Consideration of Multi-Phase Criterion in the Differential Protection Algorithm for High-Impedance Grounded Synchronous Generators

The generator differential protection is one of the most important electrical protections of synchronous generator stator windings. Its operation principle is based on the comparison of the input current and output current at each phase winding. Unwanted trip commands are usually caused by CT saturation, wrong CT selection, or the fact that they may come from different manufacturers. In generators grounded through high impedance, only phase-to-phase or three-phase faults can be detected by the differential protection. This kind of fault causes differential current to flow in, at least, two phases of the winding. Several cases of unwanted trip commands caused by the appearance of differential current in only one phase of the generator have been reported. In this paper multi-phase criterion is proposed for generator differential protection algorithm when applied to high impedance grounded generators.

High-Acoustic-Impedance Tantalum Oxide Layers for Insulating Acoustic Reflectors

This work describes the assessment of the acoustic properties of sputtered tantalum oxide films intended for use as high-impedance films of acoustic reflectors for solidly mounted resonators operating in the gigahertz frequency range. The films are grown by sputtering a metallic tantalum target under different oxygen and argon gas mixtures, total pressures, pulsed dc powers, and substrate biases. The structural properties of the films are assessed through infrared absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. Their acoustic impedance is assessed by deriving the mass density from X-ray reflectometry measurements and the acoustic velocity from picosecond acoustic spectroscopy and the analysis of the frequency response of the test resonators.

Corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys in Ringer`s solution

Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been widely used in restorative surgery due to its high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, some studies showed that V and Al release in the organism might induce cytotoxic effects and neurological disorders, which led to the development of V-free alloys and both V- and Al-free alloys containing Nb, Zr, Ta, or Mo. Among these alloys, Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy is promising due to its better biomechanical compatibility than Ti-6Al-4V. In this work, the corrosion behavior of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys (x=5, 13, and 20) was evaluated in Ringer`s solution (pH 7.5) at 37 degrees C through open-circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Spontaneous passivity was observed for all materials in this medium. Low corrosion current densities (in the order of 10(-7) A/cm(2)) and high impedance values (in the order of 10(5) Omega cm(2) at low frequencies) indicated their high corrosion resistance. EIS results showed that the passivating films were constituted of an outer porous layer (very low resistance) and an inner compact layer (high resistance), the latter providing the corrosion resistance of the materials. There was evidence that the Ti-xNb-13Zr alloys were more corrosion resistant than both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V in Ringer`s solution.

A Wireless EEG Acquisition Platform based on Embedded Systems

This paper proposes a wireless EEG acquisition platform based on Open Multimedia Architecture Platform (OMAP) embedded system. A high-impedance active dry electrode was tested for improving the scalp- electrode interface. It was used the sigma-delta ADS1298 analog-to-digital converter, and developed a “kernelspace” character driver to manage the communications between the converter unit and the OMAP’s ARM core. The acquired EEG signal data is processed by a “userspace” application, which accesses the driver’s memory, saves the data to a SD-card and transmits them through a wireless TCP/IP-socket to a PC. The electrodes were tested through the alpha wave replacement phenomenon. The experimental results presented the expected alpha rhythm (8-13 Hz) reactiveness to the eyes opening task. The driver spends about 725 μs to acquire and store the data samples. The application takes about 244 μs to get the data from the driver and 1.4 ms to save it in the SD-card. A WiFi throughput of 12.8Mbps was measured which results in a transmission time of 5 ms for 512 kb of data. The embedded system consumes about 200 mAh when wireless off and 400 mAh when it is on. The system exhibits a reliable performance to record EEG signals and transmit them wirelessly. Besides the microcontroller-based architectures, the proposed platform demonstrates that powerful ARM processors running embedded operating systems can be programmed with real-time constrains at the kernel level in order to control hardware, while maintaining their parallel processing abilities in high level software applications.

Implementación de resonadores serie en derivación mediante stubs en derivación de salto de impedancia: análisis y limitaciones

En aquest projecte s'analitzen les limitacions de la implementació de ressonadors sèrie en derivació en tecnologia microstrip mitjançant un stub en derivació de salt d'impedància (SISS). L'esmentada estructura està composada per una línea d'alta impedància carregada amb una línea de baixa impedància acabada en circuit obert. El seu comportament en freqüència és equivalent al d'un ressonador sèrie en derivació sempre i quan les longituds de les seves línies siguin elèctricament petites. Sota aquestes condicions, bàsicament, la línia d'alta impedància sintetitza una inductància, mentre que la línia de baixa impedància una capacitat. La limitació en els valors mínim i màxim de la impedància característica que es poden implementar implica una limitació sobre la inductància i la capacitat que es poden sintetitzar mitjançant el SISS.

A Novel Radar-Absorbing-Material Based on EBG Structure

A navel ultra-thin radar-absorbing material (RAM) using metanwterials is presented and the absorption performance is examined. Due to the high-impedance property of the metamalerials. the thickness of the RAM is about several tenths of the center wavelength of the absorption band, which is considerably thinner than conventional absorbers. The absorption bandwidth of the RAM is about several hundred megahertz

Raloxifene therapy does not affect uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women: a transvaginal Doppler study

AZEVEDO, George Dantas de et al. Raloxifene therapy does not affect uterine blood flow in postmenopausal women: a transvaginal Doppler study. Maturitas, Amsterdam, v.47, n.3, p.195-200, 2004

Metamaterial inspired improved antennas and circuits

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Implementação de um algoritmo para a análise de curtos-circuitos de alta impedância baseado no fluxo de carga soma de potências

This work has as main objective to show all the particularities regarding the Three-phase Power Summation Method, used for load flow calculation, in what it says respect to the influence of the magnetic coupling among the phases, as well as to the losses presented in all the existent transformers in the feeder to be analyzed. Besides, its application is detailed in the study of the short-circuits, that happen in the presence of high impedance values, which possess a problem, that is its difficult detection and consequent elimination on the part of common devices of protection. That happens due to the characteristic presented by the current of short¬ circuit, in being generally of the same order of greatness that the load currents. Results of simulations accomplished in several situations will be shown, objectifying a complete analysis of the behavior of the proposed method in several types of short-circuits. Confront of the results obtained by the method with results of another works will be presented to verify its effectiveness

Comparação de desempenho da deconvolução preditiva multicanal e da filtragem f-k na atenuação de múltiplas do fundo do mar

The seismic reflection is used on a large scale in oil exploration. In case of marine acquisition the presence of high impedance contrast at the interfaces water/air generates multiple reflections events. Such multiple events can mask primary events; thus from the interpretational viewpoint it is necessary to mitigate the multiples. In this manuscript we compare two methods of multiple attenuation: the predictive multichannel deconvolution (DPM) and the F-K filtering (FKF). DPM is based in the periodicity of the multiples while FKF is based in multiples and primaries splitting in F-K domain. DPM and FKF were applied in common-offset and CDP gathers, respectively. DPM is quite sensible to the correct identification of the period and size of the filter while FKF is quite sensible to an adequate choice of the velocity in order to split multiples and primaries events in the F-K domain. DPM is a method that is designed to act over a specific event. So, when the parameters are well selected, DPM is very efficient in removing the specified multiple. Then DPM can be optimized by applying it several times, each time with a different parameterization. A deficiency of DPM occurs when a multiple is superposed to a primary event: in this situation, DPM can attenuate also the primary event. On the other hand, FKF presents almost the same performance to all multiples that are localized in the same sector of the F-K domain. The two methods can be combined in order to take advantage of their associated potentials. In this situation, DPM is firstly applied, with a focus in the sea bed multiples. Then FKF is applied in order to attenuate the remaining multiples

Electrochemical stability and corrosion resistance of Ti-Mo alloys for biomedical applications

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A low-cost neurostimulator with accurate pulsed-current control

A constant-current stimulator for high-impedance loads using only low-cost standard high-voltage components Is presented. A voltage-regulator powers an oscillator built across the primary of a step-up transformer whose secondary supplies, after rectification, the high voltage to a switched current-mirror in the driving stage. Adjusting the regulated voltage controls the pulsed-current intensity. A prototype produces stimulus of amplitude and pulsewidth within 0 less than or equal to I-skin less than or equal to 20 mA and 50 mus less than or equal to T-pulse less than or equal to 1 ms, respectively. Pulse-repetition spans from 1 Hz to 10 Hz. Worst case ripple is 3.7% at I-skin = 1 mA. Overall consumption is 5.6 W at I-skin = 20 mA.

A simple constant-current neural stimulator with accurate pulse-amplitude control

A simple constant-current electrocutaneous stimulator for high-impedance loads using low-cost, standard high-voltage components is presented. A voltage-regulator powers an oscillator built across the primary of a transformer whose secondary delivers, after rectification, the high-voltage supply to switched current-mirrors in the driving stage. Since the compliance high-voltage is proportional to the stimulation current, overall power consumption is minimized. By adjusting the regulated voltage, control of the pulsed-current amplitude is achieved. A prototype with readily available components features stimulation currents of amplitude and pulsewidth in the range 0≤Iskin≤20mA and 50μs ≤Tpulse≤1ms, respectively. Pulse-repetition spans from 1 Hz to 10Hz. Worst-case ripple is 3.7% @Iskin=1mA. Measured pulse fall-time is shorter than 32μs. Overall consumption is 4.4W @Iskin=20mA. Subject isolation from line is 4KV.

Experimental analysis of an electromagnetic zero-sequence suppressor

The intent of this paper is to present contributions focused on the analysis and development of harmonic attenuator devices. Among these, highlights here the so-called electromagnetic zero-sequence suppressor. This arrangement consists of a filter and a blocker, both electromagnetic, whose combined operation provides paths for low and high impedance, respectively, which can be conveniently adjusted to the desired performance. In this context, here are present results related to experimental studies that show the behavior of the equipment in front of different operating conditions. The tests were performed on a low-power prototype (1kVA/220V) and the analysis results show the main motivator aspects for the use of these devices. © 2012 IEEE.

Detecção e classificação de faltas de alta impedância em sistemas elétricos de potência usando lógica Fuzzy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)