Filtration of Non-Newtonian Hydrocarbon Fluid in a High-Frequency Electromagnetic Field

The paper gives the results of experimental investigations of the initial pressure gradient of bituminous oil and the time dependences of variation of the temperature in a formation model and of the well production rate in a microwave-frequency electromagnetic field. The effect of strong decay of the non-Newtonian properties of bituminous oil is revealed. The nonuniformity of temperature distribution over the formation thickness is demonstrated, which depends on the initial production rate of the well and on the duration of stimulation of the bottom-hole zone of formation.     

Dynamic error correction of a digitizer for time-domain metrology

A method for numerical correction of distortion in a digitizer used for metrology applications is described. Investigation of the digitizer's error behavior in the phase plane leads to the development of an analytic error model that describes the digitizer's distortion behavior. Of particular significance is the model's ability to describe nonlinear error in the fundamental spectral component manifested as amplitude and frequency-dependent gain and phase error. When fitted only to the harmonic distortion content of the digitizer's output data, the model generates an amount of fundamental that correctly accounts for the error in the digitizer's gain that is not due to linear system response. The model is therefore able to improve not just the total harmonic distortion (THD) performance of the digitizer but its ac root mean square measurement accuracy as well. At 1 MHz, the model linearizes the digitizer to 70 /spl mu/V/V over a range of 1 to 8 V and reduces harmonic distortion by >20 dB. It is believed that this is the first time that results of this nature have been reported in the literature.     

CMOS circuit testing via time-resolved luminescence measurements and simulations

The continuous trend in modern CMOS technology toward smaller devices and faster clock frequency is challenging the picosecond imaging circuit analysis technique. In this paper we discuss the role of the single-photon avalanche diode with very sharp time resolution in testing CMOS circuits. Thanks to the 30 ps-time resolution, innovative measurements regarding delays and jitter are presented, along with a case study. A compact model of the luminescence is also proposed and used to compare on-chip electrical signals with optical waveforms.     

Implementation of a mechanics-based system for estimating the strength of timber

The most accurate way of determining the strength of lumber requires destructive testing. An intelligent mechanics-based lumber-grading system was developed to provide a better estimation of the strength of a board nondestructively. This system processed X-ray-extracted geometric features (of 1080 boards that eventually underwent destructive strength testing) by using finite element methods to generate associated stress fields. The stress fields were then fed to a feature-extracting-processor, which produced 26 strength predicting features. The best strength predicting features were determined from the coefficient of determination (correlation r/sup 2/) between the features and actual strengths of the boards. The coefficients of determination of each feature (or combination of features), with the actual strength of the board, were calculated and compared. A coefficient of determination of 0.4158 was achieved by using a longitudinal (along the local grain angle) maximum stress concentration (MSC) feature to predict the estimated strength of lumber.     

Design optimization of radially magnetized, iron-cored, tubular permanent-magnet machines and drive systems

In this paper we deduce, from analytical field solutions, the influence of leading design parameters on the performance of a radially magnetized, iron-cored, tubular permanent-magnet machine and its drive system. We derive analytical formulas for predicting the open-circuit electromotive force, the thrust force, the iron loss, and the winding resistance and inductances, as well as the converter losses. The force density, the machine and drive system efficiencies, and the power factor and converter volt-ampere (VA) rating are established as functions of a set of machine dimensional ratios, with due account of magnetic saturation and subject to a specified thermal constraint. We validate the utility and accuracy of the analytically derived formulas by finite-element calculations. Finally, we show that the design optimization of such a linear drive system must account for the losses and VA rating of the converter as well as the design parameters of the tubular machine.     

Effect of magnetic hysteresis on rotational losses in heteropolar magnetic bearings

This paper extends a method for predicting rotational losses for laminated rotors of heteropolar magnetic bearings by using an eddy-current model to include the effect of magnetic hysteresis in the rotor material. It compares the modeling results to the experimental data that were used earlier to assess the loss model neglecting hysteresis. The correction to the total electromagnetic loss in the rotor due to the hysteresis is significant at rotational speeds below 6000 revolutions per minute (RPM), where the model including hysteresis effects provides much better agreement with existing experimental data.     

Analysis of two-dimensional shielded pole heads using singular expansion functions

We have used a series of singular expansion functions to represent the potential across the gap of a shielded pole head in the presence of a highly permeable underlayer. This method of analysis reduces the size of the system of equations to be solved for the series coefficients to the number of coefficients that will be used. Just two series terms suffice to evaluate the magnetic potential to within 1% of the pole potential at any point on the air-bearing surface for a large range of head dimensions. Here, we express the surface field spectrum analytically. Including just two series terms provides an excellent estimate.     

Filtration efficiency and the percolation phenomenon in a grooved-plate Separator

We present here the results of a study of the separation process in the extraction matrix of a novel high-intensity magnetic separator (HIMS). The matrix uses an ordered array of grooved plates (replacing conventional collectors, which are generally made of wires). Only experimental results are available for grooved plates in the literature, but here we propose a new theoretical approach. We report on the particles' behavior, the existence of a percolation phenomenon, and the filtration efficiency, in order to analyze and compare the performance of matrix structures (Lenoir's and Jones'). We discuss the causes of the percolation phenomenon and its effect on filtration efficiency. Correspondence between the theory and the experiments is good. We suggest appropriate uses of each matrix structure according to the property of the processed particles.     

Thermal Transformations of an Aluminoborophosphate Binder

Thermal transformations of a commercial aluminoborophosphate binder are studied in a broad temperature range by optical microscopy, x-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The introduction of B₂O₃ reduces the temperature of phosphate polycondensation, enhances the stability of cyclometaphosphates in a broad temperature range (180–1100°C), and reduces the stability of hydrogen phosphates.     

Composition, Structure, and Thermal Expansion of Ca3Fe4S3O6 and CaFeSO

The iron calcium oxysulfides Ca₃Fe₄S₃O₆ and CaFeSO are synthesized by reacting mixtures of CaO and FeS in an inert atmosphere. Their elemental compositions and lattice parameters are determined by x-ray microanalysis and x-ray diffraction. From the temperature-dependent lattice parameters of the oxysulfides (measured up to 1020 K), their thermal expansion coefficients are evaluated.