Features of traction electric equipment of prospective electric rolling stock

On the main railways in Russia, two types of current in the contact wire are used: dc voltage of 3 kV and ac voltage of 25 kV with a frequency of 50 Hz. Therefore, prospective electric rolling stock should have double the power. Improving the capacity and structural speed of locomotives is based on the use of asynchronous traction motors (ATDs) with a squirrel-cage rotor allowing increasing the tractive force and the weight of the train and the capacity and speed of cargo delivery, increasing reliability and reducing life cycle costs, and increasing service life. Electrical equipment for such rolling stock should be used when working from either contact system, dc or ac. In this article, the scheme of power circuits is considered using the example of a module of a traction drive in one bogie of dual-system electric locomotives. It is proposed to use the secondary winding of the traction transformer as a choke of the input filter when powered from a dc contact system. Regulation of operation modes of asynchronous traction motors is carried out from static semiconductor converters with a two-tier structure. Input transducers provide the exchange of electric energy between the contact system and the intermediate link of dc voltage, and the output converters regulate the traction motors by changing the magnitude and frequency of voltage on the stator windings of ATD depending on the speed of the locomotive and its operating mode. 4QS input converters and output converters are autonomous voltage inverters of the intermediate ac: in the case of single-phase input and output, they are three-phase. The basic ratios are given to determine voltages and currents of 4QS converters, to determine the variable component of a rectified current 4QS converter, and to formulate requirements for a resonant L₂C₂ filter configured for a frequency of 100 Hz. Expressions are given for determining the ratio of the input power of the converter, as well as recommendations for determining the basic parameters of electrical equipment.     

The influence of the parameters of an input filter on the power factor of an alternating voltage downconverter

This article presents the dependence of the power factor of an ac downconverter on the component parameters of an input LC filter. The obtained results allow filter parameters to be selected at which the high power factor of a converter in operating control range is provided. Analysis was carried out for the pulse-width algorithm of regulation of the voltage and load at which an induction electric motor was used. Results of analysis were confirmed by computer simulation and experiments.     

On optimization of the insulation of high-voltage coaxial bushing

This paper considers ways to improve the electric strength of a high-voltage bushing by decreasing the maximum electric intensity. For a coaxial cylindrical bushing with radii r₀ and r_m > r₀, which result in an insulation gap (r_m–r₀) with permittivity ε₀, this problem is solved with the use of an additional layer of insulation. This layer, with permittivity ε > ε₀, is limited by radii r₀ and r_ε < r_m. A simple algorithm to calculate an optimal thickness of this layer was obtained; the algorithm minimizes the maximum intensity as a function of radii r₀ and r_m and relative permittivity ε/ε₀ > 1.582. The algorithm is also transformed into an algorithm of synthesis of the noted layer thickness providing minimum intensity E_m. The optimal relative values of all the dimensions of a high-voltage bushing as a function of the layer permittivity and level of reduction in the intensity E_m are given in a form that is convenient for practical use.     

Synthesis and characterizations of SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> modified BNT-KNN ceramics for energy storage applications

Lead-free (1-x) [0.934BNT-0.07KNN]-x SrTiO₃/BNT-KNN-ST ceramics with x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12 and 0.16 were synthesized in single perovskite phase by conventional solid state reaction route. Effect of SrTiO₃ modification on phase, microstructure, dielectric, electric field induced polarization, electric field induced strain and energy-storage properties were investigated and discussed in detail. Dielectric study confirmed relaxor nature with a drastic decrease of T _c with the increase of SrTiO₃ content in BNT-KNN-ST system. Saturation polarization, remnant polarization, coercive field (E _c ) and maximum induced strain decreased with the increase of SrTiO₃ content in BNT-KNN-ST system. High recoverable energy storage density of ~0.59 J/cm ³ with energy storage efficiency of ~64% were obtained in x = 0.16 ceramic samples, which suggested its usefulness for energy-storage capacitor applications.     

Toward Optimization of Insulation between Two Concentric Spheres

This article considers the problem of increasing the electric strength of a high-voltage structure corresponding to a segment of the concentric capacitor. In such a capacitor with radii r₀ and r _m > r₀ determining the insulation clearance with the value r _m –r₀ with dielectric capacity ε₀, the specified problem is solved using an additional insulation layer with the dielectric capacity ε > ε₀ limited by the radii r₀ and r_ε < r _m . A simple algorithm of calculation of the optimal thickness of this layer minimizing maximum intensity E _m in the function of radii r₀ and r _m and relative capacity ε/ε₀ > 2 is obtained. According to the calculations, the decrease of min E _m can achieve several tens of percent. The obtained algorithm is also transformed into a synthesis algorithm of the thickness of the aforementioned layer providing the predetermined value min E _m . The calculations of the optimal values of all dimensions of the capacitor in the function of the dielectric capacity of the layer and degree of intensity reduction E _m are given in a form appropriate for practical use.     

The controlled reactive-power compensator of an electric locomotive

A device for the precise compensation of the reactive power of an electric locomotive is considered. The device is designed based on a passive compensator, a boosting transformer and a self-commutated voltage inverter. The simulation of various locomotive operation modes proved the high efficiency of the suggested compensator design.     

Improving the energy performance of an ac electric locomotive using a new compensator control structure

A device for improving the power factor for ac electric locomotives that are based on an adjustable passive reactive-power compensator is described. This compensator configuration allows an increase in the power factor of an electric locomotive in all its operating modes. The control of the compensator unit is based on the method of extremal voltage control at the output of an autonomous voltage inverter (AVI). The voltage is chosen on the basis of the numerical differentiation of the dependence of the power factor on the AVI voltage. The mathematical simulation of the operation of the compensator with an extremal regulator, which was performed in the MATLAB package, showed that the proposed device is highly efficient.     

Low temperature sintering of lead–free (Bi<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Na<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> piezoelectric ceramics by adding excess CuO

This study examined the microstructures, crystal structures, and electrical properties of 0.01 mol CuO–added (1–x)(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃–xSrTiO₃–2BiFeO₃ (BNST100x–2BF, x?=?0.20 ~ 0.28) ceramics synthesized at two different sintering temperatures. The sintering temperature of the BNST100x–2BF ceramics could be decreased from 1175 °C to 1000 °C by adding a 0.01 mol CuO excess. Low–temperature sintering led to a decrease in average grain size. The dielectrics, polarization hysteresis (P–E), switching current, and electric–field induced strain (S–E) curves changed with increasing SrTiO₃ content and decreasing sintering temperature. Interestingly, the highest reduction ratio of d₃₃^* was calculated to be somewhere in between the high–temperature sintered and low–temperature sintered BNST26–2BF ceramics. These results were attributed to the difference in the stabilized relaxor state and closely related to the electric field–induced reversible phase transition from the relaxor and ferroelectrics.     

Arrangement of Reactive Power Compensation Units in the Radial Distribution Network of Moscow Oblast

Distribution networks are the direct end-consumer connection part of an electric power system. With the development of technology, advent of new current-using equipment, and increasing population density, these networks are becoming increasingly more and more complex, elements more loaded, and power and voltage losses on the line more significant, which leads to violations of standard requirements. These problems are considered using the example of a section of the Moscow oblast network. The study presented in this article is part of the research project aimed to improve the quality of electric power in the distribution network by analyzing the current state and elaborating corrective steps. The measurements were taken using electric power quality analyzers at maximal and minimal loads. To overcome a high negative voltage deviation, the reactive power compensation unit is proposed. The procedure proposed in this article to solve the given problem consists of two phases. In phase one, loss sensitivity factors (LSFs) are defined and candidate nodes selected for installing the compensation units. This makes it possible to considerably reduce the area of searching for the optimization algorithm and, therefore, cut down the calculation time and improve the algorithm’s convergence. In phase two, the hybrid particle swarm technique is applied to optimally arrange the compensation units among the selected nodes, and choose their capacity. The hybrid optimization technique includes the particle swarm technique (PST) and the quasi-Newtonian algorithm applied after meeting the PST stopping criterion. The quasi-Newtonian algorithm is applied to cut down the time for executing iterations and making the PST more convergent. Numerical modelling is performed in the MATLAB software environment. The measurements in the distribution network of the Moscow oblast served to construct a design model with 111 nodes. According to the measurement results, the voltage level in the consumer coupling nodes considerably overrides the limits defined by GOST (State Standard) 32144–2013. Serious problems with electric power in the mains are connected with inadmissible values of established voltage deviation. The proposed hybrid algorithm of arranging reactive power compensation units makes it possible to reduce the losses of electric power in the mains, reduce the voltage deviation, and increase the line power factor.     

Application of heterogeneous blading systems is the way for improving efficiency of centrifugal energy pumps

The results of independent research implemented by the teams of authors representing the Brno University of technology (Czech Republic) and Moscow Power Engineering Institute National Research University (Russia) are presented and compared. The possibilities for improving the energy efficiency of slow-speed centrifugal pumps (with a specific speed coefficient n ^s < 80) widely used in power engineering—in thermal power stations, in heat electric-power stations, in nuclear power plants, and in boiler rooms—were investigated. These are supply pumps, condensate pumps, precharge pumps, etc. The pumps with such values of n ^s are widely used in some technological cycles of oil-and-gas and chemical industries too. The research was focused on achieving the shape of the pump efficiency characteristics providing a significant extension of its effective working zone and increasing its integrated efficiency. The results were obtained based on new approaches to the formation of a blading system of an impeller of a slow-speed centrifugal pump different from the traditional blading system. The analytical dependences illustrating the influence of individual geometry of a blading system on the efficiency were presented. The possibilities of purposeful changing of its structure were demonstrated. It was experimentally confirmed that use of the innovative blading system makes it possible to increase the pump efficiency by 1–4% (in the experiments for the pumps with n ^s = 33 and 55) and to extend its efficient working zone approximately by 15–20% (in the experiment for the pumps with n ^s = 33 and 66). The latter is especially important for the supply pumps of NPP power units. The experimental results for all investigated pumps are presented in comparison with the characteristics of the efficiency provided by the blading systems designed by traditional methods.     

Impact of channel length,gate insulator thickness,gate insulator material,and temperature on the performance of nanoscale FETs

Aggressive technology scaling as per Moore’s law has led to elevated power dissipation levels owing to an exponential increase in subthreshold leakage power. Short channel effects (SCEs) due to channel length reduction, gate insulator thickness change, application of high-k gate insulator, and temperature change in a double-gate metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (DG MOSFET) and carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET) were investigated in this work. Computational simulations were performed to investigate SCEs, viz. the threshold voltage (V_th) roll-off, subthreshold swing (SS), and I_on/I_off ratio, in the DG MOSFET and CNTFET while reducing the channel length. The CNTFET showed better performance than the DG MOSFET, including near-zero SCEs due to its pure ballistic transport mechanism. We also examined the threshold voltage (V_th), subthreshold swing (SS), and I_on/I_off ratio of the DG MOSFET and CNTFET with varying gate insulator thickness, gate insulator material, and temperature. Finally, we handpicked almost similar parameters for both the CNTFET and DG MOSFET and carried out performance analysis based on the simulation results. Comparative analysis of the results showed that the CNTFET provides 47.8 times more I_on/I_off ratio than the DG MOSFET. Its better control over the threshold voltage, near-zero SCEs, high on-current, low leakage power consumption, and ability to operate at high temperature make the CNTFET a viable option for use in enhanced switching applications and low-voltage digital applications in nanoelectronics.     

Relative enhanced diffusivity: noise sensitivity,protocol optimization,and the relation to intravoxel incoherent motion

Objective

To explore the relationship between relative enhanced diffusivity (RED) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), as well as the impact of noise and the choice of intermediate diffusion weighting (b value) on the RED parameter.

Materials and methods

A mathematical derivation was performed to cast RED in terms of the IVIM parameters. Noise analysis and b value optimization was conducted by using Monte Carlo calculations to generate diffusion-weighted imaging data appropriate to breast and liver tissue at three different signal-to-noise ratios.

Results

RED was shown to be approximately linearly proportional to the IVIM parameter f, inversely proportional to D and to follow an inverse exponential decay with respect to D*. The choice of intermediate b value was shown to be important in minimizing the impact of noise on RED and in maximizing its discriminatory power. RED was shown to be essentially a reparameterization of the IVIM estimates for f and D obtained with three b values.

Conclusion

RED imaging in the breast and liver should be performed with intermediate b values of 100 and 50 s/mm², respectively. Future clinical studies involving RED should also estimate the IVIM parameters f and D using three b values for comparison.

     

A first-principles study of the structural,elastic, electronic,vibrational, and optical properties of BaSe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Te<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The structural, elastic, electronic, vibrational, and optical properties of BaSe_1?xTe_x alloys are investigated by means of the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The exchange–correlation effects are treated with the local density approximation, as well as the GGA-PBE, GGA-PBEsol, and GGA?+?mBJ schemes of the generalized gradient approximation. Ternary BaSe_1?xTe_x compounds have not yet been synthesized. Improved predictions of the structural parameters are obtained using the GGA-PBEsol approach. Calculations of the electronic and optical properties with the GGA?+?mBJ approach yield accurate results. Ternary BaSe_1?xTe_x alloys are wide-band-gap semiconductors with a direct gap Γ–Γ. The upper valence band is mainly due to Se p and Te p states, while the bottom of the conduction band results essentially from Ba d states. The dielectric function, refractive index, reflectivity, absorption coefficient, and energy-loss function are calculated in the range 0–35 eV. The increase in x gives rise to a redshift of the optical spectra. BaSe_1?xTe_x alloys exhibit reflective properties of metals in some energy ranges. The static dielectric constant ?₁(0) and the static refractive index n₀ are calculated. The investigation of the elastic and vibrational properties shows that ternary BaSe_1?xTe_x should be mechanically and dynamically stable, elastically anisotropic, brittle, and relatively soft.     

DCE-MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma: perfusion quantification with Tofts model versus shutter-speed model—initial experience

Objective

To quantify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) perfusion and flow with the fast exchange regime-allowed Shutter-Speed model (SSM) compared to the Tofts model (TM).

Materials and methods

In this prospective study, 25 patients with HCC underwent DCE-MRI. ROIs were placed in liver parenchyma, portal vein, aorta and HCC lesions. Signal intensities were analyzed employing dual-input TM and SSM models. ART (arterial fraction), K ^trans (contrast agent transfer rate constant from plasma to extravascular extracellular space), v _e (extravascular extracellular volume fraction), k _ep (contrast agent intravasation rate constant), and τ _i (mean intracellular water molecule lifetime) were compared between liver parenchyma and HCC, and ART, K ^trans, v _e and k _ep were compared between models using Wilcoxon tests and limits of agreement. Test–retest reproducibility was assessed in 10 patients.

Results

ART and v _e obtained with TM; ART, v _e , k _e and τ _i obtained with SSM were significantly different between liver parenchyma and HCC (p < 0.04). Parameters showed variable reproducibility (CV range 14.7–66.5 % for both models). Liver K ^trans and v _e ; HCC v _e and k _ep were significantly different when estimated with the two models (p < 0.03).

Conclusion

Our results show differences when computed between the TM and the SSM. However, these differences are smaller than parameter reproducibilities and may be of limited clinical significance.

     

A comparative performance analysis of induction and synchronous reluctant motors in an adjustable-speed electric drive

This article is concerned with comparative analysis of the energy performance of induction motors (IM) and synchronous reluctance motors (SynRM) in an adjustable electric drive. A feasibility study of an economically viable adjustable electric drive with a SynRM of improved design that is free from electric losses in rotor winding and corresponds to the highest energy-efficiency classes (IE3 and IE4 according to GOST (State Standard) R 54413-2011) is carried out. Results of the comparative analysis of operating and power characteristics of the IM and SynRM with the same stator design are presented in respect to pumps using various principles of control. It is shown that the advantage in the SynRM efficiency is achieved to the fullest extent when the electric angle between the current vector and the axis of the maximum rotor magnetic conductivity is constant. The calculations are performed on the basis of the ac-motor equivalent circuit. A calculation of equivalent circuit parameters for motors of a certain power is performed on the basis of nominal data on the IM being considered. At the same time, the SynRM parameters are calculated from the ratio of inductance parameters for a particular rotor design according to the literature. It is concluded that the SynRM efficiency can be significantly higher than that of the IM of the same power in the entire range of electric-drive speed regulation.     

Rapid measurement of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) derived perfusion fraction for clinical magnetic resonance imaging

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the reliability of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model derived parameters D and f and their dependence on b value distributions with a rapid three b value acquisition protocol.

Materials and methods

Diffusion models for brain, kidney, and liver were assessed for bias, error, and reproducibility for the estimated IVIM parameters using b values 0 and 1000, and a b value between 200 and 900, at signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) 40, 55, and 80. Relative errors were used to estimate optimal b value distributions for each tissue scenario. Sixteen volunteers underwent brain DW-MRI, for which bias and coefficient of variation were determined in the grey matter.

Results

Bias had a large influence in the estimation of D and f for the low-perfused brain model, particularly at lower b values, with the same trends being confirmed by in vivo imaging. Significant differences were demonstrated in vivo for estimation of D (P = 0.029) and f (P < 0.001) with [300,1000] and [500,1000] distributions. The effect of bias was considerably lower for the high-perfused models. The optimal b value distributions were estimated to be brain_500,1000, kidney_300,1000, and liver_200,1000.

Conclusion

IVIM parameters can be estimated using a rapid DW-MRI protocol, where the optimal b value distribution depends on tissue characteristics and compromise between bias and variability.

     

On the dependence between the amplitude and time parameters of pulse voltages in general-purpose power-supply systems

The existing regulatory requirements to assessment of the voltage pulses in general-purpose power-supply systems as a parameter of electric energy quality are considered. The attention is focused on the fact that GOST (State Standard) 32144-2013 recommends taking into account the statistics related to such characteristics when concluding contracts for electric-energy supply or transmission. The article presents the results of processing of the statistical material obtained using a special device for recording the impulse-voltage parameters. A stable correlation and regression dependence between these parameters has been established. It is shown that this dependence has an exponential character. A method of generating a test voltage pulse is proposed to test the actual resistance of consumers to impulse voltages arising in the power supply circuits.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Bi<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Na<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> lead–free ceramics

This study investigated the microstructure, crystal structure, and electrical properties of (1???x)Bi_1/2Na_1/2TiO₃–xSrTiO₃ (BNST100x; x?=?0.20, 0.22, 0.24, 0.26, 0.28, and 0.30) lead?free piezoceramics. The average grain size of BNST100x ceramics decreased with increasing SrTiO₃ content. A phase transition from nonergodic relaxor (NER) to ergodic relaxor (ER) was observed at x?=?0.26, and the highest unipolar strain under 4 kV/mm electric field, of 0.25% (d₃₃^*?≈?620 pm/V), was obtained at x?=?0.28. We found that the BNST26 and BNST28 compositions yielded the competitive advantage of larger strain values under lower operating fields compared with other BNT–based lead–free piezoelectric ceramics. Therefore, we regard these ceramics as promising candidates for actuator applications.     

Investigation of trigate JLT with dual-<Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis> sidewall spacers for enhanced analog/RF FOMs

This paper shows the potential benefits of using the trigate junctionless transistor (JLT) with dual-k sidewall spacers to enhance analog/radio-frequency (RF) performance at 20-nm gate length. Simulation study shows that the source-side-only dual-k spacer (dual-kS) JLT can improve all analog/RF figures of merit (FOMs) compared with the conventional JLT structure. The dual-kS JLT shows improvement in intrinsic voltage gain (\(A_{V0}\)) by \(\sim \)44.58 %, unity-gain cutoff frequency (\(f_\mathrm{T}\)) by \(\sim \)7.67 %, and maximum oscillation frequency (\(f_\mathrm{MAX}\)) by \(\sim \)6.4 % at drain current \((I_\mathrm{ds}) = 10\,\upmu \hbox {A}/\upmu \hbox {m}\) compared with the conventional JLT structure. To justify the improvement in all analog/RF FOMs, it is also found that the dual-kS structure shows high electron velocity near the source region because of the presence of an additional electric field peak near the source region, resulting in increased electron transport efficiency and hence improved transconductance (\(g_\mathrm{m}\)). Furthermore, the dual-kS JLT shows a reduction in the electric field value near the drain end, thereby improving short-channel effects.     

Minimizing the effects of magnetization transfer asymmetry on inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) at ultra-high magnetic field (11.75 T)

Objectives

The recently reported inhomogeneous magnetization transfer technique (ihMT) has been proposed for specific imaging of inhomogeneously broadened lines, and has shown great promise for characterizing myelinated tissues. The ihMT contrast is obtained by subtracting magnetization transfer images obtained with simultaneous saturation at positive and negative frequency offsets (dual frequency saturation experiment, MT ^+/?) from those obtained with single frequency saturation (MT ⁺) at the same total power. Hence, ihMT may be biased by MT-asymmetry, especially at ultra-high magnetic field. Use of the average of single positive and negative frequency offset saturation MT images, i.e., (MT ⁺+MT ^?) has been proposed to correct the ihMT signal from MT-asymmetry signal.

Materials and methods

The efficiency of this correction method was experimentally assessed in this study, performed at 11.75 T on mice. Quantitative corrected ihMT and MT-asymmetry ratios (ihMTR and MTRasym) were measured in mouse brain structures for several MT-asymmetry magnitudes and different saturation parameter sets.

Results

Our results indicated a “safe” range of magnitudes (/MTRasym/<4 %) for which MT-asymmetry signal did not bias the corrected ihMT signal. Moreover, experimental evidence of the different natures of both MT-asymmetry and inhomogeneous MT contrasts were provided. In particular, non-zero ihMT ratios were obtained at zero MTRasym values.

Conclusion

MTRasym is not a confounding factor for ihMT quantification, even at ultra-high field, as long as MTRasym is restricted to ±4 %.