State predictive model following control system for linear time delays

In this paper, we propose a new state predictive model following control system （MFCS）. The considered system has linear time delays. With the MFCS method, we obtain a simple input control law. The bounded property of the internal states for the control is given and the utility of this control design is guaranteed. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Development of Motor Model of Rotor Slot Harmonics for Speed Sensorless Control of Induction Motor

This paper proposes a novel mathematical dynamic model to represent the steady‐state and transient‐state characteristics of rotor slot harmonics of an induction motor for sensorless control. Although it is well known that the rotor slot harmonics originate from the mechanical structure of the induction motor, a mathematical model that describes the relationship between the stator/rotor currents of the induction motor and the slot harmonics has not yet been proposed. Therefore, in this paper, a three‐phase model of the induction motor that depicts the rotor slot harmonics is developed by taking into consideration the magnetomotive force harmonics and the change in the magnetic air gap caused by the rotor slots. The validity of the proposed model is verified by comparing the experimental results and the calculated values. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 186(3): 63–74, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.22478     

Design of Nonlinear Servo Systems by the Fuzzy Method

This paper presents the design of nonlinear servo systems using the fuzzy method. The idea behind this control method is to divide the operating region of a nonlinear system into a collection of local linear servo control systems and apply the fuzzy method for calculation of the control input. The control input of each local linear servo system is calculated using the Davison–Smith method and the Hikita pole assignment method. We can prove that all states of the fuzzy servo system are bounded and that the output errors converge to zero by the Lyapunov method. Simulations on a nonlinear mass‐spring‐damper system illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Dual-Function Semaphorin 4D Released by Platelets: Suppression of Osteoblastogenesis and Promotion of Osteoclastogenesis

Effects of the antiosteoblastogenesis factor Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), expressed by thrombin-activated platelets (TPs), on osteoblastogenesis, as well as osteoclastogenesis, were investigated in vitro. Intact platelets released both Sema4D and IGF-1. However, in response to stimulation with thrombin, platelets upregulated the release of Sema4D, but not IGF-1. Anti-Sema4D-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) upregulated TP-mediated osteoblastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast precursors. MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to TPs induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK further upregulated by the addition of anti-sema4D-mAb, suggesting the suppressive effects of TP-expressing Sema4D on osteoblastogenesis. On the other hand, TPs promoted RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in the primary culture of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMCs). Among the known three receptors of Sema4D, including Plexin B1, Plexin B2 and CD72, little Plexin B2 was detected, and no Plexin B1 was detected, but a high level of CD72 mRNA was detected in RANKL-stimulated BMMCs by qPCR. Both anti-Sema4D-mAb and anti-CD72-mAb suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity, suggesting that Sema4D released by TPs promotes osteoclastogenesis via ligation to a CD72 receptor. This study demonstrated that Sema4D released by TPs suppresses osteogenic activity and promotes osteoclastogenesis, suggesting the novel property of platelets in bone-remodeling processes.     

Diesel emission control system using combined process of nonthermal plasma and exhaust gas components' recirculation

A NO_x aftertreatment system, using nonthermal plasma (NTP) reduction and exhaust gas components' recirculation, is investigated. A pilot-scale system is applied to a stationary diesel engine. In this system, NO_x is first removed by adsorption, and subsequently, the adsorbent is regenerated by thermal desorption. NO_x desorbed is reduced by using nitrogen NTP. Moreover, NO_x, CO₂, and water vapor recirculated into the engine intake reduce NO_x. In this study, approximately 57% of the NO_x of the exhaust (NO_x: 240-325 ppm, flow rate = 300 NL/min) can be continuously treated for 58 h. A system energy efficiency of 120 g (NO₂)/kWh is obtained.     

Partial discharge measurements in SF6 and air usingphase-resolved pulse-height analysis

Carries out a study on partial discharge (PD) phenomena in SF₆ gas and tries to construct a diagnostic system capable of separating noise from observed PD signals for assessing the condition of insulation performance in power apparatus. The authors have constructed a computer-aided PD measuring system which permits a time-sequential data acquisition and phase-resolved pulse height analysis. Using the PD measurement system, the authors measured 60 Hz AC PD in SF₆ gas and in air at atmospheric pressure for needle-plane electrodes with three different radii at the tip of the needle, 3, 30 and 500 μm. They proposed particular PD statistical parameters, unbalance ratios U _T and U_q of the pulse repetition rate and average of charge, respectively, between positive and negative PD pulses occurring per cycle; these parameters proved to be good indicators to distinguish PD occurring in SF₆ from that in air. The mechanism of PD inception was also discussed     

Electrode conditioning characteristics in vacuum under impulse voltage application in nonuniform electric field

In this paper, we quantitatively investigated the impulse conditioning mechanism under nonuniform electric field electrodes in a vacuum. A negative standard lightning impulse voltage was applied between rod and plane electrodes whose materials were Cu-Cr, stainless steel and Cu and the gap lengths were d=5 and 10 mm, respectively. Experimental results revealed the transition of the breakdown (BD) sport region on the rod electrode and the corresponding BD field strength in the conditioning process. As a result, we found that the BD spot region started at the tip of the rod electrode and moved to the wider region of the rod electrode with lower electric field as the shots of the voltage application increased before the saturation of the BD voltage. Finally, by analyzing the results with an electric field strength, we propose that "the conditioning degree" along the electrode surface distributed directly proportional to the electric field distribution under a nonuniform electric field in a vacuum, irrespective of the electrode materials