Torque Ripple Minimization in a Switched Reluctance Drive by Neuro-Fuzzy Compensation

Simple power electronic drive circuit and fault tolerance of converter are specific advantages of SRM drives, but excessive torque ripple has limited its use to special applications. It is well known that controlling the current shape adequately can minimize the torque ripple. This paper presents a new method for shaping the motor currents to minimize the torque ripple, using a neuro-fuzzy compensator. In the proposed method, a compensating signal is added to the output of a PI controller, in a current-regulated speed control loop. Numerical results are presented in this paper, with an analysis of the effects of changing the form of the membership function of the neuro-fuzzy compensator.Comment: To be published in IEEE Trans. on Magnetics, 200

Electric vehicle adopters in Lisbon: motivation, utilization patterns and environmental impacts

The introduction of alternative vehicle technologies as a response to pressure regarding fossil fuel dependency in the transportation sector poses several questions regarding their impact on travel and driving behaviour and also on the environment. This project aims to assess electric vehicle users’ motivations, daily patterns and vehicle operation and management. Promoted by EMEL – Lisbon’s mobility and parking municipal company – the project was publicized among Lisbon’s electric vehicle users, who were offered, as an incentive, a green permit which allowed them to park the vehicles for free on the street within the city’s metropolitan central area. Data were gathered over a period of one year from 25 users (private and fleet drivers) through interviews and on-board diaries, comprising a total of 5,132 trips, 49,785 km travelled and a total of 8,529 kWh charged related to 831 charges. The results indicate that environmental and economic (lower running costs) factors are the main drivers for electric vehicle adoption by private users, whereas fleet drivers mention their company’s image as the motive behind the deployment of this technology in fleets. Private users’ energy consumption and CO2 emissions were also estimated. When compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, electric vehicles reveal considerable reductions in both energy consumption and CO2 emissions in a Well-to-Wheel life cycle approach. These decreases are between 35–43% for energy consumption and 58–63% for CO2 emissions

Impacts of On-board Devices and Training on Light Duty Vehicle Driving Behavior

AbstractThe main objective of this investigation was to assess the impacts of an eco-driving education session on the energy and environmental performance of a group of drivers as well as changes on their driving patterns. Driving behavior was assessed with an on-board monitoring device, the CarChip Pro. This on-board data logger allowed the characterization of driving patterns, collecting data regarding driving parameters - such as speed and acceleration - and engine parameters. Potential savings in fuel consumption and reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions were assessed based on the VSP “Vehicle Specific Power” methodology.A sample of 20 drivers was monitored in two distinct periods. Two groups were defined. A group of 9 drivers received at the end of the first monitoring period, an eco-driving educational session, where information regarding which conducts should be adopted in order to assume a more ecological driving behavior was shared as well as insight concerning their driving performance was given. The remaining drivers received no information. A total of 1364 days and 1928hours of driving were monitored, corresponding to 8137 trips and 100212km travelled. The results show that, after the eco-driving education session, drivers decreased the time spent in excessive speed and excessive engine speed by 24% and 38% respectively. A reduction in the number of events such as extreme accelerations and decelerations was also observed. The results indicate an average 4.8% fuel consumption decrease, corresponding to savings of 0.09MJ/km and 6.56g/km of CO2 emissions in the Tank-To-Wheel stage. Concerning NOx emissions a decrease of 8% was observed for this experimental group

Panophthalmitis with orbital cellulitis following glaucoma drainage implant surgery in a pediatric patient

Here we report a case of childhood glaucoma refractory to angle and trabeculectomy surgery. The patient was treated with an Ahmed (TM) drainage implant that was subsequently complicated by rapid-onset panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis. Intravenous and intravitreal antibiotic therapy was initiated and the drainage tube was removed. The infectious process resolved within 3 weeks; however, phthisis bulbi developed subsequently.Coordenacao de aperfeicoamento de pessoal de nivel superior (CAPES)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Ophthalmol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Ophthalmol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Chemistry and antigerminative activity of essential oils and monoterpenoids from Mediterranean plants

The Mediterranean flora is characterized by the abundance of aromatic plants. The feature differentiating these plants from all others, in spite of the fact that they belong to many different families, is the production of chemically related secondary compounds, the low molecular weight and volatile isoprenoids. This remarkable presence of aromatic species is important in determining the allelopathic potential within this ecosystem. Such plants make a significant contribution to phryganic Mediterranean ecosystems both in terms of species number and biomass. Thus, the essential oils play an important role in this ecological context. Mediating various processes in the frame of an ecosystem, they become indirectly beneficial to the plants, considering their involvement in processes of adaptative character in Mediterranean ecosystem . For this reason, our research group carried out a series of studies on the possible allelopathic properties of aromatic plants that, being rich in active principles, are considered a primary source of potential allelochemicals.The focus of this overview is direct to have an overall idea about the chemistry and antigerminative activity of essential oils of some Mediterranean aromatic plants and their main constituent

The design and evaluation of travelling gun irrigation systems: enrolador software

Technical Paperinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

3D SURVEY FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: LARGO DA MEMORIA IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

With the broadening of the concept of Cultural Heritage - which now, in addition to great monuments, also includes urban cores, landscapes and intangible manifestations - the possibilities for heritage conservation actions have also expanded. Nowadays, in a globalised world immersed in technologies that are evolving with astonishing rapidity, precisely technological innovation can be an important ally for the enhancement of historic public spaces.On the occasion of the bicentenary of the placement of the existing obelisk in the “Largo da Memória” public space (in the centre of São Paulo), a three-dimensional survey pilot project was carried out in cooperation with local municipality. One of the objectives of this project was to develop an example of “good practices” for the conservation of urban space and a possible benchmark for the use of digital data by local technicians avoiding expansive software and hardware solutions. Thus, the three-dimensional survey of the area helped to evaluate the effectiveness of the optimisation of the integrated procedure, taking into consideration the importance of the public space of the Largo, at the intersection of Xavier de Toledo and Quirino de Andrade streets. Technology transfer actions played an important role within the whole process, enabling further evaluations for the conservation of the place by local authorities.</p

Intrinsic aerobic capacity sets a divide for aging and longevity

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rationale:&lt;/b&gt; Low aerobic exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of premature morbidity and mortality for healthy adults as well as those with cardiovascular disease. For aged populations, poor performance on treadmill or extended walking tests indicates closer proximity to future health declines. Together, these findings suggest a fundamental connection between aerobic capacity and longevity.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Objectives:&lt;/b&gt; Through artificial selective breeding, we developed an animal model system to prospectively test the association between aerobic exercise capacity and survivability (aerobic hypothesis).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods and Results:&lt;/b&gt; Laboratory rats of widely diverse genetic backgrounds (N:NIH stock) were selectively bred for low or high intrinsic (inborn) treadmill running capacity. Cohorts of male and female rats from generations 14, 15, and 17 of selection were followed for survivability and assessed for age-related declines in cardiovascular fitness including maximal oxygen uptake (VO&lt;sub&gt;2max&lt;/sub&gt;), myocardial function, endurance performance, and change in body mass. Median lifespan for low exercise capacity rats was 28% to 45% shorter than high capacity rats (hazard ratio, 0.06; P&#60;0.001). VO&lt;sub&gt;2max&lt;/sub&gt;, measured across adulthood was a reliable predictor of lifespan (P&#60;0.001). During progression from adult to old age, left ventricular myocardial and cardiomyocyte morphology, contractility, and intracellular Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; handling in both systole and diastole, as well as mean blood pressure, were more compromised in rats bred for low aerobic capacity. Physical activity levels, energy expenditure (Vo&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;), and lean body mass were all better sustained with age in rats bred for high aerobic capacity.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; These data obtained from a contrasting heterogeneous model system provide strong evidence that genetic segregation for aerobic exercise capacity can be linked with longevity and are useful for deeper mechanistic exploration of aging.&lt;/p&gt