Effects of Winding Attachment Positions on Output Characteristics of Flux‐Modulating Synchronous Machines

The flux‐modulating synchronous machine (FMSM) is a new type of multipole SM with nonoverlapping concentrated armature and field windings on the stator. This paper compares the output characteristics of two FMSMs through finite element analysis (FEA) and experiments. In both of the FMSMs, the attachment positions of the armature and field windings are swapped. To determine the reason for the discrepancies in their output characteristics, unsaturated inductances were calculated using a d‐‐q equivalent circuit. In addition, the calculated results of the inductances were confirmed through a visualization of the leakage fluxes using FEA. The results of the study show that the synchronous inductance can be reduced by attaching the armature winding to the air‐gap side of the stator teeth and that the reduction leads to an increase in output power.     

Computer simulation of morphological changes of grain boundary precipitates growing by the ledge mechanism

A previously developed computer model was modified to simulate the growth of grain boundary precipitates which grow by the ledge mechanism. The ledges were assumed to be nucleated in the grain boundary region at constant, parabolically decreasing, and random rates and to grow under the control of volume diffusion of solute to or from the riser of ledges. At lower under coolings at which the motion of individual ledges is slow, late-nucleated ledges soon catch up with first-nucleated ones, and precipitates tend to extend along the grain boundary: the overall precipitate shape is essentially that of a grain boundary allotriomorph. At larger undercoolings, first-nucleated ledges move fast to form a protuberance similar to Widmanstätten sideplates, while late-nucleated ones stay near the grain boundary region. The transition of precipitate shape from one to the other occurs in a very narrow range of supersaturation. The results are compared with various characteristics of the growth of proeutectoid ferrite allotriomorphs and sideplates in Fe-C alloys documented in the literature.     

Differential modes of nuclear localization signal (NLS) recognition by three distinct classes of NLS receptors

The targeting of karyophilic proteins to nuclear pores is mediated via the formation of a nuclear pore-targeting complex, through the interaction of nuclear localization signal (NLS) with its NLS receptor. Recently, a novel human protein, Qip1, was identified from a yeast two-hybrid system with DNA helicase Q1. This study demonstrates that Qip1 is a novel third class of NLS receptor that efficiently recognizes the NLS of the helicase Q1. Moreover, the data obtained in this study show that the specific interaction between Qip1 and the NLS of the helicase Q1 requires its upstream sequence of the minimal essential NLS. By using purified recombinant proteins alone in the digitonin-permeabilized cell-free transport system, it was demonstrated that the two known human NLS receptors, Rch1 and NPI-1, are able to transport all the tested NLS substrates into the nucleus, while Qip1 most efficiently transports the helicase Q1-NLS substrates, which contain its upstream sequence in so far as we have examined the system. Furthermore, in HeLa cell crude cytosol, it was found that endogenous Rch1 binds to all the tested NLS substrates, while the binding of endogenous NPI-1 is restricted to only some NLSs, despite the fact that NPI-1 itself shows binding activity to a variety of NLSs. These results indicate that at least three structurally and functionally distinct NLS receptors exist in the human single cell population, and suggest that the nuclear import of karyophilic proteins may be controlled in a complex manner at the NLS recognition step by the existence of a variety of NLS receptors with various specificities to each NLS.     

Tunable laser for sensing atmospheric transmission in the infrared region of 11 ∼ 16 µm

We succeeded in observing the continuously tunable, pulsed InSb SFR (Spin-Flip Raman) laser emission in the infrared region of 11～16µm (11.4～16.3µm) from only one InSb device, merely by adjusting the pumping wavelength (11 lines from the infrared NH₃ laser) and the applied magnetic field (0～80 kGauss).     

A sensorless brushless dc motor system

This paper describes a brushless dc motor system without position or speed sensor. The brushless motor consists of a permanent magnet synchronous motor and a voltage-source inverter capable of controlling the amplitude and frequency of voltage. The rectangular-shaped stator current with a conducting interval of 120° (electrical) is controlled to be in phase with the trapezoidal back electromotive force. This results in producing maximum torque. Variable speed is achieved by adjusting the average motor voltage similarly to chopper control of dc motors. In this paper, two sensorless position detecting methods, i.e., an “indirect method” suited for the lower-speed range and a “direct method” suited for the higher-speed range are proposed. The combination of the two makes it possible to detect the rotor position over a wide-speed range. Furthermore, a speed-sen-sorless PLL control is proposed in applying the principle of the direct method. Experimental results obtained from a prototype brushless dc motor are shown to confirm the validity of the sensorless drive. The starting procedure of the motor also is discussed because it is impossible to detect the rotor position at a standstill.     

Transient analysis of an advanced static var compensator using quad-series voltage-source PAM inverters

This paper deals with an advanced static Var compensator (ASVC) using quad-series voltage-source PAM inverters. The ASVC consists of four three-phase voltage-source inverters with a common dc capacitor and four three-phase transformers, each primary winding of which is connected in series with each other. Each inverter outputs a square-wave voltage, while the synthesized output voltage of the ASVC has a 24-step wave shape. This results not only in a great reduction of harmonic currents and dc voltage ripples but also in fewer switching and snubbing losses. In this paper, transient analysis is performed with the focus on the response of reactive power and the resonance between the dc capacitor and ac reactors. Experimental results obtained from a small-rated laboratory model of 10 kVA are also shown to verify analytical results based on the p-q transformation. The analytical results help in the design of system parameters such as the capacity of the dc capacitor and feedback gains.     

Simulation of ferrite growth in continuously cooled low-carbon iron alloys

The growth of a planar ferrite (α): austenite (γ) boundary in low-carbon iron and Fe-Mn alloys continuously cooled from austenite through the (α+γ) two-phase field and the α single-phase field was simulated by incorporating carbon diffusion in austenite, intrinsic boundary mobility, and the drag of an alloying element. At a very high cooling rate (≥ 10³ °C/s), the width of the carbon diffusion spike in austenite approaches the limit at which spikes are viable, so that the growth of ferrite in which carbon is not partitioned can occur even above the α solvus. In this context, the upper limiting temperature of partitionless growth of ferrite is the T ₀ temperature. In the presence of drag of an alloying element, e.g., Mn, both carbon-partitioned and partitionless growth of ferrite begins to occur at finite undercoolings from the Ae ₃, T ₀, or α-solvus temperature, at which the driving force for transformation exceeds the drag force. The intrinsic mobility of the α:γ boundary may play a significant role at an extremely high cooling rate (≥10⁵ °C/s). This article is based on a presentation made at the symposium entitled “The Mechanisms of the Massive Transformation,” a part of the Fall 2000 TMS Meeting held October 16–19, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri, under the auspices of the ASM Phase Transformations Committee.     

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in the liver by in situ hybridization

To examine HCV infection histologically, we attempted non-radioactive in situ hybridization of HCV-RNA in the liver. We amplified cDNA probe (360 base pairs) by PCR using the primers deduced from the core region of the HCV genome. The probe was labelled with digoxigenin by PCR and used for in situ hybridization on paraformaldehyde-fixed frozen liver sections. The hybrids were visualized immunohistochemically with alkaline-phosphatase-conjugated anti-digoxigenin and alkaline-phosphatase substrates. HCV-RNA-cDNA hybrids were detected in 21 of 24 patients with positive serum HCV markers, whereas there were no positive signals in the liver of 12 cases without HCV infection. The signal intensity of HCV-RNA-cDNA hybrids was abolished after RNase treatment. Various other specificity experiments also verified specific hybridization of HCV-RNA-cDNA. HCV-RNA was visualized in liver cells and most of them were regarded as hepatocytes from their characteristic features. The infected hepatocytes were frequently associated with mononuclear cell infiltration. Hepatocytes positive for HCV-RNA were sometimes binuclear and distributed in various patterns among cases tested. The present in situ hybridization of HCV RNA is highly sensitive and specific and the results suggest the host immune response to HCV-infected cells.     

DNA-inorganic hybrid material as selective absorbent for harmful compounds

Double-stranded DNA is one of functional polymers, but the large amounts of DNA sources, such as salmon milt and shellfish gonads, have been discarded as industrial wastes. Therefore, conversion of this discarded DNA to be a useful material would be beneficial to utilize the unique property of DNA. These materials including DNA have been prepared by mixing with the organic polymers, such as alginic acid, collagen, and chitosan. However, since these materials have consisted from entirely organic components, these do not have the mechanical strength for a material. So, we prepared the organic-inorganic hybrid materials by mixing DNA with silane coupling reagents bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl)amine or bis[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine. These hybrid materials with the flexibility were water-insoluble and resistant to hydrolysis by nuclease. In addition, the mechanical strength of this hybrid material was approximately twice as high as that of DNA without mixing with silane coupling reagents. Furthermore, the double-stranded DNA in the hybrid materials has been maintained in a B-form structure in aqueous solution. Thus, we demonstrated the utilization of DNA as a functional material. As a result, this material could selectively accumulate harmful DNA-intercalating compounds with the planar structure, such as dibenzo-p-dioxin, dibenzofuran, and ethidium bromide. Organic-inorganic hybrid material including double-stranded DNA has potential to serve as a useful biomaterial for medical, engineering, and environmental applications.