During sustained voluntary contractions, the variability in motor unit interspike intervals increases with fatigue. This increase in variability may represent an adaptive mechanism to prevent fatigue. We investigated whether randomly modulating interpulse intervals (IPI) in a constant frequency stimulation protocol reduces force loss over time compared to a non-modulated constant frequency protocol. A second purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the M-wave in force generation during evoked contractions. Eight healthy subjects participated in three 3-minute fatigue protocols of the thenar muscles elicited by supramaximal stimulation of the median nerve. All three protocols had a mean IPI of 33.3ms and only differed in the type of modulation. One protocol consisted of 0% modulation ('Constant'), another protocol consisted of uniformly distributed modulation of [plus or minus]20% ('Variable'), and a third protocol consisted of ramped modulation from 0 to [plus or minus]20% ('Ramp'). There was no significant difference between overall force-time integrals for the three protocols. There was a significant reduction in M-wave amplitude for all three protocols; however, the M-wave immediately following the 'Ramp' protocol was significantly larger than the M-wave immediately following the 'Constant' protocol. We conclude that modulation is ineffective at preserving force output and somewhat effective at preserving the M-wave amplitude. The varied reductions in fatigued M-waves suggest that it is not necessarily a limiting factor in force output and that it was not necessarily linked to the force loss in this experiment. / text

AC-DC converters find application in every day life as a front-end to DC-DC and DC-AC converters. Active three-phase converters shape the three-phase input current to be sinusoidal and to be in-phase with the input voltage, as well as to provide a steady DC output voltage. This thesis investigates various active three-phase rectifier and control topologies and identifies a rectifier and control topology most suitable for use in converting a variable voltage variable frequency generator output to a DC voltage. In this dissertation, design relations are derived for determining the plant transfer response (for the suitable topology/controller), design equations are derived for designing/choosing the filter components, and guidelines are derived that will assist in choosing the right semi-conductor components and to give an estimation of expected system efficiency. The dissertation investigates the implementation of both analogue and digital control and provides implementation methodologies for both controllers. Expected results are verified by simulation and a build-up prototype. It was shown that the VIENNA rectifier is able to convert a generator type input, with variable input voltage amplitude and variable frequency, to a constant DC-bus voltage whilst controlling the input current to be sinusoidal and in phase with the input voltage. The rectifier was able to maintain a constant DC voltage at the output for input voltages as low as half the rated input voltage and for an equivalent output power of half the rated output power. This suggests that the VIENNA rectifier, controlled as a dual-boost rectifier, is suitable for applications that require power factor corrections and simultaneously operate from a wide input voltage range. / Dissertation (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / MEng / unrestricted

In this thesis, control schemes for the self-excited induction generator are developed with Matlab/Simulink. Self-excited induction generator is considered as a constant voltage-constant frequency supply for an isolated load. A wind turbine is assumed to be the variable-speed drive of the induction generator. Control schemes aim to ensure a constant voltage-constant frequency operation of the induction generator in case of the variations in the wind speed and/or the load. From the general model of the self-excited induction generator, the characteristics of the system and the dynamic responses of the system in case of any disturbance are examined. Next, the control strategies are developed both for the squirrel-cage rotor induction generator and for the wound-rotor induction generator. Two control loops are necessary for constant voltage-constant frequency operation of a variable speed induction generator, one for the voltage regulation and the other for the frequency regulation. After developing the control loops, constant voltage-constant frequency operation of the self-excited induction generator is simulated with a cage type saturation adaptive induction generator, a fixed capacitor with thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) used for frequency regulation and switched external resistors connected to the stator terminals used for voltage regulation.

Este trabalho apresenta a análise teórica e experimental do gerador assíncrono de dupla alimentação, denominado GEADA ao longo deste trabalho, operando em regime permanente com velocidade não fixa, mas com freqüência da armadura constante. Compreende o escopo do trabalho a análise teórica a partir do circuito equivalente do gerador, a análise teórica e experimental da curva de magnetização do GEADA operando em freqüência do rotor variável, uma proposta de adaptação da curva de capacidade aplicada na operação dos geradores síncronos para o GEADA e a sua análise considerando-o como máquina síncrona a partir dos seus terminais, os ensaios normalizados e complementares necessários para o levantamento dos parâmetros para este circuito equivalente e ensaios do GEADA operando com carga para verificação de seu desempenho Os resultados obtidos permitem um melhor entendimento desse sistema de geração, de suas condições de operação e utilização em sistemas de geração de velocidade não fixa como, por exemplo, sistemas eólicos e hidrelétricos. / The study presents the theoretical and experimental analysis of the double fed asynchronous generator, called GEADA, operating in steady state with non-fixed speed but with constant armature frequency. It comprehends the theoretical analysis based on the equivalent circuit of this generator, the theoretical and experimental analysis of the curve of magnetization of the GEADA operating with variable rotor frequency. A proposal of adaptation of the capability curve applied in the operation of the synchronous generators for the GEADA is also presented, its analysis considering it as a synchronous machine from its terminals, the standard and complementary tests necessary for the calculation of the parameters for the equivalent circuit and the tests with the GEADA operating under on-load conditions to verify its performance. The achieved results allow a better understanding of this generation system, its operational conditions and applicability to the power generation systems based on variable speed, such as wind and hydroelectric power plants.

Este trabalho apresenta a análise teórica e experimental do gerador assíncrono de dupla alimentação, denominado GEADA ao longo deste trabalho, operando em regime permanente com velocidade não fixa, mas com freqüência da armadura constante. Compreende o escopo do trabalho a análise teórica a partir do circuito equivalente do gerador, a análise teórica e experimental da curva de magnetização do GEADA operando em freqüência do rotor variável, uma proposta de adaptação da curva de capacidade aplicada na operação dos geradores síncronos para o GEADA e a sua análise considerando-o como máquina síncrona a partir dos seus terminais, os ensaios normalizados e complementares necessários para o levantamento dos parâmetros para este circuito equivalente e ensaios do GEADA operando com carga para verificação de seu desempenho Os resultados obtidos permitem um melhor entendimento desse sistema de geração, de suas condições de operação e utilização em sistemas de geração de velocidade não fixa como, por exemplo, sistemas eólicos e hidrelétricos. / The study presents the theoretical and experimental analysis of the double fed asynchronous generator, called GEADA, operating in steady state with non-fixed speed but with constant armature frequency. It comprehends the theoretical analysis based on the equivalent circuit of this generator, the theoretical and experimental analysis of the curve of magnetization of the GEADA operating with variable rotor frequency. A proposal of adaptation of the capability curve applied in the operation of the synchronous generators for the GEADA is also presented, its analysis considering it as a synchronous machine from its terminals, the standard and complementary tests necessary for the calculation of the parameters for the equivalent circuit and the tests with the GEADA operating under on-load conditions to verify its performance. The achieved results allow a better understanding of this generation system, its operational conditions and applicability to the power generation systems based on variable speed, such as wind and hydroelectric power plants.

Este trabalho apresenta a análise teórica e experimental do gerador assíncrono de dupla alimentação, denominado GEADA ao longo deste trabalho, operando em regime permanente com velocidade não fixa, mas com freqüência da armadura constante. Compreende o escopo do trabalho a análise teórica a partir do circuito equivalente do gerador, a análise teórica e experimental da curva de magnetização do GEADA operando em freqüência do rotor variável, uma proposta de adaptação da curva de capacidade aplicada na operação dos geradores síncronos para o GEADA e a sua análise considerando-o como máquina síncrona a partir dos seus terminais, os ensaios normalizados e complementares necessários para o levantamento dos parâmetros para este circuito equivalente e ensaios do GEADA operando com carga para verificação de seu desempenho Os resultados obtidos permitem um melhor entendimento desse sistema de geração, de suas condições de operação e utilização em sistemas de geração de velocidade não fixa como, por exemplo, sistemas eólicos e hidrelétricos. / The study presents the theoretical and experimental analysis of the double fed asynchronous generator, called GEADA, operating in steady state with non-fixed speed but with constant armature frequency. It comprehends the theoretical analysis based on the equivalent circuit of this generator, the theoretical and experimental analysis of the curve of magnetization of the GEADA operating with variable rotor frequency. A proposal of adaptation of the capability curve applied in the operation of the synchronous generators for the GEADA is also presented, its analysis considering it as a synchronous machine from its terminals, the standard and complementary tests necessary for the calculation of the parameters for the equivalent circuit and the tests with the GEADA operating under on-load conditions to verify its performance. The achieved results allow a better understanding of this generation system, its operational conditions and applicability to the power generation systems based on variable speed, such as wind and hydroelectric power plants.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work has for motive to obtain the project and build of an assymmetrical three-phase induction generator connected to single-phase supply system, in order to be used in rural areas. This equipment has been presented as a better alternative in relation the others proposed more commercialized at the moment, due to its robustness, low cost, less maintenance requirements and excellent performance. Firstly, in the theoric part concerned to the system it is presented a mathematical representation, frequency domain mathematical model, whose equations are performed in function of an unbalance factor in order to obtain balance three-phase voltages in the system. Then, some simulations are performed in the simulator that was developed in the Microsoft Excel program. From these implements, it is carried out study cases to prove the assymmetrical three-phase induction generator use potentialities. A prototype is projected and built, which experimental results are compared to the computer result. / O objetivo deste trabalho é obter o projeto e a construção de um gerador de indução trifásico assimétrico conectado a um sistema de distribuição de energia elétrica monofásica; visando aplicá-lo em áreas rurais. Este dispositivo, em face de sua robustez, baixo custo, menores requisitos de manutenção e bom desempenho, consiste numa alternativa bastante atrativa em relação às outras propostas existentes atualmente. O estudo teórico inicia-se através da elaboração de uma modelagem matemática para o sistema, no domínio da freqüência, cujas equações são colocadas em função de um fator indicativo do nível de desbalanceamento, visando à obtenção de tensões balanceadas na carga. Para tanto, a modelagem matemática elaborada é implementada num simulador desenvolvido no programa Microsoft Excel. A partir desta implementação, são efetuados estudos de casos no sentido de evidenciar as potencialidades do gerador assimétrico conectado a cargas rurais. Os trabalhos computacionais são devidamente validados à luz de resultados experimentais extraídos de um protótipo de equipamento concebido, projetado e construído para fins deste trabalho. / Mestre em Ciências

This diploma thesis deals with the design of a partially integrated charge pump in 0.25 micron technology ACMOS. The work is divided into two main parts, theoretical and practical. The theoretical section describes in detail various topologies of higher voltage generation of a charge pump and selected methods of regulating the output voltage of charge pumps. The practical part deals with the the actual design of a charge pump together with the arguments for the choice of the TPVD topology and the type of the regulation. Three regulation methods of a charge pump were implemented, tested and are dealt with: Pulse Skip, Constant frequency and PWM. There are 3 sub chapters, each describing a different regulation method, defining all the key elements of the design of such a charge pump and the results of the simulations are discussed. Conclusion of the thesis summarizes the results of the design of charge pumps, comparing them on the basis of the chosen type of output voltage regulation.