An experimental analysis of intelligibility and efficiency of in-vehicle route guidance system displays

This study focuses on the user-interface of the route guidance system with an electronic map display. The ultimate goal of the study is to aid in designing electronic map displays that can deliver information to the user most efficiently and expeditiously with minimum confusion. To evaluate the efficiency and understandability of a map display, laboratory experiments were designed and conducted in this study. In the experiments the subjects were presented with electronic map displays of different attributes and performed a set of tasks. Their understanding of the information contents was measured based on the outcomes of the tasks, and subjective ratings of the ease of using the maps were obtained. Using the experimental data obtained, a structural equations model system is developed to explain the understandability of a map display in terms of the subject’s attributes and the characteristics of the map display. The experimental procedure and the modeling results are presented in this paper.     

Added resistance acting on hull of a non ballast water ship

In this paper, added resistances acting on a hull of non ballast water ship(NBS) in high waves is discussed. The non ballast water ships were developed at the laboratory of the authors at Osaka Prefecture University, Japan. In the present paper, the performances of three kinds of bow shapes developed for the NBS were theoretically and experimentally investigated to find the best one in high waves. In previous papers, an optimum bow shape for the NBS was developed in calm water and in moderated waves. For a 2 m model for experiments and computations, the wave height is 0.02 m. This means that the wave height is 15% of the draft of the ship in full load conditions. In this paper, added resistances in high waves up to 0.07 m for a 2 m model or 53% of the full load draft are investigated. In such high waves linear wave theories which have been used in the design stage of a ship for a long time may not work well anymore, and experiments are the only effective tool to predict the added resistance in high waves. With the computations for waves, the ship is in a fully captured condition because shorter waves, λ/Lpp0.6, are assumed.     

Design of fuzzy controller for direct drive wind turbines

Based on the research results of these years, this paper proposes a design of 3MW direct-driven wind generation inverter, and takes much effort in the control algorithm research and MATLAB simulation. Some wonderful results are obtained. All this may provide the reference for practical application. The fuzzy controllers are designed, based on fuzzy logic control theory, which can perfect control of wind generation system with no mathematic model. Models of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and dual pulse width modulation (PWM) converter with their controllers are set by MATLAB/Simulink. In addition, experiments are made on the simulation platform of variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) wind power generation system. The behavior of dual PWM converter is demonstrated by simulations and experiment, and the control strategy is valid and correct.     

Preparing and studying of phase change energy storage materials

The thermal energy storage phase change material used for building has been prepared with a few of fatty acids based on the principle of binary low eutectic point. The thermal behaviors such as phase transition temperature and enthalpy of compound energy storage material are researched through differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the thermal energy storage phase change composite material can be used in the wall panels well as its higher latent heat.     

Development of a twin-accumulator hydro-pneumatic suspension

A twin-accumulator hydro-pneumatic suspension has been developed based on the off-road vehicle in order to meet the requirements of ride comfort. The working principle and elements construct of the developed suspension are studied. And then,a mathematical model of the developed suspension is built. The influence of twin-accumulator hydro-pneumatic suspension parameters on the vehicle body vertical acceleration,suspension travel and dynamic tyre load is studied by simulation based on a quarter off-road vehic...     

Analysis and enhancement of a watermarking protocol suitable for web context

AbstractA buyer-seller watermarking protocol is a combination of traditional watermarking and fingerprinting techniques. Recently, Frattolillo proposed such a watermarking protocol suitable for web context. Frattolillo’s scheme has two problems which would make it hard to implement practically. Several possible solutions to the two problems are presented in this paper.     

Theoretical,Simulation and Experimental Analysis of Microfluidic Droplet Generation and Recovering Process with Applications in Frying Oil Assessments

The research on microfluidic droplet size prediction has been extensive and fruitful, while the droplet deforming process has been seldom studied. In this paper, a frying-oil-assessing microfluidic device was designed to study the droplet deforming and recovering processes, which were dominated by channel geometry, flow rates, sheath flow viscosity and interfacial tension of the two phases. Theoretical expressions of the deforming process and its extreme value were obtained for the first time, supported by simulation and experiments. Theoretical, simulation and experimental results indicated that the steady-state droplet length could be a useful parameter for frying oil assessment.     

Dynamic response analysis of a multi-column tension-leg-type floating wind turbine under combined wind and wave loading

Floating wind turbines (FWTs) are subjected to combined aerodynamic and hydrodynamic loads varying both in time and amplitude. In this study, a multi-column tension-leg-type FWT (i.e., WindStar TLP system) is investigated for its global performance under normal operating conditions and when parked. The selected variables are analysed using a fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic time domain simulation tool FAST. Three different loading scenarios (wind only, wave only and both combined) are examined to identify the dominant load influencing each response. The key response variables are obtained and compared with those for an NREL 5MW baseline wind turbine installed on land. The results should aid the detailed design of the WindStar TLP system.     

A stochastic concession model for infrastructure projects under build-operate-transfer schemes

Concession period is a key factor in the arrangement of a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract. This paper proposes a stochastic concession period model for infrastructure projects under a BOT scheme, which takes into account the impact of risks and the risk attitudes of the private investor and the government. A hypothetical case is simulated by using the Monte Carlo simulation method to illustrate the proposed model. The results indicate that even for a project with the same estimations, the concession interval can be different and depends a lot on the risk attitudes of the private investor and the government. The proposed model provides a more reasonable concession interval based on which a specific concession period can be obtained through negotiation between the two parties.     

船体表面矩形块优化敷设设计(英文)

Rectangular tiles can be laid on a ship’s hull for protection, but the sides of the tiles must be adjusted so adjacent tiles will conform to the curvature of the hull. A method for laying tiles along a reference line was proposed, and an allowable range of displacement for the four vertices of the tile was determined. Deformations of each tile on a specific reference line were then obtained. It was found that the least deformation was required when the tiles were laid parallel to a line with the least curvature. After calculating the mean curvature on the surface, the surface was divided into three layout areas. A set of discrete points following the least deformation of the principal curvatures was obtained. A NURBS interpolation curve was then plotted as the reference line for laying tiles. The optimum size of the tiles was obtained, given the allowable maximum deformation condition. This minimized the number of bolts and the amount of stuffing. A typical aft hull section was selected and divided into three layout areas based on the distribution of curvature. The optimum sizes of rectangular tiles were obtained for every layout area and they were then laid on the surface. In this way the layout of the rectangular tiles could be plotted.