Hybrid Electric Drive for DDG-51 Class Destroyers

The first of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers is nearing its mid-life. This class of ships was designed during the late 1970s through the 1980s to meet the threats that were prevalent at that time. Since entering service in 1991, these ships have shown themselves to be extremely versatile and the class now consists of nearly 60 ships in service. Their combat systems have been continually upgraded and adapted to meet the new threats the United States faces today. However, in order to keep these platforms viable throughout the first half of the 21st century, their operating costs must be reduced. Manpower, maintenance, and fuel are three of the top operating cost drivers. Most surface combatants spend very little of their underway time operating at full speed or even close to that. Over 1/3 of their underway time is spent at 12 knots and under. This is less than half of their maximum speed and only a fraction of the maximum power owing to the cubic speed–power relationship. Although the existing mechanical drive system is reasonably efficient, the main gas turbines are extremely inefficient at these very low power levels. A shaft-mounted auxiliary electric propulsion system (EPS) can take advantage of excess capacity in the ship service generators to reduce the main engine operating hours. Enabling bi-directional power flow from this auxiliary electric drive will provide additional generation capacity for ship service loads at a modest additional cost. It also provides a "cross-connect" capability from one shaft to the other. This paper will explore one prospect for reducing the operating cost of the DDG-51 class of ships by installing an auxiliary EPS that would powered by the ship service electrical plant. This additional system would serve to reduce both underway fuel usage as well as maintenance on the gas turbine main engines by reducing the number of operating hours on each engine. We will examine the technology trade-offs in this ongoing study.     

Making Computer Models Useful: An Exploration of Expectations by Experts and Local Officials

Recent trends indicate increasing use of computer modeling in support of local environmental policy making. The ability of such models to improve local environmental decision making will depend not only on the characteristics of the models but also on those who will draw on them in making local policy: local government officials. In this study we examine the views of town officials concerned about nitrogen levels in local estuaries about computer models developed to inform their understandings and decisions regarding nitrogen loading. We also compare the views of the town officials with a sample of modelers. We find that town officials are supportive of models and the scientists who build them. However, town officials seek more information about the impacts of changes at small spatial scales (e.g., house building lots) than current models provide or than modelers believe that they can accurately provide, while recognizing the inability of current models to support such analysis. Town officials are also interested in more distant endpoints in the causal chain (e.g., effects on fish populations) than the modelers feel comfortable providing. Finally, our findings suggest that town officials are not supportive of broad public use of the models.     

几种高速受电弓/接触网系统性能的比较

为探讨高速受电弓与接触网之间的相互作用,选取DSA250和DSA380高速受电弓与不同速度等级的2种简单链型悬挂和2种弹性链型悬挂接触网系统相匹配,采用有限元法,建立了三维接触网模型和质量．阻尼-刚度受电弓模型．根据受电弓／接触网系统的相关系列标准,考虑受流质量和运行安全性,对不同系统的弓网动态性能进行了评价和比较．研究表明：在200—250km／h速度区间,适合采用设有预弛度的简单链型悬挂接触网,也可考虑采用弹性链型悬挂方式;300km／h以上时,宜采用不设预弛度的弹性链型悬挂．     

Advanced SiC Power Modules for 13.8 kV Power Distribution

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been developing 10 kV SiC MOSFETs and Junction Barrier Schottky diodes for application to a 13.8 kV 2.7 MVA solid-state power substation. The design of half-bridge power modules has extensively used simulation, from electron-level device simulations to the system-level trade studies, to develop the most efficient module for use in the SSPS.     

弹性链型悬挂高速接触网参数的选取研究

研究目的:为研究弹性链型悬挂高速接触网参数对受电弓/接触网系统动态性能的影响,采用三维接触网模型和质量-阻尼-刚度受电弓模型,对时速350 km弹性链型悬挂高速接触网/受电弓系统进行仿真计算和分析.考虑到接触压力和运行的安全性,对不同的动态仿真结果进行比较,据此选取合适的高速接触网参数.研究结论:通过研究表明,应优先采用120 mm2镁铜合金接触线,张力不宜小于27 kN;承力索采用120 mm2铜合金绞线,张力约为23 kN;跨距取55～60 m;结构高度取1.4～1.6 m;弹性吊索张力不小于3.5 kN;弹性吊索长度取16 ～18 m;支柱吊弦间距约为4.5 m;接触线坡度应控制为0;尽量避免波长为吊弦间隔2～6倍的接触线不平顺.     

The Art of Successfully Applying Human Systems Integration

This paper reviews developments in human factors and then draws from a number of "best practice" cases in studying how best to apply behavioral science principles, knowledge, and analytical tools to the engineering design or improvement of systems. Government and other commercial experiences are examined with a focus on the Navy human system integration (HSI) process. Included are discussions facilitated at a workshop session sponsored by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. There is general consensus that in addition to using a well-designed or proven process and doing the right things, success is dependent upon attending to a prioritized short list of critical elements. Continued focus on these elements is necessary to successfully apply human behavioral sciences effectively during design, construction, and operation of systems to improve safety, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of life.