A new method using a machine learning technique is applied to event classification and detection at seismic networks. This method is applicable to a variety of network sizes and settings. The algorithm makes use of a small catalogue of known observations across the entire network. Two attributes, the polarization and frequency content, are used as input to regression. These attributes are extracted at predicted arrival times for P and S waves using only an approximate velocity model, as attributes are calculated over large time spans. This method of waveform characterization is shown to be able to distinguish between blasts and earthquakes with 99 percent accuracy using a network of 13 stations located in Southern California. The combination of machine learning with generalized waveform features is further applied to event detection in Oklahoma, United States. The event detection algorithm makes use of a pair of unique seismic phases to locate events, with a precision directly related to the sampling rate of the generalized waveform features. Over a week of data from 30 stations in Oklahoma, United States are used to automatically detect 25 times more events than the catalogue of the local geological survey, with a false detection rate of less than 2 per cent. This method provides a highly confident way of detecting and locating events. Furthermore, a large number of seismic events can be automatically detected with low false alarm, allowing for a larger automatic event catalogue with a high degree of trust.

The development of unmanned machining systems has been a recent focus of manufacturing research. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) units, which monitor and control many tightly coupled machining tasks, are inseparable parts of the unmanned manufacturing system. This thesis addresses the detailed design and analysis of a modular CNC system for a milling machine. The feed drive control system of the machine tool is thoroughly studied. The mathematical model for the feed drive control system, which consists of a motion controller, power amplifiers and DC-servo motors, is developed and experimentally verified. A method of estimating cutting forces from current drawn by feed drive motors is developed. The viability of the current sensor as a feeding-force sensing component is illustrated and experimentally tested on the milling machine. Successful application of the current sensor to tool breakage detection in milling operation is presented. The performance of the multi-axis contouring system in precision machining is discussed. The contouring errors induced by feed drive positioning systems in CNC machine tools is investigated using the state space model of the CNC system. The influence of the cutting force on the accuracy of machining is shown to be negligible for feed drives driven by ball leadscrews. Various control strategies for the improvement of machining accuracy are tested in the simulation studies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mechanical Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Cette thèse porte sur l'étude de machines polyentrefers et leurs limitations, dans le contexte d'avion plus électrique et du projet de déplacement des avions au sol. Ces moteurs, basés sur l'utilisation de plusieurs éléments mobiles et fixes mis en parallèle, permettent d'obtenir de hautes performances. Une étude sur les tolérances des dimensions des éléments actifs montre que les performances peuvent être dégradées si des précautions lors de la réalisation ne sont pas prises et si les entrefers utilisés ne sont pas faibles. Ce manuscrit présente un système totalement innovant permettant d'utiliser un entrefer réduit à son minimum sans que les performances ne soient dégradées par de la friction. Ce système est appelé système de compensation des efforts de plaquage. Afin de développer un moteur tournant à entraînement direct dans le cadre du taxiage des avions, deux topologies différentes de machines discoïdes sont étudiées et dimensionnées. Les résultats favorisent l'utilisation d'une des deux structures, à entrefer réduit, pour réaliser un maximum de couple dans le volume donné. Afin de prouver la faisabilité du système innovant sur un moteur discoïde, la réalisation d'un prototype laboratoire complet est proposée. Des simulations thermiques et du comportement du système innovant permettront de valider ces études. / This thesis focuses on the study of multi-air gap machines and their limitations, in the framework of more electric aircraft and the project of moving aircrafts on the ground without the main engines. These motors, based on the use of mobile and fixed parts disposed in parallel, induce high performance. A study concerning the tolerance for the dimensions of active parts shows that performance can decrease if precautions are not taken during manufacturing and if the air gaps are not small. This manuscript presents a totally innovative system that permits the use of an air gap reduced to its minimum without reducing performance by friction. This system is called system of attraction control. In order to develop a direct-drive motor for aircraft taxiing, two different topologies of disc-type machines are studied and sized. The obtained results encourage the use of one of the two structures with reduced air gap to realize maximum torque in the fixed volume. To prove the feasibility of the innovative system on a disc-type motor, the conception of an entire laboratory prototype is proposed. Thermal modelling and simulations on the innovative system behaviour will validate the presented work.

Procedural Content Generation (PCG) has become one of the hottest topics in Computational Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence (AI) game research in the past few years. PCG is the process of automatically creating content for video games, rather than by hand, and can offer great benefits for video games companies by helping to bring costs down and quality up. By guiding the process with AI it can be enhanced further and even be made to personalize content for target players. Among the current research into PCG, search-based approaches overwhelmingly dominate. While search-based algorithms have been shown to have great promise and produce several success stories there are a number of open challenges remaining. In this thesis, we present the Learning-Based Procedural Content Generation (LBPCG) framework, which is an alternative, novel approach designed to address some of these challenges. The major difference between the LBPCG framework and contemporary approaches is that the LBPCG is designed to learn about the problem space, freeing itself from the necessity for hard-coded information by the game developers. In this thesis we apply the LBPCG to a concrete example, the classic first-person shooter Quake, and present results showing the potential of the framework in generating quality content.

Diploid organisms including yeast, most animals, and humans, typically carry two copies of each gene. Variation above or below two copies can however sometimes occur. When gene copy number reduction from two to one causes a disadvantage, that gene is considered haploinsufficient (HI). In the first part of my work, I identified associations between Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene properties and genome-scale HI phenotypes from earlier work. I compared HI profiles against 23 gene properties and found that genes with (i) greater numbers of protein interactions, (ii) greater numbers of genetic interactions, (iii) greater gene sequence conservation, and (iv) higher protein expression were significantly more likely to be HI. Additionally, HI showed negative relationships with (v) cell cycle regulation and (vi) promoter sequence conservation. I exploited the aforementioned associations using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to predict HI in existing data and guide experimental identification of 6 novel HI phenotypes, previously undetected in genome-scale screenings. I also found significant relationships between HI and two gene properties in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, relationships that hold despite the lack of conserved HI between S. cerevisiae and Sz. pombe orthologue gene pairs. These data suggest associations between HI and gene properties may be conserved in other organisms. The relationships and model presented here are a step towards understanding HI and its underlying mechanisms. Increases in copy number can occur through gene duplication. When duplication produces two functional gene copies, both experience relaxed selection and rapid mutation. This sometimes leads to interesting evolutionary events such as gain of novel function (neofunctionalisation). Previous work shows an ancient ancestor of S. cerevisiae underwent whole genome duplication (WGD) followed by massive redundant gene loss. Interestingly some duplicate pairs show retention of both copies, including the pair TUB1 and TUB3. Existing sequence data shows that TUB3 has experienced a very high rate of evolution post-WGD, suggesting neofunctionalisation. To characterise TUB3, I have carried out experiments measuring fitness effects of varying TUB1, TUB2 and TUB3 copy number across many environments. In ethanol media, some TUB1 and TUB3 null mutants interestingly show severe defects. Other data suggest stress response, ethanol tolerance, protein degradation and/or regulatory roles, which may involve the regulatory Snf1p protein kinase complex.

Brushless permanent magnet (PM) drive systems offer a high efficiency over a wide power/torque-speed operating envelope, however, there are a number of problems that may limit, or complicate, their operation particularly in automotive and aerospace vehicular applications, i.e. the loss of control of the power silicon gate drive circuitry during fluxweakening operation, control of high-speed low-inductance machines and the presence of large electrolytic capacitors on the inverter DC link. Current Source Inverters (CSIs) could potentially address some or all of the above issues. However, they have found little application to date due to the wide use of the Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) circuit topology.This thesis investigates feasibility of utilising Current Source Inverters (CSIs) to control permanent magnet synchronous machines in automotive and aerospace actuation systems. CSIs, switching at the fundamental frequency, were used in some of the first semiconductor based, electronic variable speed drive systems that utilised the simple, low maintenance AC induction motor. However, the rapid progress of semiconductors and discovery of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques soon resulted in the Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) replacing the CSI in all but the highest power applications. Modern power electronics and (micro-processor based) control systems mean that the advantages of VSI systems may no longer be significant and combined with the unique environmental conditions that automotive and aerospace applications present, could allow the CSI to offer advantages over VSIs in these applications.The thesis presents the switching and control logic for CSIs and mapping to the more conventional VSI logic. Analysis is made of the various loss mechanisms in VSI and CSI power circuitary. Simulation models of the VSI and CSI structures are presented and representative drive systems designed, built and tested to validate the model developed. Comparisons are made of the two inverter topologies based on power conversions and loss audits of the test validation hardware.

D.Phil. (Computer Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The use of a counter-balance weight system of a Smith machine affects measures of bench press throw performance. Twenty-four men performed bench press throws at 30% of their one-repetition maximum under four different conditions: 1) counter-balance and rebound movement (RC), 2) no counter-balance and rebound movement (RNC), 3) counter-balance and concentric only movement (CC), and 4) no counter-balance and concentric only movement (CNC). Peak power, force, and concentric and eccentric velocities were measured using a linear accelerometer; and peak ground reaction force (GRF) was measured using a forceplate. Peak measures for concentric and eccentric velocities showed that NCB> CB and RBT > CBT. Peak GRF measures showed CB > NCB and RBT > CBT. The lower performance measures for CB were likely due to an increase in the net external load when the barbell accelerates faster than the gravitational constant causing the counter-balance weight becomes ineffective.

The purpose of this study is threefold. First, numerical control will be analyzed objectively to ascertain its justification in terms of meeting the requirements of the basic manufacturing process phases. Secondly, the study will consist of an evaluation of the field of industrial arts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to determine how numerical control has been accepted in the educational field and what preparation, if any, is being made to include the teaching of this new industrial concept. Thirdly, the study will investigate the feasibility and cost of installing numerically controlled equipment in the industrial arts laboratories of North Texas State University.

Doctorat en sciences politiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished