Electrical connectors are the blocks that connect solar panels together. Whenever a photovoltaic plant commences, the main discussion goes around on solar panels, inverters, charge controllers, etc. But the topic of connectors is usually hardly discussed. Connectors in a photovoltaic system can definitely contribute to improve the overall performance of the system, provided that importance is given while selecting the connectors. The electrical connectors used in photovoltaic systems can be connected in two possible ways. Connectors can be connected either in a pure-connection or in a cross-connection. Male and female connectors from the same brand results a pure-connection (P-C). Male and female connectors from two different brands results in a cross-connection (C-C). There have been discussions in photovoltaic, electrical connector markets and international solar events regarding the risks involved, losses and consequences due to a cross-connection. The main reason behind cross-connections is the unawareness of the installers in knowing the difference between a pure-connection and a cross-connection. Even though the installers are aware of this difference, they are not aware of the consequences of cross-connections. Multi-Contact, a leading electrical connector manufacturer of MC4 photovoltaic connectors affected by the counterfeit products of MC4, due to the sudden boom in the solar market during 2011-12. With the help of TÜV Rheinland, Multi-Contact conducted couple of tests namely temperature increase test and accelerated stress tests to understand the disadvantages of cross-connections. This thesis tried to replicate the tests performed by Multi-Contact in an attempt to understand the test results by using connectors that are used in the Swedish market. Performing temperature increase test and accelerated stress tests on most commonly used connectors in the Swedish market is the main aim of this thesis. The first test, gives an understanding of the temperature variations across various connector sets (four connector sets from various manufacturers used in this thesis) and the latter tests helps to understand the quality of the contact resistance of these connector sets. The four connector set manufacturers used in this test were Multi-Contact (MC), Weidmüller (WM), Blussun solar (BSS) and PBM. The quality of contact resistance of a connector is directly related to the quality of the connector set. During the 20 minutes of the temperature increase test, the connector set from WM performed better than its competitors in the P-C. Whereas, the MC-BSS connector set had performed well in the C-C. The connector type of male MC and female BSS showed its dominance throughout the test. Unfortunately, no conclusions were able to be drawn from this test results due to insufficient information about the test procedure. From the results of accelerated stress tests, the C-C set from MC outperformed its P-C counterpart. All ten connector sets used in this project passed the standard and qualified as connectors with good quality contact resistance. Therefore the best results out of only a P-C connector set does not seems to be completely true. With the standard used in this thesis, it is quite difficult to judge the quality of connectors. Rather than saying a P-C is superior and a C-C is inferior in terms of quality, there is a need to come up with a new method to evaluate the quality of connectors. Matching the connectors based on their tolerances could be a potential solution to the mismatching problem in connectors.

Transverse zones are important syn-kinematic components of thrust belt development. Various scales of data were utilized to develop three-dimensional geometric and kinematic models for the Bessemer transverse zone (BTZ) of the Alabama Alleghanian thrust belt. Regional analysis of the BTZ began with the examination of geologic maps (1:250,000, 1:48,000, and 1:24,000 scales), seismic reflection profiles, well data, and previous stratigraphic research. All Paleozoic-age stratigraphic contacts, major thrust faults and associated folds, and various unnamed minor structures were compiled to create two strike-perpendicular, and five-strike parallel, cross sections transecting the extent of the BTZ at a scale of 1:100,000. The balanced and viable cross sections were used to create palinspastic maps of the BTZ. The deformed cross sections and geologic maps, and the restored cross sections and palinspastic maps, model the post- and prekinematic geometry of the transverse zone, respectively. Additional geological fieldwork in the northwestern part of the BTZ permitted the construction of geologic maps (1:24,000 scale) documenting cross-strike links (the fundamental unit of transverse zones) exposed at the present erosional surface (Concord and McCalla 7.5 quadrangles). Balanced and viable geologic cross sections (1:24,000 scale) were constructed from these data and placed parallel and perpendicular to strike of cross-strike links. The cross sections were restored and used to create 1:24,000-scale palinspastic maps of the cross-strike links in this part of the BTZ. The cross sections and maps model the three-dimensional geometry of the cross-strike links comprising the BTZ. Sub-allochthon basement structures are present beneath the thrust transport vectors of cross-strike links in the BTZ, indicating genetic relationships between transverse zone structures and underlying basment structures. Basement-graben related changes in the stratigraphic thickness of the decollement-host horizon are interpreted as having localized and facilitated growth of the Bessemer mushwad, a ductile duplex in the allochthon. The muswad localized the structural position of two thrust sheets and several cross-strike links in the BTZ. Geologic map patterns of the transverse zone indicate a break-back deformation sequence for the BTZ, interpreted as a response to decollement propagation through an allochthon-spanning weak decollement-host horizon, which had large stratigraphic thickness variations in basement grabens.

Os conectores sem agulhas foram introduzidos para redução de incidência de acidentes pérfuro-cortantes nos profissionais da área da saúde e a literatura apresenta evidências irrefutáveis sobre este aspecto. No entanto, não há evidências conclusivas sobre as vantagens do conector sem agulha para o paciente, no que se referem aos índices de infecção de corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter venoso central. Este estudo tem como objetivo evidenciar o impacto do uso de conectores sem agulhas para sistema fechado de infusão na ocorrência de infecção de corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter venoso central por meio de revisão sistemática, desenvolvida conforme as recomendações propostas pela Colaboração Cochrane. A estratégia de busca nas bases de dados eletrônicas utilizou os componentes do PICO: População (estudos com pacientes em uso de cateter venoso central, independente de idade, sexo, etnia e serviço de saúde vinculado); Intervenção (uso de conectores de sistema fechado sem agulhas, não-valvulados, valvulados, com pressão positiva ou não); Comparação (uso de oclusores, conectores de sistema fechado com ou sem agulhas, não-valvulados, valvulados, com pressão positiva ou não); Outcome-desfecho (infecção de corrente sanguínea, contaminação do canhão, contaminação microbiana, infecção de corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter). As bases eletrônicas investigadas foram: PubMEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL. Também foram avaliadas as referências bibliográficas dos estudos incluídos. Os resultados estão apresentados em três etapas: caracterização do processo de seleção dos estudos encontrados na busca; caracterização dos estudos incluídos para a revisão sistemática (RS); avaliação de qualidade e força da evidência dos estudos incluídos segundo a Escala de Jadad e a Escala de avaliação de qualidade dos estudos na área de Controle e Prevenção de Infecção de Corrente Sanguínea Relacionada ao cateter Venoso Central. A amostra desta revisão sistemática constitui-se de 14 estudos, e quatro investigaram somente conectores sem agulhas. Foram encontrados 6 ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados, 4 coortes, 3 caso-controle e 1 resultado terapêutico. A infecção de corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter venoso central foi o desfecho de 9 estudos. Seis apresentaram diferenças a favor do conector valvulado; 04 a favor do conector puncionável com cânula; 01 a favor do conector puncionável com agulha; 01 a favor do conector valvulado com pressão positiva e 02 a favor do dispositivo usado antes da troca. A heterogeneidade dos estudos quanto aos desenhos de pesquisa, as características das populações e os fatores de riscos controlados e os resultados, não permitem a realização de meta-análise, contudo, é possível afirmar, com base nos quatro melhores estudos encontrados, que a implantação de conectores sem agulhas, quer valvulados ou com injetor pré-furado, com manutenção de sistema fechado de infusão, apresentam impacto positivo relacionado à menor contaminação do canhão do cateter ou na ocorrência de infecção de corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter venoso central / Needleless connectors were introduced to reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries in health professionals and according to the literature their effectiveness is irrefutable. However, there is no conclusive evidence on the advantages of needleless connectors for patients with regard to bloodstream infection rates from the use of central venous catheters. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the use of needleless connectors in closed infusion systems on the occurrence of bloodstream infections related to the use of central venous catheters by conducting a Cochrane systematic review. The strategy for searching electronic databases employed the components of the PICO model: Population (studies of patients using central venous catheters, regardless of age, sex, race and associated health service); Intervention (use of closed needleless connector systems, with and without valves, with and without positive pressure); Comparison (use of plugs, closed system connectors with and without needles, with and without valves, with and without positive pressure); Outcome (bloodstream infection, cannula contamination, microbial contamination, bloodstream infection related to catheter). The electronic databases investigated were: PubMEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, LILACS and CINAHL. Bibliographical references of the studies included were also evaluated. The results are presented in three stages: characterization of selection process for studies found in the search; characterization of studies included in the systematic revision; evaluation of quality and strength of evidence for studies included according to the Jadad Scale and the scale of quality of studies in the control and prevention of bloodstream infections related to central venous catheters. The sample of this systematic review was made up of 14 studies of which 4 investigated only needleless connectors. We found 6 randomized control clinical trials, 4 cohort, 3 case-control and 1 therapeutic result. Bloodstream infection related to central venous catheters was the outcome for 9 studies. Six presented differences regarding the valved connector; 04 in favor of the puncturable connector with cannula; 01 in favor of the puncturable connector with needle; 01 in favor of the valved connector with positive pressure and 02 in favor of the device used before the change. The heterogeneous nature of the studies with regard to design, population characteristics and controlled risk factors and results prevented a meta-analysis. However, it is possible to state, based on the four best studies found, that the introduction of needleless connectors, whether valved or puncturable with cannula, coupled with a closed infusion system, presented a positive impact on lowering contamination of catheter cannulae and on the occurrence of bloodstream infection related to central venous catheters

In the analyses of steel framed structures it is customary to assume the beam to column connections as either fully rigid which means that all moments are transferred from beam to column with negligible rotation or ideally pinned that resists negligible moment. This assumption is reasonable for some types of connections. However when considering steel connections such as bolted-bolted double web angle connections it can be seen that the behavior of these connections is in between the two extreme cases. Thus a third connection type, namely semi rigid or partially restrained connection, is introduced. However this type of connection exhibits such a nonlinear behavior that modeling this behavior necessities a substantial effort. Moreover to perform a performance based analyses the true behavior of these connections should be incorporated as part of the modeling effort. Several researches dealing with these two topics have been undertaken in literature. Despite these efforts, modeling of the moment rotation behavior of these connections still requires improvement especially under cyclic loading conditions. In addition to this, performing an analysis with existing elements incorporating semi-rigid connections as a spring attached to beam ends is not practical because of the fact that displacement based formulation increases meshing significantly which requires substantial computational power. In this study a hysteretic (quadra-linear) moment rotation model considering pinching, damage and possibility of residual moment capacity is developed. The behavior is calibrated via experimental data available in the literature. Furthermore a force based macro element considering spread inelastic behavior along the element is presented. With this element several connections located anywhere along the beam could be incorporated in the analysis with less degree of freedom with respect to displacement based elements. Moreover the macro element model can be used in conjunction with corotational formulation for the capture of nonlinear geometric effects.

This research is about how ERP system affects the strategy of a company. The paper use strategy matrix as a measurement tool for the changes of strategy changes. We use resource-base view as the base of theory. In this case study, we can learn how small and medium enterprises use information technology for better preference. The implementation of ERP system will changes the allocation of resources and ability of the company. In this process, it will also changes strategy of the company. The implementation also affects value chain for the company; the company, which instills such a system, must evaluate those changes before the implementation. With the data collected from the case, we have some findings about the relation between the implementation of ERP system and strategy of a company. First, ERP system can provide the company an intergraded platform for all it¡¦s business. Second, the implementation of ERP system will help company relocate it¡¦s activities. Third, ERP system will also changes the relations between companies. At least, ERP system will help company accumulate different resources and develop new ability for new strategy. We suggest company which want to instill such system must well planning their relation between other companies and effects of organization changes.

<p>This report investigates the feasibility and accuracy of determining fastener flexibility with 3D FE and representing fasteners in FE load distribution models with simple elements such as springs or beams. A detailed study of 3D models compared to experimental data is followed by a parametric study of different shell modelling techniques. These are evaluated and compared with industry semi-empirical equations.</p><p>The evaluated 3D models were found to match the experimental values with good precision. Simulations based on these types of 3D models may replace experimental tests. Two different modelling techniques were also evaluated for use in load distribution models. Both were verified to work very well with representing fastener installations in lap-joints using the ABAQUS/Standard solver. Further improvement of one of the models was made through a modification scale factor. Finally, the same modelling technique was verified using the NASTRAN solver.</p><p>To summarize, it is concluded that:</p><p>• Detailed 3D-models with material properties defined from stress-strain curves correspond well to experiments and simulations may replace actual flexibility tests.</p><p>• At mid-surface modelling of the connecting parts, beam elements with a circular cross section as a connector between shell elements is an easy and accurate modelling technique, with the only data input of bolt material and dimension.</p><p>• Using connector elements is accurate only if the connecting parts are modelled in the same plane, i.e. with no offset. Secondary bending due to offset should only be accounted for once and only once throughout the analysis, and it is already included in the flexibility input.</p>

<p>This report presents the results of a master level thesis project that analyzes and designs about the issue “Framework for Flexible Connectors with Java Reflection Proxies”. In this project, there are two main issues; first one is about finding a way to implement the function of a connector. And the other one is to build a framework for flexible connectors.</p><p>By studying on Java’s dynamic proxy, we find we can use it to implement the function of a connector. When building a connector chain, we use an important Java technique--Java Reflection API.</p>

消費型電子產業市場商機龐大，從2000年開始的筆記型電腦，直到2008年的平板電腦，一直到現在的平價手機，動輒百萬台以上的銷售量，讓己經上櫃上市或期待IPO的公司為之瘋狂，市場需求量大，出貨量也高，但同時隨之而來的是，需要非常快速的反應與及時的量產能力，企業在這樣高度競爭的市場下，相對需要的是非常快速的專案開發與研發速度。在產品壽命週期短，高風險及競爭者眾多的狀況，許多歐美大廠 , 例如Black Berry、DELL computer、甚至台灣的大型OEM電子品牌大廠都受到來自低成本國家，例如中國大陸的強大壓力及挑戰，然而在技術門檻相對較低的消費性電子連接器產業，這樣的情況又更加嚴重。 20年前在台灣剛開始主導全球主機板市場的年代，會做連接器的廠商不多，外資連接器商擁有相當好的利潤。15年前鴻海開始大舉攻進以外商為主的CPU socket連接器市場，讓外資連接器商開始有不小的壓力，時至今日，連接器技術愈來愈不是高科技，而成本更低的陸資連接器廠商也開始入場搶市，讓原本在供應鏈中獲利就不高的連接器外資及台資廠壓力更為沉重。 由此，如何讓生產連接器的公司能更有效的選擇及管理產品開發專案，節省開發成本，提高資源運用效率，對於即有的連接器廠就是愈來愈重要的課題。本研究以一家製造連接器超過五十年以上的外資連接器企業為例，將其如何從原有的產品開發流程導入精實產品開發，及導入後對企業財務及業務的指標影響與變化。而研究結果証明，在導入精實產品開發後，企業的業務指標的確有相當大的進步，且人力成本也隨之下降，如果能再經由改善後的成果加強與精進，將更能使企業在惡劣的環境下繼續獲利。 / Consumer electronics industry is a huge market. Since 2000’s Laptop to 2008’s tablet until the cheap smart phone now, the huge market share is the target for all the company in this industry. However the big market share also brings strong competition. Which need fast feedback and real time ramp up. When the company faces to this kind of higher competition, it need fast product development speed and R&D efficiency. During this situation, a lot of major company face to the threat from the low cost country like Black Berry, DELL computer even the OEM maker from Taiwan, such as Inventec, Wistorn. Moreover the industry like consumer connector is face to more serious saturation due to the lower technology skill request. 20 years before Taiwan is leading the PC motherboard market, during that time there are not so many companies could make the connector. Therefore the margin is good for the word leading connector Company like FCI, AMP and Molex. However since 15 years before, Foxconn join the high level CPU socket market and make the pressure for those companies. Now, the connector technology skill are not special anymore and more low cost company start to share this market, make the foreign connector company and Taiwan maker more pressure. Therefore to choose a good project and management the product development project to save the development cost and willing management the resource become important for all connector maker. This research are use a connector leading company which make the connector more then 50 years, apply lean product development to show how it apply to the process and the KPI change after it apply. It proof after apply lean product development the KPI was improved. If the company could base on this good result and keep improving, survive in this serious maket will not a difficult thinkgs.

This report investigates the feasibility and accuracy of determining fastener flexibility with 3D FE and representing fasteners in FE load distribution models with simple elements such as springs or beams. A detailed study of 3D models compared to experimental data is followed by a parametric study of different shell modelling techniques. These are evaluated and compared with industry semi-empirical equations. The evaluated 3D models were found to match the experimental values with good precision. Simulations based on these types of 3D models may replace experimental tests. Two different modelling techniques were also evaluated for use in load distribution models. Both were verified to work very well with representing fastener installations in lap-joints using the ABAQUS/Standard solver. Further improvement of one of the models was made through a modification scale factor. Finally, the same modelling technique was verified using the NASTRAN solver. To summarize, it is concluded that: • Detailed 3D-models with material properties defined from stress-strain curves correspond well to experiments and simulations may replace actual flexibility tests. • At mid-surface modelling of the connecting parts, beam elements with a circular cross section as a connector between shell elements is an easy and accurate modelling technique, with the only data input of bolt material and dimension. • Using connector elements is accurate only if the connecting parts are modelled in the same plane, i.e. with no offset. Secondary bending due to offset should only be accounted for once and only once throughout the analysis, and it is already included in the flexibility input.

With many unique advantages compared to traditional sensors, optical fiber sensors have been studied and applied to many different areas. Interferometric sensors are one of the most useful sensor types due to their high sensitivities and relatively relaxed requirement on the stability of the optical source’s power level. In-line optical interferometric sensors received further attention as a result of compactness and robustness to the reference channel instability. Long period gratings (LPG) are one of the most useful components in the in-line optical fiber sensors. However, the fabrication cost is normally high due to the expensive masks and stringent photolithographic procedures. Two new sensor components, namely abrupt tapers and connector-offset attenuators, are proposed as couplers in the optical fiber to couple light from core to cladding (or reverse) to replace LPGs. Using OPTIBPM software, the coupling coefficients between core and cladding modes are calculated. For an abrupt taper, coupling mostly happens between LP01 and LP0m modes; the first ten LP0m modes account for 98% of the incident mode energy. For a connector-offset attenuator, coupling mainly happens between LP01 and LP1m modes; the first ten LP0m and first ten LP1m modes account for 92% of the incident mode energy. The relative direction of two connector-offset attenuators is found to be very important to the interference performance. Phase dependent interference (attenuation range from 1 dB to 35 dB) is observed in the simulation for the interferometers using abrupt tapers and connector-offset attenuators. Three interferometers are realized in the experiment using the abrupt tapers (Mach-Zehnder and Michelson) or the connector-offset attenuators (Michelson). Due to the interference between core and cladding modes, transmission is strongly dependent on wavelength ranging from 3 dB to 26 dB in the best implementation. Although it is difficult to make two perfect parallel connector-offset attenuators required by the Mach-Zehnder interferometers by using the fusion splicer, some evidence of constructive interference is observed in the experiment. The interferometers are tested as refractive index (RI) sensors using the maximum attenuation wavelength shift relative to the RI change. Given that the minimum resolution of optical spectrum analyzer is 10 pm, ~10-4 difference of the RI can be detected by the interferometric sensors using the abrupt tapers or the connector-offset attenuators. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-18 15:42:59.506