In current afterburners combustion is stabilized by the high temperature, recirculating region behind bluff body flame holders, such as V-gutters. Blocking the high speed flow with bluff bodies causes a significant pressure drop, and heating the flame holder by the hot combustion product causes a thermal signature, which is a critical problem in a military jet. To reduce these problems, ignition methods using a high frequency (HF) spark discharge, or a radical jet generator (RJG) were developed. The HF discharge ignited and stabilized a flame successfully in a premixed methane-air flow. The electrical power consumption was very small compared to the combustion heat release, as long as the operating velocity was relatively low. However, a theoretical study showed that the ratio of the electrical power consumption to the heat generation by the stabilized flame increases rapidly with increasing flow velocity. For flame stabilization in a high velocity flow, the developed RJG showed much better performance than direct exposure to a plasma. The present study investigated the characteristics of a radical jet produced in a RJG and injected into a main combustor. The limits of flame stabilization by this jet was measured experimentally, and compared to those of bluff body flame holders. The flame holding performance of the radical jet was also experimentally compared to that of a thermal jet. The effect of radicals on flame stabilization was examined using CHEMKIN, and the limit of flame stabilization by the radical jet was estimated for a simple flow configuration using an approximate solution. The results suggest that the reduction of local spontaneous ignition delay time by active species in the radical jet and the longer length of a typical radical jet compared to the dimension of the recirculation zone behind a bluff body increases the maximum velocity at which a flame can be stabilized.

Increased electrical power demands are being experienced on the new generation of aircraft due to an increased reliance on electrical technology of systems such as air conditioning, de-icing systems and electrical flight control actuation. Distribution of power at higher AC and DC voltages is therefore now being seen in modern aircraft to avoid the penalties incurred due to high cable weights. Voltages have increased past the minimum of Paschen's law resulting in a risk that life limiting partial discharge (PD) damage can occur in the insulation systems. This thesis uses a theoretical analysis backed by PD experimental results to investigate the optimal operating voltage of a cabling system. In addition, it proposes a methodology for optimizing the operating voltage level based on an analysis of the power carrying capability of cabling within a fixed and a non-fixed volume system and the derivation of the cable weight as a function of voltage. Furthermore the power carrying capability of a certain round cable system is compared with an insulated flat conductor system as in a printed circuit board (PCB). An initial assessment has been carried out to determine whether more power can be delivered via insulated flat solid conductors as in a PCB, instead of using round cables. The reason why there is a need to investigate this aspect, is because using new PCB technology can offer several advantages over traditional cabling harnesses. The work done has shown that the optimal operating point (e.g. maximum power to weight ratio) for an aircraft power system, does not improve after certain voltage levels. A tradeoff between cable weight and power transfer is required and furthermore the use of DC systems can result in higher power transfers than conventional three phase/400Hz AC systems. The PCB maximum power transfer assessment has also shown that insulated flat conductor systems can offer higher power transfer efficiencies. In addition, experimental AC and DC PD tests on certain unscreened aerospace cables (laid out in different configurations), have shown that the theoretical analysis employed to determine cable safe operating voltages gives conservative results.

Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) is a nontraditional machining process used for machining intricate shapes in high strength and temperature resistive (HSTR) materials. WEDM provides high accuracy, repeatability, and a better surface finish; however the tradeoff is a very slow machining rate. Due to the slow machining rate in WEDM, machining tasks take many hours depending on the complexity of the job. Because of this, users of WEDM try to predict machining rate beforehand so that input parameter values can be pre-programmed to achieve automated machining. However, partial success with traditional methodologies such as thermal modeling, artificial neural networks, mathematical, statistical, and empirical models left this problem still open for further research and exploration of alternative methods. Also, earlier efforts in applying the decision tree rule induction algorithms for predicting the machining rate in WEDM had limitations such as use of coarse grained method of discretizing the target and exploration of only C4.5 as the learning algorithm. The goal of this dissertation was to address the limitations reported in literature in using decision tree rule induction algorithms for WEDM. In this study, the three decision tree inductive algorithms C5.0, CART and CHAID have been applied for predicting material removal rate when the target was discretized into varied number of classes (two, three, four, and five classes) by three discretization methods. There were a total of 36 distinct combinations when learning algorithms, discretization methods, and number of classes in the target are combined. All of these 36 models have been developed and evaluated based on the prediction accuracy. From this research, a total of 21 models found to be suitable for WEDM that have prediction accuracy ranging from 71.43% through 100%. The models indentified in the current study not only achieved better prediction accuracy compared to previous studies, but also allows the users to have much better control over WEDM than what was previously possible. Application of inductive learning and development of suitable predictive models for WEDM by incorporating varied number of classes in the target, different learning algorithms, and different discretization methods have been the major contribution of this research.

Diplomová práce se zabývá problematikou volby grafitového materiálu využívaného pro výrobu nástrojových elektrod při elektroerozivní obrábění. Práce je rozdělena do třech částí. Teoretická rešerše nekonvenční technologie elektroerozivního obrábění vypracovaná dle uvedených zdrojů se nachází v první části práce. Dále je v práci proveden cenový průzkum EDM grafitových materiálů nabízených v České republice a na Slovensku. Čtyři odlišné stupně kvality grafitu (od stávajícího dodavatele firmy GAMARTIS TRADE s.r.o.) a jeden měděný materiál byly podrobeny experimentu, jehož účelem bylo zjištění závislosti mezi kvalitou grafitového materiálu (cena) a přesností vyhloubené kavity, opotřebením nástrojové elektrody, časem obrábění nebo také drsností povrchu.

This master’s thesis familiarizes reader with technology of machine grinding – it’s history, principle, general use, related tools, achievable parameters and kinematics of grinding process. The core of work is analysis of jig-grinder Hauser H45-400, it’s kinematics, machine technical data, options and accessories. Work concludes with technical and economical assessment of machining of several parts with this machine and compares results to alternative options of machining.

This master´s thesis deals with the issues of electroerosive machining material used in aerospace industry. The master´s thesis is divided into the theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part is described electroerosive machining with a focus on electrical discharge sinking. One section of the theoretical part is an analysis of materials used in the aerospace industry. The practical part of the master´s thesis is focused on electrical discharge sinking of aerospace material INCO 713LC, here is investigated the influence of machining parameters on the surface of the workpiece and tool.

This diploma thesis view to problem electrical discharge sinking. Forth with deal production of indexable insert cemented carbide and application electrical discharge sinking at this technology.

This work deals with analysis of EDM wire cutting technology and aims to assess the current situation and the real possibilities of EDM wire cutting usage in a small engineering company. Furthermore, it addresses manufacturing technology of a model component and the subsequent economic evaluation.

The aim of this thesis is the analysis of the current state in the workplace EDM and suggestion of the automation workplace in tool making "KASKO forms" including techno-economic assessment of the current and suggested solutions on the selected product and quantification of payback period.

The dissertation is focused on streamlining production on wire electric discharge machine during cutting metal alloys, specifically low-alloy steel quality by CSN 41 4220. The first part contains a study of the current and modern technologies EDM wire cutting. The second part is focused on identifying key parameters to influence the WEDM process, a detailed analysis of the machined surfaces of samples and wire electrodes used for cutting. The result of this work was to explore the possibility, whether by performing planned experiment and subsequent evaluation in the future to determine exactly setting the key parameters influencing the process of WEDM.