No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to compare the stiffness of a Type II external skeletal fixator (ESF) to a 3.5 mm locking compression plate (LCP) in axial compression, mediolateral, and craniocaudal bending in a fracture gap model. The hypothesis was that the Type II ESF would demonstrate comparable stiffness to the LCP. A bone simulant consisting of short fiber reinforced epoxy cylinders and a 40 mm fracture gap was used. The LCP construct consisted of a 12 hole 3.5 mm plate with three 3.5 mm bicortical locking screws per fragment. The Type II ESF construct consisted of 3 proximal full fixation pins (Centerface®) per fragment in the mediolateral plane, and 2 carbon fiber connecting rods. Five constructs of each were tested in non-destructive mediolateral and craniocaudal bending, and axial compression. Stiffness was determined from the slope of the elastic portion of force-displacement curves. A one-way ANOVA and a Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test were performed, with significance defined as p < 0.05. In mediolateral bending, the stiffness of the Type II ESF (mean ± standard deviation; 1584.2 N/mm ± 202.8 N/mm) was significantly greater than that of the LCP (110.0 N/mm ± 13.4 N/mm). In axial compression, the stiffness of the Type II ESF (679.1 N/mm ± 20.1 N/mm) was significantly greater than that of the LCP (221.2 N/mm ± 19.1 N/mm). There was no significant difference between the constructs in craniocaudal bending. This information can aid in decision-making for fracture fixation, although ideal stiffness for healing remains unknown. / Master of Science / Optimum fracture stabilization requires a balance between providing a stable mechanical environment and preserving the blood supply to healing tissues. When the complexity of a fracture precludes reconstruction of the bony column, the fixation method chosen for repair must counteract the forces of weight bearing, including compression and bending. Knowledge of the relative construct stiffness is important for a clinician to determine the ability of a fixation technique to withstand all forces acting on a fracture, while supporting bone healing. The purpose of this study was to compare the stiffness of a Type II external skeletal fixator (ESF) and a locking compression plate (LCP) when non-destructive physiologic loads are applied in axial compression, mediolateral bending, and craniocaudal bending. Five constructs of each were tested in non-destructive mediolateral and craniocaudal bending, and axial compression. Stiffness was determined from the slope of the elastic portion of force-displacement curves. There was a significant difference between the stiffnesses of the Type II ESF and the LCP in all modes of loading except craniocaudal bending. The Type II ESF was significantly stiffer in mediolateral bending than the LCP, and the Type II ESF was significantly stiffer in axial compression compared to the LCP. There was no statistically significant difference in stiffness in craniocaudal bending. This information will aid a clinician in selecting an appropriate fixation method for a non-reconstructable fracture, but further studies are required to assess the importance of increased stiffness in a clinical setting.

Phase control in microwave circuits is an impotant process. Especially, in certain applications such as phase array antennas, it is the main principle of opeation. In antenna arrays, each array element is fed by an individual oscillator. By controlling the phase of each oscillator, the radiation pattern and the RF power can be combined in space in certain directions. For such applications, phase shifters have been utilized extensively. However, their high costs, difficulties in design and efficiency are impotant disadvantages. More recently, another technique, &quot / Injection Locking&quot / or &quot / Phase Locking&quot / suggests to use a single reference signal injected into each oscilator element. Through this signal, the phase of the individual oscillators can be controlled and set to a desired value. Therefore, power combining in space or known as &quot / Spaial Power Combining&quot / is possible by using &quot / Phase Locking&quot / of individual oscillator elements. In this thesis, this new phase control technique is examined in theory and in application of a 1GHz oscillator system. A reference signal is injected into a voltage controlled oscillator, and the phase progression is obtained by tuning the oscilator&#039 / s free running frequency.

This master thesis is a study of anaerobic thread lockers and is done in cooperation withÖhlins Racing AB, which is a Swedish manufacturer of vehicle suspensions.The suspension in vehicles is constantly exposed to high vibration levels and a suspensionunit has several screw- and cylindrical joints. As an extra safety precaution so that thecomponents in the suspension doesn’t fall apart when using the vehicle, an anaerobicthreadlocker is added in these joints. The handling of these threadlockers is not totallyharmless and could lead to allergic reactions, and therefore there are Swedish laws to limit theuse of these. However, new types of anaerobic threadlockers have recently been launched onthe marked that are not considered under this law. The goal of this thesis is to investigate if itwould be possible to change from the today used threadlockers to these new types. A big partof this task has been based on tests of screw- and cylindrical joints. Different materialcombinations of aluminum, anodized aluminum and steel have been tested, as well asparameters such as elevated temperature. The breakloose torque for the thread joints, and theforce required to axially break a cylindrical fitting has been analyzed.Tests were performed with both medium- and high-strength anaerobic threadlockers ofdifferent brands. The results from the screw joint tests with a medium strength threadlockershow that the new health-friendly threadlockers are about as good as the ones used today,except at high temperatures. Considering the high strength threadlockers in aluminum screwjoints, the reference threadlocker showed about 10 – 30 % higher breakloose torque than thehealth-friendly one, depending on the different material combinations. With the steel –aluminum screw joints, the breakloose torque reduced to about half of the aluminum –aluminum breakloose torque values for both types of threadlockers. The results also show thata thicker layer of anodized aluminum gave a higher breakloose torque and that temperaturesof about 85 oC lower the strength with 22 – 29 % compared to the tests in room temperature.In the case with the cylindrical joints, the health friendly ones were weaker than the one usedtoday, but it might still be possible to use them in some products.The conclusions of this thesis are that the health-friendly threadlockers in general are a bitweaker than the ones used today, and that anodized aluminum gives a higher breakloosetorque than both aluminum and steel. It is likely that a change from the threadlockers usedtoday to the new health-friendly ones could be possible in at least some joints. Although moretests have to be done with dynamic loads and oil resistance for example. / Detta examensarbete är en undersökning av anaeroba låsvätskor som utförts i samarbete medÖhlins Racing AB. Öhlins Racing AB är ett svenskt företag som tillverkar högpresterandestötdämpare och fjädring till bland annat motorcyklar och bilar.Stötdämpare i fordon utsätts för mycket höga vibrationsnivåer och för att kunna garanterastötdämparnas kvalitet och livslängd är det av stor vikt att säkerställa att dess komponenterinte lossnar vid användandet. Många komponenter sitter monterade med gängförband ellercylindrisk passning och vid montering tillsätts en låsvätska som en extra säkerhetsåtgärd.Hanteringen av dessa låsvätskor kan leda till hälsoproblem som allergier och luftvägsproblem.Målet med detta arbete är att undersöka om det är möjligt att införa mer arbetsmiljövänligalåsvätskor i Öhlins produkter. Arbetet har bestått av provning med gäng- och cylinderförbanddär olika materialkombinationer av aluminium, anodiserat aluminium och stål, samtparametrar som temperatur har varierats i de olika testuppställningarna. Urpressningskraftenför cylinderförbanden och lossbrytningsmomentet för gängförbanden har analyserats.Tester utfördes med starka och medelstarka låsvätskor av olika fabrikat. Resultaten fråntesterna med gängförband visar att de medelstarka låsvätskorna är mycket likvärdiga, medundantag för högtemperaturtestet där den arbetsmiljövänliga låsvätskan ger sämre resultat.Gällande de starka låsvätskorna i aluminiumförband ger den nu använda låsvätskan 10–30 %högre lossbrytningsmoment än den arbetsmiljövänliga varianten. I förbandet stål – aluminiumvisade det sig att de starka låsvätskornas lossbrytningsmoment över lag låg omkring hälftenjämfört med aluminiumfallet. Resultaten visar också att ett tjockare anodiseringsskikt påaluminiumet ger högre lossbrytningsmoment samt att lossbrytningsmomentet sjunker med 22- 29 % vid temperaturer omkring 85 oC jämfört med i rumstemperatur. I det cylindriska falletkommer de arbetsmiljövänliga låsvätskorna inte upp i samma höga urpressningskraft som denidag använda låsvätskan, men de kan trots detta vara tillräckligt bra för att användas i mångaförband.De slutsatser som kan dras efter detta projekt är att de arbetsmiljövänliga låsvätskornagenerellt sett är lite svagare än den låsvätska som används idag, samt att anodiserataluminium gav högre lossbrytningsmoment än obehandlat aluminium och stål. Det skulleförmodligen vara möjligt att byta ut låsvätskan till arbetsmiljövänlig låsvätska i mångaförband där det inte ställs krav på extremt hög hållfasthet. Det bör dock undersökas närmarehur bland annat dynamiska lastfall och kontakt med olja påverkar låsvätskorna.

No description available.

No description available.

Este trabalho consiste em analisar os esforços em tabuleiros de pontes por meio de superfícies de influência. Para isto, o método dos elementos finitos (MEF) é utilizado e os resultados são comparados com os das tabelas de Rüsch. Os elementos finitos de barra, representando longarinas e transversinas, e placa, as lajes do tabuleiro, são implementados no código SIPlacas. Estes elementos finitos são formulados pelas teorias de viga Timoshenko e placa Reissner-Mindlin, respectivamente. Estes apresentam problema de travamento de força cortante (Shear Locking), que é contornado por duas propostas: o artifício matemático da integração reduzida e elementos finitos com campo assumido de deformação de força cortante (CADFC). Verifica-se que os elementos com aproximações quadráticas para os deslocamentos e com CADFC são os que melhor se adequam à proposta de análise da presente pesquisa. Tais elementos apresentam convergência de resultados considerando estruturas com baixa discretização. Os resultados analisados foram o deslocamento, momento fletor e força cortante. Posteriormente realiza-se um estudo de caso de uma ponte em viga. O tabuleiro da ponte é calculado utilizando-se as tabelas de Rüsch e o código SIPlacas. O cálculo dos esforços pelo SIPlacas é realizado de três maneiras. Na primeira consideram-se os painéis de lajes do tabuleiro isolados; na segunda o tabuleiro está sobre apoios não deslocáveis; e na terceira, o tabuleiro apresenta-se com vigas acopladas. Foi concluído que a terceira configuração, cuja representação melhor se aproxima da estrutura real de análise, apresentou os menores esforços internos. / This work aims at the analysis of bridge deck stresses through influence surfaces. The finite element method (FEM) is used and the results are compared with those of Rüsch\'s tables. The bar and plate finite elements represent stringers, cross beams and slabs bridge deck. These finite elements are implemented in the SIPlacas code and the theories of Timoshenko beam and Reissner-Mindlin plate are used to theirs formulation. The Shear Locking problem is solved by two proposals: reduced integration and definition of element with transversal shear strain assumed (TSSA). The elements with quadratic approximations for the displacements and TSSA are the best suited to the proposed analysis of this research. Such elements have convergence of results considering structures with low discretization. Displacement, bending moment and shear force were the results analyzed. Subsequently a case study on a beam bridge was carried out. The bridge deck is calculated using Rüsch\'s tables and SIPlacas code. The calculation of the internal forces by SIPlacas is performed in three ways. The first one considers the slabs isolated panels; the second, the slab deck is on a rigid support; and third, the slab deck is on deformable supports. It was concluded that the third configuration showed the lowest internal forces. This configuration is the optimum representation to the structure analysis.

Este trabalho consiste em analisar os esforços em tabuleiros de pontes por meio de superfícies de influência. Para isto, o método dos elementos finitos (MEF) é utilizado e os resultados são comparados com os das tabelas de Rüsch. Os elementos finitos de barra, representando longarinas e transversinas, e placa, as lajes do tabuleiro, são implementados no código SIPlacas. Estes elementos finitos são formulados pelas teorias de viga Timoshenko e placa Reissner-Mindlin, respectivamente. Estes apresentam problema de travamento de força cortante (Shear Locking), que é contornado por duas propostas: o artifício matemático da integração reduzida e elementos finitos com campo assumido de deformação de força cortante (CADFC). Verifica-se que os elementos com aproximações quadráticas para os deslocamentos e com CADFC são os que melhor se adequam à proposta de análise da presente pesquisa. Tais elementos apresentam convergência de resultados considerando estruturas com baixa discretização. Os resultados analisados foram o deslocamento, momento fletor e força cortante. Posteriormente realiza-se um estudo de caso de uma ponte em viga. O tabuleiro da ponte é calculado utilizando-se as tabelas de Rüsch e o código SIPlacas. O cálculo dos esforços pelo SIPlacas é realizado de três maneiras. Na primeira consideram-se os painéis de lajes do tabuleiro isolados; na segunda o tabuleiro está sobre apoios não deslocáveis; e na terceira, o tabuleiro apresenta-se com vigas acopladas. Foi concluído que a terceira configuração, cuja representação melhor se aproxima da estrutura real de análise, apresentou os menores esforços internos. / This work aims at the analysis of bridge deck stresses through influence surfaces. The finite element method (FEM) is used and the results are compared with those of Rüsch\'s tables. The bar and plate finite elements represent stringers, cross beams and slabs bridge deck. These finite elements are implemented in the SIPlacas code and the theories of Timoshenko beam and Reissner-Mindlin plate are used to theirs formulation. The Shear Locking problem is solved by two proposals: reduced integration and definition of element with transversal shear strain assumed (TSSA). The elements with quadratic approximations for the displacements and TSSA are the best suited to the proposed analysis of this research. Such elements have convergence of results considering structures with low discretization. Displacement, bending moment and shear force were the results analyzed. Subsequently a case study on a beam bridge was carried out. The bridge deck is calculated using Rüsch\'s tables and SIPlacas code. The calculation of the internal forces by SIPlacas is performed in three ways. The first one considers the slabs isolated panels; the second, the slab deck is on a rigid support; and third, the slab deck is on deformable supports. It was concluded that the third configuration showed the lowest internal forces. This configuration is the optimum representation to the structure analysis.

In this thesis we investigate advanced techniques for the readout and control of various interferometers. In particular, we present experimental investigations of interferometer configurations and control techniques to be used in second generation interferometric gravitational wave detectors. We also present a new technique, tilt locking, for the readout and control of optical interferometers. ¶ We report the first experimental demonstration of a Sagnac interferometer with resonant sideband extraction (RSE). We measure the frequency response to modulation of the length of the arms and demonstrate an increase in signal bandwidth of by a factor of 6.5 compared to the Sagnac with arm cavities only. We compare Sagnac interferometers based on optical cavities with cavity-based Michelson interferometers and find that the Sagnac configuration has little overall advantage in a cavity-based system. ¶ A system for the control and signal extraction of a power recycled Michelson interferometer with RSE is presented. This control system employs a frontal modulation scheme requiring a phase modulated carrier field and a phase modulated subcarrier field. The system is capable of locking all 5 length degrees of freedom and allows the signal cavity to be detuned over the entire range of possibilities, in principle, whilst maintaining lock. We analytically investigate the modulation/demodulation techniques used to obtain these error signals, presenting an introductory explanation of single sideband modulation/demodulation and double demodulation. ¶ This control system is implemented on a benchtop prototype interferometer. We discuss technical problems associated with production of the input beam modulation components and present several solutions. Operation of the interferometer is demonstrated for a wide range of detunings. The frequency response of the interferometer is measured for various detuned points and we observe good agreement with theoretical predictions. The ability of the control system to maintain lock as the interferometer is detuned is experimentally demonstrated. ¶ Tilt locking, a new technique to obtain an error signal to lock a laser to an optical cavity, is presented. This technique produces an error signal by efficient measurement of the interference between the TEM00 and TEM10 modes. We perform experimental and theoretical comparisons with the widely used Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique. We derive the quantum noise limit to the sensitivity of a measurement of the beam position, and using this result calculate the shot noise limited sensitivity of tilt locking. We show that tilt locking has a quantum efficiency of 80%, compared to 82% for the PDH technique. We present experimental demonstrations of tilt locking in several applications including frequency stabilisation, continuous-wave second harmonic generation, and injection locking of a Nd:YAG slab laser. In each of these cases, we demonstrate that the performance of tilt locking is not the limiting factor of the lock stability, and show that it achieves similar performance to the PDH based system. ¶ Finally, we discuss how tilt locking can be effectively applied to two beam interferometers. We show experimentally how a two beam interferometer typically gives excellent isolation against errors arising from changes in the photodetector position, and experimentally demonstrate the use of tilt locking as a signal readout system for a Sagnac interferometer.