A two-layer model of the Rhine plume

The outflow of Rhine water into the shallow Southern Bight of the North Sea leads to almost discontinuous vertical density distributions and sharp frontal structures around the river mouth. Strong tidal motion, wind and baroclinic effects have large influence on the dynamics and dispersion of river water. A three-dimensional tidal model, including advective and diffusive transport of salinity, is used in the two-layer mode for simulation of Rhine water outflow to quantify the interaction of the different processes and the effect on dispersion and mixing of river water. Layer depths are adjusted in a way that no advective transports between upper and lower layer take place in case of sufficiently stable stratification. In case of weak or no stratification the upper layer depth is fixed, and advective transports between layers are computed. Model results show frontal eddy development and (limited) growing internal waves due to baroclinic instability. Comparisons with observational data are presented.     

Multicriteria ranking of urban transportation system alternatives

This paper presents the fundamentals of a new method to rank urban transportation system alternatives, taking into consideration multiple criteria. Those criteria can be quantifiable or not. The new method is founded on Utility Theory and it makes use of absolute weighting and pairwise comparisons. It has important practical advantages over other existing methods, the most important among those advantages being its capability to be understood and accepted by professionals and by the public. A numerical example is included in the paper.     

Meroplankton abundance in the Northeast Water Polynya: Insights from oceanographic parameters and benthic abundance patterns

We investigated meroplankton (planktonic larvae of benthic organisms) abundance and distribution in the Northeast Water (NEW) Polynya, located on the northeast coast of Greenland, from July 15 to August 15, 1992. Meroplankton was present at all sites visited (0.03–84.83 individuals per m³); at one station meroplankton comprised 8.28% of total zooplankton. Total meroplankton abundance was correlated with total zooplankton abundance and total benthic infaunal abundance but was not correlated with either microscopic carbon concentration or primary productivity. Examination of distribution data for barnacle nauplii and adults indicated that both adults and larvae were concentrated at the same locations. Patterns of distribution were also examined for stelleroid plutei, polychaete larvae and trochophores. There were distinct geographic patterns in total and class-specific meroplankton distributions, with maximal abundances occurring over the Belgica Bank and in the eastern regions of the Westwind Trough and minimal abundances in the Belgica Trough. The apparent control of meroplankton distribution by the hydrography of the region, coupled with the correlation between meroplankton, zooplankton and adult infaunal abundance, reinforces the hypothesis that hydrography plays a major role in controlling the distribution of biota in the NEW polynya (Ambrose and Renaud, 1995; Ashjian et al., 1995, 1997-this volume; Smith et al., 1995; Piepenburg et al., 1997-this volume).     

Dynamic tyre friction models for combined longitudinal and lateral vehicle motion

An extension to the LuGre dynamic friction model from longitudinal to longitudinal/lateral motion is developed in this paper. Application of this model to a tyre yields a pair of partial differential equations that model the tyre-road contact forces and aligning moment. A comparison of the steady-state behaviour of the dynamic model with existing static tyre friction models is presented. This comparison allows one to determine realistic values of the parameters for the new dynamic model. Via the introduction of a set of mean states we reduce the partial differential equations to a lumped model governed by a set of three ordinary differential equations. Such a lumped form describes the aggregate effect of the friction forces and moments and it can be useful for control design and online estimation. A method to incorporate wheel rim rotation is also proposed. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing both its steady-state as well as its dynamic characteristics via numerical simulations. The results of the simulations corroborate steady-state and dynamic/transient tyre characteristics found in the literature.     

基于模糊逻辑异步电动机间接矢量控制传动系统及其性能分析

文章提出了一种新颖的采用模糊逻辑控制的异步电动机(IM)转速控制方法.模糊逻辑控制器(FLC)是基于间接矢量控制系统设计的.模糊逻辑转速控制器用于外层回路.针对实验室1 hp鼠笼式IM采用DS-1102数字信号处理器插件板,对基于FLC的IM矢量控制传动系统进行了实验研究.对文章提出的基于FLC的IM传动性能进行了研究,从理论和实验两个方面,在诸如指令转速突变、负载阶跃变化等不同的动态工作条件下,与基于传统的比例积分(PI)控制器的传动系统作了比较,结果表明使用FLC更优越.因此该方法适用于高性能工业传动系统,以取代传统PI控制器的方法.     

An Optimal Continuous Time Control Strategy for Active Suspensions with Preview

A continuous time control strategy for an active suspension with preview, based on optimal control theory, is presented. No approximation is needed to model the time delay between the excitation of the front and the rear wheels. The suspension is applied to a two DOF model of the rear side of the tractor of a tractor-semitrailer. The purpose of the suspension is to reduce either the required suspension working space or the maximum absolute acceleration of the sprung mass, without an increase of the dynamic tire force variation. For a step function as road input, reductions of 65% and 55%, respectively, are possible compared with a passive suspension.     

Simulation of Dynamical Behaviour of a Front Wheel Suspension

A MacPherson front wheel suspension and its components are modelled with the finite element method. Nonlinearities due to both the geometry and the characteristics of the components (springs, dampers and bushings) are considered. The force due to a given compression/elongation of the spring strut is calculated and compared with experimental results. Kinematical results, change in track width and camber angle, are also shown and compared with experimental results. Good agreement between numerical and experimental results is obtained.     

Seasonal variability of sediment trap collections in the Northeast Water Polynya. Part 2. Biochemical and microscopic composition of sedimenting matter

The annual pattern of vertical particle flux in the Northeast Water (NEW) Polynya was recorded from August 1992 to July 1993 by means of moored time-series sediment traps. A distinct seasonal pattern in sedimentation was observed, with highest flux rates during August–October 1992. During this time 40–70% of the annual total sedimented matter (dry weight, DW) and the components, carbonate, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON), particulate biogenic silica (bPSi) and biogenic matter were recorded: 9.83, 2.04, 1.03, 0.69, 0.14 and 5.55 g m⁻², respectively. Microscopic analysis of the particles revealed that diatoms contributed about 10% of the POC flux, but up to 40% of the POC flux originated from the houses and faeces of appendicularians during the period of highest flux rates. In contrast, faecal pellets were only a minor component of sedimenting POC after the opening of the polynya in June 1993. During this period a sedimentation event of Melosira arctica dominated the microscopically recognizable fraction of the POC. Following the low winter values a significant deviation in POC flux in March documented an early onset of plankton growth and a rapid response to the formation of a winter polynya paralleled by a local change in ice conditions. This was supported by the stable nitrogen isotope signature of the sedimented matter, also indicating an early onset of plankton production in the NEW Polynya. However, the overall amplitude of the Δ¹⁵N signal in the sinking particles showed only small variations (<4‰) and was significantly below the amplitude observed in sedimented material from the Northern North Atlantic ( 8‰). The composition of the sedimented matter, comprising mainly fast sinking particles (appendicularian houses, faecal peliets and Melosira aggregates) lead us to conclude that sedimentation in the NEW Polynya was spatially heterogeneous.     

Passive Repulsive MagLev: Concept and Experimental Demonstration

A simple demonstrator for a magnetic levitation vehicle (MagLev) based on repulsive suspension forces generated by permanent magnets is presented. The lateral and yaw motions are stabilized using controlled electromagnets. A mathematical model, aimed mainly at defining the control strategy, has been developed and then experimentally validated using the demonstrator. Two different control strategies have been tested, namely a zero position error and a zero average current control strategy. Both proved to grant a stable behaviour and to effectively counteract external force disturbances. This demonstrator will be used in future research on MagLev vehicles but also on magnetic suspensions in general.