The builder's complete assistant, or, A library of arts and sciences, absolutely necessary to be understood by builders and workmen in general : viz. I. Arithmetick, vulgar and decimal, in whole numbers and fractions. II. Geometry, lineal, superficial, and solid. III. Architecture, universal. IV. Mensuration. V. Plain trigonometry. VI. Surveying of land, &c. VII. Mechanick powers. VIII. Hydrostaticks : illustrated by above thirteen hundred examples of lines, superficies, solids, mouldings, pedestals, columns, pilasters, entablatures, pediments, imposts, block cornices, rustick quoins, frontispieces, arcades, porticos, &c. : proportioned by modules and minutes, according to Andrea Palladio, and by equal parts : likewise great varieties of trussed roofs, timber bridges, centerings, arches, groins, twisted rails, compartments, obelisks, vases, pedestals for bustos, sun-dials, fonts, &c. and methods for raising heavy bodies by the force of levers, pulleys, axes in peritrochio, screws, and wedges, as also water, by the common pump, crane, etc. : wherein the properties, and pressure of the air on water, &c. are explained : the whole exemplified by 77 large quarto copper-plates /

All of the numbered plates in the atlas are double plates, and thus are counted twice in the adjusted plate count.

The Program Manager's Support System (PMSS) : an executive overview and description of functional modules.

Shipping list no.: 92-370-P.

Variable Step Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Modules with Embedded Temperature Sensing

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Cascaded DC-DC converter connection of photovoltaic modules

New residential scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays are commonly connected to the grid by a single dc-ac inverter connected to a series string of pv panels, or many small dc-ac inverters which connect one or two panels directly to the ac grid. This paper proposes an alternative topology of nonisolated per-panel dc-dc converters connected in series to create a high voltage string connected to a simplified dc-ac inverter. This offers the advantages of a converter-per-panel approach without the cost or efficiency penalties of individual dc-ac grid connected inverters. Buck, boost, buck-boost, and Cuk converters are considered as possible dc-dc converters that can be cascaded. Matlab simulations are used to compare the efficiency of each topology as well as evaluating the benefits of increasing cost and complexity. The buck and then boost converters are shown to be the most efficient topologies for a given cost, with the buck best suited for long strings and the boost for short strings. While flexible in voltage ranges, buck-boost, and Cuk converters are always at an efficiency or alternatively cost disadvantage.

Cascaded DC-DC converter connection of photovoltaic modules

New residential scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays are commonly connected to the grid by a single DC-AC inverter connected to a series string of PV modules, or many small DC-AC inverters which connect one or two modules directly to the AC grid. This paper shows that a "converter-per-module" approach offers many advantages including individual module maximum power point tracking, which gives great flexibility in module layout, replacement, and insensitivity to shading; better protection of PV sources, and redundancy in the case of source or converter failure; easier and safer installation and maintenance; and better data gathering. Simple nonisolated per-module DC-DC converters can be series connected to create a high voltage string connected to a simplified DC-AC inverter. These advantages are available without the cost or efficiency penalties of individual DC-AC grid connected inverters. Buck, boost, buck-boost and Cuk converters are possible cascadable converters. The boost converter is best if a significant step up is required, such as with a short string of 12 PV modules. A string of buck converters requires many more modules, but can always deliver any combination of module power. The buck converter is the most efficient topology for a given cost. While flexible in voltage ranges, buck-boost and Cuk converters are always at an efficiency or alternatively cost disadvantage.

Longitudinal dispersion in spiral wound RO modules and its effect on the performance of batch mode RO operations

Operation of reverse osmosis (RO) in cyclic batch mode can in principle provide both high energy efficiency and high recovery. However, one factor that causes the performance to be less than ideal is longitudinal dispersion in the RO module. At the end of the batch pressurisation phase it is necessary to purge and then refill the module. During the purge and refill phases, dispersion causes undesirable mixing of concentrated brine with less concentrated feed water, therefore increasing the salt concentration and energy usage in the subsequent pressurisation phase of the cycle. In this study, we quantify the significance of dispersion through theory and experiment. We provide an analysis that relates the energy efficiency of the batch operation to the amount of dispersion. With the help of a model based on the analysis by Taylor, dispersion is quantified according to flow rate. The model is confirmed by experiments with two types of proprietary spiral wound RO modules, using sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions of concentration 1000 to 20,000 ppm. In practice the typical energy usage increases by 4% to 5.5% compared to the ideal case of zero dispersion.

A compact, portable and low cost generic interrogation strain sensor system using an embedded VCSEL, detector and fibre Bragg grating

We present a compact, portable and low cost generic interrogation strain sensor system using a fibre Bragg grating configured in transmission mode with a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) light source and a GaAs photodetector embedded in a polymer skin. The photocurrent value is read and stored by a microcontroller. In addition, the photocurrent data is sent via Bluetooth to a computer or tablet device that can present the live data in a real time graph. With a matched grating and VCSEL, the system is able to automatically scan and lock the VCSEL to the most sensitive edge of the grating. Commercially available VCSEL and photodetector chips are thinned down to 20 µm and integrated in an ultra-thin flexible optical foil using several thin film deposition steps. A dedicated micro mirror plug is fabricated to couple the driving optoelectronics to the fibre sensors. The resulting optoelectronic package can be embedded in a thin, planar sensing sheet and the host material for this sheet is a flexible and stretchable polymer. The result is a fully embedded fibre sensing system - a photonic skin. Further investigations are currently being carried out to determine the stability and robustness of the embedded optoelectronic components. © 2012 Copyright Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

[Aston business school intercultural training activities include research-informed modules for overseas students to help them adapt to uk study practices and approaches, and innovative sessions with artists and actors in intercultural teams]

Case study in the annex of the symposium report

Noise and gain optimisation in bi-directionally pumped dispersion compensating amplifier modules

We perform optimisation of bi-directionally pumped dispersion compensating Raman amplifier modules. Optimal forward and backward pump powers for basic configurations using different commercially available fibers are presented for both single- and multi-channel systems. Optical signal-to-noise ratio improvement of up to 8 dB is achieved as a result of optimisation. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Optimization of gain and SNR in bi-directionally pumped dispersion compensating amplifier modules

In this paper, we present an analysis and optimisation of the performance of bi-directionally pumped dispersion compensation modules acting as simultaneous Raman amplifiers, with optimal configurations for operation with different fibers commercially available. The ratio between forward and backward pump powers for minimum noise influence is obtained in each case, with improvements in the SNR of up to 8 dB when compared to a purely backward-pumped case.