25,569 research outputs found
Application of Superluminescent Light Emitting Diode to Electrooptic Modulator Based PD Continuous On-line Monitoring System
No full textPartial discharge monitoring provides effective evaluation of power cables, particularly of joints that are installed on site. Continuous on-line monitoring can provide information about progressing degradation under operational stresses, thus reducing the likelihood of breakdown. A novel PD continuous online monitoring technique has been developed by the authors. The mechanism applies PD signals across a LiNbO3 electro-optic modulator to modulate the intensity of the transmitted light. This technique does not require a voltage supply near the cable joints as the EO modulator is passive. In earlier investigations a fibre laser was used as the light source. The polarisation state of the laser light needs to be maintained to suit the polarisation dependent EO modulator. This paper investigates the application of a superluminescent light emitting diode, which provides unpolarised light, as the light source. The alternative monitoring system is investigated using both simulated experiments and practical PD tests on a 132 kV prefabricated cable joint
Novel nonalloyed thermally stable Pd/Sn and Pd/Sn/Au ohmic contacts for the fabrication of GaAs MESFETs
No full textGaAs metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) have been fabricated utilizing thermally stable Pd/Sn and Pd/Sn/Au ohmic contacts for the first time. MESFETs with Pd/Ge ohmic contacts are fabricated for comparison. The thermal stability of the Pd/Sn, Pd/Ge and Pd/Sn/Au ohmic contacts is also presente
Practical application of on-line partial discharge monitoring technique on 500kV shunt reactor
No full textConsidering the damage mechanism of oil-impregnated paper insulation in power transformers, shunt reactors and other high voltage electrical apparatus caused by partial discharge, a concept of “destructive partial discharge” is introduced in this paper. The intensity of this discharge is regarded as several thousands pico-coulomb (pC) and may cause the insulation a fatal damage. An oil-paper insulation is usually able to withstand this type of partial discharge for a period of time prior to failure. This provides engineers a time window to detect it. This paper describes an on-line partial discharge monitoring system for 500kV shunt reactors. The commission results from 3 single-phase shunt reactors either connected or disconnected to the grid showed that the on-line partial discharge detecting system has a high noise immunising ability. Two years later after the installation, a pre-warning signal was received from one shunt reactor indicating the existence of an intermittent discharge. The acoustic emission system located its position at the low end of the high voltage bushing in the oil. Dissolved gasses analysis (DGA) in the oil suggested the presence of partial discharge, as acetylene (C2H2) was as high as 20ppm. PD activity was further confirmed by a physical examination on the reactor
The CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory pathways independently regulate host resistance to Plasmodium-induced acute immune pathology.
No full textThe balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune responses in determining optimal T cell activation is vital for the successful resolution of microbial infections. This balance is maintained in part by the negative regulators of T cell activation, CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L, which dampen effector responses during chronic infections. However, their role in acute infections, such as malaria, remains less clear. In this study, we determined the contribution of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L to the regulation of T cell responses during Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)-induced experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in susceptible (C57BL/6) and resistant (BALB/c) mice. We found that the expression of CTLA-4 and PD-1 on T cells correlates with the extent of pro-inflammatory responses induced during PbA infection, being higher in C57BL/6 than in BALB/c mice. Thus, ECM develops despite high levels of expression of these inhibitory receptors. However, antibody-mediated blockade of either the CTLA-4 or PD-1/PD-L1, but not the PD-1/PD-L2, pathways during PbA-infection in ECM-resistant BALB/c mice resulted in higher levels of T cell activation, enhanced IFN-γ production, increased intravascular arrest of both parasitised erythrocytes and CD8(+) T cells to the brain, and augmented incidence of ECM. Thus, in ECM-resistant BALB/c mice, CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 represent essential, independent and non-redundant pathways for maintaining T cell homeostasis during a virulent malaria infection. Moreover, neutralisation of IFN-γ or depletion of CD8(+) T cells during PbA infection was shown to reverse the pathologic effects of regulatory pathway blockade, highlighting that the aetiology of ECM in the BALB/c mice is similar to that in C57BL/6 mice. In summary, our results underscore the differential and complex regulation that governs immune responses to malaria parasites
Using optical couplers to monitor the condition of electricity infrastructure
No full textIncreases in renewable and distributed generation will change the operational characteristics of our ageing power networks. To cope with these changes improved monitoring of the performance of network infrastructure is needed. Defects developing in electrical plant give rise to partial discharge (PD) activity. This paper describes an on-line PD monitoring system based on electro-optic modulators. This technique does not require a power supply at the site of the sensors and the optical transmission of signal data is a significant advantage in electrically noisy environments. Laboratory based experiments and field trials are described, which show that this approach is feasible for HV transformers and underground cable. Intelligent filtering techniques have been developed to improve the sensitivity of detection and identify PD signals without assuming any knowledge of their characteristics
An improved optically based PD detection system for continuous on-line monitoring of HV cables
No full textAn optically-based remote sensing technique using a laser source, polarization scrambler, standard single mode fibers, fiber polarizer, electro-optic (EO) modulator and optical receiver, for continuous on-line monitoring of partial discharges (PD) in high voltage cable joints is proposed. Both the fiber polarizer and EO modulator, which are placed near cable joints, are passive without any power requirements. An EO modulator with no electrical bias, which operates close to the half-intensity point, was used and proved to have much better light transmission performance and higher measurement sensitivity than the bias modulator approach investigated earlier. Various multiplexing techniques including optical switches and a fused fiber coupler have been investigated in order to implement multi-channel monitoring so that one laser source can be used to provide light to several fibers. The revised PD optical remote sensing technique has been applied to practical PD measurements on both 132 kV cable joint at the University of Southampton in the UK and 400 kV cable joints at Südkabel GmbH in Germany. Obtained results have verified the principle and demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed technique
Implications of the Improvement of Teaching Quality for Professional Development (PD) of Academics at the Colleges of Applied Sciences (CASs) in the Sultanate of Oman
No full textThe Oman Accreditation Council (OAC), which is called later the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA), designed a higher education institution (HEI) Quality Assurance (QA) framework for Omani public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), starting with a quality audit process in 2008. The Colleges of Applied Sciences (CASs), as a public HEI, are required to ensure the quality of all services and activities to meet particular national standards (specified in the framework) in order to gain a HEI and programme certificate. In line with a quality audit scope, the quality of the fields of PD and related teaching quality should be ensured and enhanced by the promotion and contribution of the former field to the maintenance and improvement of the latter one.
The chief purpose of this study was to identify the uptake and implications of the growing requirement to improve teaching quality and the PD of academics at the CASs in the Sultanate of Oman especially in the context of the application of the QA framework. The study focused on examining the academics’ participation in professional development programmes (PDPs) and current perceptions of PD with respect to the improvement of teaching quality improvement at these colleges. The current study also dealt with a reorganization and prioritization of academics’ PD needs, barriers to effective PD, and factors to enhance PD of academics regarding teaching quality improvement in the colleges.
Based on the purpose and research objectives, the current study adopted both positivist (quantitative) and interpretive (qualitative) research paradigms. Because the study perused quantitative and qualitative data regarding certain variables, it chose a mixed-research design. The researcher designed survey questionnaire to collect quantitative data and a semi-structured interview and a focus group discussion to probe and interpret quantitative findings. After fulfillment of the validity and reliability measurements, a self-completion questionnaire was distributed to a stratified random sample of academics (170) over the six CASs. A total of 150 questionnaires (out of 170) were completed and returned and the response-rate reached 88.2%. The quantitative data was analyzed by appropriate analysis using the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS), while the qualitative data was analyzed by appropriate qualitative analysis.
The findings of the study showed that the level of academics’ participation in PDPs to improve teaching quality in the last two years in the CASs seems to be unsatisfactorily low. The current perceptions of the PD situations in the colleges, relating to teaching quality improvement, signified a shortage in the number of available PDPs and/or a discouragement of academics’ participation in these programmes in the last two years. The study also revealed all the 22 PD needs of academics regarding the improvement of teaching quality are significantly demanded by participants; the higher rated needs focused on a development of ‘student centred’ skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the study illustrated that the highest significant perceived barriers to effective PD in the CASs, as related to teaching quality improvement, focus on a lack of a clear institutional PD policy and a lack of appropriately systematic PD plans. The study also revealed all 10 perceived factors to enhance PD regarding teaching quality improvement are very important. The most significant factors represented and stressed particular problematic issues (the high rated barriers) and a reduction of a heavy workload to enhance academics’ participation in PD regarding the improvement of teaching quality.
Conclusions drawn from the discussion of the findings of study include a lack of a clear PD policy at national and institutional levels and absence of a particular authority/unit concerning PD issues in Omani HEIs. The two problematic issues resulted in a lack of systematic and realistic PD plans in the CASs, involving a lack of academics’ involvement in PD plans, a misconnection of academics’ PD needs to PD, inappropriate facilities and resources allocation, and inappropriate evaluation processes of PD. In addition, the conclusions also include that PD of academics regarding the improvement of teaching quality in the colleges requires more attention and focus to manage particular significant issues perceived by participants as both barriers and potential facilitators relating to PD of academics.
Based on identified conclusions, particular implications for policy and practice to enhance PD to improve teaching quality were set at three levels: governmental, institutional, and individual. Moreover, achievements of the current study according to the research questions were identified and contributions of the study to the fields of PD, teaching quality, and the context of QA and quality audit in HE were addressed. Based on the findings and conclusions, particular directions and recommended issues were suggested to be studied by further research to benefit the enhancement of PD and related teaching quality improvement
Partial discharge on-line monitoring for HV cable systems using electro-optic modulators
No full textA technique for the remote inspection and monitoring of partial discharge (PD) activity using an optical network is described. The network uses a LiNbO3 modulator to modulate the intensity of the transmitted laser light approximately proportional to the voltage applied across the modulator. The laser light is transmitted along an optical fibre and measured remotely by a high-speed optical receiver. A capacitive coupler has been used to detect partial discharge activity and act as the modulator’s input voltage source. The electro-optic modulator is passive and does not require a power supply at the site of the PD detection sensor. The system has the additional advantages of being immune to electromagnetic interference, having very little signal transmission attenuation, with good sensitivity, compact size, as well as being convenient to use and safe. Both simulation experiments and practical PD tests on two cable systems have indicated that the optical system provides a feasible remote PD monitoring technique for high voltage cable systems.<br/
PENGUKURAN PRODUKTIVITAS ALUR PRODUKSI MENGGUNAKAN METODE LINE BALANCING DI PD SANDANG JAYA
No full textPD Sandang Jaya is a garment industry that produces products by order. PD Sandang Jaya realizes
how important production processes to meet product demands and increase productivity. Thus, this research
goal is to increase productivity by maximizing the existing production on production floor, so that the
continuity of material flow can run smoothly in the production process. This research emphasizes on the
production line which is always be an outstanding problem within the company. Line balancing method is
used to improve the performance of any existing production process on the production floor by calculating
the standard time and regulating the flow of production process on each line. By using Helgeson Birnie-line
balancing method, the efficiency of production process increases to 90,38% and 9,62% for balanced delayed.
By using Helgeson Birnie, each of production lines becomes more efficient. Some changes also occur in the
Ws where Ws proposal is divided into three Ws. Ndeed, it will facilitate the flow of materials to make the
process works. After calculating line balancing, labor allocation should be determine to decide quantity of
total production. Total production obtained in this research is 113 units per day. Thus, total production for
30 days is 3.390 units or 282 dozen increasing from 3.000 units. Base on line balancing method, labor
productivity increases from 214,8 to 250
Remote controlled partial discharge acquisition unit
No full textOnline partial discharge (PD) analysis for underground high voltage cables has major advantages over the offline techniques. Online techniques usually involve PD data acquisition, storage and post-processing of the data. However, the data acquisition process can be time consuming and troublesome because of design procedures and protocols required before commencement of data acquisition. This paper presents a robust remote controlled partial discharge acquisition unit for underground high voltage cable networks. This system is uniquely designed to incorporate the difficulties of accessibility, especially for remotely located substations. Real field data from a 33kV network is included in the paper
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