Output beam quality of edge pumped planar waveguide lasers with confocal unstable resonators

Output beam quality of edge pumped planar waveguide lasers with confocal unstable resonators is investigated by diffraction methods, taking into account gain saturation, asymmetric pumping, and beam interaction. The influences of pumping uniformity, doping concentration, cavity length and effective Fresnel number are analyzed with respect to output beam quality and pumping efficiency. It is found that good beam quality and high efficiency can be obtained with asymmetric pumping and optimized negative branch confocal unstable resonators. (c) 2005 The Optical Society of Japan.

Asymmetrical DC link voltage configuration for a diode-clamped inverter

There is a trade off between a number of output voltage levels and the reliability and efficiency of a multilevel converter. A new configuration of diode-clamped multilevel inverters with a different combination of DC link capacitors voltage has been proposed in this paper. Two different symmetrical and asymmetrical unequal arrangements for a four-level diode-clamped inverter have been compared, in order to find an optimum arrangement with lower switching losses and optimised output voltage quality. The simulation and hardware results for a four-level inverter show that the asymmetrical configuration can obtain more output voltage levels with the same number of components compared with a conventional four-level inverter and this will lead to the reduction of the harmonic content of the output voltage. A new family of multi-output DC-DC converters with a simple control strategy has been utilised as a front-end converter to supply the DC link capacitor voltages for the optimised configuration.

Hybrid cascade converter topology with series connected symmetrical and asymmetrical diode-clamped H-Bridge cells

A novel H-bridge multilevel PWM converter topology based on a series connection of a high voltage (HV) diode-clamped inverter and a low voltage (LV) conventional inverter is proposed. A DC link voltage arrangement for the new hybrid and asymmetric solution is presented to have a maximum number of output voltage levels by preserving the adjacent switching vectors between voltage levels. Hence, a fifteen-level hybrid converter can be attained with a minimum number of power components. A comparative study has been carried out to present high performance of the proposed configuration to approach a very low THD of voltage and current, which leads to the possible elimination of output filter. Regarding the proposed configuration, a new cascade inverter is verified by cascading an asymmetrical diode-clamped inverter, in which nineteen levels can be synthesized in output voltage with the same number of components. To balance the DC link capacitor voltages for the maximum output voltage resolution as well as synthesise asymmetrical DC link combination, a new Multi-output Boost (MOB) converter is utilised at the DC link voltage of a seven-level H-bridge diode-clamped inverter. Simulation and hardware results based on different modulations are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed approach to achieve a high quality output voltage.

A new family of multi-output DC-DC converter topologies to supply an asymmetrical four-level diode-clamped inverter

Purpose Multi-level diode-clamped inverters have the challenge of capacitor voltage balancing when the number of DC-link capacitors is three or more. On the other hand, asymmetrical DC-link voltage sources have been applied to increase the number of voltage levels without increasing the number of switches. The purpose of this paper is to show that an appropriate multi-output DC-DC converter can resolve the problem of capacitor voltage balancing and utilize the asymmetrical DC-link voltages advantages. Design/methodology/approach A family of multi-output DC-DC converters is presented in this paper. The application of these converters is to convert the output voltage of a photovoltaic (PV) panel to regulate DC-link voltages of an asymmetrical four-level diode-clamped inverter utilized for domestic applications. To verify the versatility of the presented topology, simulations have been directed for different situations and results are presented. Some related experiments have been developed to examine the capabilities of the proposed converters. Findings The three-output voltage-sharing converters presented in this paper have been mathematically analysed and proven to be appropriate to improve the quality of the residential application of PV by means of four-level asymmetrical diode-clamped inverter supplying highly resistive loads. Originality/value This paper shows that an appropriate multi-output DC-DC converter can resolve the problem of capacitor voltage balancing and utilize the asymmetrical DC-link voltages advantages and that there is a possibility of operation at high-modulation index despite reference voltage magnitude and power factor variations.

Perturbation solutions for flow through symmetrical hoppers with inserts and asymmetrical wedge hoppers

Under certain circumstances, an industrial hopper which operates under the "funnel-flow" regime can be converted to the "mass-flow" regime with the addition of a flow-corrective insert. This paper is concerned with calculating granular flow patterns near the outlet of hoppers that incorporate a particular type of insert, the cone-in-cone insert. The flow is considered to be quasi-static, and governed by the Coulomb-Mohr yield condition together with the non-dilatant double-shearing theory. In two dimensions, the hoppers are wedge-shaped, and as such the formulation for the wedge-in-wedge hopper also includes the case of asymmetrical hoppers. A perturbation approach, valid for high angles of internal friction, is used for both two-dimensional and axially symmetric flows, with analytic results possible for both leading order and correction terms. This perturbation scheme is compared with numerical solutions to the governing equations, and is shown to work very well for angles of internal friction in excess of 45 degree.

Understanding intraaortic balloon pumping

Intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) is an established treatment for the support of a failing heart (Christenson, Simonet et al. 1997). It is a process undertaken in most level two and three intensive care units. Despite IABP appearing complex, the principles are straightforward. A sausage shaped intraaortic balloon (IAB) about 250 millimetres long and 15 millimetres in diameter, is placed in the descending aorta and attached to an external pump. The external pump then inflates and deflates the IAB in synchrony with cardiac contraction. The primary purpose of this is the support of a compromised heart with a simultaneous increase in myocardial oxygen supply, and decrease in myocardial oxygen demand (Overwalder, 1999). As a nurse it is worthwhile understanding the principles of IABP. As a hospital intervention, it’s exposure to nursing is high.

Pumping systems: Design and energy efficiency

Pumping systems are widely used in many applications, including municipal water/wastewater services, domestic, commercial and agricultural services, and industrial processes. They are a very significant energy user and consume nearly 20% of the world’s electrical energy demand. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of pumping systems can provide great benefits in terms of energy, environment, and cost reduction. In this entry, an overview of pump classification with pros and cons of each type of pump is presented. The procedures used to design pumping systems are also outlined. This is then followed by a discussion on the opportunities for improving the energy efficiency of pumping systems during every stage of design, selection, operation, and maintenance.

Ellen Bernkopf nee Catzenstein pumping water outdoors; Ascona, Switzerland. Portraits Women

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Ellen Bernkopf nee Catzenstein pumping water outdoors; Ascona, Switzerland. Portraits Women

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