Search results

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different guide fins structures (i.e. single-layer and double-layer guide fins) on the exhaust flow and thermal uniformity of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator.

One single-layer guide fins structure and three double-layer guide fins structures are numerically investigated in terms of exhaust flow uniformity with different exhaust properties. Then, the double-layer guide fins structure achieving the highest flow uniformity is fabricated and experimentally investigated on a motorcycle at different engine speeds together with the single-layer guide fins structure to evaluate the thermal uniformity.

The double-layer guide fins structure obtains a better flow uniformity and thermal uniformity compared to the single-layer structure. Among surveyed structures, the double-layer structure with three closed V-shape guide fins achieves the highest flow uniformity. This structure also improves the thermal uniformity from 3.0 to 90.1% in comparison with the single-layer structure in experiments.

In this paper, the double-layer guide fins structures are derived from the improvement of the single-layer guide fins structure. The fluid flow uniformity index is applied as a measure for assessing the exhaust flow uniformity. The enhancement of thermal uniformity of the double-layer guide fins structure is expected to increase the longevity and performance of the motorcycle exhaust thermoelectric generator.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the modeling and implementation of a novel multimode amphibious robot, which is used for patrol and beach garbage cleaning in the land–water transition zone.

Starting from the design idea of multimode motion, the robot innovatively integrates the guiding fin and wheel together, is driven by the same motor and can achieve multimodal motion such as land, water surface and underwater with only six actuated degrees of freedom. The robot dispenses with the transmission mechanism by directly connecting the servo motor with a reducer to the actuator, so it has the characteristics of simplifying the structure and reducing the quality. And to the best of the authors' knowledge, the design of the robot can be considered the minimal configuration of amphibious robots with the same locomotion capabilities.

Based on the classical assumptions of underwater dynamics analysis, this paper uses basic airfoil theory to analyze the dynamics of the robot’s horizontal and vertical motions and establishes its simplified dynamics model. Also, the underwater motion of the robot is simulated, and the results are in good agreement with the existing research results. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the robot, a prototype is implemented and fully evaluated by experiments. Experimental results show that the robot can reach the maximum speed of 2.5 m/s and 0.3 m/s on land and underwater, respectively, proving the effectiveness of the robot.

The robot has higher work efficiency with the powerful multimode motion, and its simplified structure makes it more stable while costing less.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a motion control method for WFF-AmphiRobot, which can effectively realize the flexible motion of the robot on land, underwater and in the transition zone between land and water.

Based on the dynamics model, the authors selected the appropriate state variables to construct the state space model of the robot and estimated the feedback state of the robot through the maximum a posteriori probability estimation. The nonlinear predictive model controller of the robot is constructed by local linearization of the model to perform closed-loop control on the overall motion of the robot. For the control problem of the terminal trajectory, using the neural rhythmic movement theory in bionics to construct a robot central pattern generator (CPG) for real-time generation of terminal trajectory.

In this paper, the motion state of WFF-AmphiRobot is estimated, and a model-based overall motion controller for the robot and an end-effector controller based on neural rhythm control are constructed. The effectiveness of the controller and motion control algorithm is verified by simulation and physical prototype motion experiments on land and underwater, and the robot can ideally complete the desired behavior.

The paper designed a controller for WFF-AmphiRobot. First, when constructing the robot state estimator in this paper, the robot dynamics model is introduced as the a priori estimation model, and the error compensation of the a priori model is performed by the method of maximum a posteriori probability estimation, which improves the accuracy of the state estimator. Second, for the underwater oscillation motion characteristics of the flipper, the Hopf oscillator is used as the basis, and the flipper fluctuation equation is modified and improved by the CPG signal is adapted to the flipper oscillation demand. The controller effectively controls the position error and heading angle error within the desired range during the movement of the WFF-AmphiRobot.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of consolidating off-balance sheet entities on firm-level investment efficiency. Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46, consolidation of variable interest entities – an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (FIN 46) is used as a quasi-exogenous shock to financial reporting in this study.

The authors empirically test the change of investment efficiency for a sample of firms affected by FIN 46 in the post-FIN 46 periods. In the regression, a group of matched pairs selected from unaffected firms is used as the control sample and firm characteristics are used as control variables.

The authors find that firms affected by FIN 46 experience improvement in investment efficiency after adopting the standard compared to unaffected firms. The authors also document that FIN 46 firms’ level of investment decreases after FIN 46 compared to unaffected firms. These empirical results suggest that the improvement in investment efficiency is likely to be achieved by the reduction in over-investment. Further analyses show that amongst the affected firms, firms consolidating off-balance sheet special purpose entities (SPEs) improve investment efficiency mainly by reducing over-investment, whereas firms avoiding the consolidation of SPEs do not display such tendency.

This study contributes to the literature on the relation between financial reporting and investment efficiency, as well as the literature on the impact of FIN 46. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the relation between the consolidation of off-balance sheet entities and investment efficiency.

In his preface the author states that ‘this text was prepared to give in a concise and orderly manner the principles of vibration analysis that may be used to handle the usual problems that arise, and, at the same time, to lay the foundation for advanced work in this area’.

The aim of the paper is to provide an economically viable solution for the blade repair process. There is a continual increase in the repair market, which requires an increased level of specialised technology to reduce the repair cost and to increase productivity of the process.Design/methodology/approach – This paper introduces the aerospace component defects to be repaired. Current repair technologies including building‐up and machining technology are reviewed. Through the analysis of these available technologies, this paper proposes an integrated repair strategy through information integration and processes concentration.Findings – Provides detailed description and discussion for the repair system, including 3D digitising system, repair inspection, reverse engineering‐based polygonal modelling, and adaptive laser cladding and adaptive machining process.Originality/value – This paper describes a 3D non‐contact measurement‐based repair integration system, and provides a solution to create an individual blade‐oriented nominal model to achieve adaptive repair process (laser cladding/machining) and automated inspection.

Examines what constitutes sexual harassment and defines its two most common forms as quid pro quo harassment and hostile environment harassment. Mentions also sexual favouritism. Points out the costs that can be awarded in sexual harassment cases and advises employers that the best way to deal with sexual harassment cases is to prevent it happening in the first place. Lays out the guidelines for a company’s harassment policy document. Recommends setting up: educational training and feedback and development relating to interpersonal skills; an effective complaints procedure; a process for investigating complaints promptly; audits of the workplace to ensure no discrimination or harassment is happening; monitory appraisals, partially to check out discrepancies in recorded performance; and an action plan on what to do if harassment is either reported or discovered. Advises what to do in the event of sexual harassment; particularly focusing on the role and approach of an investigator. Places the onus for the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace firmly at the employing organization’s door.

This volume, under the joint authorship of Professors Biezeno and Grammel, respectively of the Technical High Schools of Delft and Stuttgart, is the first of four which will appear under the common title Engineering Dynamics. First published in a single volume in 1939 (Technische Dynamik), the appearance of a second edition in 1953 has been followed by an English translation. The title was chosen not only to indicate that elementary engineering mechanics has been excluded, but also in an attempt to restore the original meaning of the word ‘Dynamics’. In the authors' view dynamics is the ‘science of forces’ including both statics, which treats of systems of forces in equilibrium, and kinetics, which treats of unbalanced forces and the motions they produce. This wide but very reasonable definition enables them to treat, at post‐graduate level, many topics, each of which has provided other writers with matter for a whole volume. The first volume deals with ‘Analytical and Experimental Methods of Elastic Theory’, while the subsequent volumes will cover the mechanics of the following topics: Vol. II, Elastic Problems of Single Machine Elements; Vol. III, Steam Turbines; Vol. IV, Internal Combustion Engines.

One of several videotex‐based community information systems in Holland, AGI has been operating successfully for the past three years and is gradually expanding its services to the public and private sectors. A wide range of information is stored and is available nationwide through the Dutch national videotex system. Access to the online library catalogue has been made available through videotex terminals in branch libraries and there are plans to greatly extend the accessibility of the catalogue.

Government entities often implement automated records management systems, often without a clear governing framework to facilitate such automation. This study aims to explore the role played by information architecture (IA) in records automation in Botswana and propose a guiding framework in the context of e-government.

This qualitative study uses a focused literature review to study the importance of IA in records automation in e-government.

Without proper IA, information organization including retrieval/access to records becomes difficult. Practically, this would practically and negatively affect process automation in e-government solutions.

The proposed framework can guide e-government record automation in Botswana. However, its limitation lies in the fact that it has not been tested, thereby limiting its practicality until tested empirically.

The proposed framework can be used to inform record automation management processes in the realm of Botswana’s e-government project.

The proposed framework contributes to the body of knowledge on the automation of records and e-government in Botswana specifically and Africa in general.