Sample records for control method part

  1. Fracture control methods for space vehicles. Volume 1: Fracture control design methods. [for space shuttle configuration planning

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, A. F.

    1974-01-01

    A systematic approach for applying methods for fracture control in the structural components of space vehicles consists of four major steps. The first step is to define the primary load-carrying structural elements and the type of load, environment, and design stress levels acting upon them. The second step is to identify the potential fracture-critical parts by means of a selection logic flow diagram. The third step is to evaluate the safe-life and fail-safe capabilities of the specified part. The last step in the sequence is to apply the control procedures that will prevent damage to the fracture-critical parts. The fracture control methods discussed include fatigue design and analysis methods, methods for preventing crack-like defects, fracture mechanics analysis methods, and nondestructive evaluation methods. An example problem is presented for evaluation of the safe-crack-growth capability of the space shuttle crew compartment skin structure.

  2. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 425 - Modified Monier-Williams Method

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Modified Monier-Williams Method B... Appendix B to Part 425—Modified Monier-Williams Method Outline of Method Hydrogen sulfide is liberated from.... Quality Control 1. Each laboratory that uses this method is required to operate a formal quality control...

  3. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 425 - Modified Monier-Williams Method

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Modified Monier-Williams Method B... Part 425—Modified Monier-Williams Method Outline of Method Hydrogen sulfide is liberated from an.... Quality Control 1. Each laboratory that uses this method is required to operate a formal quality control...

  4. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 425 - Modified Monier-Williams Method

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 29 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Modified Monier-Williams Method B... Part 425—Modified Monier-Williams Method Outline of Method Hydrogen sulfide is liberated from an.... Quality Control 1. Each laboratory that uses this method is required to operate a formal quality control...

  5. Calamity Hollow Mine Fire Project. 3. Instrumentation for combustion monitoring, process control, and data recording. Report of investigations/1984

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dalverny, L.E.; Chaiken, R.F.; Soroka, K.E.

    1984-01-01

    This report is the third in a five-part series that describes the Calamity Hollow Mine Fire Project. The first report, part 1, describes the design and construction of the field installation. Part 2 will present the results of a continuous 4-month burnout operation. (Because part 2 involves the analysis of a substantial body of data, it will not be published until after publication of parts 3, 4, and 5.) This part (part 3) describes the instrumentation used to control and monitor the progress of the burnout operation. Parts 4 and 5 both deal with the closeout phase of the fieldmore » demonstration. Part 4 describes the procedure used to quench the fire, and part 5 will describe the final excavation and backfilling of the heated zones. The reports in this series document the Calamity Hollow controlled burnout demonstration which showed that (1) controlled in situ combustion is a feasible method for controlling underground fires in abandoned mines, (2) the resultant thermal exhaust output is sufficient for energy utilization, and (3) water injection with fume exhaustion (WIFE) is a potentially effective method for cooling large underground fire zones. Further trials of both Burnout Control and the WIFE quenching procedure are planned.« less

  6. Exploiting Fractional Order PID Controller Methods in Improving the Performance of Integer Order PID Controllers: A GA Based Approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mukherjee, Bijoy K.; Metia, Santanu

    2009-10-01

    The paper is divided into three parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to the overall paper, to fractional order PID (PIλDμ) controllers and to Genetic Algorithm (GA). In the second part, first it has been studied how the performance of an integer order PID controller deteriorates when implemented with lossy capacitors in its analog realization. Thereafter it has been shown that the lossy capacitors can be effectively modeled by fractional order terms. Then, a novel GA based method has been proposed to tune the controller parameters such that the original performance is retained even though realized with the same lossy capacitors. Simulation results have been presented to validate the usefulness of the method. Some Ziegler-Nichols type tuning rules for design of fractional order PID controllers have been proposed in the literature [11]. In the third part, a novel GA based method has been proposed which shows how equivalent integer order PID controllers can be obtained which will give performance level similar to those of the fractional order PID controllers thereby removing the complexity involved in the implementation of the latter. It has been shown with extensive simulation results that the equivalent integer order PID controllers more or less retain the robustness and iso-damping properties of the original fractional order PID controllers. Simulation results also show that the equivalent integer order PID controllers are more robust than the normal Ziegler-Nichols tuned PID controllers.

  7. Improved process robustness by using closed loop control in deep drawing applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barthau, M.; Liewald, M.; Christian, Held

    2017-09-01

    The production of irregular shaped deep-drawing parts with high quality requirements, which are common in today’s automotive production, permanently challenges production processes. High requirements on lightweight construction of passenger car bodies following European regulations until 2020 have been massively increasing the use of high strength steels substantially for years and are also leading to bigger challenges in sheet metal part production. Of course, the more and more complex shapes of today’s car body shells also intensify the issue due to modern and future design criteria. The metal forming technology tries to meet these challenges by developing a highly sophisticated layout of deep drawing dies that consider part quality requirements, process robustness and controlled material flow during the deep or stretch drawing process phase. A new method for controlling material flow using a closed loop system was developed at the IFU Stuttgart. In contrast to previous approaches, this new method allows a control intervention during the deep-drawing stroke. The blank holder force around the outline of the drawn part is used as control variable. The closed loop is designed as trajectory follow up with feed forward control. The used command variable is the part-wall stress that is measured with a piezo-electric measuring pin. In this paper the used control loop will be described in detail. The experimental tool that was built for testing the new control approach is explained here with its features. A method for gaining the follow up trajectories from simulation will also be presented. Furthermore, experimental results considering the robustness of the deep drawing process and the gain in process performance with developed control loop will be shown. Finally, a new procedure for the industrial application of the new control method of deep drawing will be presented by using a new kind of active element to influence the local blank holder pressure onto part flange.

  8. Control system and method for prosthetic devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

    1992-01-01

    A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the movable body part through the full-shrug position of the movable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the movable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective movable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

  9. A method to stabilize linear systems using eigenvalue gradient information

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wieseman, C. D.

    1985-01-01

    Formal optimization methods and eigenvalue gradient information are used to develop a stabilizing control law for a closed loop linear system that is initially unstable. The method was originally formulated by using direct, constrained optimization methods with the constraints being the real parts of the eigenvalues. However, because of problems in trying to achieve stabilizing control laws, the problem was reformulated to be solved differently. The method described uses the Davidon-Fletcher-Powell minimization technique to solve an indirect, constrained minimization problem in which the performance index is the Kreisselmeier-Steinhauser function of the real parts of all the eigenvalues. The method is applied successfully to solve two different problems: the determination of a fourth-order control law stabilizes a single-input single-output active flutter suppression system and the determination of a second-order control law for a multi-input multi-output lateral-directional flight control system. Various sets of design variables and initial starting points were chosen to show the robustness of the method.

  10. Optimization methods of laws control of electric propulsion spacecraft in the restricted three-body task

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Starinova, Olga L.

    2014-12-01

    This paper outlines the optimization methods of the control law of the low thrust spacecraft for the restrict problem of three-body. The conditions for fragmentation trajectory on the specific parts of trajectory are formulated. The mathematical statement and methods to solve the optimal control problem on these parts are stated. Results of the decision of applied problems for various classes of spacecrafts which are carrying out maneuvers with low thrust are presented. In particular, the non-coplanar maneuvers of the low thrust spacecraft in the Earth-Moon system are viewed.

  11. Control method for prosthetic devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the moveable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the moveable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective moveable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

  12. A time domain inverse dynamic method for the end point tracking control of a flexible manipulator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kwon, Dong-Soo; Book, Wayne J.

    1991-01-01

    The inverse dynamic equation of a flexible manipulator was solved in the time domain. By dividing the inverse system equation into the causal part and the anticausal part, we calculated the torque and the trajectories of all state variables for a given end point trajectory. The interpretation of this method in the frequency domain was explained in detail using the two-sided Laplace transform and the convolution integral. The open loop control of the inverse dynamic method shows an excellent result in simulation. For real applications, a practical control strategy is proposed by adding a feedback tracking control loop to the inverse dynamic feedforward control, and its good experimental performance is presented.

  13. What can formal methods offer to digital flight control systems design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Good, Donald I.

    1990-01-01

    Formal methods research begins to produce methods which will enable mathematic modeling of the physical behavior of digital hardware and software systems. The development of these methods directly supports the NASA mission of increasing the scope and effectiveness of flight system modeling capabilities. The conventional, continuous mathematics that is used extensively in modeling flight systems is not adequate for accurate modeling of digital systems. Therefore, the current practice of digital flight control system design has not had the benefits of extensive mathematical modeling which are common in other parts of flight system engineering. Formal methods research shows that by using discrete mathematics, very accurate modeling of digital systems is possible. These discrete modeling methods will bring the traditional benefits of modeling to digital hardware and hardware design. Sound reasoning about accurate mathematical models of flight control systems can be an important part of reducing risk of unsafe flight control.

  14. 75 FR 28763 - Permission To Use Air Inflation of Meat Carcasses and Parts

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-24

    ... inflate carcasses and parts with air if they develop, implement, and maintain written controls to ensure... require that establishments incorporate these controls into their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control... procedures for other than the approved methods are required to submit to FSIS a request for experimental...

  15. 33 CFR Appendix B to Part 273 - Information Requirements for Aquatic Plant Control Program Reports

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... identification by common and scientific name of the plant or plants concerned, origin of infestation and likely... control operations or engineering works, including control methods, materials, equipment and procedures... operation control, the report should include a brief statement of the special problems in control methods...

  16. 33 CFR Appendix B to Part 273 - Information Requirements for Aquatic Plant Control Program Reports

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... identification by common and scientific name of the plant or plants concerned, origin of infestation and likely... control operations or engineering works, including control methods, materials, equipment and procedures... operation control, the report should include a brief statement of the special problems in control methods...

  17. Reinforcement interval type-2 fuzzy controller design by online rule generation and q-value-aided ant colony optimization.

    PubMed

    Juang, Chia-Feng; Hsu, Chia-Hung

    2009-12-01

    This paper proposes a new reinforcement-learning method using online rule generation and Q-value-aided ant colony optimization (ORGQACO) for fuzzy controller design. The fuzzy controller is based on an interval type-2 fuzzy system (IT2FS). The antecedent part in the designed IT2FS uses interval type-2 fuzzy sets to improve controller robustness to noise. There are initially no fuzzy rules in the IT2FS. The ORGQACO concurrently designs both the structure and parameters of an IT2FS. We propose an online interval type-2 rule generation method for the evolution of system structure and flexible partitioning of the input space. Consequent part parameters in an IT2FS are designed using Q -values and the reinforcement local-global ant colony optimization algorithm. This algorithm selects the consequent part from a set of candidate actions according to ant pheromone trails and Q-values, both of which are updated using reinforcement signals. The ORGQACO design method is applied to the following three control problems: 1) truck-backing control; 2) magnetic-levitation control; and 3) chaotic-system control. The ORGQACO is compared with other reinforcement-learning methods to verify its efficiency and effectiveness. Comparisons with type-1 fuzzy systems verify the noise robustness property of using an IT2FS.

  18. Nonlinear versus Ordinary Adaptive Control of Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor

    PubMed Central

    Dostal, Petr

    2015-01-01

    Unfortunately, the major group of the systems in industry has nonlinear behavior and control of such processes with conventional control approaches with fixed parameters causes problems and suboptimal or unstable control results. An adaptive control is one way to how we can cope with nonlinearity of the system. This contribution compares classic adaptive control and its modification with Wiener system. This configuration divides nonlinear controller into the dynamic linear part and the static nonlinear part. The dynamic linear part is constructed with the use of polynomial synthesis together with the pole-placement method and the spectral factorization. The static nonlinear part uses static analysis of the controlled plant for introducing the mathematical nonlinear description of the relation between the controlled output and the change of the control input. Proposed controller is tested by the simulations on the mathematical model of the continuous stirred-tank reactor with cooling in the jacket as a typical nonlinear system. PMID:26346878

  19. 40 CFR 136.7 - Quality assurance and quality control.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... quality control elements, where applicable, into the laboratory's documented standard operating procedure... quality control elements must be clearly documented in the written standard operating procedure for each... Methods contains QA/QC procedures in the Part 1000 section of the Standard Methods Compendium. The...

  20. 40 CFR 136.7 - Quality assurance and quality control.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... quality control elements, where applicable, into the laboratory's documented standard operating procedure... quality control elements must be clearly documented in the written standard operating procedure for each... Methods contains QA/QC procedures in the Part 1000 section of the Standard Methods Compendium. The...

  1. 40 CFR 136.7 - Quality assurance and quality control.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... quality control elements, where applicable, into the laboratory's documented standard operating procedure... quality control elements must be clearly documented in the written standard operating procedure for each... Methods contains QA/QC procedures in the Part 1000 section of the Standard Methods Compendium. The...

  2. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 76 - Procedures and Methods for Estimating Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers B Appendix B to Part 76 Protection of... of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers 1. Purpose and Applicability This technical...; and which is comparable to the costs of nitrogen oxides controls set pursuant to subsection (b)(1) (of...

  3. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 76 - Procedures and Methods for Estimating Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers B Appendix B to Part 76 Protection of... of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers 1. Purpose and Applicability This technical...; and which is comparable to the costs of nitrogen oxides controls set pursuant to subsection (b)(1) (of...

  4. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 76 - Procedures and Methods for Estimating Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers B Appendix B to Part 76 Protection of... of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers 1. Purpose and Applicability This technical...; and which is comparable to the costs of nitrogen oxides controls set pursuant to subsection (b)(1) (of...

  5. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 76 - Procedures and Methods for Estimating Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers B Appendix B to Part 76 Protection of... of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers 1. Purpose and Applicability This technical...; and which is comparable to the costs of nitrogen oxides controls set pursuant to subsection (b)(1) (of...

  6. 40 CFR Appendix B to Part 76 - Procedures and Methods for Estimating Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Costs of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers B Appendix B to Part 76 Protection of... of Nitrogen Oxides Controls Applied to Group 1, Boilers 1. Purpose and Applicability This technical...; and which is comparable to the costs of nitrogen oxides controls set pursuant to subsection (b)(1) (of...

  7. 12 CFR Appendix E to Part 225 - Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding Companies: Market Risk

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... CONTROL (REGULATION Y) Pt. 225, App. E Appendix E to Part 225—Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding... Method for Specific Risk Section 11Simplified Supervisory Formula Approach Section 12Market Risk... apply: Affiliate with respect to a company means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is...

  8. 12 CFR Appendix E to Part 225 - Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding Companies: Market Risk

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... CONTROL (REGULATION Y) Pt. 225, App. E Appendix E to Part 225—Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding... Measurement Method for Specific Risk Section 11 Simplified Supervisory Formula Approach Section 12 Market Risk... apply: Affiliate with respect to a company means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is...

  9. Detumbling of a rigid spacecraft via torque wheel assisted gyroscopic motion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Yiing-Yuh; Wang, Chin-Tzuo

    2014-01-01

    A time and energy efficient two-part method for detumbling a rigid spacecraft using an onboard torque wheel and a set of three-axis magnetic torquer is presented in this paper. Part-1 of the method manipulates the speed of the wheel, whose spin axis is parallel to a designated body axis of a tumbling spacecraft, and induces a desired gyroscopic-like motion to align the designated axis with its total angular momentum, H. The procedure in effect detumbles the spacecraft to rotate about the designated axis and distributes H, which is conserved during this control period, between the body and the wheel. After the alignment is achieved, Part-2 control, activated with a specified momentum transfer parameter, η, can either quickly stop the body rotation by transferring its angular momentum to the wheel or offload most of the momentum into space, using the wheel and the magnetic torquer. Convergence criteria and control laws for both parts are derived from the Lyapunov stability analysis and the method of feedback linearization. The wheel performs as a momentum storing and transferring device regulating the angular momentum between the wheel and the body. It can also provide gyroscopic stiffness to stabilize the system while the magnetic torquer is offloading the momentum. Simulation results from the included cases indicate that significantly fast detumbling of the spacecraft can be achieved with Part-1 of the proposed method. The results also show that, under the same condition, either by transferring almost all H to the wheel or dumping it, the two-part method, with a chosen η and final residual momentum condition, requires much less time and energy needed than the B-dot method does. Moreover, the stability nature of the two-part method is heuristically substantiated as the wheel torques and the dipole moment were constrained in the simulation.

  10. Introduction to 2009 Symposium on Alternative Methods of Controlling Pests and Diseases

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Numerous pests and diseases limit potato productivity, and control of weeds, insects and pathogens remains a costly part of potato production. Although conventional agrichemical pest control is amazingly effective, interest in non-synthetic chemical and integrated methods of pest management is drive...

  11. 14 CFR 21.143 - Quality control data requirements; prime manufacturer.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ..., purchased items, and parts and assemblies produced by manufacturers' suppliers including methods used to... special manufacturing processes involved, the means used to control the processes, the final test... procedure for recording review board decisions and disposing of rejected parts; (5) An outline of a system...

  12. Green Systems for Wastewater Treatment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Environmental Science and Technology, 1975

    1975-01-01

    Plants found in marshlands and wetlands in many parts of the world may play an increasing part in a very new, yet very old approach to treatment of water and wastewater--the application of biological methods. Biological water pollution control methods being utilized around the world are examined. (BT)

  13. Control System for Prosthetic Devices

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bozeman, Richard J. (Inventor)

    1996-01-01

    A control system and method for prosthetic devices is provided. The control system comprises a transducer for receiving movement from a body part for generating a sensing signal associated with that of movement. The sensing signal is processed by a linearizer for linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part. The linearized sensing signal is normalized to be a function of the entire range of body part movement from the no-shrug position of the moveable body part through the full-shrg position of the moveable body part. The normalized signal is divided into a plurality of discrete command signals. The discrete command signals are used by typical converter devices which are in operational association with the prosthetic device. The converter device uses the discrete command signals for driving the moveable portions of the prosthetic device and its sub-prosthesis. The method for controlling a prosthetic device associated with the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the movement from the body part, generating a sensing signal in association with the movement of the body part, linearizing the sensing signal to be a linear function of the magnitude of the distance moved by the body part, normalizing the linear signal to be a function of the entire range of the body part movement, dividing the normalized signal into a plurality of discrete command signals, and implementing the plurality of discrete command signals for driving the respective moveable prosthesis device and its sub-prosthesis.

  14. 49 CFR 233.1 - Scope.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... TRANSPORTATION SIGNAL SYSTEMS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS § 233.1 Scope. This part prescribed reporting requirements with respect to methods of train operation, block signal systems, interlockings, traffic control systems, automatic train stop, train control, and cab signal systems, or other similar appliances, methods...

  15. 49 CFR 233.1 - Scope.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... TRANSPORTATION SIGNAL SYSTEMS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS § 233.1 Scope. This part prescribed reporting requirements with respect to methods of train operation, block signal systems, interlockings, traffic control systems, automatic train stop, train control, and cab signal systems, or other similar appliances, methods...

  16. Applications of control theory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Taft, C. K.; Pokoski, J. L.; Murdoch, J. B.; Limbert, D. E.; Alperi, R. W.

    1972-01-01

    Applications of control theory are considered in the areas of decoupling and wake steering control of submersibles, a method of electrohydraulic conversion with no moving parts, and socio-economic system modelling.

  17. STATUS REPORT ON THE EVALUATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE ASBESTOS CONTROL METHOD – A COMPARISON TO THE NESHAP METHOD OF DEMOLITION OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING BUILDINGS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Status Report on the Evaluation of the Alternative Asbestos Control Method – A Comparison to the NESHAP Method of Demolition of Asbestos Containing Buildings. This abstract and presentation are based, at least in part, on preliminary data and conclusions. The Alternative Asbestos...

  18. Using magnetic levitation for non-destructive quality control of plastic parts.

    PubMed

    Hennek, Jonathan W; Nemiroski, Alex; Subramaniam, Anand Bala; Bwambok, David K; Yang, Dian; Harburg, Daniel V; Tricard, Simon; Ellerbee, Audrey K; Whitesides, George M

    2015-03-04

    Magnetic levitation (MagLev) enables rapid and non-destructive quality control of plastic parts. The feasibility of MagLev as a method to: i) rapidly assess injection-molded plastic parts for defects during process optimization, ii) monitor the degradation of plastics after exposure to harsh environmental conditions, and iii) detect counterfeit polymers by density is demonstrated. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. 40 CFR 64.1 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... contain, capture and transport a pollutant to a control device. Continuous compliance determination method..., boilers or process heaters). For purposes of this part, a control device does not include passive control...

  20. Microbiological water methods: quality control measures for Federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory compliance.

    PubMed

    Root, Patsy; Hunt, Margo; Fjeld, Karla; Kundrat, Laurie

    2014-01-01

    Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) data are required in order to have confidence in the results from analytical tests and the equipment used to produce those results. Some AOAC water methods include specific QA/QC procedures, frequencies, and acceptance criteria, but these are considered to be the minimum controls needed to perform a microbiological method successfully. Some regulatory programs, such as those at Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 40, Part 136.7 for chemistry methods, require additional QA/QC measures beyond those listed in the method, which can also apply to microbiological methods. Essential QA/QC measures include sterility checks, reagent specificity and sensitivity checks, assessment of each analyst's capabilities, analysis of blind check samples, and evaluation of the presence of laboratory contamination and instrument calibration and checks. The details of these procedures, their performance frequency, and expected results are set out in this report as they apply to microbiological methods. The specific regulatory requirements of CFR Title 40 Part 136.7 for the Clean Water Act, the laboratory certification requirements of CFR Title 40 Part 141 for the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the International Organization for Standardization 17025 accreditation requirements under The NELAC Institute are also discussed.

  1. Approach to Operational Experimental Estimation of Static Stresses of Elements of Mechanical Structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sedov, A. V.; Kalinchuk, V. V.; Bocharova, O. V.

    2018-01-01

    The evaluation of static stresses and strength of units and components is a crucial task for increasing reliability in the operation of vehicles and equipment, to prevent emergencies, especially in structures made of metal and composite materials. At the stage of creation and commissioning of structures to control the quality of manufacturing of individual elements and components, diagnostic control methods are widely used. They are acoustic, ultrasonic, X-ray, radiation methods and others. The using of these methods to control the residual life and the degree of static stresses of units and parts during operation is fraught with great difficulties both in methodology and in instrumentation. In this paper, the authors propose an effective approach of operative control of the degree of static stresses of units and parts of mechanical structures which are in working condition, based on recording the changing in the surface wave properties of a system consisting of a sensor and a controlled environment (unit, part). The proposed approach of low-frequency diagnostics of static stresses presupposes a new adaptive-spectral analysis of a surface wave created by external action (impact). It is possible to estimate implicit stresses of structures in the experiment due to this approach.

  2. Erosion control study : final report : Part II : roadside channels.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1971-04-01

    The objective of the study were: : 1) To evaluate present methods and develop new methods for establishing a permanent vegetative cover. : 2) To develop erosion control practices for existing highway drains and ditches. : 3) To develop highway bank s...

  3. Dimensional Metrology of Non-rigid Parts Without Specialized Inspection Fixtures =

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sabri, Vahid

    Quality control is an important factor for manufacturing companies looking to prosper in an era of globalization, market pressures and technological advances. Functionality and product quality cannot be guaranteed without this important aspect. Manufactured parts have deviations from their nominal (CAD) shape caused by the manufacturing process. Thus, geometric inspection is a very important element in the quality control of mechanical parts. We will focus here on the geometric inspection of non-rigid (flexible) parts which are widely used in the aeronautic and automotive industries. Non-rigid parts can have different forms in a free-state condition compared with their nominal models due to residual stress and gravity loads. To solve this problem, dedicated inspection fixtures are generally used in industry to compensate for the displacement of such parts for simulating the use state in order to perform geometric inspections. These fixtures and the installation and inspection processes are expensive and time-consuming. Our aim in this thesis is therefore to develop an inspection method which eliminates the need for specialized fixtures. This is done by acquiring a point cloud from the part in a free-state condition using a contactless measuring device such as optical scanning and comparing it with the CAD model for the deviation identification. Using a non-rigid registration method and finite element analysis, we numerically inspect the profile of a non-rigid part. To do so, a simulated displacement is performed using an improved definition of displacement boundary conditions for simulating unfixed parts. In addition, we propose a numerical method for dimensional metrology of non-rigid parts in a free-state condition based on the arc length measurement by calculating the geodesic distance using the Fast Marching Method (FMM). In this thesis, we apply our developed methods on industrial non-rigid parts with free-form surfaces simulated with different types of displacement, defect, and measurement noise in order to evaluate the metrological performance of the developed methods.

  4. 77 FR 57998 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-19

    ... accumulators). A detailed analysis of the calculated line of trajectory of a failed screw cap/end cap for each... Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) for a Different Part Number (P/N) Tactair Fluid Controls (Tactair... covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control...

  5. Manual on Bibliographic Control.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    International Federation of Library Associations, The Hague (Netherlands).

    This manual outlines objectives, functions, and methods for establishing national bibliographic control as part of the development of a worldwide system for the control and exchange of bibliographic information. Chapters cover: (1) definitions of bibliographic control and related concepts including Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) and…

  6. Part-task vs. whole-task training on a supervisory control task

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Battiste, Vernol

    1987-01-01

    The efficacy of a part-task training for the psychomotor portion of a supervisory control simulation was compared to that of the whole-task training, using six subjects in each group, who were asked to perform a task as quickly as possible. Part-task training was provided with the cursor-control device prior to transition to the whole-task. The analysis of both the training and experimental trials demonstrated a significant performance advantage for the part-task group: the tasks were performed better and at higher speed. Although the subjects finally achieved the same level of performance in terms of score, the part-task method was preferable for economic reasons, since simple pretraining systems are significantly less expensive than the whole-task training systems.

  7. Part height control of laser metal additive manufacturing process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Yu-Herng

    Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) has been used to not only make but also repair damaged parts in a layer-by-layer fashion. Parts made in this manner may produce less waste than those made through conventional machining processes. However, a common issue of LMD involves controlling the deposition's layer thickness. Accuracy is important, and as it increases, both the time required to produce the part and the material wasted during the material removal process (e.g., milling, lathe) decrease. The deposition rate is affected by multiple parameters, such as the powder feed rate, laser input power, axis feed rate, material type, and part design, the values of each of which may change during the LMD process. Using a mathematical model to build a generic equation that predicts the deposition's layer thickness is difficult due to these complex parameters. In this thesis, we propose a simple method that utilizes a single device. This device uses a pyrometer to monitor the current build height, thereby allowing the layer thickness to be controlled during the LMD process. This method also helps the LMD system to build parts even with complex parameters and to increase material efficiency.

  8. Solution of task related to control of swiss-type automatic lathe to get planes parallel to part axis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tabekina, N. A.; Chepchurov, M. S.; Evtushenko, E. I.; Dmitrievsky, B. S.

    2018-05-01

    The work solves the problem of automation of machining process namely turning to produce parts having the planes parallel to an axis of rotation of part without using special tools. According to the results, the availability of the equipment of a high speed electromechanical drive to control the operative movements of lathe machine will enable one to get the planes parallel to the part axis. The method of getting planes parallel to the part axis is based on the mathematical model, which is presented as functional dependency between the conveying velocity of the driven element and the time. It describes the operative movements of lathe machine all over the tool path. Using the model of movement of the tool, it has been found that the conveying velocity varies from the maximum to zero value. It will allow one to carry out the reverse of the drive. The scheme of tool placement regarding the workpiece has been proposed for unidirectional movement of the driven element at high conveying velocity. The control method of CNC machines can be used for getting geometrically complex parts on the lathe without using special milling tools.

  9. Plasma process control with optical emission spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ward, P. P.

    Plasma processes for cleaning, etching and desmear of electronic components and printed wiring boards (PWB) are difficult to predict and control. Non-uniformity of most plasma processes and sensitivity to environmental changes make it difficult to maintain process stability from day to day. To assure plasma process performance, weight loss coupons or post-plasma destructive testing must be used. The problem with these techniques is that they are not real-time methods and do not allow for immediate diagnosis and process correction. These methods often require scrapping some fraction of a batch to insure the integrity of the rest. Since these methods verify a successful cycle with post-plasma diagnostics, poor test results often determine that a batch is substandard and the resulting parts unusable. Both of these methods are a costly part of the overall fabrication cost. A more efficient method of testing would allow for constant monitoring of plasma conditions and process control. Process failures should be detected before the parts being treated. are damaged. Real time monitoring would allow for instantaneous corrections. Multiple site monitoring would allow for process mapping within one system or simultaneous monitoring of multiple systems. Optical emission spectroscopy conducted external to the plasma apparatus would allow for this sort of multifunctional analysis without perturbing the glow discharge. In this paper, optical emission spectroscopy for non-intrusive, in situ process control will be explored. A discussion of this technique as it applies towards process control, failure analysis and endpoint determination will be conducted. Methods for identifying process failures, progress and end of etch back and desmear processes will be discussed.

  10. 12 CFR Appendix B to Part 741 - Guidance for an Interest Rate Risk Policy and an Effective Program

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Measurement Methods C. Components of IRR Measurement Methods V. Internal Controls VI. Decision-Making Informed... effective IRR management program identifies, measures, monitors, and controls IRR and is central to safe and... critical to the control of IRR exposure. All FICUs required to have an IRR policy and program should...

  11. 12 CFR Appendix B to Part 741 - Guidance for an Interest Rate Risk Policy and an Effective Program

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Measurement Methods C. Components of IRR Measurement Methods V. Internal Controls VI. Decision-Making Informed... effective IRR management program identifies, measures, monitors, and controls IRR and is central to safe and... critical to the control of IRR exposure. All FICUs required to have an IRR policy and program should...

  12. Alternative Asbestos Control Method and the Asbestos Releasability Research

    EPA Science Inventory

    Alternative Asbestos Control Method shows promise in speed, cost, and efficiency if equally protective. ORD conducted side by side test of AACM vs NESHAP on identical asbestos-containing buildings at Fort Chaffee. This abstract and presentation are based, at least in part, on pr...

  13. Spatial Control of Functional Response in 4D-Printed Active Metallic Structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Ji; Franco, Brian; Tapia, Gustavo; Karayagiz, Kubra; Johnson, Luke; Liu, Jun; Arroyave, Raymundo; Karaman, Ibrahim; Elwany, Alaa

    2017-04-01

    We demonstrate a method to achieve local control of 3-dimensional thermal history in a metallic alloy, which resulted in designed spatial variations in its functional response. A nickel-titanium shape memory alloy part was created with multiple shape-recovery stages activated at different temperatures using the selective laser melting technique. The multi-stage transformation originates from differences in thermal history, and thus the precipitate structure, at various locations created from controlled variations in the hatch distance within the same part. This is a first example of precision location-dependent control of thermal history in alloys beyond the surface, and utilizes additive manufacturing techniques as a tool to create materials with novel functional response that is difficult to achieve through conventional methods.

  14. System and method for controlling a vision guided robot assembly

    DOEpatents

    Lin, Yhu-Tin; Daro, Timothy; Abell, Jeffrey A.; Turner, III, Raymond D.; Casoli, Daniel J.

    2017-03-07

    A method includes the following steps: actuating a robotic arm to perform an action at a start position; moving the robotic arm from the start position toward a first position; determining from a vision process method if a first part from the first position will be ready to be subjected to a first action by the robotic arm once the robotic arm reaches the first position; commencing the execution of the visual processing method for determining the position deviation of the second part from the second position and the readiness of the second part to be subjected to a second action by the robotic arm once the robotic arm reaches the second position; and performing a first action on the first part using the robotic arm with the position deviation of the first part from the first position predetermined by the vision process method.

  15. Mechanical and Acoustic Characteristics of the Weld and the Base Metal Machine Part of Career Transport

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smirnov, Alexander N.; Knjaz'kov, Victor L.; Levashova, Elena E.; Ababkov, Nikolay V.; Pimonov, Maksim V.

    2018-01-01

    Currently, many industries use foreign-made machinery. There is no opportunity to purchase quality original spare parts for which machinery. Therefore, enterprises operating this equipment are looking for producers of analogues of various parts and assemblies. Quite often, the metal of such analog components turns out to be substandard, which leads to their breakdown at a much earlier date and the enterprises incur material losses. Due to the fact that the complex of performance characteristics and the resource of products are laid at the stage of their production, it is extremely important to control the quality of the raw materials. The structure, mechanical, acoustic and magnetic characteristics of metal samples of such destroyed details of quarry transport as hydraulic cylinders and detail “axis” of an excavator are investigated. A significant spread of data on the chemical composition of metal, hardness and characteristics of non-destructive testing is established, which gives grounds to recommend to manufacturers and suppliers of parts is more responsible to approach the incoming quality control. The results of the investigation of metal samples by destructive and non-destructive methods of control are compared, which showed that the spectral-acoustic method of nondestructive testing can be used to control the quality of the responsible machine parts under conditions of import substitution.

  16. Contamination Control in Hybrid Microelectronic Modules. Part 1: Identification of Critical Process and Contaminants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Himmel, R. P.

    1975-01-01

    Various hybrid processing steps, handling procedures, and materials are examined in an attempt to identify sources of contamination and to propose methods for the control of these contaminants. It is found that package sealing, assembly, and rework are especially susceptible to contamination. Moisture and loose particles are identified as the worst contaminants. The points at which contaminants are most likely to enter the hybrid package are also identified, and both general and specific methods for their detection and control are developed. In general, the most effective controls for contaminants are: clean working areas, visual inspection at each step of the process, and effective cleaning at critical process steps. Specific methods suggested include the detection of loose particles by a precap visual inspection, by preseal and post-seal electrical testing, and by a particle impact noise test. Moisture is best controlled by sealing all packages in a clean, dry, inert atmosphere after a thorough bake-out of all parts.

  17. Clustering Methods; Part IV of Scientific Report No. ISR-18, Information Storage and Retrieval...

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. Dept. of Computer Science.

    Two papers are included as Part Four of this report on Salton's Magical Automatic Retriever of Texts (SMART) project report. The first paper: "A Controlled Single Pass Classification Algorithm with Application to Multilevel Clustering" by D. B. Johnson and J. M. Laferente presents a single pass clustering method which compares favorably…

  18. Rate-distortion analysis of dead-zone plus uniform threshold scalar quantization and its application--part II: two-pass VBR coding for H.264/AVC.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jun; Duan, Yizhou; Li, Jiangtao; Liu, Jiaying; Guo, Zongming

    2013-01-01

    In the first part of this paper, we derive a source model describing the relationship between the rate, distortion, and quantization steps of the dead-zone plus uniform threshold scalar quantizers with nearly uniform reconstruction quantizers for generalized Gaussian distribution. This source model consists of rate-quantization, distortion-quantization (D-Q), and distortion-rate (D-R) models. In this part, we first rigorously confirm the accuracy of the proposed source model by comparing the calculated results with the coding data of JM 16.0. Efficient parameter estimation strategies are then developed to better employ this source model in our two-pass rate control method for H.264 variable bit rate coding. Based on our D-Q and D-R models, the proposed method is of high stability, low complexity and is easy to implement. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed method achieves: 1) average peak signal-to-noise ratio variance of only 0.0658 dB, compared to 1.8758 dB of JM 16.0's method, with an average rate control error of 1.95% and 2) significant improvement in smoothing the video quality compared with the latest two-pass rate control method.

  19. Spatial Control of Functional Response in 4D-Printed Active Metallic Structures

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Ji; Franco, Brian; Tapia, Gustavo; Karayagiz, Kubra; Johnson, Luke; Liu, Jun; Arroyave, Raymundo; Karaman, Ibrahim; Elwany, Alaa

    2017-01-01

    We demonstrate a method to achieve local control of 3-dimensional thermal history in a metallic alloy, which resulted in designed spatial variations in its functional response. A nickel-titanium shape memory alloy part was created with multiple shape-recovery stages activated at different temperatures using the selective laser melting technique. The multi-stage transformation originates from differences in thermal history, and thus the precipitate structure, at various locations created from controlled variations in the hatch distance within the same part. This is a first example of precision location-dependent control of thermal history in alloys beyond the surface, and utilizes additive manufacturing techniques as a tool to create materials with novel functional response that is difficult to achieve through conventional methods. PMID:28429796

  20. Automatic control system of high precision welding of workpieces in mechanical engineering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuznetsov, I. N.; Zvezdin, V. V.; Israfilov, I. H.; Portnov, S. M.

    2014-12-01

    In this paper, based on the conducted patent research, the system of laser welding control with different geometry of weld and shapes of parts is developed. The method of monitoring the position of the spot of laser radiation in relation to the curved weld is worked out; it is based on the tracking the edges of the welded parts by low-power laser radiation reflected from the surface of the parts. It allows to make the positioning of the focus of laser radiation in relation to the juncture of the welded parts automatically.

  1. Quality control for federal clean water act and safe drinking water act regulatory compliance.

    PubMed

    Askew, Ed

    2013-01-01

    QC sample results are required in order to have confidence in the results from analytical tests. Some of the AOAC water methods include specific QC procedures, frequencies, and acceptance criteria. These are considered to be the minimum controls needed to perform the method successfully. Some regulatory programs, such as those in 40 CFR Part 136.7, require additional QC or have alternative acceptance limits. Essential QC measures include method calibration, reagent standardization, assessment of each analyst's capabilities, analysis of blind check samples, determination of the method's sensitivity (method detection level or quantification limit), and daily evaluation of bias, precision, and the presence of laboratory contamination or other analytical interference. The details of these procedures, their performance frequency, and expected ranges of results are set out in this manuscript. The specific regulatory requirements of 40 CFR Part 136.7 for the Clean Water Act, the laboratory certification requirements of 40 CFR Part 141 for the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the ISO 17025 accreditation requirements under The NELAC Institute are listed.

  2. Technique of Automated Control Over Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Procedures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bureev, A. Sh; Kiseleva, E. Yu; Kutsov, M. S.; Zhdanov, D. S.

    2016-01-01

    The article describes a technique of automated control over cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures on the basis of acoustic data. The research findings have allowed determining the primary important characteristics of acoustic signals (sounds of blood circulation in the carotid artery and respiratory sounds) and proposing a method to control the performance of resuscitation procedures. This method can be implemented as a part of specialized hardware systems.

  3. Nonprincipal plane scattering of flat plates and pattern control of horn antennas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Balanis, Constantine A.; Polka, Lesley A.; Liu, Kefeng

    1989-01-01

    Using the geometrical theory of diffraction, the traditional method of high frequency scattering analysis, the prediction of the radar cross section of a perfectly conducting, flat, rectangular plate is limited to principal planes. Part A of this report predicts the radar cross section in nonprincipal planes using the method of equivalent currents. This technique is based on an asymptotic end-point reduction of the surface radiation integrals for an infinite wedge and enables nonprincipal plane prediction. The predicted radar cross sections for both horizontal and vertical polarizations are compared to moment method results and experimental data from Arizona State University's anechoic chamber. In part B, a variational calculus approach to the pattern control of the horn antenna is outlined. The approach starts with the optimization of the aperture field distribution so that the control of the radiation pattern in a range of directions can be realized. A control functional is thus formulated. Next, a spectral analysis method is introduced to solve for the eigenfunctions from the extremal condition of the formulated functional. Solutions to the optimized aperture field distribution are then obtained.

  4. 40 CFR 75.21 - Quality assurance and quality control requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., as defined in § 72.2, k=2) of plus or minus 1.0 percent (calculated combined standard uncertainty of... system according to the quality assurance and quality control procedures in appendix B of this part. (2... requirements of Method 2, 6C, 7E, or 3A in Appendices A-1, A-2 and A-4 to part 60 of this chapter (supplemented...

  5. 49 CFR 214.7 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... part. Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the railroad or railroad... them. Control operator means the railroad employee in charge of a remotely controlled switch or derail... by a train dispatcher or a control operator. Deceleration device means any mechanism, including, but...

  6. 49 CFR 214.7 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... part. Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the railroad or railroad... them. Control operator means the railroad employee in charge of a remotely controlled switch or derail... by a train dispatcher or a control operator. Deceleration device means any mechanism, including, but...

  7. 49 CFR 214.7 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... part. Equivalent means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the railroad or railroad... them. Control operator means the railroad employee in charge of a remotely controlled switch or derail... by a train dispatcher or a control operator. Deceleration device means any mechanism, including, but...

  8. Structured functional assessments in general practice increased the use of part-time sick leave: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Osterås, Nina; Gulbrandsen, Pål; Kann, Inger Cathrine; Brage, Søren

    2010-03-01

    A method for structured functional assessments of persons with long-term sick leave was implemented in a cluster randomised controlled trial in general practice. The aim was to analyse intervention effects on general practitioner (GP) sick-listing practice and patient sick leave. 57 GPs were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. The intervention group GPs learned the method at a 1-day workshop including teamwork and role-playing. The control group GPs were requested to assess functional ability as usual during the 8 months intervention period in 2005. Outcome measures included duration of patient sick leave episodes, GP prescription of part-time sick leave, active sick leave, and vocational rehabilitation. This data was extracted from a national register. The GPs in the intervention group prescribed part-time sick leave more often (p < 0.01) and active sick leave less often (p = 0.04) than the control group GPs during the intervention period. There was no intervention effect on duration of patient sick leave episodes or on GP prescription of vocational rehabilitation. Implementing structured functional assessments in general practice made the GPs capable to assess functional ability of persons with long-term sick leave in a standardised and explicit manner. The intervention GPs' sick-listing practice was changed as they prescribed more part-time and less active sick leave compared to the control group GPs. As a result, more intervention GP patients returned to part-time work compared to control GP patients. No intervention effect was seen on duration of patient sick leave episodes or on prescription of vocational rehabilitation.

  9. A Generalized Method for Automatic Downhand and Wirefeed Control of a Welding Robot and Positioner

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fernandez, Ken; Cook, George E.

    1988-01-01

    A generalized method for controlling a six degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot and a two DOF positioner used for arc welding operations is described. The welding path is defined in the part reference frame, and robot/positioner joint angles of the equivalent eight DOF serial linkage are determined via an iterative solution. Three algorithms are presented: the first solution controls motion of the eight DOF mechanism such that proper torch motion is achieved while minimizing the sum-of-squares of joint displacements; the second algorithm adds two constraint equations to achieve torch control while maintaining part orientation so that welding occurs in the downhand position; and the third algorithm adds the ability to control the proper orientation of a wire feed mechanism used in gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding operations. A verification of these algorithms is given using ROBOSIM, a NASA developed computer graphic simulation software package design for robot systems development.

  10. Feedback control methods for drug dosage optimisation. Concepts, classification and clinical application.

    PubMed

    Vozeh, S; Steimer, J L

    1985-01-01

    The concept of feedback control methods for drug dosage optimisation is described from the viewpoint of control theory. The control system consists of 5 parts: (a) patient (the controlled process); (b) response (the measured feedback); (c) model (the mathematical description of the process); (d) adaptor (to update the parameters); and (e) controller (to determine optimum dosing strategy). In addition to the conventional distinction between open-loop and closed-loop control systems, a classification is proposed for dosage optimisation techniques which distinguishes between tight-loop and loose-loop methods depending on whether physician's interaction is absent or included as part of the control step. Unlike engineering problems where the process can usually be controlled by fully automated devices, therapeutic situations often require that the physician be included in the decision-making process to determine the 'optimal' dosing strategy. Tight-loop and loose-loop methods can be further divided into adaptive and non-adaptive, depending on the presence of the adaptor. The main application areas of tight-loop feedback control methods are general anaesthesia, control of blood pressure, and insulin delivery devices. Loose-loop feedback methods have been used for oral anticoagulation and in therapeutic drug monitoring. The methodology, advantages and limitations of the different approaches are reviewed. A general feature common to all application areas could be observed: to perform well under routine clinical conditions, which are characterised by large interpatient variability and sometimes also intrapatient changes, control systems should be adaptive. Apart from application in routine drug treatment, feedback control methods represent an important research tool. They can be applied for the investigation of pathophysiological and pharmacodynamic processes. A most promising application is the evaluation of the relationship between an intermediate response (e.g. drug level), which is often used as feedback for dosage adjustment, and the final therapeutic goal.

  11. Statistical Model Selection for TID Hardness Assurance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ladbury, R.; Gorelick, J. L.; McClure, S.

    2010-01-01

    Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) methodologies against Total Ionizing Dose (TID) degradation impose rigorous statistical treatments for data from a part's Radiation Lot Acceptance Test (RLAT) and/or its historical performance. However, no similar methods exist for using "similarity" data - that is, data for similar parts fabricated in the same process as the part under qualification. This is despite the greater difficulty and potential risk in interpreting of similarity data. In this work, we develop methods to disentangle part-to-part, lot-to-lot and part-type-to-part-type variation. The methods we develop apply not just for qualification decisions, but also for quality control and detection of process changes and other "out-of-family" behavior. We begin by discussing the data used in ·the study and the challenges of developing a statistic providing a meaningful measure of degradation across multiple part types, each with its own performance specifications. We then develop analysis techniques and apply them to the different data sets.

  12. Robust cooperation of connected vehicle systems with eigenvalue-bounded interaction topologies in the presence of uncertain dynamics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Keqiang; Gao, Feng; Li, Shengbo Eben; Zheng, Yang; Gao, Hongbo

    2017-12-01

    This study presents a distributed H-infinity control method for uncertain platoons with dimensionally and structurally unknown interaction topologies provided that the associated topological eigenvalues are bounded by a predesigned range.With an inverse model to compensate for nonlinear powertrain dynamics, vehicles in a platoon are modeled by third-order uncertain systems with bounded disturbances. On the basis of the eigenvalue decomposition of topological matrices, we convert the platoon system to a norm-bounded uncertain part and a diagonally structured certain part by applying linear transformation. We then use a common Lyapunov method to design a distributed H-infinity controller. Numerically, two linear matrix inequalities corresponding to the minimum and maximum eigenvalues should be solved. The resulting controller can tolerate interaction topologies with eigenvalues located in a certain range. The proposed method can also ensure robustness performance and disturbance attenuation ability for the closed-loop platoon system. Hardware-in-the-loop tests are performed to validate the effectiveness of our method.

  13. Formal Methods for Automated Diagnosis of Autosub 6000

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ernits, Juhan; Dearden, Richard; Pebody, Miles

    2009-01-01

    This is a progress report on applying formal methods in the context of building an automated diagnosis and recovery system for Autosub 6000, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The diagnosis task involves building abstract models of the control system of the AUV. The diagnosis engine is based on Livingstone 2, a model-based diagnoser originally built for aerospace applications. Large parts of the diagnosis model can be built without concrete knowledge about each mission, but actual mission scripts and configuration parameters that carry important information for diagnosis are changed for every mission. Thus we use formal methods for generating the mission control part of the diagnosis model automatically from the mission script and perform a number of invariant checks to validate the configuration. After the diagnosis model is augmented with the generated mission control component model, it needs to be validated using verification techniques.

  14. An Adaptive Instability Suppression Controls Method for Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Combustors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kopasakis, George; DeLaat, John C.; Chang, Clarence T.

    2008-01-01

    An adaptive controls method for instability suppression in gas turbine engine combustors has been developed and successfully tested with a realistic aircraft engine combustor rig. This testing was part of a program that demonstrated, for the first time, successful active combustor instability control in an aircraft gas turbine engine-like environment. The controls method is called Adaptive Sliding Phasor Averaged Control. Testing of the control method has been conducted in an experimental rig with different configurations designed to simulate combustors with instabilities of about 530 and 315 Hz. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in suppressing combustor instabilities. In addition, a dramatic improvement in suppression of the instability was achieved by focusing control on the second harmonic of the instability. This is believed to be due to a phenomena discovered and reported earlier, the so called Intra-Harmonic Coupling. These results may have implications for future research in combustor instability control.

  15. Biological control of livestock pests : Parasitoids

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    House flies, Musca domestica L., and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are common pests on livestock, poultry, and equine facilities. Biological control of filth flies with pupal parasitoids can be used in conjunction with other control methods as part of an integrated fly management program. ...

  16. Low cost composite manufacturing utilizing intelligent pultrusion and resin transfer molding (IPRTM)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bradley, James E.; Wysocki, Tadeusz S., Jr.

    1993-02-01

    This article describes an innovative method for the economical manufacturing of large, intricately-shaped tubular composite parts. Proprietary intelligent process control techniques are combined with standard pultrusion and RTM methodologies to provide high part throughput, performance, and quality while substantially reducing scrap, rework costs, and labor requirements. On-line process monitoring and control is achieved through a smart tooling interface consisting of modular zone tiles installed on part-specific die assemblies. Real-time archiving of process run parameters provides enhanced SPC and SQC capabilities.

  17. Functional test generation for digital circuits described with a declarative language: LUSTRE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Almahrous, Mazen

    1990-08-01

    A functional approach to the test generation problem starting from a high level description is proposed. The circuit tested is modeled, using the LUSTRE high level data flow description language. The different LUSTRE primitives are translated to a SATAN format graph in order to evaluate the testability of the circuit and to generate test sequences. Another method of testing the complex circuits comprising an operative part and a control part is defined. It consists of checking experiments for the control part observed through the operative part. It was applied to the automata generated from a LUSTRE description of the circuit.

  18. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Yyyy of... - Requirements for Performance Tests and Initial Compliance Demonstrations

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Pollutants for Stationary Combustion Turbines Pt. 63, Subpt. YYYY, Table 3 Table 3 to Subpart YYYY of Part 63... points AND Method 1 or 1A of 40 CFR part 60, appendix A § 63.7(d)(1)(i) if using an air pollution control device, the sampling site must be located at the outlet of the air pollution control device. c. determine...

  19. EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDIES OF REFLECTRO CONTROL FOR THE ADVANCED ENGINEERING TEST REACTOR. PART A. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES WITH THE REFLECTOR CONTROL SYSTEM MODEL. PART B. ANALYTICAL STUDIES OF REFLECTOR CONTROL

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bertelson, P.C.; Francis, T.L.

    1959-10-21

    Studies of reflector control for the Advanced Engineering Test Reactor were made. The performance of various parts of the reflector control system model such as the safety reflector and the water jet educator, boric acid injection, and demineralizer systems is discussed. The experimental methods and results obtained are discussed. Four reflector control schemes were studied. The schemes were a single-region and three-region reflector schemes two separate reflectors, and two connected reflectors. Calculations were made of shim and safety reflector worth for a variety of parameters. Safety reflector thickness was varied from 7.75 to 0 inches, with and without boron. Boricmore » acid concentration was varied from 100 to 2% of saturation in the shim reflectors. Neutron flux plots are presented (C.J.G.)« less

  20. Effectiveness-weighted control method for a cooling system

    DOEpatents

    Campbell, Levi A.; Chu, Richard C.; David, Milnes P.; Ellsworth Jr., Michael J.; Iyengar, Madhusudan K.; Schmidt, Roger R.; Simons, Robert E.

    2015-12-15

    Energy efficient control of cooling system cooling of an electronic system is provided based, in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components. The control includes automatically determining speed control settings for multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The automatically determining is based, at least in part, on weighted cooling effectiveness of the components of the cooling system, and the determining operates to limit power consumption of at least the cooling system, while ensuring that a target temperature associated with at least one of the cooling system or the electronic system is within a desired range by provisioning, based on the weighted cooling effectiveness, a desired target temperature change among the multiple adjustable cooling components of the cooling system. The provisioning includes provisioning applied power to the multiple adjustable cooling components via, at least in part, the determined control settings.

  1. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 61 - Methods for Estimating Radionuclide Emissions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Table 1. Table 1—Adjustment to Emission Factors for Effluent Controls Controls Types of radionuclides... applicable to gaseous radionuclides; periodic testing is prudent to ensure high removal efficiency. Fabric...

  2. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 61 - Methods for Estimating Radionuclide Emissions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Table 1. Table 1—Adjustment to Emission Factors for Effluent Controls Controls Types of radionuclides... applicable to gaseous radionuclides; periodic testing is prudent to ensure high removal efficiency. Fabric...

  3. Modeling and reduction with applications to semiconductor processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Newman, Andrew Joseph

    This thesis consists of several somewhat distinct but connected parts, with an underlying motivation in problems pertaining to control and optimization of semiconductor processing. The first part (Chapters 3 and 4) addresses problems in model reduction for nonlinear state-space control systems. In 1993, Scherpen generalized the balanced truncation method to the nonlinear setting. However, the Scherpen procedure is not easily computable and has not yet been applied in practice. We offer a method for computing a working approximation to the controllability energy function, one of the main objects involved in the method. Moreover, we show that for a class of second-order mechanical systems with dissipation, under certain conditions related to the dissipation, an exact formula for the controllability function can be derived. We then present an algorithm for a numerical implementation of the Morse-Palais lemma, which produces a local coordinate transformation under which a real-valued function with a non-degenerate critical point is quadratic on a neighborhood of the critical point. Application of the algorithm to the controllabilty function plays a key role in computing the balanced representation. We then apply our methods and algorithms to derive balanced realizations for nonlinear state-space models of two example mechanical systems: a simple pendulum and a double pendulum. The second part (Chapter 5) deals with modeling of rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD) for growth of silicon thin films, via first-principles and empirical analysis. We develop detailed process-equipment models and study the factors that influence deposition uniformity, such as temperature, pressure, and precursor gas flow rates, through analysis of experimental and simulation results. We demonstrate that temperature uniformity does not guarantee deposition thickness uniformity in a particular commercial RTCVD reactor of interest. In the third part (Chapter 6) we continue the modeling effort, specializing to a control system for RTCVD heat transfer. We then develop and apply ad-hoc versions of prominent model reduction approaches to derive reduced models and perform a comparative study.

  4. Making Ceramic/Polymer Parts By Extrusion Stereolithography

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stuffle, Kevin; Mulligan, A.; Creegan, P.; Boulton, J. M.; Lombardi, J. L.; Calvert, P. D.

    1996-01-01

    Extrusion stereolithography developmental method of computer-controlled manufacturing of objects out of ceramic/polymer composite materials. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software used to create image of desired part and translate image into motion commands for combination of mechanisms moving resin dispenser. Extrusion performed in coordination with motion of dispenser so buildup of extruded material takes on size and shape of desired part. Part thermally cured after deposition.

  5. Material forming apparatus using a directed droplet stream

    DOEpatents

    Holcomb, David E.; Viswanathan, Srinath; Blue, Craig A.; Wilgen, John B.

    2000-01-01

    Systems and methods are described for rapidly forming precision metallic and intermetallic alloy net shape parts directly from liquid metal droplets. A directed droplet deposition apparatus includes a crucible with an orifice for producing a jet of material, a jet destabilizer, a charging structure, a deflector system, and an impact zone. The systems and methods provide advantages in that fully dense, microstructurally controlled parts can be fabricated at moderate cost.

  6. 10 CFR Appendix G to Subpart B of... - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Unvented Home Heating Equipment

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... of Unvented Home Heating Equipment G Appendix G to Subpart B of Part 430 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY..., App. G Appendix G to Subpart B of Part 430—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of... gas control value (e.g., by label) by the manufacturer. 2.4 Electrical standby mode power measurement...

  7. COMSAC: Computational Methods for Stability and Control. Part 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fremaux, C. Michael (Compiler); Hall, Robert M. (Compiler)

    2004-01-01

    Work on stability and control included the following reports:Introductory Remarks; Introduction to Computational Methods for Stability and Control (COMSAC); Stability & Control Challenges for COMSAC: a NASA Langley Perspective; Emerging CFD Capabilities and Outlook A NASA Langley Perspective; The Role for Computational Fluid Dynamics for Stability and Control:Is it Time?; Northrop Grumman Perspective on COMSAC; Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Perspective on COMSAC; Computational Methods in Stability and Control:WPAFB Perspective; Perspective: Raytheon Aircraft Company; A Greybeard's View of the State of Aerodynamic Prediction; Computational Methods for Stability and Control: A Perspective; Boeing TacAir Stability and Control Issues for Computational Fluid Dynamics; NAVAIR S&C Issues for CFD; An S&C Perspective on CFD; Issues, Challenges & Payoffs: A Boeing User s Perspective on CFD for S&C; and Stability and Control in Computational Simulations for Conceptual and Preliminary Design: the Past, Today, and Future?

  8. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 60 - Required Emission Inventory Information

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... one device operates in series. The method of control efficiency determination shall be indicated (e.g., design efficiency, measured efficiency, estimated efficiency). (iii) Annual average control efficiency, in percent, taking into account control equipment down time. This shall be a combined efficiency when...

  9. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 60 - Required Emission Inventory Information

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... one device operates in series. The method of control efficiency determination shall be indicated (e.g., design efficiency, measured efficiency, estimated efficiency). (iii) Annual average control efficiency, in percent, taking into account control equipment down time. This shall be a combined efficiency when...

  10. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 60 - Required Emission Inventory Information

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... one device operates in series. The method of control efficiency determination shall be indicated (e.g., design efficiency, measured efficiency, estimated efficiency). (iii) Annual average control efficiency, in percent, taking into account control equipment down time. This shall be a combined efficiency when...

  11. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 60 - Required Emission Inventory Information

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... one device operates in series. The method of control efficiency determination shall be indicated (e.g., design efficiency, measured efficiency, estimated efficiency). (iii) Annual average control efficiency, in percent, taking into account control equipment down time. This shall be a combined efficiency when...

  12. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 60 - Required Emission Inventory Information

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... one device operates in series. The method of control efficiency determination shall be indicated (e.g., design efficiency, measured efficiency, estimated efficiency). (iii) Annual average control efficiency, in percent, taking into account control equipment down time. This shall be a combined efficiency when...

  13. 1977 Kansas Field Crop Insect Control Recommendations.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brooks, Leroy; Gates, Dell E.

    This publication is prepared to aid producers in selecting methods of insect population management that have proved effective under Kansas conditions. Topics covered include insect control on alfalfa, soil insects attacking corn, insects attacking above-ground parts of corn, and sorghum, wheat, and soybean insect control. The insecticides…

  14. Laser Ultrasound Spectroscopy Scanning for 3D Printed Parts

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brennan, Guendalyn Kendra

    One of the challenges of additive manufacturing is quality control due to the possibility of unseen flaws in the final product. The current methods of inspection are lacking in detail, too slow for practical use, or unable to validate internal structure. This report examines the use of laser ultrasound spectroscopy in layer by layer scans of 3D printed parts as they are created. The result is fast and detailed quality control. An additional advantage of this method is the ability to cancel a print as soon as a defect is detected, therefore saving materials and time. This technique, though simplemore » in concept, has been a challenge to implement. I discuss tweaking the 3D printer configuration, and finding the optimal settings for laser scanning small parts made of ABS plastic, as well as the limits of how small of a detail the laser can detect. These settings include the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, the speed of the laser, and the distance from the laser to the part.« less

  15. Simulation and Experimental Investigation of Structural Dynamic Frequency Characteristics Control

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Xingwu; Chen, Xuefeng; You, Shangqin; He, Zhengjia; Li, Bing

    2012-01-01

    In general, mechanical equipment such as cars, airplanes, and machine tools all operate with constant frequency characteristics. These constant working characteristics should be controlled if the dynamic performance of the equipment demands improvement or the dynamic characteristics is intended to change with different working conditions. Active control is a stable and beneficial method for this, but current active control methods mainly focus on vibration control for reducing the vibration amplitudes in the time domain or frequency domain. In this paper, a new method of dynamic frequency characteristics active control (DFCAC) is presented for a flat plate, which can not only accomplish vibration control but also arbitrarily change the dynamic characteristics of the equipment. The proposed DFCAC algorithm is based on a neural network including two parts of the identification implement and the controller. The effectiveness of the DFCAC method is verified by several simulation and experiments, which provide desirable results. PMID:22666072

  16. Simulation and experimental investigation of structural dynamic frequency characteristics control.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xingwu; Chen, Xuefeng; You, Shangqin; He, Zhengjia; Li, Bing

    2012-01-01

    In general, mechanical equipment such as cars, airplanes, and machine tools all operate with constant frequency characteristics. These constant working characteristics should be controlled if the dynamic performance of the equipment demands improvement or the dynamic characteristics is intended to change with different working conditions. Active control is a stable and beneficial method for this, but current active control methods mainly focus on vibration control for reducing the vibration amplitudes in the time domain or frequency domain. In this paper, a new method of dynamic frequency characteristics active control (DFCAC) is presented for a flat plate, which can not only accomplish vibration control but also arbitrarily change the dynamic characteristics of the equipment. The proposed DFCAC algorithm is based on a neural network including two parts of the identification implement and the controller. The effectiveness of the DFCAC method is verified by several simulation and experiments, which provide desirable results.

  17. Simulation based optimized beam velocity in additive manufacturing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vignat, Frédéric; Béraud, Nicolas; Villeneuve, François

    2017-08-01

    Manufacturing good parts with additive technologies rely on melt pool dimension and temperature and are controlled by manufacturing strategies often decided on machine side. Strategies are built on beam path and variable energy input. Beam path are often a mix of contour and hatching strategies filling the contours at each slice. Energy input depend on beam intensity and speed and is determined from simple thermal models to control melt pool dimensions and temperature and ensure porosity free material. These models take into account variation in thermal environment such as overhanging surfaces or back and forth hatching path. However not all the situations are correctly handled and precision is limited. This paper proposes new method to determine energy input from full built chamber 3D thermal simulation. Using the results of the simulation, energy is modified to keep melt pool temperature in a predetermined range. The paper present first an experimental method to determine the optimal range of temperature. In a second part the method to optimize the beam speed from the simulation results is presented. Finally, the optimized beam path is tested in the EBM machine and built part are compared with part built with ordinary beam path.

  18. 49 CFR Appendix F to Part 229 - Recommended Practices for Design and Safety Analysis

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... expected order of use; (v) Group similar controls together; (vi) Design for high stimulus-response compatibility (geometric and conceptual); (vii) Design safety-critical controls to require more than one... description of all backup methods of operation; and (s) The configuration/revision control measures designed...

  19. 49 CFR Appendix F to Part 229 - Recommended Practices for Design and Safety Analysis

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... expected order of use; (v) Group similar controls together; (vi) Design for high stimulus-response compatibility (geometric and conceptual); (vii) Design safety-critical controls to require more than one... description of all backup methods of operation; and (s) The configuration/revision control measures designed...

  20. 49 CFR Appendix F to Part 229 - Recommended Practices for Design and Safety Analysis

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... expected order of use; (v) Group similar controls together; (vi) Design for high stimulus-response compatibility (geometric and conceptual); (vii) Design safety-critical controls to require more than one... description of all backup methods of operation; and (s) The configuration/revision control measures designed...

  1. 77 FR 58309 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Missouri

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-20

    ....040 Reference Methods, and 10 CSR 10-6.130 Controlling Emissions During Episodes of High Air Pollution... determined. The revisions to 10 CSR 10-6.130 Controlling Emissions During Episodes of High Air Pollution... Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, Incorporation by reference...

  2. Secure estimation, control and optimization of uncertain cyber-physical systems with applications to power networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taha, Ahmad Fayez

    Transportation networks, wearable devices, energy systems, and the book you are reading now are all ubiquitous cyber-physical systems (CPS). These inherently uncertain systems combine physical phenomena with communication, data processing, control and optimization. Many CPSs are controlled and monitored by real-time control systems that use communication networks to transmit and receive data from systems modeled by physical processes. Existing studies have addressed a breadth of challenges related to the design of CPSs. However, there is a lack of studies on uncertain CPSs subject to dynamic unknown inputs and cyber-attacks---an artifact of the insertion of communication networks and the growing complexity of CPSs. The objective of this dissertation is to create secure, computational foundations for uncertain CPSs by establishing a framework to control, estimate and optimize the operation of these systems. With major emphasis on power networks, the dissertation deals with the design of secure computational methods for uncertain CPSs, focusing on three crucial issues---(1) cyber-security and risk-mitigation, (2) network-induced time-delays and perturbations and (3) the encompassed extreme time-scales. The dissertation consists of four parts. In the first part, we investigate dynamic state estimation (DSE) methods and rigorously examine the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed routines under dynamic attack-vectors and unknown inputs. In the second part, and utilizing high-frequency measurements in smart grids and the developed DSE methods in the first part, we present a risk mitigation strategy that minimizes the encountered threat levels, while ensuring the continual observability of the system through available, safe measurements. The developed methods in the first two parts rely on the assumption that the uncertain CPS is not experiencing time-delays, an assumption that might fail under certain conditions. To overcome this challenge, networked unknown input observers---observers/estimators for uncertain CPSs---are designed such that the effect of time-delays and cyber-induced perturbations are minimized, enabling secure DSE and risk mitigation in the first two parts. The final part deals with the extreme time-scales encompassed in CPSs, generally, and smart grids, specifically. Operational decisions for long time-scales can adversely affect the security of CPSs for faster time-scales. We present a model that jointly describes steady-state operation and transient stability by combining convex optimal power flow with semidefinite programming formulations of an optimal control problem. This approach can be jointly utilized with the aforementioned parts of the dissertation work, considering time-delays and DSE. The research contributions of this dissertation furnish CPS stakeholders with insights on the design and operation of uncertain CPSs, whilst guaranteeing the system's real-time safety. Finally, although many of the results of this dissertation are tailored to power systems, the results are general enough to be applied for a variety of uncertain CPSs.

  3. Modeling and implementation of concurrent logic controllers with use of Petri nets, LSMs, and sequent calculus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tkacz, J.; Bukowiec, A.; Doligalski, M.

    2017-08-01

    The paper presentes the method of modeling and implementation of concurrent controllers. Concurrent controllers are specified by Petri nets. Then Petri nets are decomposed using symbolic deduction method of analysis. Formal methods like sequent calculus system with considered elements of Thelen's algorithm have been used here. As a result, linked state machines (LSMs) are received. Each FSM is implemented using methods of structural decomposition during process of logic synthesis. The method of multiple encoding of microinstruction has been applied. It leads to decreased number of Boolean function realized by combinational part of FSM. The additional decoder could be implemented with the use of memory blocks.

  4. The Foulness Multiton Air Blast Simulator. Part 3. Blast Wave Formation and Methods Used to Drive the Simulator,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-03-01

    the total energy release of the explosive driver using expanded polystyrene and at the same time, controlling the rate of release. The part played by aqueous foam in minimising irregularities in waveform also is described. (Author)

  5. Statistical Design Model (SDM) of satellite thermal control subsystem

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mirshams, Mehran; Zabihian, Ehsan; Aarabi Chamalishahi, Mahdi

    2016-07-01

    Satellites thermal control, is a satellite subsystem that its main task is keeping the satellite components at its own survival and activity temperatures. Ability of satellite thermal control plays a key role in satisfying satellite's operational requirements and designing this subsystem is a part of satellite design. In the other hand due to the lack of information provided by companies and designers still doesn't have a specific design process while it is one of the fundamental subsystems. The aim of this paper, is to identify and extract statistical design models of spacecraft thermal control subsystem by using SDM design method. This method analyses statistical data with a particular procedure. To implement SDM method, a complete database is required. Therefore, we first collect spacecraft data and create a database, and then we extract statistical graphs using Microsoft Excel, from which we further extract mathematical models. Inputs parameters of the method are mass, mission, and life time of the satellite. For this purpose at first thermal control subsystem has been introduced and hardware using in the this subsystem and its variants has been investigated. In the next part different statistical models has been mentioned and a brief compare will be between them. Finally, this paper particular statistical model is extracted from collected statistical data. Process of testing the accuracy and verifying the method use a case study. Which by the comparisons between the specifications of thermal control subsystem of a fabricated satellite and the analyses results, the methodology in this paper was proved to be effective. Key Words: Thermal control subsystem design, Statistical design model (SDM), Satellite conceptual design, Thermal hardware

  6. Adaptive Modal Identification for Flutter Suppression Control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, Nhan T.; Drew, Michael; Swei, Sean S.

    2016-01-01

    In this paper, we will develop an adaptive modal identification method for identifying the frequencies and damping of a flutter mode based on model-reference adaptive control (MRAC) and least-squares methods. The least-squares parameter estimation will achieve parameter convergence in the presence of persistent excitation whereas the MRAC parameter estimation does not guarantee parameter convergence. Two adaptive flutter suppression control approaches are developed: one based on MRAC and the other based on the least-squares method. The MRAC flutter suppression control is designed as an integral part of the parameter estimation where the feedback signal is used to estimate the modal information. On the other hand, the separation principle of control and estimation is applied to the least-squares method. The least-squares modal identification is used to perform parameter estimation.

  7. Research on particulate filter simulation and regeneration control strategy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dawei, Qu; Jun, Li; Yu, Liu

    2017-03-01

    This paper reports a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) collection mathematical model for a new regeneration control strategy. The new strategy is composed by main parts, such as regeneration time capturing, temperature rising strategy and regeneration control strategy. In the part of regeneration time capturing, a multi-level regeneration capturing method is put forward based on the combined effect of the PM (Particulate Matter) loading, pressure drop and fuel consumption. The temperature rising strategy proposes the global temperature for all operating conditions. The regeneration control process considers the particle loading density, temperature and oxygen respectively. Based on the analysis of the initial overheating, runaway temperature and local hot spot, the final control strategy is established.

  8. Transactive System: Part II: Analysis of Two Pilot Transactive Systems using Foundational Theory and Metrics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lian, Jianming; Sun, Y.; Kalsi, Karanjit

    This document is the second of a two-part report. Part 1 reviewed several demonstrations of transactive control and compared them in terms of their payoff functions, control decisions, information privacy, and mathematical solution concepts. It was suggested in Part 1 that these four listed components should be adopted for meaningful comparison and design of future transactive systems. Part 2 proposes qualitative and quantitative metrics that will be needed to compare alternative transactive systems. It then uses the analysis and design principles from Part 1 while conducting more in-depth analysis of two transactive demonstrations: the American Electric Power (AEP) gridSMART Demonstration,more » which used a double –auction market mechanism, and a consensus method like that used in the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration. Ultimately, metrics must be devised and used to meaningfully compare alternative transactive systems. One significant contribution of this report is an observation that the decision function used for thermostat control in the AEP gridSMART Demonstration has superior performance if its decision function is recast to more accurately reflect the power that will be used under for thermostatic control under alternative market outcomes.« less

  9. The feedback control research on straight and curved road with car-following model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, Yi-Ming; Cheng, Rong-Jun; Ge, Hong-Xia

    2017-07-01

    Taking account of the road consisting of curved part and straight part, an extended car-following model is proposed in this paper. A control signal including the velocity difference between the considered vehicle and the vehicle in front is taken into account. The control theory method is applied into analysis of the stability condition for the model. Numerical simulations are implemented to prove that the stability of the traffic flow strengthens effectively with an increase of the radius of curved road, and the control signal can suppress the traffic congestion. The results are in good agree with the theoretical analysis.

  10. Mining Building Energy Management System Data Using Fuzzy Anomaly Detection and Linguistic Descriptions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dumidu Wijayasekara; Ondrej Linda; Milos Manic

    Building Energy Management Systems (BEMSs) are essential components of modern buildings that utilize digital control technologies to minimize energy consumption while maintaining high levels of occupant comfort. However, BEMSs can only achieve these energy savings when properly tuned and controlled. Since indoor environment is dependent on uncertain criteria such as weather, occupancy, and thermal state, performance of BEMS can be sub-optimal at times. Unfortunately, the complexity of BEMS control mechanism, the large amount of data available and inter-relations between the data can make identifying these sub-optimal behaviors difficult. This paper proposes a novel Fuzzy Anomaly Detection and Linguistic Description (Fuzzy-ADLD)more » based method for improving the understandability of BEMS behavior for improved state-awareness. The presented method is composed of two main parts: 1) detection of anomalous BEMS behavior and 2) linguistic representation of BEMS behavior. The first part utilizes modified nearest neighbor clustering algorithm and fuzzy logic rule extraction technique to build a model of normal BEMS behavior. The second part of the presented method computes the most relevant linguistic description of the identified anomalies. The presented Fuzzy-ADLD method was applied to real-world BEMS system and compared against a traditional alarm based BEMS. In six different scenarios, the Fuzzy-ADLD method identified anomalous behavior either as fast as or faster (an hour or more), that the alarm based BEMS. In addition, the Fuzzy-ADLD method identified cases that were missed by the alarm based system, demonstrating potential for increased state-awareness of abnormal building behavior.« less

  11. Determination of small quantities of fluoride in water: A modified zirconium-alizarin method

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lamar, W.L.; Seegmiller, C.G.

    1941-01-01

    The zirconium-alizarin method has been modified to facilitate the convenient and accurate determination of small amounts of fluoride in a large number of water samples. Sulfuric acid is used to acidify the samples to reduce the interference of sulfate. The pH is accurately controlled to give the most sensitive comparisons. Most natural waters can be analyzed by the modified procedure without resorting to correction curves. The fluoride content of waters containing less than 500 parts per million of sulfate, 500 parts per million of bicarbonate, and 1000 parts per million of chloride may be determined within a limit of about 0.1 part per million when a 100-ml. sample is used.

  12. Vibration welding system with thin film sensor

    DOEpatents

    Cai, Wayne W; Abell, Jeffrey A; Li, Xiaochun; Choi, Hongseok; Zhao, Jingzhou

    2014-03-18

    A vibration welding system includes an anvil, a welding horn, a thin film sensor, and a process controller. The anvil and horn include working surfaces that contact a work piece during the welding process. The sensor measures a control value at the working surface. The measured control value is transmitted to the controller, which controls the system in part using the measured control value. The thin film sensor may include a plurality of thermopiles and thermocouples which collectively measure temperature and heat flux at the working surface. A method includes providing a welder device with a slot adjacent to a working surface of the welder device, inserting the thin film sensor into the slot, and using the sensor to measure a control value at the working surface. A process controller then controls the vibration welding system in part using the measured control value.

  13. Dynamic Feed Control For Injection Molding

    DOEpatents

    Kazmer, David O.

    1996-09-17

    The invention provides methods and apparatus in which mold material flows through a gate into a mold cavity that defines the shape of a desired part. An adjustable valve is provided that is operable to change dynamically the effective size of the gate to control the flow of mold material through the gate. The valve is adjustable while the mold material is flowing through the gate into the mold cavity. A sensor is provided for sensing a process condition while the part is being molded. During molding, the valve is adjusted based at least in part on information from the sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustable valve is controlled by a digital computer, which includes circuitry for acquiring data from the sensor, processing circuitry for computing a desired position of the valve based on the data from the sensor and a control data file containing target process conditions, and control circuitry for generating signals to control a valve driver to adjust the position of the valve. More complex embodiments include a plurality of gates, sensors, and controllable valves. Each valve is individually controllable so that process conditions corresponding to each gate can be adjusted independently. This allows for great flexibility in the control of injection molding to produce complex, high-quality parts.

  14. 40 CFR 270.315 - What air emissions control information must I keep at my facility?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... specifications listed in 40 CFR 264.1084(e)(1) or (f)(1). (b) Identification of each container area subject to... or containers under requirements of 40 CFR 264.1084(d)(5) or 264.1086(e)(1)(ii). You must include... monitoring plan for both Method 21 in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A and control device monitoring methods. This...

  15. 40 CFR 270.315 - What air emissions control information must I keep at my facility?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... specifications listed in 40 CFR 264.1084(e)(1) or (f)(1). (b) Identification of each container area subject to... or containers under requirements of 40 CFR 264.1084(d)(5) or 264.1086(e)(1)(ii). You must include... monitoring plan for both Method 21 in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A and control device monitoring methods. This...

  16. 40 CFR 270.315 - What air emissions control information must I keep at my facility?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... specifications listed in 40 CFR 264.1084(e)(1) or (f)(1). (b) Identification of each container area subject to... or containers under requirements of 40 CFR 264.1084(d)(5) or 264.1086(e)(1)(ii). You must include... monitoring plan for both Method 21 in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A and control device monitoring methods. This...

  17. 40 CFR 270.315 - What air emissions control information must I keep at my facility?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... specifications listed in 40 CFR 264.1084(e)(1) or (f)(1). (b) Identification of each container area subject to... or containers under requirements of 40 CFR 264.1084(d)(5) or 264.1086(e)(1)(ii). You must include... monitoring plan for both Method 21 in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A and control device monitoring methods. This...

  18. 40 CFR 270.315 - What air emissions control information must I keep at my facility?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... specifications listed in 40 CFR 264.1084(e)(1) or (f)(1). (b) Identification of each container area subject to... or containers under requirements of 40 CFR 264.1084(d)(5) or 264.1086(e)(1)(ii). You must include... monitoring plan for both Method 21 in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A and control device monitoring methods. This...

  19. Control of Butterfly Bush with Postemergence Herbicides

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is classified as invasive in several parts of the United States. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four herbicides and two application methods on postemergence butterfly bush control. The four herbicides included: Roundup (glyphosate)...

  20. 40 CFR 63.750 - Test methods and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 10 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Test methods and procedures. 63.750...) National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities § 63.750 Test methods and... period as part of an ambient ozone control program. (1)(i) Determine the total organic HAP weight...

  1. 40 CFR 63.750 - Test methods and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Test methods and procedures. 63.750...) National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities § 63.750 Test methods and... period as part of an ambient ozone control program. (1)(i) Determine the total organic HAP weight...

  2. 40 CFR 63.750 - Test methods and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 11 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Test methods and procedures. 63.750...) National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities § 63.750 Test methods and... period as part of an ambient ozone control program. (1)(i) Determine the total organic HAP weight...

  3. 40 CFR 63.750 - Test methods and procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 10 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Test methods and procedures. 63.750...) National Emission Standards for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities § 63.750 Test methods and... period as part of an ambient ozone control program. (1)(i) Determine the total organic HAP weight...

  4. Asbestos-Containing Materials in School Buildings: A Guidance Document. Part 2.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sawyer, Robert N.; Spooner, Charles M.

    Part 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance manuals consists of more detailed information on asbestos identification and control methods. Available information on sprayed asbestos-containing materials in buildings is summarized. Guidelines are presented for the detection and monitoring, removal or encapsulation, and disposal of…

  5. 12 CFR Appendix C to Part 325 - Risk-Based Capital for State Nonmember Banks: Market Risk

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 10Standardized Measurement Method for Specific Risk Section 11Simplified Supervisory Formula Approach Section... apply: Affiliate with respect to a company means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the company. Backtesting means the comparison of a bank's internal estimates...

  6. 12 CFR Appendix C to Part 325 - Risk-Based Capital for State Nonmember Banks: Market Risk

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 10Standardized Measurement Method for Specific Risk Section 11Simplified Supervisory Formula Approach Section... apply: Affiliate with respect to a company means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the company. Backtesting means the comparison of a bank's internal estimates...

  7. A New Unified Analysis of Estimate Errors by Model-Matching Phase-Estimation Methods for Sensorless Drive of Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors and New Trajectory-Oriented Vector Control, Part II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shinnaka, Shinji

    This paper presents a new unified analysis of estimate errors by model-matching extended-back-EMF estimation methods for sensorless drive of permanent-magnet synchronous motors. Analytical solutions about estimate errors, whose validity is confirmed by numerical experiments, are rich in universality and applicability. As an example of universality and applicability, a new trajectory-oriented vector control method is proposed, which can realize directly quasi-optimal strategy minimizing total losses with no additional computational loads by simply orienting one of vector-control coordinates to the associated quasi-optimal trajectory. The coordinate orientation rule, which is analytically derived, is surprisingly simple. Consequently the trajectory-oriented vector control method can be applied to a number of conventional vector control systems using model-matching extended-back-EMF estimation methods.

  8. Refinement for fault-tolerance: An aircraft hand-off protocol

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marzullo, Keith; Schneider, Fred B.; Dehn, Jon

    1994-01-01

    Part of the Advanced Automation System (AAS) for air-traffic control is a protocol to permit flight hand-off from one air-traffic controller to another. The protocol must be fault-tolerant and, therefore, is subtle -- an ideal candidate for the application of formal methods. This paper describes a formal method for deriving fault-tolerant protocols that is based on refinement and proof outlines. The AAS hand-off protocol was actually derived using this method; that derivation is given.

  9. The pumping lid: investigating multi-material 3D printing for equipment-free, programmable generation of positive and negative pressures for microfluidic applications.

    PubMed

    Begolo, Stefano; Zhukov, Dmitriy V; Selck, David A; Li, Liang; Ismagilov, Rustem F

    2014-12-21

    Equipment-free pumping is a challenging problem and an active area of research in microfluidics, with applications for both laboratory and limited-resource settings. This paper describes the pumping lid method, a strategy to achieve equipment-free pumping by controlled generation of pressure. Pressure was generated using portable, lightweight, and disposable parts that can be integrated with existing microfluidic devices to simplify workflow and eliminate the need for pumping equipment. The development of this method was enabled by multi-material 3D printing, which allows fast prototyping, including composite parts that combine materials with different mechanical properties (e.g. both rigid and elastic materials in the same part). The first type of pumping lid we describe was used to produce predictable positive or negative pressures via controlled compression or expansion of gases. A model was developed to describe the pressures and flow rates generated with this approach and it was validated experimentally. Pressures were pre-programmed by the geometry of the parts and could be tuned further even while the experiment was in progress. Using multiple lids or a composite lid with different inlets enabled several solutions to be pumped independently in a single device. The second type of pumping lid, which relied on vapor-liquid equilibrium to generate pressure, was designed, modeled, and experimentally characterized. The pumping lid method was validated by controlling flow in different types of microfluidic applications, including the production of droplets, control of laminar flow profiles, and loading of SlipChip devices. We believe that applying the pumping lid methodology to existing microfluidic devices will enhance their use as portable diagnostic tools in limited resource settings as well as accelerate adoption of microfluidics in laboratories.

  10. Substructure-based control of flexible structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Babuska, Vit; Craig, Roy R., Jr.

    1993-01-01

    A decentralized procedure is presented for the design of controllers for flexible structures. Spatially significant components are created which approximate the response of a specific part of the complete structure. For each component, the controller and observer gain matrices which are used in a controller for the complete structure. The proposed method is illustrated on a model of NASA Langley's CSI testbed structure.

  11. Advanced Methods of Protein Crystallization.

    PubMed

    Moreno, Abel

    2017-01-01

    This chapter provides a review of different advanced methods that help to increase the success rate of a crystallization project, by producing larger and higher quality single crystals for determination of macromolecular structures by crystallographic methods. For this purpose, the chapter is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the fundamentals for understanding the crystallization process through different strategies based on physical and chemical approaches. The second part presents new approaches involved in more sophisticated methods not only for growing protein crystals but also for controlling the size and orientation of crystals through utilization of electromagnetic fields and other advanced techniques. The last section deals with three different aspects: the importance of microgravity, the use of ligands to stabilize proteins, and the use of microfluidics to obtain protein crystals. All these advanced methods will allow the readers to obtain suitable crystalline samples for high-resolution X-ray and neutron crystallography.

  12. Prediction and control of the service-related properties of parts at the technological preparation stage and during the manufacture process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bez'iazychnyi, V. F.

    The paper is concerned with the problem of optimizing the machining of aircraft engine parts in order to satisfy certain requirements for tool wear, machining precision and surface layer characteristics, and hardening depth. A generalized multiple-objective function and its computer implementation are developed which make it possible to optimize the machining process without the use of experimental data. Alternative methods of controlling the machining process are discussed.

  13. An accurate reactive power control study in virtual flux droop control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Aimeng; Zhang, Jia

    2017-12-01

    This paper investigates the problem of reactive power sharing based on virtual flux droop method. Firstly, flux droop control method is derived, where complicated multiple feedback loops and parameter regulation are avoided. Then, the reasons for inaccurate reactive power sharing are theoretically analyzed. Further, a novel reactive power control scheme is proposed which consists of three parts: compensation control, voltage recovery control and flux droop control. Finally, the proposed reactive power control strategy is verified in a simplified microgrid model with two parallel DGs. The simulation results show that the proposed control scheme can achieve accurate reactive power sharing and zero deviation of voltage. Meanwhile, it has some advantages of simple control and excellent dynamic and static performance.

  14. Methods for automated semantic definition of manufacturing structures (mBOM) in mechanical engineering companies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stekolschik, Alexander, Prof.

    2017-10-01

    The bill of materials (BOM), which involves all parts and assemblies of the product, is the core of any mechanical or electronic product. The flexible and integrated management of engineering (Engineering Bill of Materials [eBOM]) and manufacturing (Manufacturing Bill of Materials [mBOM]) structures is the key to the creation of modern products in mechanical engineering companies. This paper presents a method framework for the creation and control of e- and, especially, mBOM. The requirements, resulting from the process of differentiation between companies that produce serialized or engineered-to-order products, are considered in the analysis phase. The main part of the paper describes different approaches to fully or partly automated creation of mBOM. The first approach is the definition of part selection rules in the generic mBOM templates. The mBOM can be derived from the eBOM for partly standardized products by using this method. Another approach is the simultaneous use of semantic rules, options, and parameters in both structures. The implementation of the method framework (selection of use cases) in a standard product lifecycle management (PLM) system is part of the research.

  15. Business Intelligence in Process Control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kopčeková, Alena; Kopček, Michal; Tanuška, Pavol

    2013-12-01

    The Business Intelligence technology, which represents a strong tool not only for decision making support, but also has a big potential in other fields of application, is discussed in this paper. Necessary fundamental definitions are offered and explained to better understand the basic principles and the role of this technology for company management. Article is logically divided into five main parts. In the first part, there is the definition of the technology and the list of main advantages. In the second part, an overview of the system architecture with the brief description of separate building blocks is presented. Also, the hierarchical nature of the system architecture is shown. The technology life cycle consisting of four steps, which are mutually interconnected into a ring, is described in the third part. In the fourth part, analytical methods incorporated in the online analytical processing and data mining used within the business intelligence as well as the related data mining methodologies are summarised. Also, some typical applications of the above-mentioned particular methods are introduced. In the final part, a proposal of the knowledge discovery system for hierarchical process control is outlined. The focus of this paper is to provide a comprehensive view and to familiarize the reader with the Business Intelligence technology and its utilisation.

  16. Zinc Oxide—From Synthesis to Application: A Review

    PubMed Central

    Kołodziejczak-Radzimska, Agnieszka; Jesionowski, Teofil

    2014-01-01

    Zinc oxide can be called a multifunctional material thanks to its unique physical and chemical properties. The first part of this paper presents the most important methods of preparation of ZnO divided into metallurgical and chemical methods. The mechanochemical process, controlled precipitation, sol-gel method, solvothermal and hydrothermal method, method using emulsion and microemulsion enviroment and other methods of obtaining zinc oxide were classified as chemical methods. In the next part of this review, the modification methods of ZnO were characterized. The modification with organic (carboxylic acid, silanes) and inroganic (metal oxides) compounds, and polymer matrices were mainly described. Finally, we present possible applications in various branches of industry: rubber, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, electronic and electrotechnology, photocatalysis were introduced. This review provides useful information for specialist dealings with zinc oxide. PMID:28788596

  17. Control of autonomous robot using neural networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barton, Adam; Volna, Eva

    2017-07-01

    The aim of the article is to design a method of control of an autonomous robot using artificial neural networks. The introductory part describes control issues from the perspective of autonomous robot navigation and the current mobile robots controlled by neural networks. The core of the article is the design of the controlling neural network, and generation and filtration of the training set using ART1 (Adaptive Resonance Theory). The outcome of the practical part is an assembled Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot solving the problem of avoiding obstacles in space. To verify models of an autonomous robot behavior, a set of experiments was created as well as evaluation criteria. The speed of each motor was adjusted by the controlling neural network with respect to the situation in which the robot was found.

  18. 40 CFR 266.105 - Standards to control particulate matter.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... matter. 266.105 Section 266.105 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... prescribed in 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, methods 1 through 5, and appendix IX of this part. (b) An owner or operator meeting the requirements of § 266.109(b) for the low risk waste exemption is exempt from the...

  19. Staying Healthy in Child Care: Preventing Infectious Diseases in Child Care.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thomson, Beth, Ed.

    This guide provides explanations of control methods for infection and diseases in child care with an emphasis on prevention and health. The guide consists of two parts. The first part covers the following topics on preventing illness in children: how infections spread; handwashing; separation into age groups; nappy changing and toileting; cleaning…

  20. An improved method for piezoelectric characterization of polymers for energy harvesting applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gusarova, E.; Gusarov, B.; Zakharov, D.; Bousquet, M.; Viala, B.; Cugat, O.; Delamare, J.; Gimeno, L.

    2013-12-01

    This work presents an improved method for measuring the direct piezoelectric voltage and energy of flexible polymers. Well-controlled stress is applied with a four-point bending system and voltage is measured in real open-circuit conditions. The presented method separates the piezoelectric part from the measurement part by introducing a mechanical switch, allowing instantaneous post-deformation discharge measurements. Oscilloscope and contact-less electrostatic voltmeter are compared. Direct piezoelectric measurements under open-circuit conditions have been performed on commercial PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers. Significant differences to data sheet values (close-circuit conditions) are reported and commented.

  1. Apparatus and Method for Cold Welding Thin Wafers to Hard Substrates

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oeftering, Richard C. (Inventor); Smith, Floyd A. (Inventor)

    1996-01-01

    An apparatus for coating and bonding parts in a vacuum includes a floating mount assembly holding one part and applying a bonding load to the parts. A pivoting mount assembly holds one part and is pivoted between a coating position and a bonding position. At least one coating source is provided for depositing a thin film of a metal onto a surface of each of the parts to improve the cold weld between the two parts. A restraining lever controls the application of the bonding load to the parts. The coating and bonding process occurs in a vacuum chamber with a single set-up.

  2. Reusable software parts and the semi-abstract data type

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cohen, Sanford G.

    1986-01-01

    The development of reuable software parts has been an area of intense discussion within the software community for many years. An approach is described for developing reusable parts for the applications of missile guidance, navigation and control which meet the following criteria: (1) Reusable; (2) Tailorable; (3) Efficient; (4) Simple to use; and (5) Protected against misuse. Validating the feasibility of developing reusable parts which possess these characteristics is the basis of the Common Ada Missile Packages Program (CAMP). Under CAMP, over 200 reusable software parts were developed, including part for navigation, Kalman filter, signal processing and autopilot. Six different methods are presented for designing reusable software parts.

  3. Micromechanical Devices for Control of Cell-Cell Interaction, and Methods of Use Thereof

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bhatia, Sangeeta N. (Inventor); Hui, Elliot (Inventor)

    2017-01-01

    The development and function of living tissues depends largely on interactions between cells that can vary in both time and space; however, temporal control of cell-cell interaction is experimentally challenging. By employing a micromachined silicon substrate with moving parts, herein is disclosed the dynamic regulation of cell-cell interactions via direct manipulation of adherent cells with micron-scale precision. The inventive devices and methods allow mechanical control of both tissue composition and spatial organization. The inventive device and methods enable the investigation of dynamic cell-cell interaction in a multitude of applications, such as intercellular communication, spanning embryogenesis, homeostasis, and pathogenic processes.

  4. Combination of acoustical radiosity and the image source method.

    PubMed

    Koutsouris, Georgios I; Brunskog, Jonas; Jeong, Cheol-Ho; Jacobsen, Finn

    2013-06-01

    A combined model for room acoustic predictions is developed, aiming to treat both diffuse and specular reflections in a unified way. Two established methods are incorporated: acoustical radiosity, accounting for the diffuse part, and the image source method, accounting for the specular part. The model is based on conservation of acoustical energy. Losses are taken into account by the energy absorption coefficient, and the diffuse reflections are controlled via the scattering coefficient, which defines the portion of energy that has been diffusely reflected. The way the model is formulated allows for a dynamic control of the image source production, so that no fixed maximum reflection order is required. The model is optimized for energy impulse response predictions in arbitrary polyhedral rooms. The predictions are validated by comparison with published measured data for a real music studio hall. The proposed model turns out to be promising for acoustic predictions providing a high level of detail and accuracy.

  5. Automated plasma control with optical emission spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ward, P. P.

    Plasma etching and desmear processes for printed wiring board (PWB) manufacture are difficult to predict and control. Non-uniformity of most plasma processes and sensitivity to environmental changes make it difficult to maintain process stability from day to day. To assure plasma process performance, weight loss coupons or post-plasma destructive testing must be used. These techniques are not real-time methods however, and do not allow for immediate diagnosis and process correction. These tests often require scrapping some fraction of a batch to insure the integrity of the rest. Since these tests verify a successful cycle with post-plasma diagnostics, poor test results often determine that a batch is substandard and the resulting parts unusable. These tests are a costly part of the overall fabrication cost. A more efficient method of testing would allow for constant monitoring of plasma conditions and process control. Process anomalies should be detected and corrected before the parts being treated are damaged. Real time monitoring would allow for instantaneous corrections. Multiple site monitoring would allow for process mapping within one system or simultaneous monitoring of multiple systems. Optical emission spectroscopy conducted external to the plasma apparatus would allow for this sort of multifunctional analysis without perturbing the glow discharge. In this paper, optical emission spectroscopy for non-intrusive, in situ process control will be explored along with applications of this technique to for process control, failure analysis and endpoint determination in PWB manufacture.

  6. Stability Improvement of High-Pressure-Ratio Turbocharger Centrifugal Compressor by Asymmetric Flow Control-Part I: Non-Axisymmetrical Flow in Centrifugal Compressor.

    PubMed

    Yang, Mingyang; Zheng, Xinqian; Zhang, Yangjun; Bamba, Takahiro; Tamaki, Hideaki; Huenteler, Joern; Li, Zhigang

    2013-03-01

    This is Part I of a two-part paper documenting the development of a novel asymmetric flow control method to improve the stability of a high-pressure-ratio turbocharger centrifugal compressor. Part I focuses on the nonaxisymmetrical flow in a centrifugal compressor induced by the nonaxisymmetrical geometry of the volute while Part II describes the development of an asymmetric flow control method to avoid the stall on the basis of the characteristic of nonaxisymmetrical flow. To understand the asymmetries, experimental measurements and corresponding numerical simulation were carried out. The static pressure was measured by probes at different circumferential and stream-wise positions to gain insights about the asymmetries. The experimental results show that there is an evident nonaxisymmetrical flow pattern throughout the compressor due to the asymmetric geometry of the overhung volute. The static pressure field in the diffuser is distorted at approximately 90 deg in the rotational direction of the volute tongue throughout the diffuser. The magnitude of this distortion slightly varies with the rotational speed. The magnitude of the static pressure distortion in the impeller is a function of the rotational speed. There is a significant phase shift between the static pressure distributions at the leading edge of the splitter blades and the impeller outlet. The numerical steady state simulation neglects the aforementioned unsteady effects found in the experiments and cannot predict the phase shift, however, a detailed asymmetric flow field structure is obviously obtained.

  7. Stability Improvement of High-Pressure-Ratio Turbocharger Centrifugal Compressor by Asymmetrical Flow Control-Part II: Nonaxisymmetrical Self-Recirculation Casing Treatment.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Xinqian; Zhang, Yangjun; Yang, Mingyang; Bamba, Takahiro; Tamaki, Hideaki

    2013-03-01

    This is part II of a two-part paper involving the development of an asymmetrical flow control method to widen the operating range of a turbocharger centrifugal compressor with high-pressure ratio. A nonaxisymmetrical self-recirculation casing treatment (SRCT) as an instance of asymmetrical flow control method is presented. Experimental and numerical methods were used to investigate the impact of nonaxisymmetrical SRCT on the surge point of the centrifugal compressor. First, the influence of the geometry of a symmetric SRCT on the compressor performance was studied by means of numerical simulation. The key parameter of the SRCT was found to be the distance from the main blade leading edge to the rear groove (S r ). Next, several arrangements of a nonaxisymmetrical SRCT were designed, based on flow analysis presented in part I. Then, a series of experiments were carried out to analyze the influence of nonaxisymmetrical SRCT on the compressor performance. Results show that the nonaxisymmetrical SRCT has a certain influence on the performance and has a larger potential for stability improvement than the traditional symmetric SRCT. For the investigated SRCT, the surge flow rate of the compressor with the nonaxisymmetrical SRCTs is about 10% lower than that of the compressor with symmetric SRCT. The largest surge margin (smallest surge flow rate) can be obtained when the phase of the largest S r is coincident with the phase of the minimum static pressure in the vicinity of the leading edge of the splitter blades.

  8. Safety assessment in plant layout design using indexing approach: implementing inherent safety perspective. Part 1 - guideword applicability and method description.

    PubMed

    Tugnoli, Alessandro; Khan, Faisal; Amyotte, Paul; Cozzani, Valerio

    2008-12-15

    Layout planning plays a key role in the inherent safety performance of process plants since this design feature controls the possibility of accidental chain-events and the magnitude of possible consequences. A lack of suitable methods to promote the effective implementation of inherent safety in layout design calls for the development of new techniques and methods. In the present paper, a safety assessment approach suitable for layout design in the critical early phase is proposed. The concept of inherent safety is implemented within this safety assessment; the approach is based on an integrated assessment of inherent safety guideword applicability within the constraints typically present in layout design. Application of these guidewords is evaluated along with unit hazards and control devices to quantitatively map the safety performance of different layout options. Moreover, the economic aspects related to safety and inherent safety are evaluated by the method. Specific sub-indices are developed within the integrated safety assessment system to analyze and quantify the hazard related to domino effects. The proposed approach is quick in application, auditable and shares a common framework applicable in other phases of the design lifecycle (e.g. process design). The present work is divided in two parts: Part 1 (current paper) presents the application of inherent safety guidelines in layout design and the index method for safety assessment; Part 2 (accompanying paper) describes the domino hazard sub-index and demonstrates the proposed approach with a case study, thus evidencing the introduction of inherent safety features in layout design.

  9. Integrating CHWs as Part of the Team Leading Diabetes Group Visits: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

    PubMed

    Vaughan, Elizabeth M; Johnston, Craig A; Cardenas, Victor J; Moreno, Jennette P; Foreyt, John P

    2017-12-01

    Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of integrating Community Health Workers (CHWs) as part of the team leading diabetes group visits. Methods This was a randomized controlled study that integrated CHWs as part of the team leading diabetes group visits for low-income Hispanic adults (n = 50). Group visits met for 3 hours each month for a 6-month duration. Main measures included baseline and 6-month clinical outcomes (ie, A1C, lipids), concordance with 8 standard of care guidelines (ie, screens for cervical, breast, and colon cancer) from the US Preventive Task Force and American Diabetes Association, and participant acceptability. Results Compared to control participants, the intervention group resulted in significantly better clinical outcomes or guideline concordance for the following areas: target A1C levels, retinal eye exams, diabetes foot exams, mammograms, and urine microalbumin. Significantly more individuals in the control group gained weight, whereas a greater number of participants in the intervention group lost weight. Intervention participants found the group visits highly acceptable. Conclusions Integrating CHWs as part a comprehensive diabetes group visit program is a feasible and effective system-level intervention to improve glycemic control and achieve guideline concordance.

  10. Flow processes in overexpanded chemical rocket nozzles. Part 3: Methods for the aimed flow separation and side load reduction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schmucker, R. H.

    1983-01-01

    Methods aimed at reduction of overexpansion and side load resulting from asymmetric flow separation for rocket nozzles with a high opening ratio are described. The methods employ additional measures for nozzles with a fixed opening ratio. The flow separation can be controlled by several types of nozzle inserts, the properties of which are discussed. Side loads and overexpansion can be reduced by adapting the shape of the nozzle and taking other additional measures for controlled separation of the boundary layer, such as trip wires.

  11. 40 CFR Table 18 to Subpart Uuu of... - Requirements for Performance Tests for Organic HAP Emissions From Catalytic Reforming Units

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... part 60, appendix A), as applicable c. Measure TOC concentration (for percent reduction standard) Method 25 (40 part 60, appendix A) to measure nonmethane TOC concentration (in carbon equivalents) at inlet and outlet of the control device. If the nonmethane TOC outlet concentration is expected to be...

  12. Particle Swarm-Based Translation Control for Immersed Tunnel Element in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jun-jun; Yang, Xiao-jun; Xiao, Ying-jie; Xu, Bo-wei; Wu, Hua-feng

    2018-03-01

    Immersed tunnel is an important part of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) project. In immersed tunnel floating, translation which includes straight and transverse movements is the main working mode. To decide the magnitude and direction of the towing force for each tug, a particle swarm-based translation control method is presented for non-power immersed tunnel element. A sort of linear weighted logarithmic function is exploited to avoid weak subgoals. In simulation, the particle swarm-based control method is evaluated and compared with traditional empirical method in the case of the HZMB project. Simulation results show that the presented method delivers performance improvement in terms of the enhanced surplus towing force.

  13. [Research on chemical fingerprint chromatograms of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum].

    PubMed

    Wang, Ai-Hua; Liu, Guang-Xue; Xu, Feng; Shang, Ming-Ying; Cai, Shao-Qing

    2013-10-01

    To study the HPLC fingerprint of Sinopodophylli Fructus, compare the major chemical differences in fruit of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum as well as the roots and rhizomas of S. hexandrum, and provide scientific evidence for clinical application and quality control. HPLC fingerprint method was used to analyze 12 fruits of S. hexandrum. A total of 20 common peaks were confirmed, and 12 peaks in the HPLC fingerprint were identified. Furthermore, similarity evaluation method and clustering analysis method were introduced to compare HPLC chromatograms, between fruits and underground parts. In this paper, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosid, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 8-prenylquercetin and 8-prenylquercetin 3-methyl ether were firstly reported in Sinopodophylli Fructus. Among the existing fingerprint research, a total of 11 peaks were identified for the first time, containing 9 flavonoids and 2 lignans. The chemical constituents differed significantly in different medicinal parts of S. hexandrum. Prenylflavonoid compounds were the main constituents of Sinopodophylli Fructus. However, podophyllotoxin, flavonoids with simple substituent groups and flavonoid glycosides were the major ingredients in the roots and rhizomas of S. hexandrum. This method can be used for the quality control of Sinopodophylli Fructus and the roots and rhizomas of S. hexandrum. It has provided a reference for the pharmacodynamic differences of the two different parts.

  14. 40 CFR 52.1230 - Control strategy and rules: Particulates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1230 Control strategy and rules: Particulates. (a) Part D—(1) Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied... alternative test method provision of Rule 7005.2910. (b) Approval—On May 31, 1988, the State of Minnesota...

  15. 40 CFR 52.1230 - Control strategy and rules: Particulates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1230 Control strategy and rules: Particulates. (a) Part D—(1) Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied... alternative test method provision of Rule 7005.2910. (b) Approval—On May 31, 1988, the State of Minnesota...

  16. 40 CFR 52.1230 - Control strategy and rules: Particulates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1230 Control strategy and rules: Particulates. (a) Part D—(1) Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied... alternative test method provision of Rule 7005.2910. (b) Approval—On May 31, 1988, the State of Minnesota...

  17. 40 CFR 52.1230 - Control strategy and rules: Particulates.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS (CONTINUED) Minnesota § 52.1230 Control strategy and rules: Particulates. (a) Part D—(1) Approval. The State of Minnesota has satisfied... alternative test method provision of Rule 7005.2910. (b) Approval—On May 31, 1988, the State of Minnesota...

  18. Unification of the macro- and microbiome in trophic ecology

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Biological control is a key part of virtually any IPM program, and microbial bio-control agents represent particularly effective agents because of their capacity to be applied via conventional spray application methods. We are showing that fungi function just as arthropods do in the food web—the fun...

  19. Contamination control in hybrid microelectronic modules. Identification of critical process and contaminants, part 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Himmel, R. P.

    1975-01-01

    Hybrid processes, handling procedures, and materials were examined to identify the critical process steps in which contamination is most likely to occur, to identify the particular contaminants associated with these critical steps, and to propose method for the control of these contaminants.

  20. Reexamination of color vision standards, part II. a computational method to assess the effect of color deficiencies in using ATC displays : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2006-03-01

    The previous study showed that many colors were used in air traffic control displays. We also found that colors were used mainly for three purposes: capturing controllers immediate attention, identifying targets, and segmenting information. This r...

  1. Model-based registration of multi-rigid-body for augmented reality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ikeda, Sei; Hori, Hajime; Imura, Masataka; Manabe, Yoshitsugu; Chihara, Kunihiro

    2009-02-01

    Geometric registration between a virtual object and the real space is the most basic problem in augmented reality. Model-based tracking methods allow us to estimate three-dimensional (3-D) position and orientation of a real object by using a textured 3-D model instead of visual marker. However, it is difficult to apply existing model-based tracking methods to the objects that have movable parts such as a display of a mobile phone, because these methods suppose a single, rigid-body model. In this research, we propose a novel model-based registration method for multi rigid-body objects. For each frame, the 3-D models of each rigid part of the object are first rendered according to estimated motion and transformation from the previous frame. Second, control points are determined by detecting the edges of the rendered image and sampling pixels on these edges. Motion and transformation are then simultaneously calculated from distances between the edges and the control points. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated through experiments using synthetic videos.

  2. Models in the Design and Validation of Eddy Current Inspection for Cracking in the Shuttle Reaction Control System Thruster

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Aldrin, John C.; Williams, Phillip A.; Wincheski, Russell (Buzz) A.

    2008-01-01

    A case study is presented for using models in eddy current NDE design for crack detection in Shuttle Reaction Control System thruster components. Numerical methods were used to address the complex geometry of the part and perform parametric studies of potential transducer designs. Simulations were found to show agreement with experimental results. Accurate representation of the coherent noise associated with the measurement and part geometry was found to be critical to properly evaluate the best probe designs.

  3. Parasitic plants in agriculture: Chemical ecology of germination and host-plant location as targets for sustainable control: A review

    Treesearch

    Justin B. Runyon; John F. Tooker; Mark C. Mescher; Consuelo M. De Moraes

    2009-01-01

    Parasitic plants are among the most problematic pests of agricultural crops worldwide. Effective means of control are generally lacking, in part because of the close physiological connection between the established parasite and host plant hindering efficient control using traditional methods. Seed germination and host location are critical early-growth stages that...

  4. Ultrasonics and Optics Would Control Shot Size

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morrison, A. D.

    1983-01-01

    Feedback system assures production of silicon shot of uniform size. Breakup of silicon stream into drops is controlled, in part, by varying frequency of vibrations imparted to stream by ultrasonic transducer. Drop size monitored by photodetector. Control method particularly advantageous in that constant size is maintained even while other process variables are changed deliberately or inadvertently. Applicable to materials other than silicon.

  5. [Multi-central controlled study on three-part massage therapy for treatment of insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen].

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yun-feng; Wei, Yu-long; Zhang, Pu-lin; Gao, Shan; Ning, Guo-li; Zhang, Zhen-qiang; Hu, Bin; Wang, Dan-yi; Yan, Mei-rong; Liu, Wen-jun

    2006-06-01

    To make multi-central clinical evaluation for three-part massage therapy for treatment of insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen. One hundred and sixty-six cases were randomly divided into a test group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 82). Multi-central, randomized and controlled methods were adopted. The test group were treated by the three-part massage therapy, i. e. acupoints at the head, abdomen and back were massaged, once each day; and the control group by oral administration of Guipi Pills [symbol: see text], 8 pills each time, thrice daily. The treatment was given for 15 consecutive days and then the therapeutic effects were observed. Sixty-seven cases were cured, 11 markedly effective, 3 effective, and 3 ineffective in the test group, and the corresponding figures were 10, 21, 29 and 22 in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.001). The test group was superior to the control group in improvement for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleepless Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Sleepless Depression Scale (SDS) (P < 0.001). The three-part massage therapy has definite therapeutic effect on insomnia of deficiency of both the heart and spleen with safety.

  6. Mathematical model of an indirect action fuel flow controller for aircraft jet engines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tudosie, Alexandru-Nicolae

    2017-06-01

    The paper deals with a fuel mass flow rate controller with indirect action for aircraft jet engines. The author has identified fuel controller's main parts and its operation mode, then, based on these observations, one has determined motion equations of each main part, which have built system's non-linear mathematical model. In order to realize a better study this model was linearised (using the finite differences method) and then adimensionalized. Based on this new form of the mathematical model, after applying Laplace transformation, the embedded system (controller+engine) was described by the block diagram with transfer functions. Some Simulink-Matlab simulations were performed, concerning system's time behavior for step input, which lead to some useful conclusions and extension possibilities.

  7. A New Unified Analysis of Estimate Errors by Model-Matching Phase-Estimation Methods for Sensorless Drive of Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors and New Trajectory-Oriented Vector Control, Part I

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shinnaka, Shinji; Sano, Kousuke

    This paper presents a new unified analysis of estimate errors by model-matching phase-estimation methods such as rotor-flux state-observers, back EMF state-observers, and back EMF disturbance-observers, for sensorless drive of permanent-magnet synchronous motors. Analytical solutions about estimate errors, whose validity is confirmed by numerical experiments, are rich in universality and applicability. As an example of universality and applicability, a new trajectory-oriented vector control method is proposed, which can realize directly quasi-optimal strategy minimizing total losses with no additional computational loads by simply orienting one of vector-control coordinates to the associated quasi-optimal trajectory. The coordinate orientation rule, which is analytically derived, is surprisingly simple. Consequently the trajectory-oriented vector control method can be applied to a number of conventional vector control systems using one of the model-matching phase-estimation methods.

  8. A single cell penetration system by ultrasonic driving

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Zhaoying; Xiao, Mingfei; Yang, Xing; Wu, Ting

    2008-12-01

    The researches of single cell's control and operation are the hotspots in whole world. Among the various technologies, the transmission of ectogenic genetic materials between cell membrane is very significant. Imitating the Chinese traditional acupuncture therapy, a new ultrasonic resonance driving method, is imported to drive a cell's penetration probe. A set of the single cell penetration system was established to perform this function. This system includes four subsystems: driving part, micromanipulation part, observation and measurement part, and actuation part. Some fish egg experiments indicate that this system is workable and effective.

  9. Sidewall patterning—a new wafer-scale method for accurate patterning of vertical silicon structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Westerik, P. J.; Vijselaar, W. J. C.; Berenschot, J. W.; Tas, N. R.; Huskens, J.; Gardeniers, J. G. E.

    2018-01-01

    For the definition of wafer scale micro- and nanostructures, in-plane geometry is usually controlled by optical lithography. However, options for precisely patterning structures in the out-of-plane direction are much more limited. In this paper we present a versatile self-aligned technique that allows for reproducible sub-micrometer resolution local modification along vertical silicon sidewalls. Instead of optical lithography, this method makes smart use of inclined ion beam etching to selectively etch the top parts of structures, and controlled retraction of a conformal layer to define a hard mask in the vertical direction. The top, bottom or middle part of a structure could be selectively exposed, and it was shown that these exposed regions can, for example, be selectively covered with a catalyst, doped, or structured further.

  10. Proprioception in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Part 1: Basic science and principles of assessment and clinical interventions.

    PubMed

    Röijezon, Ulrik; Clark, Nicholas C; Treleaven, Julia

    2015-06-01

    Impaired proprioception has been reported as a feature in a number of musculoskeletal disorders of various body parts, from the cervical spine to the ankle. Proprioception deficits can occur as a result of traumatic damage, e.g., to ligaments and muscles, but can also occur in association with painful disorders of a gradual-onset nature. Muscle fatigue can also adversely affect proprioception and this has implications for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Due to the importance of proprioception for sensorimotor control, specific methods for assessment and training of proprioception have been developed for both the spine and the extremities. The aim of this first part of a two part series on proprioception in musculoskeletal rehabilitation is to present a theory based overview of the role of proprioception in sensorimotor control, assessment, causes and findings of altered proprioception in musculoskeletal disorders and general principles of interventions targeting proprioception. An understanding of the basic science of proprioception, consequences of disturbances and theories behind assessment and interventions is vital for the clinical management of musculoskeletal disorders. Part one of this series supplies a theoretical base for part two which is more practically and clinically orientated, covering specific examples of methods for clinical assessment and interventions to improve proprioception in the spine and the extremities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Method for Molding Structural Parts Utilizing Modified Silicone Rubber

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weiser, Erik S. (Inventor); Baucom, Robert M. (Inventor); Snoha, John J. (Inventor)

    1998-01-01

    This invention improves upon a method for molding structural parts from preform material. Preform material to be used for the part is provided. A silicone rubber composition containing entrained air voids is prepared. The silicone rubber and preform material assembly is situated within a rigid mold cavity used to shape the preform material to die desired shape. The entire assembly is heated in a standard heating device so that the thermal expansion of the silicone rubber exerts the pressure necessary to force the preform material into contact with the mold container. The introduction of discrete air voids into the silicone rubber allows for accurately controlled pressure application on the preform material at the cure temperature.

  12. More Genetic Engineering With Cloned Hemoglobin Genes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bailey, James E.

    1992-01-01

    Cells modified to enhance growth and production of proteins. Method for enhancing both growth of micro-organisms in vitro and production of various proteins or metalbolites in these micro-organisms provides for incorporation of selected chromosomal or extrachormosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences into micro-organisms from other cells or from artificial sources. Incorporated DNA includes parts encoding desired product(s) or characteristic(s) of cells and parts that control expression of productor characteristic-encoding parts in response to variations in environment. Extended method enables increased research into growth of organisms in oxygen-poor environments. Industrial applications found in enhancement of processing steps requiring oxygen in fermentation, enzymatic degradation, treatment of wastes containing toxic chemicals, brewing, and some oxidative chemical reactions.

  13. Legendre-tau approximation for functional differential equations. Part 2: The linear quadratic optimal control problem

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ito, K.; Teglas, R.

    1984-01-01

    The numerical scheme based on the Legendre-tau approximation is proposed to approximate the feedback solution to the linear quadratic optimal control problem for hereditary differential systems. The convergence property is established using Trotter ideas. The method yields very good approximations at low orders and provides an approximation technique for computing closed-loop eigenvalues of the feedback system. A comparison with existing methods (based on averaging and spline approximations) is made.

  14. Method to measure efficiently rare fluctuations of turbulence intensity for turbulent-laminar transitions in pipe flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nemoto, Takahiro; Alexakis, Alexandros

    2018-02-01

    The fluctuations of turbulence intensity in a pipe flow around the critical Reynolds number is difficult to study but important because they are related to turbulent-laminar transitions. We here propose a rare-event sampling method to study such fluctuations in order to measure the time scale of the transition efficiently. The method is composed of two parts: (i) the measurement of typical fluctuations (the bulk part of an accumulative probability function) and (ii) the measurement of rare fluctuations (the tail part of the probability function) by employing dynamics where a feedback control of the Reynolds number is implemented. We apply this method to a chaotic model of turbulent puffs proposed by Barkley and confirm that the time scale of turbulence decay increases super exponentially even for high Reynolds numbers up to Re =2500 , where getting enough statistics by brute-force calculations is difficult. The method uses a simple procedure of changing Reynolds number that can be applied even to experiments.

  15. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 300 - Appropriate Actions and Methods of Remedying Releases

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...) Neutralization. (D) Equalization. (E) Chemical oxidation. (iii) Physical methods, including the following: (A... treatment. (F) Wet air oxidation. (G) Solidification. (H) Encapsulation. (I) Soil washing or flushing. (J... containment. (iv) Leachate control, including the following: (A) Subsurface drains. (B) Drainage ditches. (C...

  16. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 300 - Appropriate Actions and Methods of Remedying Releases

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...) Neutralization. (D) Equalization. (E) Chemical oxidation. (iii) Physical methods, including the following: (A... treatment. (F) Wet air oxidation. (G) Solidification. (H) Encapsulation. (I) Soil washing or flushing. (J... containment. (iv) Leachate control, including the following: (A) Subsurface drains. (B) Drainage ditches. (C...

  17. 40 CFR Appendix D to Part 300 - Appropriate Actions and Methods of Remedying Releases

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...) Neutralization. (D) Equalization. (E) Chemical oxidation. (iii) Physical methods, including the following: (A... treatment. (F) Wet air oxidation. (G) Solidification. (H) Encapsulation. (I) Soil washing or flushing. (J... containment. (iv) Leachate control, including the following: (A) Subsurface drains. (B) Drainage ditches. (C...

  18. Bonding thermoplastic polymers

    DOEpatents

    Wallow, Thomas I [Fremont, CA; Hunter, Marion C [Livermore, CA; Krafcik, Karen Lee [Livermore, CA; Morales, Alfredo M [Livermore, CA; Simmons, Blake A [San Francisco, CA; Domeier, Linda A [Danville, CA

    2008-06-24

    We demonstrate a new method for joining patterned thermoplastic parts into layered structures. The method takes advantage of case-II permeant diffusion to generate dimensionally controlled, activated bonding layers at the surfaces being joined. It is capable of producing bonds characterized by cohesive failure while preserving the fidelity of patterned features in the bonding surfaces. This approach is uniquely suited to production of microfluidic multilayer structures, as it allows the bond-forming interface between plastic parts to be precisely manipulated at micrometer length scales. The bond enhancing procedure is easily integrated in standard process flows and requires no specialized equipment.

  19. Analyses of group sequential clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Koepcke, W

    1989-12-01

    In the first part of this article the methodology of group sequential plans is reviewed. After introducing the basic definition of such plans the main properties are shown. At the end of this section three different plans (Pocock, O'Brien-Fleming, Koepcke) are compared. In the second part of the article some unresolved issues and recent developments in the application of group sequential methods to long-term controlled clinical trials are discussed. These include deviation from the assumptions, life table methods, multiple-arm clinical trials, multiple outcome measures, and confidence intervals.

  20. Aerial robot intelligent control method based on back-stepping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Jian; Xue, Qian

    2018-05-01

    The aerial robot is characterized as strong nonlinearity, high coupling and parameter uncertainty, a self-adaptive back-stepping control method based on neural network is proposed in this paper. The uncertain part of the aerial robot model is compensated online by the neural network of Cerebellum Model Articulation Controller and robust control items are designed to overcome the uncertainty error of the system during online learning. At the same time, particle swarm algorithm is used to optimize and fix parameters so as to improve the dynamic performance, and control law is obtained by the recursion of back-stepping regression. Simulation results show that the designed control law has desired attitude tracking performance and good robustness in case of uncertainties and large errors in the model parameters.

  1. Applications of laser ultrasound NDT methods on composite structures in aerospace industry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalms, Michael; Focke, Oliver; v. Kopylow, Christoph

    2008-09-01

    Composite materials are used more and more in aircraft production. Main composite types are Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) and metal-aluminium laminates (e. g. Glass Fiber Aluminium Reinforced GLARE©). Typical parts made of CFRP material are flaps, vertical and horizontal tail planes, center wing boxes, rear pressure bulkheads, ribs and stringers. These composite parts require adequate nondestructive testing (NDT) methods. Flaws to be detected are delaminations and debondings, porosity and foreign body inclusion. Manual ultrasonic testing with single element transducers is still the most applied method for composite parts with small and medium size. The extension of the conventional ultrasound technique for nondestructive testing with the laser ultrasound method brings new possibilities into the production processes for example the inspection of complex CFRP-components and the possibilities of online observation under remote control. In this paper we describe the principle of laser ultrasound with respect to the demands of nondestructive testing especially of small complex CFRP and C/PPS parts. We report applications of laser-based ultrasound options with generated types of guided and bulk waves on modern aircraft materials.

  2. The Development and Evaluation of Training Methods for Group IV Personnel. 1. Orientation and Implementation of the Training Methods Development School (TMDS).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Steinemann, John H.

    The investigation is part of continuing Navy research on the Trainability of Group IV (low ability) personnel intended to maximize the utilization and integration of marginal personnel in the fleet. An experimental Training Methods Development School (TMDS) was initiated to provide an experimental training program, with research controls, for…

  3. Using Symmetric Predication of Endogenous Subgroups for Causal Inferences about Program Effects under Robust Assumptions: Part Two of a Method Note in Three Parts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bell, Stephen H.; Peck, Laura R.

    2013-01-01

    To answer "what works?" questions about policy interventions based on an experimental design, Peck (2003) proposes to use baseline characteristics to symmetrically divide treatment and control group members into subgroups defined by endogenously determined postrandom assignment events. Symmetric prediction of these subgroups in both…

  4. Crystallization characteristics of iron-rich glass ceramics prepared from nickel slag and blast furnace slag

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Zhong-Jie; Ni, Wen; Li, Ke-Qing; Huang, Xiao-Yan; Zhu, Li-Ping

    2011-08-01

    The crystallization process of iron-rich glass-ceramics prepared from the mixture of nickel slag (NS) and blast furnace slag (BFS) with a small amount of quartz sand was investigated. A modified melting method which was more energy-saving than the traditional methods was used to control the crystallization process. The results show that the iron-rich system has much lower melting temperature, glass transition temperature ( T g), and glass crystallization temperature ( T c), which can result in a further energy-saving process. The results also show that the system has a quick but controllable crystallization process with its peak crystallization temperature at 918°C. The crystallization of augite crystals begins from the edge of the sample and invades into the whole sample. The crystallization process can be completed in a few minutes. A distinct boundary between the crystallized part and the non-crystallized part exists during the process. In the non-crystallized part showing a black colour, some sphere-shaped augite crystals already exist in the glass matrix before samples are heated to T c. In the crystallized part showing a khaki colour, a compact structure is formed by augite crystals.

  5. Pesticides, A Scientists' Institute for Public Information Workbook.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dahlsten, Donald L.; And Others

    This collection of articles emphasizes the need for care in the use of chemical pesticides. Economic and ecological implications of pest control are discussed, and data are given on the effectiveness and side effects of chemical insecticides. Alternative methods of control are proposed. The part that can be played by the public in decision making…

  6. Biosensors for termite control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farkhanda, M.

    2013-12-01

    Termites are major urban pests in Pakistan and cause damage to wooden structures and buildings. Termite management has two parts: prevention and control. The most difficult part of termite control is termite detection as most of them are subterranean in Pakistan and have tunneling habit.Throughout the world, chemical termiticides are going to be replaced by baits, microwave and sensor technology. Termite species are distinct biologically and have specific foraging behaviors. Termite Detection Radar, Moisture meter and Remote Thermal Sensor with Laser are available throughout the world. These can detect termites underground and use fewer chemicals than traditional methods. For wooden buildings, a termite sensor and an intrusion detection system for detecting termites are designed. A pair of electrodes is disposed inside the container. A pair of terminals is connected to these electrodes, these extend outside the container. Termites are detected by a change of conductivity between the electrodes, when termites are detected a warning device generates a warning signal. In Pakistan, there is dire need to develop such biosensoring devices locally, then apply control methods that would save money and protect the environment.

  7. Formal Methods Applications in Air Transportation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farley, Todd

    2009-01-01

    The U.S. air transportation system is the most productive in the world, moving far more people and goods than any other. It is also the safest system in the world, thanks in part to its venerable air traffic control system. But as demand for air travel continues to grow, the air traffic control system s aging infrastructure and labor-intensive procedures are impinging on its ability to keep pace with demand. And that impinges on the growth of our economy. Air traffic control modernization has long held the promise of a more efficient air transportation system. Part of NASA s current mission is to develop advanced automation and operational concepts that will expand the capacity of our national airspace system while still maintaining its excellent record for safety. It is a challenging mission, as efforts to modernize have, for decades, been hamstrung by the inability to assure safety to the satisfaction of system operators, system regulators, and/or the traveling public. In this talk, we ll provide a brief history of air traffic control, focusing on the tension between efficiency and safety assurance, and the promise of formal methods going forward.

  8. Analytic Methods Used in Quality Control in a Compounding Pharmacy.

    PubMed

    Allen, Loyd V

    2017-01-01

    Analytical testing will no doubt become a more important part of pharmaceutical compounding as the public and regulatory agencies demand increasing documentation of the quality of compounded preparations. Compounding pharmacists must decide what types of testing and what amount of testing to include in their quality-control programs, and whether testing should be done in-house or outsourced. Like pharmaceutical compounding, analytical testing should be performed only by those who are appropriately trained and qualified. This article discusses the analytical methods that are used in quality control in a compounding pharmacy. Copyright© by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc.

  9. Method of controlling a resin curing process. [for fiber reinforced composites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Webster, Charles Neal (Inventor); Scott, Robert O. (Inventor)

    1989-01-01

    The invention relates to an analytical technique for controlling the curing process of fiber-reinforced composite materials that are formed using thermosetting resins. The technique is the percent gel method and involves development of a time-to-gel equation as a function of temperature. From this equation a rate-of-gel equation is then determined, and a percent gel is calculated which is the product of rate-of-gel times time. Percent gel accounting is used to control the proper pressure application point in an autoclave cure process to achieve desired properties in a production composite part.

  10. Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dufrene, Warren R., Jr.

    2004-01-01

    This paper describes the development of an application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control. The project was done as part of the requirements for a class in AI at NOVA Southeastearn University and a beginning project at NASA Wallops Flight Facility for a resilient, robust, and intelligent UAV flight control system. A method is outlined which allows a base level application for applying an Artificial Intelligence method, Fuzzy Logic, to aspects of Control Logic for UAV flight. One element of UAV flight, automated altitude hold, has been implemented and preliminary results displayed.

  11. Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Uninhabitated Aerial Vehicle Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dufrene, Warren R., Jr.

    2003-01-01

    This paper describes the development of an application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control. The project was done as part of the requirements for a class in AI at NOVA southeastern University and a beginning project at NASA Wallops Flight Facility for a resilient, robust, and intelligent UAV flight control system. A method is outlined which allows a base level application for applying an Artificial Intelligence method, Fuzzy Logic, to aspects of Control Logic for UAV flight. One element of UAV flight, automated altitude hold, has been implemented and preliminary results displayed.

  12. Application of reiteration of Hankel singular value decomposition in quality control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Staniszewski, Michał; Skorupa, Agnieszka; Boguszewicz, Łukasz; Michalczuk, Agnieszka; Wereszczyński, Kamil; Wicher, Magdalena; Konopka, Marek; Sokół, Maria; Polański, Andrzej

    2017-07-01

    Medical centres are obliged to store past medical records, including the results of quality assurance (QA) tests of the medical equipment, which is especially useful in checking reproducibility of medical devices and procedures. Analysis of multivariate time series is an important part of quality control of NMR data. In this work we proposean anomaly detection tool based on Reiteration of Hankel Singular Value Decomposition method. The presented method was compared with external software and authors obtained comparable results.

  13. ISE: An Integrated Search Environment. The manual

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chu, Lon-Chan

    1992-01-01

    Integrated Search Environment (ISE), a software package that implements hierarchical searches with meta-control, is described in this manual. ISE is a collection of problem-independent routines to support solving searches. Mainly, these routines are core routines for solving a search problem and they handle the control of searches and maintain the statistics related to searches. By separating the problem-dependent and problem-independent components in ISE, new search methods based on a combination of existing methods can be developed by coding a single master control program. Further, new applications solved by searches can be developed by coding the problem-dependent parts and reusing the problem-independent parts already developed. Potential users of ISE are designers of new application solvers and new search algorithms, and users of experimental application solvers and search algorithms. The ISE is designed to be user-friendly and information rich. In this manual, the organization of ISE is described and several experiments carried out on ISE are also described.

  14. Application of total distributed control system in car-body inspection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Xueyou; Ren, Dahai; Wang, Zhong; Ye, Shenghua; Lu, Hongbo; Duan, Jilin

    1996-08-01

    An application of distributed control system in Autocar-body Visual Inspection Station is presented in the paper, a distributed control system using PC as the host processor and single-chip microcomputer as the slave controller is proposed. In this paper, the physical interface of the control network and the relevant hardware are introduced. Meanwhile, a minute research on data communication is performed, relevant protocols on data framing, instruction codes and channel access methods have been laid down and part of related software is presented.

  15. Application of Network Planning to Teaching Wind-Surfing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zybko, Przemyslaw; Jaczynowski, Lech

    2008-01-01

    Study aim: To determine the effects of network planning on teaching untrained subjects windsurfing. Material and methods: Untrained physical education students (n = 390), aged 19-23 years, took part in the study while staying on a summer camp. They were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (n = 216) and control (n = 174). Two methods of…

  16. 75 FR 38187 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Revenue Procedure 2007-48

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-01

    ... safe harbor method of accounting for rotable spare parts provided in the proposed revenue procedures... in Accounting Method. Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the revenue procedures at... OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long...

  17. Research on Robot Pose Control Technology Based on Kinematics Analysis Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Dalong; Xu, Lijuan

    2018-01-01

    In order to improve the attitude stability of the robot, proposes an attitude control method of robot based on kinematics analysis model, solve the robot walking posture transformation, grasping and controlling the motion planning problem of robot kinematics. In Cartesian space analytical model, using three axis accelerometer, magnetometer and the three axis gyroscope for the combination of attitude measurement, the gyroscope data from Calman filter, using the four element method for robot attitude angle, according to the centroid of the moving parts of the robot corresponding to obtain stability inertia parameters, using random sampling RRT motion planning method, accurate operation to any position control of space robot, to ensure the end effector along a prescribed trajectory the implementation of attitude control. The accurate positioning of the experiment is taken using MT-R robot as the research object, the test robot. The simulation results show that the proposed method has better robustness, and higher positioning accuracy, and it improves the reliability and safety of robot operation.

  18. 40 CFR 63.4766 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... also use as an alternative to Method 3B, the manual method for measuring the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide content of exhaust gas in ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10-1981, “Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses [Part 10, Instruments and Apparatus]” (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14). (4) Use Method 4 of...

  19. Position calibration of a 3-DOF hand-controller with hybrid structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Chengcheng; Song, Aiguo

    2017-09-01

    A hand-controller is a human-robot interactive device, which measures the 3-DOF (Degree of Freedom) position of the human hand and sends it as a command to control robot movement. The device also receives 3-DOF force feedback from the robot and applies it to the human hand. Thus, the precision of 3-DOF position measurements is a key performance factor for hand-controllers. However, when using a hybrid type 3-DOF hand controller, various errors occur and are considered originating from machining and assembly variations within the device. This paper presents a calibration method to improve the position tracking accuracy of hybrid type hand-controllers by determining the actual size of the hand-controller parts. By re-measuring and re-calibrating this kind of hand-controller, the actual size of the key parts that cause errors is determined. Modifying the formula parameters with the actual sizes, which are obtained in the calibrating process, improves the end position tracking accuracy of the device.

  20. Proximal and distal esophageal sensitivity is decreased in patients with Barrett’s esophagus

    PubMed Central

    Krarup, Anne L; Olesen, Søren S; Funch-Jensen, Peter; Gregersen, Hans; Drewes, Asbjørn M

    2011-01-01

    AIM: To investigate sensations to multimodal pain stimulation in the metaplastic and normal parts of the esophagus in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). METHODS: Fifteen patients with BE and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers were subjected to mechanical, thermal and electrical pain stimuli of the esophagus. Both the metaplastic part and the normal part (4 and 14 cm, respectively, above the esophago-gastric junction) were examined. At sensory thresholds the stimulation intensity, referred pain areas, and evoked brain potentials were recorded. RESULTS: Patients were hyposensitive to heat stimulation both in the metaplastic part [median stimulation time to reach the pain detection threshold: 15 (12-34) s vs 14 (6-23) s in controls; F = 4.5, P = 0.04] and the normal part of the esophagus [median 17 (6-32) s vs 13 (8-20) s in controls; F = 6.2, P = 0.02]. Furthermore, patients were hyposensitive in the metaplastic part of the esophagus to mechanical distension [median volume at moderate pain: 50 (20-50) mL vs 33 (13-50) mL in controls; F = 5.7, P = 0.02]. No indication of central nervous system abnormalities was present, as responses were comparable between groups to electrical pain stimuli in the metaplastic part [median current evoking moderate pain: 13 (6-26) mA vs 12 (9-24) mA in controls; F = 0.1, P = 0.7], and in the normal part of the esophagus [median current evoking moderate pain: 9 (6-16) mA, vs 11 (5-11) mA in controls; F = 3.4, P = 0.07]. Furthermore, no differences were seen for the referred pain areas (P-values all > 0.3) or latencies and amplitudes for the evoked brain potentials (P-values all > 0.1). CONCLUSION: Patients with BE are hyposensitive both in the metaplastic and normal part of esophagus likely as a result of abnormalities affecting peripheral nerve pathways. PMID:21274382

  1. A Model-based B2B (Batch to Batch) Control for An Industrial Batch Polymerization Process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ogawa, Morimasa

    This paper describes overview of a model-based B2B (batch to batch) control for an industrial batch polymerization process. In order to control the reaction temperature precisely, several methods based on the rigorous process dynamics model are employed at all design stage of the B2B control, such as modeling and parameter estimation of the reaction kinetics which is one of the important part of the process dynamics model. The designed B2B control consists of the gain scheduled I-PD/II2-PD control (I-PD with double integral control), the feed-forward compensation at the batch start time, and the model adaptation utilizing the results of the last batch operation. Throughout the actual batch operations, the B2B control provides superior control performance compared with that of conventional control methods.

  2. Method for controlling coolant flow in airfoil, flow control structure and airfoil incorporating the same

    DOEpatents

    Itzel, Gary Michael; Devine, II, Robert Henry; Chopra, Sanjay; Toornman, Thomas Nelson

    2003-07-08

    A coolant flow control structure is provided to channel cooling media flow to the fillet region defined at the transition between the wall of a nozzle vane and a wall of a nozzle segment, for cooling the fillet region. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow control structure defines a gap with the fillet region to achieve the required heat transfer coefficients in this region to meet part life requirements.

  3. Role of drug testing as an early warning programme: the experience of the Republic of Korea.

    PubMed

    Chung, Heesun

    2005-01-01

    Drug testing plays an important role in the provision of information to health authorities on trends in drug abuse. In the Republic of Korea, the testing of urine and postmortem specimens has been used as part of a programme to monitor and control the abuse of non-controlled drugs, i.e., substances that were not originally included in the lists of controlled substances in that country. Zipeprol, dextromethorphan, carisoprodol and nalbuphine are examples of such drugs, which are widely used as medicines. Increasing levels of abuse of these drugs, including abuse that resulted in fatalities, were confirmed in the Republic of Korea by the results of drug testing. Based on the accumulated data from postmortem specimens, the health authorities in the Republic of Korea subsequently introduced controls on these drugs. A significant drop in fatalities related to the abuse of these non-controlled drugs underlined the importance of timely action for improving community health. In the context of drug testing, the analysis of non-controlled and new drugs always presents a scientific challenge, because specific analytical methods for testing for those drugs are not available. In the Republic of Korea, as part of the drug abuse warning programme, it was necessary to establish methods for the detection and quantification in biological fluids of all four non-controlled drugs and their metabolites in order to monitor the trends in drug abuse. The present paper puts forward epidemiological and clinical data on abuse and fatalities associated with zipeprol, dextromethorphan, carisoprodol and nalbuphine, as well as details of the analytical methods developed.

  4. Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow

    DOEpatents

    Miller, J.R.

    1980-06-27

    A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the rate (and hence amount) of fluid flow are given. The controlled flow rate is finely adjustable, can be extremely small (on the order of microliter-atmospheres per second), can be adjusted to zero (flow stopped), and is stable to better than 1% with time. The dead volume of the valve can be made arbitrarily small, in fact essentially zero. The valve employs no wearing mechanical parts (including springs, stems, or seals). The valve is finely adjustable, has a flow rate dynamic range of many decades, can be made compatible with any fluid, and is suitable for incorporation into an open or closed loop servo-control system.

  5. A Stability Enhancement Method for Centrifugal Compressors using Active Control Casing Treatment System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Yuanyang; Xiao, Jun; Li, Liansheng; Yang, Qichao; Liu, Guangbin; Wang, Le

    2015-08-01

    The centrifugal compressors are widely used in many fields. When the centrifugal compressors operate at the edge of the surge line, the compressor will be unstable. In addition, if the centrifugal compressor runs at this situation long time, the damage will be occurred on compressor. There are some kinds of method to improve and enlarge the range of the centrifugal compressors, such as inlet guide vane, and casing treatment. For casing treatment method, some structures have been researched, such as holed recirculation, basic slot casing treatment and groove casing treatment. All these researches are the passive methods. This paper present a new stability enhancement method based Active Control Casing Treatment (ACCT). All parts of this new method are introduced in detail. The control strategy of the system is mentioned in the paper. As a research sample, a centrifugal compressor having this system is researched using CFD method. The study focuses on the effect of the active control system on the impeller flow. The vortex in impeller is changed by the active control system. And this leads to the suppression of the extension of vortex blockage in impeller and to contribute to the enhancement of the compressor operating range.

  6. The Potential of Computer Controlled Optimizing Equipment in the Wooden Furniture Industry

    Treesearch

    R. Edward Thomas; Urs Buehlmann; Urs Buehlmann

    2003-01-01

    The goal of the wooden furniture industry is to convert lumber into parts by using the most efficient and cost effective processing methods. The key steps in processing lumber arc removing the regions that contain unacceptable defects or character marks and cutting the remaining areas to the widths and lengths of needed parts. Such equipment has been used in furniture...

  7. Structure Property Studies for Additively Manufactured Parts

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Milenski, Helen M; Schmalzer, Andrew Michael; Kelly, Daniel

    2015-08-17

    Since the invention of modern Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes engineers and designers have worked hard to capitalize on the unique building capabilities that AM allows. By being able to customize the interior fill of parts it is now possible to design components with a controlled density and customized internal structure. The creation of new polymers and polymer composites allow for even greater control over the mechanical properties of AM parts. One of the key reasons to explore AM, is to bring about a new paradigm in part design, where materials can be strategically optimized in a way that conventional subtractivemore » methods cannot achieve. The two processes investigated in my research were the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process and the Direct Ink Write (DIW) process. The objectives of the research were to determine the impact of in-fill density and morphology on the mechanical properties of FDM parts, and to determine if DIW printed samples could be produced where the filament diameter was varied while the overall density remained constant.« less

  8. Methods and systems for integrating fluid dispensing technology with stereolithography

    DOEpatents

    Medina, Francisco; Wicker, Ryan; Palmer, Jeremy A.; Davis, Don W.; Chavez, Bart D.; Gallegos, Phillip L.

    2010-02-09

    An integrated system and method of integrating fluid dispensing technologies (e.g., direct-write (DW)) with rapid prototyping (RP) technologies (e.g., stereolithography (SL)) without part registration comprising: an SL apparatus and a fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising a translation mechanism adapted to translate the fluid dispensing apparatus along the Z-, Y- and Z-axes. The fluid dispensing apparatus comprises: a pressurized fluid container; a valve mechanism adapted to control the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid container; and a dispensing nozzle adapted to deposit the fluid in a desired location. To aid in calibration, the integrated system includes a laser sensor and a mechanical switch. The method further comprises building a second part layer on top of the fluid deposits and optionally accommodating multi-layered circuitry by incorporating a connector trace. Thus, the present invention is capable of efficiently building single and multi-material SL fabricated parts embedded with complex three-dimensional circuitry using DW.

  9. Strategies of Production Control as Tools of Efficient Management of Production Enterprises

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Budynek, Mateusz; Celińska, Elżbieta; Dybikowska, Adrianna; Kozak, Monika; Ratajczak, Joanna; Urban, Jagoda; Materne, Karolina

    2016-03-01

    The paper discusses the problem of principle methods of production control as a strategy supporting the production system and stimulating efficient solutions in respect management in production enterprises. The article describes MRP, ERP, JIT, KANBAN and TOC methods and focuses on their main goals, principles of functioning as well as benefits resulting from their application. The methods represent two diverse strategies of production control, i.e. pull and push strategies. Push strategies are used when the plans apply to the first and principle part of production and are based on the demand forecasts. Pull strategies are used when all planning decisions apply to the final stage and depend on the actual demand or orders from customers.

  10. 40 CFR 63.4566 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... device emission destruction or removal efficiency? 63.4566 Section 63.4566 Protection of Environment... efficiency? You must use the procedures and test methods in this section to determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency as part of the performance test required by § 63.4560...

  11. 40 CFR 63.3966 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... device emission destruction or removal efficiency? 63.3966 Section 63.3966 Protection of Environment... or removal efficiency? You must use the procedures and test methods in this section to determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency as part of the performance test...

  12. 40 CFR 63.4566 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... device emission destruction or removal efficiency? 63.4566 Section 63.4566 Protection of Environment... efficiency? You must use the procedures and test methods in this section to determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency as part of the performance test required by § 63.4560...

  13. 40 CFR 63.3966 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... device emission destruction or removal efficiency? 63.3966 Section 63.3966 Protection of Environment... or removal efficiency? You must use the procedures and test methods in this section to determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency as part of the performance test...

  14. Effect of a Universal Anxiety Prevention Programme (FRIENDS) on Children's Academic Performance: Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Skryabina, Elena; Taylor, Gordon; Stallard, Paul

    2016-01-01

    Background: Evaluations of school-based anxiety prevention programmes have reported improvements in psychological functioning although little is known about their effect upon educational outcomes. Methods: One thousand three hundred and sixty-two children from 40 primary schools in England took part in the randomised controlled trial, Preventing…

  15. The issues of weed infestation with environmentally hazardous plants and methods of their control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bogdanov, V. L.; Posternak, T. S.; Pasko, O. A.; Kovyazin, V. F.

    2016-09-01

    The authors analyze expansion of segetal and ruderal vegetation on agricultural lands in Leningrad and Tomsk oblasts, typical for the European and Asian parts of Russia. The spreading conditions, composition of species, biological features and ecological requirements of the most aggressive species are identified. Some effective ways of weed control are suggested.

  16. To Be Motivated or Only Comply--Patients' Views of Hypertension Care after Consultation Training for Nurses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Drevenhorn, Eva; Bengtson, Ann; Kjellgren, Karin I.

    2015-01-01

    Objective: This paper reports on patients' perspectives on the nurse management of hypertension following consultation training, elicited as part of a randomised controlled study. Method: Telephone interviews were conducted with 16 patients in an intervention group (IG) and eight patients in a control group (CG), 3 years after nurses' consultation…

  17. New design deforming controlling system of the active stressed lap

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ying, Li; Wang, Daxing

    2008-07-01

    A 450mm diameter active stressed lap has been developed in NIAOT by 2003. We design a new lap in 2007. This paper puts on emphases on introducing the new deforming control system of the lap. Aiming at the control characteristic of the lap, a new kind of digital deforming controller is designed. The controller consists of 3 parts: computer signal disposing, motor driving and force sensor signal disposing. Intelligent numeral PID method is applied in the controller instead of traditional PID. In the end, the result of new deformation are given.

  18. Robust Economic Control Decision Method of Uncertain System on Urban Domestic Water Supply.

    PubMed

    Li, Kebai; Ma, Tianyi; Wei, Guo

    2018-03-31

    As China quickly urbanizes, urban domestic water generally presents the circumstances of both rising tendency and seasonal cycle fluctuation. A robust economic control decision method for dynamic uncertain systems is proposed in this paper. It is developed based on the internal model principle and pole allocation method, and it is applied to an urban domestic water supply system with rising tendency and seasonal cycle fluctuation. To achieve this goal, first a multiplicative model is used to describe the urban domestic water demand. Then, a capital stock and a labor stock are selected as the state vector, and the investment and labor are designed as the control vector. Next, the compensator subsystem is devised in light of the internal model principle. Finally, by using the state feedback control strategy and pole allocation method, the multivariable robust economic control decision method is implemented. The implementation with this model can accomplish the urban domestic water supply control goal, with the robustness for the variation of parameters. The methodology presented in this study may be applied to the water management system in other parts of the world, provided all data used in this study are available. The robust control decision method in this paper is also applicable to deal with tracking control problems as well as stabilization control problems of other general dynamic uncertain systems.

  19. Robust Economic Control Decision Method of Uncertain System on Urban Domestic Water Supply

    PubMed Central

    Li, Kebai; Ma, Tianyi; Wei, Guo

    2018-01-01

    As China quickly urbanizes, urban domestic water generally presents the circumstances of both rising tendency and seasonal cycle fluctuation. A robust economic control decision method for dynamic uncertain systems is proposed in this paper. It is developed based on the internal model principle and pole allocation method, and it is applied to an urban domestic water supply system with rising tendency and seasonal cycle fluctuation. To achieve this goal, first a multiplicative model is used to describe the urban domestic water demand. Then, a capital stock and a labor stock are selected as the state vector, and the investment and labor are designed as the control vector. Next, the compensator subsystem is devised in light of the internal model principle. Finally, by using the state feedback control strategy and pole allocation method, the multivariable robust economic control decision method is implemented. The implementation with this model can accomplish the urban domestic water supply control goal, with the robustness for the variation of parameters. The methodology presented in this study may be applied to the water management system in other parts of the world, provided all data used in this study are available. The robust control decision method in this paper is also applicable to deal with tracking control problems as well as stabilization control problems of other general dynamic uncertain systems. PMID:29614749

  20. Data mining for water resource management part 2 - methods and approaches to solving contemporary problems

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Roehl, Edwin A.; Conrads, Paul

    2010-01-01

    This is the second of two papers that describe how data mining can aid natural-resource managers with the difficult problem of controlling the interactions between hydrologic and man-made systems. Data mining is a new science that assists scientists in converting large databases into knowledge, and is uniquely able to leverage the large amounts of real-time, multivariate data now being collected for hydrologic systems. Part 1 gives a high-level overview of data mining, and describes several applications that have addressed major water resource issues in South Carolina. This Part 2 paper describes how various data mining methods are integrated to produce predictive models for controlling surface- and groundwater hydraulics and quality. The methods include: - signal processing to remove noise and decompose complex signals into simpler components; - time series clustering that optimally groups hundreds of signals into "classes" that behave similarly for data reduction and (or) divide-and-conquer problem solving; - classification which optimally matches new data to behavioral classes; - artificial neural networks which optimally fit multivariate data to create predictive models; - model response surface visualization that greatly aids in understanding data and physical processes; and, - decision support systems that integrate data, models, and graphics into a single package that is easy to use.

  1. Methods of Adapting Digital Content for the Learning Process via Mobile Devices

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lopez, J. L. Gimenez; Royo, T. Magal; Laborda, Jesus Garcia; Calvo, F. Garde

    2009-01-01

    This article analyses different methods of adapting digital content for its delivery via mobile devices taking into account two aspects which are a fundamental part of the learning process; on the one hand, functionality of the contents, and on the other, the actual controlled navigation requirements that the learner needs in order to acquire high…

  2. State Tobacco Control Spending and Youth Smoking

    PubMed Central

    Tauras, John A.; Chaloupka, Frank J.; Farrelly, Matthew C.; Giovino, Gary A.; Wakefield, Melanie; Johnston, Lloyd D.; O’Malley, Patrick M.; Kloska, Deborah D.; Pechacek, Terry F.

    2005-01-01

    Objective. We examined the relationship between state-level tobacco control expenditures and youth smoking prevalence and cigarette consumption. Methods. We estimated a 2-part model of cigarette demand using data from the 1991 through 2000 nationally representative surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students as part of the Monitoring the Future project. Results. We found that real per capita expenditures on tobacco control had a negative and significant impact on youth smoking prevalence and on the average number of cigarettes smoked by smokers. Conclusions. Had states represented by the Monitoring the Future sample and the District of Columbia spent the minimum amount of money recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of smoking among youths would have been between 3.3% and 13.5% lower than the rate we observed over this period. PMID:15671473

  3. Bilateral force reflection for teleoperators with masters and slaves with dissimilar and possibly redundant kinematics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jansen, J.F.; Babcock, S.M.

    1989-11-01

    Several bilateral control techniques and methods for exploiting redundant slaves are investigated as a part of research to develop and analyze bilateral, force-reflecting control methodologies for teleoperator systems with kinematic dissimilar masters and slaves. The study indicates that, with force/torque sensing at the wrist, and an impedance type of controller with the appropriate joint compensation, a significant improvement in performance and controllability of a teleoperator system can be achieved. 32 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.

  4. Distributed control system in a car-body inspection station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Xueyou; Ren, Dahai; Ye, Shenghua; Lu, Hongbo; Duan, Jilin

    1997-06-01

    In this paper, a distributed control network in autocar-body visual inspection station is presented in which PC is used as the host processor and single-chip microcomputers are employed as slave controllers. The physical interface of the control network and the relevant hardware are introduced in this paper. Meanwhile, a minute research on data communication is performed, relevant protocols on data framing, instruction codes and channel access methods have been laid down and part of related software is presented.

  5. 40 CFR 63.4166 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... also use as an alternative to Method 3B, the manual method for measuring the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide content of exhaust gas in ANSI/ASME, PTC 19.10-1981, “Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses” (incorporated by reference, see § 63.14). (4) Use Method 4 of appendix A to 40 CFR part 60 to...

  6. Multi-axis control based on movement control cards in NC systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Tingbiao; Wei, Yunquan

    2005-12-01

    Today most movement control cards need special control software of topper computers and are only suitable for fixed-axis controls. Consequently, the number of axes which can be controlled is limited. Advanced manufacture technology develops at a very high speed, and that development brings forth. New requirements for movement control in mechanisms and electronics. This paper introduces products of the 5th generation of movement control cards, PMAC 2A-PC/104, made by the Delta Tau Company in the USA. Based on an analysis of PMAC 2A-PC/104, this paper first describes two aspects relevant to the hardware structure of movement control cards and the interrelated software of the topper computers. Then, two methods are presented for solving these problems. The first method is to set limit switches on the movement control cards; all of them can be used to control each moving axis. The second method is to program applied software with existing programming language (for example, VC ++, Visual Basic, Delphi, and so forth). This program is much easier to operate and expand by its users. By using a limit switch, users can choose different axes in movement control cards. Also, users can change parts of the parameters in the control software of topper computers to realize different control axes. Combining these 2 methods proves to be convenient for realizing multi-axis control in numerical control systems.

  7. Underwater hydraulic shock shovel control system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, He-Ping; Luo, A.-Ni; Xiao, Hai-Yan

    2008-06-01

    The control system determines the effectiveness of an underwater hydraulic shock shovel. This paper begins by analyzing the working principles of these shovels and explains the importance of their control systems. A new type of control system’s mathematical model was built and analyzed according to those principles. Since the initial control system’s response time could not fulfill the design requirements, a PID controller was added to the control system. System response time was still slower than required, so a neural network was added to nonlinearly regulate the proportional element, integral element and derivative element coefficients of the PID controller. After these improvements to the control system, system parameters fulfilled the design requirements. The working performance of electrically-controlled parts such as the rapidly moving high speed switch valve is largely determined by the control system. Normal control methods generally can’t satisfy a shovel’s requirements, so advanced and normal control methods were combined to improve the control system, bringing good results.

  8. A new robust adaptive controller for vibration control of active engine mount subjected to large uncertainties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fakhari, Vahid; Choi, Seung-Bok; Cho, Chang-Hyun

    2015-04-01

    This work presents a new robust model reference adaptive control (MRAC) for vibration control caused from vehicle engine using an electromagnetic type of active engine mount. Vibration isolation performances of the active mount associated with the robust controller are evaluated in the presence of large uncertainties. As a first step, an active mount with linear solenoid actuator is prepared and its dynamic model is identified via experimental test. Subsequently, a new robust MRAC based on the gradient method with σ-modification is designed by selecting a proper reference model. In designing the robust adaptive control, structured (parametric) uncertainties in the stiffness of the passive part of the mount and in damping ratio of the active part of the mount are considered to investigate the robustness of the proposed controller. Experimental and simulation results are presented to evaluate performance focusing on the robustness behavior of the controller in the face of large uncertainties. The obtained results show that the proposed controller can sufficiently provide the robust vibration control performance even in the presence of large uncertainties showing an effective vibration isolation.

  9. Reconfigurable Flight Control Design using a Robust Servo LQR and Radial Basis Function Neural Networks

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burken, John J.

    2005-01-01

    This viewgraph presentation reviews the use of a Robust Servo Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and a Radial Basis Function (RBF) Neural Network in reconfigurable flight control designs in adaptation to a aircraft part failure. The method uses a robust LQR servomechanism design with model Reference adaptive control, and RBF neural networks. During the failure the LQR servomechanism behaved well, and using the neural networks improved the tracking.

  10. 40 CFR 63.3545 - How do I determine the add-on control device emission destruction or removal efficiency?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., as appropriate, to measure gas volumetric flow rate. (3) Use Method 3, 3A, or 3B of appendix A to 40 CFR part 60, as appropriate, for gas analysis to determine dry molecular weight. You may also use as... monoxide content of exhaust gas in ANSI/ASME PTC 19.10-1981, “Flue and Exhaust Gas Analyses [Part 10...

  11. Method and system rapid piece handling

    DOEpatents

    Spletzer, Barry L.

    1996-01-01

    The advent of high-speed fabric cutters has made necessary the development of automated techniques for the collection and sorting of garment pieces into collated piles of pieces ready for assembly. The present invention enables a new method for such handling and sorting of garment parts, and to apparatus capable of carrying out this new method. The common thread is the application of computer-controlled shuttling bins, capable of picking up a desired piece of fabric and dropping it in collated order for assembly. Such apparatus with appropriate computer control relieves the bottleneck now presented by the sorting and collation procedure, thus greatly increasing the overall rate at which garments can be assembled.

  12. 40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Hhhhhh... - Applicability of General Provisions to Subpart HHHHHH of Part 63

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    .../Reporting Waiver Yes § 63.11 Control Device Requirements/Flares No Subpart HHHHHH does not require the use... Control Agencies and EPA Regional Offices Yes § 63.14 Incorporation by Reference Yes Test methods for measuring paint booth filter efficiency and spray gun transfer efficiency in § 63.11173(e)(2) and (3) are...

  13. 40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Hhhhhh... - Applicability of General Provisions to Subpart HHHHHH of Part 63

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    .../Reporting Waiver Yes § 63.11 Control Device Requirements/Flares No Subpart HHHHHH does not require the use... Control Agencies and EPA Regional Offices Yes § 63.14 Incorporation by Reference Yes Test methods for measuring paint booth filter efficiency and spray gun transfer efficiency in § 63.11173(e)(2) and (3) are...

  14. 40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Hhhhhh... - Applicability of General Provisions to Subpart HHHHHH of Part 63

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    .../Reporting Waiver Yes § 63.11 Control Device Requirements/Flares No Subpart HHHHHH does not require the use... Control Agencies and EPA Regional Offices Yes § 63.14 Incorporation by Reference Yes Test methods for measuring paint booth filter efficiency and spray gun transfer efficiency in § 63.11173(e)(2) and (3) are...

  15. 40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Hhhhhh... - Applicability of General Provisions to Subpart HHHHHH of Part 63

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    .../Reporting Waiver Yes § 63.11 Control Device Requirements/Flares No Subpart HHHHHH does not require the use... Control Agencies and EPA Regional Offices Yes § 63.14 Incorporation by Reference Yes Test methods for measuring paint booth filter efficiency and spray gun transfer efficiency in § 63.11173(e)(2) and (3) are...

  16. A century of progress in weed control in hardwood seedbeds

    Treesearch

    David B. South

    2009-01-01

    Weeds have existed in nurseries since before the time Bartram grew hardwoods during the 18th century. Hand weeding was the primary method of weed control during the first part of the 20th century. From 1931 to 1970, advances in chemistry increased the use of herbicides, and advances in engineering increased the reliance on machines for cultivation. Many managers now...

  17. Cluster Randomized-Controlled Trial of Interventions to Improve Health for Adults with Intellectual Disability Who Live in Private Dwellings

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lennox, Nicholas; Bain, Chris; Rey-Conde, Therese; Taylor, Miriam; Boyle, Frances M.; Purdie, David M.; Ware, Robert S.

    2010-01-01

    Background: People with intellectual disability who live in the community often have poor health and healthcare, partly as a consequence of poor communication, recall difficulties and incomplete patient health information. Materials and Methods: A cluster randomized-controlled trial with 2 x 2 factorial design was conducted with adults with…

  18. Speciation of cadmium and zinc with application to soil solutions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holm, P.E.; Christensen, T.H.; Tjell, J.C.

    1995-01-01

    A two-part method has been developed for determination of Cd and Zn species in 50-mL soil solution samples containing low concentrations of Cd and Zn (1-10 {mu}g Cd L{sup -1} and 50-1000 {mu}g Zn L{sup -1}). The method uses two cation exchange resins (Amberlite CG 120 and Chelex 100) in a batch-column-batch procedure and relies on analytical determinations of Cd and Zn by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The first part (batch) of the method allows determination of free divalent Cd{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+}. This part is experimentally sensitive to cation concentrations and ionic strength and these parameters shouldmore » be controlled during the experimental procedures. However, it is shown that Cd and Zn concentrations and pH do not influence the method. Speciations performed on samples containing chloride and sulfate were in accordance with theoretical calculations. The second part (column-batch) of the method operationally separates the complexed fraction into labile complexes, slowly labile complexes, and stable complexes. Chloro complexes were identified as labile complexes, while EDTA complexes were identified as stable complexes. The method works well with relatively small volumes of sample solutions and at low metal concentrations and may be useful in characterization of Cd and Zn in soil solutions. 12 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.« less

  19. Upper-limb tremor suppression with a 7DOF exoskeleton power-assist robot.

    PubMed

    Kiguchi, Kazuo; Hayashi, Yoshiaki

    2013-01-01

    A tremor which is one of the involuntary motions is somewhat rhythmic motion that may occur in various body parts. Although there are several kinds of the tremor, an essential tremor is the most common tremor disorder of the arm. The essential tremor is a disorder of unknown cause, and it is common in the elderly. The essential tremor interferes with a patient's daily living activity, because it may occur during a voluntary motion. If a patient of an essential tremor uses an EMG-based controlled power-assist robot, the robot might misunderstand the user's motion intention because of the effect of the essential tremor. In that case, upper-limb power-assist robots must carry out tremor suppression as well as power-assist, since a person performs various precise tasks with certain tools by the upper-limb in daily living. Therefore, it is important to suppress the tremor at the hand and grasped tool. However, in the case of the tremor suppression control method which suppressed the vibrations of the hand and the tip of the tool, vibration of other part such as elbow might occur. In this paper, the tremor suppression control method for upper-limb power-assist robot is proposed. In the proposed method, the vibration of the elbow is suppressed in addition to the hand and the tip of the tool. The validity of the proposed method was verified by the experiments.

  20. Effects of Demand Response on Retail and Wholesale Power Markets

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chassin, David P.; Kalsi, Karanjit

    2012-07-26

    Demand response has grown to be a part of the repertoire of resources used by utilities to manage the balance between generation and load. In recent years, advances in communications and control technology have enabled utilities to consider continuously controlling demand response to meet generation, rather than the other way around. This paper discusses the economic applications of a general method for load resource analysis that parallels the approach used to analyze generation resources and uses the method to examine the results of the US Department of Energy’s Olympic Peninsula Demonstration Testbed. A market-based closed-loop system of controllable assets ismore » discussed with necessary and sufficient conditions on system controllability, observability and stability derived.« less

  1. Generalized fourier analyses of the advection-diffusion equation - Part II: two-dimensional domains

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Voth, Thomas E.; Martinez, Mario J.; Christon, Mark A.

    2004-07-01

    Part I of this work presents a detailed multi-methods comparison of the spatial errors associated with the one-dimensional finite difference, finite element and finite volume semi-discretizations of the scalar advection-diffusion equation. In Part II we extend the analysis to two-dimensional domains and also consider the effects of wave propagation direction and grid aspect ratio on the phase speed, and the discrete and artificial diffusivities. The observed dependence of dispersive and diffusive behaviour on propagation direction makes comparison of methods more difficult relative to the one-dimensional results. For this reason, integrated (over propagation direction and wave number) error and anisotropy metrics are introduced to facilitate comparison among the various methods. With respect to these metrics, the consistent mass Galerkin and consistent mass control-volume finite element methods, and their streamline upwind derivatives, exhibit comparable accuracy, and generally out-perform their lumped mass counterparts and finite-difference based schemes. While this work can only be considered a first step in a comprehensive multi-methods analysis and comparison, it serves to identify some of the relative strengths and weaknesses of multiple numerical methods in a common mathematical framework. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  2. A nonlinear optimal control approach to stabilization of a macroeconomic development model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rigatos, G.; Siano, P.; Ghosh, T.; Sarno, D.

    2017-11-01

    A nonlinear optimal (H-infinity) control approach is proposed for the problem of stabilization of the dynamics of a macroeconomic development model that is known as the Grossman-Helpman model of endogenous product cycles. The dynamics of the macroeconomic development model is divided in two parts. The first one describes economic activities in a developed country and the second part describes variation of economic activities in a country under development which tries to modify its production so as to serve the needs of the developed country. The article shows that through control of the macroeconomic model of the developed country, one can finally control the dynamics of the economy in the country under development. The control method through which this is achieved is the nonlinear H-infinity control. The macroeconomic model for the country under development undergoes approximate linearization round a temporary operating point. This is defined at each time instant by the present value of the system's state vector and the last value of the control input vector that was exerted on it. The linearization is based on Taylor series expansion and the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. For the linearized model an H-infinity feedback controller is computed. The controller's gain is calculated by solving an algebraic Riccati equation at each iteration of the control method. The asymptotic stability of the control approach is proven through Lyapunov analysis. This assures that the state variables of the macroeconomic model of the country under development will finally converge to the designated reference values.

  3. Intelligent open-architecture controller using knowledge server

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nacsa, Janos; Kovacs, George L.; Haidegger, Geza

    2001-12-01

    In an ideal scenario of intelligent machine tools [22] the human mechanist was almost replaced by the controller. During the last decade many efforts have been made to get closer to this ideal scenario, but the way of information processing within the CNC did not change too much. The paper summarizes the requirements of an intelligent CNC evaluating the different research efforts done in this field using different artificial intelligence (AI) methods. The need for open CNC architecture was emerging at many places around the world. The second part of the paper introduces and shortly compares these efforts. In the third part a low cost concept for intelligent and open systems named Knowledge Server for Controllers (KSC) is introduced. It allows more devices to solve their intelligent processing needs using the same server that is capable to process intelligent data. In the final part the KSC concept is used in an open CNC environment to build up some elements of an intelligent CNC. The preliminary results of the implementation are also introduced.

  4. Microgravity isolation system design: A modern control analysis framework

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hampton, R. D.; Knospe, C. R.; Allaire, P. E.; Grodsinsky, C. M.

    1994-01-01

    Many acceleration-sensitive, microgravity science experiments will require active vibration isolation from the manned orbiters on which they will be mounted. The isolation problem, especially in the case of a tethered payload, is a complex three-dimensional one that is best suited to modern-control design methods. These methods, although more powerful than their classical counterparts, can nonetheless go only so far in meeting the design requirements for practical systems. Once a tentative controller design is available, it must still be evaluated to determine whether or not it is fully acceptable, and to compare it with other possible design candidates. Realistically, such evaluation will be an inherent part of a necessary iterative design process. In this paper, an approach is presented for applying complex mu-analysis methods to a closed-loop vibration isolation system (experiment plus controller). An analysis framework is presented for evaluating nominal stability, nominal performance, robust stability, and robust performance of active microgravity isolation systems, with emphasis on the effective use of mu-analysis methods.

  5. Evaluation of immunocontraception as a publicly acceptable form of vertebrate pest species control: the introduced grey squirrel in Britain as an example.

    PubMed

    Lurz, Peter W W; Shirley, Mark D F; Shirley, Mark D F; Rushton, Steve P

    2002-09-01

    We sent out a targeted questionnaire to organizations and private individuals across the UK that have expressed an interest in squirrel management and conservation. Respondents were asked to evaluate shooting, trapping, poisoning and immunocontraception (IMC), according to their perceived efficacy, cost efficiency, and whether they were considered to be humane. The majority of both professionals and enthusiasts indicated support for grey squirrel control to help conserve red squirrels and to reduce economic damage to timber crops. Respondents\\' comparative evaluations of current forms of control showed that trapping is the most acceptable method. When IMC is compared with the other methods, it was considered to be more humane and acceptable. In contrast, poisoning was seen as humane or acceptable by the fewest respondents. Furthermore, poisoning elicited the greatest difference in opinion between the professional and enthusiast groups. This difference (34\\%) may be interpreted partly as concern over the type of death that results from poisoning and partly as due to the possibility of poisoning nontarget species. Our findings indicate a need for more public information regarding secondary poisoning hazards to other species and their predators. Interest and concern about squirrel control correlated with the overlap between contemporary areas of distribution of the two species. It is these areas where consultation and education programs about control methods should be targeted. This research indicates that there would be support for grey squirrel control using IMC from both lay and professional interest groups. It demonstrates the existence of a sound basis for constructive dialog that can lead to the design and implementation of acceptable and efficient control strategies.

  6. Evaluation of Immunocontraception as a Publicly Acceptable Form of Vertebrate Pest Species Control: The Introduced Grey Squirrel in Britain as an Example

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barr, Julian J. F.; Lurz, Peter W. W.; Shirley, Mark D. F.; Rushton, Steve P.

    2002-09-01

    We sent out a targeted questionnaire to organizations and private individuals across the UK that have expressed an interest in squirrel management and conservation. Respondents were asked to evaluate shooting, trapping, poisoning and immunocontraception (IMC), according to their perceived efficacy, cost efficiency, and whether they were considered to be humane. The majority of both professionals and enthusiasts indicated support for grey squirrel control to help conserve red squirrels and to reduce economic damage to timber crops. Respondents' comparative evaluations of current forms of control showed that trapping is the most acceptable method. When IMC is compared with the other methods, it was considered to be more humane and acceptable. In contrast, poisoning was seen as humane or acceptable by the fewest respondents. Furthermore, poisoning elicited the greatest difference in opinion between the professional and enthusiast groups. This difference (34%) may be interpreted partly as concern over the type of death that results from poisoning and partly as due to the possibility of poisoning nontarget species. Our findings indicate a need for more public information regarding secondary poisoning hazards to other species and their predators. Interest and concern about squirrel control correlated with the overlap between contemporary areas of distribution of the two species. It is these areas where consultation and education programs about control methods should be targeted. This research indicates that there would be support for grey squirrel control using IMC from both lay and professional interest groups. It demonstrates the existence of a sound basis for constructive dialog that can lead to the design and implementation of acceptable and efficient control strategies.

  7. Novel Control Scheme of Power Assisted Wheelchair for Preventing Overturn (Part I)-Adjustment of Assisted Torque and Performance Evaluation From Field Test-

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seki, Hirokazu; Hata, Naoki; Koyasu, Yuichi; Hori, Yoichi

    Aged people and disabled people who have difficulty in walking are increasing. As one of mobility support, significance of power assisted wheelchair which assists driving force using electric motors and spreads their living areas has been enhanced. However, the increased driving force often causes a dangerous overturn of wheelchair. In this paper, control method to prevent power assisted wheelchair from overturning is proposed. It is found the front wheels rising is caused by magnitude and rapid increase of assisted torque. Therefore, feedforward control method to limit the assisted torque by tuning its magnitude or time constant is proposed. In order to emphasize safety and feeling of security, these methods make the front wheels no rise. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by the practical experiments and field test based performance evaluation using many trial subjects.

  8. Surface shape analysis with an application to brain surface asymmetry in schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Brignell, Christopher J; Dryden, Ian L; Gattone, S Antonio; Park, Bert; Leask, Stuart; Browne, William J; Flynn, Sean

    2010-10-01

    Some methods for the statistical analysis of surface shapes and asymmetry are introduced. We focus on a case study where magnetic resonance images of the brain are available from groups of 30 schizophrenia patients and 38 controls, and we investigate large-scale brain surface shape differences. Key aspects of shape analysis are to remove nuisance transformations by registration and to identify which parts of one object correspond with the parts of another object. We introduce maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods for registering brain images and providing large-scale correspondences of the brain surfaces. Brain surface size-and-shape analysis is considered using random field theory, and also dimension reduction is carried out using principal and independent components analysis. Some small but significant differences are observed between the the patient and control groups. We then investigate a particular type of asymmetry called torque. Differences in asymmetry are observed between the control and patient groups, which add strength to other observations in the literature. Further investigations of the midline plane location in the 2 groups and the fitting of nonplanar curved midlines are also considered.

  9. Improving the Quality of Hot Stamping Parts with Innovative Press Technology and Inline Process Control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vollmer, R.; Palm, C.

    2017-09-01

    The increasing number of hot stamped parts in the automotive industry is challenging different process areas. This paper presents a method how to improve the production rates over the whole life cycle of a hot forming part. In the core element of a hot forming line, the hydraulic press, mainly two processing steps are performed. Forming and quenching of the sheet metal part. In addition to the forming operation, it is inevitable to optimize the quenching condition in the bottom dead centre in order to reach a fully martensitic structure and tight geometrical tolerances of the part. Deviations in the blank thickness, tool wear, polishing of classical tools impair the quenching condition and therefore the part quality over the time. A new press and tool design has been developed to counter this effect by providing homogenous contact pressure over the whole die. Especially with a multi cavity tool, the new method is advantageous. Test series have shown that the new tool and press concept can produce parts with a blank thickness of 1.0 mm within 8.0 s cycle time. The so called PCH flex principle makes it possible to produce such high output rates under reliable conditions.

  10. Cavity enhancement by controlled directional scattering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winston, R.

    1980-01-01

    A method for designing cavity enclosures is presented that can be applied to the design of a nonimaging concentrator. The method maintains high transmission at the expense of some concentration in the presence of a gap between the reflector and the receiver. The slight loss of concentration may be partly offset by enhanced absorption of radiation by the receiver, resulting from the cavity effect.

  11. Subsystem design in aircraft power distribution systems using optimization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chandrasekaran, Sriram

    2000-10-01

    The research reported in this dissertation focuses on the development of optimization tools for the design of subsystems in a modern aircraft power distribution system. The baseline power distribution system is built around a 270V DC bus. One of the distinguishing features of this power distribution system is the presence of regenerative power from the electrically driven flight control actuators and structurally integrated smart actuators back to the DC bus. The key electrical components of the power distribution system are bidirectional switching power converters, which convert, control and condition electrical power between the sources and the loads. The dissertation is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the formulation of an optimization problem for a sample system consisting of a regulated DC-DC buck converter preceded by an input filter. The individual subsystems are optimized first followed by the integrated optimization of the sample system. It is shown that the integrated optimization provides better results than that obtained by integrating the individually optimized systems. Part II presents a detailed study of piezoelectric actuators. This study includes modeling, optimization of the drive amplifier and the development of a current control law for piezoelectric actuators coupled to a simple mechanical structure. Linear and nonlinear methods to study subsystem interaction and stability are studied in Part III. A multivariable impedance ratio criterion applicable to three phase systems is proposed. Bifurcation methods are used to obtain global stability characteristics of interconnected systems. The application of a nonlinear design methodology, widely used in power systems, to incrementally improve the robustness of a system to Hopf bifurcation instability is discussed.

  12. Protection of cooled blades of complex internal structure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glamiche, P.

    1977-01-01

    The problem of general protection of cooled blades of complex internal structure was solved by a method called SF technique which makes possible the protection of both external and internal surfaces, as well as those of the orifices of cooling air, whatever their diameter. The SF method is most often applied in the case of pack process, at controlled or high activity; it can be of use on previously uncoated parts, but also on pieces already coated by a thermochemical, chemical or PVD method. The respective thickness of external and internal coatings may be precisely predetermined, no parasitic particle being liable to remain inside the parts after application of the protecting treatment. Results obtained to date by application of this method are illustrated by the presentation and examination of a various selection of advanced turbo engines.

  13. Board Game in Physics Classes—a Proposal for a New Method of Student Assessment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dziob, Daniel

    2018-03-01

    The aim of this study was to examine the impact of assessing students' achievements in a physics course in the form of a group board game. Research was conducted in two groups of 131 high school students in Poland. In each school, the research sample was divided into experimental and control groups. Each group was taught by the same teacher and participated in the same courses and tests before the game. Just after finishing the course on waves and vibrations (school 1) and optics (school 2), experimental groups took part in a group board game to assess their knowledge. One week after the game, the experimental and control groups (not involved in the game) took part in the post-tests. Students from the experimental groups performed better in the game than in the tests given before the game. As well their results in the post-tests were significantly higher statistically than students from the control groups. Simultaneously, student's opinions in the experimental groups about the board game as an assessment method were collected in an open-descriptive form and in a short questionnaire, and analyzed. Results showed that students experienced a positive attitude toward the assessment method, a reduction of test anxiety and an increase in their motivation for learning.

  14. Developing Parametric Models for the Assembly of Machine Fixtures for Virtual Multiaxial CNC Machining Centers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balaykin, A. V.; Bezsonov, K. A.; Nekhoroshev, M. V.; Shulepov, A. P.

    2018-01-01

    This paper dwells upon a variance parameterization method. Variance or dimensional parameterization is based on sketching, with various parametric links superimposed on the sketch objects and user-imposed constraints in the form of an equation system that determines the parametric dependencies. This method is fully integrated in a top-down design methodology to enable the creation of multi-variant and flexible fixture assembly models, as all the modeling operations are hierarchically linked in the built tree. In this research the authors consider a parameterization method of machine tooling used for manufacturing parts using multiaxial CNC machining centers in the real manufacturing process. The developed method allows to significantly reduce tooling design time when making changes of a part’s geometric parameters. The method can also reduce time for designing and engineering preproduction, in particular, for development of control programs for CNC equipment and control and measuring machines, automate the release of design and engineering documentation. Variance parameterization helps to optimize construction of parts as well as machine tooling using integrated CAE systems. In the framework of this study, the authors demonstrate a comprehensive approach to parametric modeling of machine tooling in the CAD package used in the real manufacturing process of aircraft engines.

  15. Cluster 1: commercializing additive manufacturing—hurdles in materials characterization and testing

    DOE PAGES

    Roach, R. A.; Gardner, S. H.

    2017-10-20

    A major challenge in the commercialization of additive manufactured (AM) materials and processes is the ability to achieve acceptance of processes and products. There has been some progress towards acceptance has been made by adapting legacy qualification paradigms to match with the very limited process control and monitoring offered by AM machines. The opportunity for in-situ measurement can provide process monitoring and control perhaps changing the way we qualify parts however it is limited by lack of adequate process measurement methods. New measurement techniques, sensors and correlations to relevant phenomena are needed that enable process control and monitoring for consistentlymore » producing high quality articles. Beyond process data we need to characterize uncertainties of performance in all aspects of material, process and final part. These are prerequisites to achieving articles that are indeed worthy of materials characterization efforts that establish a microstructural reference of desirable performance through process-structure-property relations. Only then can industry apply physics based understanding of the material, part and process to probabilistically predict performance of an AM part. Our paper provides a brief overview, discussion of hurdles and key areas where R&D investment is needed.« less

  16. Cluster 1: commercializing additive manufacturing—hurdles in materials characterization and testing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Roach, R. A.; Gardner, S. H.

    A major challenge in the commercialization of additive manufactured (AM) materials and processes is the ability to achieve acceptance of processes and products. There has been some progress towards acceptance has been made by adapting legacy qualification paradigms to match with the very limited process control and monitoring offered by AM machines. The opportunity for in-situ measurement can provide process monitoring and control perhaps changing the way we qualify parts however it is limited by lack of adequate process measurement methods. New measurement techniques, sensors and correlations to relevant phenomena are needed that enable process control and monitoring for consistentlymore » producing high quality articles. Beyond process data we need to characterize uncertainties of performance in all aspects of material, process and final part. These are prerequisites to achieving articles that are indeed worthy of materials characterization efforts that establish a microstructural reference of desirable performance through process-structure-property relations. Only then can industry apply physics based understanding of the material, part and process to probabilistically predict performance of an AM part. Our paper provides a brief overview, discussion of hurdles and key areas where R&D investment is needed.« less

  17. Effects of sevin-4-oil, dimilin, and orthene on forest birds in northeastern Oregon

    Treesearch

    Merle L. Richmond; Charles J. Henny; Randy L. Floyd; William R. Mannan; Deborah M. Finch; Lawrence R. DeWeese

    1979-01-01

    The possible harmful effect of insecticides on nontarget organisms should be a prominent concern in all attempts to control forest pests. Although all wildlife must be considered, birds are particularly vulnerable. The study reported here was part of the effort to find an environmentally safe method to control one of the major sources of insect damage to forest trees...

  18. 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 211 - Statement of Agency Policy Concerning Waivers Related to Shared Use of Trackage or Rights-of-Way...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... rail crossing at grade, a shared method of train control, or shared highway-rail grade crossings. 4... waiver petitions, a Petition for Approval of Shared Use will be reviewed by the Safety Board. A non.... You should explain the nature of such simultaneous joint use, the system of train control, the...

  19. 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 211 - Statement of Agency Policy Concerning Waivers Related to Shared Use of Trackage or Rights-of-Way...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... not designed to be used in situations where there is a reasonable likelihood of a collision with much... rail crossing at grade, a shared method of train control, or shared highway-rail grade crossings. 4.... You should explain the nature of such simultaneous joint use, the system of train control, the...

  20. Paradigm War Revived? On the Diagnosis of Resistance to Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Review in Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hammersley, Martyn

    2008-01-01

    There has been considerable discussion in recent years about the role in educational research of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SR). Advocacy of these methods arose partly as a result of the spread of the notion of evidence-based practice from medicine into other fields, and of the rise of the "new public…

  1. Cleaning and Cleanliness Measurement of Additive Manufactured Parts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mitchell, Mark A.; Raley, Randy

    2016-01-01

    The successful acquisition and utilization of piece parts and assemblies for contamination sensitive applications requires application of cleanliness acceptance criteria. Contamination can be classified using many different schemes. One common scheme is classification as organic, ionic and particulate contaminants. These may be present in and on the surface of solid components and assemblies or may be dispersed in various gaseous or liquid media. This discussion will focus on insoluble particle contamination on the surfaces of piece parts and assemblies. Cleanliness of parts can be controlled using two strategies, referred to as gross cleanliness and precision cleanliness. Under a gross cleanliness strategy acceptance is based on visual cleanliness. This approach introduces a number of concerns that render it unsuitable for controlling cleanliness of high technology products. Under the precision cleanliness strategy, subjective, visual assessment of cleanliness is replaced by objective measurement of cleanliness. When a precision cleanliness strategy is adopted there naturally arises the question: How clean is clean enough? The methods for establishing objective cleanliness acceptance limits will be discussed.

  2. Self-Field-Dominated Plasma

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-03-31

    plasma focus discharges. Part of the tests summarized here address methods and means for achieving controlled variations of the current sheath (CS) structure via electrode geometry modifications. CS parameters are monitored with multiple magnetic probes in the case of cylindrical - and open-funnel electrode

  3. 40 CFR 766.12 - Testing guidelines.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ....12 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT... must be developed using methods equivalent to those described or reviewed in Guidelines for the... this part (Docket No. OPPTS-83002) and are available for inspection in the Non-Confidential Information...

  4. 40 CFR 766.12 - Testing guidelines.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ....12 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT... must be developed using methods equivalent to those described or reviewed in Guidelines for the... this part (Docket No. OPPTS-83002) and are available for inspection in the Non-Confidential Information...

  5. 40 CFR 766.12 - Testing guidelines.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ....12 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT... must be developed using methods equivalent to those described or reviewed in Guidelines for the... this part (Docket No. OPPTS-83002) and are available for inspection in the Non-Confidential Information...

  6. A Novelty Design Of Minimization Of Electrical Losses In A Vector Controlled Induction Machine Drive

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aryza, Solly; Irwanto, M.; Lubis, Zulkarnain; Putera Utama Siahaan, Andysah; Rahim, Robbi; Furqan, Mhd.

    2018-01-01

    The induction motor has in the industry . More attention has been a focus to develop and design of induction motor drive. With the method of vector control novelty prove the efficiency of induction motor over their entire speed range. In this paper desirable to design a loss minimization controller which can improve the efficiency. Also, this research described Modeling of an induction motor with core loss included. Realization of methods vector control for an induction motor drive with loss element included. The case of the loss minimization condition. The procedure was successful to calculate the gains of a PI controller. Though the problem of obtaining a robust and sensorless induction motor drive is by no means completely solved, the results obtained as part of this work point in a promising direction.

  7. Fingerprint analysis of polysaccharides from different Ganoderma by HPLC combined with chemometrics methods.

    PubMed

    Sun, Xiaomei; Wang, Haohao; Han, Xiaofeng; Chen, Shangwei; Zhu, Song; Dai, Jun

    2014-12-19

    A fingerprint analysis method has been developed for characterization and discrimination of polysaccharides from different Ganoderma by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with chemometrics means. The polysaccharides were extracted under ultrasonic-assisted condition, and then partly hydrolyzed with trifluoroacetic acid. Monosaccharides and oligosaccharides in the hydrolyzates were subjected to pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone and HPLC analysis, which will generate unique fingerprint information related to chemical composition and structure of polysaccharides. The peak data were imported to professional software in order to obtain standard fingerprint profiles and evaluate similarity of different samples. Meanwhile, the data were further processed by hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Polysaccharides from different parts or species of Ganoderma or polysaccharides from the same parts of Ganoderma but from different geographical regions or different strains could be differentiated clearly. This fingerprint analysis method can be applied to identification and quality control of different Ganoderma and their products. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Data-based adjoint and H2 optimal control of the Ginzburg-Landau equation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Banks, Michael; Bodony, Daniel

    2017-11-01

    Equation-free, reduced-order methods of control are desirable when the governing system of interest is of very high dimension or the control is to be applied to a physical experiment. Two-phase flow optimal control problems, our target application, fit these criteria. Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) is a data-driven method for model reduction that can be used to resolve the dynamics of very high dimensional systems and project the dynamics onto a smaller, more manageable basis. We evaluate the effectiveness of DMD-based forward and adjoint operator estimation when applied to H2 optimal control approaches applied to the linear and nonlinear Ginzburg-Landau equation. Perspectives on applying the data-driven adjoint to two phase flow control will be given. Office of Naval Research (ONR) as part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiatives (MURI) Program, under Grant Number N00014-16-1-2617.

  9. Smith predictor with sliding mode control for processes with large dead times

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mehta, Utkal; Kaya, İbrahim

    2017-11-01

    The paper discusses the Smith Predictor scheme with Sliding Mode Controller (SP-SMC) for processes with large dead times. This technique gives improved load-disturbance rejection with optimum input control signal variations. A power rate reaching law is incorporated in the sporadic part of sliding mode control such that the overall performance recovers meaningfully. The proposed scheme obtains parameter values by satisfying a new performance index which is based on biobjective constraint. In simulation study, the efficiency of the method is evaluated for robustness and transient performance over reported techniques.

  10. Adaptive Actor-Critic Design-Based Integral Sliding-Mode Control for Partially Unknown Nonlinear Systems With Input Disturbances.

    PubMed

    Fan, Quan-Yong; Yang, Guang-Hong

    2016-01-01

    This paper is concerned with the problem of integral sliding-mode control for a class of nonlinear systems with input disturbances and unknown nonlinear terms through the adaptive actor-critic (AC) control method. The main objective is to design a sliding-mode control methodology based on the adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) method, so that the closed-loop system with time-varying disturbances is stable and the nearly optimal performance of the sliding-mode dynamics can be guaranteed. In the first step, a neural network (NN)-based observer and a disturbance observer are designed to approximate the unknown nonlinear terms and estimate the input disturbances, respectively. Based on the NN approximations and disturbance estimations, the discontinuous part of the sliding-mode control is constructed to eliminate the effect of the disturbances and attain the expected equivalent sliding-mode dynamics. Then, the ADP method with AC structure is presented to learn the optimal control for the sliding-mode dynamics online. Reconstructed tuning laws are developed to guarantee the stability of the sliding-mode dynamics and the convergence of the weights of critic and actor NNs. Finally, the simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

  11. Experimental Study of Residual Stresses in Metal Parts Obtained by Selective Laser Melting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Protasov, C. E.; Safronov, V. A.; Kotoban, D. V.; Gusarov, A. V.

    High local temperature gradients occur at additive manufacturing by selective laser melting of powder. This gives rise to undesirable residual stresses, deformations, and cracks. To understand how to control the formation of the residual stresses, a reliable method is necessary for measuring their distribution in the fabricated part. It is proposed to cut the part into thin plates and to reconstruct the residual stresses from the measured deformation of the plates. This method is tested on beams with square cross-section built from stainless steel. The beams were cut by electrical discharge machining and chemically etched. The obtained stress profile in vertical transversal direction slightly increases from the top to the bottom of the beam. This dependency is confirmed by numerical modeling. The measured stress profile agrees with the known results by other authors.

  12. 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, and Solid Freeform Fabrication: The Technologies of the Past, Present and Future

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beaman, Joseph

    2015-03-01

    Starting in the late 1980's, several new technologies were created that have the potential to revolutionize manufacturing. These technologies are, for the most part, additive processes that build up parts layer by layer. In addition, the processes that are being touted for hard-core manufacturing are primarily laser or e-beam based processes. This presentation gives a brief history of Additive Manufacturing and gives an assessment for these technologies. These technologies initially grew out of a commercial need for rapid prototyping. This market has a different requirement for process and quality control than traditional manufacturing. The relatively poor process control of the existing commercial Additive Manufacturing equipment is a vestige of this history. This presentation discusses this history and improvements in quality over time. The emphasis will be on Additive Manufacturing processes that are being considered for direct manufacturing, which is a different market than the 3D Printing ``Makerbot'' market. Topics discussed include past and present machine sensors, materials, and operational methods that were used in the past and those that are used today to create manufactured parts. Finally, a discussion of new methods and future directions of AM is presented.

  13. Maximum Temperature Detection System for Integrated Circuits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Frankiewicz, Maciej; Kos, Andrzej

    2015-03-01

    The paper describes structure and measurement results of the system detecting present maximum temperature on the surface of an integrated circuit. The system consists of the set of proportional to absolute temperature sensors, temperature processing path and a digital part designed in VHDL. Analogue parts of the circuit where designed with full-custom technique. The system is a part of temperature-controlled oscillator circuit - a power management system based on dynamic frequency scaling method. The oscillator cooperates with microprocessor dedicated for thermal experiments. The whole system is implemented in UMC CMOS 0.18 μm (1.8 V) technology.

  14. Gelcasting compositions having improved drying characteristics and machinability

    DOEpatents

    Janney, Mark A.; Walls, Claudia A. H.

    2001-01-01

    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.

  15. Compact illumination optic with three freeform surfaces for improved beam control.

    PubMed

    Sorgato, Simone; Mohedano, Rubén; Chaves, Julio; Hernández, Maikel; Blen, José; Grabovičkić, Dejan; Benítez, Pablo; Miñano, Juan Carlos; Thienpont, Hugo; Duerr, Fabian

    2017-11-27

    Multi-chip and large size LEDs dominate the lighting market in developed countries these days. Nevertheless, a general optical design method to create prescribed intensity patterns for this type of extended sources does not exist. We present a design strategy in which the source and the target pattern are described by means of "edge wavefronts" of the system. The goal is then finding an optic coupling these wavefronts, which in the current work is a monolithic part comprising up to three freeform surfaces calculated with the simultaneous multiple surface (SMS) method. The resulting optic fully controls, for the first time, three freeform wavefronts, one more than previous SMS designs. Simulations with extended LEDs demonstrate improved intensity tailoring capabilities, confirming the effectiveness of our method and suggesting that enhanced performance features can be achieved by controlling additional wavefronts.

  16. Fractional order absolute vibration suppression (AVS) controllers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Halevi, Yoram

    2017-04-01

    Absolute vibration suppression (AVS) is a control method for flexible structures. The first step is an accurate, infinite dimension, transfer function (TF), from actuation to measurement. This leads to the collocated, rate feedback AVS controller that in some cases completely eliminates the vibration. In case of the 1D wave equation, the TF consists of pure time delays and low order rational terms, and the AVS controller is rational. In all other cases, the TF and consequently the controller are fractional order in both the delays and the "rational parts". The paper considers stability, performance and actual implementation in such cases.

  17. Developing a multipoint titration method with a variable dose implementation for anaerobic digestion monitoring.

    PubMed

    Salonen, K; Leisola, M; Eerikäinen, T

    2009-01-01

    Determination of metabolites from an anaerobic digester with an acid base titration is considered as superior method for many reasons. This paper describes a practical at line compatible multipoint titration method. The titration procedure was improved by speed and data quality. A simple and novel control algorithm for estimating a variable titrant dose was derived for this purpose. This non-linear PI-controller like algorithm does not require any preliminary information from sample. Performance of this controller is superior compared to traditional linear PI-controllers. In addition, simplification for presenting polyprotic acids as a sum of multiple monoprotic acids is introduced along with a mathematical error examination. A method for inclusion of the ionic strength effect with stepwise iteration is shown. The titration model is presented with matrix notations enabling simple computation of all concentration estimates. All methods and algorithms are illustrated in the experimental part. A linear correlation better than 0.999 was obtained for both acetate and phosphate used as model compounds with slopes of 0.98 and 1.00 and average standard deviations of 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively. Furthermore, insensitivity of the presented method for overlapping buffer capacity curves was shown.

  18. Regenerated cellulose capsules for controlled drug delivery: Part III. Developing a fabrication method and evaluating extemporaneous utility for controlled-release.

    PubMed

    Bhatt, Bhavik; Kumar, Vijay

    2016-08-25

    In this article, we describe a method to utilize cellulose dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and paraformaldehyde solvent system to fabricate two-piece regenerated cellulose hard shell capsules for their potential use as an oral controlled drug delivery a priori vehicle. A systematic evaluation of solution rheology as well as resulting capsule mechanical, visual and thermal analysis was performed to develop a suitable method to repeatedly fabricate RC hard shell capsule halves. Because of the viscoelastic nature of the cellulose solution, a combination of dip-coating and casting method, herein referred to as dip-casting method, was developed. The dip-casting method was formalized by utilizing two-stage 2(2) full factorial design approach in order to determine a suitable approach to fabricate capsules with minimal variability. Thermal annealing is responsible for imparting shape rigidity of the capsules. Proof-of-concept analysis for the utility of these capsules in controlled drug delivery was performed by evaluating the release of KCl from them as well as from commercially available USP equivalent formulations. Release of KCl from cellulose capsules was comparable to extended release capsule formulation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Mycobacterium bovis infections in domesticated non-bovine mammalian species. Part 2: A review of diagnostic methods.

    PubMed

    Broughan, J M; Crawshaw, T R; Downs, S H; Brewer, J; Clifton-Hadley, R S

    2013-11-01

    Despite the large host range of Mycobacterium bovis, ante-mortem diagnostic tests for the infection mostly lack sensitivity/specificity and/or remain unvalidated in non-bovine species. The epidemiology and importance of M. bovis infection in these species are discussed in the first part of this two-part review. This second part focuses on the diagnostic options available to identify infected species such as sheep, goats, dogs, cats, and camelids, and highlights the significant challenges posed, both in establishing estimates of disease prevalence and in controlling infections in these species, in the absence of fully validated tests. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Method And Apparatus For Evaluatin Of High Temperature Superconductors

    DOEpatents

    Fishman, Ilya M.; Kino, Gordon S.

    1996-11-12

    A technique for evaluation of high-T.sub.c superconducting films and single crystals is based on measurement of temperature dependence of differential optical reflectivity of high-T.sub.c materials. In the claimed method, specific parameters of the superconducting transition such as the critical temperature, anisotropy of the differential optical reflectivity response, and the part of the optical losses related to sample quality are measured. The apparatus for performing this technique includes pump and probe sources, cooling means for sweeping sample temperature across the critical temperature and polarization controller for controlling a state of polarization of a probe light beam.

  1. On the effects of basic platform design characteristics on floating offshore wind turbine control and their mitigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olondriz, Joannes; Elorza, Iker; Trojaola, Ignacio; Pujana, Aron; Landaluze, Joseba

    2016-09-01

    Semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbines present significant advantages over other designs in terms of cost, deployment, maintenance and site-independence. However, these advantages are achieved by shifting a part of the burden of stabilising the platform pitch and roll motions to the turbine control system. A study is presented here of the effects of basic platform dimensions on the performance of a standard pitch controller and the possible methods for mitigating said effects.

  2. Optimal fault-tolerant control strategy of a solid oxide fuel cell system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Xiaojuan; Gao, Danhui

    2017-10-01

    For solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development, load tracking, heat management, air excess ratio constraint, high efficiency, low cost and fault diagnosis are six key issues. However, no literature studies the control techniques combining optimization and fault diagnosis for the SOFC system. An optimal fault-tolerant control strategy is presented in this paper, which involves four parts: a fault diagnosis module, a switching module, two backup optimizers and a controller loop. The fault diagnosis part is presented to identify the SOFC current fault type, and the switching module is used to select the appropriate backup optimizer based on the diagnosis result. NSGA-II and TOPSIS are employed to design the two backup optimizers under normal and air compressor fault states. PID algorithm is proposed to design the control loop, which includes a power tracking controller, an anode inlet temperature controller, a cathode inlet temperature controller and an air excess ratio controller. The simulation results show the proposed optimal fault-tolerant control method can track the power, temperature and air excess ratio at the desired values, simultaneously achieving the maximum efficiency and the minimum unit cost in the case of SOFC normal and even in the air compressor fault.

  3. 40 CFR 63.9914 - What test methods and other procedures must I use to demonstrate initial compliance with chlorine...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... appendix A to 40 CFR part 60: (i) Method 1 to select sampling port locations and the number of traverse points. Sampling ports must be located at the outlet of the control device and prior to any releases to... = Concentration of chlorine or hydrochloric acid in the gas stream, milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg...

  4. 40 CFR 63.9914 - What test methods and other procedures must I use to demonstrate initial compliance with chlorine...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... appendix A to 40 CFR part 60: (i) Method 1 to select sampling port locations and the number of traverse points. Sampling ports must be located at the outlet of the control device and prior to any releases to... = Concentration of chlorine or hydrochloric acid in the gas stream, milligrams per dry standard cubic meter (mg...

  5. Dynamics and Control of Newtonian and Viscoelastic Fluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lieu, Binh K.

    Transition to turbulence represents one of the most intriguing natural phenomena. Flows that are smooth and ordered may become complex and disordered as the flow strength increases. This process is known as transition to turbulence. In this dissertation, we develop theoretical and computational tools for analysis and control of transition and turbulence in shear flows of Newtonian, such as air and water, and complex viscoelastic fluids, such as polymers and molten plastics. Part I of the dissertation is devoted to the design and verification of sensor-free and feedback-based strategies for controlling the onset of turbulence in channel flows of Newtonian fluids. We use high fidelity simulations of the nonlinear flow dynamics to demonstrate the effectiveness of our model-based approach to flow control design. In Part II, we utilize systems theoretic tools to study transition and turbulence in channel flows of viscoelastic fluids. For flows with strong elastic forces, we demonstrate that flow fluctuations can experience significant amplification even in the absence of inertia. We use our theoretical developments to uncover the underlying physical mechanism that leads to this high amplification. For turbulent flows with polymer additives, we develop a model-based method for analyzing the influence of polymers on drag reduction. We demonstrate that our approach predicts drag reducing trends observed in full-scale numerical simulations. In Part III, we develop mathematical framework and computational tools for calculating frequency responses of spatially distributed systems. Using state-of-the-art automatic spectral collocation techniques and new integral formulation, we show that our approach yields more reliable and accurate solutions than currently available methods.

  6. Speech-driven environmental control systems--a qualitative analysis of users' perceptions.

    PubMed

    Judge, Simon; Robertson, Zoë; Hawley, Mark; Enderby, Pam

    2009-05-01

    To explore users' experiences and perceptions of speech-driven environmental control systems (SPECS) as part of a larger project aiming to develop a new SPECS. The motivation for this part of the project was to add to the evidence base for the use of SPECS and to determine the key design specifications for a new speech-driven system from a user's perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 users of SPECS from around the United Kingdom. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using a qualitative method based on framework analysis. Reliability is the main influence on the use of SPECS. All the participants gave examples of occasions when their speech-driven system was unreliable; in some instances, this unreliability was reported as not being a problem (e.g., for changing television channels); however, it was perceived as a problem for more safety critical functions (e.g., opening a door). Reliability was cited by participants as the reason for using a switch-operated system as back up. Benefits of speech-driven systems focused on speech operation enabling access when other methods were not possible; quicker operation and better aesthetic considerations. Overall, there was a perception of increased independence from the use of speech-driven environmental control. In general, speech was considered a useful method of operating environmental controls by the participants interviewed; however, their perceptions regarding reliability often influenced their decision to have backup or alternative systems for certain functions.

  7. Additive Manufacturing of Nickel Superalloys: Opportunities for Innovation and Challenges Related to Qualification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Babu, S. S.; Raghavan, N.; Raplee, J.; Foster, S. J.; Frederick, C.; Haines, M.; Dinwiddie, R.; Kirka, M. K.; Plotkowski, A.; Lee, Y.; Dehoff, R. R.

    2018-06-01

    Innovative designs for turbines can be achieved by advances in nickel-based superalloys and manufacturing methods, including the adoption of additive manufacturing. In this regard, selective electron beam melting (SEBM) and selective laser melting (SLM) of nickel-based superalloys do provide distinct advantages. Furthermore, the direct energy deposition (DED) processes can be used for repair and reclamation of nickel alloy components. The current paper explores opportunities for innovation and qualification challenges with respect to deployment of AM as a disruptive manufacturing technology. In the first part of the paper, fundamental correlations of processing parameters to defect tendency and microstructure evolution will be explored using DED process. In the second part of the paper, opportunities for innovation in terms of site-specific control of microstructure during processing will be discussed. In the third part of the paper, challenges in qualification of AM parts for service will be discussed and potential methods to alleviate these issues through in situ process monitoring, and big data analytics are proposed.

  8. Additive Manufacturing of Multifunctional Components Using High Density Carbon Nanotube Yarn Filaments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gardner, John M.; Sauti, Godfrey; Kim, Jae-Woo; Cano, Roberto J.; Wincheski, Russell A.; Stelter, Christopher J.; Grimsley, Brian W.; Working, Dennis C.; Siochi, Emilie J.

    2016-01-01

    Additive manufacturing allows for design freedom and part complexity not currently attainable using traditional manufacturing technologies. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), for example, can yield novel component geometries and functionalities because the method provides a high level of control over material placement and processing conditions. This is achievable by extrusion of a preprocessed filament feedstock material along a predetermined path. However if fabrication of a multifunctional part relies only on conventional filament materials, it will require a different material for each unique functionality printed into the part. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an attractive material for many applications due to their high specific strength as well as good electrical and thermal conductivity. The presence of this set of properties in a single material presents an opportunity to use one material to achieve multifunctionality in an additively manufactured part. This paper describes a recently developed method for processing continuous CNT yarn filaments into three-dimensional articles, and summarizes the mechanical, electrical, and sensing performance of the components fabricated in this way.

  9. Combining matched and unmatched control groups in case-control studies.

    PubMed

    le Cessie, Saskia; Nagelkerke, Nico; Rosendaal, Frits R; van Stralen, Karlijn J; Pomp, Elisabeth R; van Houwelingen, Hans C

    2008-11-15

    Multiple control groups in case-control studies are used to control for different sources of confounding. For example, cases can be contrasted with matched controls to adjust for multiple genetic or unknown lifestyle factors and simultaneously contrasted with an unmatched population-based control group. Inclusion of different control groups for a single exposure analysis yields several estimates of the odds ratio, all using only part of the data. Here the authors introduce an easy way to combine odds ratios from several case-control analyses with the same cases. The approach is based upon methods used for meta-analysis but takes into account the fact that the same cases are used and that the estimated odds ratios are therefore correlated. Two ways of estimating this correlation are discussed: sandwich methodology and the bootstrap. Confidence intervals for the pooled estimates and a test for checking whether the odds ratios in the separate case-control studies differ significantly are derived. The performance of the method is studied by simulation and by applying the methods to a large study on risk factors for thrombosis, the MEGA Study (1999-2004), wherein cases with first venous thrombosis were included with a matched control group of partners and an unmatched population-based control group.

  10. The USDA Cranberry Entomology Lab: Highlights from 2011-2017

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Biological, chemical, and cultural control methods have been investigated as part of the cranberry crop protection program pursued in the USDA Cranberry Entomology Laboratory. Surveys of native entomopathogenic nematodes in Wisconsin have produced a new bio-insecticide agent (Oscheius onirici subsp....

  11. ANALYTICAL METHOD CHECKLIST FOR VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY GC/MS (HANDOUT)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division (LRPCD) QA Manager strives to assist LRPCD researchers in developing functional planning documents for their research projects. As part of the planning process, several pieces of information are needed, including information re...

  12. Biodegradation of Poly(butylene succinate) Powder in a Controlled Compost at 58 °C Evaluated by Naturally-Occurring Carbon 14 Amounts in Evolved CO2 Based on the ISO 14855-2 Method

    PubMed Central

    Kunioka, Masao; Ninomiya, Fumi; Funabashi, Masahiro

    2009-01-01

    The biodegradabilities of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) powders in a controlled compost at 58 °C have been studied using a Microbial Oxidative Degradation Analyzer (MODA) based on the ISO 14855-2 method, entitled “Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions—Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide—Part 2: Gravimetric measurement of carbon dioxide evolved in a laboratory-scale test”. The evolved CO2 was trapped by an additional aqueous Ba(OH)2 solution. The trapped BaCO3 was transformed into graphite via a serial vaporization and reduction reaction using a gas-tight tube and vacuum manifold system. This graphite was analyzed by accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) to determine the percent modern carbon [pMC (sample)] based on the 14C radiocarbon concentration. By using the theory that pMC (sample) was the sum of the pMC (compost) (109.87%) and pMC (PBS) (0%) as the respective ratio in the determined period, the CO2 (respiration) was calculated from only one reaction vessel. It was found that the biodegradabilities determined by the CO2 amount from PBS in the sample vessel were about 30% lower than those based on the ISO method. These differences between the ISO and AMS methods are caused by the fact that part of the carbons from PBS are changed into metabolites by the microorganisms in the compost, and not changed into CO2. PMID:20057944

  13. Model-based active control of a continuous structure subjected to moving loads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stancioiu, D.; Ouyang, H.

    2016-09-01

    Modelling of a structure is an important preliminary step of structural control. The main objectives of the modelling, which are almost always antagonistic are accuracy and simplicity of the model. The first part of this study focuses on the experimental and theoretical modelling of a structure subjected to the action of one or two decelerating moving carriages modelled as masses. The aim of this part is to obtain a simple but accurate model which will include not only the structure-moving load interaction but also the actuators dynamics. A small scale rig is designed to represent a four-span continuous metallic bridge structure with miniature guiding rails. A series of tests are run subjecting the structure to the action of one or two minicarriages with different loads that were launched along the structure at different initial speeds. The second part is dedicated to model based control design where a feedback controller is designed and tested against the validated model. The study shows that a positive position feedback is able to improve system dynamics but also shows some of the limitations of state- space methods for this type of system.

  14. Growth Control and Disease Mechanisms in Computational Embryogeny

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shapiro, Andrew A.; Yogev, Or; Antonsson, Erik K.

    2008-01-01

    This paper presents novel approach to applying growth control and diseases mechanisms in computational embryogeny. Our method, which mimics fundamental processes from biology, enables individuals to reach maturity in a controlled process through a stochastic environment. Three different mechanisms were implemented; disease mechanisms, gene suppression, and thermodynamic balancing. This approach was integrated as part of a structural evolutionary model. The model evolved continuum 3-D structures which support an external load. By using these mechanisms we were able to evolve individuals that reached a fixed size limit through the growth process. The growth process was an integral part of the complete development process. The size of the individuals was determined purely by the evolutionary process where different individuals matured to different sizes. Individuals which evolved with these characteristics have been found to be very robust for supporting a wide range of external loads.

  15. The development of daily monitoring tool in a service part manufacturing company

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marpaung, Seamus Tadeo; Rosyidi, Cucuk Nur

    2018-02-01

    Production lead time is one of the key measures to assess whether a production system is running well or not. A short lead time will lead to higher customer satisfaction and will be a solid proof that a system is well-organized. To shorten the production lead time, a good production planning and control are required. There are many obstacles which can occur at any time, for instance shortage of material and worker, or poor production scheduling. Service Parts Planning Department works with many parties from the beginning of service parts production until it is delivered to the customer. This research was conducted to find an appropriate production monitoring tool for Service Parts Planning Department, which is a control method that make problems appears to the surface and can be overcome quickly so that the production process can run normally. The tool development started with a field study to find out the production flow from start to finish, a literature review and a interview with some employees who will later use the production control tool, and the creation of a daily control that went through several modifications until finally meet the needs of the department. In this research, a production monitoring tool which is developed can be used to monitor the entire order status, the production lead time, and also serves as the records and reports for presentation.

  16. Voltage stability analysis in the new deregulated environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Tong

    Nowadays, a significant portion of the power industry is under deregulation. Under this new circumstance, network security analysis is more critical and more difficult. One of the most important issues in network security analysis is voltage stability analysis. Due to the expected higher utilization of equipment induced by competition in a power market that covers bigger power systems, this issue is increasingly acute after deregulation. In this dissertation, some selected topics of voltage stability analysis are covered. In the first part, after a brief review of general concepts of continuation power flow (CPF), investigations on various matrix analysis techniques to improve the speed of CPF calculation for large systems are reported. Based on these improvements, a new CPF algorithm is proposed. This new method is then tested by an inter-area transaction in a large inter-connected power system. In the second part, the Arnoldi algorithm, the best method to find a few minimum singular values for a large sparse matrix, is introduced into the modal analysis for the first time. This new modal analysis is applied to the estimation of the point of voltage collapse and contingency evaluation in voltage security assessment. Simulations show that the new method is very efficient. In the third part, after transient voltage stability component models are investigated systematically, a novel system model for transient voltage stability analysis, which is a logical-algebraic-differential-difference equation (LADDE), is offered. As an example, TCSC (Thyristor controlled series capacitors) is addressed as a transient voltage stabilizing controller. After a TCSC transient voltage stability model is outlined, a new TCSC controller is proposed to enhance both fault related and load increasing related transient voltage stability. Its ability is proven by the simulation.

  17. Parts Quality Management: Direct Part Marking via Data Matrix Symbols for Mission Assurance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moss, Chantrice

    2013-01-01

    A United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of twelve NASA programs found widespread parts quality problems contributing to significant cost overruns, schedule delays, and reduced system reliability. Direct part-marking with Data Matrix symbols could significantly improve the quality of inventory control and parts lifecycle management. This paper examines the feasibility of using 15 marking technologies for use in future NASA programs. A structural analysis is based on marked material type, operational environment (e.g., ground, suborbital, orbital), durability of marks, ease of operation, reliability, and affordability. A cost-benefits analysis considers marking technology (data plates, label printing, direct part marking) and marking types (two-dimensional machine-readable, human-readable). Previous NASA parts marking efforts and historical cost data are accounted for, including in-house vs. outsourced marking. Some marking methods are still under development. While this paper focuses on NASA programs, results may be applicable to a variety of industrial environments.

  18. Global stabilisation of a class of generalised cascaded systems by homogeneous method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ding, Shihong; Zheng, Wei Xing

    2016-04-01

    This paper considers the problem of global stabilisation of a class of generalised cascaded systems. By using the extended adding a power integrator technique, a global controller is first constructed for the driving subsystem. Then based on the homogeneous properties and polynomial assumption, it is shown that the stabilisation of the driving subsystem implies the stabilisation of the overall cascaded system. Meanwhile, by properly choosing some control parameters, the global finite-time stability of the closed-loop cascaded system is also established. The proposed control method has several new features. First, the nonlinear cascaded systems considered in the paper are more general than the conventional ones, since the powers in the nominal part of the driving subsystem are not required to be restricted to ratios of positive odd numbers. Second, the proposed method has some flexible parameters which provide the possibility for designing continuously differentiable controllers for cascaded systems, while the existing designed controllers for such kind of cascaded systems are only continuous. Third, the homogenous and polynomial conditions adopted for the driven subsystem are easier to verify when compared with the matching conditions that are widely used previously. Furthermore, the efficiency of the proposed control method is validated by its application to finite-time tracking control of non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot.

  19. Optimal control of build height utilizing optical profilometry in cold spray deposits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chakraborty, Abhijit; Shishkin, Sergey; Birnkrant, Michael J.

    2017-04-01

    Part-to-part variability and poor part quality due to failure to maintain geometric specifications pose a challenge for adopting Additive Manufacturing (AM) as a viable manufacturing process. In recent years, In-process Monitoring and Control (InPMC) has received a lot of attention as an approach to overcome these obstacles. The ability to sense geometry of the deposited layers accurately enables effective process monitoring and control of AM application. This paper demonstrates an application of geometry sensing technique for the coating deposition Cold Spray process, where solid powders are accelerated through a nozzle, collides with the substrate and adheres to it. Often the deposited surface has shape irregularities. This paper proposes an approach to suppress the iregularities by controlling the deposition height. An analytical control-oriented model is developed that expresses the resulting height of deposit as an integral function of nozzle velocity and angle. In order to obtain height information at each layer, a Micro-Epsilon laser line scanner was used for surface profiling after each deposition. This surface profile information, specifically the layer height, was then fed back to an optimal control algorithm which manipulated the nozzle speed to control the layer height to a pre specified height. While the problem is heavily nonlinear, we were able to transform it into equivalent Optimal Control problem linear w.r.t. input. That enabled development of two solution methods: one is fast and approximate, while another is more accurate but still efficient.

  20. Time frequency analysis of olfactory induced EEG-power change.

    PubMed

    Schriever, Valentin Alexander; Han, Pengfei; Weise, Stefanie; Hösel, Franziska; Pellegrino, Robert; Hummel, Thomas

    2017-01-01

    The objective of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of time-frequency analysis (TFA) of olfactory-induced EEG change with a low-cost, portable olfactometer in the clinical investigation of smell function. A total of 78 volunteers participated. The study was composed of three parts where olfactory stimuli were presented using a custom-built olfactometer. Part I was designed to optimize the stimulus as well as the recording conditions. In part II EEG-power changes after olfactory/trigeminal stimulation were compared between healthy participants and patients with olfactory impairment. In Part III the test-retest reliability of the method was evaluated in healthy subjects. Part I indicated that the most effective paradigm for stimulus presentation was cued stimulus, with an interstimulus interval of 18-20s at a stimulus duration of 1000ms with each stimulus quality presented 60 times in blocks of 20 stimuli each. In Part II we found that central processing of olfactory stimuli analyzed by TFA differed significantly between healthy controls and patients even when controlling for age. It was possible to reliably distinguish patients with olfactory impairment from healthy individuals at a high degree of accuracy (healthy controls vs anosmic patients: sensitivity 75%; specificity 89%). In addition we could show a good test-retest reliability of TFA of chemosensory induced EEG-power changes in Part III. Central processing of olfactory stimuli analyzed by TFA reliably distinguishes patients with olfactory impairment from healthy individuals at a high degree of accuracy. Importantly this can be achieved with a simple olfactometer.

  1. Determination of Efficacy of Reflexology in Managing Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

    PubMed Central

    Dalal, Krishna; Maran, V. Bharathi; Pandey, Ravindra M.; Tripathi, Manjari

    2014-01-01

    Background. The restricted usage of existing pharmacological methods which do not seem to provide the treatment of diabetic neuropathy may lead to exploring the efficacy of a complementary therapy. In this context, this paper was devoted to evaluate the efficacy of foot reflexology. This health science works on the hypothesis that the dysfunctional states of body parts could be identified by observing certain skin features and be rectified by stimulating certain specific areas mapped on feet. Method. Subjects (N = 58) with diagnosed diabetic neuropathy were randomly distributed into reflexology and control groups in which both group patients were treated with ongoing pharmacological drugs. Reflexology group patients were additionally treated holistically with the hypothesis that this therapy would bring homeostasis among body organ functions. This was a caregiver-based study with a follow-up period of 6 months. The outcome measures were pain reduction, glycemic control, nerve conductivity, and thermal and vibration sensitivities. The skin features leading to the detection of the abnormal functional states of body parts were also recorded and analyzed. Results. Reflexology group showed more improvements in all outcome measures than those of control subjects with statistical significance. Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy. PMID:24527055

  2. Condyle-fossa modifications and muscle interactions during herbst treatment, part 1. New technological methods.

    PubMed

    Voudouris, John C; Woodside, Donald G; Altuna, Gurkan; Kuftinec, Mladen M; Angelopoulos, Gerassimos; Bourque, Paul J

    2003-06-01

    Changes in the condyle, the glenoid fossa, and the muscles of mastication were investigated in subjects undergoing continuous orthopedic advancement of the mandible with a Herbst-block appliance. The total sample consisted of 56 subjects and included 15 nonhuman primates (in the middle mixed, early permanent, and permanent dentitions), 17 human Herbst patients in the early permanent dentition, and 24 human controls from the Burlington Growth Center. The 8 nonhuman primates in the middle mixed dentition were the focus of this study. Mandibular advancement was obtained progressively in 5 animals by adding stops to the telescopic arms of fixed functional Herbst appliances with occlusal coverage; activations of 5.0 mm, 7.0 mm, and 8.0 mm were achieved. Two primates served as controls, and the third was a sham control. Two experimental animals and the 2 controls also wore surgically implanted electromyographic electrodes in the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscles and in the superficial masseter and anterior digastric muscles. Changes in condylar growth direction and amount were assessed with the Björk method from measurements made on serial cephalometric tracings superimposed on metallic implants. Undecalcified sections, treated with intravenous tetracycline vital staining, were viewed with fluorescence microscopy to examine histologic changes in the condyle and the glenoid fossa. New bone formation in the fossa associated with continuous mandibular protrusion was quantified by using computerized histomorphometric analysis of decalcified histological sections and polarized light. The unique combination of permanently implanted electromyographic electrodes, tetracycline vital staining, and histomorphometry represents a significant technological advancement in methods and materials. Together, they demonstrated different muscle-bone interaction results for functional appliances than those reported in previous studies. In Part 1 of this study, we describe and discuss the techniques used in this research and give a brief overview of the findings; in Part 2 (to be published next month), we offer a more in-depth discussion of the results and the implications of our findings.

  3. Nonlinear flight control design using backstepping methodology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tran, Thanh Trung

    The subject of nonlinear flight control design using backstepping control methodology is investigated in the dissertation research presented here. Control design methods based on nonlinear models of the dynamic system provide higher utility and versatility because the design model more closely matches the physical system behavior. Obtaining requisite model fidelity is only half of the overall design process, however. Design of the nonlinear control loops can lessen the effects of nonlinearity, or even exploit nonlinearity, to achieve higher levels of closed-loop stability, performance, and robustness. The goal of the research is to improve control quality for a general class of strict-feedback dynamic systems and provide flight control architectures to augment the aircraft motion. The research is divided into two parts: theoretical control development for the strict-feedback form of nonlinear dynamic systems and application of the proposed theory for nonlinear flight dynamics. In the first part, the research is built on two components: transforming the nonlinear dynamic model to a canonical strict-feedback form and then applying backstepping control theory to the canonical model. The research considers a process to determine when this transformation is possible, and when it is possible, a systematic process to transfer the model is also considered when practical. When this is not the case, certain modeling assumptions are explored to facilitate the transformation. After achieving the canonical form, a systematic design procedure for formulating a backstepping control law is explored in the research. Starting with the simplest subsystem and ending with the full system, pseudo control concepts based on Lyapunov control functions are used to control each successive subsystem. Typically each pseudo control must be solved from a nonlinear algebraic equation. At the end of this process, the physical control input must be re-expressed in terms of the physical states by eliminating the pseudo control transformations. In the second part, the research focuses on nonlinear control design for flight dynamics of aircraft motion. Some assumptions on aerodynamics of the aircraft are addressed to transform full nonlinear flight dynamics into the canonical strict-feedback form. The assumptions are also analyzed, validated, and compared to show the advantages and disadvantages of the design models. With the achieved models, investigation focuses on formulating the backstepping control laws and provides an advanced control algorithm for nonlinear flight dynamics of the aircraft. Experimental and simulation studies are successfully implemented to validate the proposed control method. Advancement of nonlinear backstepping control theory and its application to nonlinear flight control are achieved in the dissertation research.

  4. Finding False Paths in Sequential Circuits

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matrosova, A. Yu.; Andreeva, V. V.; Chernyshov, S. V.; Rozhkova, S. V.; Kudin, D. V.

    2018-02-01

    Method of finding false paths in sequential circuits is developed. In contrast with heuristic approaches currently used abroad, the precise method based on applying operations on Reduced Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams (ROBDDs) extracted from the combinational part of a sequential controlling logic circuit is suggested. The method allows finding false paths when transfer sequence length is not more than the given value and obviates the necessity of investigation of combinational circuit equivalents of the given lengths. The possibilities of using of the developed method for more complicated circuits are discussed.

  5. 18 CFR 806.25 - Water conservation standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ..., as applicable, by all classes of users. (ii) Prepare and distribute literature to customers... meters or other suitable devices or utilize acceptable flow measuring methods for accurate determination of water use by various parts of the company operation. (3) Install flow control devices which match...

  6. 18 CFR 806.25 - Water conservation standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ..., as applicable, by all classes of users. (ii) Prepare and distribute literature to customers... meters or other suitable devices or utilize acceptable flow measuring methods for accurate determination of water use by various parts of the company operation. (3) Install flow control devices which match...

  7. 18 CFR 806.25 - Water conservation standards.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ..., as applicable, by all classes of users. (ii) Prepare and distribute literature to customers... meters or other suitable devices or utilize acceptable flow measuring methods for accurate determination of water use by various parts of the company operation. (3) Install flow control devices which match...

  8. Assessment of air velocity sensors for use in animal produciton facilities

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Ventilation is an integral part of thermal environment control in animal production facilities. Accurately measuring the air velocity distribution within these facilities is cumbersome using the traverse method and a distributed velocity measurement system would reduce the time necessary to perform ...

  9. PRE-QAPP AGREEMENT (PQA) AND ANALYTICAL METHOD CHECKLISTS (AMCS): TOOLS FOR PLANNING RESEARCH PROJECTS

    EPA Science Inventory

    The Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division (LRPCD) QA Manager strives to assist LRPCD researchers in developing functional planning documents for their research projects. As part of the planning process, several pieces of information are needed, including information re...

  10. Clean, Safe Water. For How Long?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zenke, Pam

    The document presents research and project-oriented activities at the secondary school level for studying Illinois' streams, water pollution, and methods for controlling pollution. Social, economic, and political issues are examined as part of the planning for pollution prevention. Following six teaching objectives, background information traces…

  11. Dynamically balanced fuel nozzle and method of operation

    DOEpatents

    Richards, George A.; Janus, Michael C.; Robey, Edward H.

    2000-01-01

    An apparatus and method of operation designed to reduce undesirably high pressure oscillations in lean premix combustion systems burning hydrocarbon fuels are provided. Natural combustion and nozzle acoustics are employed to generate multiple fuel pockets which, when burned in the combustor, counteract the oscillations caused by variations in heat release in the combustor. A hybrid of active and passive control techniques, the apparatus and method eliminate combustion oscillations over a wide operating range, without the use of moving parts or electronics.

  12. 40 CFR Table E-1 to Subpart E of... - Summary of Test Requirements for Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    .... accuracy 3. Filter temp. control accuracy, sampling and non-sampling 1. 2 °C2. 2 °C 3. Not more than 5 °C... Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5 E Table E-1 to Subpart E of Part 53... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance...

  13. 40 CFR Table E-1 to Subpart E of... - Summary of Test Requirements for Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 and PM10-2.5

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    .... accuracy 3. Filter temp. control accuracy, sampling and non-sampling 1. 2 °C2. 2 °C 3. Not more than 5 °C... Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 E Table E-1 to Subpart E of Part 53... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance...

  14. 40 CFR Table E-1 to Subpart E of... - Summary of Test Requirements for Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 and PM10-2.5

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    .... accuracy 3. Filter temp. control accuracy, sampling and non-sampling 1. 2 °C2. 2 °C 3. Not more than 5 °C... Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 E Table E-1 to Subpart E of Part 53... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance...

  15. 40 CFR Table E-1 to Subpart E of... - Summary of Test Requirements for Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    .... accuracy 3. Filter temp. control accuracy, sampling and non-sampling 1. 2 °C2. 2 °C 3. Not more than 5 °C... Reference and Class I Equivalent Methods for PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5 E Table E-1 to Subpart E of Part 53... MONITORING REFERENCE AND EQUIVALENT METHODS Procedures for Testing Physical (Design) and Performance...

  16. Microcomputer-based classification of environmental data in municipal areas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thiergärtner, H.

    1995-10-01

    Multivariate data-processing methods used in mineral resource identification can be used to classify urban regions. Using elements of expert systems, geographical information systems, as well as known classification and prognosis systems, it is possible to outline a single model that consists of resistant and of temporary parts of a knowledge base including graphical input and output treatment and of resistant and temporary elements of a bank of methods and algorithms. Whereas decision rules created by experts will be stored in expert systems directly, powerful classification rules in form of resistant but latent (implicit) decision algorithms may be implemented in the suggested model. The latent functions will be transformed into temporary explicit decision rules by learning processes depending on the actual task(s), parameter set(s), pixels selection(s), and expert control(s). This takes place both at supervised and nonsupervised classification of multivariately described pixel sets representing municipal subareas. The model is outlined briefly and illustrated by results obtained in a target area covering a part of the city of Berlin (Germany).

  17. Safety and quality of food contact materials. Part 1: evaluation of analytical strategies to introduce migration testing into good manufacturing practice.

    PubMed

    Feigenbaum, A; Scholler, D; Bouquant, J; Brigot, G; Ferrier, D; Franzl, R; Lillemarktt, L; Riquet, A M; Petersen, J H; van Lierop, B; Yagoubi, N

    2002-02-01

    The results of a research project (EU AIR Research Programme CT94-1025) aimed to introduce control of migration into good manufacturing practice and into enforcement work are reported. Representative polymer classes were defined on the basis of chemical structure, technological function, migration behaviour and market share. These classes were characterized by analytical methods. Analytical techniques were investigated for identification of potential migrants. High-temperature gas chromatography was shown to be a powerful method and 1H-magnetic resonance provided a convenient fingerprint of plastic materials. Volatile compounds were characterized by headspace techniques, where it was shown to be essential to differentiate volatile compounds desorbed from those generated during the thermal desorption itself. For metal trace analysis, microwave mineralization followed by atomic absorption was employed. These different techniques were introduced into a systematic testing scheme that is envisaged as being suitable both for industrial control and for enforcement laboratories. Guidelines will be proposed in the second part of this paper.

  18. Alternatives for jet engine control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sain, M. K.

    1979-01-01

    The research is classified in two categories: (1) the use of modern multivariable frequency domain methods for control of engine models in the neighborhood of a set-point, and (2) the use of nonlinear modelling and optimization techniques for control of engine models over a more extensive part of the flight envelope. Progress in the first category included the extension of CARDIAD (Complex Acceptability Region for Diagonal Dominance) methods developed with the help of the grant to the case of engine models with four inputs and four outputs. A suitable bounding procedure for the dominance function was determined. Progress in the second category had its principal focus on automatic nonlinear model generation. Simulations of models produced satisfactory results where compared with the NASA DYNGEN digital engine deck.

  19. Genetic Adaptive Control for PZT Actuators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kim, Jeongwook; Stover, Shelley K.; Madisetti, Vijay K.

    1995-01-01

    A piezoelectric transducer (PZT) is capable of providing linear motion if controlled correctly and could provide a replacement for traditional heavy and large servo systems using motors. This paper focuses on a genetic model reference adaptive control technique (GMRAC) for a PZT which is moving a mirror where the goal is to keep the mirror velocity constant. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are an integral part of the GMRAC technique acting as the search engine for an optimal PID controller. Two methods are suggested to control the actuator in this research. The first one is to change the PID parameters and the other is to add an additional reference input in the system. The simulation results of these two methods are compared. Simulated Annealing (SA) is also used to solve the problem. Simulation results of GAs and SA are compared after simulation. GAs show the best result according to the simulation results. The entire model is designed using the Mathworks' Simulink tool.

  20. Quality status display for a vibration welding process

    DOEpatents

    Spicer, John Patrick; Abell, Jeffrey A.; Wincek, Michael Anthony; Chakraborty, Debejyo; Bracey, Jennifer; Wang, Hui; Tavora, Peter W.; Davis, Jeffrey S.; Hutchinson, Daniel C.; Reardon, Ronald L.; Utz, Shawn

    2017-03-28

    A system includes a host machine and a status projector. The host machine is in electrical communication with a collection of sensors and with a welding controller that generates control signals for controlling the welding horn. The host machine is configured to execute a method to thereby process the sensory and control signals, as well as predict a quality status of a weld that is formed using the welding horn, including identifying any suspect welds. The host machine then activates the status projector to illuminate the suspect welds. This may occur directly on the welds using a laser projector, or on a surface of the work piece in proximity to the welds. The system and method may be used in the ultrasonic welding of battery tabs of a multi-cell battery pack in a particular embodiment. The welding horn and welding controller may also be part of the system.

  1. Multi-mode ultrasonic welding control and optimization

    DOEpatents

    Tang, Jason C.H.; Cai, Wayne W

    2013-05-28

    A system and method for providing multi-mode control of an ultrasonic welding system. In one embodiment, the control modes include the energy of the weld, the time of the welding process and the compression displacement of the parts being welded during the welding process. The method includes providing thresholds for each of the modes, and terminating the welding process after the threshold for each mode has been reached, the threshold for more than one mode has been reached or the threshold for one of the modes has been reached. The welding control can be either open-loop or closed-loop, where the open-loop process provides the mode thresholds and once one or more of those thresholds is reached the welding process is terminated. The closed-loop control provides feedback of the weld energy and/or the compression displacement so that the weld power and/or weld pressure can be increased or decreased accordingly.

  2. A suitable country: the relationship between Sweden's interwar population policy and family planning in postindependence India.

    PubMed

    Berg, Annika

    2010-09-01

    This article delineates a strong continuity, particularly in terms of personnel, between interwar domestic population policies and Sweden's postwar participation in international and transnational population-control programs. It argues that Swedish engagement in population control and family planning in the emerging Third World, and particularly in South Asia, was motivated by the conviction that poverty and underdevelopment must be attacked on several fronts simultaneously, with population control being one of the most important. In its first bilateral aid programs Sweden would prioritize the promotion of birth control primarily because it was still too controversial to be promoted multilaterally, not least for religious reasons; and because Swedish experts were regarded as especially liberal, rational, and secularized. Sterilization expertise played no decisive part in this continuity. When first establishing themselves in South Asia, Swedish experts would recommend the rhythm method and other contraceptive methods that depended on self-control.

  3. System of end-to-end symmetric database encryption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Galushka, V. V.; Aydinyan, A. R.; Tsvetkova, O. L.; Fathi, V. A.; Fathi, D. V.

    2018-05-01

    The article is devoted to the actual problem of protecting databases from information leakage, which is performed while bypassing access control mechanisms. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use end-to-end data encryption, implemented at the end nodes of an interaction of the information system components using one of the symmetric cryptographic algorithms. For this purpose, a key management method designed for use in a multi-user system based on the distributed key representation model, part of which is stored in the database, and the other part is obtained by converting the user's password, has been developed and described. In this case, the key is calculated immediately before the cryptographic transformations and is not stored in the memory after the completion of these transformations. Algorithms for registering and authorizing a user, as well as changing his password, have been described, and the methods for calculating parts of a key when performing these operations have been provided.

  4. Diagnostic emulation: Implementation and user's guide

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Becher, Bernice

    1987-01-01

    The Diagnostic Emulation Technique was developed within the System Validation Methods Branch as a part of the development of methods for the analysis of the reliability of highly reliable, fault tolerant digital avionics systems. This is a general technique which allows for the emulation of a digital hardware system. The technique is general in the sense that it is completely independent of the particular target hardware which is being emulated. Parts of the system are described and emulated at the logic or gate level, while other parts of the system are described and emulated at the functional level. This algorithm allows for the insertion of faults into the system, and for the observation of the response of the system to these faults. This allows for controlled and accelerated testing of system reaction to hardware failures in the target machine. This document describes in detail how the algorithm was implemented at NASA Langley Research Center and gives instructions for using the system.

  5. Method for the controlled liberation of fusion nuclear energy (in French)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    None

    1972-08-18

    L'invention concerne des reactions thermonucleaires. Elle se rapporte a un procede de fusion dans lequel de l'energie laser est concentree sur de minuscules spheres de combustible forme de deuterium et de tritium, de maniere a creer d'une part un plasma superficiel assurant un transfert efficace d'energie et d'autre part des ondes de choc convergeant au centre et assurant la fusion nucleaire de la matiere centrale. Ceci est applicable a la production d'energie thermique par fusion nucleaire. (FR)

  6. FAA Helicopter/Heliport Research, Engineering, and Development Bibiliography, 1964-1986.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-11-01

    Systems Control Technology) FAA/RD-82/16 FAA/PM-85/8 BURNHAM, DAVID C. (Transportation System Center) FAA-RD-78-143 21 CHAMBEKS, HAiR (Y W. (FAA Tecnnical...prediction methods for drive engines, gearboxes, jets with and without bypass flow, as well as noise reduction and performance losses for partly sonic inlets...engines, single stream and coaxial Jets, and gearboxes are also included, as well as noise reduction and performance loss *s of partly sonic inlet& and

  7. Autonomous Decentralized Voltage Profile Control of Super Distributed Energy System using Multi-agent Technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsuji, Takao; Hara, Ryoichi; Oyama, Tsutomu; Yasuda, Keiichiro

    A super distributed energy system is a future energy system in which the large part of its demand is fed by a huge number of distributed generators. At one time some nodes in the super distributed energy system behave as load, however, at other times they behave as generator - the characteristic of each node depends on the customers' decision. In such situation, it is very difficult to regulate voltage profile over the system due to the complexity of power flows. This paper proposes a novel control method of distributed generators that can achieve the autonomous decentralized voltage profile regulation by using multi-agent technology. The proposed multi-agent system employs two types of agent; a control agent and a mobile agent. Control agents generate or consume reactive power to regulate the voltage profile of neighboring nodes and mobile agents transmit the information necessary for VQ-control among the control agents. The proposed control method is tested through numerical simulations.

  8. Development of Methodology and Technology for Identifying and Quantifying Emission Products from Open Burning and Open Detonation Thermal Treatment Methods. Field Test Series A, B, and C. Volume 2, Part B. Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Appendices

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-01-01

    the uncertainty. The above method can give an estimate of the precision of the * analysis. However, determining the accuracy can not be done as...speciation has been determined from analyzing model samples as well as comparison with other methods and combinations of other methods with this method . 3...laboratory. The output of the sensor is characterized over its working range and an appropriate response factor determined by linear regression of the

  9. Active flutter suppression using optical output feedback digital controllers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1982-01-01

    A method for synthesizing digital active flutter suppression controllers using the concept of optimal output feedback is presented. A convergent algorithm is employed to determine constrained control law parameters that minimize an infinite time discrete quadratic performance index. Low order compensator dynamics are included in the control law and the compensator parameters are computed along with the output feedback gain as part of the optimization process. An input noise adjustment procedure is used to improve the stability margins of the digital active flutter controller. Sample rate variation, prefilter pole variation, control structure variation and gain scheduling are discussed. A digital control law which accommodates computation delay can stabilize the wing with reasonable rms performance and adequate stability margins.

  10. Features of control systems analysis with discrete control devices using mathematical packages

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yakovleva, E. M.; Faerman, V. A.

    2017-02-01

    The article contains presentation of basic provisions of the theory of automatic pulse control systems as well as methods of analysis of such systems using the mathematical software widespread in the academic environment. The pulse systems under research are considered as analogues systems interacting among themselves, including sensors, amplifiers, controlled objects, and discrete parts. To describe such systems, one uses a mathematical apparatus of difference equations as well as discrete transfer functions. To obtain a transfer function of the open-loop system, being important from the point of view of the analysis of control systems, one uses mathematical packages Mathcad and Matlab. Despite identity of the obtained result, the way of its achievement from the point of view of user’s action is various for the specified means. In particular, Matlab uses a structural model of the control system while Mathcad allows only execution of a chain of operator transforms. It is worth noting that distinctions taking place allow considering transformation of signals during interaction of the linear and continuous parts of the control system from different sides. The latter can be used in an educational process for the best assimilation of the course of the control system theory by students.

  11. A manipulative instrument with simultaneous gesture and end-effector trajectory planning and controlling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Hsien-I.; Nguyen, Xuan-Anh

    2017-05-01

    To operate a redundant manipulator to accomplish the end-effector trajectory planning and simultaneously control its gesture in online programming, incorporating the human motion is a useful and flexible option. This paper focuses on a manipulative instrument that can simultaneously control its arm gesture and end-effector trajectory via human teleoperation. The instrument can be classified by two parts; first, for the human motion capture and data processing, marker systems are proposed to capture human gesture. Second, the manipulator kinematics control is implemented by an augmented multi-tasking method, and forward and backward reaching inverse kinematics, respectively. Especially, the local-solution and divergence problems of a multi-tasking method are resolved by the proposed augmented multi-tasking method. Computer simulations and experiments with a 7-DOF (degree of freedom) redundant manipulator were used to validate the proposed method. Comparison among the single-tasking, original multi-tasking, and augmented multi-tasking algorithms were performed and the result showed that the proposed augmented method had a good end-effector position accuracy and the most similar gesture to the human gesture. Additionally, the experimental results showed that the proposed instrument was realized online.

  12. Coupled parametric design of flow control and duct shape

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Florea, Razvan (Inventor); Bertuccioli, Luca (Inventor)

    2009-01-01

    A method for designing gas turbine engine components using a coupled parametric analysis of part geometry and flow control is disclosed. Included are the steps of parametrically defining the geometry of the duct wall shape, parametrically defining one or more flow control actuators in the duct wall, measuring a plurality of performance parameters or metrics (e.g., flow characteristics) of the duct and comparing the results of the measurement with desired or target parameters, and selecting the optimal duct geometry and flow control for at least a portion of the duct, the selection process including evaluating the plurality of performance metrics in a pareto analysis. The use of this method in the design of inter-turbine transition ducts, serpentine ducts, inlets, diffusers, and similar components provides a design which reduces pressure losses and flow profile distortions.

  13. The Effects of Different Electrode Types for Obtaining Surface Machining Shape on Shape Memory Alloy Using Electrochemical Machining

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, S. G.; Kim, S. H.; Choi, W. K.; Moon, G. C.; Lee, E. S.

    2017-06-01

    Shape memory alloy (SMA) is important material used for the medicine and aerospace industry due to its characteristics called the shape memory effect, which involves the recovery of deformed alloy to its original state through the application of temperature or stress. Consumers in modern society demand stability in parts. Electrochemical machining is one of the methods for obtained these stabilities in parts requirements. These parts of shape memory alloy require fine patterns in some applications. In order to machine a fine pattern, the electrochemical machining method is suitable. For precision electrochemical machining using different shape electrodes, the current density should be controlled precisely. And electrode shape is required for precise electrochemical machining. It is possible to obtain precise square holes on the SMA if the insulation layer controlled the unnecessary current between electrode and workpiece. If it is adjusting the unnecessary current to obtain the desired shape, it will be a great contribution to the medical industry and the aerospace industry. It is possible to process a desired shape to the shape memory alloy by micro controlling the unnecessary current. In case of the square electrode without insulation layer, it derives inexact square holes due to the unnecessary current. The results using the insulated electrode in only side show precise square holes. The removal rate improved in case of insulated electrode than others because insulation layer concentrate the applied current to the machining zone.

  14. Evaluation of the Inertial Response of Variable-Speed Wind Turbines Using Advanced Simulation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Scholbrock, Andrew K; Muljadi, Eduard; Gevorgian, Vahan

    In this paper, we focus on the temporary frequency support effect provided by wind turbine generators (WTGs) through the inertial response. With the implemented inertial control methods, the WTG is capable of increasing its active power output by releasing parts of the stored kinetic energy when the frequency excursion occurs. The active power can be boosted temporarily above the maximum power points, but the rotor speed deceleration follows and an active power output deficiency occurs during the restoration of rotor kinetic energy. We evaluate and compare the inertial response induced by two distinct inertial control methods using advanced simulation. Inmore » the first stage, the proposed inertial control methods are analyzed in offline simulation. Using an advanced wind turbine simulation program, FAST with TurbSim, the response of the researched wind turbine is comprehensively evaluated under turbulent wind conditions, and the impact on the turbine mechanical components are assessed. In the second stage, the inertial control is deployed on a real 600kW wind turbine - Controls Advanced Research Turbine, 3-bladed (CART3), which further verifies the inertial control through a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. Various inertial control methods can be effectively evaluated based on the proposed two-stage simulation platform, which combines the offline simulation and real-time HIL simulation. The simulation results also provide insights in designing inertial control for WTGs.« less

  15. [HPLC-fingerprint-based quality evaluation on a Tibetan medicine Phyllanthus emblica and its tannin parts].

    PubMed

    Sun, Xue-Fei; Zhang, Hong-Yan; Xia, Qing; Zhao, Hai-Juan; Wu, Ling-Fang; Zhang, Lan-Zhen; Shi, Ren-Bing

    2014-04-01

    This study is to establish the fingerprint for Phyllanthus emblica and their tannin parts from different habitats by HPLC for its quality control. The determination was carried out on a Diamonsil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column, with methanol-0.2% glacial acetic acid as mobile phase with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1). The temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C and the detected wavelength is 260 nm, Thirteen chromatographic peaks were extracted as the common peaks of the fingerprint of P. emblica, and eleven as the common peaks of P. emblica tannin parts, and five peaks were identified by comparing with referent samples. The fingerprints of 8 samples were compared and classified by similarity evaluation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). The similarity degrees of eight P. emblica were between 0.763 and 0.993, while tannin parts were between 0.903 and 0.991. All the samples of P. emblica and their tannin parts were classified into 3 categories. The method was so highly reproducible, simple and reliable that it could provide basis for quality control and evaluation of P. emblica from different habitats.

  16. Cleaning and Cleanliness Measurement of Additive Manufactured Parts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Welker, Roger W.; Mitchell, Mark A.

    2015-01-01

    The successful acquisition and utilization of piece parts and assemblies for contamination sensitive applications requires application of cleanliness acceptance criteria. Contamination can be classified using many different schemes. One common scheme is classification as organic, ionic and particulate contaminants. These may be present in and on the surface of solid components and assemblies or may be dispersed in various gaseous or liquid media. This discussion will focus on insoluble particle contamination on the surface of piece parts and assemblies. Cleanliness of parts can be controlled using two strategies, referred to as gross cleanliness and precision cleanliness. Under a gross cleanliness strategy acceptance is based on visual cleanliness. This approach introduces a number of concerns that render it unsuitable for controlling cleanliness of high technology products. Under the precision cleanliness strategy, subjective, visual assessment of cleanliness is replaced by objective measurement of cleanliness. When a precision cleanliness strategy is adopted there naturally arises the question: How clean is clean enough? The six commonly used methods for establishing objective cleanliness acceptance limits will be discussed. Special emphasis shall focus on the use of multiple extraction, a technique that has been demonstrated for additively manufactured parts.

  17. 76 FR 51005 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-17

    ... technology. Darrin A. King, Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Regulatory Information... Educational Agencies with Fewer Than 20,000 Total Residents. OMB Control Number: 1810-0620. Agency Form Number... educational agencies the flexibility to use an alternative method to distribute Title I, Part A funds to small...

  18. 75 FR 10296 - Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-05

    ... Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority Part C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and...-based methods and guidelines mandated by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program...

  19. NASA Workshop on Computational Structural Mechanics 1987, part 3

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sykes, Nancy P. (Editor)

    1989-01-01

    Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) topics are explored. Algorithms and software for nonlinear structural dynamics, concurrent algorithms for transient finite element analysis, computational methods and software systems for dynamics and control of large space structures, and the use of multi-grid for structural analysis are discussed.

  20. 34 CFR 429.20 - What must an application include?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... ADULT EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BILINGUAL VOCATIONAL MATERIALS, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES PROGRAM... part must— (a) Describe the qualifications of staff responsible for the project; and (b) Provide that... supervision of the applicant. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1830-0013...

  1. 34 CFR 429.20 - What must an application include?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... ADULT EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BILINGUAL VOCATIONAL MATERIALS, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES PROGRAM... part must— (a) Describe the qualifications of staff responsible for the project; and (b) Provide that... supervision of the applicant. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1830-0013...

  2. Linear quadratic regulators with eigenvalue placement in a horizontal strip

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shieh, Leang S.; Dib, Hani M.; Ganesan, Sekar

    1987-01-01

    A method for optimally shifting the imaginary parts of the open-loop poles of a multivariable control system to the desirable closed-loop locations is presented. The optimal solution with respect to a quadratic performance index is obtained by solving a linear matrix Liapunov equation.

  3. THE EMPACT BEACHES PROJECT - A STUDY OF THE PARAMETERS THAT AFFECT MICROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING

    EPA Science Inventory

    The current U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water sample collection method for recreational water was suggested by the Federal Water Pollution Control Agency in 1968 as part of the fecal coliform guideline. Although improvements have been made in the indicator bacter...

  4. General Methodology Combining Engineering Optimization of Primary HVAC and R Plants with Decision Analysis Methods--Part II: Uncertainty and Decision Analysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jiang, Wei; Reddy, T. A.; Gurian, Patrick

    2007-01-31

    A companion paper to Jiang and Reddy that presents a general and computationally efficient methodology for dyanmic scheduling and optimal control of complex primary HVAC&R plants using a deterministic engineering optimization approach.

  5. Slump Test: Effect of Contralateral Knee Extension on Response Sensations in Asymptomatic Subjects and Cadaver Study.

    PubMed

    Shacklock, Michael; Yee, Brian; Van Hoof, Tom; Foley, Russ; Boddie, Keith; Lacey, Erin; Poley, J Bryan; Rade, Marinko; Kankaanpää, Markku; Kröger, Heikki; Airaksinen, Olavi

    2016-02-01

    Part 1: A randomized, single-blind study on the effect of contralateral knee extension on sensations produced by the slump test (ST) in asymptomatic subjects. Part 2: A cadaver study simulating the nerve root behavior of part 1. Part 1: Test if contralateral knee extension consistently reduces normal stretch sensations with the ST.Part 2: Ascertain in cadavers an explanation for the results. In asymptomatic subjects, contralateral knee extension reduces stretch sensations with the ST. In sciatica patients, contralateral SLR also can temporarily reduce sciatica. We studied this methodically in asymptomatic subjects before considering a clinical population. Part 1: Sixty-one asymptomatic subjects were tested in control (ST), sham, or intervention (contralateral ST) groups and their sensation response intensity compared.Part 2: Caudal tension was applied to the L5 nerve root of 3 cadavers and tension behavior of the contralateral neural tissue recorded visually. Part 1: Reduction of stretch sensations occurred in the intervention group but not in control and sham groups (P ≤ 0.001).Part 2: Tension in the contralateral lumbar nerve roots and dura reduced in a manner consistent with the responses in the intervention (contralateral ST) group. Part 1: In asymptomatic subjects, normal thigh stretch sensations with the ST reduced consistently with the contralateral ST, showing that this is normal and may now be compared with patients with sciatica.Part 2: Contralateral reduction in lumbar neural tension with unilateral application of tension-producing movements also occurred in cadavers, supporting the proposed explanatory hypothesis.

  6. Stochastic model of the NASA/MSFC ground facility for large space structures with uncertain parameters: The maximum entropy approach, part 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hsia, Wei Shen

    1989-01-01

    A validated technology data base is being developed in the areas of control/structures interaction, deployment dynamics, and system performance for Large Space Structures (LSS). A Ground Facility (GF), in which the dynamics and control systems being considered for LSS applications can be verified, was designed and built. One of the important aspects of the GF is to verify the analytical model for the control system design. The procedure is to describe the control system mathematically as well as possible, then to perform tests on the control system, and finally to factor those results into the mathematical model. The reduction of the order of a higher order control plant was addressed. The computer program was improved for the maximum entropy principle adopted in Hyland's MEOP method. The program was tested against the testing problem. It resulted in a very close match. Two methods of model reduction were examined: Wilson's model reduction method and Hyland's optimal projection (OP) method. Design of a computer program for Hyland's OP method was attempted. Due to the difficulty encountered at the stage where a special matrix factorization technique is needed in order to obtain the required projection matrix, the program was successful up to the finding of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian solution but not beyond. Numerical results along with computer programs which employed ORACLS are presented.

  7. Method for controlling powertrain pumps

    DOEpatents

    Sime, Karl Andrew; Spohn, Brian L; Demirovic, Besim; Martini, Ryan D; Miller, Jean Marie

    2013-10-22

    A method of controlling a pump supplying a fluid to a transmission includes sensing a requested power and an excess power for a powertrain. The requested power substantially meets the needs of the powertrain, while the excess power is not part of the requested power. The method includes sensing a triggering condition in response to the ability to convert the excess power into heat in the transmission, and determining that an operating temperature of the transmission is below a maximum. The method also includes determining a calibrated baseline and a dissipation command for the pump. The calibrated baseline command is configured to supply the fluid based upon the requested power, and the dissipation command is configured to supply additional fluid and consume the excess power with the pump. The method operates the pump at a combined command, which is equal to the calibrated baseline command plus the dissipation command.

  8. On the Numerical Formulation of Parametric Linear Fractional Transformation (LFT) Uncertainty Models for Multivariate Matrix Polynomial Problems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Belcastro, Christine M.

    1998-01-01

    Robust control system analysis and design is based on an uncertainty description, called a linear fractional transformation (LFT), which separates the uncertain (or varying) part of the system from the nominal system. These models are also useful in the design of gain-scheduled control systems based on Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) methods. Low-order LFT models are difficult to form for problems involving nonlinear parameter variations. This paper presents a numerical computational method for constructing and LFT model for a given LPV model. The method is developed for multivariate polynomial problems, and uses simple matrix computations to obtain an exact low-order LFT representation of the given LPV system without the use of model reduction. Although the method is developed for multivariate polynomial problems, multivariate rational problems can also be solved using this method by reformulating the rational problem into a polynomial form.

  9. Casting fine grained, fully dense, strong inorganic materials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brown, Sam W.; Spencer, Larry S.; Phillips, Michael R.

    2015-11-24

    Methods and apparatuses for casting inorganic materials are provided. The inorganic materials include metals, metal alloys, metal hydrides and other materials. Thermal control zones may be established to control the propagation of a freeze front through the casting. Agitation from a mechanical blade or ultrasonic energy may be used to reduce porosity and shrinkage in the casting. After solidification of the casting, the casting apparatus may be used to anneal the cast part.

  10. Reduction of particle deposition on substrates using temperature gradient control

    DOEpatents

    Rader, Daniel J.; Dykhuizen, Ronald C.; Geller, Anthony S.

    2000-01-01

    A method of reducing particle deposition during the fabrication of microelectronic circuitry is presented. Reduction of particle deposition is accomplished by controlling the relative temperatures of various parts of the deposition system so that a large temperature gradient near the surface on which fabrication is taking place exists. This temperature gradient acts to repel particles from that surface, thereby producing cleaner surfaces, and thus obtaining higher yields from a given microelectronic fabrication process.

  11. Structural Ceramic Nanocomposites: A Review of Properties and Powders’ Synthesis Methods

    PubMed Central

    Palmero, Paola

    2015-01-01

    Ceramic nanocomposites are attracting growing interest, thanks to new processing methods enabling these materials to go from the research laboratory scale to the commercial level. Today, many different types of nanocomposite structures are proposed in the literature; however, to fully exploit their exceptional properties, a deep understanding of the materials’ behavior across length scales is necessary. In fact, knowing how the nanoscale structure influences the bulk properties enables the design of increasingly performing composite materials. A further key point is the ability of tailoring the desired nanostructured features in the sintered composites, a challenging issue requiring a careful control of all stages of manufacturing, from powder synthesis to sintering. This review is divided into four parts. In the first, classification and general issues of nanostructured ceramics are reported. The second provides basic structure–property relations, highlighting the grain-size dependence of the materials properties. The third describes the role of nanocrystalline second-phases on the mechanical properties of ordinary grain sized ceramics. Finally, the fourth part revises the mainly used synthesis routes to produce nanocomposite ceramic powders, underlining when possible the critical role of the synthesis method on the control of microstructure and properties of the sintered ceramics. PMID:28347029

  12. Parts quality management: Direct part marking of data matrix symbol for mission assurance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moss, Chantrice; Chakrabarti, Suman; Scott, David W.

    A United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of twelve NASA programs found widespread parts quality problems contributing to significant cost overruns, schedule delays, and reduced system reliability. Direct part marking with Data Matrix symbols could significantly improve the quality of inventory control and parts lifecycle management. This paper examines the feasibility of using direct part marking technologies for use in future NASA programs. A structural analysis is based on marked material type, operational environment (e.g., ground, suborbital, Low Earth Orbit), durability of marks, ease of operation, reliability, and affordability. A cost-benefits analysis considers marking technology (label printing, data plates, and direct part marking) and marking types (two-dimensional machine-readable, human-readable). Previous NASA parts marking efforts and historical cost data are accounted for, including in-house vs. outsourced marking. Some marking methods are still under development. While this paper focuses on NASA programs, results may be applicable to a variety of industrial environments.

  13. Parts Quality Management: Direct Part Marking of Data Matrix Symbol for Mission Assurance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moss, Chantrice; Chakrabarti, Suman; Scott, David W.

    2013-01-01

    A United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of twelve NASA programs found widespread parts quality problems contributing to significant cost overruns, schedule delays, and reduced system reliability. Direct part marking with Data Matrix symbols could significantly improve the quality of inventory control and parts lifecycle management. This paper examines the feasibility of using direct part marking technologies for use in future NASA programs. A structural analysis is based on marked material type, operational environment (e.g., ground, suborbital, Low Earth Orbit), durability of marks, ease of operation, reliability, and affordability. A cost-benefits analysis considers marking technology (label printing, data plates, and direct part marking) and marking types (two-dimensional machine-readable, human-readable). Previous NASA parts marking efforts and historical cost data are accounted for, including inhouse vs. outsourced marking. Some marking methods are still under development. While this paper focuses on NASA programs, results may be applicable to a variety of industrial environments.

  14. A New Method to Directly Observe Tuberculosis Treatment: Skype Observed Therapy, a Patient-Centered Approach.

    PubMed

    Buchman, Tavora; Cabello, Celina

    Tuberculosis (TB) treatment completion is in part determined by patient's adherence to long-term drug regimens. To best ensure compliance, directly observed therapy (DOT) is considered the standard of practice. Nassau County Department of Health TB Control is responsible for providing DOT to patients with TB. Tuberculosis Control sought to use and evaluate Skype Observed Therapy (SOT) as an alternative to DOT for eligible patients. The evaluation included analysis of patient's acceptance and adherence to drug regimen using SOT. Tuberculosis Control assessed staff efficiency and cost savings for this program. Percentages of SOT of patients and successful SOT visits, mileage, and travel time savings. Twenty percent of the caseload used SOT and 100% of patients who were eligible opted in. Average SOT success was 79%. Total mileage savings and time saved were $9,929.07 and 614 hours. Because SOT saves cost and time and is a suitable alternative to DOT for patients, it should be considered as part of new policies and practices in TB control programs.

  15. Assessment of processes controlling the regional distribution of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater of the Pampeano Aquifer in the Del Azul Creek basin (Argentina)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zabala, M. E.; Manzano, M.; Vives, L.

    2016-10-01

    Groundwater in the upper 50 m of the Pampeano Aquifer in the Del Azul Creek basin (Argentina) has F and As contents above the WHO safe drinking levels. This basin is situated to the SE of the Chaco-Pampean plain, in Buenos Aires Province. The Pampeano Aquifer is a major water source for all uses. The aim of the study is to assess the primary processes controlling the regional distribution of F and As in the most exploited part of the aquifer. The study involved sampling for chemical and isotopic analyses, interpretation of data with different methods (diagrams, bivariate analyses, mineral saturation states, Principal Component Analysis) and deduction of leading processes. Information about aquifer mineralogy and hydrogeochemical processes involved in F and As solubilization in the aquifer has been taken from previous works of the same and other authors. Groundwater salinity increases to the NE, in the direction of the regional groundwater flow. Chemical types evolve from Ca/Mg-HCO3 in the upper part of the basin, to Na-HCO3 in the middle part and to Na-ClSO4 and Na-Cl in the lower part. The regional distribution of F is controlled by hydrogeochemical processes. The distribution of As is controlled by two types of processes dominating in different areas: hydrogeochemical controls prevail in the low to moderately mineralized groundwater of the middle and lower parts of the basin; hydrogeological controls lead to the NE of the lower basin and beyond it. In the last zone there are abundant lagoons and seasonal flooding is frequent, making evapoconcentration an important process for groundwater mineralization. The main hydrogeochemical processes involved in both F and As distribution are cation exchange, with Na release and Ca uptake, carbonate dissolution and pH increase. Arsenic release induced by redox processes may play to the NE, but its results would be masked by the effect of evaporation.

  16. Self-organizing sensing and actuation for automatic control

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cheng, George Shu-Xing

    A Self-Organizing Process Control Architecture is introduced with a Sensing Layer, Control Layer, Actuation Layer, Process Layer, as well as Self-Organizing Sensors (SOS) and Self-Organizing Actuators (SOA). A Self-Organizing Sensor for a process variable with one or multiple input variables is disclosed. An artificial neural network (ANN) based dynamic modeling mechanism as part of the Self-Organizing Sensor is described. As a case example, a Self-Organizing Soft-Sensor for CFB Boiler Bed Height is presented. Also provided is a method to develop a Self-Organizing Sensor.

  17. Effect of a newly developed charging chamber for the treatment of hypotension during hemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Ikegami, Tadayoshi; Fujii, Zenzo; Minami, Masae; Matsumoto, Machiko; Matsuzaki, Masunori

    2006-01-01

    We developed a new method of hemodialysis using a charging chamber for treatment of hemodialysis patients with hypotension occurring during the latter half of hemodialysis (collapse). The purpose of this method was to recover systolic blood pressure (BP) by returning a part of blood within the chamber into the body circulation when hemodialysis collapse occurred. Using this method, systolic BP recovery (DeltaBP) in ten hemodialysis patients (4 males, 6 females, mean age 66.0 years old) was compared to a control group treated with intravenous administration of 20 ml of 10% NaCl. When hemodialysis collapse occurred, 60 ml of blood within the chamber in this method and 20 ml of 10% NaCl intravenously in the control group were administered and systolic BP was measured 20 minutes later. The results showed that DeltaBP using this method was 26.0 mm Hg (ANOVA: p = 0.0072), while in the control group it was 30.2 mm Hg (ANOVA: p = 0.0003), and there was no significant difference between the systolic BP recovery of both groups (paired t test: p = 0.4196).

  18. Internal null controllability of a linear Schrödinger-KdV system on a bounded interval

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Araruna, Fágner D.; Cerpa, Eduardo; Mercado, Alberto; Santos, Maurício C.

    2016-01-01

    The control of a linear dispersive system coupling a Schrödinger and a linear Korteweg-de Vries equation is studied in this paper. The system can be viewed as three coupled real-valued equations by taking real and imaginary parts in the Schrödinger equation. The internal null controllability is proven by using either one complex-valued control on the Schrödinger equation or two real-valued controls, one on each equation. Notice that the single Schrödinger equation is not known to be controllable with a real-valued control. The standard duality method is used to reduce the controllability property to an observability inequality, which is obtained by means of a Carleman estimates approach.

  19. Thermographic Microstructure Monitoring in Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing.

    PubMed

    Raplee, J; Plotkowski, A; Kirka, M M; Dinwiddie, R; Okello, A; Dehoff, R R; Babu, S S

    2017-03-03

    To reduce the uncertainty of build performance in metal additive manufacturing, robust process monitoring systems that can detect imperfections and improve repeatability are desired. One of the most promising methods for in situ monitoring is thermographic imaging. However, there is a challenge in using this technology due to the difference in surface emittance between the metal powder and solidified part being observed that affects the accuracy of the temperature data collected. The purpose of the present study was to develop a method for properly calibrating temperature profiles from thermographic data to account for this emittance change and to determine important characteristics of the build through additional processing. The thermographic data was analyzed to identify the transition of material from metal powder to a solid as-printed part. A corrected temperature profile was then assembled for each point using calibrations for these surface conditions. Using this data, the thermal gradient and solid-liquid interface velocity were approximated and correlated to experimentally observed microstructural variation within the part. This work shows that by using a method of process monitoring, repeatability of a build could be monitored specifically in relation to microstructure control.

  20. Thermographic Microstructure Monitoring in Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing

    DOE PAGES

    Raplee, Jake B.; Plotkowski, Alex J.; Kirka, Michael M.; ...

    2017-03-03

    To reduce the uncertainty of build performance in metal additive manufacturing, robust process monitoring systems that can detect imperfections and improve repeatability are desired. One of the most promising methods for in-situ monitoring is thermographic imaging. However, there is a challenge in using this technology due to the difference in surface emittance between the metal powder and solidified part being observed that affects the accuracy of the temperature data collected. This developed a method for properly calibrating temperature profiles from thermographic data and then determining important characteristics of the build through additional processing. The thermographic data was analyzed to determinemore » the transition of material from metal powder to a solid as-printed part. A corrected temperature profile was then assembled for each point using calibrations for these surface conditions. Using this data, we calculated the thermal gradient and solid-liquid interface velocity and correlated it to microstructural variation within the part experimentally. This work shows that by using a method of process monitoring, repeatability of a build could be monitored specifically in relation to microstructure control.« less

  1. Extended active disturbance rejection controller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tian, Gang (Inventor); Gao, Zhiqiang (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.

  2. Extended Active Disturbance Rejection Controller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gao, Zhiqiang (Inventor); Tian, Gang (Inventor)

    2016-01-01

    Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.

  3. Extended Active Disturbance Rejection Controller

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tian, Gang (Inventor); Gao, Zhiqiang (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.

  4. Attitude control of the space construction base: A modular approach

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oconnor, D. A.

    1982-01-01

    A planar model of a space base and one module is considered. For this simplified system, a feedback controller which is compatible with the modular construction method is described. The systems dynamics are decomposed into two parts corresponding to base and module. The information structure of the problem is non-classical in that not all system information is supplied to each controller. The base controller is designed to accommodate structural changes that occur as the module is added and the module controller is designed to regulate its own states and follow commands from the base. Overall stability of the system is checked by Liapunov analysis and controller effectiveness is verified by computer simulation.

  5. 21 CFR 129.1 - Current good manufacturing practice.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Current good manufacturing practice. 129.1 Section... Current good manufacturing practice. The applicable criteria in part 110 of this chapter, as well as the..., methods, practices, and controls used in the processing, bottling, holding, and shipping of bottled...

  6. 30 CFR 250.302 - Definitions concerning air quality.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... and 250.304 of this part: Air pollutant means any combination of agents for which the Environmental... shown by monitored data or which is calculated by air quality modeling (or other methods determined by... standards established by EPA. Best available control technology (BACT) means an emission limitation based on...

  7. Genetic improvement through selective breeding: Part of an integrated strategy to reduce disease loss and Antibiotic use

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) is a frequent cause of elevated mortality in rainbow trout, and outbreaks often require the use of antibiotic treatment. Since antimicrobial resistance is of concern, additional control methods are desirable. Family-based selective breeding offers new opportuniti...

  8. Introducing Students to Psychological Research: General Psychology as a Laboratory Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thieman, Thomas J.; Clary, E. Gil; Olson, Andrea M.; Dauner, Rachel C.; Ring, Erin E.

    2009-01-01

    For 6 years, we have offered an integrated weekly laboratory focusing on research methods as part of our general psychology course. Through self-report measures and controlled comparisons, we found that laboratory projects significantly increase students' knowledge and comfort level with scientific approaches and concepts, sustain interest in…

  9. Susceptibility levels of Rhododendron species and hybrids to Phytophthora ramorum

    Treesearch

    Isabelle De Dobbelaere; Kurt Heungens; Martine Maes

    2006-01-01

    Until now there has been little scientific information available about the susceptibility of different Rhododendron species and cultivars to Phytophthora ramorum. However, growers could use this knowledge as part of their control strategy. In our susceptibility screening we first optimized different inoculation methods on stem and...

  10. 40 CFR 63.1433 - Wastewater provisions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions for Polyether Polyols Production § 63.1433 Wastewater provisions... operation of the treatment process or control technique, the owner or operator shall instead comply with the... calibration gas for Method 25A, 40 CFR part 60, appendix A shall be the single organic HAP representing the...

  11. Odor and odorous chemical emissions from animal buildings: part 1 - project overview, collection methods, and quality control

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Livestock facilities have historically generated public concerns due to their emissions of odorous air and various chemical pollutants. Odor emission factors and identification of principal odorous chemicals are needed to better understand the problem. Applications of odor emission factors include i...

  12. Functional and morphological analysis of putative chemoreception-related proteins in the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Ehrlichiosis, a potentially fatal infection, is caused by rickettsial bacteria transmitted by the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. We previously analyzed the chemosensory appendage proteome of A. americanum as part of a project to develop new chemosensory-based vector control methods. Among the...

  13. Mechanism of Rock Burst Occurrence in Specially Thick Coal Seam with Rock Parting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jian-chao; Jiang, Fu-xing; Meng, Xiang-jun; Wang, Xu-you; Zhu, Si-tao; Feng, Yu

    2016-05-01

    Specially thick coal seam with complex construction, such as rock parting and alternative soft and hard coal, is called specially thick coal seam with rock parting (STCSRP), which easily leads to rock burst during mining. Based on the stress distribution of rock parting zone, this study investigated the mechanism, engineering discriminant conditions, prevention methods, and risk evaluation method of rock burst occurrence in STCSRP through setting up a mechanical model. The main conclusions of this study are as follows. (1) When the mining face moves closer to the rock parting zone, the original non-uniform stress of the rock parting zone and the advancing stress of the mining face are combined to intensify gradually the shearing action of coal near the mining face. When the shearing action reaches a certain degree, rock burst easily occurs near the mining face. (2) Rock burst occurrence in STCSRP is positively associated with mining depth, advancing stress concentration factor of the mining face, thickness of rock parting, bursting liability of coal, thickness ratio of rock parting to coal seam, and difference of elastic modulus between rock parting and coal, whereas negatively associated with shear strength. (3) Technologies of large-diameter drilling, coal seam water injection, and deep hole blasting can reduce advancing stress concentration factor, thickness of rock parting, and difference of elastic modulus between rock parting and coal to lower the risk of rock burst in STCSRP. (4) The research result was applied to evaluate and control the risk of rock burst occurrence in STCSRP.

  14. Advances in nanoimprint lithography and applications in plasmonic-enhanced electron source

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Yixing

    The research work in this thesis comprises of two parts. The first part focuses on nanofabrication techniques for better control of nanostructures, such as line edge roughness control and critical structure dimensions, for improvement in large area lift-off of ultra-thin (sub-40 nm) and ultra-small (sub-20 nm) nanostructures, and for improvement in mold-substrate separation. The second part of this thesis studies one important application of nanoimprint lithography (NIL) in the field of plasmonic-enhanced electron source. In the first part, a post-fabrication method, termed Self-limited Self Perfection by Liquefaction (SP-SPEL), is studied. SP-SPEL has experimentally demonstrated to reduce the trench width with precise control down to 20 nm from original 90 nm width, - 450% reduction. In addition, SP-SPEL increases the trench width uniformity and reduces the low-frequency line edge roughness. Second, a tri-layer method is studied to offer large area, efficient lift-off of ultra-thin (sub-40 nm) and ultra-fine (sub-20 nm) nanostructures. Using this method, a nanoimprint mold is fabricated. Third, tribo-electronics in NIL has been studied. It has been shown that tribo-charge can not only skew the AFM measurement by over 400%, but also largely increase the mold-substrate separation force. To solve this problem, a new mold structure is firstly proposed by Professor Stephen Y Chou and has demonstrated to reduce the separation force by over 8 fold. In the second part, a plasmonic-enhanced nanostructured electron source is studied, for both semiconducting and metallic photoemissive materials. For the semiconducting photocathode, a vertical cavity structure, comprising a top sub-wavelength mesh, ultra-thin (~ 40 nm) semiconducting materials in the middle and metallic back-plane, has demonstrated a 30 fold enhancement in photoelectron emission over a planar thin film. In addition, for the metallic photocathode, a 3D nanocavity, termed "Disk coupled Dots-on-Pillar Antenna-array (D2PA)", has achieved 8 orders of magnitude more efficiently in emitting photoelectrons for Au and 3 orders of magnitude for CsAu compared with planar thin films respectively. The significant enhancement in photoelectron emission efficiency and brightness is ascribed to nanoplasmonic enhancement (large pumping light absorption and local electric field enhancement) provided by the plasmonic cavity structures.

  15. Systematic Product Development of Control and Diagnosis Functionalities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stetter, R.; Simundsson, A.

    2017-01-01

    In the scientific field of systematic product development a wide range of helpful methods, guidelines and tools were generated and published in recent years. Until now little special attention was given to design guidelines aiming at supporting product development engineers to design products that allow and support control or diagnosis functions. The general trend to ubiquitous computing and the first development steps towards cognitive systems as well as a general trend toward higher product safety, reliability and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) in many engineering fields lead to a higher importance of control and diagnosis. In this paper a first attempt is made to formulate general valid guidelines how products can be developed in order to allow and to achieve effective and efficient control and diagnosis. The guidelines are elucidated on the example of an automated guided vehicle. One main concern of this paper is the integration of control and diagnosis functionalities into the development of complete systems which include mechanical, electrical and electronic subsystems. For the development of such systems the strategies, methods and tools of systematic product development have attracted significant attention during the last decades. Today, the functionality and safety of most products is to a large degree dependent on control and diagnosis functionalities. Still, there is comparatively little research concentrating on the integration of the development of these functionalities into the overall product development processes. The paper starts with a background describing Systematic Product Development. The second section deals with the product development of the sample product. The third part clarifies the notions monitoring, control and diagnosis. The following parts summarize some insights and formulate first hypotheses concerning control and diagnosis in Systematic Product Development.

  16. Color coding of control room displays: the psychocartography of visual layering effects.

    PubMed

    Van Laar, Darren; Deshe, Ofer

    2007-06-01

    To evaluate which of three color coding methods (monochrome, maximally discriminable, and visual layering) used to code four types of control room display format (bars, tables, trend, mimic) was superior in two classes of task (search, compare). It has recently been shown that color coding of visual layers, as used in cartography, may be used to color code any type of information display, but this has yet to be fully evaluated. Twenty-four people took part in a 2 (task) x 3 (coding method) x 4 (format) wholly repeated measures design. The dependent variables assessed were target location reaction time, error rates, workload, and subjective feedback. Overall, the visual layers coding method produced significantly faster reaction times than did the maximally discriminable and the monochrome methods for both the search and compare tasks. No significant difference in errors was observed between conditions for either task type. Significantly less perceived workload was experienced with the visual layers coding method, which was also rated more highly than the other coding methods on a 14-item visual display quality questionnaire. The visual layers coding method is superior to other color coding methods for control room displays when the method supports the user's task. The visual layers color coding method has wide applicability to the design of all complex information displays utilizing color coding, from the most maplike (e.g., air traffic control) to the most abstract (e.g., abstracted ecological display).

  17. Analysis on vertical directional couplers with long range surface plasmons for multilayer optical routing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Alam, B., E-mail: badrul.alam@uniroma1.it; Veroli, A.; Benedetti, A.

    2016-08-28

    A structure featuring vertical directional coupling of long-range surface plasmon polaritons between strip waveguides at λ = 1.55 μm is investigated with the aim of producing efficient elements that enable optical multilayer routing for 3D photonics. We have introduced a practical computational method to calculate the interaction on the bent part. This method allows us both to assess the importance of the interaction in the bent part and to control it by a suitable choice of the fabrication parameters that helps also to restrain effects due to fabrication issues. The scheme adopted here allows to reduce the insertion losses compared with othermore » planar and multilayer devices.« less

  18. Learning styles: The learning methods of air traffic control students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jackson, Dontae L.

    In the world of aviation, air traffic controllers are an integral part in the overall level of safety that is provided. With a number of controllers reaching retirement age, the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) was created to provide a stronger candidate pool. However, AT-CTI Instructors have found that a number of AT-CTI students are unable to memorize types of aircraft effectively. This study focused on the basic learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic) of students and created a teaching method to try to increase memorization in AT-CTI students. The participants were asked to take a questionnaire to determine their learning style. Upon knowing their learning styles, participants attended two classroom sessions. The participants were given a presentation in the first class, and divided into a control and experimental group for the second class. The control group was given the same presentation from the first classroom session while the experimental group had a group discussion and utilized Middle Tennessee State University's Air Traffic Control simulator to learn the aircraft types. Participants took a quiz and filled out a survey, which tested the new teaching method. An appropriate statistical analysis was applied to determine if there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups. The results showed that even though the participants felt that the method increased their learning, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

  19. Optimisation of warpage on plastic injection moulding part using response surface methodology (RSM)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miza, A. T. N. A.; Shayfull, Z.; Nasir, S. M.; Fathullah, M.; Rashidi, M. M.

    2017-09-01

    The warpage is often encountered which occur during injection moulding process of thin shell part depending the process condition. The statistical design of experiment method which are Integrating Finite Element (FE) Analysis, moldflow analysis and response surface methodology (RSM) are the stage of few ways in minimize the warpage values of x,y and z on thin shell plastic parts that were investigated. A battery cover of a remote controller is one of the thin shell plastic part that produced by using injection moulding process. The optimum process condition parameter were determined as to achieve the minimum warpage from being occur. Packing pressure, Cooling time, Melt temperature and Mould temperature are 4 parameters that considered in this study. A two full factorial experimental design was conducted in Design Expert of RSM analysis as to combine all these parameters study. FE analysis result gain from analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was the one of the important process parameters influenced warpage. By using RSM, a predictive response surface model for warpage data will be shown.

  20. Development of an Inverse Algorithm for Resonance Inspection

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lai, Canhai; Xu, Wei; Sun, Xin

    2012-10-01

    Resonance inspection (RI), which employs the natural frequency spectra shift between the good and the anomalous part populations to detect defects, is a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique with many advantages such as low inspection cost, high testing speed, and broad applicability to structures with complex geometry compared to other contemporary NDE methods. It has already been widely used in the automobile industry for quality inspections of safety critical parts. Unlike some conventionally used NDE methods, the current RI technology is unable to provide details, i.e. location, dimension, or types, of the flaws for the discrepant parts. Such limitation severely hindersmore » its wide spread applications and further development. In this study, an inverse RI algorithm based on maximum correlation function is proposed to quantify the location and size of flaws for a discrepant part. A dog-bone shaped stainless steel sample with and without controlled flaws are used for algorithm development and validation. The results show that multiple flaws can be accurately pinpointed back using the algorithms developed, and the prediction accuracy decreases with increasing flaw numbers and decreasing distance between flaws.« less

  1. Analysis of explicit model predictive control for path-following control

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, explicit Model Predictive Control(MPC) is employed for automated lane-keeping systems. MPC has been regarded as the key to handle such constrained systems. However, the massive computational complexity of MPC, which employs online optimization, has been a major drawback that limits the range of its target application to relatively small and/or slow problems. Explicit MPC can reduce this computational burden using a multi-parametric quadratic programming technique(mp-QP). The control objective is to derive an optimal front steering wheel angle at each sampling time so that autonomous vehicles travel along desired paths, including straight, circular, and clothoid parts, at high entry speeds. In terms of the design of the proposed controller, a method of choosing weighting matrices in an optimization problem and the range of horizons for path-following control are described through simulations. For the verification of the proposed controller, simulation results obtained using other control methods such as MPC, Linear-Quadratic Regulator(LQR), and driver model are employed, and CarSim, which reflects the features of a vehicle more realistically than MATLAB/Simulink, is used for reliable demonstration. PMID:29534080

  2. Analysis of explicit model predictive control for path-following control.

    PubMed

    Lee, Junho; Chang, Hyuk-Jun

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, explicit Model Predictive Control(MPC) is employed for automated lane-keeping systems. MPC has been regarded as the key to handle such constrained systems. However, the massive computational complexity of MPC, which employs online optimization, has been a major drawback that limits the range of its target application to relatively small and/or slow problems. Explicit MPC can reduce this computational burden using a multi-parametric quadratic programming technique(mp-QP). The control objective is to derive an optimal front steering wheel angle at each sampling time so that autonomous vehicles travel along desired paths, including straight, circular, and clothoid parts, at high entry speeds. In terms of the design of the proposed controller, a method of choosing weighting matrices in an optimization problem and the range of horizons for path-following control are described through simulations. For the verification of the proposed controller, simulation results obtained using other control methods such as MPC, Linear-Quadratic Regulator(LQR), and driver model are employed, and CarSim, which reflects the features of a vehicle more realistically than MATLAB/Simulink, is used for reliable demonstration.

  3. EOS mapping accuracy study

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Forrest, R. B.; Eppes, T. A.; Ouellette, R. J.

    1973-01-01

    Studies were performed to evaluate various image positioning methods for possible use in the earth observatory satellite (EOS) program and other earth resource imaging satellite programs. The primary goal is the generation of geometrically corrected and registered images, positioned with respect to the earth's surface. The EOS sensors which were considered were the thematic mapper, the return beam vidicon camera, and the high resolution pointable imager. The image positioning methods evaluated consisted of various combinations of satellite data and ground control points. It was concluded that EOS attitude control system design must be considered as a part of the image positioning problem for EOS, along with image sensor design and ground image processing system design. Study results show that, with suitable efficiency for ground control point selection and matching activities during data processing, extensive reliance should be placed on use of ground control points for positioning the images obtained from EOS and similar programs.

  4. Waterflood control system for maximizing total oil recovery

    DOEpatents

    Patzek, Tadeusz Wiktor; Silin, Dimitriy Borisovic; De, Asoke Kumar

    2005-06-07

    A control system and method for determining optimal fluid injection pressure is based upon a model of a growing hydrofracture due to waterflood injection pressure. This model is used to develop a control system optimizing the injection pressure by using a prescribed injection goal coupled with the historical times, pressures, and volume of injected fluid at a single well. In this control method, the historical data is used to derive two major flow components: the transitional component, where cumulative injection volume is scaled as the square root of time, and a steady-state breakthrough component, which scales linearly with respect to time. These components provide diagnostic information and allow for the prevention of rapid fracture growth and associated massive water break through that is an important part of a successful waterflood, thereby extending the life of both injection and associated production wells in waterflood secondary oil recovery operations.

  5. Waterflood control system for maximizing total oil recovery

    DOEpatents

    Patzek, Tadeusz Wiktor [Oakland, CA; Silin, Dimitriy Borisovich [Pleasant Hill, CA; De, Asoke Kumar [San Jose, CA

    2007-07-24

    A control system and method for determining optimal fluid injection pressure is based upon a model of a growing hydrofracture due to waterflood injection pressure. This model is used to develop a control system optimizing the injection pressure by using a prescribed injection goal coupled with the historical times, pressures, and volume of injected fluid at a single well. In this control method, the historical data is used to derive two major flow components: the transitional component, where cumulative injection volume is scaled as the square root of time, and a steady-state breakthrough component, which scales linearly with respect to time. These components provide diagnostic information and allow for the prevention of rapid fracture growth and associated massive water break through that is an important part of a successful waterflood, thereby extending the life of both injection and associated production wells in waterflood secondary oil recovery operations.

  6. Selective flow path alpha particle detector and method of use

    DOEpatents

    Orr, Christopher Henry; Luff, Craig Janson; Dockray, Thomas; Macarthur, Duncan Whittemore

    2002-01-01

    A method and apparatus for monitoring alpha contamination are provided in which ions generated in the air surrounding the item, by the passage of alpha particles, are moved to a distant detector location. The parts of the item from which ions are withdrawn can be controlled by restricting the air flow over different portions of the apparatus. In this way, detection of internal and external surfaces separately, for instance, can be provided. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use in undertaking alpha contamination measurements during the commissioning operations.

  7. Vision based control of unmanned aerial vehicles with applications to an autonomous four-rotor helicopter, quadrotor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Altug, Erdinc

    Our work proposes a vision-based stabilization and output tracking control method for a model helicopter. This is a part of our effort to produce a rotorcraft based autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Due to the desired maneuvering ability, a four-rotor helicopter has been chosen as the testbed. On previous research on flying vehicles, vision is usually used as a secondary sensor. Unlike previous research, our goal is to use visual feedback as the main sensor, which is not only responsible for detecting where the ground objects are but also for helicopter localization. A novel two-camera method has been introduced for estimating the full six degrees of freedom (DOF) pose of the helicopter. This two-camera system consists of a pan-tilt ground camera and an onboard camera. The pose estimation algorithm is compared through simulation to other methods, such as four-point, and stereo method and is shown to be less sensitive to feature detection errors. Helicopters are highly unstable flying vehicles; although this is good for agility, it makes the control harder. To build an autonomous helicopter, two methods of control are studied---one using a series of mode-based, feedback linearizing controllers and the other using a back-stepping control law. Various simulations with 2D and 3D models demonstrate the implementation of these controllers. We also show global convergence of the 3D quadrotor controller even with large calibration errors or presence of large errors on the image plane. Finally, we present initial flight experiments where the proposed pose estimation algorithm and non-linear control techniques have been implemented on a remote-controlled helicopter. The helicopter was restricted with a tether to vertical, yaw motions and limited x and y translations.

  8. Methods of Making Z-Shielding

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thomsen, III, Donald Laurence (Inventor); Cano, Roberto J. (Inventor); Jensen, Brian J. (Inventor); Hales, Stephen J. (Inventor); Alexa, Joel A. (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    Methods of building Z-graded radiation shielding and covers. In one aspect, the method includes: providing a substrate surface having about medium Z-grade; plasma spraying a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface; and infusing a polymer layer to form a laminate. In another aspect, the method includes electro/electroless plating a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface. In other aspects, the methods include improving an existing electronics enclosure to build a Z-graded radiation shield by applying a temperature controller to at least part of the enclosure and affixing at least one layer of a first metal having higher Z-grade from the enclosure.

  9. A model of methods for influencing prescribing: Part I. A review of prescribing models, persuasion theories, and administrative and educational methods.

    PubMed

    Raisch, D W

    1990-04-01

    The purpose of this literature review is to develop a model of methods to be used to influence prescribing. Four bodies of literature were identified as being important for developing the model: (1) Theoretical prescribing models furnish information concerning factors that affect prescribing and how prescribing decisions are made. (2) Theories of persuasion provide insight into important components of educational communications. (3) Research articles of programs to improve prescribing identify types of programs that have been found to be successful. (4) Theories of human inference describe how judgments are formulated and identify errors in judgment that can play a role in prescribing. This review is presented in two parts. This article reviews prescribing models, theories of persuasion, studies of administrative programs to control prescribing, and sub-optimally designed studies of educational efforts to influence drug prescribing.

  10. Study on the applicability of a precise, accurate method for rapid evaluation of engine and lubricant performance. [determination of wear metal in used lubricating oils

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kinard, J. T.

    1975-01-01

    The development of a procedure for obtaining data related to wear metal determinations in used lubricants is discussed. The procedure makes it possible to obtain rapid, simultaneous determinations of a number of wear metals at levels of parts per thousand to low parts per billion using a small amount of sample. The electrode assembly and instrumentation used in the process are described. Samples of data obtained from tests conducted under controlled conditions are tabulated.

  11. Hybrid Method for Power Control Simulation of a Single Fluid Plasma Thruster

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jaisankar, S.; Sheshadri, T. S.

    2018-05-01

    Propulsive plasma flow through a cylindrical-conical diverging thruster is simulated by a power controlled hybrid method to obtain the basic flow, thermodynamic and electromagnetic variables. Simulation is based on a single fluid model with electromagnetics being described by the equations of potential Poisson, Maxwell and the Ohm's law while the compressible fluid dynamics by the Navier Stokes in cylindrical form. The proposed method solved the electromagnetics and fluid dynamics separately, both to segregate the two prominent scales for an efficient computation and for the delivery of voltage controlled rated power. The magnetic transport is solved for steady state while fluid dynamics is allowed to evolve in time along with an electromagnetic source using schemes based on generalized finite difference discretization. The multistep methodology with power control is employed for simulating fully ionized propulsive flow of argon plasma through the thruster. Numerical solution shows convergence of every part of the solver including grid stability causing the multistep hybrid method to converge for a rated power delivery. Simulation results are reasonably in agreement with the reported physics of plasma flow in the thruster thus indicating the potential utility of this hybrid computational framework, especially when single fluid approximation of plasma is relevant.

  12. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of multiple environmental factors for swine building assessment and control.

    PubMed

    Xie, Qiuju; Ni, Ji-Qin; Su, Zhongbin

    2017-10-15

    In confined swine buildings, temperature, humidity, and air quality are all important for animal health and productivity. However, the current swine building environmental control is only based on temperature; and evaluation and control methods based on multiple environmental factors are needed. In this paper, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) theory was adopted for multi-factor assessment of environmental quality in two commercial swine buildings using real measurement data. An assessment index system and membership functions were established; and predetermined weights were given using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) combined with knowledge of experts. The results show that multi-factors such as temperature, humidity, and concentrations of ammonia (NH 3 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) can be successfully integrated in FCE for swine building environment assessment. The FCE method has a high correlation coefficient of 0.737 compared with the method of single-factor evaluation (SFE). The FCE method can significantly increase the sensitivity and perform an effective and integrative assessment. It can be used as part of environmental controlling and warning systems for swine building environment management to improve swine production and welfare. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. A universal heliostat control system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gross, Fabian; Geiger, Mark; Buck, Reiner

    2017-06-01

    This paper describes the development of a universal heliostat control system as part of the AutoR project [1]. The system can control multiple receivers and heliostat types in a single application. The system offers support for multiple operators on different machines and is designed to be as adaptive as possible. Thus, the system can be used for different heliostat field setups with only minor adaptations of the system's source code. This is achieved by extensive usage of modern programming techniques like reflection and dependency injection. Furthermore, the system features co-simulation of a ray tracer, a reference PID-controller implementation for open volumetric receivers and methods for heliostat calibration and monitoring.

  14. Constrained model predictive control, state estimation and coordination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yan, Jun

    In this dissertation, we study the interaction between the control performance and the quality of the state estimation in a constrained Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework for systems with stochastic disturbances. This consists of three parts: (i) the development of a constrained MPC formulation that adapts to the quality of the state estimation via constraints; (ii) the application of such a control law in a multi-vehicle formation coordinated control problem in which each vehicle operates subject to a no-collision constraint posed by others' imperfect prediction computed from finite bit-rate, communicated data; (iii) the design of the predictors and the communication resource assignment problem that satisfy the performance requirement from Part (ii). Model Predictive Control (MPC) is of interest because it is one of the few control design methods which preserves standard design variables and yet handles constraints. MPC is normally posed as a full-state feedback control and is implemented in a certainty-equivalence fashion with best estimates of the states being used in place of the exact state. However, if the state constraints were handled in the same certainty-equivalence fashion, the resulting control law could drive the real state to violate the constraints frequently. Part (i) focuses on exploring the inclusion of state estimates into the constraints. It does this by applying constrained MPC to a system with stochastic disturbances. The stochastic nature of the problem requires re-posing the constraints in a probabilistic form. In Part (ii), we consider applying constrained MPC as a local control law in a coordinated control problem of a group of distributed autonomous systems. Interactions between the systems are captured via constraints. First, we inspect the application of constrained MPC to a completely deterministic case. Formation stability theorems are derived for the subsystems and conditions on the local constraint set are derived in order to guarantee local stability or convergence to a target state. If these conditions are met for all subsystems, then this stability is inherited by the overall system. For the case when each subsystem suffers from disturbances in the dynamics, own self-measurement noises, and quantization errors on neighbors' information due to the finite-bit-rate channels, the constrained MPC strategy developed in Part (i) is appropriate to apply. In Part (iii), we discuss the local predictor design and bandwidth assignment problem in a coordinated vehicle formation context. The MPC controller used in Part (ii) relates the formation control performance and the information quality in the way that large standoff implies conservative performance. We first develop an LMI (Linear Matrix Inequality) formulation for cross-estimator design in a simple two-vehicle scenario with non-standard information: one vehicle does not have access to the other's exact control value applied at each sampling time, but to its known, pre-computed, coupling linear feedback control law. Then a similar LMI problem is formulated for the bandwidth assignment problem that minimizes the total number of bits by adjusting the prediction gain matrices and the number of bits assigned to each variable. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

  15. Dependable control systems with Internet of Things.

    PubMed

    Tran, Tri; Ha, Q P

    2015-11-01

    This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dependable control system (DepCS) for continuous processes. In a DepCS, an actuator and a transmitter form a regulatory control loop. Each processor inside such actuator and transmitter is designed as a computational platform implementing the feedback control algorithm. The connections between actuators and transmitters via IoT create a reliable backbone for a DepCS. The centralized input-output marshaling system is not required in DepCSs. A state feedback control synthesis method for DepCS applying the self-recovery constraint is presented in the second part of the paper. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Evaluation of the Inertial Response of Variable-Speed Wind Turbines Using Advanced Simulation: Preprint

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Scholbrock, Andrew K; Muljadi, Eduard; Gevorgian, Vahan

    In this paper, we focus on the temporary frequency support effect provided by wind turbine generators (WTGs) through the inertial response. With the implemented inertial control methods, the WTG is capable of increasing its active power output by releasing parts of the stored kinetic energy when the frequency excursion occurs. The active power can be boosted temporarily above the maximum power points, but the rotor speed deceleration follows and an active power output deficiency occurs during the restoration of rotor kinetic energy. In this paper, we evaluate and compare the inertial response induced by two distinct inertial control methods usingmore » advanced simulation. In the first stage, the proposed inertial control methods are analyzed in offline simulation. Using an advanced wind turbine simulation program, FAST with TurbSim, the response of the researched wind turbine is comprehensively evaluated under turbulent wind conditions, and the impact on the turbine mechanical components are assessed. In the second stage, the inertial control is deployed on a real 600-kW wind turbine, the three-bladed Controls Advanced Research Turbine, which further verifies the inertial control through a hardware-in-the-loop simulation. Various inertial control methods can be effectively evaluated based on the proposed two-stage simulation platform, which combines the offline simulation and real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation. The simulation results also provide insights in designing inertial control for WTGs.« less

  17. Modelling and control issues of dynamically substructured systems: adaptive forward prediction taken as an example

    PubMed Central

    Tu, Jia-Ying; Hsiao, Wei-De; Chen, Chih-Ying

    2014-01-01

    Testing techniques of dynamically substructured systems dissects an entire engineering system into parts. Components can be tested via numerical simulation or physical experiments and run synchronously. Additional actuator systems, which interface numerical and physical parts, are required within the physical substructure. A high-quality controller, which is designed to cancel unwanted dynamics introduced by the actuators, is important in order to synchronize the numerical and physical outputs and ensure successful tests. An adaptive forward prediction (AFP) algorithm based on delay compensation concepts has been proposed to deal with substructuring control issues. Although the settling performance and numerical conditions of the AFP controller are improved using new direct-compensation and singular value decomposition methods, the experimental results show that a linear dynamics-based controller still outperforms the AFP controller. Based on experimental observations, the least-squares fitting technique, effectiveness of the AFP compensation and differences between delay and ordinary differential equations are discussed herein, in order to reflect the fundamental issues of actuator modelling in relevant literature and, more specifically, to show that the actuator and numerical substructure are heterogeneous dynamic components and should not be collectively modelled as a homogeneous delay differential equation. PMID:25104902

  18. The relationship between trait self-control, consideration for future consequence and organizational citizenship behavior among Chinese employees.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yu-Jie; Dou, Kai; Tang, Zhi-Wen

    2017-01-01

    Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is important to the development of an organization. Research into factors that foster OCB and the underlying processes are therefore substantially crucial. The current study aimed to test the association between trait self-control and OCB and the mediating role of consideration for future consequence. Four hundred and ninety-four Chinese employees (275 men, 219 women) took part in the study. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures online that assessed trait self-control, tendencies of consideration of future consequence, and organizational citizenship behavior. Path analysis was conducted and bootstrapping technique (N = 5000), a resampling method that is asymptotically more accurate than the standard intervals using sample variance and assumptions of normality, was used to judge the significance of the mediation. Results of path analysis showed that trait self-control was positively related to OCB. More importantly, the "trait self-control-OCB" link was mediated by consideration of future consequence-future, but not by consideration of future consequence-immediate. Employees with high trait self-control engage in more organizational citizenship behavior and this link can be partly explained by consideration of future consequence-future.

  19. Control of Technology Transfer at JPL

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oliver, Ronald

    2006-01-01

    Controlled Technology: 1) Design: preliminary or critical design data, schematics, technical flow charts, SNV code/diagnostics, logic flow diagrams, wirelist, ICDs, detailed specifications or requirements. 2) Development: constraints, computations, configurations, technical analyses, acceptance criteria, anomaly resolution, detailed test plans, detailed technical proposals. 3) Production: process or how-to: assemble, operated, repair, maintain, modify. 4) Manufacturing: technical instructions, specific parts, specific materials, specific qualities, specific processes, specific flow. 5) Operations: how-to operate, contingency or standard operating plans, Ops handbooks. 6) Repair: repair instructions, troubleshooting schemes, detailed schematics. 7) Test: specific procedures, data, analysis, detailed test plan and retest plans, detailed anomaly resolutions, detailed failure causes and corrective actions, troubleshooting, trended test data, flight readiness data. 8) Maintenance: maintenance schedules and plans, methods for regular upkeep, overhaul instructions. 9) Modification: modification instructions, upgrades kit parts, including software

  20. Application of Control Method on a West Antarctic Glacier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmeltz, M.; Rignot, E. J.; Macayeal, D. R.

    2002-12-01

    We use surface velocity inferred with Interferometric synthetic-aperture radar and a control method to estimate unknown basal characteristics of a fast-moving glacier in West Antarctica, Pine Island Glacier. Previous modelling experiments on Pine Island Glacier have shown that using a coupled ice-stream/ice-shelf flow model in a forward approach (trial and error method) we were able to reproduce fairly well the surface velocity. Some discrepancies remained, however, that are partly due to uncertainties in the thickness map and incertainty in our chosen basal stress distribution (because of the non-unicity of the solution). The control method allow us to take the basal stress (or basal friction, since they are related through the velocity), as an unknown parameter. Results given by the control method should provide better reliable inputs for further modelling experiments. We investigate the results' sensitivity to the initial value of the basal stress. The inferred ratio basal drag/driving stress seems to be always low upstream, 60 to 80 km upstream of the grounding line, as if the ice stream was behaving like an ice shelf, and also reveals the presence of a snake shape channel of low ratio basal drag/driving stress, surrounded by a higher ratio, in the main flow of increasing velocity, from 20 to 40 km upstream of the grounding line.

  1. Control Model for Dampening Hand Vibrations Using Information of Internal and External Coordinates

    PubMed Central

    Togo, Shunta; Kagawa, Takahiro; Uno, Yoji

    2015-01-01

    In the present study, we investigate a control mechanism that dampens hand vibrations. Here, we propose a control method with two components to suppress hand vibrations. The first is a passive suppression method that lowers the joint stiffness to passively dampen the hand vibrations. The second is an active suppression method that adjusts an equilibrium point based on skyhook control to actively dampen the hand vibrations. In a simulation experiment, we applied these two methods to dampen hand vibrations during the shoulder’s horizontal oscillation. We also conducted a measurement experiment wherein a subject’s shoulder was sinusoidally oscillated by a platform that generated horizontal oscillations. The results of the measurement experiments showed that the jerk of each part of the arm in a task using a cup filled with water was smaller than the shoulder jerk and that in a task with a cup filled with stones was larger than the shoulder jerk. Moreover, the amplitude of the hand trajectory in both horizontal and vertical directions was smaller in a task using a cup filled with water than in a task using a cup filled with stones. The results of the measurement experiments were accurately reproduced by the active suppression method based on skyhook control. These results suggest that humans dampen hand vibrations by controlling the equilibrium point through the information of the external workspace and the internal body state rather than by lowering joint stiffness only by using internal information. PMID:25876037

  2. The dynamics and control of large flexible space structures, 3. Part A: Shape and orientation control of a platform in orbit using point actuators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bainum, P. M.; Reddy, A. S. S. R.; Krishna, R.; James, P. K.

    1980-01-01

    The dynamics, attitude, and shape control of a large thin flexible square platform in orbit are studied. Attitude and shape control are assumed to result from actuators placed perpendicular to the main surface and one edge and their effect on the rigid body and elastic modes is modelled to first order. The equations of motion are linearized about three different nominal orientations: (1) the platform following the local vertical with its major surface perpendicular to the orbital plane; (2) the platform following the local horizontal with its major surface normal to the local vertical; and (3) the platform following the local vertical with its major surface perpendicular to the orbit normal. The stability of the uncontrolled system is investigated analytically. Once controllability is established for a set of actuator locations, control law development is based on decoupling, pole placement, and linear optimal control theory. Frequencies and elastic modal shape functions are obtained using a finite element computer algorithm, two different approximate analytical methods, and the results of the three methods compared.

  3. A Combined Adaptive Neural Network and Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Multirate Networked Industrial Process Control.

    PubMed

    Wang, Tong; Gao, Huijun; Qiu, Jianbin

    2016-02-01

    This paper investigates the multirate networked industrial process control problem in double-layer architecture. First, the output tracking problem for sampled-data nonlinear plant at device layer with sampling period T(d) is investigated using adaptive neural network (NN) control, and it is shown that the outputs of subsystems at device layer can track the decomposed setpoints. Then, the outputs and inputs of the device layer subsystems are sampled with sampling period T(u) at operation layer to form the index prediction, which is used to predict the overall performance index at lower frequency. Radial basis function NN is utilized as the prediction function due to its approximation ability. Then, considering the dynamics of the overall closed-loop system, nonlinear model predictive control method is proposed to guarantee the system stability and compensate the network-induced delays and packet dropouts. Finally, a continuous stirred tank reactor system is given in the simulation part to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

  4. Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor); Dufrene, Warren R., Jr.

    2003-01-01

    This paper describes the development of an application of Artificial Intelligence for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control. The project was done as part of the requirements for a class in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Nova southeastern University and as an adjunct to a project at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility for a resilient, robust, and intelligent UAV flight control system. A method is outlined which allows a base level application for applying an AI method, Fuzzy Logic, to aspects of Control Logic for UAV flight. One element of UAV flight, automated altitude hold, has been implemented and preliminary results displayed. A low cost approach was taken using freeware, gnu, software, and demo programs. The focus of this research has been to outline some of the AI techniques used for UAV flight control and discuss some of the tools used to apply AI techniques. The intent is to succeed with the implementation of applying AI techniques to actually control different aspects of the flight of an UAV.

  5. 46 CFR 160.115-9 - Preapproval review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... inventory of materials; (iii) The method for checking quality of fabrication and joints, including welding... §§ 160.115-19 and 160.115-21 of this subpart; (5) A description of the quality control procedures and... between the independent laboratory and Commandant under 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.010. (d) Plan quality...

  6. 46 CFR 160.115-9 - Preapproval review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... inventory of materials; (iii) The method for checking quality of fabrication and joints, including welding... §§ 160.115-19 and 160.115-21 of this subpart; (5) A description of the quality control procedures and... between the independent laboratory and Commandant under 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.010. (d) Plan quality...

  7. 46 CFR 160.115-9 - Preapproval review.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... inventory of materials; (iii) The method for checking quality of fabrication and joints, including welding... §§ 160.115-19 and 160.115-21 of this subpart; (5) A description of the quality control procedures and... between the independent laboratory and Commandant under 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.010. (d) Plan quality...

  8. Advancing Virtual Patient Simulations through Design Research and InterPLAY: Part I--Design and Development

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hirumi, Atsusi; Kleinsmith, Andrea; Johnsen, Kyle; Kubovec, Stacey; Eakins, Michael; Bogert, Kenneth; Rivera-Gutierrez, Diego J.; Reyes, Ramsamooj Javier; Lok, Benjamin; Cendan, Juan

    2016-01-01

    Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled studies conclude that virtual patient simulations are consistently associated with higher learning outcomes compared to other educational methods. However, we cannot assume that students will learn from simply exposing students to the simulations. The instructional features that are…

  9. 7 CFR 319.40-8 - Processing at facilities operating under compliance agreements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... plant pests from the facility, requirements to ensure the processing method effectively destroys plant pests, and the requirements for the application of chemical materials in accordance with part 305 of... and Budget under control number 0579-0049) [60 FR 27674, May 25, 1995, as amended at 69 FR 52418, Aug...

  10. 7 CFR 319.40-8 - Processing at facilities operating under compliance agreements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... plant pests from the facility, requirements to ensure the processing method effectively destroys plant pests, and the requirements for the application of chemical materials in accordance with part 305 of... and Budget under control number 0579-0049) [60 FR 27674, May 25, 1995, as amended at 69 FR 52418, Aug...

  11. 7 CFR 319.40-8 - Processing at facilities operating under compliance agreements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... plant pests from the facility, requirements to ensure the processing method effectively destroys plant pests, and the requirements for the application of chemical materials in accordance with part 305 of... and Budget under control number 0579-0049) [60 FR 27674, May 25, 1995, as amended at 69 FR 52418, Aug...

  12. Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ginsburg, Golda S.; Riddle, Mark A.; Davies, Mark

    2006-01-01

    Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of somatic symptoms (SSs) in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders; the relationship between SSs and anxiety severity, impairment, and child global functioning; and the impact of fluvoxamine (FLV) versus pill placebo (PBO) on reducing SSs. Method: As part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,…

  13. Stability, Correlates, and Outcome of Adolescent Suicidal Risk

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph; Bosiger, Ruth; Metzke, Christa Winkler

    2006-01-01

    Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the stability and correlates of adolescent suicidal risk across adolescence. Methods: Suicidal risk was studied longitudinally in N = 593 subjects in 1994, 1997, and 2001 at mean ages of 13, 16, and 20 years. Three partly overlapping suicidal risk groups were compared to three control groups…

  14. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Lllll of... - Requirements for Performance Tests a,b

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., THC destruction efficiency, THC outlet concentration, or combustion efficiency standards, the sampling... combustion efficiency or THC standards a. Measure the concentration of carbon dioxideb. Measure the... method 25A in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter 10. Each control device used to comply with the THC...

  15. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Lllll of... - Requirements for Performance Tests a,b

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., THC destruction efficiency, THC outlet concentration, or combustion efficiency standards, the sampling... combustion efficiency or THC standards a. Measure the concentration of carbon dioxideb. Measure the... method 25A in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter 10. Each control device used to comply with the THC...

  16. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Lllll of... - Requirements for Performance Tests a,b

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ..., THC destruction efficiency, THC outlet concentration, or combustion efficiency standards, the sampling... combustion efficiency or THC standards a. Measure the concentration of carbon dioxideb. Measure the... method 25A in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter 10. Each control device used to comply with the THC...

  17. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Lllll of... - Requirements for Performance Tests a b

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., THC destruction efficiency, THC outlet concentration, or combustion efficiency standards, the sampling... combustion efficiency or THC standards a. Measure the concentration of carbon dioxideb. Measure the... method 25A in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter 10. Each control device used to comply with the THC...

  18. 40 CFR Table 3 to Subpart Lllll of... - Requirements for Performance Tests a,b

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ..., THC destruction efficiency, THC outlet concentration, or combustion efficiency standards, the sampling... combustion efficiency or THC standards a. Measure the concentration of carbon dioxideb. Measure the... method 25A in appendix A to part 60 of this chapter 10. Each control device used to comply with the THC...

  19. Exploring Sources of Variation in Romanian Science Achievement

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Istrate, Olimpius; Noveanu, Gabriela; Smith, Thomas M.

    2006-01-01

    The shift from a centrally-controlled to a market-oriented economy in the early 1990s put pressure on the Romanian education system to reform both the curriculum and methods of instruction employed in primary and secondary education. At least part of the pressure to implement educational reforms came from the relatively poor performance of…

  20. Pricing the Services of Scientific Cores. Part I: Charging Subsidized and Unsubsidized Users.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fife, Jerry; Forrester, Robert

    2002-01-01

    Explaining that scientific cores at research institutions support shared resources and facilities, discusses devising a method of charging users for core services and controlling and managing the rates. Proposes the concept of program-based management to cover sources of core support that are funding similar work. (EV)

  1. 49 CFR Appendix D to Part 172 - Rail Risk Analysis Factors

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... nature of the rail system, each carrier must select and document the analysis method/model used and identify the routes to be analyzed. D. The safety and security risk analysis must consider current data and... curvature; 7. Presence or absence of signals and train control systems along the route (“dark” versus...

  2. Statistical Methods in Assembly Quality Management of Multi-Element Products on Automatic Rotor Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pries, V. V.; Proskuriakov, N. E.

    2018-04-01

    To control the assembly quality of multi-element mass-produced products on automatic rotor lines, control methods with operational feedback are required. However, due to possible failures in the operation of the devices and systems of automatic rotor line, there is always a real probability of getting defective (incomplete) products into the output process stream. Therefore, a continuous sampling control of the products completeness, based on the use of statistical methods, remains an important element in managing the quality of assembly of multi-element mass products on automatic rotor lines. The feature of continuous sampling control of the multi-element products completeness in the assembly process is its breaking sort, which excludes the possibility of returning component parts after sampling control to the process stream and leads to a decrease in the actual productivity of the assembly equipment. Therefore, the use of statistical procedures for continuous sampling control of the multi-element products completeness when assembled on automatic rotor lines requires the use of such sampling plans that ensure a minimum size of control samples. Comparison of the values of the limit of the average output defect level for the continuous sampling plan (CSP) and for the automated continuous sampling plan (ACSP) shows the possibility of providing lower limit values for the average output defects level using the ACSP-1. Also, the average sample size when using the ACSP-1 plan is less than when using the CSP-1 plan. Thus, the application of statistical methods in the assembly quality management of multi-element products on automatic rotor lines, involving the use of proposed plans and methods for continuous selective control, will allow to automating sampling control procedures and the required level of quality of assembled products while minimizing sample size.

  3. Closed loop oscillating heat pipe as heating device for copper plate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kamonpet, Patrapon; Sangpen, Waranphop

    2017-04-01

    In manufacturing parts by molding method, temperature uniformity of the mold holds a very crucial aspect for the quality of the parts. Studies have been carried out in searching for effective method in controlling the mold temperature. Using of heat pipe is one of the many effective ways to control the temperature of the molding area to the right uniform level. Recently, there has been the development of oscillating heat pipe and its application is very promising. The semi-empirical correlation for closed-loop oscillating heat pipe (CLOHP) with the STD of ±30% was used in design of CLOHP in this study. By placing CLOHP in the copper plate at some distance from the plate surface and allow CLOHP to heat the plate up to the set surface temperature, the temperature of the plate was recorded. It is found that CLOHP can be effectively used as a heat source to transfer heat to copper plate with excellent temperature distribution. The STDs of heat rate of all experiments are well in the range of ±30% of the correlation used.

  4. The diabetes nutrition education study randomized controlled trial: A comparative effectiveness study of approaches to nutrition in diabetes self-management education.

    PubMed

    Bowen, Michael E; Cavanaugh, Kerri L; Wolff, Kathleen; Davis, Dianne; Gregory, Rebecca P; Shintani, Ayumi; Eden, Svetlana; Wallston, Ken; Elasy, Tom; Rothman, Russell L

    2016-08-01

    To compare the effectiveness of different approaches to nutrition education in diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S). We randomized 150 adults with type 2 diabetes to either certified diabetes educator (CDE)-delivered DSME/S with carbohydrate gram counting or the modified plate method versus general health education. The primary outcome was change in HbA1C over 6 months. At 6 months, HbA1C improved within the plate method [-0.83% (-1.29, -0.33), P<0.001] and carbohydrate counting [-0.63% (-1.03, -0.18), P=0.04] groups but not the control group [P=0.34]. Change in HbA1C from baseline between the control and intervention groups was not significant at 6 months (carbohydrate counting, P=0.36; modified plate method, P=0.08). In a pre-specified subgroup analysis of patients with a baseline HbA1C 7-10%, change in HbA1C from baseline improved in the carbohydrate counting [-0.86% (-1.47, -0.26), P=0.006] and plate method groups [-0.76% (-1.33, -0.19), P=0.01] compared to controls. CDE-delivered DSME/S focused on carbohydrate counting or the modified plate method improved glycemic control in patients with an initial HbA1C between 7 and 10%. Both carbohydrate counting and the modified plate method improve glycemic control as part of DSME/S. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. An Effective Quality Control of Pharmacologically Active Volatiles of Houttuynia cordata Thunb by Fast Gas Chromatography-Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor.

    PubMed

    Oh, Se Yeon

    2015-06-03

    Fast gas chromatography-surface acoustic wave sensor (GC/SAW) has been applied for the detection of the pharmacological volatiles emanated from Houttuynia cordata Thunb which is from South Korea. H. cordata Thunb with unpleasant and fishy odors shows a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and insect repellent. The aim of this study is to show a novel quality control by GC/SAW methodology for the discrimination of the three different parts of the plant such as leaves, aerial stems, and underground stems for H. cordata Thunb. Sixteen compounds were identified. β-Myrcene, cis-ocimene and decanal are the dominant volatiles for leaves (71.0%) and aerial stems (50.1%). While, monoterpenes (74.6%) are the dominant volatiles for underground stems. 2-Undecanone (1.3%) and lauraldehyde (3.5%) were found to be the characteristic components for leaves. Each part of the plant has its own characteristic fragrance pattern owing to its individual chemical compositions. Moreover, its individual characteristic fragrance patterns are conducive to discrimination of the three different parts of the plant. Consequently, fast GC/SAW can be a useful analytical method for quality control of the different parts of the plant with pharmacological volatiles as it provides second unit analysis, a simple and fragrant pattern recognition.

  6. Research and design of intelligent distributed traffic signal light control system based on CAN bus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yu

    2007-12-01

    Intelligent distributed traffic signal light control system was designed based on technologies of infrared, CAN bus, single chip microprocessor (SCM), etc. The traffic flow signal is processed with the core of SCM AT89C51. At the same time, the SCM controls the CAN bus controller SJA1000/transceiver PCA82C250 to build a CAN bus communication system to transmit data. Moreover, up PC realizes to connect and communicate with SCM through USBCAN chip PDIUSBD12. The distributed traffic signal light control system with three control styles of Vehicle flux, remote and PC is designed. This paper introduces the system composition method and parts of hardware/software design in detail.

  7. Preliminary Assessment of Optimal Longitudinal-Mode Control for Drag Reduction through Distributed Aeroelastic Shaping

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ippolito, Corey; Nguyen, Nhan; Lohn, Jason; Dolan, John

    2014-01-01

    The emergence of advanced lightweight materials is resulting in a new generation of lighter, flexible, more-efficient airframes that are enabling concepts for active aeroelastic wing-shape control to achieve greater flight efficiency and increased safety margins. These elastically shaped aircraft concepts require non-traditional methods for large-scale multi-objective flight control that simultaneously seek to gain aerodynamic efficiency in terms of drag reduction while performing traditional command-tracking tasks as part of a complete guidance and navigation solution. This paper presents results from a preliminary study of a notional multi-objective control law for an aeroelastic flexible-wing aircraft controlled through distributed continuous leading and trailing edge control surface actuators. This preliminary study develops and analyzes a multi-objective control law derived from optimal linear quadratic methods on a longitudinal vehicle dynamics model with coupled aeroelastic dynamics. The controller tracks commanded attack-angle while minimizing drag and controlling wing twist and bend. This paper presents an overview of the elastic aircraft concept, outlines the coupled vehicle model, presents the preliminary control law formulation and implementation, presents results from simulation, provides analysis, and concludes by identifying possible future areas for research

  8. Optimal robust control strategy of a solid oxide fuel cell system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Xiaojuan; Gao, Danhui

    2018-01-01

    Optimal control can ensure system safe operation with a high efficiency. However, only a few papers discuss optimal control strategies for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. Moreover, the existed methods ignore the impact of parameter uncertainty on system instantaneous performance. In real SOFC systems, several parameters may vary with the variation of operation conditions and can not be identified exactly, such as load current. Therefore, a robust optimal control strategy is proposed, which involves three parts: a SOFC model with parameter uncertainty, a robust optimizer and robust controllers. During the model building process, boundaries of the uncertain parameter are extracted based on Monte Carlo algorithm. To achieve the maximum efficiency, a two-space particle swarm optimization approach is employed to obtain optimal operating points, which are used as the set points of the controllers. To ensure the SOFC safe operation, two feed-forward controllers and a higher-order robust sliding mode controller are presented to control fuel utilization ratio, air excess ratio and stack temperature afterwards. The results show the proposed optimal robust control method can maintain the SOFC system safe operation with a maximum efficiency under load and uncertainty variations.

  9. A functional analysis of mentalistic terms in human observers

    PubMed Central

    Leigland, Sam

    1989-01-01

    This paper, and the following paper by M.J. Dougher (1989), were originally given as part of a symposium presented at the 1984 meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis (R. Schnaitter, Chair). The symposium included two other papers on the same theme by Diane Spooner and Diane Mercier, and the discussant was Willard Day. The concept of the symposium was to use the following paper (Leigland) as a basis for a demonstration of what has been termed the “Reno methodology,” a method for the interpretation of verbal behavior developed by Willard Day and his students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Essentially, the project may be described in the following way: the controlled environment-behavior interactions of a pigeon in an operant chamber gave rise to explanatory verbal behavior on the part of observing human subjects, and the controlling relations with respect to the latter gave rise to the verbal behavior contained in Leigland's report. The controlling relations to be discriminated with respect to Leigland's verbal behavior were then the subject of Dougher's analysis in the report that follows. Dougher's report, then, uses Leigland's report as a source of verbal behavior to be interpreted, using the practices developed by the Reno group as a method. PMID:22477580

  10. 14 CFR 27.861 - Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fire protection of structure, controls, and... Protection § 27.861 Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts. Each part of the structure, controls, rotor mechanism, and other parts essential to a controlled landing that would be affected by...

  11. 14 CFR 27.861 - Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fire protection of structure, controls, and... Protection § 27.861 Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts. Each part of the structure, controls, rotor mechanism, and other parts essential to a controlled landing that would be affected by...

  12. 14 CFR 29.861 - Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fire protection of structure, controls, and... Protection § 29.861 Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts. Each part of the structure, controls, and the rotor mechanism, and other parts essential to controlled landing and (for category A...

  13. 14 CFR 29.861 - Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Fire protection of structure, controls, and... Protection § 29.861 Fire protection of structure, controls, and other parts. Each part of the structure, controls, and the rotor mechanism, and other parts essential to controlled landing and (for category A...

  14. Exercise Black Skies 2008: Enhancing Live Training Through Virtual Preparation -- Part Two: An Evaluation of Tools and Techniques

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-06-01

    visualisation tool. These tools are currently in use at the Surveillance and Control Training Unit (SACTU) in Williamtown, New South Wales, and the School...itself by facilitating the brevity and sharpness of learning points. The playback of video and audio was considered an extremely useful method of...The task assessor’s comments were supported by wall projections and audio replays of relevant mission segments that were controlled by an AAR

  15. Microbial ecology laboratory procedures manual NASA/MSFC

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Huff, Timothy L.

    1990-01-01

    An essential part of the efficient operation of any microbiology laboratory involved in sample analysis is a standard procedures manual. The purpose of this manual is to provide concise and well defined instructions on routine technical procedures involving sample analysis and methods for monitoring and maintaining quality control within the laboratory. Of equal importance is the safe operation of the laboratory. This manual outlines detailed procedures to be followed in the microbial ecology laboratory to assure safety, analytical control, and validity of results.

  16. A Graduate Management Project to Improve the Supplemental Care System at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-07-20

    certain specified parameters. A method of establishing parameters for exceptions to the routine is called the ABC analysis of inventory control...Undcr ABC analysis, the A group is the 20% of line items which are most expensive per item, the B group is the next 20%, and the C group is the...part of a rational, orderly sytem which delivers the health care outputs required by the users, but allows the system managers to maintain control

  17. An analytical investigation of NO sub x control techniques for methanol fueled spark ignition engines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Browning, L. H.; Argenbright, L. A.

    1983-01-01

    A thermokinetic SI engine simulation was used to study the effects of simple nitrogen oxide control techniques on performance and emissions of a methanol fueled engine. As part of this simulation, a ring crevice storage model was formulated to predict UBF emissions. The study included spark retard, two methods of compression ratio increase and EGR. The study concludes that use of EGR in high turbulence, high compression engines will both maximize power and thermal efficiency while minimizing harmful exhaust pollutants.

  18. Study of the time and effort signal in cutting operations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grosset, E.; Maillard, A.; Bouhelier, C.; Gasnier, J.

    1990-02-01

    Perception and treatment of an effort signal by computer methods is discussed. An automatic control system used to measure the wear of machine tools and carry out quality control throughout the cutting process is described. The testing system is used to evaluate the performance of tools which have been vacuum plated. The system is used as part of the BRITE study, the goal of which is to develop an expert system for measuring the wear of tools used during drilling and perforation operations.

  19. The quantitative control and matching of an optical false color composite imaging system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Chengxian; Dai, Zixin; Pan, Xizhe; Li, Yinxi

    1993-10-01

    Design of an imaging system for optical false color composite (OFCC) capable of high-precision density-exposure time control and color balance is presented. The system provides high quality FCC image data that can be analyzed using a quantitative calculation method. The quality requirement to each part of the image generation system is defined, and the distribution of satellite remote sensing image information is analyzed. The proposed technology makes it possible to present the remote sensing image data more effectively and accurately.

  20. Research on mining truck vibration control based on particle damping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liming, Song; Wangqiang, Xiao; Zeguang, Li; Haiquan, Guo; Zhe, Yang

    2018-03-01

    More and more attentions were got by people about the research on mining truck driving comfort. As the vibration transfer terminal, cab is one of the important part of mining truck vibration control. In this paper, based on particle damping technology and its application characteristics, through the discrete element modeling, DEM & FEM coupling simulation and analysis, lab test verification and actual test in the truck, particle damping technology was successfully used in driver’s seat base of mining truck, cab vibration was reduced obviously, meanwhile applied research and method of particle damping technology in mining truck vibration control were provided.

  1. Location and acquisition of objects in unpredictable locations. [a teleoperator system with a computer for manipulator control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sword, A. J.; Park, W. T.

    1975-01-01

    A teleoperator system with a computer for manipulator control to combine the capabilities of both man and computer to accomplish a task is described. This system allows objects in unpredictable locations to be successfully located and acquired. By using a method of characterizing the work-space together with man's ability to plan a strategy and coarsely locate an object, the computer is provided with enough information to complete the tedious part of the task. In addition, the use of voice control is shown to be a useful component of the man/machine interface.

  2. Alternatives for jet engine control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sain, M. K.

    1981-01-01

    Research centered on basic topics in the modeling and feedback control of nonlinear dynamical systems is reported. Of special interest were the following topics: (1) the role of series descriptions, especially insofar as they relate to questions of scheduling, in the control of gas turbine engines; (2) the use of algebraic tensor theory as a technique for parameterizing such descriptions; (3) the relationship between tensor methodology and other parts of the nonlinear literature; (4) the improvement of interactive methods for parameter selection within a tensor viewpoint; and (5) study of feedback gain representation as a counterpart to these modeling and parameterization ideas.

  3. Effect of parameters in moving average method for event detection enhancement using phase sensitive OTDR

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kwon, Yong-Seok; Naeem, Khurram; Jeon, Min Yong; Kwon, Il-bum

    2017-04-01

    We analyze the relations of parameters in moving average method to enhance the event detectability of phase sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). If the external events have unique frequency of vibration, then the control parameters of moving average method should be optimized in order to detect these events efficiently. A phase sensitive OTDR was implemented by a pulsed light source, which is composed of a laser diode, a semiconductor optical amplifier, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier, a fiber Bragg grating filter, and a light receiving part, which has a photo-detector and high speed data acquisition system. The moving average method is operated with the control parameters: total number of raw traces, M, number of averaged traces, N, and step size of moving, n. The raw traces are obtained by the phase sensitive OTDR with sound signals generated by a speaker. Using these trace data, the relation of the control parameters is analyzed. In the result, if the event signal has one frequency, then the optimal values of N, n are existed to detect the event efficiently.

  4. An Analytical Design Method for a Regenerative Braking Control System for DC-electrified Railway Systems under Light Load Conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saito, Tatsuhito; Kondo, Keiichiro; Koseki, Takafumi

    A DC-electrified railway system that is fed by diode rectifiers at a substation is unable to return the electric power to an AC grid. Accordingly, the braking cars have to restrict regenerative braking power when the power consumption of the powering cars is not sufficient. However, the characteristics of a DC-electrified railway system, including the powering cars, is not known, and a mathematical model for designing a controller has not been established yet. Hence, the object of this study is to obtain the mathematical model for an analytical design method of the regenerative braking control system. In the first part of this paper, the static characteristics of this system are presented to show the position of the equilibrium point. The linearization of this system at the equilibrium point is then performed to describe the dynamic characteristics of the system. An analytical design method is then proposed on the basis of these characteristics. The proposed design method is verified by experimental tests with a 1kW class miniature model, and numerical simulations.

  5. Systematic Expansion of Active Spaces beyond the CASSCF Limit: A GASSCF/SplitGAS Benchmark Study.

    PubMed

    Vogiatzis, Konstantinos D; Li Manni, Giovanni; Stoneburner, Samuel J; Ma, Dongxia; Gagliardi, Laura

    2015-07-14

    The applicability and accuracy of the generalized active space self-consistent field, (GASSCF), and (SplitGAS) methods are presented. The GASSCF method enables the exploration of larger active spaces than with the conventional complete active space SCF, (CASSCF), by fragmentation of a large space into subspaces and by controlling the interspace excitations. In the SplitGAS method, the GAS configuration interaction, CI, expansion is further partitioned in two parts: the principal, which includes the most important configuration state functions, and an extended, containing less relevant but not negligible ones. An effective Hamiltonian is then generated, with the extended part acting as a perturbation to the principal space. Excitation energies of ozone, furan, pyrrole, nickel dioxide, and copper tetrachloride dianion are reported. Various partitioning schemes of the GASSCF and SplitGAS CI expansions are considered and compared with the complete active space followed by second-order perturbation theory, (CASPT2), and multireference CI method, (MRCI), or available experimental data. General guidelines for the optimum applicability of these methods are discussed together with their current limitations.

  6. Detection of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

    PubMed

    Engström, Anna; Juréen, Pontus

    2015-01-01

    Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem. The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, demands new measures to combat the situation. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of the pathogen and its drug susceptibility pattern is essential for timely initiation of optimal treatment, and, ultimately, control of the disease. We have developed a molecular method for detection of first- and second-line drug resistance in M. tuberculosis by Pyrosequencing(®). The method consists of seven Pyrosequencing assays for the detection of mutations in the genes or promoter regions, which are most commonly responsible for resistance to the drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin, and fluoroquinolones. The method was validated on clinical isolates and it was shown that the sensitivity and specificity of the method were comparable to those of Sanger sequencing. In the protocol in this chapter we describe the steps necessary for setting up and performing Pyrosequencing for M. tuberculosis. The first part of the protocol describes the assay development and the second part of the protocol describes utilization of the method.

  7. Contribution a l'inspection automatique des pieces flexibles a l'etat libre sans gabarit de conformation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sattarpanah Karganroudi, Sasan

    The competitive industrial market demands manufacturing companies to provide the markets with a higher quality of production. The quality control department in industrial sectors verifies geometrical requirements of products with consistent tolerances. These requirements are presented in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) standards. However, conventional measuring and dimensioning methods for manufactured parts are time-consuming and costly. Nowadays manual and tactile measuring methods have been replaced by Computer-Aided Inspection (CAI) methods. The CAI methods apply improvements in computational calculations and 3-D data acquisition devices (scanners) to compare the scan mesh of manufactured parts with the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model. Metrology standards, such as ASME-Y14.5 and ISO-GPS, require implementing the inspection in free-state, wherein the part is only under its weight. Non-rigid parts are exempted from the free-state inspection rule because of their significant geometrical deviation in a free-state with respect to the tolerances. Despite the developments in CAI methods, inspection of non-rigid parts still remains a serious challenge. Conventional inspection methods apply complex fixtures for non-rigid parts to retrieve the functional shape of these parts on physical fixtures; however, the fabrication and setup of these fixtures are sophisticated and expensive. The cost of fixtures has doubled since the client and manufacturing sectors require repetitive and independent inspection fixtures. To eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming inspection fixtures, fixtureless inspection methods of non-rigid parts based on CAI methods have been developed. These methods aim at distinguishing flexible deformations of parts in a free-state from defects. Fixtureless inspection methods are required to be automatic, reliable, reasonably accurate and repeatable for non-rigid parts with complex shapes. The scan model, which is acquired as point clouds, represent the shape of a part in a free-state. Afterward, the inspection of defects is performed by comparing the scan and CAD models, but these models are presented in different coordinate systems. Indeed, the scan model is presented in the measurement coordinate system whereas the CAD model is introduced in the designed coordinate system. To accomplish the inspection and facilitate an accurate comparison between the models, the registration process is required to align the scan and CAD models in a common coordinate system. The registration includes a virtual compensation for the flexible deformation of the parts in a free-state. Then, the inspection is implemented as a geometrical comparison between the CAD and scan models. This thesis focuses on developing automatic and accurate fixtureless CAI methods for non-rigid parts along with assessing the robustness of the methods. To this end, an automatic fixtureless CAI method for non-rigid parts based on filtering registration points is developed to identify and quantify defects more accurately on the surface of scan models. The flexible deformation of parts in a free-state in our developed automatic fixtureless CAI method is compensated by applying FE non-rigid Registration (FENR) to deform the CAD model towards the scan mesh. The displacement boundary conditions (BCs) for FENR are determined based on the corresponding sample points, which are generated by the Generalized Numerical Inspection Fixture (GNIF) method on the CAD and scan models. These corresponding sample points are evenly distributed on the surface of the models. The comparison between this deformed CAD model and the scan mesh intend to evaluate and quantify the defects on the scan model. However, some sample points can be located close or on defect areas which result in an inaccurate estimation of defects. These sample points are automatically filtered out in our CAI method based on curvature and von Mises stress criteria. Once filtered out, the remaining sample points are used in a new FENR, which allows an accurate evaluation of defects with respect to the tolerances. The performance and robustness of all CAI methods are generally required to be assessed with respect to the actual measurements. This thesis also introduces a new validation metric for Verification and Validation (V&V) of CAI methods based on ASME recommendations. The developed V&V approach uses a nonparametric statistical hypothesis test, namely the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test. In addition to validating the defects size, the K-S test allows a deeper evaluation based on distance distribution of defects. The robustness of CAI method with respect to uncertainties such as scanning noise is quantitatively assessed using the developed validation metric. Due to the compliance of non-rigid parts, a geometrically deviated part can still be assembled in the assembly-state. This thesis also presents a fixtureless CAI method for geometrically deviated (presenting defects) non-rigid parts to evaluate the feasibility of mounting these parts in the functional assembly-state. Our developed Virtual Mounting Assembly-State Inspection (VMASI) method performs a non-rigid registration to virtually mount the scan mesh in assembly-state. To this end, the point clouds of scan model representing the part in a free-state is deformed to meet the assembly constraints such as fixation position (e.g. mounting holes). In some cases, the functional shape of a deviated part can be retrieved by applying assembly loads, which are limited to permissible loads, on the surface of the part. The required assembly loads are estimated through our developed Restraining Pressures Optimization (RPO) aiming at displacing the deviated scan model to achieve the tolerance for mounting holes. Therefore, the deviated scan model can be assembled if the mounting holes on the predicted functional shape of scan model attain the tolerance range. Different industrial parts are used to evaluate the performance of our developed methods in this thesis. The automatic inspection for identifying different types of small (local) and big (global) defects on the parts results in an accurate evaluation of defects. The robustness of this inspection method is also validated with respect to different levels of scanning noise, which shows promising results. Meanwhile, the VMASI method is performed on various parts with different types of defects, which concludes that in some cases the functional shape of deviated parts can be retrieved by mounting them on a virtual fixture in assembly-state under restraining loads.

  8. An experimental study of factors affecting the selective inhibition of sintering process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Asiabanpour, Bahram

    Selective Inhibition of Sintering (SIS) is a new rapid prototyping method that builds parts in a layer-by-layer fabrication basis. SIS works by joining powder particles through sintering in the part's body, and by sintering inhibition of some selected powder areas. The objective of this research has been to improve the new SIS process, which has been invented at USC. The process improvement is based on statistical design of experiments. To conduct the needed experiments a working machine and related path generator software were needed. The machine and its control software were made available prior to this research. The path generator algorithms and software had to be created. This program should obtain model geometry data from a CAD file and generate an appropriate path file for the printer nozzle. Also, the program should generate a simulation file for path file inspection using virtual prototyping. The activities related to path generator constitute the first part of this research, which has resulted in an efficient path generator. In addition, to reach an acceptable level of accuracy, strength, and surface quality in the fabricated parts, all effective factors in the SIS process should be identified and controlled. Simultaneous analytical and experimental studies were conducted to recognize effective factors and to control the SIS process. Also, it was known that polystyrene was the most appropriate polymer powder and saturated potassium iodide was the most effective inhibitor among the available candidate materials. In addition, statistical tools were applied to improve the desirable properties of the parts fabricated by the SIS process. An investigation of part strength was conducted using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and a region of acceptable operating conditions for the part strength was found. Then, through analysis of the experimental results, the impact of the factors on the final part surface quality and dimensional accuracy was modeled. After developing a desirability function model, process operating conditions for maximum desirability were identified. Finally, the desirability model was validated.

  9. Effectiveness of public deliberation methods for gathering input on issues in healthcare: Results from a randomized trial.

    PubMed

    Carman, Kristin L; Mallery, Coretta; Maurer, Maureen; Wang, Grace; Garfinkel, Steve; Yang, Manshu; Gilmore, Dierdre; Windham, Amy; Ginsburg, Marjorie; Sofaer, Shoshanna; Gold, Marthe; Pathak-Sen, Ela; Davies, Todd; Siegel, Joanna; Mangrum, Rikki; Fernandez, Jessica; Richmond, Jennifer; Fishkin, James; Siu Chao, Alice

    2015-05-01

    Public deliberation elicits informed perspectives on complex issues that are values-laden and lack technical solutions. This Deliberative Methods Demonstration examined the effectiveness of public deliberation for obtaining informed public input regarding the role of medical evidence in U.S. healthcare. We conducted a 5-arm randomized controlled trial, assigning participants to one of four deliberative methods or to a reading materials only (RMO) control group. The four deliberative methods reflected important differences in implementation, including length of the deliberative process and mode of interaction. The project convened 76 groups between August and November 2012 in four U.S. Chicago, IL; Sacramento, CA; Silver Spring, MD; and Durham, NC, capturing a sociodemographically diverse sample with specific attention to ensuring inclusion of Hispanic, African-American, and elderly participants. Of 1774 people recruited, 75% participated: 961 took part in a deliberative method and 377 participants comprised the RMO control group. To assess effectiveness of the deliberative methods overall and of individual methods, we evaluated whether mean pre-post changes on a knowledge and attitude survey were statistically different from the RMO control using ANCOVA. In addition, we calculated mean scores capturing participant views of the impact and value of deliberation. Participating in deliberation increased participants' knowledge of evidence and comparative effectiveness research and shifted participants' attitudes regarding the role of evidence in decision-making. When comparing each deliberative method to the RMO control group, all four deliberative methods resulted in statistically significant change on at least one knowledge or attitude measure. These findings were underscored by self-reports that the experience affected participants' opinions. Public deliberation offers unique potential for those seeking informed input on complex, values-laden topics affecting broad public constituencies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Systems and methods for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Carpenter, Michael V.; Roybal, Lyle G.; Lindquist, Alan

    A method and device for the detection of low-level harmful substances in a large volume of fluid comprising using a concentrator system to produce a retentate and analyzing the retentate for the presence of at least one harmful substance. The concentrator system performs a method comprising pumping at least 10 liters of fluid from a sample source through a filter. While pumping, the concentrator system diverts retentate from the filter into a container. The concentrator system also recirculates at least part of the retentate in the container again through the filter. The concentrator system controls the speed of the pumpmore » with a control system thereby maintaining a fluid pressure less than 25 psi during the pumping of the fluid; monitors the quantity of retentate within the container with a control system, and maintains a reduced volume level of retentate and a target volume of retentate.« less

  11. Numerical simulation study on rolling-chemical milling process of aluminum-lithium alloy skin panel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Z. B.; Sun, Z. G.; Sun, X. F.; Li, X. Q.

    2017-09-01

    Single curvature parts such as aircraft fuselage skin panels are usually manufactured by rolling-chemical milling process, which is usually faced with the problem of geometric accuracy caused by springback. In most cases, the methods of manual adjustment and multiple roll bending are used to control or eliminate the springback. However, these methods can cause the increase of product cost and cycle, and lead to material performance degradation. Therefore, it is of significance to precisely control the springback of rolling-chemical milling process. In this paper, using the method of experiment and numerical simulation on rolling-chemical milling process, the simulation model for rolling-chemical milling process of 2060-T8 aluminum-lithium alloy skin was established and testified by the comparison between numerical simulation and experiment results for the validity. Then, based on the numerical simulation model, the relative technological parameters which influence on the curvature of the skin panel were analyzed. Finally, the prediction of springback and the compensation can be realized by controlling the process parameters.

  12. Novel Biomedical Devices Utilizing Light-Emitting Nanostructures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Goldman, Rachel S.

    2004-01-01

    As part of the NASA project, we are investigating the formation, properties, and performance of QD heterostructures, to be incorporated into a novel biomedical device for detecting bacteria and/or viruses in fluids on board space vehicles. We are presently synthesizing the epitaxial quantum dot structures using molecular beam epitaxy. We recently developed a method for controlling the arrangement of QDs, based upon a combination of buffer layer growth and controlled annealing sequences. This method is promising for producing arrangements of QDs with a locally well-controlled distribution of sizes. In the future, we plan to explore selective pre-patterning of the starting surface using focused ion-beam nanopatterning, which will enable us to precisely tune the compositions, sizes, and placement of the QDs, in order laterally tune the emission and detection wavelengths of QD based devices.

  13. Java Programming Language

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shaykhian, Gholam Ali

    2007-01-01

    The Java seminar covers the fundamentals of Java programming language. No prior programming experience is required for participation in the seminar. The first part of the seminar covers introductory concepts in Java programming including data types (integer, character, ..), operators, functions and constants, casts, input, output, control flow, scope, conditional statements, and arrays. Furthermore, introduction to Object-Oriented programming in Java, relationships between classes, using packages, constructors, private data and methods, final instance fields, static fields and methods, and overloading are explained. The second part of the seminar covers extending classes, inheritance hierarchies, polymorphism, dynamic binding, abstract classes, protected access. The seminar conclude by introducing interfaces, properties of interfaces, interfaces and abstract classes, interfaces and cailbacks, basics of event handling, user interface components with swing, applet basics, converting applications to applets, the applet HTML tags and attributes, exceptions and debugging.

  14. Contamination-Free Manufacturing: Tool Component Qualification, Verification and Correlation with Wafers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tan, Samantha H.; Chen, Ning; Liu, Shi; Wang, Kefei

    2003-09-01

    As part of the semiconductor industry "contamination-free manufacturing" effort, significant emphasis has been placed on reducing potential sources of contamination from process equipment and process equipment components. Process tools contain process chambers and components that are exposed to the process environment or process chemistry and in some cases are in direct contact with production wafers. Any contamination from these sources must be controlled or eliminated in order to maintain high process yields, device performance, and device reliability. This paper discusses new nondestructive analytical methods for quantitative measurement of the cleanliness of metal, quartz, polysilicon and ceramic components that are used in process equipment tools. The goal of these new procedures is to measure the effectiveness of cleaning procedures and to verify whether a tool component part is sufficiently clean for installation and subsequent routine use in the manufacturing line. These procedures provide a reliable "qualification method" for tool component certification and also provide a routine quality control method for reliable operation of cleaning facilities. Cost advantages to wafer manufacturing include higher yields due to improved process cleanliness and elimination of yield loss and downtime resulting from the installation of "bad" components in process tools. We also discuss a representative example of wafer contamination having been linked to a specific process tool component.

  15. Considerations for point-of-care diagnostics: evaluation of acridine orange staining and postprocessing methods for a three-part leukocyte differential test

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Powless, Amy J.; Conley, Roxanna J.; Freeman, Karan A.; Muldoon, Timothy J.

    2017-03-01

    There exists a broad range of techniques that can be used to classify and count white blood cells in a point-of-care (POC) three-part leukocyte differential test. Improvements in lenses, light sources, and cameras for image-based POC systems have renewed interest in acridine orange (AO) as a contrast agent, whereby subpopulations of leukocytes can be differentiated by colorimetric analysis of AO fluorescence emission. We evaluated the effect on test accuracy using different AO staining and postprocessing methods in the context of an image-based POC colorimetric cell classification scheme. Thirty blood specimens were measured for percent cell counts using our POC system and a conventional hematology analyzer for comparison. Controlling the AO concentration used during whole-blood staining, the incubation time with AO, and the colorimetric ratios among the three population of leukocytes yielded a percent deviation of 0.706%, -1.534%, and -0.645% for the lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes, respectively. Overall, we demonstrated that a redshift in AO fluorescence was observed at elevated AO concentrations, which lead to reproducible inaccuracy of cell counts. This study demonstrates there is a need for a strict control of the AO staining and postprocessing methods to improve test accuracy in these POC systems.

  16. TU-FG-209-08: Distribution of the Deviation Index (DI) in Digital Radiography Practices Across the United States

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jones, A; Shepard, S; Dave, J

    Purpose: To characterize the distribution of the deviation index (DI) in digital radiography practices across the United States. Methods: DI data was obtained from 10 collaborating institutions in the United States between 2012 and 2015. Each institution complied with the requirements of the Institutional Review Board at their site. DI data from radiographs of the body parts chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremity were analyzed for anteroposterior, posteroanterior, lateral, and decubitus views. The DI data was analyzed both in aggregate and stratified by exposure control method, image receptor technology, patient age, and participating site for each body part and view. Themore » number of exposures with DI falling within previously published control limits for DI and descriptive statistics were calculated. Results: DI data from 505,930 radiographic exposures was analyzed. The number of exposures with DI falling within published control limits for DI varied from 10 to 20% for adult patients and 10 to 23% for pediatric patients for different body parts and views. Mean DI values averaged over other parameters for radiographs of the abdomen, chest, pelvis, and extremities ranged from 0.3 to 1.0, −0.6 to 0.5, 0.8, and −0.9 to 0.5 for the different adult views and ranged from −1.6 to −0.1, −0.3 to 0.5, −0.1, −0.2 to 1.4 for the different pediatric views, respectively (DI data was solicited only for anteroposterior view of pelvis). Standard deviation values of DI from individual sites ranged from 1.3 to 3.6 and 1.3 to 3.0 for the different adult and pediatric views, respectively. Also of interest was that target exposure indicators varied by up to a factor of 6 between sites for certain body parts and views. Conclusion: Previously published DI control limits do not reflect the state of clinical practice in digital radiography. Mean DI and target exposure indicators are targets for quality improvement efforts in radiography.« less

  17. Investigating electrokinetics application for in-situ inorganic oil field scale control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashaykeh, Manal A. I. Albadawi

    Oil well scale formation and deposition is an expensive problem and could be a nightmare for any production engineer if the rate of deposition is rapid as in the case of North Sea oil fields. Inorganic scales accumulate in surface and subsurface equipment causing a reduction in oil production and severe damage for production equipment. The major components of most oil field scale deposits are BaSO4, CaSO4 and SrSO4, which are formed due to incompatible mixing of reservoir formation water and sea water flooded in secondary enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. This work focuses on BaSO4 scale as it is one of the toughest scale components to be removed either by chemical means or mechanical means. Scale control methods usually involve complicated treatment using chemical dissolution methods as primary attempt and mechanical scrapping or jetting methods in case of failure of the chemical means. In this work, we devised a novel in-situ scale control method benefiting from the application of direct current (DC) which involves some of the electrokinetic (EK) phenomena. The applications of EK has been proved in our laboratories yielding high efficiency in capturing barium and separating it from sulfate before reaching the production well, thus preventing deposition in the production wellbore or wellbore formation. This objective was evaluated in our lab designed EK apparatus in three parts. In part-1, an 18.5 cm unconsolidated sand core was used which produced inconsistent results. This problem was overcome in part-2, where the porous media involved 46 cm consolidated sandcore. This also partly fulfilled the purpose of upscaling. In part-3, the porous media was extended to a 100 cm spatial distance between the injection and production wells. For all the experiments the reservoir models were made of 125 µm uniform sand particles and followed a final consolidation pressure of 30 psi. The EK-reservoir model contains 2 basic junctions; one of them injecting a 500 ppm SO4 2- solution, representing sulfate rich sea water and the other injecting a 500 ppm Ba2+ solution representing divalent cations rich in formation water and an outlet for water production. In part-1, there were 4 locations for the electrodes, while in part-2 and part-3 there were 5 electrode locations distributed along the spatial distance. Salinity of injection and formation water was varied within a range of 0 to 40,000 ppm. The flow rates of injection and formation water were constant throughout each experiment. In part-1 experiments, the flow rate was 1 ml/min, in part-2 this was increased to 2 ml/min, finally in part-3 this was further increased to 4.3 ml/min. 2 V/cm voltage gradient was applied for all of the experiments. On a real time basis the current, pressure, temperature, and pH of production water were all monitored. Finally, solid samples with scale deposits within were collected from different locations of the flow tubes. To be analyzed using an ICP-MS. The results have demonstrated up to 90% scale mitigation by the application of EK. In addition, there was pressure reduction in the flow tube, which could be justified due to chlorine gas generation at the locations sides creating a stimulation effect due to increased acidity. The observations from this study concluded that the application of EK will attribute to the production efficiency due to less scaling and reducing corrosion of surface equipment. This will attempt to demonstrate the world's first promising technique that could be used to replace expensive solutions which require well closure and incur production interruption loss. However, it is recommended that further extensive studies need to be done to confirm the results and finally design a pilot scale project to validate the lab work.

  18. Countertransference problems in the treatment of a mixed group of war veterans and female partners of war veterans.

    PubMed

    Gregurek, R

    1999-12-01

    Analysis of countertransference problems in the treatment of a heterogeneous group of war veterans. The method used in this work was psychodynamic clinical observation and analysis of countertransference phenomena in group therapy. In the beginning of our work, we faced with a regressive group, which was behaving as it was re-born. The leading subject in the group was aggression and the need for hospitalization to protect them and their environment from their violence. With the development of group processes, a feeling of helplessness and lack of perspective appeared, together with suicidal ideas, which, because of the development of group cohesion and trust, could be openly discussed. With time, the group became a transitional object for its members, an object that gave them a feeling of safety but also a feeling of dependence. The role of the therapist is to support group members in becoming independent. The therapist's function is in controlling, containing, and analyzing of the destructive, regressive part and in encouraging the healthy parts of the patient. With the integration of good therapeutic process, the healthy parts of the patient gain control over his or her regressive parts.

  19. The development and use of respirator response functions as part of a workplace exposure monitoring program for control of potential respiratory hazards.

    PubMed

    Maxim, L D; Allshouse, J N; Chen, S H; Treadway, J; Venturin, D

    1998-04-01

    The traditional hierarchy of measures for control of potential respiratory hazards in the workplace includes (in order of preference) engineering controls, workplace practices, and use of respiratory protection. Although third in this hierarchy, respirators can be an important component of the control mix-particularly for difficult-to-control jobs, as an interim measure (pending implementation of other controls), and in cases where exposure is intermittent. One of the problems associated with the use of respirators as a control measure is that valid and adequate data on respirator usage are often not available. Absent these data it is difficult to determine the practical effectiveness of respirators and exposure calculations which include the protective effect of respirators are speculative. This paper presents models (and appropriate statistical fitting techniques) suitable for quantification of respirator usage and defines three potentially useful measures of effectiveness for a respirator program. These models are illustrated with monitoring data on refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) developed as part of a Consent Agreement between the RCF industry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For this substance there are extensive and comprehensive monitoring data available. The models and methods of analysis may prove applicable for other potential respiratory hazards in the workplace. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

  20. [Consistency and firmness in rearing practices of parents of adolescent drug addicts].

    PubMed

    Dukanović, Boro

    2007-01-01

    This paper deals with the increasingly popular theoretical approaches to drug addiction as a "family disease". Many theories have appeared claming that ethiopathogenic role related to the family environment is of crucial importance in juvenikle drug consumption. The main objective is to understand, trough consideration of one part of family dynamics, the etiological potential of the juvenile drug addiction. This work focuses only on certain parts of parents' upbringing and variations in their upbringing practices, namely their consistency and strictness, which has been shown to reflect in disfucntional family systems producing juvenile drug addicts. The author cosiders two essential aspect of the upbringing practice and, by using relevant evaluation tools of these standarts, attempts to measure their importance in relation to adolescents who suffer of drug addiction (experimental group) and those who never had any contact with narcotics (control group). A part of the EMBU questionaire has been applied, which is the adolescent's memory of his/her parents' upbringing practices in the childhood and pre-juvenile period. Only two issues, which deal with the parents' firmness and consistency, have been selected as results of this method. Examination has been carried out individualy and obtained data analized by the chi square test. The results indicate distinctive differences with respect to the consistency and strictness of the upbringing methods of drug addict in comparison to control group of the examined juvenile.

  1. Bayesian geostatistical modelling of soil-transmitted helminth survey data in the People’s Republic of China

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Soil-transmitted helminth infections affect tens of millions of individuals in the People’s Republic of China (P.R. China). There is a need for high-resolution estimates of at-risk areas and number of people infected to enhance spatial targeting of control interventions. However, such information is not yet available for P.R. China. Methods A geo-referenced database compiling surveys pertaining to soil-transmitted helminthiasis, carried out from 2000 onwards in P.R. China, was established. Bayesian geostatistical models relating the observed survey data with potential climatic, environmental and socioeconomic predictors were developed and used to predict at-risk areas at high spatial resolution. Predictors were extracted from remote sensing and other readily accessible open-source databases. Advanced Bayesian variable selection methods were employed to develop a parsimonious model. Results Our results indicate that the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in P.R. China considerably decreased from 2005 onwards. Yet, some 144 million people were estimated to be infected in 2010. High prevalence (>20%) of the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides infection was predicted for large areas of Guizhou province, the southern part of Hubei and Sichuan provinces, while the northern part and the south-eastern coastal-line areas of P.R. China had low prevalence (<5%). High infection prevalence (>20%) with hookworm was found in Hainan, the eastern part of Sichuan and the southern part of Yunnan provinces. High infection prevalence (>20%) with the whipworm Trichuris trichiura was found in a few small areas of south P.R. China. Very low prevalence (<0.1%) of hookworm and whipworm infections were predicted for the northern parts of P.R. China. Conclusions We present the first model-based estimates for soil-transmitted helminth infections throughout P.R. China at high spatial resolution. Our prediction maps provide useful information for the spatial targeting of soil-transmitted helminthiasis control interventions and for long-term monitoring and surveillance in the frame of enhanced efforts to control and eliminate the public health burden of these parasitic worm infections. PMID:24350825

  2. Dynamic video encryption algorithm for H.264/AVC based on a spatiotemporal chaos system.

    PubMed

    Xu, Hui; Tong, Xiao-Jun; Zhang, Miao; Wang, Zhu; Li, Ling-Hao

    2016-06-01

    Video encryption schemes mostly employ the selective encryption method to encrypt parts of important and sensitive video information, aiming to ensure the real-time performance and encryption efficiency. The classic block cipher is not applicable to video encryption due to the high computational overhead. In this paper, we propose the encryption selection control module to encrypt video syntax elements dynamically which is controlled by the chaotic pseudorandom sequence. A novel spatiotemporal chaos system and binarization method is used to generate a key stream for encrypting the chosen syntax elements. The proposed scheme enhances the resistance against attacks through the dynamic encryption process and high-security stream cipher. Experimental results show that the proposed method exhibits high security and high efficiency with little effect on the compression ratio and time cost.

  3. Untargeted metabolomic profiling plasma samples of patients with lung cancer for searching significant metabolites by HPLC-MS method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dementeva, N.; Ivanova, K.; Kokova, D.; Kurzina, I.; Ponomaryova, A.; Kzhyshkowska, J.

    2017-09-01

    Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer leading to death. Consequently, the search and the identification of the metabolites associated with the risk of developing cancer are very valuable. For the purpose, untargeted metabolic profiling of the plasma samples collected from the patients with lung cancer (n = 100) and the control group (n = 100) was conducted. After sample preparation, the plasma samples were analyzed using LC-MS method. Biostatistics methods were applied to pre-process the data for elicitation of dominating metabolites which responded to the difference between the case and the control groups. At least seven significant metabolites were evaluated and annotated. The most part of identified metabolites are connected with lipid metabolism and their combination could be useful for follow-up studies of lung cancer pathogenesis.

  4. A Fast and Effective Microfluidic Spraying-Plunging Method for High-Resolution Single-Particle Cryo-EM.

    PubMed

    Feng, Xiangsong; Fu, Ziao; Kaledhonkar, Sandip; Jia, Yuan; Shah, Binita; Jin, Amy; Liu, Zheng; Sun, Ming; Chen, Bo; Grassucci, Robert A; Ren, Yukun; Jiang, Hongyuan; Frank, Joachim; Lin, Qiao

    2017-04-04

    We describe a spraying-plunging method for preparing cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) grids with vitreous ice of controllable, highly consistent thickness using a microfluidic device. The new polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based sprayer was tested with apoferritin. We demonstrate that the structure can be solved to high resolution with this method of sample preparation. Besides replacing the conventional pipetting-blotting-plunging method, one of many potential applications of the new sprayer is in time-resolved cryo-EM, as part of a PDMS-based microfluidic reaction channel to study short-lived intermediates on the timescale of 10-1,000 ms. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  5. Use of the white amur for aquatic plant management. Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Miller, A.C.; Decell, J.L.

    1984-08-01

    The manual presents practical guidelines for the use of the white amur to manage aquatic vegetation in lakes and ponds. This document will introduce the reader to the white amur as a biological control agent for submersed aquatic plants, and present information necessary for successful use of the fish. Included are methods for calculating the number of fish required to effect a desired level of plant control, as well as information on obtaining, shipping, and releasing white amur. Data on feeding, growth rates, food preferences, reproduction, and tolerances to various aquatic conditions are also presented. Case studies on the usemore » of the fish are discussed to illustrate possible impacts of white amur on water chemistry and native biota. While the majority of the information for this report originated in Lake Conway, Florida, the fish is a viable control agent in other parts of the country. This manual should have utility in all parts of the United States in providing background data on the white amur and concise information on the proper use of fish to control submersed aquatic plants. 122 references.« less

  6. Electro-Optical Inspection For Tolerance Control As An Integral Part Of A Flexible Machining Cell

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Renaud, Blaise

    1986-11-01

    Institut CERAC has been involved in optical metrology and 3-dimensional surface control for the last couple of years. Among the industrial applications considered is the on-line shape evaluation of machined parts within the manufacturing cell. The specific objective is to measure the machining errors and to compare them with the tolerances set by designers. An electro-optical sensing technique has been developed which relies on a projection Moire contouring optical method. A prototype inspection system has been designed, making use of video detection and computer image processing. Moire interferograms are interpreted, and the metrological information automatically retrieved. A structured database can be generated for subsequent data analysis and for real-time closed-loop corrective actions. A real-time kernel embedded into a synchronisation network (Petri-net) for the control of concurrent processes in the Electra-Optical Inspection (E0I) station was realised and implemented in a MODULA-2 program DIN01. The prototype system for on-line automatic tolerance control taking place within a flexible machining cell is described in this paper, together with the fast-prototype synchronisation program.

  7. Method and device for microwave sintering large ceramic articles

    DOEpatents

    Kimrey, Jr., Harold D.

    1990-01-01

    A microwave sintering system and method are provided for extremely uniform sintering of large and/or irregular shaped ceramic articles at microwave frequencies of at least 28 GHz in the hundreds of kilowatts power range in an untuned cavity. A 28 GHz, 200 kw gyrotron with variable power output is used as the microwave source connected to an untuned microwave cavity formed of an electrically conductive housing through an overmoded waveguide arrangement which acts in conjunction with a mode promoter within the cavity to achieve unexpected field uniformity. The part to be sintered is placed in the cavity and supported on a removable high temperature table in a central location within the cavity. The part is surrounded by a microwave transparent bulk insulating material to reduce thermal heat loss at the part surfaces and maintain more uniform temperature. The cavity may be operated at a high vacuum to aid in preventing arcing. The system allows controlled increased heating rates of greater than 200.degree. C./min to provide rapid heating of a ceramic part to a selected sintering temperature where it is maintained by regulating the microwave power applied to the part. As a result of rapid heating, the extent of non-isothermal processes such as segregation of impurities to the grain boundaries are minimized and exaggerated grain growth is reduced, thereby strengthening the mechanical properties of the ceramic part being sintered.

  8. Thermographic Microstructure Monitoring in Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing

    PubMed Central

    Raplee, J.; Plotkowski, A.; Kirka, M. M.; Dinwiddie, R.; Okello, A.; Dehoff, R. R.; Babu, S. S.

    2017-01-01

    To reduce the uncertainty of build performance in metal additive manufacturing, robust process monitoring systems that can detect imperfections and improve repeatability are desired. One of the most promising methods for in situ monitoring is thermographic imaging. However, there is a challenge in using this technology due to the difference in surface emittance between the metal powder and solidified part being observed that affects the accuracy of the temperature data collected. The purpose of the present study was to develop a method for properly calibrating temperature profiles from thermographic data to account for this emittance change and to determine important characteristics of the build through additional processing. The thermographic data was analyzed to identify the transition of material from metal powder to a solid as-printed part. A corrected temperature profile was then assembled for each point using calibrations for these surface conditions. Using this data, the thermal gradient and solid-liquid interface velocity were approximated and correlated to experimentally observed microstructural variation within the part. This work shows that by using a method of process monitoring, repeatability of a build could be monitored specifically in relation to microstructure control. PMID:28256595

  9. Generalized Fourier analyses of the advection-diffusion equation - Part I: one-dimensional domains

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christon, Mark A.; Martinez, Mario J.; Voth, Thomas E.

    2004-07-01

    This paper presents a detailed multi-methods comparison of the spatial errors associated with finite difference, finite element and finite volume semi-discretizations of the scalar advection-diffusion equation. The errors are reported in terms of non-dimensional phase and group speed, discrete diffusivity, artificial diffusivity, and grid-induced anisotropy. It is demonstrated that Fourier analysis provides an automatic process for separating the discrete advective operator into its symmetric and skew-symmetric components and characterizing the spectral behaviour of each operator. For each of the numerical methods considered, asymptotic truncation error and resolution estimates are presented for the limiting cases of pure advection and pure diffusion. It is demonstrated that streamline upwind Petrov-Galerkin and its control-volume finite element analogue, the streamline upwind control-volume method, produce both an artificial diffusivity and a concomitant phase speed adjustment in addition to the usual semi-discrete artifacts observed in the phase speed, group speed and diffusivity. The Galerkin finite element method and its streamline upwind derivatives are shown to exhibit super-convergent behaviour in terms of phase and group speed when a consistent mass matrix is used in the formulation. In contrast, the CVFEM method and its streamline upwind derivatives yield strictly second-order behaviour. In Part II of this paper, we consider two-dimensional semi-discretizations of the advection-diffusion equation and also assess the affects of grid-induced anisotropy observed in the non-dimensional phase speed, and the discrete and artificial diffusivities. Although this work can only be considered a first step in a comprehensive multi-methods analysis and comparison, it serves to identify some of the relative strengths and weaknesses of multiple numerical methods in a common analysis framework. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. High-voltage leak detection of a parenteral proteinaceous solution product packaged in form-fill-seal plastic laminate bags. Part 1. Method development and validation.

    PubMed

    Damgaard, Rasmus; Rasmussen, Mats; Buus, Peter; Mulhall, Brian; Guazzo, Dana Morton

    2013-01-01

    In Part 1 of this three-part research series, a leak test performed using high-voltage leak detection (HVLD) technology, also referred to as an electrical conductivity and capacitance leak test, was developed and validated for container-closure integrity verification of a small-volume laminate plastic bag containing an aqueous solution for injection. The sterile parenteral product is the rapid-acting insulin analogue, insulin aspart (NovoRapid®/NovoLog®, by Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark). The aseptically filled and sealed package is designed to preserve product sterility through expiry. Method development and validation work incorporated positive control packages with a single hole laser-drilled through the laminate film of each bag. A unique HVLD method characterized by specific high-voltage and potentiometer set points was established for testing bags positioned in each of three possible orientations as they are conveyed through the instrument's test zone in each of two possible directions-resulting in a total of six different test method options. Validation study results successfully demonstrated the ability of all six methods to accurately and reliably detect those packages with laser-drilled holes from 2.5-11.2 μm in nominal diameter. Part 2 of this series will further explore HVLD test results as a function of package seal and product storage variables. The final Part 3 will report the impact of HVLD exposure on product physico-chemical stability. In this Part 1 of a three-part research series, a leak test method based on electrical conductivity and capacitance, called high voltage leak detection (HVLD), was used to find leaks in small plastic bags filled with an insulin pharmaceutical solution for human injection by Novo Nordisk A/S (Bagsværd, Denmark). To perform the test, the package is electrically grounded while being conveyed past an electrode linked to a high-voltage, low-amperage transformer. The instrument measures the current that passes from the transformer to the electrode, through the packaged product and along the package walls, to the ground. Plastic packages without defect are relatively nonconductive and yield a low voltage reading; a leaking package with electrically conductive solution located in or near the leak triggers a spike in voltage reading. Test methods were optimized and validated, enabling the detection of leaking packages with holes as small as 2.5 μm in diameter. Part 2 of this series will further explore HVLD test results as a function of package seal and product storage variables. The final Part 3 will report the impact of HVLD exposure on product stability.

  11. Indirect adaptive fuzzy wavelet neural network with self- recurrent consequent part for AC servo system.

    PubMed

    Hou, Runmin; Wang, Li; Gao, Qiang; Hou, Yuanglong; Wang, Chao

    2017-09-01

    This paper proposes a novel indirect adaptive fuzzy wavelet neural network (IAFWNN) to control the nonlinearity, wide variations in loads, time-variation and uncertain disturbance of the ac servo system. In the proposed approach, the self-recurrent wavelet neural network (SRWNN) is employed to construct an adaptive self-recurrent consequent part for each fuzzy rule of TSK fuzzy model. For the IAFWNN controller, the online learning algorithm is based on back propagation (BP) algorithm. Moreover, an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) is used to adapt the learning rate. The aid of an adaptive SRWNN identifier offers the real-time gradient information to the adaptive fuzzy wavelet neural controller to overcome the impact of parameter variations, load disturbances and other uncertainties effectively, and has a good dynamic. The asymptotical stability of the system is guaranteed by using the Lyapunov method. The result of the simulation and the prototype test prove that the proposed are effective and suitable. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  12. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of Epimedium wushanense by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Li, Hui-fang; Guan, Xiang-yu; Ye, Min; Xiang, Cheng; Lin, Chang-hu; Sun, Chao; Guo, De-an

    2011-06-01

    A new HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n) method was developed for rapid separation, characterization and quantitation of flavonoids in Epimedium wushanense, a popular Chinese herbal medicine. For qualitative identification, a total of 37 compounds were characterized from the underground and aerial parts of E. wushanense. Among them, 28 compounds were prenylated flavonoids, and 23 were confirmed by comparing with reference standards. For quantitative analysis, 12 major flavonoids including kaempferol glycosides, desmethylicaritin glycosides, and icaritin glycosides were simultaneously determined by HPLC/UV. Samples were separated on a Waters Symmetry C(18) column at 35 °C eluted with a gradient three-component mobile phase of acetonitrile, methanol, and water containing 0.03% v/v formic acid. All the flavonoids showed good linearity (r(2) ≥0.9997). The recoveries varied from 92.6 to 106.1% at three concentration levels. This method was applied to the determination of 20 samples of different geographical sources, harvesting time, and plant parts. Contents of the predominant flavonoid, epimedin C, ranged from 1.4 to 5.1% in aerial parts and 1.0 to 2.8% in underground parts. The methods established in this paper were simple and reliable and could be used for the quality control of E. wushanense. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Intelligent technologies in process of highly-precise products manufacturing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vakhidova, K. L.; Khakimov, Z. L.; Isaeva, M. R.; Shukhin, V. V.; Labazanov, M. A.; Ignatiev, S. A.

    2017-10-01

    One of the main control methods of the surface layer of bearing parts is the eddy current testing method. Surface layer defects of bearing parts, like burns, cracks and some others, are reflected in the results of the rolling surfaces scan. The previously developed method for detecting defects from the image of the raceway was quite effective, but the processing algorithm is complicated and lasts for about 12 ... 16 s. The real non-stationary signals from an eddy current transducer (ECT) consist of short-time high-frequency and long-time low-frequency components, therefore a transformation is used for their analysis, which provides different windows for different frequencies. The wavelet transform meets these conditions. Based on aforesaid, a methodology for automatically detecting and recognizing local defects in bearing parts surface layer has been developed on the basis of wavelet analysis using integral estimates. Some of the defects are recognized by the amplitude component, otherwise an automatic transition to recognition by the phase component of information signals (IS) is carried out. The use of intelligent technologies in the manufacture of bearing parts will, firstly, significantly improve the quality of bearings, and secondly, significantly improve production efficiency by reducing (eliminating) rejections in the manufacture of products, increasing the period of normal operation of the technological equipment (inter-adjustment period), the implementation of the system of Flexible facilities maintenance, as well as reducing production costs.

  14. The effects of a team-based continuous quality improvement intervention on the management of primary care: a randomised controlled trial

    PubMed Central

    Engels, Yvonne; van den Hombergh, Pieter; Mokkink, Henk; van den Hoogen, Henk; van den Bosch, Wil; Grol, Richard

    2006-01-01

    Aim To study the effects of a team-based model for continuous quality improvement (CQI) on primary care practice management. Design of study Randomised controlled trial. Setting Twenty-six intervention and 23 control primary care practices in the Netherlands. Method Practices interested in taking part in the CQI project were, after assessment of their practice organisation, randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. During a total of five meetings, a facilitator helped the teams in the intervention group select suitable topics for quality improvement and follow a structured approach to achieve improvement objectives. Checklists completed by an outreach visitor, questionnaires for the GPs, staff and patients were used to assemble data on the number and quality of improvement activities undertaken and on practice management prior to the start of the intervention and 1 year later. Results Pre-test and post-test data were compared for the 26 intervention and 23 control practices. A significant intervention effect was found for the number of improvement objectives actually defined (93 versus 54, P<0.001) and successfully completed (80 versus 69% of the projects, P<0.001). The intervention group also improved on more aspects of practice management, as measured by our practice visit method, than the control group but none of these differences proved statistically significant. Conclusion The intervention exerted a significant effect on the number and quality of improvement projects undertaken and self-defined objectives met. Failure of the effects of the intervention on the other dimensions of practice management to achieve significance may be due to the topics selected for some of the improvement projects being only partly covered by the assessment instrument. PMID:17007709

  15. Controlling material reactivity using architecture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sullivan, Kyle; Zhu, Cheng; Duoss, Eric; Durban, Matt; Gash, Alex; Golobic, Alexandra; Grapes, Michael; Kuntz, Joshua; Spadaccini, Christopher; Kolesky, David; Lewis, Jennifer; LLNL Team; Harvard University Team

    Thermites are mixtures of a metal fuel with a metal oxide as the oxidizer. The reactivity of such materials can be tailored through careful selection of a variety of parameters, and can range from very slow burns to rapid deflagrations when using nanoparticles. However, in some cases diminishing returns have been observed as the particle size is reduced. 3D printing is a rapidly emerging field, which offers the capability of printing architected parts; for example parts with controlled internal feature sizes and geometries. In this work, we investigated whether such features could be utilized to gain additional control of the reactivity. This talk introduces several new methods for preparing thermite samples with controlled architectures using direct 3D printing, deposition, and/or casting. Additionally, we demonstrate that 3D printing can be used to tailor the convective and/or advective energy transport during a deflagration, thus enhancing or retarding the reaction. The results are promising in that they give researchers additional ways to control the energy release rate, without defaulting to the classic approach of changing the formulation. This work was performed under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-708525.

  16. Identification of key factors regulating self-renewal and differentiation in EML hematopoietic precursor cells by RNA-sequencing analysis.

    PubMed

    Zong, Shan; Deng, Shuyun; Chen, Kenian; Wu, Jia Qian

    2014-11-11

    Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are used clinically for transplantation treatment to rebuild a patient's hematopoietic system in many diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Elucidating the mechanisms controlling HSCs self-renewal and differentiation is important for application of HSCs for research and clinical uses. However, it is not possible to obtain large quantity of HSCs due to their inability to proliferate in vitro. To overcome this hurdle, we used a mouse bone marrow derived cell line, the EML (Erythroid, Myeloid, and Lymphocytic) cell line, as a model system for this study. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) has been increasingly used to replace microarray for gene expression studies. We report here a detailed method of using RNA-Seq technology to investigate the potential key factors in regulation of EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. The protocol provided in this paper is divided into three parts. The first part explains how to culture EML cells and separate Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The second part of the protocol offers detailed procedures for total RNA preparation and the subsequent library construction for high-throughput sequencing. The last part describes the method for RNA-Seq data analysis and explains how to use the data to identify differentially expressed transcription factors between Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The most significantly differentially expressed transcription factors were identified to be the potential key regulators controlling EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. In the discussion section of this paper, we highlight the key steps for successful performance of this experiment. In summary, this paper offers a method of using RNA-Seq technology to identify potential regulators of self-renewal and differentiation in EML cells. The key factors identified are subjected to downstream functional analysis in vitro and in vivo.

  17. Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Kenian; Wu, Jia Qian

    2014-01-01

    Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are used clinically for transplantation treatment to rebuild a patient's hematopoietic system in many diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Elucidating the mechanisms controlling HSCs self-renewal and differentiation is important for application of HSCs for research and clinical uses. However, it is not possible to obtain large quantity of HSCs due to their inability to proliferate in vitro. To overcome this hurdle, we used a mouse bone marrow derived cell line, the EML (Erythroid, Myeloid, and Lymphocytic) cell line, as a model system for this study. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) has been increasingly used to replace microarray for gene expression studies. We report here a detailed method of using RNA-Seq technology to investigate the potential key factors in regulation of EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. The protocol provided in this paper is divided into three parts. The first part explains how to culture EML cells and separate Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The second part of the protocol offers detailed procedures for total RNA preparation and the subsequent library construction for high-throughput sequencing. The last part describes the method for RNA-Seq data analysis and explains how to use the data to identify differentially expressed transcription factors between Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The most significantly differentially expressed transcription factors were identified to be the potential key regulators controlling EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. In the discussion section of this paper, we highlight the key steps for successful performance of this experiment. In summary, this paper offers a method of using RNA-Seq technology to identify potential regulators of self-renewal and differentiation in EML cells. The key factors identified are subjected to downstream functional analysis in vitro and in vivo. PMID:25407807

  18. Design principles for elementary gene circuits: Elements, methods, and examples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savageau, Michael A.

    2001-03-01

    The control of gene expression involves complex circuits that exhibit enormous variation in design. For years the most convenient explanation for these variations was historical accident. According to this view, evolution is a haphazard process in which many different designs are generated by chance; there are many ways to accomplish the same thing, and so no further meaning can be attached to such different but equivalent designs. In recent years a more satisfying explanation based on design principles has been found for at least certain aspects of gene circuitry. By design principle we mean a rule that characterizes some biological feature exhibited by a class of systems such that discovery of the rule allows one not only to understand known instances but also to predict new instances within the class. The central importance of gene regulation in modern molecular biology provides strong motivation to search for more of these underlying design principles. The search is in its infancy and there are undoubtedly many design principles that remain to be discovered. The focus of this three-part review will be the class of elementary gene circuits in bacteria. The first part reviews several elements of design that enter into the characterization of elementary gene circuits in prokaryotic organisms. Each of these elements exhibits a variety of realizations whose meaning is generally unclear. The second part reviews mathematical methods used to represent, analyze, and compare alternative designs. Emphasis is placed on particular methods that have been used successfully to identify design principles for elementary gene circuits. The third part reviews four design principles that make specific predictions regarding (1) two alternative modes of gene control, (2) three patterns of coupling gene expression in elementary circuits, (3) two types of switches in inducible gene circuits, and (4) the realizability of alternative gene circuits and their response to phased environmental cues. In each case, the predictions are supported by experimental evidence. These results are important for understanding the function, design, and evolution of elementary gene circuits.

  19. A Crank–Nicolson Leapfrog stabilization: Unconditional stability and two applications

    DOE PAGES

    Jiang, Nan; Kubacki, Michaela; Layton, William; ...

    2014-12-09

    We propose and analyze a linear stabilization of the Crank-Nicolson Leapfrog (CNLF) method that removes all time step/CFL conditions for stability and controls the unstable mode. It also increases the SPD part of the linear system to be solved at each time step while increasing solution accuracy. We give a proof of unconditional stability of the method as well as a proof of unconditional, asymptotic stability of both the stable and unstable modes. As a result, we illustrate two applications of the method: uncoupling groundwater-surface water flows and Stokes flow plus a Coriolis term.

  20. Graphical determination of wall temperatures for heat transfers through walls of arbitrary shape

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lutz, Otto

    1950-01-01

    A graphical method is given which permits determining of the temperature distribution during heat transfer in arbitrarily shaped walls. Three examples show the application of the method. The further development of heat engines depends to a great extent on the control of the thermal stresses in the walls. The thermal stresses stem from the nonuniform temperature distribution in heat transfer through walls which are, for structural reasons, of various thicknesses and sometimes complicated shape. Thus, it is important to know the temperature distribution in these structural parts. Following, a method is given which permits solution of this problem.

  1. Application of finite-element methods to dynamic analysis of flexible spatial and co-planar linkage systems, part 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dubowsky, Steven

    1989-01-01

    An approach is described to modeling the flexibility effects in spatial mechanisms and manipulator systems. The method is based on finite element representations of the individual links in the system. However, it should be noted that conventional finite element methods and software packages will not handle the highly nonlinear dynamic behavior of these systems which results form their changing geometry. In order to design high-performance lightweight systems and their control systems, good models of their dynamic behavior which include the effects of flexibility are required.

  2. Genetic reinforcement learning through symbiotic evolution for fuzzy controller design.

    PubMed

    Juang, C F; Lin, J Y; Lin, C T

    2000-01-01

    An efficient genetic reinforcement learning algorithm for designing fuzzy controllers is proposed in this paper. The genetic algorithm (GA) adopted in this paper is based upon symbiotic evolution which, when applied to fuzzy controller design, complements the local mapping property of a fuzzy rule. Using this Symbiotic-Evolution-based Fuzzy Controller (SEFC) design method, the number of control trials, as well as consumed CPU time, are considerably reduced when compared to traditional GA-based fuzzy controller design methods and other types of genetic reinforcement learning schemes. Moreover, unlike traditional fuzzy controllers, which partition the input space into a grid, SEFC partitions the input space in a flexible way, thus creating fewer fuzzy rules. In SEFC, different types of fuzzy rules whose consequent parts are singletons, fuzzy sets, or linear equations (TSK-type fuzzy rules) are allowed. Further, the free parameters (e.g., centers and widths of membership functions) and fuzzy rules are all tuned automatically. For the TSK-type fuzzy rule especially, which put the proposed learning algorithm in use, only the significant input variables are selected to participate in the consequent of a rule. The proposed SEFC design method has been applied to different simulated control problems, including the cart-pole balancing system, a magnetic levitation system, and a water bath temperature control system. The proposed SEFC has been verified to be efficient and superior from these control problems, and from comparisons with some traditional GA-based fuzzy systems.

  3. Design of Solar Street Lamp Control System Based on MPPT

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cui, Fengying

    This paper proposes a new solar street lamp control system which is composed of photovoltaic cell, controller, battery and load. In this system controller as the key part applies the microchip to achieve many functions. According to the nonlinear output characteristics of solar cell and the influence of environment, it uses the perturbation and observation (P&O) method to realize the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and promotes the efficiency. In order to prolong the battery life the pulse width modulation (PWM) charge mode is selected to control the battery capacity and provent the battery from the state of over-charge and over-discharge. Meanwhile the function of temperature compensation, charge and discharge protection are set to improve the running safety and stability.

  4. Experimental investigation of residual stress distribution during turning of weak stiffness revolving parts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiao, Sicheng; Zhang, Chengyan; Liu, Guancheng; Lu, Jiping; Tang, Shuiyuan

    2017-08-01

    A series of turning experiments have been carried out to study the effect of different cutting speed, feed rate and pre-tightening torque on residual stress distribution during turning of weak stiffness revolving parts. Surface residual stress and the peak residual compressive stress are selected from the typical residual stress distribution profile. The residual stress by turning was measured by X-ray diffraction method. In order to get the distribution of residual stress along depth direction, the specimens need to be etched layer by layer. From this investigation, it can be concluded that it is practicable to control the distribution of residual stress by changing the pre-tightening torque and cutting parameters during turning of weak stiffness revolving parts.

  5. The Comprehension of Rapid Speech by the Blind: Part III. Final Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Foulke, Emerson

    Accounts of completed and ongoing research conducted from 1964 to 1968 are presented on the subject of accelerated speech as a substitute for the written word. Included are a review of the research on intelligibility and comprehension of accelerated speech, some methods for controlling the word rate of recorded speech, and a comparison of…

  6. Does Money Matter? A Meta-Analysis of Studies of the Effects of Differential School Inputs on Student Outcomes. (An Exchange: Part 1).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hedges, Larry V.; And Others

    1994-01-01

    Presents reanalysis of data from earlier reviews, particularly those by Hanushek (1981, 1986, 1989, 1991), on relationship between educational resource input and school outcomes when controlling for student characteristics such as socioeconomic status. Using different synthesis methods, analysis shows a positive relationship between resources and…

  7. 40 CFR Appendix Ix to Part 266 - Methods Manual for Compliance With the BIF Regulations

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Systems 2.1Performance Specifications for Continuous Emission Monitoring of Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen for... Methodology for Bevill Residue Determinations 8.0Procedures for Determining Default Values for Air Pollution Control System Removal Efficiencies 8.1APCS RE Default Values for Metals 8.2APCS RE Default Values for HC1...

  8. 40 CFR Appendix Ix to Part 266 - Methods Manual for Compliance With the BIF Regulations

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Systems 2.1Performance Specifications for Continuous Emission Monitoring of Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen for... Methodology for Bevill Residue Determinations 8.0Procedures for Determining Default Values for Air Pollution Control System Removal Efficiencies 8.1APCS RE Default Values for Metals 8.2APCS RE Default Values for HC1...

  9. The Results of Teaching Middle School Students Two Relaxation Techniques as Part of a Conflict Prevention Program.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dacey, John S.; And Others

    1997-01-01

    Boston College Conflict Prevention Program techniques for relaxation and self-control were taught to middle-school students in two Boston schools. Preliminary results from teacher interviews revealed that students spontaneously used these methods to calm their "fight-or-flight" reactions in real conflicts. Results also indicated that…

  10. 40 CFR 60.50Da - Compliance determination procedures and methods.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this section to calculate emission rates based on electrical output to the grid... of appendix A of this part shall be used to compute the emission rate of PM. (2) For the particular... reduction from fuel pretreatment, percent; and %Rg = Percent reduction by SO2 control system, percent. (2...

  11. Chaos Theory as a Model for Life Transitions Counseling: Nonlinear Dynamics and Life's Changes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bussolari, Cori J.; Goodell, Judith A.

    2009-01-01

    Chaos theory is presented for counselors working with clients experiencing life transitions. It is proposed as a model that considers disorder, unpredictability, and lack of control as normal parts of transition processes. Nonlinear constructs from physics are adapted for use in counseling. The model provides a method clients can use to…

  12. Effect of Posttraumatic Stress on Study Time in a Task Measuring Four Component Processes Underlying Text-Level Reading

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sullivan, Michael P.; Griffiths, Gina G.; Sohlberg, Mckay Moore

    2014-01-01

    Purpose: To investigate the effect of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on 4 components underlying text-level reading comprehension. Method: A group of 17 veterans with PTSD and 17 matched control participants took part. An experimental task required participants to read and study 3-sentence paragraphs describing semantic…

  13. Developing rearing methods for Tetrastichus planipennisi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a larval endoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

    Treesearch

    Philip Taylor; Jian J. Duan; Roger Fuester

    2011-01-01

    Classical biological control efforts against emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) in North America primarily have focused on introduction and releases of exotic parasitoid species collected from northern parts of China. Recently, field surveys in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario also indicate that some existing parasitoids...

  14. Clock genes explain large proportion of phenotypic variance in systolic blood pressure and this control is not modified by environmental temperature

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    BACKGROUND: Diurnal variation in blood pressure (BP) is regulated, in part, by an endogenous circadian clock; however, few human studies have identified associations between clock genes and BP. Accounting for environmental temperature may be necessary to correct for seasonal bias. METHODS: We examin...

  15. Physical Activity Intervention Using Fitbits in an Introductory College Health Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rote, Aubrianne E

    2017-01-01

    Objective: This study took the form of an intervention examining change in physical activity and quality of experience among students in an introductory health course who were asked to wear a Fitbit activity monitor throughout the semester. Method: College students (N = 56) took part in this controlled trial. Students enrolled in an introductory…

  16. A History of Forestry Research in the Southern United States

    Treesearch

    H.R. Josephson

    1989-01-01

    The great progress in southern forestry during the past half century must be attributed in part to research scientists who provided scientific knowledge and practical technology for forest protection, management, and utilization. Research has pointed the way to better control and use of fire and to more effective methods for regenerating desirable tree species....

  17. Novel Hybrid Adaptive Controller for Manipulation in Complex Perturbation Environments

    PubMed Central

    Smith, Alex M. C.; Yang, Chenguang; Ma, Hongbin; Culverhouse, Phil; Cangelosi, Angelo; Burdet, Etienne

    2015-01-01

    In this paper we present a hybrid control scheme, combining the advantages of task-space and joint-space control. The controller is based on a human-like adaptive design, which minimises both control effort and tracking error. Our novel hybrid adaptive controller has been tested in extensive simulations, in a scenario where a Baxter robot manipulator is affected by external disturbances in the form of interaction with the environment and tool-like end-effector perturbations. The results demonstrated improved performance in the hybrid controller over both of its component parts. In addition, we introduce a novel method for online adaptation of learning parameters, using the fuzzy control formalism to utilise expert knowledge from the experimenter. This mechanism of meta-learning induces further improvement in performance and avoids the need for tuning through trial testing. PMID:26029916

  18. A program to evaluate a control system based on feedback of aerodynamic pressure differentials, part 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hrabak, R. R.; Levy, D. W.; Finn, P.; Roskam, J.

    1981-01-01

    The use of pressure differentials in a flight control system was evaluated. The pressure profile around the test surface was determined using two techniques: (1) windtunnel data (actual); and (2) NASA/Langley Single Element Airfoil Computer Program (theoretical). The system designed to evaluate the concept of using pressure differentials is composed of a sensor drive and power amplifiers, actuator, position potentiometer, and a control surface. The characteristics (both desired and actual) of the system and each individual component were analyzed. The desired characteristics of the system as a whole are given. The flight control system developed, the testing procedures and data reduction methods used, and theoretical frequency response analysis are described.

  19. Adaptive Formation Control of Electrically Driven Nonholonomic Mobile Robots With Limited Information.

    PubMed

    Bong Seok Park; Jin Bae Park; Yoon Ho Choi

    2011-08-01

    We present a leader-follower-based adaptive formation control method for electrically driven nonholonomic mobile robots with limited information. First, an adaptive observer is developed under the condition that the velocity measurement is not available. With the proposed adaptive observer, the formation control part is designed to achieve the desired formation and guarantee the collision avoidance. In addition, neural network is employed to compensate the actuator saturation, and the projection algorithm is used to estimate the velocity information of the leader. It is shown, by using the Lyapunov theory, that all errors of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed control system.

  20. Proposed algorithm to improve job shop production scheduling using ant colony optimization method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pakpahan, Eka KA; Kristina, Sonna; Setiawan, Ari

    2017-12-01

    This paper deals with the determination of job shop production schedule on an automatic environment. On this particular environment, machines and material handling system are integrated and controlled by a computer center where schedule were created and then used to dictate the movement of parts and the operations at each machine. This setting is usually designed to have an unmanned production process for a specified interval time. We consider here parts with various operations requirement. Each operation requires specific cutting tools. These parts are to be scheduled on machines each having identical capability, meaning that each machine is equipped with a similar set of cutting tools therefore is capable of processing any operation. The availability of a particular machine to process a particular operation is determined by the remaining life time of its cutting tools. We proposed an algorithm based on the ant colony optimization method and embedded them on matlab software to generate production schedule which minimize the total processing time of the parts (makespan). We test the algorithm on data provided by real industry and the process shows a very short computation time. This contributes a lot to the flexibility and timelines targeted on an automatic environment.

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