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No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The trend in modal extraction algorithms is to use all the available frequency response functions data to obtain a global estimate of the natural frequencies, damping ratio and mode shapes. Improvements in transducer and signal processing technology allow the simultaneous measurement of many hundreds of channels of response data. The quantity of data available and the complexity of the extraction algorithms make considerable demands on the available computer power and require a powerful computer or dedicated workstation to perform satisfactorily. An alternative to waiting for faster sequential processors is to implement the algorithm in parallel, for example on a network of Transputers. Parallel architectures are a cost effective means of increasing computational power, and a larger number of response channels would simply require more processors. This thesis considers how two typical modal extraction algorithms, the Rational Fraction Polynomial method and the Ibrahim Time Domain method, may be implemented on a network of transputers. The Rational Fraction Polynomial Method is a well known and robust frequency domain 'curve fitting' algorithm. The Ibrahim Time Domain method is an efficient algorithm that 'curve fits' in the time domain. This thesis reviews the algorithms, considers the problems involved in a parallel implementation, and shows how they were implemented on a real Transputer network.

The work described in this thesis is directed towards the reduction of tyre/road interface noise and embodies a study of the factors involved in its generation. These factors comprise: (a) materials and construction of tyres and road surfaces (b) the spectral distribution of the noise. The importance of this work has become greater with reduction in engine noise. A review of the literature shows what has been achieved so far, and stresses the importance of maintaining other desirable tyre properties such as adhesion in wet conditions. The work has involved an analysis of mechanical factors in tyre construction and the behaviour of road surfaces. Measurements on noise have been carried out under practical conditions and also on replica surfaces in the laboratory, and in addition tests of wet road adhesion have been carried out with a variety of road surfaces. Consideration has been given to the psychological effects of the spectral distribution of noise. A major part of the work under-taken has been the development of a computer program, the results of which have made it possible to design a tyre tread block pattern to give an optimum spectral distribution. Sample tyres built to this design have been subjected to noise measurements and these have been shown to agree closely with the theoretical prediction and other properties of this tyre have proved to be satisfactory.

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Thirteen experiments investigated the dynamics of stream segregation. Experiments 1-6b used a similar method, where a same-frequency induction sequence (usually 10 repetitions of an identical pure tone) promoted segregation in a subsequent, briefer test sequence (of alternating low- and high-frequency tones). Experiments 1-2 measured streaming using a direct report of perception and a temporal-discrimination task, respectively. Creating a single deviant by altering the final inducer (e.g. in level or replacement with silence) reduced segregation, often substantially. As the prior inducers remained unaltered, it is proposed that the single change actively reset build-up. The extent of resetting varied gradually with the size of a frequency change, once noticeable (experiments 3a-3b). By manipulating the serial position of a change, experiments 4a-4b demonstrated that resetting only occurred when the final inducer was replaced with silence, as build-up is very rapid during a same-frequency induction sequence. Therefore, the observed resetting cannot be explained by fewer inducers being presented. Experiment 5 showed that resetting caused by a single deviant did not increase when prior inducers were made unpredictable in frequency (four-semitone range). Experiments 6a-6b demonstrated that actual and perceived continuity have a similar effect on subsequent streaming judgements promoting either integration or segregation, depending on listening context. Experiment 7 found that same-frequency inducers were considerably more effective at promoting segregation than an alternating-frequency inducer, and that a trend for deviant-tone resetting was only apparent for the same-frequency case.

Obtiene una anulación prácticamente total de las ondas transversales en conductos de aire. Logra una apreciable reducción del NP.S. en la dirección aguas abajo del propio tubo.

The aim of this work is to study the thermal behavior and fluid-dynamic systems, vapor compression refrigeration and its components (heat exchangers, expansion devices, compressors, connecting pipes, pumps and pressure vessels). Topics discussed throughout this thesis arise from the growing interest in refrigerants friendly environment as well as different types of cooling systems for vapor compression has motivated the research group of the CTTC (Centre for Heat Transfer Technology ) to carry out major research efforts as well as participate in several projects with national and European institutions. The information contained in this thesis represents a summary of work performed by the author in recent years but also includes many of the contributions made by other members of CTTC. This thesis has led to the publication of several articles in international conferences. The main achievement of this thesis was the development of a numerical tool based on several subroutines flexibility to study different cooling Systemas vapor compression. The entire digital infrastructure has been the result of attaching specific numerical resolutions of each element of the cycle with the overall resolution algorithm. The simulations have been oriented to the study of thermodynamic cycle as well as to study some relevant aspects of the elements. In addition to the numerical results has been carried out important experimental work in the CTTC facilities in order to validate numerical models. The author has been fully involved in the process of data acquisition and has collaborated in the development of the units. The thesis is structured into five chapters plus a final conclusions and future actions. The first chapter, the introduction puts the reader in regard to the problematic situation, the history of cooling and objectives. The second presents the mathematical formulation and numerical methodology used in the simulation of the different elements and all cooling systems. The third study presents the numerical code verification. The fourth focuses on the validation of models with experimental results. And finally the fifth presents a suite of parametric studies and analysis. The numerical simulation code implemented has proven to be a flexible tool as various aspects of the steam compression systems have been successfully simulated and studied. It has also proven a reliable and good level of accuracy as the numerical results have been simulated properly the various experimental data compared.