Two‐degree‐of‐freedom model matching control of shift‐by‐wire system with emergency mechanical link

A new shift‐by‐wire system having a standby mechanical link with backlash is proposed. The link directly connects the select lever and the manual lever of the automatic transmission in case of emergency. Thus, it is necessary to keep the backlash free during normal operations without generating a force. The angles of the manual lever driven by an actuator should follow the angles of the select lever exactly and quickly. A two‐degree‐of‐freedom model matching control is developed to meet this requirement. It is shown that the backlash is kept free during the range select operation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(3): 45–52, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21049     

Al-laminated film packaged organic radical battery for high-power applications

A 100-mAh class of aluminum-laminated film packaged organic radical battery with a poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate) (PTMA) composite cathode and a graphite anode has been fabricated. Its total weight was 22 g and the thickness was 4.3 mm. Because PTMA comprised only 6.2% of the total cell weight, the energy density was considerably less than that of a lithium ion battery. However, the power density per active material weight was found to be better than that of lithium ion battery. The applications which require high-power capability rather than high-energy density, such as the sub-battery in electronic devices and motor drive assistance in electric vehicles, would be appropriate for organic radical batteries in the future.     

Dual mode diffusion of NaCl in Japanese radish under cooking conditions

ABSTRACT:  Sorption and diffusion of NaCl in Japanese radish have been studied. The sorption isotherm was obtained at 98 °C by the conventional method. The concentration profile by the 1-dimensional diffusion of NaCl in Japanese radish from the 3.0% solution was measured at 98 °C with the FRITRUC method involving a foodstuff rod in a thin rubber casing. Fick's diffusion coefficient, D , calculated therefrom showed a threefold variation with a maximum. This variation was quantitatively interpreted by applying a dual-mode sorption and diffusion theory under an assumption that the rate determining step of the diffusion is that in the cell wall. Two thermodynamic diffusion coefficients, D_T ( p ) and D_T ( L ), where p and L are the species of NaCl sorbed by partition and Langmuir modes, respectively, a parameter, α, derived from the local equilibrium relations between the p and L species, and S , the concentration of the Langmuir adsorption site in the cell wall of the radish, were estimated. D_T ( p ) was found to be smaller than D_T ( L ). As an explanation of the larger D_T ( L ), we invoked the higher hydration state of the adsorption site of the L species, being ascribed to residual anionic pectin in the radish than the local environment of the p species. The sorption isotherm showed a convex upward deviation from the linear relation. By using the parameters for the local equilibrium and some assumed parameters, the isotherm was found to be explainable. We suggest possible applications of the present method and interpretation to the diffusion study on the cooking systems comprising varieties of seasoning components and foodstuffs.     

Fabrication of multilayered photochromic memory media using pressure-sensitive adhesives

We fabricated a multilayered medium by a laminating process with pressure-sensitive adhesives. It was possible to reduce the thickness variations of both photosensitive layers and transparent layers by applying laminating films. This method is easy to use to pile up many layers for a multilayered medium. We fabricated twenty recording layers and demonstrated the capability to record with significant reading results. The recorded data in each layer were read out without crosstalk. We evaluated the signal-to-noise ratio and crosstalk between neighboring layers. It was found that the signal-to-noise ratio of a multilayered medium was higher than 50 dB.     

Magnetic field analysis of a squirrel cage induction motor considering rotor skew and higher harmonics in the secondary current

This paper describes a method to analyze harmonic magnetic fields of squirrel cage induction motors considering rotor skew and higher harmonics in the secondary current. The proposed method is based on a two‐dimensional finite element method. The rotor skew structure is expressed by multiple 2D finite element mesh models, produced in suitable axial positions, and the magnetic field in each mesh model is calculated by the revised secondary current taking into account the skew effect. The secondary currents, magnetic flux densities, and electromotive forces are calculated by the proposed method. Then the differences between a skewed rotor and a nonskewed rotor are discussed. From the comparison between the calculated and the experimental results, the proposed method is shown to be appropriate and useful for quantitative estimation of harmonic components of induction motors. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 129(2): 98–109, 1999     

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Sustainability of human beings in the 21st century requires development of renewable energy systems based on technology innovation. Chemical engineering plays a key role in promoting technology innovation relating to environmental and energy systems. The technological domains to which chemical engineering has contributed have shift from petrochemicals to functional materials and devices. An example of the key devices expected in the future is a combination of solar cells and Li-ion batteries, in which the indispensable materials are silicon and carbon. The shape and nanostructure of materials must be controlled to fabricate highly efficient devices at a low cost. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and spherical silicon solar cells (SSSC) with a semi-concentration reflector system are discussed as examples of future materials and devices. Chemical engineering is responsible for technology innovation through mass production, product quality control, materials recycling, high-quality device fabrication, and structuring knowledge.