Showing papers by "Westinghouse Electric published in 1982"

Effect of Variations in Polymerized Oxides on Sintering and Crystalline Transformations

Abstract: This work shows that molecular structural variations can be introduced in oxide systems, including AI2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, and SiO2, by controlled hydrolysis and polymerization reactions during the formation of oxides from metal alkoxides. The chemical and stoichiometric makeup of hydroxides and oxides is not fixed and changes rapidly as a function of molecular size in the region where the size is extremely small. It was also observed that internal structural variations significantly alter the sintering behavior of oxide powders and affect their subsequent crystalline transformations.

Introduction and effect of structural variations in inorganic polymers and glass networks

Abstract: Oxide glasses, being thermoplastic polymers, should be subject to considerable property variations as a result of differences in the network structure. Melting point, viscosity, and strength are among the properties that are closely related to network connectivity and distribution of the network bonds in the polymer. Glass formation by melting, however, does not allow a significant variation in network parameters, except by compositional changes. Chemical polymerization, on the other hand, permits the introduction of structural variations into the polymer network, and provides preparation of modified oxide glasses without compositional alterations. Silica network formation from silicon alkoxides is used as a model in driving relationships between physical and structural parameters, and supporting experimental evidence is presented. Some general effects of these parameters in several glass systems are included.

Heat-Transfer Augmentation in Rod Bundles Near Grid Spacers

Abstract: Heat-transfer augmentation by straight grid spacers in rod bundles is studied for single-phase flow and for post-critical heat flux dispersed flow. The heat transfer effect of swirling grid spacers in single-phase flow is also examined. Governing heat-transfer mechanisms are analyzed, and predictive formulations are established. For single-phase flow, the local heat transfer at a straight spacer and at its upstream or downstream locations are treated separately. The effect of local velocity increasing near swirling spacer is considered. For post critical heat flux (CHF) dispersed flow, the heat transfer by thermal radiation, fin cooling, and vapor convection near the spacer are calculated. The predictions are compared with experimental data with satisfactory agreement.

Spinning Reserve Constrained Static and Dynamic Economic Dispatch

Abstract: One of the recurring problems facing energy control center dispatchers each day is how to operate the system during the periods of high load pickup, such that there is sufflcient generation to follow the load pickup, while still maintaining reasonable reserve and/or regulation margin This paper shows a technical solution to this problem which can be achieved with a very efficient use of computer resources The problem is expressed as a dynamic programming scheduling problem, and a feasible, but suboptimal solution is proposed, which eliminates the usual search space problem This method reduces the problem to a backward sequence of dispatch problems, with the generator limits being carefully adjusted between each time interval in the solution sequence The paper also discusses an efficient algorithm for the solution of a reserve constrained economic dispatch, which is the static optimization technique used at each interval

Analytical selection of masters for the reduced eigenvalue problem

Abstract: Masters are defined as the degrees-of-freedom that are retained in the reduced eigenvalue problem. Various qualitative guidelines to select masters are published in the literature, but it is difficult to apply them to complex structures. In this paper a computational algorithm to select masters for complex structures is presented. This algorithm is based on a guideline14 which assures that the associated Guyan reduction process is valid. This algorithm eliminates one degree-of-freedom at a time satisfying the guideline, and preserves lower frequencies in the reduced eigenvalue problem. The algorithm presented in this paper is used to select masters for four different structural models. The natural frequencies of the associated reduced eigenvalue problems are calculated and compared with those calculated from the full eigenvalue problems.

Deposition and properties of optical oxide coatings from polymerized solutions

Abstract: Oxide films ranging in thickness from less than a hundred angstroms to several thousand angstroms may be deposited from clear solutions derived from metal-organic compounds. These solutions contain oxide constitutents in a soluble polymerized form and deposit a glasslike film upon application on substrates. A bake temperature of 300–500°C is required to reduce these film into a pure oxide state. The properties of the resultant oxide films are process dependent. In this paper, parameters that affect the optical properties of oxide films deposited from polymerized solution are identified, and their specific effects are described. The parameters include: type of solution; nature of substrate; drying conditions; and heat treatment atmosphere and temperature.

A One-Step Finite Element Method for Multiconductors Skin Effect Problems

Abstract: A one-step procedure is developed to solve the skin effect problem in multiconductor busbars. The procedure differs from previous solutions in that it treats the source (or quasi-static) current density in each conductor as an unknown. It couples the solution of the diffusion equation to Ampere's law, and allows for the finite element solution of skin effect problems to be obtained directly in one step from the currents imposed by the power system in each conductor.

Laser machining system

Abstract: A computer controlled apparatus is disclosed for performing a series of laser machining operations on a work piece in an environment comprised of a non-reactive gas with respect to the material of which the work piece is made. The computer controlled apparatus includes a machining chamber for receiving the work piece and means in the form of a pump for directing the non-reactive gas into the machining chamber at a controlled, selected rate. A laser beam is generated by a laser and is focused into a beam along a path to the work piece. An assembly is provided for selectively moving the machining chamber and its work piece therein through a sequence of steps, whereby the relative position between the work piece and the laser beam is changed such that a series of lasing operations and, in particular, welds may be effected on a sequence of selected sites of the work piece. A computer is programmed to control the rate at which the non-reactive gas is introduced into the machining chamber, as well as to the machining sites of the work piece, whereby the selectively moving assembly may be controlled to dispose the work piece to effect the series of welding operations.

Power-line baseband communication system

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting baseband digital signals (16) on an electrical power line (12). A pulse generator (14) produces digital signals which are limited to a frequency spectrum of 30 kHz to 300 kHz and applied directly, i.e., without modulation, to an electrical power line. At the receiving terminal (25) an amplifier (32) compensates for attenuation characteristics of the electrical power line and the received signal is then sampled (34) to extract the information from it. To avoid interference when both a transmitting and receiving link are located at a substation, the baseband system incorporates a mimic network to mimic the interference signal erroneously picked up by the receiving link from the transmitting link located at the same substation. The mimic signal is then subtracted from the interference signal to neutralize the effect of the latter. When both a baseband digital communication system and a carrier communication system utilize the same electrical power lines, provision is made for interrupting the baseband digital signal to allow communications via the carrier system.

Eigenvalue Analysis of Synchronizing Power Flow Oscillations in Large Electric Power Systems

Abstract: A new computer program is described which permits eigenvalue analysis of the oscillations associated with synchronizing power flow in large electric power systems. The program has been given the acronym AESOPS, for the Analysis of Essentially Spontaneous Oscillations in Power Systems. The program is the principal product of a research project funded by the Electric Power Research Institute. This project was recommended by the Westinghouse Advanced Systems Technology Division and the MAPP/MARCA Dynamic Device Operating Task Force.

Wire grid polarizer

Abstract: An infrared wire grid polarizer is fabricated on an infrared transmissive substrate and consists of alternating transmissive and conductive zones disposed thereon. These polarizers are particularly well suited for use with acoustic-optic tunable filters and can be employed as input and output polarizers therewith. A method of manufacturing a wire grid polarizer with at least 4000 conductors per millimeter is disclosed. The infrared transmissive substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon crystal and gallium arsenide crystal.

Near-threshold fatigue crack growth behavior in copper

Abstract: Near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate data were developed in annealed, quarter-hard, and full-hard copper at various load ratios, (R = σmin/σmax). Increasing theR value decreases the resistance to threshold crack growth. At a fixed value ofR, annealed copper has the slowest near-threshold crack propagation rate while full-hard copper has the fastest crack growth rate. Waveform (sine and triangle) and specimen geometry (WOL, CT, and CCT) do not appear to affect the rates of near-threshold crack propagation. The influences of load ratio and material strength on threshold crack growth behavior can be rationalized by crack closure.

Static Reactive Compensation for Power Transmission Systems

Abstract: This paper concerns the application of static reactive compensators (SVCs) to Power transmission systems. Emphasis is placed on stability, and it is shown that SVCs can provide significant benefits in terms of increased transient stabilty liisand improved damping for synchronizing power flow oscillations. The paper includes descriptions Of static VAR compensators, with technical and economic comparisons of different compensators. An SVC system study model is presented which includes provision for modulating reactive compensation in response to a variety of system functions. Study procedures are illustrated which relate sYstem stability objectives to general specifications of SVCs, indluding their locations, regulating slopes, peak reactive power requirements, and modulation control.

Development and Testing of an Electro-Mechanical Relay to Detect Fallen Distribution Conductors

Abstract: If undetected by phase or ground overcurrent relaying methods, fallen distribution conductors or high impedance faults may be a fire hazard and a threat to public safety. Four promising relay schemes to detect these faults are evaluated using both digital and analog techniques and one scheme was chosen for prototype construction. In the light of economic and performance data, a prototype Ratio Ground Relay has been constructed for installation and testing on six Pennsylvania Power and Light distribution feeders.

Plural sensor apparatus for monitoring turbine blading with undesired component elimination

Abstract: A plurality of proximity sensors are disposed in a turbine flow guide to measure flow guide-to-turbine blade tip distance at various points around the flow guide. The sensor signals are detected and the peak-to-peak voltage of the detected signals provides an indication of the desired distance measurement. The signals are also monitored and if ambient operating conditions causes the signals to exceed predetermined positive or negative thresholds, corrective signals are generated so as to bring the detected signal back into an acceptable range. A proximity sensor is also provided to measure axial movement of the rotor to which the blades are attached so that the other sensor signals can be modified as a function of the measured axial position.

Machining aerospace alloys with the aid of a 15 kW laser

Abstract: “Concept feasibility” has been shown for laser-assisted machining (LAM) using a 15 kW continuous-wave laser— the concept being that a laser beam will selectively heat the workpiece in a machining operation, and will thereby enable higher rates of metal removal to be achieved without a corresponding loss in tool life. The concept feasibility study involved two aerospace materials: Inconel 718 and Ti-6Al-4V. Ceramic tools were used for Inconel 718 and carbides for the titanium alloy. For both materials, the metal removal rate was significantly increased without aggravating either cutting force or tool wear, the gain in removal rate being 33 pct for Inconel 718 and 100 pct for Ti-6Al-4V using current tool materials and beam coupling techniques. The commercial feasibility of LAM requires (a) incorporation of the process into a “laser integrated manufacturing system,” or (b) dropping the power requirement to approximately 5 kW through improved beam coupling techniques, both of which serve to reduce the effective capital investment and operating costs for LAM. Application of LAM is foreseen for difficult-to-machine materials in parts for which the machining time is a major portion of the total floor-to-floor time and thus warrants minimizing.

Rail and armature current distributions in electromagnetic launchers

Abstract: The current and magnetic field distributions in the rails and armature of an electromagnetic launcher are obtained in closed form for the steady state. These solutions assume that the armature moves with a steady velocity and account fully for the two-dimensional skin effect caused by the relative motion between the rails and the armature. Both solid and laminated armatures are considered. It is found in the case of the laminated armature that the phenomenon can be described by a single dimensionless parameter, \frac{\ell}{w}\frac{\sigma_{o}}{\sigma_{r}}\sqrt{\frac{u\ell}{\pi\eta_{r}}} .

Target recognition system enhanced by active signature measurements

Abstract: A passive electro-optical target recognition system which utilizes additional signature measurements of an active nature to enhance the discrimination of desired targets from detected candidate targets in the field of view thereof is disclosed. Candidate targets are detected by the passive target recognition system from passive image radiation received from the field of view of its one or more passive sensors. A laser beam generated substantially at a predetermined wavelength is positioned to illuminate individually each of the detected candidate targets. An active sensor tuned to the predetermined wavelength receives the active laser radiation separately reflected from the individually illuminated candidate targets. An active signature is derived for each of the detected candidate targets from its received active image radiation. Accordingly, a desired target is discriminated from the detected candidate targets in the field of view of the passive sensor based on the derived active target signatures thereof. To further enhance this discrimination process, polarizing properties of the laser beam may be used as an additional measurement for each candidate target beyond the derived active target signatures thereof.

A fuel cell generator and method of operating same

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell generators which are operable to reform in-situ a gaseous medium and to utilize the products of the reformation as fuel. A portion of the reformation preferably occurs along an electrochemically inactive extension of each fuel cell.

Motor control apparatus with parallel input, serial output signal conditioning means

Abstract: A motor starter, which may be microprocessor-controlled, is taught wherein a signal conditioning means is provided for receiving from the motor windings parallel inputs and motor bearings which are related to the motor winding and bearing temperatures and for operating on these parallel input signals in such a manner as to provide a single serial output signal for use by a control means to cause the motor control starting sequence or the normal motor run condition to be interrupted, for example, if any one of the temperatures is above a predetermined level.

Common memory gate non-volatile transistor memory

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory is described incorporating a fixed threshold transistor and a variable threshold transistor in each memory cell. The fixed threshold transistor is used for row selection while the variable threshold transistor stores the data. A common memory gate line throughout the memory permits block erase to one logic state with opposite data being written in on a row-by-row basis. Information is read out from a selected row by a ramp voltage on the memory gate line which is capacitively coupled through variable threshold transistors having a channel in the body below the gate region.

Electric utility communication system with field installation terminal and load management terminal with remotely assignable unique address

Abstract: A powerline carrier communications system includes a plurality of types of load management terminals, each of which has a unique address, and a combination field configuration and test terminal which can be plugged into the load management terminals. The combination terminal is coupled to the powerline through the connection to the load management terminal and generates a separate set of test commands for each type of load management terminal, which are transmitted over the powerline for execution by the connected load management terminal. Some types of load management terminals include an INITIALIZATION ENABLE line which, when activated by the connected combination terminal, commands the load management terminal to accept and store an address value received over the powerline as its new unique address.

Three-phase power distribution network communication system

Abstract: A communication system for a three-phase power distribution network is comprised of a plurality of remote devices, with certain of the remote devices being used as signal repeaters. Injection point circuitry provides an out-going communication signal which is coupled to the three-phase conductors such that each phase conductor carries an identical, independent, outgoing communication signal. The signal repeaters are each coupled to at least two of the three-phase conductors. Each signal repeater includes circuitry for producing a composite signal in response to the coupled signals. The composite signal has a signal-to-noise ratio typically superior to, but not worse than, the signal-to-noise ratio of the best of the coupled signals. The remainder of the remote devices are independently coupled to at least one of the three-phase conductors so as to facilitate communication with each of the remote devices.

Harmonic electric actuator

Abstract: The electric actuator comprises a deep cup harmonic drive gear train member with an electric motor, brake, tachometer, and resolver disposed therein. The arrangement and coupling of the components provides a high torque-to-weight ratio actuator that is capable of more than 360° rotation.

Electric energy meter having a mutual inductance current transducer

Abstract: An electric energy meter includes a mutual inductance current transducer formed by primary winding means for direct connection to the current component of an electric energy quantity to be measured. Secondary winding means is inductively coupled to the primary winding means to produce an analog signal that is proportional to the time derivative of the current component. The current responsive analog signal and a voltage responsive analog signal are both applied to an electronic watthour measuring circuit.

Tip structure for cooled turbine rotor blade

Abstract: The invention comprises a cooled turbine rotor blade having an improved blade tip structure. A recessed tip is provided at the leading edge end of the blade tip on downstream turbine blades which are too narrow to support a blade tip cavity over the entire exterior surface of the blade tip without interfering with cooling airflow from apertures in the exterior surface. The recessed tip structure protects apertures therein from blockage by a blade tip smear and does not substantially reduce the performance efficiency of the blade.

Method for impregnating resin powder directly into a laminate lay up

Abstract: Dry resin powder can be used to impregnate a laminate lay up, by coating a dry resin powder directly onto a bare fibrous sheet, and then subjecting a plurality of sheets including at least one dry resin-coated sheet to an amount of heat and pressure effective to consolidate the sheets.

Use of Sensitivity Analysis in Automated Transmission Planning

Abstract: The expansion of the transmission network can be viewed as a sequence of network reinforcements throughout the planning period. At a given time (stage) in the future, several circuits will be overloaded or very close to being overloaded. These circuits can be identified by solving the power flow equations for the conditions prevailing at that future time and under all postulated outages. Given the circuits which need reinforcement, the problem is to find the rights-of-way on which construction of new circuits will alleviate the undesirable loading of the circuits in a cost effective way.

Wear resistant steel articles with carbon, oxygen and nitrogen implanted in the surface thereof

Abstract: The present invention pertains to steel articles having improved wear and friction properties and the method of producing these articles. A steel surface containing relatively high levels of nitrogen and having a surface film containing carbon is implanted with high energy ions. Overlapping layers enriched in carbon and nitrogen are formed beneath the surface and provide the steel with a surface that has improved wear and friction characteristics.