Nesta pesquisa, apresentam-se os principais eventos relacionados com a proteção de transformadores e sua correlação com os distúrbios de qualidade da energia elétrica (QEE). Neste sentido, foi desenvolvido um algoritmo que utiliza a transformada Wavelet (TW) e a lógica Fuzzy (LF) para classificar os eventos transitórios associados à proteção de transformadores. Estes eventos foram observados em um sistema elétrico de potência (SEP) simulado com a utilização do software Alternative Transients Program (ATP). Importa ressaltar que o sistema modelado apresenta transformadores ligados em paralelo, possibilitando o estudo de eventos decorrentes desta situação, como a energização solidária (Sympathetic Inrush). Por este SEP, modelado sobre parâmetros reais, foram simuladas várias situações transitórias, que provocam o aparecimento de correntes diferenciais, sendo estas direcionadas para análise do algoritmo desenvolvido. Afirma-se que, nos testes realizados, o algoritmo proposto apresentou um desempenho satisfatório perante as mais variadas situações a que foi submetido, identificando as causas das correntes diferenciais, sejam proporcionadas por defeitos ou por outras condições de operação aplicadas. / In this research, the main events related to the transformer protection and its correlation with the power quality disturbances (PQ) are presented. In this context, an algorithm based on Wavelet transform (WT) and Fuzzy logic (FL) was developed to classify the transient events associated with the transformer protection. These events were observed in an electrical power system (EPS) simulated using the Alternative Transients Program (ATP) software. It should be emphasized that the modeled system presents transformers connected in parallel, allowing the study of events of this situation, such as sympathetic inrush. For the simulated EPS, modeled based on real parameters, various transients situationswere simulated, causing the appearance of differentials currents which were directed to the analysis. The proposed algorithm showed a satisfactory performance tomany situations, identifying the causes of the differentials currents, either provided by faults or other operation conditions.

Este trabalho apresenta um conjunto de métodos para a proteção e o monitoramento de transformadores de potência baseado em sistemas inteligentes e na aplicação das transformadas de Clarke e Wavelet. A abordagem inteligente utilizada permite analisar a condição operativa dos transformadores de potência e detectar a ocorrência de defeito interno, distinguindo-a de outras situações de operação, como, a energização, a energização solidária, a saturação dos transformadores de corrente e a sobreexcitação. As tomadas de decisão das técnicas desenvolvidas são realizadas pela lógica fuzzy após o pré-processamento dos sinais de entrada por meio de diversos métodos, os quais variam de acordo com o algoritmo que esta sendo executado. Os algoritmos propostos foram testados por meio de simulações realizadas através do software Alternative Transients Program (ATP). É importante salientar que nas simulações do ATP foram modelados diversos equipamentos que constituem o sistema elétrico de potência, incluindo um gerador síncrono com regulação de velocidade, linhas de transmissão com variação em frequência, transformadores de potência com suas respectivas curvas de saturação, transformadores de potencial e de corrente. Estas modelagens tiveram por objetivo gerar dados das distintas situações de operação para a verificação e análise da metodologia proposta. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram a aplicabilidade dos algoritmos propostos na proteção e no monitoramento dos transformadores de potência, mesmo nas condições mais adversas, como na ocorrência da saturação dos transformadores de corrente, uma vez que os sinais de entrada distorcidos pela saturação são corrigidos por uma rede neural artificial. Os resultados apresentados comparam as respostas obtidas pelas técnicas propostas em relação às saídas de um relé comercial, habilitado à proteção diferencial percentual. / This work presents a set of methods for protecting and monitoring power transformers based on intelligent systems and the application of Clarke and Wavelet transforms. The intelligent approach allowed us to analyze the operating condition of power transformers and it discriminates between an internal fault and different operating conditions, as energization, sympathetic inrush, saturation of current transformers and overexcitation. Decision making is performed by fuzzy logic after the preprocessing of the input signals through various methods, varying according to which algorithm is running. It is important to point out that in the simulations using ATP many different power system equipment had been modeled, including a synchronous generator with speed regulation, transmission lines with variation in frequency, power transformers with their saturation curves, potential transformers and current transformers. The objective of these tests was to generate data for distinct situations for the verification and the analysis of the proposed methodologies. The results of the research show the applicability of the algorithms considered in protection and monitoring of power transformers, even in adverse conditions, such as saturation of current transformers, since the input signals are distorted by CT saturation corrected by artificial neural network. The results are compared to the ones presented by a commercial percentage differential relay.

Study of the time variable sources and phenomena in Astrophysics provides us with important insights into the stellar evolution, galactic evolution, stellar population studies and cosmological studies such as number density of dark massive objects. Study of these sources and phenomena forms the basis of Time Domain surveys, where the telescopes while scanning the sky regularly for a period of time provides us with positional and temporal data of various Astrophysical sources and phenomena happening in the Universe. Our vantage point within the Milky Way galaxy greatly limits studying our galaxy in its entirety. In such a scenario our nearest neighbour The Andromeda galaxy (M31) proves to be an excellent choice as its proximity and inclination allows us to resolve millions of stars using space based telescopes. Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) is a new optical time domain survey at Palomar Observatory, which has collected data in the direction of M31 for over 6 months using multiple filters. This Thesis involves exploitation of this rich data set. Stars in M31 are not resolved in ZTF as it is a ground based facility. This requires us to use the large public catalogue of stars observed with Hubble Space Telescope (HST): The Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT). The PHAT catalogue provides us with stellar coordinates and observed brightness for millions of resolved stars in the direction of the M31 in multiple filters. Processing of the large volumes of data generated by the time domain surveys, requires us to develop new data processing pipelines and utilize statistical techniques for determining various statistical features of the data and using machine learning algorithms to classify the data into different categories. End result of such processing of the data is the astronomical catalogues of various astrophysical sources and phenomena and their light curves. In this thesis we have developed a data processing and analysis pipeline based on Forced Aperture Photometry Technique. Since the stars are not resolved in ZTF, we performed photometry at pixel level. Only small portion of the ZTF dataset has been analyzed and photometric light curves have been generated for few interesting sources. In our preliminary investigations we have used a Machine Learning Algorithm to classify the resulting time series data into different categories. We also performed cross comparison with data from other studies in the region of the Andromeda galaxy.

In this thesis, power system transients are considered as an opportunity for development of on-line diagnostics of power components and specifically the insulation systems of power transformers and bushings. A new technique for on-line dielectric response measurement of power transformer bushings is proposed which utilizes natural transients in the power system, such as lightning and switching surges, as stimuli. Laboratory investigations are done on implementation of the proposed technique. Measurement considerations, data acquisition and processing involved in achievement of reasonable accuracy in the Dielectric Response (DR) are presented. Capability of the technique in tracking of the degradation signatures such as moisture content in the insulation has been evaluated and it has shown a good level of accuracy by being compared to the Frequency Domain Spectroscopy (FDS).  The proposed technique is tested on the service-aged 150 kV bushings and feasibility of the technique for monitoring of dielectric properties of power transformer bushings has been assessed; the results are promising for the technique to be used in the real application.  Partial Discharges (PD) behavior under transients has been also studied for different materials in this project. PD behavior of different defects, at different insulation condition, responding to the overvoltage transients in form of superimposed impulses on ac voltages was investigated and it was perceived how their distinctive response and the interpretation of  that, can be useful for their identification. Besides the conventional materials, surface ac PD properties of modified paper with silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles under the superimposed impulses have been assessed in this project. Proper type and optimum concentration level of nanoparticles in the paper are the factors that lead to the improvement of PD behavior in the modified paper under overvoltage transients. / <p>QC 20160525</p>

No description available.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / The purpose of this research is to examine the medical management process of placing and monitoring active duty fleet enlisted personnel in a temporary medical duty status and its impact on fleet readiness. Due to the variety of medical categories this research focuses primarily on personnel placed in Temporary Limited Duty and Medical Hold. Personnel in medical status "limbo" decrease readiness and cost the Navy millions of personnel dollars each year. The study highlights improvements in communication, education and training at all levels of the organization based on observations from the fleet and medical communities. This research is intended to provide stakeholders with a matrix for decision-making and provide guidance on the various temporary medical status categories and recommends design changes to the current Temporary Limited Duty Process. / Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps

Les piles à combustible sont des convertisseurs électrochimiques. Elles convertissent l’énergie chimique en une énergie électrique directement disponible grâce à une réaction d’oxydoréduction. Dans notre cas, nous nous intéressons aux piles à membrane protonique plus communément appelées PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) qui fonctionne à l’hydrogène. Ce type de pile domine le marché puisqu’elles conviennent à de nombreuses applications portables et stationnaires. Si l’on s’intéresse aux PAC pour des utilisations stationnaires, des durées de vie supérieures à 10 000 h peuvent être atteintes. Cependant, celles-ci se réduisent significativement pour des applications de type transport avec de fréquents arrêts et démarrages ainsi que d’importantes variations de puissance : dans ce cas, 3000 h de fonctionnement semblent constituer une limite difficile à dépasser. En régime instationnaire, les fluctuations de puissance impactent les conditions opératoires de la pile et génèrent des phénomènes locaux accélérant son vieillissement. L’intérêt de l’hybridation est d’élargir le champ d’application des systèmes pile à combustible en les rendant capables de répondre aux exigences des applications de type transport. Dans notre cas, il s’agit d’une structure parallèle, avec comme source d’énergie principale, une pile à combustible assistée d’un moyen de stockage, les supercapacités. A travers nos travaux, nous avons recherché à déterminer les avantages que peut offrir l’hybridation en termes de simplification de système : identifier les composants ou sous-systèmes qui limitent la dynamique de la pile à combustible, comprendre les mécanismes mis en jeu et étudier les solutions que peut offrir l’association des SC à la PAC. L’ajout de supercapacités, en tant que sources secondaires, permet d’obtenir une densité de puissance plus élevée et ainsi d’adapter le système PAC à des applications instationnaires. Nous avons également observé qu’il est possible de concevoir des systèmes fiables en limitant le vieillissement des piles. Les travaux ont permis de tester des supercapacités planes élaborées par l’IMN. L’intérêt est de pouvoir produire des supercapacités planes performantes à bas coût et non néfaste pour l’environnement / Fuel cell are an electrochemical devices wich convert chemical energy into electricity. In this study we focus on PEMFC Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells fede by hydrogen and air. This kind of fuel cell has many advantages and show extensive application potentials. If PEMFC exhibits good power capability during steady-state operation, the slow response during transient peak power demands has restrained them for being used in large-scale and high-power transportation applications, such as automobive. To overcome these difficulties, a variety of research has been carried out on the development of hybrid systems based on supercapacitors or batteries. In this work, we study the effect of passive hybridization to improve the system performance and reliability, more specifically during steep load variations. We show that SC can provide a sufficient amount of power to the system during the short time needed by the gas supply lines to respond to an increase in power or current density. This makes it possible to always feed the fuel cell with the right amount of gas without anticipating current peaks or load variations. Flat supercapacitors were also designed and made within the framework of this project. The aim was to design cheap and safe SC with materials like activated carbon electrode and LiNO3 as the electrolyte. In this study we also showed how a direct passive hybridization of PEMFC with small aqueous supercapacitors brings to the design of more efficient, simple and reliable FC systems. By using transient load (Heaviside steps), we showed that the direct hybridization of PEMFC with SC allows to extend its lifetime

Esta dissertação realiza uma análise comparativa de sobretensões transitórias que ocorrem durante o chaveamento de disjuntores a vácuo. Estas sobretensões podem ocasionar a falha da isolação dos equipamentos conectados aos disjuntores, conforme vários relatos da literatura. Esse fenômeno está associado às características intrínsecas dos disjuntores a vácuo, na formação do arco elétrico em seu interior e de sua interrupção, na sua capacidade de recuperação da rigidez dielétrica, na sua capacidade de interromper correntes de alta frequência, além de características do circuito protegido. Devido à natureza complexa e aleatória das sobretensões transitórias, observou-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de ferramentas para reprodução dos fenômenos associados às características operacionais dos disjuntores a vácuo. Esse trabalho busca preencher tal lacuna, desenvolvendo um modelo que contempla o comportamento do disjuntor a vácuo tanto para a manobra de abertura quanto para de fechamento, de modo a colaborar com o entendimento dos fenômenos e no cálculo das sobretensões no domínio do tempo. O algoritmo desenvolvido foi implementado no programa Alternative Transient Program (ATP) por meio da linguagem Models. A partir da preparação desse modelo e da escolha de um experimento de referência, foi possível analisar o comportamento do modelo proposto do disjuntor e dos modelos dos principais componentes elétricos dos programas de cálculo de transitórios elétricos, como transformadores e cabos, cujos méritos e deficiências são discutidos ao longo do trabalho. A pesquisa foi orientada em buscar resultados que pudessem ser mais representativos para validação do modelo de disjuntor ao se alterar os modelos dos demais componentes elétricos do circuito, sendo o ajuste dos parâmetros dos disjuntores a vácuo realizados de forma a obter os resultados mais próximos da referência. Por fim, foram simuladas condições onde os fenômenos de sobretensão se agravam e soluções que podem ser incorporadas ao circuito para redução das sobretensões e das frequências dos transitórios. / The current dissertation project performs a comparative analysis of the transient overvoltages generated during the switching of vacuum circuit breakers. The overvoltage phenomenon for these cases can lead to the insulation failure of the equipment connected to the circuit-breakers, according to several reports in the literature. This phenomenon is associated to intrinsic characteristics of the vacuum circuit-breakers, as the formation of the electric arc in their interior and its interruption, their dielectric strength recovery, in their capacity to interrupt high frequency currents interruption, beyond characteristics from the circuit. Due to the complex and random nature of the transient overvoltage, the necessity of developing tools to reproduce such phenomenon associated to the operational features of the vacuum circuit-breaker arose. This dissertation seeks filling this gap, by developing a model that contemplates the vacuum circuitbreaker behavior for both opening and closing switching, in order to collaborate with the understanding of such phenomenon and in the calculations of overvoltages in the time domain. The developed algorithm was implemented in the software Alternative Transient Program (ATP) by means of the programming language Models. From the preparation of this model and from the choice of a reference experiment, it was possible to analyze the behavior of the proposed model and of the models from the main electrical components present in software to calculate electrical transients, e.g. transformers and cables, which merits and deficiencies are discussed along the dissertation. The research was oriented in searching for results that could be more representative to the validation of the circuit-breaker model when changing the models of the remaining electrical components of the circuit, being the parameters adjustment of the vacuum circuit-breakers performed in order to achieve the results closer to the reference. Finally, conditions to aggravate the transitory and the incorporation of solution to reduce the overvoltage and frequencies of the transients were also simulated.

Les cellules ciliées internes (CCI) sont les cellules sensorielles de l'organe de l'audition, elles transforment les ondes sonores en messages nerveux. Avant l’entrée en fonction de la cochlée, les CCI émettent spontanément des potentiels d’action (PA) calciques, ce qui active la voie auditive ascendante et assure le développement de l’axe tonotopique, à savoir la représentation du codage en fréquence, dans chaque relais de la voie auditive. Le profil et les mécanismes à l’origine des PA des CCI sont fortement débattus. Nous nous sommes donc attachés à étudier l’empreinte développementale des cellules sensorielles, c'est à dire déterminer le profil et les mécanismes à l’origine de leur activité.Après avoir incubé l’épithélium neuro-sensoriel avec la sonde calcique Fura2-AM, nous avons observé des vagues calciques se propageant le long des cellules de soutien et des cellules sensorielles. Plus précisément, l’activité des cellules ciliées se caractérisait par des élévations transitoires de calcium (pics calciques) à intervalles de temps réguliers. Nous avons ensuite démontré que les pics calciques des CCI correspondaient bien à des bouffées de PA en mesurant simultanément les oscillations calciques et l’émission de PA en patch-clamp. La fréquence, la durée et la distribution temporelle des pics calciques des CCI étaient en grande partie invariantes le long de l’axe base-apex de la cochlée. Enfin, les cellules voisines montraient une activité fortement synchrone à l’inverse des cellules spatialement éloignées. Ces résultats indiquent donc que l’activité des CCI est majoritairement identique le long de l’axe tonotopique de la cochlée.Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés au mécanisme responsable de l’activité spontanée, la dépendance à l’ATP. L’incubation d’apyrase, une ecto-nucléotidase, entraine une diminution de l’activité des cellules de soutien, à savoir une réduction de l’aire et de la vitesse de propagation des vagues calciques. En revanche, l'activité des CCI n'est pas altérée par la déplétion d’ATP. Ces résultats suggèrent 2 mécanismes distincts, le premier ATP-dépendant et le second ATP-indépendant dans les cellules de soutien et sensorielles, respectivement.L’ensemble de ces résultats indique que la maturation des centres supérieurs serait déterminée par l’activation synchrone d’un nombre limité de cellules sensorielles. / During development, the sensory cells of the cochlea, the inner hair cells (IHCs), fire spontaneous calcium action potentials. This spontaneous spiking activity at the pre-hearing stage allows the IHCs to automatically stimulate the auditory nerve fibers and hence, ensures the proper shaping of the tonotopic organization along the ascending auditory pathway. Spontaneous spiking patterns may depend on the IHCs position on the cochlea (the tonotopic axis). Those patterns may also rely on ATP secretion from neighboring supporting cells. In this study, we used calcium imaging in the immature neuro-sensory epithelium of the cochlea, the Kölliker´s organ, to gain insights in the IHCs spiking activity. After loading the Kölliker´s organ with the calcium dye fura-2 AM, propagation of spontaneous calcium waves was readily observed across supporting and sensory cells. Both basal and apical IHCs were characterized by similar spontaneous calcium transients interspaced with silent periods, reminiscent of bursts of action potential recorded in patch-clamp. In addition, neighboring cells show a strong degree of synchronous activity. Incubation with apyrase, which hydrolyzes ATP, prevents the spontaneous calcium increase that propagates across the supporting cells within the Kölliker's organ. However, it leaves the spontaneous calcium transients in IHCs mostly unaffected. All these results show that the tonotopic map refinement in higher auditory centers comes from a coordinated activity of neighboring sensory cells, whose activity seems to be independent of ATP

Desenvolve-se um método para estimar os parâmetros de uma rede hidráulica a partir de dados observados de cargas hidráulicas transientes. Os parâmetros físicos da rede como fatores de atrito, rugosidades absolutas, diâmetros e a identificação e quantificação de vazamentos são as grandezas desconhecidas. O problema transiente inverso é resolvido utilizando uma abordagem indireta que compara os dados disponíveis de carga hidráulica transiente observados com os calculados através de um método matemático. O Método Transiente Inverso (MTI) com um Algoritmo Genético (AG) emprega o Método das Características (MOC) na solução das equações do movimento para escoamento transiente em redes de tubos. As condições de regime permanente são desconhecidas. Para avaliar a confiabilidade do MTI-AG desenvolvido aqui, uma rede-exemplo é usada para os vários problemas de calibração propostos. O comportamento transiente é imposto por duas manobras distintas de uma válvula de controle localizada em um dos nós da rede. Analisam-se, ainda, o desempenho do método proposto mediante a variabilidade do tamanho do registro transiente e de possíveis erros de leitura nas cargas hidráulicas. Ensaios numéricos realizados mostram que o método é viável e aplicável à solução de problema inverso em redes hidráulicas, sobretudo recorrendo-se a poucos dados observados e ao desconhecimento das condições iniciais de estado permanente. Nos diversos problemas de identificação, as informações transientes obtidas da manobra mais brusca produziu estimações mais eficientes. / A method for estimation of parameters of existing hydraulic networks on the basis of observed transients pressures. Such parameters include pipe friction factors or absolute roughness, their diameters and the leakage locations and discharges. The inverse transient problem in terms of unknown parameters is solved through an indirect calibration procedure, which compares the calculated and observed hydraulic heads. The search method for optimal parameters employs the Method of Characteristics for the solution equations of transient motions in pipes and Genetic Algorithms. The initial conditions in the state of equilibrium are supposed unknown and the observed transient behavior of the network is in response to a valve maneuver composed of partial closure and reestablishment of flow in a pipe. In order to validate the transient calibration method, an example network is used to test various proposed calibration problems. The results show that the proposed method can be used with confidence for determination of various kinds of parameters. The transient inverse method is capable of network calibration using transient data collected at few locations in response to a quick valve maneuver.