A self-organizing fuzzy logic based protective relay-an applicationto power transformer protection

In the paper the fuzzy logic based multi-criteria protective relay for a three-phase power transformer is presented. Twelve criteria used to stabilize the relay are introduced and integrated by means of multi-objective decision-making methods. The introduced protection scheme contains several internal functions and coefficients which are subject to off-line pre-installation self-setting. Three unique procedures are delivered for self-adjusting the relay, and thus, making it self-organized. The results of testing show significant gains in both sensitivity and selectivity of the self-organized relay compared with traditional approaches     

Hybrid Adaptive Control for Aerial Manipulation

This paper presents a control scheme to achieve dynamic stability in a mobile manipulating unmanned aerial vehicle (MM-UAV) using a combination of Gain scheduling and Lyapunov based model reference adaptive control (MRAC). Our test flight results indicate that we can accurately model and control our aerial vehicle when both moving the manipulators and interacting with target objects. Using the Lyapunov stability theory, the controller is proven to be stable. The simulation results showed how the MRAC is capable of stabilizing the oscillations produced from the unstable PI-D attitude control loop. Finally a high level control system based on a switching automaton is proposed in order to ensure the saftey of the aerial manipulation missions.     

Residential electricity consumption in New Member States and Candidate Countries

The European Commission-DG JRC has an ongoing research activity on assessing the electricity end uses and energy saving potential, with particular attention to the residential sector. Better equipment efficiency is one of the fastest and most cost-effective responses to limiting growing demand for electricity and at the same time to reduce CO₂ emissions [1].     

Pooling for Combination of Multilevel Forecasts

In this paper, we provide a theoretical analysis of effects of applying different forecast diversification methods on the structure of the forecast error covariance matrices and decomposed forecast error components based on the bias-variance-Bayes error decomposition of James and Hastie. We express the "diversity” of different forecasts in relation to different error components and propose a measure in order to quantify it. We illustrate and discuss typical inhomogeneities frequently occurring in the forecast error covariance matrices and show that previously proposed pooling based only on error variances cannot fully exploit the complementary information present in a set of diverse forecasts to be combined. If covariance values could be reliably calculated, they could be taken into account during the pooling process. We study the difficult case in which covariance information cannot be measured properly and propose a novel simplified representation of the covariance matrix, which is only based on knowledge about the forecast generation process. Finally, we propose a new pooling approach that avoids inhomogeneities in the forecast error covariance matrix by considering the information contained in the simplified covariance representation and compare it with the error-variance-based pooling approach introduced by Aiolfi and Timmermann. Applying our approach more than once leads to the generation of multistep and multilevel forecast combination structures, which have generated significantly improved forecasts in our previous extensive experimental work; the summary of which is also provided.     

Influence of CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>I and CBrF<Subscript>3</Subscript> on Methanol–Air and Methane–Air Premixed Flames

The suppression of CH₄ and CH₃OH premixed flames with CBrF₃ and CF₃I is examined, using computational techniques. By combining sensitivity analysis, reaction pathway analysis (based on carbon, hydrogen, bromine and iodine atom fluxes) and heat release estimation, we develop an explanation for the difference of suppression efficiencies which is qualitatively consistent with experimental cup burner data. The key reaction steps and channels responsible for the (apparent) higher inhibition efficiency of CF₃I compared to CBrF₃ in CH₃OH premixed flames are disclosed, by combining reaction pathway and heat release contribution analysis. The reaction of bromine atom dominates the decomposition channel for CH₃OH but plays a relatively minor role in the activation of CH₄, while I atom plays a minor role in CH₃OH or CH₄ activation. Accordingly, the rate of production of flame propagating radicals CH₂O and OH is higher in a CH₃OH–air–CBrF₃ system than in a CH₃OH–air–CF₃I system. The overall conclusion is that CBrF₃ contributes significantly to flame propagation for CH₃OH fuel reactions and consequently more CBrF₃ is required to extinguish a CH₃OH flame than CF₃I. Finally the explanation is validated by applying the reaction “switching-off” test.     

Correlation Between Cutting Data Selection and Chip Form in Stainless Steel Turning

This article presents investigations related to the turning of stainless steel as a representative of difficult-to-cut materials and the effectiveness of selected chip breakers working in the local machining environment. Martensitic steel AISI 416 was used to test two commercially available types of chip breaker. The efficiency of a chip breaker working in the range of cutting conditions recommended (by the tool manufacturers) was the aim of the turning tests. As a result of the investigations an algorithm of cutting condition selection, combining both the cutting tests and the simulation procedure for the efficiency of the chip breaker was created. The vision system, equipped with a high-speed camera was used for chip form estimation. Simultaneously, the cutting force components were measured to check if the simulation calculation was correct. The FEM simulation was applied to estimate the manner in which the chip groove was filled. The article presents certain recommendations for cutting condition correction in the local machining environment for the purpose of achieving an acceptable chip form.     

Approach to of the development of differenciated norms of vitamins consumption by athletes

The equation of calculation of the norms of consumption of vitamins by athletes of different specialization is suggested. Physiological norms of consumption of vitamins by athletes of different specializations depend on the training loads that determine the amount of protein in their nutrition ration. Daily demand of the athlete in a definite vitamin is equal to the physiological norm of the demand in this vitamin of an adult person (not an athlete), multiplied by the quotient of a protein quota of the athletes' ration and physiological demand of the adult person in proteins. Application of the suggested equation allows developing balanced vitamin complexes for ath letes of various specializations.     

New Linkage with Linear Actuator for Tracking PV Systems with Large Angular Stroke

This paper focuses on the development of an optimized photovoltaic tracking system involving low-cost, relative simple mechanisms, with linear actuators able to insure strokes comparable with those resulted when using gear rotary actuators. Starting with a rhombus linkage, with a linear actuator on the diagonal used for the elevation motion till 90°, a new performance solution is generated. This new linkage allows large angular strokes by using an asymmetric rhombus and an eccentrically positioned linear ac...