Modeling and analysis of mover gaps in tubular moving-magnet linear oscillating motors

A tubular moving-magnet linear oscillating motor (TMMLOM) has merits of high efficiency and excellent dynamic capability. To enhance the thrust performance, quasi-Halbach permanent magnet (PM) arrays are arranged on its mover in the application of a linear electro-hydrostatic actuator in more electric aircraft. The arrays are assembled by several individual segments, which lead to gaps between them inevitably. To investigate the effects of the gaps on the radial magnetic flux density and the machine thrust in this paper, an analytical model is built considering both axial and radial gaps. The model is validated by finite element simulations and experimental results. Distributions of the magnetic flux are described in condition of different sizes of radial and axial gaps. Besides, the output force is also discussed in normal and end windings. Finally, the model has demonstrated that both kinds of gaps have a negative effect on the thrust, and the linear motor is more sensitive to radial ones.     

The gas pixel detector as a solar X-ray polarimeter and imager

The Sun is the nearest astrophysical source with a very intense emission in the X-ray band. The study of energetic events, such as solar flares, can help us to understand the behaviour of the magnetic field of our star. There are in the literature numerous studies published about polarization predictions, for a wide range of solar flares models involving the emission from thermal and/or non-thermal processes, but observations in the X-ray band have never been exhaustive.The gas pixel detector (GPD) was designed to achieve X-ray polarimetric measurements as well as X-ray images for far astrophysical sources. Here we present the possibility to employ this instrument for the observation of our Sun in the X-ray band.     

He-like Ar xvii triplet observed by RESIK

We present the observations of He-like Ar triplet lines obtained by RESIK spectrometer aboard CORONAS-F. Interpretation of intensity ratios between triplet lines of lower Z elements is known to provide useful diagnostics of plasma conditions within the emitting source. Here, we investigate whether triplet line ratios are useful for interpretation of higher Z element spectra. A high sensitivity, low background and precise absolute calibration of RESIK allow to consider in addition also the continuum contribution. This provides a way to determine the Ar absolute abundance from the observed triplet component ratios. The method is presented and the results are shown for two selected flares. Derived values of Ar absolute abundance for these flares are found to be similar: 2.6 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.9 × 10⁻⁶. They fall in the range between presently accepted Ar photospheric and coronal abundances.     

Polarimetric shapes of spectral lines in solar observations

A century has elapsed since the first observation of the polarimetric profile of a line of the solar spectrum. Since then, dramatic progress has been made in the instrumentation, which is now reaching unprecedented levels of sensitivity in the measurement of polarization signals in solar spectral lines. At the same time, the theoretical framework needed for the interpretation of polarimetric observations has steadily evolved from the pioneering methods, based on simple formulae, to the sophisticated structure that is nowadays used with success in the interpretation of solar observations. The present paper is intended to give a historical perspective of the evolution of this research field and of its major achievements, with particular emphasis on the role played by the magnetic field in determining the polarimetric shapes of spectral lines.     

A critique of reliability prediction techniques for avionics applications

Avionics (aeronautics and aerospace) industries must rely on components and systems of demonstrated high reliability. For this, handbook-based methods have been traditionally used to design for reliability, develop test plans, and define maintenance requirements and sustainment logistics. However, these methods have been criticized as flawed and leading to inaccurate and misleading results. In its recent report on enhancing defense system reliability, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has recently discredited these methods, judging the Military Handbook (MIL-HDBK-217) and its progeny as invalid and inaccurate. This paper discusses the issues that arise with the use of handbook-based methods in commercial and military avionics applications. Alternative approaches to reliability design (and its demonstration) are also discussed, including similarity analysis, testing, physics-of-failure, and data analytics for prognostics and systems health management.     

A compositional method to model dependent failure behavior based on PoF models

In this paper, a new method is developed to model dependent failure behavior among failure mechanisms. Unlike the existing methods, the developed method models the root cause of the dependency explicitly, so that a deterministic model, rather than a probabilistic one, can be established. Three steps comprise the developed method. First, physics-of-failure(PoF) models are utilized to model each failure mechanism. Then, interactions among failure mechanisms are modeled as a combination of three basic relations, competition, superposition and coupling. This is the reason why the method is referred to as ‘‘compositional method". Finally, the PoF models and the interaction model are combined to develop a deterministic model of the dependent failure behavior. As a demonstration, the method is applied on an actual spool and the developed failure behavior model is validated by a wear test. The result demonstrates that the compositional method is an effective way to model dependent failure behavior.     

The future role of relay satellites for orbital telerobotics

Orbital robotics focuses on a variety of applications, as e.g. inspection and repair activities, spacecraft construction or orbit corrections. On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) activities have to be closely monitored by operators on ground. A direct contact to the spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is limiting the operational time of the robotic application. Therefore, geostationary satellites are desirable to relay the OOS signals and extend the servicing time window. A geostationary satellite in the communication chain not only introduces additional boundary conditions to the mission but also increases the time delay in the system. The latter is not very critical if the servicer satellite is operating autonomously. However, if the servicer is operating in a supervised control regime with a human in the loop, the increased time delay will have an impact on the operator’s task performance.     

Stratosphere NO y Species Measured by MIPAS and GOMOS Onboard ENVISAT During 2002–2010: Influence of Plasma Processes onto the Observed Distribution and Variability

We present observations of stratosphere NO _y species from 2002 to 2010 taken by the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) and by the Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS) instruments on board ENVISAT. We jointly used observations of MIPAS NO₂, HNO₃, N₂O₅, ClONO₂ and N₂O, and GOMOS NO₂ and NO₃. MIPAS results are part of the MIPAS2D database retrieved adopting a full 2D tomographic approach. We describe the mean distribution and variability of NO _y species in the stratosphere, identifying changes induced by plasma processes. Beside enhancements due to sporadic solar proton events, we show that winter polar NO₂ has an almost linear relationship with the geomagnetic activity index Ap down to about 10?hPa. This indicates a dominant role of energetic precipitating particles in the production of upper atmosphere NO _y . The correlation has clear signatures extending to mid latitudes. Partitioning of the NO _y reservoir species are also traced, with HNO₃ and N₂O₅ showing a correlation with Ap extending to lower altitude within the polar regions. We found no large signatures of an impact of thunderstorm-induced plasma processes onto monthly means of NO _y species in the stratosphere.     

Loop Models from SOHO Observations

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on SOHO is a grazing/normal incidence spectrograph, aimed to produce stigmatic spectra of selected regions of the solar surface in six spectral windows of the extreme ultraviolet from 150 Å to 785 Å (Harrison et al. 1995). In the present work, CDS, EIT, MDI and Yohkoh observations of active region lops have been analyzed. These observations are part of JOP 54. CDS monochromatic images from lines at different temperatures have been co-aligned with EIT and MDI images, and loop structures have been clearly identified using Fe XVI emission lines. Density sensitive lines and lines from adjacent stages of ionization of Fe ions have been used to measure electron density and temperature along the loop length; these measurements have been used to determine the electron pressure along the loop and test the constant pressure assumption commonly used in loop modeling. The observations have been compared with a static, isobaric loop model (Landini and Monsignori Fossi 1975) assuming a temperature-constant heating function in the energy balance equation. Good agreement is found for the temperature distribution along the loop at the coronal level. The model pressure is somewhat higher than obtained from density sensitive line ratios.