Master of Science

Object: To construct a synchroscope for use in the Electrical Engineering Laboratory. This synchroscope is to be small and a very compact unit, which will be portable and of such sturdy construction that it will not be damaged by the frequent handling of students. Method: After a thorough research of the existing types of instruments, a synchroscope of the Lincoln type was chosen as best suited for the given object. The construction of this type of synchroscope is essentially that of a wound rotor induction motor. This involves the construction of pole pieces, field coils, and a wound rotor. Conclusion: After the construction of our synchroscope was completed, we proceeded to test it out in the laboratory. We found it gave positive indications of synchronism in every case, and we were more than satisfied with the results obtained. Although our work was comparatively poor in relation to that done by men who have spent their entire life on such subjects, in consideration of the time and materials that we had to work with, we feel that we have accomplished our purpose and have derived a great deal of benefit from our year of work. / Master of Science

In the operation of combined heating and power plants, there are two serious threats to economy as measured by fuel consumption for the service rendered. These are loss or exhaust steam to the atmosphere and, less serious, exhaust or steam to a condenser. The greater part of the heat supplied to the steam in the form of latent heat by the boilers is lost in either case. Use of exhaust steam for heating makes available a maximum amount of heat to useful purpose and consequently shows decided economical advantages over systems wherein the heating and power supplies are separate. Still further economies are possible by operating units having the best possible economy characteristics at the particular load range in question at any time. As often happens when the electrical and exhaust steam requirements vary considerably, two dissimilar types of units must be installed to maintain satisfactory economy over the complete range of load demand on the plant. When the capacities of two such units are equal or overlap in some portion or the demand range, it is evident that there should be some load condition at which either or the units could be operated with equal economy; below which condition, one unit would show the better economy, and above which, the other unit would be more suitable. The Virginia Polytechnic Institute Heating and Power Plant has one back-pressure turbine and one condensing, bleeder-type turbines. Either of these units is capable of carrying the present electrical load. When, due to electrical load limitations, the low-pressure steam available is insufficient, the reducing valves installed enable either of the units to satisfactorily supply this low-pressure steam demand. However, at high electrical and low low-pressure demands, the back-pressure unit will discharge part of its exhaust steam to the atmosphere, while the condensing unit will discharge the excess supply, over and above the low-pressure demand, into the condenser. In the condenser, the circulating water removes the latent heat of the steam. The problem, then, is one of obtaining a quantitative comparison of the two machines throughout the range of seasonal variation of both electrical and low-pressure loads. The authors believe that the investigation will lead to fairly accurate results which, if used as a guide in operation, will aid considerably in preventing possible future fuel waste from the operation of the wrong unit for any particular set of conditions. / M.S.

<p[>The Military Tactical Network (MTN) system is an automated satellite communications system designed to provide a near term tactical intelligence dissemination capability to deployed forces. The system was initially developed to address the pressing need for the timely delivery of intelligence information. The primary customers of the MTN system are the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Command, Contro, Communications and Intelligence (C31) and the intelligence community. The user community will include members of these two organizations as well as military personnel.</p> <p>The MTN system was used during a recent military demonstration and it was determined that the MTN Gateway Interface, the mechanism available to users for injecting messages for delivery into the system and for performing additional administrative :functions, needs to be redesigned prior to the system achieving Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The system currently uses a cryptic, menu-driven interface with an all ASCII representation. This project and report addresses the need for an improved Gateway Interface for the MTN System The systems engineering approach is followed in presenting the conceptual and preliminary design of the MTN Gateway Interface. The development of the improved interface will enhance the capabilities and usability of the MTN system.</p> / Master of Science

M.S.

A new task analysis methodology was developed to provide objective information on complex tasks. A complex task was broken down into observable elements and unobservable elements that were inferred to have taken place in support of the observable actions. Subject matter experts (SMEs) were used to assist in this breakdown. Additionally, guidelines for specifying the level of detail in the task analysis breakdown were developed to help objectify the analysis. A simulation model framework then was built of the task elements. Personnel proficient in the task were observed during work, and objective data on their observable actions were collected. These data then were used to provide numeric input to a simulation model. The simulation was run, and the results of the model of performance compared to the observed performance data. The model was altered at that point to reflect lessons learned during data collection. The process yielded a model that accurately reflects human performance on the task. Variations on the model based on a conceptual understanding of operators strategies also correlated well with observed performance, indicating the value of the methodology for building an understanding of the motivations critical to successful task performance. / Ph. D.

This study identifies and analyzes factors which determine productivity in the drug industry. It shares a general concern about recent decline in industrial productivity in the United States with Abernathy, Clark, and Kantrow (1983), who developed a theoretical framework for analyzing the causes of lackluster industrial performance. According to Abernathy, et al. (1983), performance is determined by government fiscal and monetary policy, production capability, socioeconomic environment,(of which regulation is a subset), and corporate management. This study finds that the theoretical framework of Abernathy et al (1983) can be used as a context for analyzing productivity in the drug industry. In a recent case of drug development, socioeconomic and managerial problems caused costly delays in development, hampering the company's capacity to be productive. The study also finds that the strategy for industrial revitalization developed by Abernathy et al. (1983) is applicable to the drug industry. Specifically, corporate management must integrate the development activities of innovation, production, finance, and marketing more efficiently. More efficient integration will help management to consider the impact of one activity on the others, and to identify deficiencies which can delay development. This will help management cut development time and increase profits, which will help revitalize the drug industry. / Master of Science

Although the minimum qualifications for election to the American Farmer Degree have remained essentially the same during the last ten years, the actual achievements the candidates for the American Farmer Degree have increased beyond these minimums. / Master of Science

Sir Walter Raleigh's poems, as tghey circulated in manuscripts, are influenced by Raleigh's position at court, his social situation, the patronage system, and the political scene. Even though many scholars believe that often verses were copied groups according to theme, careful consideration shows that verses that have been tradionally seen as related by theme have a stronger connection. The context of the peom can reveal a great deal about the intention of the author and the situation about which the author wrote. / Master of Arts

M.S.