Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a microfiber high-energy implantation device for manufacturing three-dimensional carbon fiber reinforced composites, wherein the device comprises: a micro fiber feeding module, a micro fiber orientation arrangement module, a micro fiber electrifying module, a micro fiber accelerator injection module, a vacuum generator module, a high-voltage electrostatic acceleration module, an accelerator bunching module, and a micro fiber extraction control module. The present invention uses the large scale micro fibers subjected to charging treatment and reaching scale requirement of the target charge-mass ratio as the fiber source for high-energy implantation, and uses the high-voltage electrostatic acceleration electric field to accelerate and energize the array large-scale micro fibers which are uniformly and directionally arranged, so that the speed and energy thereof can meet the implantation requirement.

Abstract: A multiphase buck converter that includes smart two-phase power stages for reducing switching losses. Each of the smart power stages includes a first high side switch, a second high side switch, a first low side switch, a second low side switch, a switching capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor. The exemplary multiphase buck converter includes two such smart power stages and a multiphase controller for generating PWM signals for driving the two smart power stages synchronously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zero-contact methods of detecting edges of rotating structures, said methods carried out without attaching an encoder or mark to the rotating structure. The methods were developed for use with image-based tracking continuously scanning laser vibrometer (CSLV) systems for tracking and scanning a rotating structure, using a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) scan scheme, for vibration measurement and modal parameter identification.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes innovations to improve the use of noncircular gear pairs in a transmission, e.g., an infinitely variable transmission. The noncircular gear pair includes a first noncircular gear with a first pitch curve; and a second noncircular gear with a second pitch curve. The first pitch curve includes a plurality of elliptical portions, and a curvature of the first pitch curve is positive along the entire first pitch curve; and wherein the second pitch curve is a conjugate of the first pitch curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system that contains three laser heads with two scan mirrors for each head and a controller, to conduct full-field scanning of a plate-like or beam-like structure under sinusoidal excitations to measure its 3D vibrations and operating deflection shapes, and method of using same.

Abstract: 3D continuously scanning laser vibrometer (CSLV) systems and methods for determining operating deflection shapes (ODSs) of a structure with multiple sides are disclosed. A system includes laser heads configured to be positioned for scanning one or more first sides of a structure within a field-of-view (FOV) of the laser heads. The system also includes a mirror positioned for reflection for enabling the laser heads to scan one or more second sides of the structure beyond the FOVs of the laser heads. The computing device controls the laser heads to scan the first side(s) of the structure. The computing device controls the laser heads to point towards the mirror for scanning the at second side(s) of the structure. The computing device is also configured to determine ODSs of the structure based on measured 3D vibrations of the first side(s) of the structure and the second side(s) of the structure.

Abstract: 3D continuously scanning laser vibrometer (CSLV) systems and methods for determining operating deflection shapes (ODSs) and mode shapes based on measured 3D vibrations of curved structure surfaces are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes first, second, and third laser heads with mirrors configured to be positioned for scanning a curved surface of a structure. The system includes a profile scanner configured to determine a 3D scan trajectory for the curved surface of a structure. Further, the system includes a computing device that controls the first, second, and third laser heads to scan the curved surface of the structure based on the determined 3D scan trajectory. Further, the computing device is configured to measure the 3D vibrations of the curved surface of the structure, and to determine operating deflection shapes and mode shapes of the structure based on the measured 3D vibrations of the curved surface of the structure.

Abstract: A one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) scan scheme for a tracking continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system to scan the whole surface of a rotating structure excited by a random force. A tracking CSLDV system tracks a rotating structure and sweep its laser spot on its surface. The measured response of the structure using the scan scheme of the tracking CSLDV system is considered as the response of the whole surface of the structure subject to random excitation. The measured response can be processed by operational modal analysis (OMA) methods (e.g., an improved lifting method, an improved demodulation method, an improved 2D demodulation method). Damped natural frequencies of the rotating structure are estimated from the fast Fourier transform of the measured response. Undamped full-field mode shapes are estimated by multiplying the measured response using sinusoids whose frequencies are estimated damped natural frequencies.

Abstract: A sample rack manipulation device (10), a testing system (1) and a testing method using the sample rack manipulation device (10), and a computer-readable medium implementing the testing method. The sample rack manipulation device (10) comprises: a loading/unloading zone (TA) in which a plurality of sample racks (50) carrying sample containers (51) containing samples can be arranged side by side; a sampling zone (TD, TE) in which samples in each sample container (51) on the sample racks (50) are sampled by an automatic testing apparatus; and a docking device (114) configured to transfer the sample racks (50) between the loading/unloading zone (TA) and the sampling zone (TD, TE). The docking device (114) is configured to be able to remove the sample racks (50) loaded in the loading/unloading zone (TA) in any order and to transfer the removed test sample racks (50) to the sampling zone (TD, TE) for sampling.

Abstract: A one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) scan scheme for a tracking continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system to scan the whole surface of a rotating structure excited by a random force. A tracking CSLDV system tracks a rotating structure and sweep its laser spot on its surface. The measured response of the structure using the scan scheme of the tracking CSLDV system is considered as the response of the whole surface of the structure subject to random excitation. The measured response can be processed by operational modal analysis (OMA) methods (e.g., an improved lifting method, an improved demodulation method, an improved 2D demodulation method). Damped natural frequencies of the rotating structure are estimated from the fast Fourier transform of the measured response. Undamped full-field mode shapes are estimated by multiplying the measured response using sinusoids whose frequencies are estimated damped natural frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of switches connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal of a power bus, a plurality of current sensing circuits coupled to the plurality of switches, wherein each current sensing circuit is coupled to a corresponding switch, and a plurality of current sharing circuits configured to receive current sensing signals from the plurality of current sensing circuits and generate a plurality of gate drive signals to control the plurality of switches so as to achieve a predetermined current distribution among the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A tidal current energy converter including an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) control system and a hybrid vertical axis wind (or water) turbine (VAWTs) apparatus. The hybrid VAWT apparatus includes a modified-Savonius (MS) rotor in the central region and a straight bladed H-type Darrieus rotor in the surrounding annular region. The IVT control system includes a nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control to adjust a speed ratio of the IVT. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and/or a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system that contains three laser heads with two scan mirrors for each head and a controller, to conduct full-field scanning of a plate-like or beam-like structure under sinusoidal excitations to measure its 3D vibrations and operating deflection shapes, and method of using same.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a microfiber high-energy implantation device for manufacturing three-dimensional carbon fiber reinforced composites, wherein the device comprises: a micro fiber feeding module, a micro fiber orientation arrangement module, a micro fiber electrifying module, a micro fiber accelerator injection module, a vacuum generator module, a high-voltage electrostatic acceleration module, an accelerator bunching module, and a micro fiber extraction control module. The present invention uses the large scale micro fibers subjected to charging treatment and reaching scale requirement of the target charge-mass ratio as the fiber source for high-energy implantation, and uses the high-voltage electrostatic acceleration electric field to accelerate and energize the array large-scale micro fibers which are uniformly and directionally arranged, so that the speed and energy thereof can meet the implantation requirement.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for regulated hybrid converters. An example apparatus includes an input terminal; an output terminal, a first converter circuit coupled between the input terminal and an intermediate node, the first converter circuit having a first switch node, a second converter circuit coupled between the intermediate node and the output terminal, the second converter circuit having a second switch node; a first inductor coupled between the first switch node and the second switch node, and a second inductor coupled between the second switch node and the output terminal.

Abstract: A buck converter with an asymmetric threshold voltage of its gate drive circuit design for improving power efficiency while keeping the gate drive design simple.

Abstract: A nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control is disclosed to adjust a speed ratio of an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) system. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.

Abstract: A multiphase buck converter that includes smart two-phase power stages for reducing switching losses. Each of the smart power stages includes a first high side switch, a second high side switch, a first low side switch, a second low side switch, a switching capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor. The exemplary multiphase buck converter includes two such smart power stages and a multiphase controller for generating PWM signals for driving the two smart power stages synchronously.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes innovations to improve the use of noncircular gear pairs in a transmission, e.g., an infinitely variable transmission. The noncircular gear pair includes a first noncircular gear with a first pitch curve; and a second noncircular gear with a second pitch curve. The first pitch curve includes a plurality of elliptical portions, and a curvature of the first pitch curve is positive along the entire first pitch curve; and wherein the second pitch curve is a conjugate of the first pitch curve.

Abstract: A one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) scan scheme for a tracking continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system to scan the whole surface of a rotating structure excited by a random force. A tracking CSLDV system tracks a rotating structure and sweep its laser spot on its surface. The measured response of the structure using the scan scheme of the tracking CSLDV system is considered as the response of the whole surface of the structure subject to random excitation. The measured response can be processed by operational modal analysis (OMA) methods (e.g., an improved lifting method, an improved demodulation method, an improved 2D demodulation method). Damped natural frequencies of the rotating structure are estimated from the fast Fourier transform of the measured response. Undamped full-field mode shapes are estimated by multiplying the measured response using sinusoids whose frequencies are estimated damped natural frequencies.