Configuration Controllability of Simple Mechanical Control Systems

In this paper we present a definition of "configuration controllability" for mechanical systems whose Lagrangian is kinetic energy with respect to a Riemannian metric minus potential energy. A computable test for this new version of controllability is derived. This condition involves an object which we call the symmetric product. Of particular interest is a definition of "equilibrium controllability" for which we are able to derive computable sufficient conditions. Examples illustrate the theory

Configuration Controllability of Simple Mechanical Control Systems

In this paper we present a definition of 'configuration controllability' for mechanical systems whose Lagrangian is kinetic energy with respect to a Riemannian metric minus potential energy. A computable test for this new version of controllability is derived. This condition involves an object that we call the symmetric product. Of particular interest is a definition of 'equilibrium controllability' for which we are able to derive computable sufficient conditions. Examples illustrate the theory

Image Transformations and Printing of Plaster Layers in Spiral Growth Manufacturing

Spiral growth manufacturing (SGM) is a high speed rapid manufacturing technique in which objects are built up, layer by layer, by simultaneously depositing, levelling and selectively consolidating thin powder layers onto a rotating build platform. The size and position of the jetted droplets are mapped by the position and greyscale level of pixels within an 8 bit greyscale bitmap image. This paper reports on the development of software in which mathematical algorithms apply geometric transformations to images in preparation for printing onto a rotating substrate. In support of this work, dimensional accuracy measurements of printed images and methods to correct radial print density variations are reported. The accuracy of printed images were found to be within ±0.2mm of their predicted size. The experimental work is briefly extended to the direct printing of plaster layers, formed by mixing two reactive ink solutions.Mechanical Engineerin

Two-stage combustion for reducing pollutant emissions from gas turbine combustors

Combustion and emission results are presented for a premix combustor fueled with admixtures of JP5 with neat H2 and of JP5 with simulated partial-oxidation product gas. The combustor was operated with inlet-air state conditions typical of cruise power for high performance aviation engines. Ultralow NOx, CO and HC emissions and extended lean burning limits were achieved simultaneously. Laboratory scale studies of the non-catalyzed rich-burning characteristics of several paraffin-series hydrocarbon fuels and of JP5 showed sooting limits at equivalence ratios of about 2.0 and that in order to achieve very rich sootless burning it is necessary to premix the reactants thoroughly and to use high levels of air preheat. The application of two-stage combustion for the reduction of fuel NOx was reviewed. An experimental combustor designed and constructed for two-stage combustion experiments is described

Atmospheric modelling for NOMAD-UVIS on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission

The Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer (UVIS) instrument development process requires the construction of an atmospheric model to provide synthetic UV transmission spectra. We discuss the requirements of the model to enable observational limits to be found, and the potential for certain atmospheric parameters to be further constrained

Spectrophotometry of Michigan-Tololo quasars

Emission-line quasar characteristics are confirmed for 80% of the objects observed, including at least four new quasars with spectral features indicative of supernova-like outflow. Approximately 73% of the redshifts predicted from the discovery plates are found accurate with a mean error in z of 0.03, and a large range of z (from about 0.1 to 3.16) is represented in the sample. The observed redshift distribution for quasars is marginally consistent with a constant co-moving quasar density above z approximately 2.0. The shape of the redshift distribution may be used as an isotropy probe with a cosmic time resolution of a few times one-hundred million years in the early universe; therefore, continued surveys of this sort are important even if accurate magnitudes are not determined

Assimilating the Martian water cycle

Water ice clouds have been shown to alter the thermal structure of the Martian atmosphere. Here we discuss the assimilation of total column water vapour and dust optical depth data from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) into the UK/LMD MGCM, and compare the predictions of cloud and temperature in the assimilation with observations