Risk of permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement:Which factors are most relevant?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has emerged as a formidable treatment option for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis ahead of surgical aortic valve replacement.The encouraging results from large randomized controlled trials has resulted in an exponential rise in the use of TAVR even in the low-risk patients.However,this is not without challenges.Need for permanent pacemaker(PPM)post-TAVR remains the most frequent and clinically relevant challenge.Naturally,identifying risk factors which predispose an individual to develop high grade conduction block post-TAVR is important.Various demographic factors,electrocardiographic features,anatomic factors and procedural characteristics have all been linked to the development of advanced conduction block and need for PPM following TAVR.Amongst these electrophysiological variables,most notably a prolonged QRS>120 ms regardless of the type of conduction block seems to be one of the strongest predictors on logistic regression models.The index study by Nwaedozie et al highlights that patients requiring PPM post-TAVR had higher odds of having a baseline QRS>120 ms and were more likely to be having diabetes mellitus that those who did not require PPM.

Modeling the Effect of Variable Timing of the Exhaust Valves on SI Engine Emissions for Greener Vehicles

The problem with fixed valve timing that the valve train is set by the automaker for peak efficiency running at a specific point in the engine’s operating range. When the vehicle is moving slower or faster than this ideal operating point the engine’s combustion cycle fails to properly burn the air/fuel mixture leading to considerably compromised engine performance and wastes fuel. Variable Valve Timing (VVT) is a solution developed to overcome this engine deficiency, dynamically altering the valve's opening and closing for optimal performance at any speed. The intension in this work is to contribute towards pursuing the development of variable valve timing (VVT) for improving the engine performance. This investigation covers the effect of exhaust valve opening (EVO), and closing (EVC) angle on engine performance and emissions. The aim is to optimize engine power and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) where the effect of engine speed has also been considered. Power, BMEP, BSFC, NO, and CO were calculated and presented to show the effect of varying valve timing on them for all the valve timing cases. The calculations of engine performance were carried out using the simulation and analysis engineering software: LOTUS”, and engine emissions were calculated using “ZINOX” program. Sensitivity analysis shows that the reduction of 10% of (EVO) angle gave a reduction of around 2.5% in power and volumetric efficiency, also a slight increase in nitrogen oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), while a 10% decrease in (EVC) causes around 1% improvement in Power. The effects of different (VVT) from the simulations are analyzed and compared with those in the reviewed literature.

MODELING, VALIDATION AND OPTIMAL DESIGN OF THE CLAMPING FORCE CONTROL VALVE USED IN CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

Associated dynamic performance of the clamping force control valve used in continuously variable transmission （CVT） is optimized. Firstly, the structure and working principle of the valve are analyzed, and then a dynamic model is set up by means of mechanism analysis. For the purpose of checking the validity of the modeling method, a prototype workpiece of the valve is manufactured for comparison test, and its simulation result follows the experimental result quite well. An associated performance index is founded considering the response time, overshoot and saving energy, and five structural parameters are selected to adjust for deriving the optimal associated performance index. The optimization problem is solved by the genetic algorithm （GA） with necessary constraints. Finally, the properties of the optimized valve are compared with those of the prototype workpiece, and the results prove that the dynamic performance indexes of the optimized valve are much better than those of the prototype workpiece.

Semi-empirical modeling of volumetric efficiency in engines equipped with variable valve timing system

Volumetric efficiency and air charge estimation is one of the most demanding tasks in control of today's internal combustion engines.Specifically,using three-way catalytic converter involves strict control of the air/fuel ratio around the stoichiometric point and hence requires an accurate model for air charge estimation.However,high degrees of complexity and nonlinearity of the gas flow in the internal combustion engine make air charge estimation a challenging task.This is more obvious in engines with variable valve timing systems in which gas flow is more complex and depends on more functional variables.This results in models that are either quite empirical(such as look-up tables),not having interpretability and extrapolation capability,or physically based models which are not appropriate for onboard applications.Solving these problems,a novel semi-empirical model was proposed in this work which only needed engine speed,load,and valves timings for volumetric efficiency prediction.The accuracy and generalizability of the model is shown by its test on numerical and experimental data from three distinct engines.Normalized test errors are 0.0316,0.0152 and 0.24 for the three engines,respectively.Also the performance and complexity of the model were compared with neural networks as typical black box models.While the complexity of the model is less than half of the complexity of neural networks,and its computational cost is approximately 0.12 of that of neural networks and its prediction capability in the considered case studies is usually more.These results show the superiority of the proposed model over conventional black box models such as neural networks in terms of accuracy,generalizability and computational cost.

DYNAMIC MODEL AND SIMULATION OF A NOVEL ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC FULLY VARIABLE VALVE SYSTEM FOR FOUR-STROKE AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES

In modem four-stroke engine technology, variable valve timing and lift control offers potential benefits for making a high-performance engine. A novel electro-hydraulic fully variable valve train for four-stroke automotive engines is introduced. The construction of the nonlinear mathematic model of the valve train system and its dynamic analysis are also presented. Experimental and simulation results show that the novel electro-hydraulic valve train can achieve fully variable valve timing and lift control. Consequently the engine performance on different loads and speeds will be significantly increased. The technology also permits the elimination of the traditional throttle valve in the gasoline engines and increases engine design flexibility.

Gear Drive Mechanism for Continuous Variable Valve Timing of IC Engines

Continuous variable valve actuating (CVVA) technology provides high potential in achieving high performance, low fuel consumption and pollutant reduction. To get full benefits from (CVVT) various types of mechanisms have been proposed and designed. Some of these mechanisms are in production and have shown significant benefits in improving engine performance. In this investigation a newly designed gear drive mechanism that controls the intake valve opening (IVO) and closing (IVC) angles is studied. The control scheme is based on maximizing the engine brake power (P) and specific fuel consumption (BSFC) at any engine speed by continuously varying the phase between the cam shaft angle and the crank shaft angle. A single-cylinder engine is simulated by the “LOTUS” software to find out the optimum phase angle for maximum power and minimum fuel consumption at a given engine speed. The mechanism is a planetary gear drive designed for precise and continuous control. This mechanism has a simple design and operation conditions which can change the phase angle without limitation.

Nonlinear variable structure excitation and steam valving controllers for power system stability

A set of novel nonlinear variable structure excitation and steam-valving controllers are proposed in this paper. On the basis of the classical dynamic equations of a generator, excitation control and steam valving control are simultaneously considered. Design of these controllers combines the differential geometry theory with the variable structure controlling theory. The mathematical model in the form of ＂an affine nonlinear system＂ is set up for the control design of a large-scale power plant. The dynamic performance of the nonlinear variable structure controllers proposed for a single machine connected to an infinite bus power system is simulated. Simulation results show that the nonlinear variable structure excitation and steam-valving controllers give satisfactory dynamic performance and good robustness.

CFD-Based Numerical Analysis of a Variable Cross-Section Cylinder

Using ANSYS-CFX, a general purpose fluid dynamics program, the vortex-induced vibration(VIV) of a variable cross-section cylinder is simulated under uniform current with high Reynolds numbers. Large eddy simulation(LES) is conducted for studying the fluid-structure interaction. The vortex shedding in the wake, the motion trajectories of a cylinder, the variation of drag and lift forces on the cylinder are analyzed. The results show that the vortices of variable cross-section cylinder are chaotic and are varying along the cylinder. In places where cross-sections are changing significantly, the vortices are more irregular. The motion trail of the cylinder is almost the same but irregular. The drag and lift coefficients of the cylinder are varying with the changes of diameters.

Principle and Experimental Verification of Caudal-fin-type Piezoelectric-stack Pump with Variable-cross-section Oscillating Vibrator

In the traditional flow-resistance-differential (FRD) type valve-less piezoelectric pump, the generated outflow and pressure are discontinuous because of the inherent periodicity and fluctuation of the pump. To overcome these drawbacks, utilizing the bending vibration of piezoelectric bimorph to drive fluid was conducted. However, our investigation on the current status of this piezoelectric bimorph pump shows that larger driving force and vibration amplitude are required for fluid pumping; the pumping can be realized through the centrifugal force; and the mechanism of fluid pumping is no longer further studied. Based on these cases, the paper designed a piezoelectric-stack pump with variable-cross-section oscillating (VCSO) vibrator by imitating the swing of the caudal-fin of tuna, and the pump is neither the rotating type nor the volumetric type according to the taxonomy. The interaction between the oscillating vibrator and the fluid parcel is firstly analyzed from the viewpoint of momentum conservation, and the analytical expression of pump flow rate is obtained. Then the modal and harmonic response analyses on the vibrator immerged in water are carried out. From the analyses the first two orders resonance frequencies are 832 Hz and 1 939 Hz, respectively, and the peak value of the tip amplitude is 0.6 mm. Laser Doppler vibrometer is used to measure both the frequency and vibration amplitude, and the determined first two orders resonance frequencies are 617 Hz and 1 356 Hz, respectively. The measured tip amplitude reaches to the peak value of 0.3 mm. At last, experimental measurement for the flow rates with different driving frequencies is conducted. The results show that the flow rate can reach 560 mL/min at 1 370 Hz when the pump runs under the backpressure of 30 mm water column. And the flow rate is as much as 560% of that of experiment results carried out by researchers from Brazil. The proposed pump innovates in both theory and taxonomy; in addition, the pump overcomes the drawbacks such as large flow fluctuation and low flow rate in the traditional FRD type pumps, which will help to broaden the application of the valve-less piezoelectric pump.

Research on gas leakage through suction valves of reciprocating compressor under varying load conditions

A research concerning the coupling conditions of gas leakage through suction valves and capacity regulation is performed in an industrial reciprocating compressor.Both internal flow and thermodynamic characteristic are discussed in detail.The results show that the capacity of compressor can be regulated steplessly by controlling suction valve closure moment.And then the quantitative relationship between the capacity load and the closing angle of suction valve is revealed.The capacity load and valve leakage rate show obvious different features in P-V diagrams,which makes it easier to define appropriate features for detecting cracked or broken reciprocating compressor valves under varying load conditions.A set of curves of compression work and discharge gas mass are obtained and a method for rating thermal performance of a compressor is presented using these curves.

Use of nonlinear variable structure control with equivalent term in design of coordinated controls for turbo generators

Presents the coordinated controls of nonlinear variable structure with an equivalent control term designed for turbo generators following the theory of nonlinear variable structure control, which integrates the valve control with the excitation control and reduce the problem of high frequency shiver with conventional variable structure control in addition to a simplified design, and concludes from simulation results that the use of this control can improve the transient of the system.

岛礁环境对吊耳疲劳性能影响研究

目的 研究吊耳在岛礁环境下的腐蚀特征及其对疲劳性能的影响。方法 通过开展吊耳试验件的岛礁自然环境试验,测试其不同在试验周期的疲劳性能,分析断口形貌、元素含量变化,研究腐蚀对吊耳抗疲劳性能的影响。结果 在1a的岛礁自然环境试验中,吊耳的腐蚀部位主要为表面镀层,并且呈非均匀腐蚀特征。随着试验时间的延长,吊耳平均疲劳断裂循环次数呈下降趋势,疲劳断口的韧性断裂特征减弱,并且氢含量有所增加。吊耳内部存在MnS夹杂物,位于韧窝底部。结论 吊耳表面点蚀坑、内部MnS夹杂物对疲劳载荷作用下裂纹的萌生和生长起到促进作用,降低了其抗疲劳性能,应加强腐蚀防护和质量控制。

动态气门运行特性及二冲程制动性能耦合研究

基于自主研发的变模式气门驱动装置,进行发动机和该气门驱动装置联合仿真,研究了二者的强耦合运行特性,为该装置的装机应用提供理论依据.研究结果表明:缸内压力和气门运行之间的强耦合关系在上止点附近排气门运行阶段尤为明显,尤其是在2300 r/min以下,发动机转速越高,气门动态升程损失程度越大,最大缸内压力越高;高于该转速后,二者变化程度逐渐减小;排气制动凸轮在上止点后设置过渡升程可消除排气门反跳的问题,并且可进一步改善制动功率和最大缸内压力之间的矛盾关系;与理想四冲程制动相比,二冲程制动的制动功率明显增加,最大缸内压力明显降低,发动机转速分别为1600、1900和2400 r/min时,实际二冲程制动功率分别提高了35.94%、45.61%和27.54%,最大缸内压力分别降低了45.42%、27.20%和7.35%.

快速平面阀门静动水启门水力特性数值模拟研究

针对平板阀门的快速静水和动水启门过程,采用标准k-ε模型结合动网格技术,模拟阀门运动边界与动水流场交互耦合作用下的水动力与阀门负载特性,并将启门力结果与缩比模型试验进行对比分析,结果的趋势基本一致。在静水启门时,存在局部的压力梯度分布,但其对顺水流方向和垂直水流方向的水流力影响较小;在动水启门时,顺水流方向水流力初始值较大,之后随时间逐渐减小。

基于PLC的变量喷雾系统的设计与试验

精准农业是农业生产的发展方向,故根据精准农业中变量喷雾技术的发展需求,对变量喷雾技术进行研究。在此,主要介绍了一种基于可编程逻辑控制器(Programmable Logic Controller,PLC)的变量喷雾系统,通过试验验证该变量喷雾系统的变量性能。变量喷雾系统主要由PLC、触摸屏(Touch Panel Monitor)、电磁阀、药水泵、压力表及电源模块等组成,使用触摸屏通过RS232通讯给PLC发送变量信号,PLC接收到信号后调节电磁阀的开度,达到变量喷雾的目的。通过在3个不同管路压力、10个不同电磁阀开度的试验,建立管路压力、电磁阀开度和喷头喷雾量的模型参数。试验结果表明:喷雾系统有较好的变量能力,在同一压力、不同开度条件下的最大变量能力为6.77,在不同压力、不同开度工作条件下最大变量能力为9.91。在不同压力下,分析并验证了电磁阀开度与喷雾量之间函数关系,曲线拟合结果表明:利用线性函数、指数函数、多项式函数拟合电磁阀开度和喷雾量,决定系数均大于0.9,最大为0.9998。相对误差分析结果表明:利用指数函数和多项式函数拟合的平均相对误差均在4%以内,可为变量喷雾机的设计与应用提供技术与数据支撑。

电磁阀异步启闭的PWM喷雾系统设计与试验

PWM变量喷雾是国内外精准农业领域的研究热点,但PWM变量喷雾过程中电磁阀的快速启闭在管路内易形成压力脉冲,致使喷头喷雾压力发生变化,导致喷雾质量下降。为了降低压力脉冲,设计了一种相邻电磁阀异步启闭的PWM喷雾系统,由移动底盘、药箱、隔膜泵、稳压罐、PWM控制器、电磁阀及压力表等组成,通过延时控制,实现电磁阀异步启闭。在室内无风环境条件下,探究了喷雾系统电磁阀前管路内压力波动特性和沉积量分布均匀性。试验表明:与电磁阀同步启闭的PWM喷雾系统相比,电磁阀异步启闭可有效降低管路内压力峰值,不同PWM频率工况条件下,50%占空比时降幅最大,降幅最高为14%;20Hz频率条件下,异步启闭PWM喷雾的沉积量分布均匀性变异系数略高于常规连续喷雾,但均小于15%。上述结果符合喷杆喷雾机技术性能国家标准。

气举阀流量预测新模型

为解决Thornhill-Craver方法预测气举阀流量不准确的问题,以空气为介质,在气举阀实验平台上开展气举阀流量研究。对2.8、3.2、4.8、6.4 mm阀孔尺寸的气举阀进行实验,得到不同阀孔尺寸下阀杆行程与流量系数、临界压力比的函数关系;通过考虑阀球表面压力随工况条件的动态变化过程,引入阀的打开程度,优化了阀杆行程求解方法;对气举阀过流面积进行建模,利用已知参数分析推导了过流面积计算新方法;在实验及理论分析基础上,建立了气举阀流量预测新模型。研究结果表明:新模型对不同阀孔尺寸及工况条件下气举阀流量预测准确,平均相对误差为3.34%,较Thornhill-Craver方法有了较大提高,对判断气举阀在井下的工作状态及提高气举设计的精度具有重要意义。

大型阀门环形焊缝变姿态焊接路径规划

针对大型阀门环形焊缝,采用等高圆弧填充路径规划策略,建立了基于坡口尺寸和焊接道次、焊枪碰撞验证、焊枪角度修正的多层多道路径规划方法。通过将焊缝拟合成扇形焊缝、等腰圆弧梯形焊缝与扇环焊缝,计算出每一道焊缝的焊枪位置、焊枪角度、摆动幅度,对焊缝干涉判断,确定焊枪偏转角,实现机器人阀门变姿态焊接的离线编程,避免了焊接过程中的机器人干涉碰撞。最终实现了大型蝶阀的焊接,焊接接头表面平面,无裂纹、未熔合的缺陷,经过超声探伤,无内部缺陷,焊缝合格率为100%。焊接接头组织由珠光体和铁素体组成,晶粒细小均匀,其抗拉强度为536 MPa,屈服强度为468 MPa,断后伸长率为14%,0℃冲击吸收能量为54 J。

多联式热泵空调用电子膨胀阀进出口流向控制对节流噪声影响的实验研究

多联机热泵空调用电子膨胀阀因具有进出口管相互垂直的结构特性,使制冷剂具有以垂直阀针轴线方向和以平行阀针轴线方向进入电子膨胀阀两种流向形式,制冷剂在这两种流向型式下节流时产生的节流噪声具有明显差异,需要明确进出口流向控制对节流噪声的影响。设计并搭建了可对流经电子膨胀阀的制冷剂进行状态调控和流型观测且可对节流噪声的声压级进行测量的实验装置,获得了不同制冷剂流量和干度工况下制冷剂流向对节流噪声的影响规律。研究表明:制冷剂从与阀针轴线方向垂直的进口管流入时,节流噪声主要表现为制冷剂节流空化时产生的空泡溃灭噪声,声压级范围较低;制冷剂从与阀针轴线方向平行的进口管流入时,节流噪声表现为空泡溃灭与阀针振动相互耦合的噪声,声压级范围较高;在实验中这两种流向下节流噪声的声压级范围分别为47.1~57.1 dB及61.9~67.7 dB。通过对空调系统的制冷剂流向进行优化设计,保证制冷剂始终从与阀针轴线方向平行的进口管流入电子膨胀阀,可降低多联机热泵空调系统在运行过程中的噪声水平。

电动可变配气系统输出协方差控制策略

提出一种针对连续可变气门正时(VVT)的新型电动可变配气系统且基于模型的闭环控制,以提高系统调节速度和控制精度.首先,使用基于新息的自适应卡尔曼滤波参数辨识对电机系统参数进行辨识,利用辨识的参数建立了可变配气系统的控制模型.其次,设计了基于模型的电动可变配气系统控制算法,即输出协方差约束(OCC)算法.最后,验证了该算法的效果,在仿真中对比了OCC算法与比例-积分-微分(PID)算法、线性二次型跟踪(LQT)算法,在台架试验中对比了OCC控制器与PID控制器的控制效果,结果表明:对不同转速下目标相位调节进行仿真,PID算法在转速为1 000、3 000和4 000 r/min下稳态误差均大于OCC算法,LQT算法在转速为3 000 r/min和4 000 r/min下调节速度小于OCC算法,且在变转速下OCC算法相位保持更好,相位偏差更小,说明OCC算法相比PID算法和LQT算法具有更好的转速适应能力.台架试验中,在相位角向上调节时,OCC算法比PID算法响应时间降低了42.8%;在相位角向下调节时,OCC算法比PID算法响应时间降低了75.0%.