Five-Level Common-Emitter Inverter Using Reverse-Blocking IGBTs

In a high switching frequency operation of current-source inverter (CSI), a conventional way to obtain unidirectional power switches is by connecting discrete diodes in series with the high speed power switches, i.e. power MOSFETs or IGBTs. However, these discrete diodes will cause extra losses to the power converter. This paper presents experimental test results of high switching frequency five-level common-emitter CSI using the emerging unidirectional power switches, i.e. reverse blocking (RB)-IGBTs. Experimental tests were also conducted to compare the performance between power MOSFETs in series with the discrete diodes, and the RB-IGBTs having inherent reverse blocking capability. The results show that using RB-IGBTs, the efficiency of the power converter increase. However, it is also confirmed that the recently available RB-IGBTs have slow reverse recovery current than the discrete fast-recovery diodes connected in series with power MOSFETs

H-Bridge based Five-Level Current-Source Inverter for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Power Conditioner

         This paper presents an application of a new circuit configuration of H-bridge based five-level current-source inverter (CSI) used for grid connected photovoltaics system. In this topology, the intermediate level currents of the five-level current waveform are generated by connecting DC current module to the H-bridge CSI. Some new features can be derived using this new topology such as reducing the switching power device count, and reducing the inductor conduction losses of the inverter. The proposed five-level CSI is tested for grid connected photovoltaic system through computer simulation using PSIM software. Furthermore, the experimental test results of the proposed five-level CSI are presented. The results show that the inverter works properly generating a five-level current waveform and injecting a sinusoidal current into power grid with less harmonics distortion and with unity power factor operation

New Dead-Time Compensation Method of Power Inverter using Carrier Based Sinusoidal Pulse-Width Modulation

A new dead-time compensation method of power inverter circuits is suggested and presented in this paper. The proposed method utilizes carrier based sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique to produce driving signals of the inverter power switches with dead-time correction capability. The proposed method able to eliminate dead-time effects such as reducing the waveform distortion of the inverter output current, and increasing the fundamental component amplitude of output current. An analysis of the proposed method is presented. Some computer simulations were carried out to investigate the principle operation, and to test performance of the new method. The developed method was validated through experimental test of H-bridge voltage source inverter circuits. The data obtained from the computer simulation and prototype experiments have confirmed that that the proposed method worked well compensating the dead-time in the voltage source power inverter circuits

Parallel Operation of Current-Source Inverter for Low-Voltage High-Current Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

Solar energy is very potential to be developed in a tropical country such as in Indonesia. This energy source is eco-friendly because it can eliminate air pollution such as caused by conventional fossil fuels. This research article presents analysis results of a novel grid-connected photovoltaic system using low-voltage high-current system. The electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic system was sent into the electrical power grid using two or more H-bridge current source inverters operated in parallel. The proposed system is very suitable for large size photovoltaic system because of its some merits. The inverter circuits work generating sinusoidal output currents and controlling the power delivered into the grid. The test results of the new system showed that the system worked properly as interface between photovoltaic system and the electrical grid delivering high ac current with low harmonic distortion

The role of digital rectal examination for diagnosis of acute appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Digital rectal examination (DRE) has been traditionally recommendedto evaluate acute appendicitis, although several reports indicate its lack of utility for this diagnosis. No metaanalysis has examined DRE for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Objectives: To assess the role of DRE for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Data Sources: Cochrane Library, PubMed, and SCOPUS from the earliest available date of indexing through November 23, 2014, with no language restrictions. Study Selection: Clinical studies assessing DRE as an index test for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two independent reviewers extracted study data and assessed the quality, using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Bivariate random-effects models were used for the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) as point estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome measure was the diagnostic performance of DRE for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Results: We identified 19 studies with a total of 7511 patients. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.49 (95% CI 0.42-0.56) and 0.61 (95% CI 0.53-0.67), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 1.24 (95% CI 0.97-1.58) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-1.02), respectively. The DOR was 1.46 (0.95-2.26). Conclusion and Relevance: Acute appendicitis cannot be ruled in or out through the result of DRE. Reconsideration is needed for the traditional teaching that rectal examination should be performed routinely in all patients with suspected appendicitis

Predictability changes of stratospheric circulations in northern hemisphere winter

Practical predictability of the stratospheric circulation in the boreal winters during the period 2001–2006 has been examined using the archive of 1-month ensemble forecast datasets provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. To investigate the predictability limit, two measures of the Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE) and Anomaly Correlation (AC) have been used for the 10-hPa geopotential height field. In the winter stratosphere, an intermittent character of planetary wave activity causes two specific periods of the stratospheric circulation, i.e., an undisturbed phase with inactive planetary waves and a disturbed phase with active ones. Therefore, the predictability needs to be evaluated taking account of this feature. On the basis of careful consideration, the mean predictable period can be estimated to about 10 days during the disturbed phase; it is longer than the tropospheric predictable period of about 7 days. However, it exhibits large variability because of different growth rates of forecast errors caused by contributions of both wave and zonal-mean fields. During the undisturbed phase, the predictable period based on the AC is almost the same as that of the disturbed phase, although the predictable period based on the RMSE is extremely long, since the RMSE predictability is measured against the climatological standard deviation affected by disturbed phases. Therefore, the horizontal pattern of the stratospheric circulation is less predictable even though the forecast error is quite small

Control of Dual-Output DC/DC Converters Using Duty Cycle and Frequency

As part of the integration process of the auxiliary power systems of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, this study proposes a method to control two different voltage types using two control factors of the rectangular alternating waveforms contained in DC/DC converters, namely the duty cycle and frequency. A prototype circuit consisting of an H-bridge inverter, a transformer, two series resonant filters and two diode bridge circuits was constructed. The H-bridge inverter was connected to the primary side of the transformer and the diode bridge rectifier circuit was connected to the secondary side in parallel. Series resonant filters were inserted between one of the diode bridge circuits and the transformer. Thereafter, the proposed control method was applied to the transformer voltage of the prototype circuit. Although the circuit operation became complex owing to the circulating current flowing between the ground (GND) of the two output circuits, it exhibited ideal static and dynamic characteristics, thereby confirming the possibility of controlling two voltages with the duty cycle and frequency control factors. The results of the efficiency evaluation and loss analysis demonstrated a minimum efficiency of 68.3% and a maximum efficiency of 88.9%. As the output power of the circuit containing the resonant filters increased, the current peak value increased and the circuit became less efficient. Document type: Articl

Single- versus two- layer intestinal anastomosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: To compare single- with two- layer intestinal anastomosis after intestinal resection: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing single- with two-layer intestinal anastomosis were identified using a systematic search of Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library Databases covering articles published from 1966 to 2004. Outcome of primary interest was postoperative leak. A risk ratio for trial outcomes and weighted pooled estimates for data were calculated. A fixed-effect model weighted using Mantel-Haenszel methods and a random-effect model using DerSimonian-Laird methods were employed. RESULTS: Six trials were analyzed, comprising 670 participants (single-layer group, n = 299; two-layer group, n = 371). Data on leaks were available from all included studies. Combined risk ratio using DerSimonian-Laird methods was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.49 to 1.69), and indicated no significant difference. Inter-study heterogeneity was significant (χ(2 )= 10.5, d.f. = 5, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: No evidence was found that two-layer intestinal anastomosis leads to fewer post-operative leaks than single layer. Considering duration of the anastomosis procedure and medical expenses, single-layer intestinal anastomosis appears to represent the optimal choice for most surgical situations