Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a device that converts the chemical energy of the fuel into the electricity by the chemical reactions at high temperatures (600-1000oC). Heat is also produced besides the electricity as a result of the electrochemical reactions. Heat produced in the electrochemical reactions causes the thermal stresses, which is one of the most important problems of the SOFC systems. Another important problem of SOFCs is the low fuel utilization ratio. In this study, the effect of the flow arrangement on the temperature distribution, which causes the thermal stresses, and the method to increase the fuel utilization, is investigated. An SOFC single cell experimental setup is developed for Cross-Flow arrangement design. This setup and experimental conditions are modeled with Fluent&reg / . The experimental results are used in order to validate and verify the model. The model results are found to capture with the experimental results closely. The validated model is used as a reference to develop the models for different flow arrangements and to investigate the effect of the flow arrangement on the temperature distribution. A method to increase the SOFC fuel utilization ratio is suggested. Models for different flow arrangements are developed and the simulation results are compared to determine the most advantageous arrangement.

The thesis proposes using the efficient memory arrangement methods for the implementation of radix-r multi-dimensional Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). By using the memory instead of the registers to buffer and reorder data, hardware complexity is significantly reduced. We use the recursive architecture that requires only one arithmetic-processing element to compute the entire DFT/DCT operation. The algorithm is based on efficient coefficient matrix factorization and data allocation. By exploiting the features of Kronecker product representation in the fast algorithm, the multi-dimensional DFT/DCT operation is converted into its corresponding 1-D problem and the intermediate data is stored in several memory units. In addition to the smaller area, we also propose a method to reduce the power consumption of the DFT/DCT processors.

An epicyclic-type automatic transmission is a device which is connected from engine to driving wheels, and the main purpose is to maintain the revolution speed of engine to be in a desired working range while accelerating or decelerating the automobile. The epicyclic -type automatic transmissions in production are mostly Ravigneaux-type epicyclic mechanisms, and in recent year, the development of automatic transmissions for automobile is oriented to the orientation of setting an single epicyclic gear mechanism instead of the input to bring various inputs of revolution speed to increase the total number of speed ratios of an automatic transmission, and such type of epicyclic is called combinational epicyclic-type automatic transmissions for automobiles. For the incompletion in the relative design methodology, a systematic methodology of designing mechanism and clutching-sequence of combinational epicyclic-type automobile transmission is described. First, fundamental principle of the combination and operations of automatic transmissions are analyzed to establish the design requirements. Second, a procedure of structure synthesis of combinational epicyclic-type automobile transmission is brought up which the planar graphic method is applied for. Third, based on Speed Ratio Relationship of each clutching sequence, a procedure of gearing-sequence is introduced. Finally, on the basis of the analytic method, the teeth of gears is to be clarified. The result of this work obtains five types of the combinational epicyclic-type automatic transmissions which could reach six speeds.

Diss.--Tübingen, 1998. / Bibliogr. p. 244-253.

Not available / text

Not available / text

Not available / text

Not available / text

In spite of the abundance of opening-mode fractures in the earth's upper crust, knowledge about their spatial arrangement remains limited. The spatial arrangement of fractures refers to the patterns of fracture positions in space. On one-dimensional analyses, fracture position can be obtained by combining fracture apertures, spacings, and their sequence along a one-dimensional scanline. Previous approaches failed to account for fracture position and fracture size, thus a new technique, normalized correlation count (NCC), was used to overcome these limitations. This technique was designed to distinguish random from non-random (fractal, inherited/imposed, periodically arranged fractures, or periodically arranged clusters) spatial arrangements of fractures. In addition, another method to quantify the attributes of microfractures in rock samples larger than a thin section was developed and used to quantify their spatial arrangements. NCC indicated that where statistically significant (non-random) clusters exist, large fractures are more clustered than small ones. Differential clustering according to fracture size was detected in data sets from different lithologies at outcrop and rock-sample scale, suggesting that this phenomenon is related to development of fracture systems as opposed to host rock lithology and scale. Fracture clusters with power-law variation of spatial correlation with length scale are not strictly natural fractals because clusters occur in cascades at discrete values of length scale and not in a continuous fashion. Some statistically significant clusters with a power-law of spatial correlation are formed by smaller clusters with a power-law of spatial correlation that are also periodically arranged. Fractures from the Cupido Fm. in the Monterrey salient were grouped in three categories based on their trace morphology, cement composition, and timing of fracture cements with respect to fracture opening. Fractures at outcrop scale in two of the categories exhibit low percentages of synkinematic cement and random arrangements, whereas fractures in the remaining category exhibit large amounts of synkinematic cement and periodically arranged clusters. An evolutionary model of fracture development based on subcritical propagation is proposed. This model suggests that mechanical layering increases during cluster development, explaining the non-random clustering within interclustering domains at outcrop scale and implies that cluster spacing increases with mechanical layering but decreases during evolution towards cluster saturation. / text

The lack of clarity of Canadian insolvency legislation with respect to the treatment of environmental claims has left Canadian courts wondering whether they should advance the public order policies embodied in the environmental legislation or promote creditors' interests and the private relief afforded by bankruptcy. This thesis examines the state of the law on the question and provides a critical assessment of the legislation and the relevant case law. The author points to the flaws of the legislation and its judicial interpretation, while uncovering the underlying reasons for the existence of such a confused body of jurisprudence. Building on these findings, the author proposes a reform of the insolvency legislation that would uphold the protection of the environment as a fundamental value in Canadian society.