, performance and finance. Other problematical aspects of coal processing are examined which have a direct effect on plant condition and availability.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes the work done at the University of Massachusetts in the area of Image Understanding of static scene domains. The goal of this research project was to demonstrate a practical knowledge-based approach to computer vision that utilized multiple levels of parallel processing. Some problems dealt with included extracting lines, grouping together regions and lines from the same surface, computing pose from geometry, and matching corresponding features in different views. Special attention was also given to the extraction of curved lines and curved surfaces. The static scene domains consisted of both ROAD and HOUSE scenes, each containing approximately fourteen (14) different objects per scene.

CERN Document Server

Recently, applying the novel data mining techniques for evaluating enterprise financial distress has received much research alternation. Support Vector Machine (SVM) and back propagation neural (BPN) network has been applied successfully in many areas with excellent generalization results, such as rule extraction, classification and evaluation. In this paper, a model based on SVM with Gaussian RBF kernel is proposed here for enterprise financial distress evaluation. BPN network is considered one of the simplest and are most general methods used for supervised training of multilayered neural network. The comparative results show that through the difference between the performance measures is marginal; SVM gives higher precision and lower error rates.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel adaptive stabilizer, called an Adaptive Governor Power System Stabilizer (AGPSS), which operated on the governor turbine system, was described. There has been extensive research on adaptive excitation control of generators in power systems with the goal of achieving better dynamic performance. AGPSS tracks the frequency and damping of oscillations in a power system, and adjusts to ensure that there is always sufficient damping in the system. There is no interaction between stabilizers on different generating units, and each one acts independently, consuming oscillation energy locally. These stabilizers are easy to design and this facilitates their use in multimachine systems. Results obtained by nonlinear simulation of a single-machine and a three-machine power system were discussed, illustrating the effectiveness of the stabilizers in supplying damping and improving stability. It was pointed out that the operation of AGPSS does not ...

Science.gov (United States)

Page 1. Mt N Local Spatial Frequency Analysis N for Computer Vision N John Krumm and Steven A. Shafer CMU-RI-TR-90-1 1 JUNO0 8 199 0 ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Many animals use the spectral distribution of light to guide behaviour, but whether they have colour vision has been debated for over a century. Our strong subjective experience of colour and the fact...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper develops a new design procedure for simultaneous coordinated designing of the thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) damping controller and power system stabilizer (PSS) in multi-machine power system. The coordinated design problem of PSS and TCSC damping controllers over a wide range of loading conditions is converted to an optimization problem with the time domain-based objective function that is solved by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique which has a strong ability to find the most optimistic results. By minimizing the proposed fitness function in which oscillatory characteristics between areas are included and thus the interactions among the TCSC controller and PSS under transient conditions in the multi-machine power system are improved. To ensure the robustness of the proposed stabilizers, the design process takes a wide range of operating conditions into account. The effectiveness of the ...

Wastenet

Technology Strategy Board Driving Innovation ...Technology Strategy 2009-2012 ... The vision of the Technology Strategy Board is for the UK to be a global leader in innovation

Science.gov (United States)

During the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) landings, the Descent Image Motion Estimation System

Science.gov (United States)

... UUV Unmanned Underwater Vehicle ... 26- VISION-ASSISTED ROBOT TASKS ... Specifically, the development of autonomous robots depends on ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

This paper presents a novel design methodology, based on shaping the system frequency response, for the generation of an appropriate residual signal that is sensitive to sensor faults in the presence of model uncertainty and exogenous unknown (unmeasured) disturbances. An integrated feedback controller design and robust frequency-based fault detection approach is proposed for Single-Input/Single-Output systems. The effciency of the proposed method is demonstrated on a Single Machine Innite Bus (SMIB) power system that achieves a coordinate power system stabilizer with satisfactory sensor fault detection capabilities.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One approach to validate nuclear power plant (NPP) signals makes use of pattern recognition techniques. This approach often assumes that there is a set of signal prototypes that are continuously compared with the actual sensor signals. These signal prototypes are often computed based on empirical models with little or no knowledge about physical processes. A common problem of all data-based models is their limited ability to make predictions on the basis of available training data. Another problem is related to suboptimal training algorithms. Both of these potential shortcomings with conventional approaches to signal validation and sensor operability validation are successfully resolved by adopting a recently proposed learning paradigm called the support vector machine (SVM). The work presented here is a novel application of SVM for data-based modeling of system state variables in an NPP, integrated ...

Science.gov (United States)

Research into methods for reasoning under uncertainty is currently one of the most exciting areas of artificial intelligence, largely because it has recently become possible to record, store, and process large amounts of data. While impressive achievements have been made in pattern classification problems such as handwritten character recognition, face detection, speaker identification, and prediction of gene function, it is even more exciting that researchers are on the verge of introducing systems that can perform large-scale combinatorial analyses of data, decomposing the data into interacting components. For example, computational methods for automatic scene analysis are now emerging in the computer vision community. These methods decompose an input image into its constituent objects, lighting conditions, motion patterns, etc. Two of the main challenges are finding effective representations and models in specific applications and finding efficient algorithms ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A 450 MeV Synchrotron Radiation Source, Indus-1 is being constructed at Centre for Advanced Technology at Indore in central India. This paper narrates our experience in construction and alignment of synchrotron machines which was first of its kind for most of us. Careful design, planning and execution of the work yielded modest results so that alignment accuracies between 0.1 to 0.3 mm could be achieved (in booster synchrotron) and, which have proved to be adequate up till now. The building of the SRS complex was constructed such that machine rings have their foundations isolated from rest of the building. A number of 100 x 150 mm size steel plates were embedded in the concrete of floor and walls to serve as base for reference surveying marks which were established later. The pre-injector and booster ring are enclosed in a radiation shielding zone with separate ventilation system. Dipoles, quadrupoles and a few sextupoles ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A type of Si3N4-based nanocomposites ceramic cutting tool material was prepared by the addition of nano-scale Si3N4W whisker and nano-scale TiN particle. Cutting performance of the Si3N4/Si3N4W/TiN nanocomposite ceramic tool in machining of cast iron was investigated in comparison with a commercial sialon ceramic tool, and the tool wear mechanism was studied. The two types of cutting tools have similar cutting performance at relatively low cutting parameters, while Si3N4/Si3N4W/TiN nanocomposite tool exhibits a better wear resistance than sialon tool at the relatively high cutting parameters. The wear of sialon ceramic cutting tool is dominated by the plastic deformation, abrasive action, microcracking, pullout of grains and chemical action at the higher cutting parameters. The higher mech...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new approach for the selection of best PSS locations in multimachine power systems is proposed in this paper. Study shows that the right-eigenvector measures the activity of state variables and the left-eigenvector measures the control effect of control signals. Based on the right and left eigenvector the concept of sensitivity of PSS effect (SPE) is presented and used to identify the best PSS locations. The proposed method is used to identify the best PSS location in a 13-machine system to increase the damping of an interarea mode. The time-domain simulation results confirm that the prediction of best PSS location by SPE method is correct and accurate.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The use of workstations, controllers or embedded systems and their applications have become much more relevant than previously. PC-based systems, a cooker programmer, applications of, for example, Prolog machines, Unix and Ada papers, Robotics and Automation are typical examples of this. The three keynote addresses of this symposium have as their subjects the most spectacular microcomputer fields and are presented by leading experts. The papers presented cover most of the traditional interests of Euromicro. Special emphasis is given to contributions on the use of workstations and personal computers, on RISC and GaAs and on transputers.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Knowledge integration is the process of incorporating new information into a body of existing knowledge. It involves determining how new and existing knowledge interact and how existing knowledge should be modified to accommodate the new information. KI is a machine learning program that performs knowledge integration. Through actively investigating the interaction of new information with existing knowledge KI is capable of detecting and exploiting a variety of diverse learning opportunities during a single learning episode. Empirical evaluation suggests that KI provides significant assistance to knowledge engineers while integrating new information into a large knowledge base.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Multi-machine experimental observations indicate resilience in the temperature profiles at low pedestal temperatures,whereas at high pedestal temperatures the profile stiffness seems to disappear.The change of the profile behavior impacts the energy confinement,basically due to a strong non-linear dependence of the energy transport on the pedestal temperature together with different critical conditions for the onset of turbulence in the ions and electrons.This possible explanation for the different observations is based on the assumption that both ion and electron energy transport is governed by turbulence which sets in at a critical temperature gradient as well as on a significant energy equipartition between electrons and ions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As a part of the Finnish radioactive waste disposal research three holes (the size of deposition holes) were bored in the research tunnel at Olkiluoto in Finland. A novel full-face boring technique was used based on rotary crushing of rock and removal of crushed rock by vacuum flushing through the drill string an the purpose of the work was to demonstrate the feasibility of the technique. During the boring test procedures were carried out in order to determine the effect of charges in operating parameters on the performance of the boring machine and the quality of the hole. (refs.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, a neural networks (NN) based adaptive sliding mode controller (SMC) is introduced. The selection of SMC feedback gains is normally based on one operating point and thus the performance of the controller away from the design operating point is, of necessity, a compromise. The adaptive SMC is proposed to overcome the limitations imposed on the effectiveness of the SMC under different operating conditions. Neural networks are used for online prediction of the optimal SMC gains when the operating point changes. The proposed method has been applied to a power system stabilizer (PSS) of a single machine power system. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control scheme.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High temperature fatigue crack growth (FCG) and creep crack growth (CCG) experiments have been conducted in air on weld metal, heat affected zone (HAZ) and base metal of the austenitic Alloy 800 and the nickel base Alloy 617. Tests were performed on specimens machined from pipes, in the temperature range 550-900 deg. C. The crack propagation mode was examined. At all temperatures and for both materials, FCG of base metal was found to be the highest, whereas the weld metal exhibited the lowest FCG rate. The FCG rate in the HAZ was found to lie in between of those observed for base and weld metal. The crack propagation mode remained transgranular in base metal and transdendritic in weld metal at all temperatures. CCG behaviour could be described using the energy rate integral C*. Base metal and weld metal exhibited similar CCG rate at same C*. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to the recent catastrophic energy system failures in California along with those in the North-Eastern US and Southern Canada, London, and Italy, the time has come to proclaim the failure of deregulation, privatization or liberalization and propose a new energy system. This book shows in the first section, how five precipitating forces led to the deregulation debacle in California: (1) major technological changes and commercialization, (2) regulatory needs mismatched to societal adjustments, (3) inadequate and flawed economic models, (4) lack of vision, goals, and planning leading to energy failures, and (5) failure and lack of economic regional development. The second half of the book, examines how 'civic market', new economic models, and planning for complexity as sustainable economic development transformed in California, the same five forces to create an 'agile energy system' based on renewable energy ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Secondly, the electrode- tissue interface may have ... stimulation of the optic nerve in a ... Ocular Electronic Vision Prosthesis, Australasian Ophthalmic ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A case of intraocular coenurosis was clinically diagnosed and treated with praziquantel. The drug destroyed the coenurus, but vision was lost through toxic endophthalmitis and retinal detachment. There...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... I3a. -YPE OF REPORT T7b 7,ME COVEE 14 DATE OF REPORT (Year, Month. ... the addition of various materials to the standard flare in order to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper reviews the US Clean Coal Technology program, discussing some of the projects, before describing the Vision 21 program.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (composed of automakers Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler) announced in January 2002 a new cooperative research effort. Known as 'FreedomCAR' (derived from 'Freedom' and 'Cooperative Automotive Research'), it represents DOE's commitment to developing public/private partnerships to fund high-risk, high-payoff research into advanced automotive technologies. Efficient fuel cell technology, which uses hydrogen to power automobiles without air pollution, is a very promising pathway to achieving the ultimate vision. The new partnership replaces and builds upon the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles initiative that ran from 1993 through 2001. The Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines (APEEM) subprogram within the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program provides support and guidance ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Particulate (i.e. tokamak dust) has been collected from the DIII-D tokamak located at General Atomics in San Diego, CA, USA. Two methods were used to collect particulate with the goal of preserving the particle size distribution and physical characteristics of the particulate. Vacuum collection on substrates and adhesion removal with metallurgical replicating tape were chosen as non-intrusive sampling methods. Sampling was completed in four toroidal locations of the machine; the 0-90 area, the 90-180 area, the 180-270 area, and the 270-360 area. The 0 direction designates the north side of the DIII-D machine. Four tiles in each area were sampled; the first vertical tile above the floor on the centerpost, a floor tile next to the center post, a tile on the isolated ring, and the first tile up from the isolated ring on the divertor. In addition, samples were collected from underneath the floor tiles at the 275 and the 75 locations. The count ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... brakes reactor charging machines reactors machine parts Int. Cl. B66d5/00;

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ACP Multi-Array Processor System (ACPMAPS) is a highly cost effective, local memory parallel computer designed for floating point intensive grid based problems. The processing nodes of the system are single board array processors based on the FORTRAN and C programmable Weitek XL chip set. The nodes are connected by a network of very high bandwidth 16 port crossbar switches. The architecture is designed to achieve the highest possible cost effectiveness while maintaining a high level of programmability. The primary application of the machine at Fermilab will be lattice gauge theory. The hardware is supported by a transparent site oriented software system called CANOPY which shields theorist users from the underlying node structure. 4 refs., 2 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper is devoted to the coordination of secondary voltage control and adaptive parameters resetting of the power system stabilizer, in order to increase stability, margins in real time operation. Secondary voltage control and the power system stabilizer are two control loops, which affect the same system parameter on different bases - that parameter is the voltage set-point of the automatic voltage regulator. It was found that their effects were complementary. In that way, through the proper coordination of actions of these two control loops open up a wide range of possibilities for ensuring the stability of bulk power systems in real time. For the establishment of this coordination, an on-line sequential algorithm is proposed which is based on adaptive resetting of the voltage set-point of the automatic voltage regulator and the PSS parameters. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is confined through simulations on a real-life ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background vibration in a CANDU plant can be used to determine the dynamic characteristics of major items of equipment, such as calandria, the fuelling machines and the primary heat transport pumps. These dynamic characteristics can then be used to verify the seismic response of the equipment which, at present, is based on theoretical models only. The feasibility and basic theory of this new approach (which uses accelerations measured at several points on a structure and does not require knowledge of the source of excitation) was established in Phase I of the study. This report is based on Phase II in which the methods of analysis developed in Phase I were improved and verified experimentally. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm was incorporated and an interactive curve fitting technique was developed to obtain the dynamic characteristics in the form of natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios. The method is ...

Science.gov (United States)

Phenomena in power systems tend to exhibit higher nonlinearity, because efficient operation accompanies severer power transfer. In such cases, there might exist some limitation to the use of conventional linear control design scheme due to the nonlinearity. As for consideration to the nonlinearity, we have developed a nonlinear analysis method based on normal form theory. In this paper, we develop a new control design scheme based on the nonlinear analysis method. The developed method is effective in a case when oscillatory instability occurs. In the developed method, the parameters of control devices are adjusted so as to enlarge the stability limit against the oscillatory instability, unless each eigenvalue exceed its allowable threshold. We verify the effectiveness of the developed method in the IEEJ 10-machine System Model by applying to PSS (Power System Stabilizer). We show that the power transfer limit increases by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A power system stabilizer based on GMV (Generalized Minimum Variance), one of the adaptive control techniques, is developed to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The stabilizer consists of two parts. One part is Inverse Dynamics Neural Networks (IDNN), which is trained to identify the inverse dynamics of controlled plant and used as a one-step ahead controller, or inverse controller. The other part is Adaptive Reference Model (ARM), which prevents excessive controller output. The ARM produces the modified reference value by minimizing a cost function recursively on the assumption that the IDNN perfectly identifies the controlled plant. The IDNN is used in the minimization procedure to calculate the sensitivities. The proposed controller is simulated in a typical one-machine-infinite-bus power system to show its effectiveness to damp sustained low frequency oscillation. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of computer vision to detect, measure, and perhaps guide the assembly of man-made components is potentially a very significant research and development area. The efficacy of these techniques for any given application depends on both technical and economic considerations. This paper will explore both these considerations using appropriate generic examples. It is our goal to first present a concise discussion of the present state of many technical and economic factors and then extrapolate these factors into the future for the purpose of guiding further investigations.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

On-power refuelling is an integral feature of PHWR units. The most notable aspect of refuelling system of 540 MWe PHWR (TAPP-3 and 4) is that the FM Head is based on rack and pinion mechanism for B-ram and C-ram of Ram assembly. Latch ram used during plug operations, is assembled in between B-ram and C-ram and is moved by a ballscrew driven by oil hydraulic motors. This unique design has been employed for the first time in a PHWR unit. In comparison, B-ram is ballscrew driven and C-ram is moved by heavy water hydraulic force in FM Heads of 220 MWe PHWR units. Over the years, a number of design improvements have been carried out in the 220 MWe Fuelling Machines to meet the challenge of increasing demands of higher refuelling rates. However, in 540 MWe unit, the average refuelling rate for an equilibrium core is nearly twice that of 220 MWe units. Apart from other assemblies in FM Head, the performance of Ram assembly plays a key role in meeting ...

Science.gov (United States)

For abstract, see NSA 27 06, number 14465.

Science.gov (United States)

Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A virtual balancing axis arrangement is described for multi-cylinder reciprocating piston machines for effectively balancing out imbalanced forces and minimizing residual imbalance moments acting on the crankshaft of such machines without requiring the use of additional parallel-arrayed balancing shafts or complex and expensive gear arrangements. The novel virtual balancing axis arrangement is capable of being designed into multi-cylinder reciprocating piston and crankshaft machines for substantially reducing vibrations induced during operation of such machines with only minimal number of additional component parts. Some of the required component parts may be available from parts already required for operation of auxiliary equipment, such as oil and water pumps used in certain types of reciprocating piston and crankshaft machine so that by appropriate location and dimensioning in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zirconium is a transition element located along with sister elements titanium and hafnium in Group IVB of the periodic table. It is grayish white metal, with a density somewhat less than carbon steel. Zirconium is the ninth most common metallic element in the earth's crust, and is more abundant than zinc, lead, nickel, or even copper. Zirconium is exceptionally resistant to corrosion by many common acids and alkalis. It is resistant to most organic acids, such as formic, acetic, lactic, and oxalic acids. It also has a high resistance to localized forms of corrosion, such as pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. Its corrosion resistance is caused by the formation of a dense, tenaciously adherent, chemically inert oxide film on the surface. This oxide film protects the base metal from both chemical and mechanical attack at temperatures up to about 400 C (750 F). This article describes zirconium's formability, machinability, ...

CERN Document Server

Artificial intelligence (AI) research has evolved over the last few decades and knowledge acquisition research is at the core of AI research. PKAW-04 is one of three international knowledge acquisition workshops held in the Pacific-Rim, Canada and Europe over the last two decades. PKAW-04 has a strong emphasis on incremental knowledge acquisition, machine learning, neural nets and active mining. The proceedings contain 19 papers that were selected by the program committee among 24 submitted papers. All papers were peer reviewed by at least two reviewers. The papers in these proceedings cover the methods and tools as well as the applications related to develop expert systems or knowledge based systems.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We investigate how, and to what extent, morphological complexity of the language influences text classification using support vector machines (SVM). The Croatian-English parallel corpus provides the basis for direct comparison of two languages of radically different morphological complexity. We quantified, compared, and statistically tested the effects of morphological normalisation on SVM classifier performance based on a series of parallel experiments on both languages, carried over a large scale of different feature subset sizes obtained by different feature selection methods, and applying different levels of morphological normalisation. We also quantified the trade-off between feature space size and performance for different levels of morphological normalisation, and compared the resul...

CERN Document Server

In this report we focus on some aspects related to modeling and formal verification of embedded systems. Many models have been proposed to represent embedded systems . These models encompass a broad range of styles, characteristics, and application domains and include the extensions of finite state machines, data flow graphs, communication processes and Petri nets. In this report, we have used a PRES+ model (Petri net based Representation for Embedded Systems) as an extension of classical Petri net model that captures concurrency, timing behaviour of embedded systems; it allows systems to be representative in different levels of abstraction and improves expressiveness by allowing the token to carry information. Modeling using PRES+, as discussed above, may be convenient for specifying the input behaviour because it supports concurrency. However, there is no equivalence checking method reported in the literature for PRES+ models to the best of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

When the transmission line is very long or the generator is operated at a power factor nearly equal to 1.0, the machine regulated by an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) cannot be operated stably due to poor dynamic stability. To overcome this difficulty, the so called power system stabilizer (PSS) is very useful, in that output power or rotor speed of the generator is used as a feedback signal. The primary obective of the PSS is to damp the swing of the generator as quickly as possible. A method is proposed for designing PSS which yields a given eigenvalue. In the second method, the use of a Heffron-Phillips model is discussed. Next, a detailed procedure for the proposed design method is presented. A generalized method of a PSS design based on Park's equation and matrix operation is proposed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The article is aimed to design and testing of joystick with force feedback used in direct, human control of lifting device. The paper starts with the basic description of designed and tested by us MR rotary brake. Some initial laboratory investigations results of such brakes are presented. The usage of MR brakes in 2 axis joystick is proposed. Such, built by as joystick, is described. It was used as Human-Machine Interface in active control of lifting device. The designed and built 2 axis manipulator with electrohydraulic drive is described. In the paper, the based on PC with input/output card, control system of mentioned above joystick with MR brake and manipulator is described. Finally the control algorithm is proposed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research highlights: {yields} Mathematical model represents a power system which consists of synchronous machine connected to infinite bus through transmission line. {yields} Power system stabilizer was designed based on optimal pole shifting controller. {yields} The system performances was tested through load disturbances at different operating conditions. {yields} The system performance with the proposed optimal pole shifting controller is compared with the conventional pole placement controller. {yields} The digital simulation results indicated that the proposed controller has a superior performance. -- Abstract: Power system stabilizer based on optimal pole shifting is proposed. An approach for shifting the real parts of the open-loop poles to any desired positions while preserving the imaginary parts is presented. In each step of this approach, it is required to solve a first-order or a second-order linear matrix ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser safety standards and eye protection (filters) are designed to limit ocular exposures to prevent retinal lesions, yet eyesafe laser exposures can disrupt vision by causing glare and flashblindness. Protective filters can have opposing effects on vision function. They reduce laser exposures but also reduce task luminance and contrast. Filters alone may interfere with vision and consequently reduce work safety and performance. It is therefore important to be able to predict the effects of both laser exposures and protective filters to assess trade-offs between protection and visual function. This paper briefly reviews the methods, concepts, and experimental database used in our laboratory to predict laser, filter, and laser-plus-filter effects on tasks involving visual detection. The modeling approach uses estimates of the spatial distribution of light in the retinal image of the laser source to predict glare, ...

Science.gov (United States)

The capacity to estimate the head pose of another person is a common human ability that presents a unique challenge for computer vision systems. Compared to face detection and recognition, which have been the primary foci of face-related vision research, identity-invariant head pose estimation has fewer rigorously evaluated systems or generic solutions. In this paper, we discuss the inherent difficulties in head pose estimation and present an organized survey describing the evolution of the field. Our discussion focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and spans 90 of the most innovative and characteristic papers that have been published on this topic. We compare these systems by focusing on their ability to estimate coarse and fine head pose, highlighting approaches that are well suited for unconstrained environments. PMID:19229078

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Proper balance control is a key aspect of acitivities of daily living. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of body weight to predict balance stability. The balance stability of 59 male subjects with BMI ranging from 17.4 to 63.8kg/m2 was assessed using a force platform. The subjects were tested with and without vision. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent effect of body weight, age, body height and foot length on balance stability (i.e., mean speed of the center of foot pressure). With vision, the stepwise multiple regression revealed that body weight accounted for 52% of the variance of balance stability. The addition of age contributed a further 3% to explain balance control. Without vision, body weight accounted for 54% of the...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Concept Exploration (CE) experiments within the Innovative Confinement Concept Program have a unique role which impacts their contributions to the development of fusion energy. As stated in the FESAC ''Report on Alternate Concepts:'' These [CE] programs are aimed at innovation and basic understanding of relevant scientific phenomena. The emphasis on innovation motivates their application to the search for a better fusion reactor configuration. In addition, because of their unique character the CE experiments offer excellent opportunities to couple fusion-plasma physics to other sciences. A recent example of coupling is the fusion self-organized plasmas to reconnection physics and extra-terrestrial plasmas. Perhaps of even greater importance is the education of the future scientists needed for developing fusion energy. The CE experiments, both at universities and national labs, are of a size students can ''get their hands ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundDiabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the manifestations of diabetic retinopathy leading to loss of central vision and visual acuity. It manifests itself with swelling...Full Text Available

Medline Plus

... CT angiograph for the peripheral rteries. a beautiful 3D-vision on the structures inside e chest. Okay. ... have an angled camera here. This is a 3D camera, and the surgeon has got th What ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uncertainty in computer vision can arise at various levels. It can occur in the low level in the raw sensor input, and extends all the way through intermediate and higher levels. Ideally, at any level where decisions are being made on the basis of previous processing steps, a computer vision system must have sufficient flexibility for representation of uncertainty in any of these levels. The input cue representation portion of a computer vision system should maintain the information content of the original input images, while at the same time allowing for uncertainty in the identification of attributes required by other parts of the system for decision making. Processes such as edge detection, segmentation, and shape matching yield results which could bias higher level decision making, unless some framework is defined for the representation of uncertainty in the context of fuzzy set theory where membership values associated ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by progressive loss of vision. The aim of this study was to identify the causative mutations...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Using the photopigment melanopsin, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) respond directly to light to drive circadian clock resetting and pupillary constriction. We now...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundRecessive mutations in guanylate cyclase-1 (Gucy2d) are associated with severe, early onset Leber congenital amaurosis-1(LCA1). Gucy2d...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper evaluates exploration technology. Topics discussed are: Visions; the subsurface challenge; the creative tension; the exploration process; seismic; geology; organic geochemistry; seismic resolution; integration; drilling; value creation. 4 refs., 22 figs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A century ago, Cajal noted striking similarities between the neural circuits that underlie vision in vertebrates and flies. Over the past few decades, structural and functional studies have...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Even in healthy individuals, aging leads to deterioration in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, and dark adaptation. Little is known about the neural mechanisms that drive the...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Developing cortex generates endogenous activity that modulates the formation of functional units, but how this activity is altered to support mature function is poorly understood. Using recordings...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The problems in computer vision range from edge detection and segmentation at the lowest level to the problem of cognition at the highest level. This correspondence describes the organization and operation of a semantic network array processor (SNAP) as applicable to high level computer vision problems. The architecture consists of an array of identical cells each containing a content addressable memory, microprogram control, and a communication unit. The applications discussed in this paper are the two general techniques, discrete relaxation and dynamic programming. While the discrete relaxation is discussed with reference to scene labeling and edge interpretation, the dynamic programming is tuned for stereo.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A primary goal of noninvasive studies of human vision is to identify and characterize multiple visual areas in the human brain analogous to those identified in studies of nonhuman primates. By combining functional MEG measurements with images of individual anatomy derived from MRI, the authors hope to determine the location and arrangement of multiple visual areas in human cortex and to probe their functional significance. The authors have identified several different visual areas thus far which appear to be topographically organized. This paper focuses on the retinotopic characterization of the primary visual area (V1) in humans.

Science.gov (United States)

A 12-month program was conducted to advance the technology of the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process to be applicable to the stringent requirements of gun barrel boring and rifling. The type of barrels employed in the test were .220 swift gun ba...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermo-hygro-rheology of wood-adhesive systems plays an important role during the hot pressing process of wood based composites. The principal objective of this research is to quantitatively study the thermo-hygro rheological characteristics of wood-adhesive systems used in such composites. This is with a view to providing material characteristics which may be used in simulation models of industrial hot-pressing operations. For this purpose, a specially designed miniature hot press system mounted on a servo-hydraulic testing machine was used to compress pre-formed fiber networks. The environment for each test was maintained uniform throughout the specimen by pre-treating it inside the system until the desired conditions of temperature and moisture were achieved. Experiments were conducted under a range of test conditions of load (1 to 6 MPa), temperature (25 to 150C) and moisture content (0 to 16%). A five-element rheological model was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To increase further the accuracy of flow regime and considering the non-stationary characteristics of differential pressure fluctuation signals of gas-liquid two-phase flow, the flow regime identification method based on recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) and multi-sensor data fusion techniques is put forward. First of all, the recurrence quantification analysis method is used to extract the nonlinear feature parameters of the differential pressure fluctuation signals of gas-liquid two-phase flow, and data fusion of feature layer is conducted by QRA feature parameters of differential pressure signals of three pressure measure intervals, and composes the fusion feature vectors. The fused characteristic vector are input into the support vector machine for identify flow regime. The identification results for four typical flow regimes of air-water two-phase flow in horizontal pipe has shown that the reliability of the identification result is ...

CERN Document Server

Sparse learning has recently received increasing attention in many areas including machine learning, statistics, and applied mathematics. The mixed-norm regularization based on the L1/Lq norm with q > 1 is attractive in many applications of regression and classification in that it facilitates group sparsity in the model. The resulting optimization problem is, however, challenging to solve due to the structure of the L1/Lq -regularization. Existing work deals with special cases including q = 2,infinity, and they cannot be easily extended to the general case. In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithm based on the accelerated gradient method for solving the L1/Lq -regularized problem, which is applicable for all values of q larger than 1, thus significantly extending existing work. One key building block of the proposed algorithm is the L1/Lq -regularized Euclidean projection (EP1q). Our theoretical analysis reveals ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents a practical case study on the dynamic stability of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) power system and its effect on increasing power transfer limit of the interconnection between Eastern Operating Area (SEC-EOA). The problem of optimal tuning of the power system stabilizer parameters was converted into optimization problem wth eigenvalue-based objective functions, which was then solved by genetic algorithms. In this regard, two eigenvalue-based objective functions were considered and the problem is solved using real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA). The effectiveness of the suggested technique to enhance the power system dynamic stability and to extend the power transfer capability limit of the SEC-EOA and the SEC-EOA power system was verified through a comprehensive eigenvalue analysis and time-domain nonlinear simulation. The results also indicated that the proposed tuning schemes of the existing stabilizers in the system ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the last two years, the VDMA work group 'Functional security' compiled a qualitative and quantitative procedure for the determination and evaluation of turbo-machine specific risks. With the calibrated risk graph for turbo-machines the requirements (Safety Integrity Level SIL) to the protective functions for turbo-machines (steam turbines, gas turbines, generators and compressors) were determined. With consideration of the legislation, the work group compiled a recommendation for the renewal and/or reconstruction of protective functions with old facilities.

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

... Accession Number : ADA079641. Title : Relation of the One-Phase Stefan Problem to the Seepage of Liquids and Electrochemical Machining,. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author gives an account of tests with the X-phone system. The aim of the tests was to establish the reliability and behaviour of the apparatus mounted on a winning machine and to investigate the possibility of setting up a radio link, without laying an extra wire, between the foot of the tubbing-lined roadway and the winning machine on a steep face. The author describes the face and the test conditions and presents details of the satisfactory test results.

Wastenet

... Longer residence times attain finer grinds while shorter residence times attain higher outputs. Accordingly, the ATTOMILL can be set up to achieve optimum efficiency for individ ual applications. VENDOR INFORMATION: Peterson Machine Inc. www.microgrind.com/peterson/tech.htm Peterson Machine Inc. (formally Peterson North) was created under D. Peterson Machine & Fabrication Ltd. in 1994 after two years of successful ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The spectral characteristics of the Cherenkov radiation have been evaluated and converted to equivalent retinal irradiance from external sources. On the basis of the conversion, electron fluxes have been estimated for 2-sec recovery times from flashblindness. The electrons are assumed to have energies greater than 6 MeV and to be delivered in one or more bursts of 1 microsecond each over 1 sec. It is important to note that very little data exists on recovery times as short as 2 sec for either photopic and scotopic conditions. This situation is a direct result of the lack of definition of the critical tasks and their sensitivity to an interruption of background adaptation. The Cherenkov radiation produced within the eye by relativistic electrons can be compared to light from external sources by the relationships: 1 rad approx. = 4.6 scotopic td-sec and 1 rad approx. = 0.55 photopic td sec. Based on these conversion factors, the following estimates can be derived by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The NGDRS has facilitated 85% of cores, cuttings, and other data identified available for transfer to the public sector. Over 12 million linear feet of cores and cuttings, in addition to large numbers of paleontological samples and are now available for public use. To date, with industry contributions for program operations and data transfers, the NGDRS project has realized a 6.5 to 1 return on investment to Department of Energy funds. Large-scale transfers of seismic data have been evaluated, but based on the recommendation of the NGDRS steering committee, cores have been given priority because of the vast scale of the seismic data problem relative to the available funding. The rapidly changing industry conditions have required that the primary core and cuttings preservation strategy evolve as well. Additionally, the NGDRS clearinghouse is evaluating the viability of transferring seismic data covering the western shelf of the Florida Gulf Coast. AGI remains ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

New furnaces were built based on fused silica with NiChrome heating elements custom-wound on alumina ceramic to self-compensate for induced magnetic fields during operation. During tests these furnaces failed due to thermal stresses caused by the high temperature cement used to hold the alumina ceramic in place. As a third solution pieces of boron nitride have been procured from which new furnace bodies will be machined during the third quarter. In order to increase the in-house capacity for machining ceramic parts a small lathe was ordered. The implementation of the LabView data acquisition software from National Instruments, Inc. took more time than anticipated and is still not completed. Major difficulties had to be overcome during the integration of the separate positive and negative high voltage supplies ({plus_minus}1000V). It became apparent that a custom-designed switch had to be installed to safeguard the data ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this investigation was to simulate a machining front from an abrasive waterjet and its movements in a ceramic material. Wear factors affecting the abrasive waterjet nozzle were also to be established. Therefore, a low inclination angle (9[degree]) was used between the nozzle and test sample, simulating a moving machine front. A standard nozzle with an inner diameter of 0.76 mm was used in the test, and it was placed close to the samples. The outer diameter of the abrasive nozzle was 9.5 mm. The high wear rate from abrasive waterjets makes it possible to machine hard ceramics-including dense alumina, titanium boride, silicon nitride, and composites-at high machining speeds.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aqueous solutions (mixed waste) generated from various LLNL operations, such as debris washing, sample preparation and analysis, and equipment maintenance and cleanout, were combined for storage in the B695 tank farm. Prior to combination the individual waste streams had different codes depending on the particular generating process and waste characteristics. The largest streams were CWC 132, 791, 134, 792. Several smaller waste streams were also included. This combined waste stream was treated at LLNL's waste treatment facility using a vacuum filtration and cool vapor evaporation process in preparation for discharge to sanitary sewer. Prior to discharge, the treated waste stream was sampled and the results were reviewed by LLNL's water monitoring specialists. The treated solution was discharged following confirmation that it met the discharge criteria. A major source, accounting for 50% for this waste stream, is metal machining, cutting and ...

Science.gov (United States)

The surveillance systems have been widely used in automatic teller machines (ATMs), banks, convenient stores, etc. For example, when a customer uses the ATM, the surveillance systems will record his/her face information. The information will help us understand and trace who withdrew money. However, when criminals use the ATM to withdraw illegal money, they usually block their faces with something (in Taiwan, criminals usually use safety helmets or masks to block their faces). That will degrade the purpose of the surveillance system. In previous work, we already proposed a technology for safety helmet detection. In this paper, we propose a mask detection technology based upon automatic face recognition methods. We use the Gabor filters to generate facial features and utilize geometric analysis algorithms for mask detection. The technology can give an early warning to save-guards when any "customer" or "intruder" blocks his/her face information ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ALICE heavy-ion particle physics experiment is currently being built at CERN near Geneva. It will use a PC cluster of 900 dual-processor machines for the last stages of the data readout process and a network of 400 microcomputers for the configuration and control of the cluster nodes. One of the most important objectives to be achieved in such experiments is to guarantee the utilized devices are running correctly during the experiment life-time. A second aspect is the extremely high availability and reliability requirements of the applications being run, the so called high level trigger (HLT). The SysMES framework is a scalable, decentralized, fault tolerant, dynamic, rule based tool set for the monitoring of networks of target systems and applications. The management algorithms consist of the following steps: system and application monitoring, recognition of undesirable states, event (message) generation, local event handling on the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on information contained in literature, patents and catalogs a review is presented of powder-rolling metallurgy abroad. Statistics are given on the output of powder metallurgy in several countries. In the USA both the dense type of rolled metal for manufacturing various machine parts and the porous variety for making filters are produced. Four main types of technological processes are analysed: the usual flow chart for cold rolling, rolling of preheated powder, rolling in free-flowing state, and rolling with heated rollers. Of these four processes the first is most widely used. Fowders consisting of spherical particles (heat-stable alloys from nickel or high titanium alloys), which are difficult to work with, have not yet found wide practical application in powder metallurgy abroad. Literature data show that granulated heat-resistant alloys can be cold-treated under pressure only after they are powdered. The best methods for pulverizing ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of technical requirements and performance criteria can drive stellarator costs, e.g., tight tolerances, accurate coil positioning, low aspect ratio (compactness), choice of assembly strategy, metrology, and complexity of the stellarator coil geometry. With the completion of a seven-year design and construction effort of the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) it is useful to interject the NCSX experience along with the collective experiences of the NCSX stellarator community to improving the stellarator configuration. Can improvements in maintenance be achieved by altering the stellarator magnet configuration with changes in the coil shape or with the combination of trim coils? Can a mechanical configuration be identified that incorporates a partial set of shaped fixed stellarator coils along with some removable coil set to enhance the overall machine maintenance? Are there other approaches that will simplify the concepts, improve access for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reactor Regulating System (RRS) of TAPP-3 and 4 (540 MWe PHWR) addresses issues of elaborate Flux Tilt Control as applied to large Reactor Cores in addition to the traditional Bulk Power (Actual Power) Control. The control of Bulk and Zonal Power by RRS through the use of Zonal Control Compartments (ZCCs) has been successfully demonstrated in the Indian PHWRs for the first time. Features like automation in Demand Power Maneuvering, Manual Movement of Reactivity Devices through the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and the supervised withdrawal of Shut-off Rods during Auto Criticality are also included. Special algorithms to measure and control the individual Zone Power and Bulk Power also form part of RRS algorithms. This paper describes the salient features of RRS of TAPP-3 and 4 and the improvement carried out based on the feedback of past 1 year of operation of TAPP-4 at around 90 % FP. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kawasaki Steel has modernized blast furnace control systems featuring an integrated instrumentation and electrical system for each sub-process, a human-machine interface through a single window, and a distributed process computer system. A furnace diagnosis system, which has been known as 'GO-STOP system', has been developed to a knowledge-based system that enables to provide appropriate action guidance. For the burden distribution control, controllability and flexibility have been improved by the use of a bell-less-top charging device. For hot stove control, the automatic setting of a combustion gas flow rate and improved efficiency have been achieved by a fuzzy control system. Furthermore, the remote operation of cast house equipment has been realized and contributed to improve the working environment and the efficient operation at Chiba Works No. 6 blast furnace. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The unit cost of energy production of wind generators is examined by means of a model of the turbine power curve and the Weibull model of wind probability function, by applying the usual economic equations. The analysis is carried out in terms of dimensionless variables whose range of variability is defined by examining the data of 80 modern commercial wind turbines; likewise, the economic parameters are based on the present state of costs. The unit cost decreases asymptotically when alpha (ratio between mean wind speed and cut-in speed) - increases and shows a lower limit of 2 to 5 Ecent/kWh. This cost depends both on the value of the machine parameter {phi} (ratio between nominal and cut-in speed) and on the basic prices. The effect of the Weibull shape parameter kappa is different according to the values of {alpha} and {phi}: with low {alpha} and high {phi} the unit cost increases along with {kappa} (that is with the regularity of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since bearing is in wide use as basic parts for rotary machines, detection and diagnosis of its defects are important in practical use. To discriminate defect portions by early detection of roller bearing flaking, the conventional parameter method using peakedness is poor. Thus to directly obtain difference in waveform, the new method was applied to such detection which uses KDI as the scale of a difference in waveform, and a most neighborhood classification rule based on KDI. The detection and discrimination abilities of this method was studied mainly in experiment. The experiment used a bench scale rotor and a supporting bearing, and attempted detection and discrimination of no flaking, outer ring flaking and inner ring flaking. As a result, this method could detect and discriminate fine flaking which was never detected by conventional method. Since selection of standard data is essential for this method, a distance ratio was introduced as ...

Science.gov (United States)

Citation information: Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 502-515. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x ABSTRACT: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is the combination of eye and vision problems associated with the use of computers. In modern western society the use of computers for both vocational and avocational activities is almost universal. However, CVS may have a significant impact not only on visual comfort but also occupational productivity since between 64% and 90% of computer users experience visual symptoms which may include eyestrain, headaches, ocular discomfort, dry eye, diplopia and blurred vision either at near or when looking into the distance after prolonged computer use. This paper reviews the principal ocular causes for this condition, namely oculomotor anomalies and dry eye. Accommodation and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report presents the Business Plan for the establishment of the Wind Turbine Component Centre (CWTC) to meet the objectives of performing theoretical research and experimental testing. The core idea of a CWTC is to support the Danish wind energy industry and research activities at the component level improving the competitive advantage of that industry. The CWTC will in itself operate its activities, including access to test and experimental facilities, on a semi commercial basis. The business model for the CWTC presented is based on revenues coming from component manufacturers as well as research grants, and will include membership fees as well as hourly payment and larger projects where payment is a limited project sum. The presented roadmap model clarifies the development path towards a fully developed CWTC, which will cover test of all important components along the drive-train as well as offering a comprehensive systematic understanding of the entire ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser applications have proliferated in recent years and, as to be expected, their presence is no longer confined to the laboratory or places where access to their radiation can be easily controlled. One obvious application where this is so is in military operations where various devices such as laser range finders, target designators, and secure communications equipment elevate the risk of exposure, specifically eye exposure, to unacceptable levels. Although the need for eye protection in the laboratory and other controlled areas has been appreciated since the invention of the laser, the use of lasers in circumstances where safety or the risk of temporary loss of vision, which can not always be ensured by administrative procedures, has made adequate eye protection essential. It is the critical nature of many military operations that has driven the search for eye protection against both nuclear and laser radiation. At the same time, the requirement to maintain ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The key to the future for electric utilities will not be found in legislation or regulation. Title VII of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 will prove to be just as ineffectual in improving the industry's position as was the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These legislative palliatives, which produced so much commotion and so many reams of heated commentary, are largely irrelevant to a successful future for electric utilities. The key will be found in economics, not in law, and the future will lie in completing Thomas A. Edison's century-old vision for the industry, half of which the industry has heretofore ignored. The industry must embrace the complete vision and evolve from electric utilities into [open quotes]end-use energy utilities.[close quotes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many organizations are challenged with the tasks of identifying customer needs and expectations for their products, anticipating future product needs, communicating a future product vision to clients, and designing with today's technology to bring a future vision to successful realization. The design evolution of plant control centres is one aspect of CANDU development that faces such challenges. The Disney Corporation is an example of an organization that has been successful in consistently meeting these challenges for over fifty years; and some of the design practices proven in moviemaking, theme park and resort layout, and vacation experience organization may be helpful and effective when applied in other domains. This paper summarizes the findings from an examination of Disney Corporation design practices, and suggests how some practices could be used to simplify and enhance the design of future CANDU control centres. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferrography is a technique for isolating wear particle debris from lubricating and hydraulic oils, the presence of which carry with them a history of the wear processes in the machine. Thus, the technique has fundamental applications in machine condition monitoring and failure prevention. The wear particles are significant in the metal types that are present in the particle distribution as an indication of the wearing machine components and in the particle size distribution and morphology which indicates the severity of wear in the system. In this paper, the fundamental principles which describe the working of the ferrograph, concentrating on the working of the on-line ferrograph are discussed. The significance of equilibrium particle concentration in the oil system and its measurement using the ferrograph are also discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gallium liquid-metal ion sources that have been introduced in the late 1970s have allowed the development of a new class of micro- and nanofabrication tools collectively denominated as focused ion beam (FIB) machines. To investigate the potential of a helium beam in such a FIB instrument the authors have tested a room-temperature electron beam ion trap coupled with a high resolution FIB machine. In this letter they present their first results in target imaging using a helium beam with a resolution that allows to account for a beam diameter in the submicrometer range.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A gelcasting composition has improved drying behavior, machinability and shelf life in the dried and unfired state. The composition includes an inorganic powder, solvent, monomer system soluble in the solvent, an initiator system for polymerizing the monomer system, and a plasticizer soluble in the solvent. Dispersants and other processing aides to control slurry properties can be added. The plasticizer imparts an ability to dry thick section parts, to store samples in the dried state without cracking under conditions of varying relative humidity, and to machine dry gelcast parts without cracking or chipping. A method of making gelcast parts is also disclosed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the accomplishments of the University of Georgia in establishing an academic program geared toward the emerging biobased products industry. By virtue of its strengths and structure, the University of Georgia is particularly well-suited for developing a program focused on plant- and microbial-based bioproducts, and it was in this general area that this program was developed. The program had several unique characteristics. First, we implemented a distinguished lecture series that brought outstanding scientists and engineers to our University to interact with students and share their vision of the biobased economy. Second, we offered industrially-oriented and multidisciplinary courses that provided students with a broad background on various facets of biobased business and technology. Third, we provided the students with opportunities to expand beyond the classroom by engaging in research lab rotations and industrial ...

Science.gov (United States)

... First one machine is compromised... ..then another... kosh delenn ivanova garibaldi sinclair londo kosh delenn ivanova garibaldi sinclair ...

Science.gov (United States)

verified Java program is executed by JPF, which is a virtual machine ..... only subset of Java instructions can have inter-thread effects ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Privacy-preserving machine learning algorithms are crucial for the increasingly common setting in which personal data, such as medical or financial records, are analyzed. We provide general...Full Text Available

CERN Document Server

"Machines of all kinds depend on complex software to keep them operating safely. But how reliable is the software - and how can we be sure it is reliable?" (4 pages)

Science.gov (United States)

TRACON controller, traffic flow manager, or pilot. .... separation violations to individual controller and ..... System, AGARD Meeting on Machine Intelligence ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency the Image Understanding Workshop is a forum for the presentation of new research in vision, image analysis, and geometric modeling. Leading scientists present overviews of projects underway at major universities and corporate research sites, as well as results of individual work. The 1987 volume contains 94 articles and technical reports in two volumes.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The necessity of the electron beam machine characterization via dose measurement is discussed. It includes a measurement of comprehensive dose distribution (at known X and Z axis) for verification of the machine performance. The acquired data were then used to develop the irradiation parameters such as energy, current, distance, conveyor speed, exposure rate and depth inside product to be irradiated. These parameters will be used as a guide for the routine irradiations. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A consortium has been formed to undertake the design and development work necessary to establish a comprehensive machine condition monitoring (MCM) and diagnostic system for hydroelectric generating units. By working closely with participating utilities and interested manufacturers, the consortium is initiating the integration of existing and developing technologies into a comprehensive, modular, on- and off-line hydroelectric MCM system.

Science.gov (United States)

The paper examines science fiction literature as a product and part of the social consciousness of the modern capitalist world order. This world order is seen as emphasizing science, technology, movement, growth, urbanization, industrialization, complex organization, and progress. The document is organized into two sections. The first section reviews theories of the sociology of knowledge and discusses knowledge as a process of self-production and reproduction of society. Influential theorists include Hegel, Marx, Lukacs, Mannheim, Gramsci, Habermas, and Touraine. Touraine's (1977) dynamic conflict-based systematic theory of society is based on three concepts: historicity, which defines the instruments of society's self-production; the system of historical action which is the totality of social and cultural orientations, by means of which historicity exercises its control of historicity and the system of historical action. The second section ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For the lifetime evaluation of plasma facing materials in fusion experimental machines, it is essential to investigate their surface behavior and their temperature responses during an off-normal event such as the plasma disruptions. An infrared thermometer with a sampling speed as fast as 1x10"-"6 s/data, namely, the high-speed infrared thermometer (HSIR), has been developed by the National Research Laboratory of Metrology in Japan. To evaluate an applicability of the newly developed HSIR on the surface temperature measurement of plasma facing materials, high heat flux beam irradiation experiments have been performed with three different materials under the surface heat fluxes up to 170 MW/m"2 for 0.04 s in a hydrogen ion beam test facility at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. As for the results, HSIR can be applicable for measuring the surface temperature responses of the armor tile materials with a little modification. It is also confirmed that surface ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to achieve micro-wound, intelligence and high efficiency for fracture setting, intelligent setting system for fracture is proposed in accordance with biomechanics and fracture therapy theory. In the comprehensive medical system based on C-shape-arm X-machine, image processing and analysis is the core, programmable logical controller and stepping motor are important driving parts controlling mechanical parts. Six degree of freedom dynamics sensor ensures to control accurately force and moment. On the foundation of analyzing X-ray image peculiarities, method of processing and analysis is put forward, combining time domain with frequency domain. After mining domain knowledge in depth, setting actions is quantized into three non-continuous steps and is parameterized into two angles and one distance aiming at femoral-neck fracture. Objective features are extracted by virtue of three power polymerization curved surface fitting. Master-slave ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An expert system was developed which helps maintenance personnel diagnose the condition of rotor and stator windings and their cores, in motors and generators rated 2300 V and above. The expert system, called MICAA[TM], used an approach which has been found to be effective for diagnosing medical problems. The program required the user to input machine nameplate information, operating status, and any past test data available. In addition, the program would suggest tests that may be useful, as well as provide guidance to maintenance personnel on what to look for in visual inspections of the machine. The expert system stored and correlated all this information, calculated the overall condition of the component in question, and identified the most likely specific causes of any deterioration. The basic methodology of motor and generator condition assessment, and the architecture and processing performed by MICAA to obtain these capabilities were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Metal machining facilities pose interesting design problems. This article provides an overview of key environmental control considerations and ways to deal with them. Machine shops offer a variety of environmental control challenges to mechanical engineers. Among the design problems that must be considered include: whether to provide space heating only or year-round air conditioning; temperature and relative humidity requirements; air cleanliness; exhaust air requirements; the type of HVAC system to be used; industrial waste and plumbing considerations; compressed air needs; and noise control. In addition, the designer must comply with worker health and safety and environmental protection regulations set forth by the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA, and EPA, as well as with any applicable state and local requirements.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite material has been suggested as a bearing material to overcome tribological problems witnessed during the testing of Ram assembly of the 540 MWe fuelling machine at RTD. After successful trials at B-Ram the composite material has been adapted for B-RAM, C-Ram and RDB head at fuelling machines being tested at RTD, Hall 7 and at Tarapur. Laboratory evaluations were also carried out at Tribology Lab RTD to study effect of radiation on the composite. Paper deals with the various aspects of life prediction of this material in term of wear and radiation damage. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study investigates the effect of solid and liquid lubrication on friction and wear performance of silicon nitride (Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) and cast iron. The solid lubricant was a thin silver film ({approx}2 {mu}m thick) produced on Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} by ion-beam-assisted deposition. A high-temperature polyol-ester-base synthetic oil served as the liquid lubricant. Friction and wear tests were performed with pin-on-disk and oscillating-slider wear test machines at temperatures up to 300{degrees}C. Without the silver films, the friction coefficients of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} test pairs were 0.05 to 0.14, and the average wear rates of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} pins were {approx}5 x 10{sup -8} mm{sup 3} N{sup -1}. The friction coefficients of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/cast iron test pairs ranged from 0.08 to 0.11, depending on test temperature. The average specific wear rates of cast iron pins were {approx}3 x 10{sup -7} mm{sup 3} N{sup -1} m{sup -1}. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Space heating/cooling systems account for approximately 30% of the global energy consumption. Such systems contribute to global warming by emitting 0.39.1011 MWh of heat and 2.9.1010 tons of CO{sub 2}. There is a general understanding that the way to reduce global warming is a more efficient use of energy and increased use of renewable energy in all fields of the society. The poultry industry in the Mid East is an important business. There are e.g. 13000 chicken farms in Syria producing 172,000 ton of meat. This industry employs directly almost 150,000 people. The total investment in chicken farming is 130 BSP. Even though, the annual mean temperature in Syria is {approx}15-18 C the winter temperatures are close to freezing for two months. Since the chickens need a temperature of 21-35 C, depending on age, approximately 168.103 tons of coal (1170 GWh) is consumed for heating these plants. The chicken farms have no cooling systems since conventional cooling is too expensive. In the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this paper is to investigate the fluid dynamic behaviour of a commercial hydraulic proportional valve in order to evaluate and justify its global performances and, in particular, to analyze the effects of some additional design features on the reduction of the force required to maintain the valve open. The proposed analysis has been performed by applying the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, Fluent, to the solution of the three dimensional turbulent flow field through a circumferential sector of the entire valve for different spool strokes. The reliability of the employed modelization is demonstrated by the comparison between the computed flow rate curve and the corresponding experimental data provided by the manufacturer. With regard to the metering edge design, it is shown that the cylindrical hole provided on the top of the hemi-spherical notch to improve metering at small valve openings has no influence on the flow force balance. The presented results ...

Science.gov (United States)

The strength, stiffness, and range of single-stranded stainless steel (SS) and superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires were compared with those of alternative leveling products, including nylon-coated and multistranded wires. Wire cross-sections were photographed after being potted in polymer, ground, and polished. Because the rectangular wires had rounded or beveled corners, gravimetric measurements and specific gravity calculations quantified the actual polygonal cross-sectional areas versus the ideal rectangular cross-sectional areas. Beveling reduced the cross-sectional areas by 7% to 8%; this decreased the wire stiffnesses by 15% to 19%. Using a testing machine, we measured the yield strengths, the elastic limits, and the ultimate tensile strengths in tension, and wire stiffnesses in 3-point bending. From cyclic loading tests, the elastic limits of the superelastic NiTi wires were approximately 90% and 45% of their ultimate tensile strengths for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To study the fatigue life of extruded AZ31 (3%Al, 1%Zn, 0.3%Mn, Mg - the rest), AM50 (5%Al, 0.4%Mn, Mg - the rest) and ZK60 (5%Zn, 0.5%Zr, Mg - the rest) Mg alloys in air and NaCl-based solutions, corrosion fatigue tests were carried out using a rotating beam type fatigue machine. For the analysis of the corrosion fatigue behavior of Mg alloys in different environments, fitted N{sub sol}/N{sub air} ratio considered as a relative corrosion fatigue life is used. Here N{sub sol} and N{sub air} are the numbers of cycles to failure in the solution and in air, respectively. An extruded ZK60 alloy shows very high fatigue and corrosion fatigue properties in comparison with other alloys. However, ZK60 shows the lowest values of the relative fatigue life (N{sub sol}/N{sub air} {proportional_to}10{sup -3}-10{sup -2}) compared to that for AM50 and AZ31 alloys (N{sub sol}/N{sub air} {proportional_to}10{sup -2} - 10{sup -1}). Generally, extruded alloys in ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Abstract This paper tries to investigate the problem of memory through one of its most intriguing patterns - chiasmus - reflected in old poetry, sacred texts, philosophy and theology, visual arts, as well as biology. It aims to search for some provisory explanation of why man was able once to acquire such excellence in memorizing internally thousands of lines of poetry, whereas now memory is expelled outside the human body and mind in a mere digital file. Contrasting the so-called "wish-dream for immortality" of the contemporary post-human body, this paper takes another path and looks into some old cosmologies and visions in which chiasmus constantly emerged as an enduring cultural paradigm with ontological relevance. Spanning from Plato to Christian theology, up to the contemporary Neo-Platonism of archetypal psychology, this paper hopes to put forth, if not a theory, at least a vision about man and cosmos, cosmos and man, a chiastic epiphany ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Most of the information in this chapter is obtained from 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 annexes. It is worthwhile to clarify that in most of the cases they are estimations of the available resources, such as: trash, geothermal, solar energy, wind energy, biomass and mini and micro-hydro-energy. In several cases punctual measurements have been made, which do not represent a generic value of a national reserve. [Spanish] La mayor parte de la informacion en este capitulo es obtenida de los anexos 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 y 9. Cabe aclarar que en la mayoria de los casos son estimaciones de los recursos disponibles, tales como: la basura, la geotermia, la energia solar, la energia eolica, la biomasa y, la mini y la micro-hidroenergia. En varios casos se han realizado mediciones puntuales, las cuales no representan un valor generico de una reserva nacional.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is discussed here how trustworthy predictions of etched track parameters in nuclear track detection technique can be made? Problems involved in doing so are described along with discussion about their possible solutions. Arguments are presented using 5.2 MeV alpha particle track etching experiments with CR-39 detector and corresponding calculations using computer programs TRACK{sub V}ISION and TRACK{sub T}EST. Experimental and computational results in the present paper are useful for further basic research and technology applications of solid state nuclear track detection technique.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Ten-Year Site Plan (TYSP) describes the strategy for accomplishing the long-term objective of transforming the laboratory to meet Department of Energy (DOE) national nuclear research and development (R&D) goals, as outlined in DOE strategic plans. The plan links R&D mission goals and INL core capabilities with infrastructure requirements (single- and multi-program), establishs the 10-year end-state vision for INL complexes, and identifies and prioritizes infrastructure needs and capability gaps. The TYSP serves as the basis for documenting and justifying infrastructure investments proposed as part of the FY 2013 budget formulation process.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We demonstrate rapid fabrication of submicrometer-diameter pores in borosilicate glass using femtosecond laser machining and subsequent wet-etch techniques. This approach allows direct and repeatable...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The flow of water through a dam of fairly arbitrary shape is examined in the limit of large frictional drag on the flow. The relation of the problem to the one-phase Stefan problem and a problem of anodic smoothing is explored. Monotonicity and uniqueness...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Skin sensitization is the most commonly reported occupational illness, causing much suffering to a wide range of people. Identification and labeling of environmental allergens is urgently required to...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Since the beam width on the helical tomotherapy machine produced by TomoTherapy, Inc. is typically a few centimeters in the longitudinal direction (into the bore), the optimizer must choose...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This guide explained the requirements for Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Emission Regulations established under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The regulations are enforced by Environment Canada, which authorizes and monitors the use of the national emissions mark. The regulations prescribe standards for off-road engines that operate as reciprocating, internal combustion engines, other than those that operate under characteristics similar to the Otto combustion cycle and that use a spark plug or other sparking device. The regulations apply to engines that are typically diesel-fuelled and found in construction, mining, farming and forestry machines such as tractors, excavators and log skidders. Four different types of persons are potentially affected by the regulations: Canadian engine manufacturers; distributors of Canadian engines or machines containing Canadian engines; importers of engines or machines ...

Science.gov (United States)

A compact heat exchanger pedestal array for augmenting heat transfer in a machine is disclosed. The compact heat exchanger pedestal array includes a wall having first and second surfaces. The first surface faces a heated flow path and the second surface p...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research indicates that diesel equipment can be used safely in undergound coal mines provided that certain conditions prevail. These conditions are: the machines and engines are approved for underground use, an adequate maintenance and training program is in effect, an adequate monitoring system with proper instrumentation is used, and adequate ventilation is maintained.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Whenever moving surfaces interact, wear particles are produced. Microscopic examination of the morphology of such wear debris is an accepted method for machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis. Wear particle analysis has not, however, been widely accepted in industry because it is dependent on expert interpretation of particle morphology and relies on subjective assessment criteria. Consequently, the methods are time consuming and expensive and are not always consistent. The use of automated computer image analysis systems to assess the morphology of debris promises to overcome these limitations by making the methods more time and cost efficient, and also more consistent and effective. The first step required for automation of the analysis procedure is to develop objective criteria for assessing the wear particle morphology. Numerical parameters to describe the morphology have been developed and are outlined in this paper. A system using such techniques ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reviews some of the mining equipment exhibited at the Chicago Minexpo exhibition. The exhibits include: large mining trucks; tractor with impact ripper; haulers; shuttle roof bolter; and monitoring systems for vehicles or mining machines. 2 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The mass deployment of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs and PHEVs) that rely on low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission electricity generation has great potential to significantly reduce the consumption of petroleum and other high CO2-emitting transportation fuels. The vision of the Electric and Plug-in Hybrid (EV/PHEV) Vehicles Roadmap is to achieve by 2050 the widespread adoption and use of EVs and PHEVs, which together represent more than 50% of annual LDV (light duty vehicle) sales worldwide. In addition to establishing a vision, this roadmap sets strategic goals to achieve it, and identifies the steps that need to be taken to accomplish these goals. This roadmap also outlines the roles and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders and shows how government policy can support the overall achievement of the vision. The strategic goals for attaining the widespread adoption and use of EVs and PHEVs ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electric utilities are actively seeking ways of optimizing the economics of their operations by improving productivity and reducing time and money spent on maintenance. Iberdrola, a Spanish utility, is using advanced machine condition-monitoring technology to centralize control and maintenance of its hydropower projects as a means of achieving those goals. The company is using a blend of technologies to supervise their projects from a regional control center. The monitoring scheme makes use of data from on-line, machine-condition monitors, displays from in-plant audio asnd video equipment, and analysis from the control center`s SCADA system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent research work on adjustable speed pumped storage plants conducted in Japan, the USA and Europe suggests that they have many advantages over fixed-speed plants, and can contribute to power system regulation even in pump mode. This paper describes two types of static frequency converter for such pumped storage plants, especially those with greatly fluctuating heads. The design characteristics and operation of the doubly fed induction machine and the synchronous machine with DC link converter are set out and the devices compared. (UK)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The contribution under consideration spans a wide curve from the first deadly accident of motorized aviation in the year 1908 up to newer tendencies of the so-called team resources management on observation points and control stations in order to pursue fundamental questions in man-machine systems. A continuous differentiation in the consideration of the factor human beings in complex technical systems is described. This is illustrated by the example of concepts for leadership, communication and decision making on observation points and control stations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Software to aid the distribution and coordination of tasks between different processors was developed to distribute applications written in Fortran. This development led to the discovery of problems unique to Fortran and to interesting practical solutions. Two graphical applications were distributed to a variety of machines and machine pairs: CDC 7600-LSI/11, CRAY-LSI/11, VAX 11/780, and Apollo. These distributions pointed out several parameters such as the use of Fortran COMMON, communication parameters, and processing capabilities that can affect the successful distribution of applications.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper proposes the design of LQ-PSS (linear quadratic power system stabilizer) for improving power system stability using genetic algorithm(GA). We are turned weighting matrices of LQ-PSS using GA. To evaluate the usefulness of the proposed method, we performed the nonlinear simulation on a single machine infinite system. As results on a single machine infinite system. As results of the simulation, the proposed method shows the better control performance than CPSS(conventional power system stabilizer) in terms of settling time and damping effects. (author). 7 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The ion nitriding treatment is a process widely used in steel alloys to improve the material's properties; such as surface hardness, resistance to wear, fatigue life and resistance to corrosion. But geometric changes in the components can produce during the nitriding process different effects on the behavior of the plasma, such as local variations in the electric field, an empty cathode effect, etc. These in turn can affect among other factors the local temperature and therefore the kinetics of the process, generating variations in the compound layer thicknesses and zone of diffusion, and micro-hardness profile. These heterogeneities limit the effectiveness of the plasma nitriding process, where control and duplication of the surface modification are most important. This work aims to study the effect of the geometry of the pieces treated with ionic nitriding, especially the effect of the orifices. An understanding of the operating mechanisms is sought in order to predict the ...

Science.gov (United States)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) inaugurated a program addressing research and development for an Exoskeleton for Human Performance Augmentation in FY!2001. A team consisting of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the prime contractor, AeroVironment, Inc., the Army Research Laboratory, the University of Minnesota, and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute has recently completed an 18-month Phase I effort in support of this DARPA program. The Phase I effort focused on the development and proof-of-concept demonstrations for key enabling technologies, laying the foundation for subsequently building and demonstrating a prototype exoskeleton. The overall approach was driven by the need to optimize energy efficiency while providing a system that augmented the operator in as transparent manner as possible (non-impeding). These needs led to the evolution of two key distinguishing features of this team's approach. The first is the ''no knee ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present guidelines supplement the 'VGB guidelines for the reduction of noise in thermal power plants' with indications for the ordering and quality assurance of the individual noise-producing machines and equipment of power plant operation. These guides are to simplify the commissioning and delivering for the orderer and deliverer. In addition, these guidelines are to lead to a successful cooperation of all parties in the reduction of the sound radiation. A precondition for this is an explanation of the sound technical demands which must be made on the single machines or mechanical equipment in power plant systems. A protection of the neighbourhood as well as operational personnel against noise according to the state of technology is to be achieved by a clear form of ordering and quality assurance. The ordering and assurance procedure for all aggregates in the region of the grounds of a power plant up to the high-voltage side of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A transient stability program was developed for the Taiwan Power Company, which has a high proportion of nuclear generation in its power system. This program offers a new territory to investigate nuclear plant effects on the power system transient stability. This program also provides a high speed tool for the Taipower system operational planning. A generalized procedure of synchronous machine modeling for a large-scale stability study is presented. The merits and weaknesses of machine modeling can be comprehended through each item of this procedure. Three types of nonlinear synchronous machine modeling implemented into this stability program are derived by following this procedure. A robust subroutine was derived to perform the fourth order Runge-Kutta integration method, making the software programming neat and systematical. For simulating the nuclear plant influence on the system, this program implemented an additional ...

Science.gov (United States)

Skin sensitization is the most commonly reported occupational illness, causing much suffering to a wide range of people. Identification and labeling of environmental allergens is urgently required to protect people from skin sensitization. The guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) and murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) are the two most important in vivo models for identification of skin sensitizers. In order to reduce the number of animal tests, quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) are strongly encouraged in the assessment of skin sensitization of chemicals. This paper has investigated the skin sensitization potential of 162 compounds with LLNA results and 92 compounds with GPMT results using a support vector machine. A particle swarm optimization algorithm was implemented for feature selection from a large number of molecular descriptors calculated by Dragon. For the LLNA data set, the classification accuracies are 95.37% and 88.89% for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ceramic antifriction bearings were introduced in excellent characterics and application. In main shaft use bearings of the machine tool, to be heightened in efficiency and accuracy by the heightening in speed, centrifugal load to the outer ring is not negligible to shorten the bearing in life. Also ball bearings with a contact angle are easily corroded by a very strong revolution slide due to the gyromoment. The use of such light weight material as silicon nitride's can design the lengthening in life. Also the utilization of high rigidity can prevent the inner ring from expanding by centrifugal force and enable the machining to be with a high accuracy. Ceramic rolling element is excellent also in backing resistant property and effective on the oily film cut. With heat resistant property, it maintains hardness even at high temperature. Such excellent characteristics being utilized, the fine ceramic antifriction bearing is used for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gantries in the proton/carbon cancer therapy machines represent the major cost and are of the largest size. This report explains a new way to the gantry design. The size and cost of the gantries are reduced and their use is simplified by using the fixed magnetic field. The ''new'' gantry is made of a very large momentum acceptance non-scaling Fixed Field Alternating Gradient (FFAG) quarter and half arc beam lines. The gantry is made of combined function magnets with a very strong focusing and small dispersion function. Additional magnets with a fast response are required to allow adjustments of the beam position for different energies at the beginning of the gantry. Additional strong focusing magnets following the gantry have also to be adjustable to provide required spot size and radial scanning above the patients. The fixed field combined function magnets could be made of small permanent magnets for the proton ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The 10th International Neurotrauma Symposium was held in Shanghai, China, on 27-???30 April 2011. This meeting marked the 20th anniversary of International Neurotrauma Symposia. The vision of the International Neurotrauma Society is to unite clinicians and scientists to discuss and present the latest in translational clinical and basic science research related to neurotrauma. The Shanghai meeting brought together 1000 delegates from over 70 countries. Key areas discussed included current guidelines of neurotrauma management, the latest advances in neuroimaging, the latest concepts in cell death mechanisms after neurotrauma, the role of decompressive techniques for cranial and spinal neurotrauma, advances in biomarkers for CNS injury, and the future of clinical management and research in ne...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Manual drilling in titanium structures is a tedious and labor-intensive work. To reduce man-hour requirements while concurrently improving hole quality, we developed a robotic drilling system for this application. The lean system contains the product holding fixture, the industrial robot, the end effector, the control and sensor system, and the offline programming. The system functions include locating workpiece with a calibration stick or the vision system, weld mark inspection, one-sided clamping, drilling and reaming hole in material stack combinations of titanium and aluminum, and real-time thrust force feedback. The positional accuracy and the repeatability of the system have successfully been placed within the specification?s 0.3?mm tolerance and 0.2?mm tolerance, respectively. The d...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article examines the successive reinterpretations of one of Cuba?s foundational texts, namely the Espejo de paciencia (?Model of Patience??, 1608) by Silvestre de Balboa, as a baroque poem. The revalorization of the baroque by twentieth-century Cuban authors and critics has been explained as a consequence of the erasure of indigenous cultures and the subsequent imposition of a metropolitan culture. In this sense, the baroque is supposed to be paradigmatic for ?roots thinking?? about nation-building and culture. The readings of Balboa?s poem by neo-baroque writers such as Jos? Lezama Lima, Cintio Vitier and Severo Sarduy, however, put forward a transhistorical vision of the baroque and Cubanhood as an eternal and immutable phenomenon or, alternatively, a reading that privileges the tec...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Consultant and advanced practice are relatively new concepts in radiography. There is evidence to show that as the career progression framework is being adopted the numbers of consultant and advanced practitioners in radiography are growing with the latter growing at a faster rate. The article considers the concept of advanced and consultant practice and the education requirements to support development. Preparation for an advanced practice role begins at the practitioner stage. Masters' level programmes are available to support the development of advanced practice. Education needs to be flexible as new advanced practice roles emerge. It is necessary to take practitioners beyond a defined modality to include leadership and people skills. These are essential for those aspiring to become consultants. Consultants require a high level of clinical knowledge for expert practice but also strategic vision and interpersonal intelligence to facilitate leadership and ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The integral membrane protein synaptophysin is one of the most abundant polypeptide components of synaptic vesicles. It is not essential for neurotransmission despite its abundance but is believed to modulate the efficiency of the synaptic vesicle cycle. Detailed behavioral analyses were therefore performed on synaptophysin knockout mice to test whether synaptophysin affects higher brain functions. We find that these animals are more exploratory than their wild type counterparts examining novel objects more closely and intensely in an enriched open field arena. We also detect impairments in learning and memory, most notably reduced object novelty recognition and reduced spatial learning. These deficits are unlikely caused by impaired vision, since all electroretinographic parameters measur...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose To investigate the influence of timolol maleate 0.5% gel-forming solution and brinzolamide 1% ophthalmic suspension on contrast sensitivity, ocular higher-order aberration (HOA), and corneal surface light scattering. Design Prospective, comparative study. Participants Forty normal volunteers were enrolled in this study. Methods We evaluated contrast sensitivity, ocular HOA, and corneal light scattering before and 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after instillation of antiglaucoma eyedrops. Contrast sensitivity function was assessed with the CSV-1000RN chart (Vector Vision Co., Greenville, OH). Higher-order aberration was measured for a 4-mm pupil using the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer (KR-9000PW; Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Corneal surface light scattering was quantitatively evaluated by using th...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article provides a reconsideration of the intellectual altercation between John Dewey and Lewis Mumford in the 1920s, and a sketch of some educational implications that follow this reconsideration. Although past scholarship has tended to focus on ways in which the altercation obscured similarities in their thought, we consider whether important differences were also obscured, particularly regarding their outlook on science and technology, their potential place in society, and their ideas about the best means to positive social change. We also consider how these differences might play out in philosophy of education/educational practice, concluding that Mumford's commitment to regionalism can augment Dewey's philosophical vision while also helping deal with pressing contemporary social ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Tevatron is a proton anti-proton accelerator collider operating at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The machine is currently delivering beam for the CDF and D0 experiments, which expect increasing luminosity until the conclusion of Run II, planned for 2009. The Laboratory defined a plan for achieving higher luminosity, and one of the tasks is the upgrade of the accelerator's beam position monitor (BPM). The Tevatron was built during the early eighties and some of its control systems, including the BPMs, are still the original ones. This paper describes the front-end software of the Tevatron BPM upgrade, from the requirements to the implementation, and the underlying hardware setup. The front-end software designed is presented, emphasizing its modularity and reusability, allowing it to be applied to other Fermilab machines.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The mapping of the magnetic flux bundle from the center cell to the Plasma Potential Control plates (PPC) on the end fan of the Tandem Mirror Experiment Upgrade (TMX-U), was improved by the addition of trim coils (12,000 amp-turns) on each side of each end fan next to the pump beam magnetic shields. The coils' axes are oriented perpendicular to the machine centerline. These coils made the necessary corrections to the field-line mapping, while keeping the field in the nearby pump beam magnetic shield below the saturation threshold. This paper briefly describes the problem, discusses the design as it evolved, and presents the results of the field testing. A brief description of the improvement in the machine performance is also included.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A decentralized power system stabilizer output feedback design approach is considered, which is compatible with expanding the construction of multi-machine systems. We presume that the interconnected power system is constructed by connecting closed-loop subsystems one after another. We take the proper stable factorization approach for calculating the local compensators. We apply the result to the new subsystem at each connection stage with unfixed power system stabilizer parameters. We then determine the parameters appropriately, before connection, so that the expanded system is stable after connection. A numerical example is worked out to illustrate the proposed design technique. 14 refs, 5 figs, 3 tabs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new method for analysis and design of smoothing reactances utilising two-dimensional planar models is presented in this paper. Inductance and magnetic flux density are calculated, and their results compared with those measured experimentally. The results obtained are good if compared with those measured once the machine have been built. Moreover, the method herein developed is applied to the calculation of air gap lengths in terms of the desired current and inductance. The kind of reactances studied presents windings in both limbs and air gaps in the four corners (joint of limbs and yokes). The main contribution of this paper is the presentation of a method of industrial application, to be easily developed, with a very important reduction in the time of machine calculation (due to the decrease in the number of nodes and elements compared with the three-dimensional model) for the determination of the air gap length in smoothing reactances. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Conductive TiN/Si_3N_4 ceramic composites were processed by electrical discharge machining (EDM) and their microstructure and conductivity were investigated. The whole process of tool electrode wear is evaluated by sinker-EDM. The machined surfaces of TiN/Si_3N_4 ceramic composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and profilometry to determine the surface finish. The electrode wear rate of brass is higher than copper electrode for all EDMed tests. The surface texture was found to have greater dependence on pulse energy. It was observed that the sinker-EDM at higher pulse energy caused severe microdamage in the surface. The surface roughness (Ra) values also increase with increasing pulse energy.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Low power rf measurements, S11, of electro-discharge machined (EDM) diffusion bonded mm-wave traveling wave rf cavities were not in satisfactory agreement with electromagnetic simulations. During subsequent mechanical inspection, the cell-to-cell iris were found to be distorted. This led to a series of systematic experiments to study the mechanical properties of oxygen free high conductivity Copper (OFHC) and Glidcop AL-15. Results of these studies which include cell-to-cell iris distortion, EDM machining accuracies, surface quality, and the results of different bonding techniques are presented. The results of our mechanical studies are used to develop a set of mechanical design constraints for a second series of constant impedance W-Band structures that also used wire EDM and high temperature bonding for their manufacture.

Science.gov (United States)

Sandia Laboratories, as part of its investigation of the Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), has been involved recently in an economic assessment of the concept. The class of VAWT's investigated use curved, fixed-pitch blades of constant section rigidly attached to a vertical rotating tower. Qualitatively, the main advantages of the VAWT over more conventional, propeller-type machines are the elimination of yaw controls, the placement of mechanical equipment at ground level, its amenability to simple, low-cost blade fabrication techniques, and aerodynamic stall characteristics which eliminate the need for active pitch control devices. The main disadvantages relative to modern propeller machines are a somewhat lower aerodynamic efficiency (about 10% lower), the limited ability of the rotor to self-start, and generally lower rotor operating RPM's, which leads to higher torque capacity requirements for the drive train.