008923   Tadisetty S;Matsui K;Shimada H;Gupta R N (Mining Instrumentation and Automation, National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Kolar Gold fields-563 117) : Chock shield behaviour classification. J Mines Metals Fuels 2006, 54(3), 49-52.

Longwall mining systems are very capital intensive, requires large initial investments. It has numerous conveyors, the shearer, and the hydraulic roof supports are all interdependent. If one component goes down, the entire system is offline. With such a high capital investment, downtime causes serious financial losses. Therefore, the classification and forecasting of chock shields performance in real time is imperative for minimizing financial losses and improving productivity. Authors successfully developed the wireless real time system and commissioned in one of the longwall mines. It has many unique features over the conventional systems. It classified chock shields behaviour in real-time and forecasted in graphical form for better conclusions to improving productivity. Emphasizes the role of chock shields behaviour classification in successful longwall operations.

6 illus, 7 ref

008922   Swain A K (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019, New Zealand) : Simple fuzzy controller for single area hydro power system considering generation rate constraints. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 12-17.

Performance of the simplest fuzzy controller, which resembles a variable gain nonlinear proportional integral (PI) controller, is comparea with an implicit self-tuning controller (STC) with integral feature considering an example of single area hydro-power system with generation rate constraint. The robust feature of these controllers against certain significant parameter variations, such as, the inertia constant (H) and the self regulation parameter (R) of the governor have been investigated. Although the self-tuning controller shows performance comparable to the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) under small loading conditions, the performance of STC degrades significantly under varying loading conditions and parameter variations. Results of simulation demonstrate that the performance of the proposed fuzzy logic controller is superior to the self-tuning controller and involves low computation and is therefore suitable for practical implementation.

8 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

008921   Srinath A;Rao A C (Department of Mechanical Engineering, P V P Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru, VIjayawada-520 007) : Speed based selection of planar parallel manipulator structures. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 18-21.

In serial manipulators, choice of manipulator structures is limited while in parallel manipulators there are a number of distinct structures which can be considered as candidate structures. Each structure has an inherent strength or weakness regarding work space, rigidity, speed etc. Speed aspect has been explored.

7 illus, 2 ref

008920   Shrivastava A;Dang M;Sahasrabudhe A D; Srinivasan K (NO, Think 3 Designs India (P) Ltd, Bangalore-560 038) : A novel setup for sound power level measurement. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 13-17.

A novel setup for measuring sound power emitted by an automobile engine has been designed and fabricated . Sound pressure levels have been measured to compute sound power level as per ISO Standard 3744. A microphone traversing system has been designed and fabricated to measure sound pressure at various points on a spatial grid. Sound pressure level and spectra have been measured at these points for various operating conditions of throttle opening and speed. The setup seems to be a cost-effective option for automobile engine industry for power level certification and for online silencer design.

6 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref

008919   Sharma P D (Solar Explosives Ltd., , Nagpur, Email: sharmapd1@rediffmail.com) : Non-primary explosives detonators (NPED)-and eco-friendly initiating system for commercial blasting is the need-of-the-hour for Indian mines. J Mines Metals Fuels 2006, 54(3), 61-3.

008918   Sharma G;Yadava R K;Sharma V K (Metallurgical Engineering Dep, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur-302 017, Email: rkyadava@rediffmail.com) : Characteristics of electrocodeposited Ni-Co-SiC composite coating. Bull Mater Sci 2006, 29(5), 491-6.

Electrodeposited composites are gaining importance for their advantages including low cost, ease and simplicity of operation to tailor made coatings for tribological applications. Generally, composites containing carbides (like SiC) are preferred for high wear resistance along with increased hardness, improved corrosion resistance, and high temperature oxidation resistance as compared to alloy and pure metal electroplating. Work, electrolytic codeposition technique was adopted in the deposition of Ni-Co-SiC composite coating on mil steel substrate, using nickel alloyed with cobalt as the binder phase with SiC as dispersed particles. To improve the properties of coating further, Cr plating was also performed. Since the particle size and volume percent variation of dispersoid have great importance in codeposition, so the effect of these two variables on the process of codeposition and properties was observed. Morphological studies of Ni-Co-SiC coating were carried out with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis to correlate the mechanical and corrosion behaviour of the coating.

5 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

008917   Sharma B C (NO, G B Pant Engineering College, Pauri, Garhwal, Uttaranchal-246 001) : Process stability evaluation of basic coated manual metal arc welding electordes. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 76-81.

Experimental investigations have been carried out to study the behaviour of basic type coated electrodes (IS: E614514 HJ, AWS: E7018, DIN: E5144B 1026) of different sizes produced by different manufacturers for evaluation of process stability. Time analysis, voltage analysis and current analysis have been carried out using an 'Analyser Hannover'. This is a digital measuring and analyzing system. It classifies electronically pulse width in steps of 0.1 x n ms in 256 classes and stores the frequencies in the memory. The data are transferred to the computer for storage on the disc for further analysis. The time analysis does not indicate any definite trend so results have been interpreted on the basis of voltage and current analysis. The experimental results reveal that the arc stability has no definite trend for the electrodes produced by a particular manufacturer. However, relatively better arc stability is associated with the electrodes of a particular manufacturer depending upon the size of electrode.

8 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref

008916   Sehgal R;Kumar A;Kumar N (Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT, Hamirpur-177 005) : Design and development of automatic ventilator opening and closing mechanism. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 47-50.

Many a times one observes a common problem of opening and closing the ventilators in large halls, rooms, theaters, and auditoriums because of their height. There are also problems on account of the noise produced by their continuous striking against the frame of the ventilators whenever the wind blows. One feels helpless in doing anything us these ventilators are jar from the reach of one's hands. An attempt has been made to solve this problem by designing a mechanism which is operated by an electric motor through suitable drives and have the capability to shut down or open the ventilators automatically as per requirements. A four bar mechanism is adopted as a driving mechanism and is kinematically synthesized using Freudenstein's equations with Chebyshev's Spacing of three accuracy points. A prototype model fabricated for the designed mechanism provides , a very smooth opening and closing of the ventilator.

5 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

008915   Sarkar S;Chourasia A;Maji S;Sadhukhan S;Kumar S;Adhikari B (Materials Science Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: ba@matsc.iitkgp.ernet.in) : Synthesis and characterisation of gelatin based polyester urethane scaffold. Bull Mater Sci 2006, 29(5), 475-84.

For tissue engineering purpose two gelatin based polyester urethane scaffolds of different compositions were repared from lactic acid, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) and characterized by FTIR, XRD for their mechanical and morphological properties using SEM and optical microscopic analyses. Degradation and swelling studies of gelatin based polyester urethane scaffolds in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were performed. Human keratinocyte cells were cultured within these scaffolds, which showed good cell adherence and proliferation.

10 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref

008914   Sankaranarayanan G;Jeyachandran K (ICE Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, Chennai-600 025) : Esters of Illuppai oil as an alternative fuel for DI diesel engines. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 25-7.

The use of the existing conventional fuels need rationalisation due to rapid depletion, ever increasing cost, tow availability, over dependence on OPEC, abundant availability of alternative fuels and the impositions of stringent legislation for controlling the level of emissions. This has been demanding the development of different forms of fuels. The primary problem associated with using straight vegetable oil as a fuel in a compression ignition engine is caused by viscosity. The process of transesterification of vegetable oil with an alcohol provides a significant reduction in viscosity, thereby enhancing the physical properties of the renewable fuel. A compression ignition engine does not require any modification to replace diesel by illuppai esters. The engine performance with illuppai esters showed a meagre power loss combined with an increase in fuel consumption. This is primarily because of the lower calorific value of the esters than for the diesel. The engine with methyl ester gave lower HC, CO emissions and methyl, ethyl ester gave lower smoke at optimum operating conditions.

7 illus, 9 ref

008913   Saini J S;Garg A;Nanda T;Khanna K (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala-147 004) : Internal stress relief feature as a means for gear stress reduction. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 33-8.

Investigates the effect of stress relief feature on the stress in critical area of a spur gear tooth. Stress relief feature is introduced in the form of a hole drilled along the axis of the gear segment. The tooth is modelled using 8-noded isoparametric elements. The study is carried out on involute spur gear tooth under static loading conditions. The method developed to generate the geometric model is versatile and can be used to model any type of involute spur gear tooth. A finite model is constructed for use in systematic test of the effect of hole size and hole location on the tooth root stress. An optimum size and location of the hole has been determined and recommended for the designers.

10 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

008912   Ray A K;Banerjee G;Singh G S P (Longwall Mining Division, Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad-826 001, Email: anilkray@yahoo.com) : Caveability assessment and support planning for adequacy of the existing supports under caved goaf of overlying seam-a case study. J Mines Metals Fuels 2006, 54(3), 53-60.

Support resistance requirement has been estimated prior to extraction at AW-2 longwall panel for two boreholes at 150m and 650m over the panel for different height of extraction using CMRI approach based on caving index of roof rock beds. The study was undertaken as a part of a consultancy assignment from ECL management. It was recommended to use the Ex-Satgram support for extraction of 2.2-2.4m of RVIIA seam at AW-2 longwall panel which was lying 45m below the caved goaf of W-2 panel in RVII seam.

5 illus, 10 tables, 7 ref

008911   Purthviraj R D;Krupakara P V (Chemistry Dep, M.S. Engineering College, Bangalore, Karnataka) : A study on corrosion behaviour of ZA-27/SiC composite at Higher temperature in acidic medium using autoclave. Chem envir Res 0000, 10(3), 71-5.

Stress corrosion resistance of an ZA-27/SiC metal matrix Composites (MMC) in high tempreature acidic media has been evaluated using autoclave. The liquid metallurgy technique was used to fabricate the Za -27 composite reinforced with SiC particulate of 50-80 mm in size varying from 2 to 6 wt.% in steps of 2 wt.%. Stress corrosion tests were conducted by weight loss method for different exposure of time, normality, and temprature of the HCl acidic medium. The corrosion rate of both the matrix alloy and reinforced composite increased with exposure time, normality and temperature of the acidic medium. But, the increase in the corrosion rate was lower for the SiC- reinforced composite compared to the ZA-27 alloy under all conditions.

008910   Pruthviraj R D;Joseph V;Krupakara P V (Chemistry Dep, M.S. Engineering College, Bangalore, Karnataka) : Corrosion behaviour of Al-6063/garnet compoosites by potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Natn Symp Electrochem Sci Technol 2006, (NULL), 12.

Evaluated the corrosion control properties of metal matrix composites in comparison with matrix alloy using different concentration of Sodium chloride solutions and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Matrix alloy used in Al-6063 and the reinforcement used was garnet particulates of size 80 microns. Composites are prepared by liquid melt metallurgy technique using vortex method. Garnet particulates reinforced varying from two to six percent by weight in steps of two percent under dry conditions. Both composites and corresponding base alloys were subjected to identical test conditions to understand the influence of the reinforcement on alloy corrosion behaviour and effective corrosion control. Composites became less prone to corrosion and pit formation than the matrix alloy, which may be due to chemically inert garnet particles present in the metal matrix alloy, which may be due to chemically inert garnet particles present in the metal matrix composites. On the other hand the test also reveals that corrosion resistance of both alloy and composites increase with increase in normality of the sodium chloride solution.

008909   Prajapati D R;Mahapatra P B (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh-160 012) : Efficient design approach for X and R control charts. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 70-5.

A new set of X and R control charts for detecting the process shift, when process goes out of control, has been described. The concept of this chart is based upon chi-square (χ) distribution. The average run length (ARL) values are calculated for Shewhart X-bar control chart, D-R: two of two and D-R: two of three schemes, and compared with the ARL values of new modified X-bar control chart. The improvement is significant for all the cases. The ARL values are about 30% to 50% lower than Shewhart X-bar and D-R schemes compared by Morton Klein. The average run lengths (ARLs) for modified R chart are also lower than the conventional R chart for all the cases considered.

5 illus, 7 tables, 12 ref

008908   Panthi S K;Pathak K K;Chouhan J S; Ramakrishnan N (Regional Research Laboratory, CSIR, Bhopal-462 026, Email: kkpathak@rediffmail.com) : Application of neural network in straight flanging process. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 191-200.

Straight flanging process is an important form of sheet metal forming process, widely used in various industrial applications like aircraft, automobiles, house hold items, power industries etc. This study is related to prediction of responses of flanging process using artificial neural network. Based on 90 cases of flanging analysed using finite element method, a neural network is trained. Sheet thickness, die radius and clearance between die and sheet are considered as input and springback angles are the output for the network. Trained network is tested for six new patterns. It is found that most of the results are quite close to the simulation ones. Such technique of response prediction helps in reducing the computational time spent on costly packages.

2 tables, 21 ref

008907   Pal P K;Sen S;Sarkar A (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032) : Numerical simulation of steady two-dimensional laminar flow through a Duct with 90° bend. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 39-46.

Flow through a duct is an important field of study in fluid mechanics. Ducts having bends deserve special mention in this context. Tbe literature appears to be rich in the experimental and theoretical studies of three-dimensional flow through square and rectangular channels with 90° bends. In some cases, ducts having circular or elliptical cross-sections were also studied. But the simpler case of the analysis of two-dimensional bend does not appear to have attracted much attention. In so far as industrial interest is concerned, it can be found that the two - dimensional duct analysis can supplant a three dimensional simulation in many situations. In the first phase of the present work, the limit of the applicability of two-dimensional flow through a 90° bend has been studied numerically. This limit has been established in terms of Dean Number. Finite element technique has been used for establishing the said limit. The pumping work has also been investigated in relation to Dean number. Subject to establishing the limit of the applicability of two-dimensional flow analysis, in the next phase of the work, streamline patterns and pressure distributions along the walls, under varied bend radii have been analyzed through numerical experiments. The effect of inlet inlength on the wall pressure distribution, and the influence of Dean number and bend radius on the length of influenz zone have alos been addressed.

8 illus, 5 tables, 20 ref

008906   Nayal A;Gupta S P;Singh S P (Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Roorkee, ) : Performance analysis of dc motor drive in electric traction with wheel slip control. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 55-60.

A dc motor drive for traction purpose has been simulated with effective wheel slip control strategies in MATLAB Simulink environment. A converter fed dc series motor drive has been used for this analysis. Besides, a mathematical model of traction load model has been developed. This model was then integrated with the dc motor drive to form a traction drive with effective wheel slip control. The performance analysis of the drive for various mechanical conditions viz. flat track and variable track conditions has been made.

7 illus, 3 ref

008905   Murthy T S R C;Mukherjee A (Materials Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, , Mumbai-400 085, Email: abhim@barc.gov.in) : Densification of boron carbide and titanium diboride. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 151-8.

Nonoxide ceramics like borides and carbides are candidate materials for high temperature and extreme environment applications, because they possess combination of properties that include high melting point, good chemical stability, good thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion and strength retention at elevated temperatures. However, these materials have rather limited real applications due to problems associated with their consolidation. High melting point, low self-diffusion coefficient and comparatively high vapour pressure of the constituents make these compounds difficult to densification. Some of the issues associated with the densification of boron carbide (B₄C) with and without sinter additives and also the densification of titanium diboride (TiB₂) materials has been presented.

2 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

008904   Mukherjee A;Murthy T S R C (Materials Processing Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, , Mumbai-400 085, Email: abhim@barc.gov.in) : Synthesis of materials for extreme environments. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 139-50.

Materials that can be used at high temperatures and other extreme environmental conditions need to have certain combination of properties not usually found in common structural materials. Some of the non-oxide ceramics especially the carbides, borides and nitrides possess these attractive properties to be used in such environment. Methods available for the synthesis of silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium diboride and aluminiurn nitride have been outlined. Two of the major issues that determine the practical use of materials are the possibility of their synthesis and the ease with which they can be consolidated to prepare the usable devices.

7 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

008903   Mohan D;Agrawal A K;Singh R S (Department of Civil Engineering, Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005) : Standardization for automotive exhaust pollution: some issues in Indian. J Instn Engrs-Pt EN 2006, 86(March), 39-43.

Important parameters affecting quality of emission from automobiles are vehicular technology, fuel type and quality, inspection and maintenance of in-use vehicles, and road and traffic conditions. The quality also varies with the type of engine, and load and speed at which they run. Prescribed standards are supposed to take care of all these possibilities. Different automobile engines emit the maximum amount of specified pollutants at varying driving conditions that may be different from corresponding test conditions defined in corresponding driving cycles. Further, the intake air, having significant concentration's of the pollutants and relative deficiency of oxygen particularly in highly polluted urban areas, may also yield test results showing even non-polluting vehicles as polluting. In addition, various shortcomings in the system of issuing the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate by authorized certification agencies, may aggravate air pollution problem. Examines various issues related to automobile exhaust pollution control standards, PUC norms and inconsistencies in driving cycles with a view to help emerge more realistic and effective standards in near future.

6 tables, 15 ref

008902   Mishra D P;Rahman A (Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur-208 016) : Stability limits of LPG-air premixed flames. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 22-4.

The stability aspects of laminar premised LPG-air flame is investigated experimentally. The Bun sen burners with three port diameters such as 12 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm are employed to characterize the blowoff and flashback limits of the LPG-air premixed flames. For all three burners, the peak flashback limits occurs at slightly rich stoichiometric fuel-air ratio. However, the flashback limits are enhanced with increase in diameter of the burner. But the blowoff limit increases with increase in fuel concentration. Similar trends in increasing blowoff limits are obtained with further increase in burner diameter. The stability plots for burners with three different port diameters have been established which may be very useful for designing and developing LPG/air combustion systems.

6 illus, 6 ref

008901   Mani V N;Balaraju K (Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), , Cherlapally, Hyderabad-500 051, Email: vnm_crystal272001@yahoo.com) : Elucidation of impurities segregation behaviour during zone refining of gallium. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 107-18.

Reports the findings of an investigative study on the segregation characteristics of metallic impurities associated with gallium metal. For the first time, segregation behavior of the metallic impurities in 3N+/4N grade gallium of Indian origin has been elucidated and mapped. Multi-pass zone refining experiments on 3N+/4N gallium were carried out with a view to study the relationship between the process parameters, refining efficiency and over all to upgrade the purity of the starting metal. Pre and post stage sample homogenization, leveling, refining, cleaning methodologies and cutting, purity-testing procedures were discussed. Purity in the different regions of the refined ingot has been tested for trace level impurities by employing Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and found that, the refined material was of 6N pure with reference to major targeted metallic impurities. Reproducibility and consistency of the purity test results were also established and confirmed. Movement trend of some of the selected impurities along the ingot show that, they are driven to and get concentrated at one end of the ingot leading to the other end in purest form.

6 illus, 4 tables, 17 ref

008900   Mandal S;Sivaprasad P V;Murthy K P N;Baldev Rai (Metallurgy and Materials Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, Email: prasad@igcar.gov.in) : Modeling the hot deformation behaviour of a 15Cr-15Ni-2.2Mo-0.3Ti modified austenitic stainless steel using artificial neural network. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 159-70.

An artificial neural network (ANN) model has been suggested to predict the hot deformation behavior of a 15Cr-15Ni-2.2Mo-Ti modified austenitic stainless steel. Hot compression tests in the temperature range 1123K-1523K and strain rate range 10^-3-10^-2 s^-1 were carried out. These tests provided the required data for training the neural network and for subsequent testing. The inputs of the neural network are strain, log strain rate and temperature whereas flow stress is obtained as output. A three layer feed-forward network with ten neurons in a single hidden layer and back-propagation learning algorithm has been employed. The performance of the model is evaluated using a wide variety of statistical indices. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data is obtained. The effect of temperature and strain rate on flow behavior has been simulated employing the ANN model. The results have been found to be consistent with the metallurgical trend. Finally, a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis has been carried out to asses the noise tolerance of the developed model.

8 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

008899   Mali H S;Pabla B S (NO, Chitkora Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala-140 401) : Computer aided tolerance analysis of one way clutch assembly by vector loop method. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 63-9.

Variations in independent component tolerances affect the resultant tolerance of assembled product. If the effect of component tolerances on the assembly is visualized at design stage, designer can give realistic tolerances to the components to avoid any functional failure and rejection as well as reduce the production costs. Computer-based tolerance analysis of one may clutch assembly has been done to estimate the effect of variations in the component tolerances on the tolerances in the clutch assembly. The assembly drawing is made in AutoCAD and its DXF file is analyzed in specially developed software package (CATAS). The software analyses the assembly tolerances both by worst case and statistical analysis methods and provides the expected percent rejects of the assembly based on the set of component tolerances and assembly design tolerance limits.

10 illus, 3 tables, 5 ref

008898   Mali D S (Post Graduate Department of Environment Management, Chh. Shahu Central Institute of Business Educaion and Research (SIBER), University Road, Kolhapur-416 004) : Aerobic composting of distillery waste. Bioinfolet 2006, 3(3), 203-5.

Dark colour, low pH and high organic load characterize spent wash distillery waste, if it is disposed off in the environment without proper treatment it may pose threat to it. Hence extensive treatment is essential before its disposal. Out of the available methods aerobic composing of spent wash is the best option. A Study was carried out on microbiological evaluation of this process. The by-products of sugar industry, such as press mud and bagasse were used as filler materials. Maximum microbial biomass production was observed at the initial stages of composting. The number of microorganism increased with the increase in temperature and decreased when composting of mass was completed.

1 table, 8 ref

008897   Maheshwari R P;Bhalja B (Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667) : Protection of double circuit line using wavelet transform. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 67-70.

Addresses the problems encountered by conventional distance relays when protecting double-circuit transmission lines. The problems associated with double-circuit line paralleled along the same right of way and using the powerful analyzing and decomposing features of wavelet transform has been discussed. The suggested technique depends on the three line voltages and the six line currents of the two parallel lines at each end. The idea of the protection algorithm is based on the comparison of the norm of the detailed coefficient of corresponding phases. The proposed method eliminates many of the problems associated with parallel lines, such as, high fault resistance, cross-country fault, mutual coupling effects, current infeed and avoids the problem of blind spot in case of close in fault near remote bus. The stability of the relay under different system configurations and operating conditions is examined. The proposed wavelet based scheme provides encouraging results for different types of faults with different fault resistances, different fault inception angles and different loading conditions. Fault signals simulated by PSCAD/EMTDC are used to validate the new relaying technique under various scenarios.

7 illus, 15 ref

008896   Karunakar D B;Datta G L (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302) : Comparison between control of cupola furnace using artifical neural networks and genetic algorithms. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 58-62.

Efforts have been made to realize a set of desired output parameters of a cupola furnace using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). From the results, it has been found that Genetic Algorithms can precisely and more effectively be used in predicting the performance of a cupola compared to Artificial Neural Networks.

1 illus, 3 tables, 15 ref

008895   Jeyakumar S;Balachandran P;Indira S;Thillai Arasu P (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur-628 215, Email: ssjk@rediffmail.com) : Studies on combustion in supersonic flows. Asian J Chem 2006, 18(4), 2557-61.

Combustion studies are carried out on co-axial supersonic streams by transverse injection of fuel (kerosene) in a combustor using wall mounted axisymmetric cavities. The primary flow is maintained at a Mach number of 1.32 and the secondary flow is sonic. The combustor is attached at the exit of the nozzles. The cavities are attached at the inlet of the combustor. Temperature measurements are made at the exit plane of the combustor. Higher combustion efficiency and rise in stagnation temperature is observed for cavity configurations than for no-cavity under identical operating conditions.

7 illus, 10 ref

008894   Jayarajan K;Manjit Singh (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, , Trombay, Mumbai-400 085) : Master-slave manipulators: technology and recent developments. BARC Newsl 2006, (NULL), 2-12.

18 illus

008893   Jaiswal A;Nath S K (Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engg, I.I.T. Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: indiafmt@iitr.ernet.in) : Effect of intercritical heat treatment paths on the microstructures and mechanical properties of plain carbon dual-phase steels. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 179-90.

Plain carbon dual-phase (DP) steels whose microstructure consists of ferrite plus martensite are economical as compared to micro/low alloy DP steels. Due to lower ductility, plain carbon DP steel can not be used in making automotive bodies but components like side frame reinforcements, rocker reinforcements, door intrusions and seat frame structures can be safely made. An attempt has been made to develop four heat treatment paths for developing plain carbon DP steel from plain carbon sheet steels which are either in the cold rolled/hot rolled conditions. These heat treatment paths have been so design to simulate making of plain carbon DP steel from the existing cold rolling/hot rolling strip mills by making certain modifications like introducing a heavy water shower at the end of rolling schedule when the temperature of the steel strip is just above A₁ temperature. Mechanical properties of DP steels developed through these four paths have been compared and correlated with the microstructures.

11 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

008892   Jain A;Choudhary S;Singh S N;Rai L (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80021, 3508, TA, Utrecht, Netherlands) : Flow characteristics in a model can combustor: effect of casing angle. J Instn Engrs-Pt MC 2006, 87(April), 1-7.

The gas turbine combustor receives air from the compressor and delivers it to the turbine at an elevated temperature, ideally without any pressure loss. Combustor designs are largely based on empirical correlations derived on the basis of experiments, and the design techniques currently in vogue donot address the present day design requirements of combustor. Attempts are on to exploit computational fluid dynamics for the development of efficient combustor designs at reduced costs. To understand the flow characteristics in the combustor studies on the models of isolated components have been carried out including the casing-linear annulus flow. Reports the investigation to predict the pressure variation and velocity distribution in the annulus region across the model combustor by giving various taper angles to the outer casing of the combustor and optimise the combustor casing design.

10 illus, 15 ref

008891   Immanuel S;Kanagasabapathy K;Balasubramaniam S (Visakhapatnam Research Centre, CMFRI, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh) : Analysis of the linkages between fishermen and extension personnel in marine fisheries in Kerala. Fish Technol 2006, 43(2), 230-5.

In marine fisheries the linkages between the fishermen and the extension system play an important role in technology transfer and its adoption. Research studies on linkages in marine fisheries are very limited. So the study was taken up to find out the linkage activities through which both the systems are contacting each other. It was found that 60% of the fishermen had medium level of linkage of with the extension personnel followed by low (21.33%) and high (19.34%) linkage level. The paper also highlights the frequency of linkage and the level of perception about linkages between the two systems. The paper implies that the linkage activities need to be enhanced so as to derive an overall development in the fisheries sector.

2 tables, 3 ref

008890   Huimin LU;Xiangmin XU;Xiaohong LI;Zhang Z (Key Lab for Special Function Material, Henan University, Kaifeng-475 001, China, Email: luhuim@126.com) : Morphology, crystallisation and dynamic mechanical properties of PA66/nano-SiO₂ composites. Bull Mater Sci 2006, 29(5), 485-90.

Adresses the effect of nano-SiO₂ on the morphology, crystallization and dynamic mechanical properties of polyamide 66. The influence of nano-SiO₂ on the tensile fracture morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which suggested that the nanocomposites revealed an extensive plastic stretch of the matrix polymer. The crystallization behaviour of polyamide 66 and its nanocomposites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC nonisothermal curves showed an increase in the crystallization temperature along with increasing degree of crystallinity. Dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) indicated significant improvement in the storage modulus and loss modulus compared with neat polyamide 66. The tan peak signifying the glass-transition temperature of nanocomposites shifted to higher temperature.

7 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

008889   Gonal M R;Hubli R C;Grover A K;Suri A K (Materials Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, , Mumbai-400 085, Email: rchubli@barc.gov.in) : Processing of bulk high temperature superconducting components by melt textured growth. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 127-32.

Highly anisotropic nature of the superconducting properties of YBCO necessitates textured growth of components for practical applications. Top seeded melt textured growth (TSMG) yields bulk YBCO superconductor with large domain grains. Modified melt processing, by addition of Y₂O₃ and dopants like CeO₂, leads to improved grain size without affecting superconducting properties. Enhanced temperature processing window is available for melt textured growth following the addition of Y₂O₃. Green compacts prepared by cold isostatic pressing were pre-sintered at 1200 K before melt texturing. Cooling rates lower than 1 K.h^-1 are necessary, between 1275 and 1225 K, to obtain large grainea components.

8 illus, 9 ref

008888   Ghosh A K;Reddy K R G;Prasad C D (NO, Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad) : Mechanisation of beach placer mining above water table-some preliminary considerations. J Mines Metals Fuels 2006, 54(3), 64-71.

Geologically India is known for its coastline being very rich in heavy mineral deposits, especially ilmenite and rutile with monazite, zircon and garnet. In post-Independence era, because of the presence of monazite, an ore of thorium - a potential source of atomic energy, beach placer mining was gradually taken over by the Government of India, leaving garnet mining only open for private sector. However, the public sector companies could not prosper as had been visualised. Lately, in tune with the liberalisation of economic policy in other fields, the Government of India has made beach placer mining of all the heavy minerals, barring monazite, open to all. To boost this business, a project on capacity building for coastal placer mining has selection, adoption and modification of suitable mining equipment and system for extraction of beach placer above water table. It is an outcome of preliminary review of the existing conventional mining equipment with reference to placer mining.

2 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

008887   El Kholy E E;El Sabbe A;Shokralla S S;El Hefnawy N A (Department of Electrical Engineering, Menoufiya University, Shebin, El-Kom, Egypt) : DSP implementation of Fuzzy logic based voltage stabilisation control. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 36-41.

Simplified control model for stabilizing a load voltage using a switched reactor in parallel with a fixed capacitor of static VAR compensaton has been presented. Two IGBT's are used to control the reactance of the switched reactor. A. uniform pulse width modulation is used for controlling the two switches. The compensator has a simple control circuit and structure. A. high speed Digital Signal Processor is used for implementing proportional-integral (PI) and fuzzy load voltage controllers. Experimental results indicate the superiority of fuzzy logic control over the conventional proportional-integral control method.

10 illus, 12 ref

008886   Durairaj S;Devaraj D;Kannan P S (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Engineering, Srivilliputtur-629 190) : Genetic algorithm applications to optimal reactive power dispatch with voltage stability enhancement. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 42-7.

Reactive power dispatch (RPD) is one of the important tasks in the operation and control of power system. A genetic algorithm (GA) - based approach for solving optimal reactive power dispatch including voltage stability limit in power systems has been presented. The monitoring methodology for voltage stability is based on the L-index of load buses. A binary-coded GA with tournament selection, two point crossovers and bit-wise mutation was used to solve O RPD problem. The proposed algorithm has been applied to IEEE 30-bus system to find the optimal reactive power control variables while keeping the system under safe voltage stability limit and is found to be effective for this task.

2 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

008885   Dey S;Chakrabarti A (Department of Electrical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032) : Application of SVC to minimise transmission line losses and improve voltage stability using optimal power flow technique. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 18-23.

Optimal power flow (OPF) technique has been applied in a multi-bus power system to address the voltage stability problem in it. The effects on transmission line losses, system economics and bus voltage profiles due to variation of load demand (both real and reactive power) at the weakest bus in a power system have been observed following the application of OPF in determining the voltage stability limit. The degree of bus sensitivity in terms of reactive power sensitivity at the weakest bus has also been observed. Application of static var compensator (SVC) has been found to serve as a safeguard not only to improve voltage profiles at load buses but also to improve degree of bus sensitivity and system economy by reducing transmission line losses. A 'weak' six bus longitudinal power supply (LPS) system and a robust IEEE 14 bus system have been tested to justify the proposed analysis.

7 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

008884   Deo Nath;Prasad N;Narasimha Rao P V;Chandra S (Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Email: deonath43@yahoo.com) : Compaction behaviour of Al-Cu-SiC graphite powder mixtures. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 133-8.

Powder mixtures containing Al, 4.5 wt% Cu, 15 wt% SiC and up to 30 wt% graphite were prepared. These were compacted in the range 250 to 625 MPa. The effect of compaction pressure and graphite content on green properties of the compacts was evaluated. It is observed that spring back, ejection pressure, green density and green strength of the compacts increase with increasing compaction pressure and decrease with increasing graphite content. The true porosity of the compacts was seen to decrease with increasing compacting pressure and increase with increasing graphite content.

14 illus, 15 ref

008883   Dashora A;Sreenivas B;Lohani B;Malik J N;Shah A (Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur-208 016, Email: blohani@iitk.ac.in) : GCP collection for Corona satellite photographs: issues and methodology. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 153-60.

Use of high-resolution and historic CORONA satellite photographs for mapping and other purposes requires Ground Control Points (GCPs), as ephemeris data and image parameters are not available. However, the alterations in landscape in last 34 years (i.e., since the acquisition of these photographs) prevent identification and collection of large number of GCPs in the field. A methodology for collection of GCPs for CORONA photographs. The advantages and limitations of the methodology are discussed. For a study site, situated in Siwaliks and Lower Himalayas, the GCPs were identified in CORONA photographs and their WGS84 coordinates were estimated through a process of datum transformation and georeferencing. Estimated GCP coordinates from the topo sheets and 2D and 3D views of photographs, helped in identifying the GCP locations in field, which were observed using DGPS. Investigations were carried out to relate Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) accuracy with base line length and time of observation. A base line of 350 km and half an hour observation were found appropriate to yield accuracy in GCP collection by DGPS method, which conforms to CORONA resolution of 3 m.

4 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

008882   Das K;Ghosh D (Department of Electrical Engineering, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur, W.B) : Development of the microcontroller based relay for protection of the alternator against rotor insulation failure. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 30-5.

Aims to develop a microcontroller base relay which will take care of earth fault(s) in the rotor winding of a large alternator. Using a solid-stare instrumentation interface for the microcontroller the electric signals an isolated, digitized and processed to execute the relaying algorithm. The effect of the shorted rotor winding, on the imbalance voltage is interpreted by this device and fault at any point on the winding is detected and displayed. The relay also senses whether the first earth fault occurrence is acknowleged by the user and tripping takes place on the occurrence of the second earth fault or insulation failure. A very medest but sophisticated hardware layout working on a modular algorithm structure and interfaced with the 16-bit 80C196 microcontroller makes computation easier. In doing so human intervention is reduced to the minimum. The supervisory relaying algorithm takes 1 ms to be completed.

4 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

008881   Chattopadhyay A;Bandyopadhyay N;Ghosh C;Singh A;Bahadur A (Research and Development, Tata Steel, , Jamshedpur-831 001, Email: arnab.chattopadhyay@tatasteel.com) : Effect of process parameters and coating microstructure on powdering behavior of galvanneal steel. Metals Mater Process 2006, 18(2), 171-8.

Formability of Galvannealed sheets (GA) is an important feature in order to establish GA in the automobile market. Various studies have been conducted on the formability of galvannealed steel sheets and it is known that powdering and flaking properties of the galvannealed coating is extremely sensitive to its phase composition and to Fe content variations in the coatings. Work has been carried out to know the powdering behavior of Tata Steels GA product and to get some correlation between the coating microstructure along with powdering behavior. Also shows some correlation between powdering and some process parameters. Phase characterizations through different techniques have also been carried out to quantify different phases present in the galvannealed coating. As the amount of Gamma phase is directly related to the amount of iron content then it can be said that iron content will definitely has influence on powdering behavior. XRD results and SEM/EDS results have given indication that Gamma phase has influence on the powdering behavior.

14 illus, 3 tables, 7 ref

008880   Chandra Mouli K V V;Srinivas J;Subbaiah K V (Department of Industrial Production Engineering, College of Engineering, GITAM, Visakhapatnam-530 045) : Optimisation and output forecasting using Taguchi Neural network approach. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 54-7.

Proposes an approach based on Taguchi's method to predict the optimum process parameters and forecasts the outputs at these parameters using Neural networks. The predicted data from Taguchi's Design of Experiments (DoE) are quite useful in obtaining optimised output parameters, using some regression models. In multiple input (MI) systems, with no cost function defined explicitly in terms of system variables, Taguchi's solution provides best accurate alternative. Neural networks on the other hand provide the output corresponding to the optimum process parameters obtained in Taguchi method. A case study demonstrates the approach.

4 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

008879   Chakraborty P S;Majumder G;Sarkar B (Adult Continuing Education and Extension Dep, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032) : Constraint resource management and production related decision. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 48-53.

Now-a-days manufacturing organization often faces the problem of capacity constraint, where market demand is more than that of the production capacity of the organization. Constrained resources limit the production capacity. Under such circumstances, managers are to take decision on outsourcing of some products. A serious attempt has been made to find out the best possible solution between the standard accounting (SAC), theory of constraints (TOC) and linear programming (LP) extension of TOC to decide production outsourcing. A real life implementation of a model formulated from LP, which is much easier to follow. Only tery few parameters are required to verify this model. Compared the results of the problem solving by using standard accounting, TOC and LP. The LP extended TOC model is simple and helps managers to make faster decision in outsourcing problem with maximum throughput.

1 illus, 6 tables, 23 ref

008878   Chakrabarti R;Chattopadhyay P K;Basu M; Panigrahi C K (Department of Electrical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032) : Particle swarm optimisation technique for dynamic economic dispatch. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 48-54.

Dynamic economic dispatch (DED) is one of the main functions of power system operation and control. It determines the optimal operation of units with predicted load demands over a certain period of time with an objective to minimize total production cost while the system is operating within its ramp rate limits. Presents DED based on particle swarm optimization technique for the determination of the global or near global optimum dispatch solution. Load balance constraints, operating limits, valve point loading, ramp constraints and network losses using loss coefficients are incorporated. Numerical results for a sample test system have been presented to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the proposed method.

3 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

008877   Cecil D M R;Rajadurai A (Design and Development Wing, Integral Coach Factory, , Chennai-600 038) : Friction measurement in bulk forming using spike forging test. J Instn Engrs-Pt PR 2006, 86(March), 43-7.

The use of spike forging test as a means of measurement of friction between the die and the workpiece has been described. Finite element method is used for the simulation of forging Ti6Al4V alloy at 950°C and the results obtained by simulation under conditions of sticking friction are compared with experimental results obtained under similar conditions. The results of simulation have been found to agree very well with the experimental results. The analysis has been carried out for different values of friction factor 'm' between the die and the specimen and for different values of initial height to dia (H/D) ratio of the specimen and curves have been plotted for the ratio of spike height to initial height of the billet against the ratio of die displacement to initial height of the billet. These calibration curves can be used as a means of determining the material flow characteristics under the given conditions of forging temperature, billet and die geometries and friction conditions and also as a measure of friction in bulk forming processes.

1 table, 11 ref

008876   Bhim Singh;Khadkikar V (Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016) : Power factor correction in electronic ballasts for compact fluorescent lamps. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 61-6.

Development and comparison of various types of high power factor electronic ballasts for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) has been presented. Electronic ballasts using passive power-factor correction (PPC) techniques and active PFC technique are designed, developed and tested for a 20W CFL. Self-oscillating circuits are used to provide cost effective electronic ballasts for CFL. A comparative study is made in terms of ignition voltage and current, ac mains current waveforms, its rms value, total harmonic distortion (THD), crest factor, third harmonics, input power, power-factor and output lumens for general low cost, passive PFC based valley fill and charge clamp topologies and active PFC topology with and without EMC filter based ballasts. The proposed active PFC based ballast with EMC filter results in high level of performance of CFL in terms of power-factor of order of 0.999, THD of ac mains current of 4.7% and its crest factor of 1.42.

14 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

008875   Bhim Singh;Bhuvaneswari G;Garg V (Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi, New Delhi-110 016) : Novel magnetic solution for harmonic mitigation in varying rectifier loads. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 8-11.

Design and analysis of a novel multi-phase ac-dc converter for harmonic mitigation in three-phase diode rectifier type varying loads has been presented. The proposed multi-phase ac-dc converter is based on a star connected autotransformer, designed for producing 15-phase voltages for effective harmonic reduction. The resulting supply current is near sinusoidal in shape with low total harmonic distortion (THD) of supply current and a nearly unity power factor. To validate the proposed approach, the load is varied and its effect on various power quality indices is also presented. The proposed ac-dc converter is suitable for applications with large load variation and where harmonic reduction is more stringent.

7 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

008874   Arya L D;Titare L S;Tare R S (Department of Electrical Engineering, SGSITS, Government Engineering College, Indore) : Assessment and enhancement of voltage security using functional link network by evaluating probabilistic insecurity index. J Instn Engrs-Pt EL 2006, 87(Sept), 24-9.

Methodology has been developed to maintain sufficient stability margin with respect to single and double line outage conditions. For this purpose functional link network has been used. A. probabilistic insecurity index (PISI) has been evaluated for various operating conditions using cut-set method. The cut-sets have been generated lor various loading condition using static voltage stability limit as obtained using continuation power flow. These generated cases have been used to train a single layer functional link network. The input to the functional link network is enhanced set of loading and voltages of PV-buses. Once the network is trained it is used for security assessment for a given operating condition. Further sensitivity relations have been derived which are used for security control, if the insecurity index crosses a specified threshold value. The algorithm has been implemented on a 6-bus, 7-line test system.

3 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref