Showing papers by "Westinghouse Electric published in 2013"

Rotary-bending fatigue characteristics of medical-grade Nitinol wire.

Abstract: The rotary bending fatigue properties of medical-grade Nitinol wires were investigated under conditions of 0.5-10% strain amplitudes to a maximum of 10(7) cycles. The results from this study provide insight into the behavior of Nitinol under fully reversed (emin/emax=-1) fatigue conditions for three compositions, two surface conditions and three test temperatures. For pseudoelastic conditions there are four distinct regions of the strain-cycle curves that are related to phases (austenite, stress-induced martensite, and R-Phase) and their respective strain accommodation mechanisms. In contrast, there are only two regions for the strain-cycle curves for thermal martensite. It was further observed that the strain amplitude to achieve 10(7)-cycles increases with both decreasing test temperature and increasing transformation temperature. Fatigue behavior was not, however, strongly influenced by wire surface condition. SEM of the fracture surfaces showed that the fatigue fracture area increased with decreasing strain amplitude. Finite element analysis was used to illustrate strain distributions across the wire as well as to calculate the tension-compression contributions to the rotary bending curves. The results from this investigation are discussed with respect to mechanisms of strain accommodation under cyclic tensile and compressive conditions.

Surface finishing of intricate metal mould structures by large-area electron beam irradiation

Abstract: The advancement of polymer moulding tools is increasingly focused on imparting not only form but also surface texture for functionality to the surfaces of parts that are created. Furthermore, the increasing demand for inexpensive and higher quality micro-components means that tools for replication processes must take advantage of advanced manufacturing techniques. Tools created by processes such as micro-investment casting, as in this case, may often suffer from excessive surface roughness, malformed edges and general deformation. This results in higher de-moulding forces and a reduction in fidelity of moulded parts to design intent. In this study, large-area electron beam irradiation (EB) is shown to be an effective technique for improving these metrics. For the first time, large population, high aspect ratio micro-features are subject to this process and the mechanisms of smoothing and key enhancement phenomena are demonstrated. The possibility of including EB irradiation in an integrated process chain for arriving at net shape is also discussed. Surfaces of protruding features are shown to have surface roughness reduced significantly from 126 to 22 nm Ra value, with bottom substrate also similarly improving from 150 to 27 nm Ra. Bottoms of recessed features are also observed to have much improved surface finishes. ‘Doming’ of tops of column features is also demonstrated, further enhancing form. These features would be far too fragile to be polished by any other mechanical method.

Cooling arrangements for drive systems

Abstract: In an embodiment, a drive system includes a transformer enclosed in an enclosure including a heat exchanger to cool a fluid medium. In addition, the system includes a plurality of power cubes each including a rectifier, a DC-link, and an inverter. Each power cube may include a plurality of cold plates each coupled to a corresponding switching device of the inverter, an inlet port in communication with a first one of the plurality of cold plates and an outlet port in communication with a last one of the plurality of cold plates. In turn, a manifold assembly is to couple at least the power cubes to enable two phase cooling of the power cubes and the transformer via one or more heat exchangers.

Development of a modular configurable multi-megawatt power amplifier

Abstract: This paper details the design and development work for fabricating a modular and configurable multi-megawatt power amplifier. The impetus for creating the amplifier was to enable electric grid code standards testing for interconnection of large wind turbines. However, the flexible nature of the amplifier topology and control readily enables its use as a multipurpose power interconnect converter.

High power dense electric propulsion motors

Abstract: The paper describes the results of design and analysis studies performed by the authors for comparison of predicted performance of an electric propulsion motor using conventional and emerging technologies. Specifically, a modern squirrel cage induction motor design is compared to both a permanent magnet motor with high energy magnets and a high temperature superconducting motor using second generation superconductor. The selected baseline design is a ship propulsion motor in operation rated at 5000 HP 1800 RPM. The results of calculated performance and comparative studies among the various technologies show great potential for increasing the power density using the second generation high temperature superconducting technology. Using the currently available second generation superconductor current capabilities, the achieved power density of the propulsion motor is over twice that of the induction motor. Further investigations are being carried out to improve the superconductor performance for future designs for an on-going project sponsored by the United States Department of Energy to reduce the cost of the superconductor for future commercial applications of the high temperature superconducting technology.

Passive two phase cooling solution for low, medium and high voltage drive systems

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a cooling system is a pumpless passive system, and includes a cold plate configured to receive a flow of liquid coolant and to output a flow of vapor phase coolant, where the cold plate includes at least one heat pipe adapted therein to provide for transfer of the liquid coolant to the vapor phase coolant, a first connection member coupled to the at least one heat pipe, a first conduit coupled to the first connection member, the first conduit extending vertically to enable at least the vapor phase coolant to travel through the first conduit, and a heat exchanger located above and coupled to the first conduit, where the heat exchanger is to transfer the vapor phase coolant to the liquid coolant.

Thin profile cochlear implants

Abstract: A thin profile impact resistant cochlear implant includes a single piece machined case having a bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface is concave and a single piece machined cover configured to be joined to the case, the cover comprising a convex upper surface. A method for forming thin profile cochlear implant is also provided.

Assemblies For Cooling Electric Machines

Abstract: Cooling assemblies (eg, tubes, members (eg, i-beams, rectangular members, and the like), stator windings, stator laminations, and/or combinations thereof), such as those configured to cool electric machines (eg, electric motors and generators)

Apparatuses And Methods For Cooling Electric Machines

Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods comprising cooling apparatuses, such as those configured to be coupled to and/or cool electric machines (e.g., motors, generators, and the like).

Assemblies and Methods for Cooling Electric Machines

Abstract: Cooling assemblies and methods, including, for example, at least one bar (e.g., electrically insulated and/or thermally conductive bar(s)), members (e.g., i-beams, rectangular members, and the like), stator laminations, rotor laminations, and/or combinations thereof, such as those configured to cool electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators).

Flow-Induced Grid-to-Rod Fretting Test and Simulation for NFI PWR Fuel Assembly

Abstract: A long-term flow-induced vibration and wear test was performed for a full-scale 17×17 PWR fuel mockup, and the test results were compared with numerical simulations. The flow-induced vibration on a fuel assembly or fuel rods may cause Grid-to-Rod Fretting (GTRF) and result in the leakage of fuel rods in PWRs. GTRF involves non-linear vibration of a fuel rod due to the excitation force induced by coolant flow around a fuel rod. So, the numerical simulation is performed by VITRAN (Vibration Transient Analysis Non-linear) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). VITRAN code was developed by Westinghouse to simulate fuel rod flow induced vibration and GTRF. In this paper, it was confirmed that the code can reproduce GTRF wear for NFI fuel assembly. CFD calculation is performed to obtain the axial and lateral flow velocity around the fuel rods, reflecting detailed geometries of fuel assembly components like bottom nozzle, spacer grids. The numerical simulation reasonably reproduced the vibration and wear test for NFI fuel assembly.Copyright © 2013 by ASME

Apparatus, system, and method for multi-stage high gear ratio high torque magnetic gear

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for multi-state high gear ratio magnetic gear are described. The magnetic gear may have a stationary shutter assembly with a bearing supporting bracket and a shutter supporting bracket extending perpendicularly from the bearing supporting bracket. The magnetic gear may also have an outer rotor assembly with an outer rotor magnetic assembly positioned circumferentially outside of the shutter supporting bracket. In addition, the magnetic gear may have an inner rotor assembly with an inner rotor magnetic assembly positioned circumferentially inside the shutter supporting bracket. In addition, a first bearing may couple the stationary shutter assembly to the inner rotor assembly and a second bearing may couple the inner rotor assembly and the outer rotor assembly.

Voltage-time characteristics of breakdown in sf6

Abstract: The voltage-time characteristics for a number of electrode configurations in SF6 are reported, including a 9 m long, 550 kV semi-flexible compressed gas insulated transmission line (CGIT) section The V-t characteristic for breakdown is flatter for gaps containing insulators without shielding electrodes and for dielectric coated electrodes than for bare electrodes

Ion exchanger resin crushing apparatus and ion exchanger resin crushing process

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion exchanger resin crushing apparatus (10), comprising a tank (12) for receiving an aqueous ion exchanger resin suspension (14), a stirring device (16), provided in the tank (12), a grinding device (20), provided outside the tank (12), and a pumping device (22), for transporting the aqueous ion exchanger resin suspension (14) from the tank (12) to the grinding device (20). Provided in the tank (12) is a pre-crushing device (24). The invention also relates to an ion exchanger resin crushing process that uses an ion exchanger resin crushing apparatus according to the invention.

Method for Analyzing Fission Gas Release in Fuel Rods Based on Gamma-Ray Measurements of Short-Lived Fission Products

Abstract: Gamma spectroscopy and gamma emission tomography are two non-destructive measurement techniques for assessing the performance of nuclear fuel which have been investigated in this thesis for existing and novel applications through theoretical studies and experimental demonstrations. For assessment of individual fuel rods using gamma spectroscopy, fuel assemblies are dismantled so that the fuel rods may be measured separately, which is time-consuming and may cause damage to the fuel. Gamma tomography is more seldom used, but its application on complete fuel assemblies would enable the assessment of individual fuel rods without the need to disassemble the fuel. Both techniques are based on recording gamma rays, emitted at characteristic energies from decaying radioactive products in the fuel.The feasibility of measuring short-lived fission gasses in the gas plenum of fuel rods with short cooling time was experimentally investigated. Based on the feasibility demonstration, a method was proposed and experimentally demonstrated for determining the fission gas release fraction of 133Xe in fuel rods with short cooling time. Additionally, a method for investigating the origin of released fission gasses based on the measured ratio of 133Xe/85Kr in the fuel rod gas plenum was demonstrated. These methods may be employed at research reactors, where fuel with short cooling time is available for measurement.A gamma emission tomography instrument has been designed, constructed and experimentally demonstrated on a Halden Reactor fuel assembly. Simulation studies showed that the instrument and the tomographic reconstruction methods employed may be useful for: identifying a leaking fuel rod in an assembly by its lack of fission gas content; reconstruction of the rod-wise fission product distributions in the fuel stack and plenum regions of the assembly; and determining the rod-wise fission gas release fractions.In the experimental demonstration, the rod-wise distributions of the fission products 137Cs and 85Kr in the fuel stack and plenum regions of the assembly were reconstructed, as well as the distributions of the activation products 60Co and 178mHf in the plenum region, revealing the plenum springs and tie rods, respectively. The reconstructed data was in the form of images, useful for qualitative assessment of the fuel.

Inoperative power plant, particularly nuclear power plant for temporary storage of energy, has components for energy conversion, energy storage and power distribution

Abstract: The inoperative power plant has components for energy conversion, energy storage and power distribution, which are set such that the electric energy is converted in other energy forms and is temporarily stored in an energy accumulator, particularly a pressure accumulator or a heat accumulator in a reversible manner. A safety container (2) or containment (3) is provided as an energy accumulator. An independent claim is included for a system with a power supply for temporary storage of energy using inoperative power plant, particularly nuclear power plant.