Growth of ionization currents in dry air at high values of E/N

Uniform field steady-state ionization currents were measured in dry air as a function of N at constant E/N (E is the electric field strength and N the gas number density) and constant electrode separation d for 14·13 × 10-16 less-than-or-eq, slant E/N less-than-or-eq, slant 282·5 × 10-16 V cm2. Uniform field sparking potentials were also measured for Nd range 1·24 × 1016 less-than-or-eq, slant Nd less-than-or-eq, slant 245 × 1016 cm-2. The ratio of the Townsend primary ionization coefficient α to N, α/N, was found to depend on E/N only. The secondary coefficients were also evaluated for aluminium and gold-plated electrodes for the above range of E/N. Measurements of the sparking potentials showed that Paschen's law is not obeyed in air at values of Nd near and below the Paschen minimum.

A Survey on Cascaded Multilevel Inverters

Cascaded multilevel inverters synthesize a medium-voltage output based on a series connection of power cells which use standard low-voltage component configurations. This characteristic allows one to achieve high-quality output voltages and input currents and also outstanding availability due to their intrinsic component redundancy. Due to these features, the cascaded multilevel inverter has been recognized as an important alternative in the medium-voltage inverter market. This paper presents a survey of different topologies, control strategies and modulation techniques used by these inverters. Regenerative and advanced topologies are also discussed. Applications where the mentioned features play a key role are shown. Finally, future developments are addressed.

Synthesis of plane linkages to generate functions of two variables using point-position reduction—Part 1. Rotary inputs and output

The paper presents simple graphical procedures for position synthesis of plane linkage mechanisms to generate functions of two independent variables. The procedures are based on point-position reduction and permit synthesis of the linkage to satisfy up to six arbitrarily selected precision positions.

Bounded-input/bounded-output stability of linear multidimensional time- varying systems

The present study of the stability of systems governed by a linear multidimensional time-varying equation, which are encountered in spacecraft dynamics, economics, demographics, and biological systems, gives attention the lemma dealing with L(inf) stability of an integral equation that results from the differential equation of the system under consideration. Using the proof of this lemma, the main result on L(inf) stability is derived according; a corollary of the theorem deals with constant coefficient systems perturbed by small periodic terms. (O.C.)

The Formation, Numbers And Radio Output Of Giant Radio Galaxies

The numbers and mean radio luminosities of giant radio galaxies (GRGs) have been calculated for redshifts up to z = 0.6, assuming a sensitivity limit of 1 Jy at 1 GHz for the observations. The estimates are obtained with a model for the beam propagation, first through the hot gaseaous halo around the parent galaxy, and thereafter, through the even hotter but less dense intergalactic medium. The model is able to accurately reproduce the observed numbers and mean radio luminosities of GRGs at redshifts of less than 0.1, and it predicts that a somewhat larger number of GRGs should be found at redshifts of greater than 0.1.

Design of Single-Input-Single-Output Compliant Mechanisms for Practical Applications Using Selection Maps

We present an interactive map-based technique for designing single-input-single-output compliant mechanisms that meet the requirements of practical applications. Our map juxtaposes user-specifications with the attributes of real compliant mechanisms stored in a database so that not only the practical feasibility of the specifications can be discerned quickly but also modifications can be done interactively to the existing compliant mechanisms. The practical utility of the method presented here exceeds that of shape and size optimizations because it accounts for manufacturing considerations, stress limits, and material selection. The premise for the method is the spring-leverage (SL) model, which characterizes the kinematic and elastostatic behavior of compliant mechanisms with only three SL constants. The user-specifications are met interactively using the beam-based 2D models of compliant mechanisms by changing their attributes such as: (i) overall size in two planar orthogonal directions, separately and together, (ii) uniform resizing of the in-plane widths of all the beam elements, (iii) uniform resizing of the out-of-plane thick-nesses of the beam elements, and (iv) the material. We present a design software program with a graphical user interface for interactive design. A case-study that describes the design procedure in detail is also presented while additional case-studies are posted on a website. DOI:10.1115/1.4001877].

Correlation of seasonal changes in sperm output with endocrinological changes in the adult male bonnet monkey, Macaca radiata

We have examined the monthly variations in sperm output and attempted to correlate the profiles of endocrine hormones secreted with the sperm counts throughout the ,year in the adult male bonnet monkey. As previously reported, there was a distinct spurt in sperm output beginning September through December months. A concomitant increase in serum testosterone and prolactin concentrations were also noted during September through November (mid and post-monsoon season). Although there was a marked increase in gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulated testosterone secretion, the peak testosterone concentrations post gonadotropin releasing hormone injection did not vary significantly (P>0.05) throughout the year. Basal serum follicle stimulating hormone concentrations did not vary significantly (P>0.05) during April to June months compared to September-November months. Serum inhibin concentration remained unaltered throughout the year, except in the month of March. The results of this study provide evidence for annual rhythms in prolactin and testosterone secretion and a distinct seasonality in the sperm output of the adult male bonnet monkey, but the pituitary responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone remains unaltered throughout the year. Because of the existence of seasonality as noted in the present study, future studies which utilize the adult male bonnet monkey as an experimental model need to take into consideration the seasonal effects on reproductive function in this species.

Enhanced charge and spin currents in the one-dimensional disordered mesoscopic Hubbard ring

We consider a one-dimensional mesoscopic Hubbard ring with and without disorder and compute charge and spin stiffness as a measure of the permanent currents. For finite disorder we identify critical disorder strength beyond which the charge currents in a system with repulsive interactions are larger than those for a free system. The spin currents in the disordered repulsive Hubbard model are enhanced only for small U, where the magnetic state of the system corresponds to a charge-density wave pinned to the impurities. For large U, the state of the system corresponds to localized isolated spins and the spin currents are found to be suppressed. For the attractive Hubbard model we find that the charge currents are always suppressed compared to the free system at all length scales.

Persistent currents in a one-dimensional ring for a disordered Hubbard model

We consider a one-dimensional Hubbard model in the presence of disorder. We compute the charge stiffness for a mesoscopic ring as a function of the size L, which is a measure of the persistent currents. We find that for finite disorder the persistent currents of the system with repulsive interactions are larger than those of the system with attractive interactions. This counterintuitive result is due to the fact that local-density fluctuations are reduced in the presence of repulsive interactions.

MHD flow over a moving plate in a rotating fluid with magnetic field, Hall currents and free stream velocity

The non-similar boundary layer flow of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid over a moving surface in a rotating fluid, in the presence of a magnetic field, Hall currents and the free stream velocity has been studied. The parabolic partial differential equations governing the flow are solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. The Coriolis force induces overshoot in the velocity profile of the primary flow and the magnetic field reduces/removes the velocity overshoot. The local skin friction coefficient for the primary flow increases with the magnetic field, but the skin friction coefficient for the secondary flow reduces it. Also the local skin friction coefficients for the primary and secondary flows are reduced due to the Hall currents. The effects of the magnetic field, Hall currents and the wall velocity, on the skin friction coefficients for the primary and secondary flows increase with the Coriolis force. The wall velocity strongly affects the flow field. When the wall velocity is equal to the free stream velocity, the skin friction coefficients for the primary and secondary flows vanish, but this does not imply separation. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Investigation on the Potential Rise and Currents in Insulated Mast Scheme with Single Tower During Stroke Interception

The insulated mast scheme for the lightning protection system can be found in a few practical designs. Many advantages over conventional protection system are some times envisaged. However, the technical literature on the analysis of such schemes and further quantification of their protection efficacy is rather scarce. As a first step to address this problem, the present work is taken up and the potential rise at the top and ground end currents in insulating mast scheme with single tower is investigated for several tower heights and pertinent values of other parameters. The quantities that are investigated are the potential difference across the insulation and ground end currents for both tower and the ground wires. Quantifications are carried out for the relevant range of stroke current front times. The influence of number of ground wires, their earthing location and to a limited extent, the length of the insulating support have been ascertained. Some relevant discussion on insulation strength is made. These findings are quite novel and aid in quantification of the practical efficacy of the insulated mast scheme. The level of induction to the support tower and possible flashover to the same are not in favour of this scheme.

Unsteady free convection flow over an infinite vertical porous plate due to the combined effects of thermal and mass diffusion, magnetic field and Hall currents

The unsteady free convection flow over an infinite vertical porous plate, which moves with time-dependent velocity in an ambient fluid, has been studied. The effects of the magnetic field and Hall current are included in the analysis. The buoyancy forces arise due to both the thermal and mass diffusion. The partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using both the implicit finite difference scheme and the difference-differential method. For the steady case, analytical solutions have also been obtained. The effect of time variation on the skin friction, heat transfer and mass transfer is very significant. Suction increases the skin friction coefficient in the primary flow, and also the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers, but the skin friction coefficient in the secondary flow is reduced. The effect of injection is opposite to that of suction. The buoyancy force, injection and the Hall parameter induce an overshoot in the velocity profiles in the primary flow which changes the velocity gradient from a negative to a positive value, but the magnetic field and suction reduce this velocity overshoot.