Cooperative Maintenance Research Articles

Fish wars and cooperation maintenance

In this paper, a discrete-time game model related to a bioresource management problem (fish catching) is considered. We divide a fishery into regions, which are exploited by single players. The center (referee) shares a reservoir between the competitors. The players (countries), which harvest the fish stock are the participants of this game. We assume that there are migratory exchanges between the regions of the reservoir. Therefore, the stock in one region depends not only on the previous stock and catch in the region, but also on the stock and catch in neighboring regions. We derive the Nash and cooperative equilibria for an infinite planning horizon. We consider two ways to maintain the cooperation: incentive equilibrium and time-consistent imputation distribution procedure. We investigate the cooperative incentive equilibrium in the case when the center punishes players for a deviation. Also we consider the case when the center is a player and find the Shapley value and time-consistent imputation distribution procedure. We introduce a new condition which offers an incentive to players to keep cooperating.

Assessment of a cooperative maintenance scheme for ITER divertor cooling pipes

Divertor cassettes will require scheduled maintenance during the lifetime of ITER. Standard maintenance procedures for cassette removal include connection/disconnection operations of the cassette body from the reactor frame. Remote handling (R.H.) means are therefore required to remove the electrical connector and cut/weld the cassette cooling pipes. Evolutions of ITER design focused on a reduction of the divertor cooling pipes from the initial 6 in. straight pipes to 2.5 in. bent pipes. As a consequence of this new definition, the initial maintenance scheme where maintenance is completely performed from the inside of the pipe by one carrier becomes obsolete. A solution based on the cooperative work between a carrier sent into the pipe to perform part of the maintenance operations and an orbital tool positioned by a manipulator mounted on the Cassette Toroidal Mover (CTM) has been devised. A reference working area is defined and used to perform CAD simulations with a manipulator model. Work area accessibility is assessed using a virtual cutting/welding orbital tool.

A DESIGN RATIONALE BASED ENVIRONMENT FOR COOPERATIVE MAINTENANCE

This paper describes Cooperative Maintenance Conceptual Model ( CM 2), a conceptual model aimed at supporting software maintenance in a collaborative fashion. The main goal of CM 2 is to support the software maintenance process through the acquisition, structuring and distribution of the information concerned with the maintenance process itself. Information is structured as a network of linked comments and concerns both the analysis and design activities (Rationale in the Large) and the implementation of a change (Rationale in the Small). We also present COMANCHE (COoperative MAintenance Network Centered Hypertextual Enviroment), an enviroment which reflects the CM 2 ideas and principles.

Competing Paradigms or Birds of a Feather? Constructivism and Neoliberal Institutionalism Compared

This article compares constructivism and neoliberal institutionalism and argues that in their reification as paradigms in competition, the IO theoretical community is making far too much of what are relatively small differences between them in the metatheoretical scheme of things. These claims are substantiated by comparing functionalism, neo-functionalism, neoliberal institutionalism, and constructivism. Such an examination reveals that they all depend on the same mechanism of functional institutional efficiency in order to account for social change. Thus when constructivism has been utilized as an explanation for change and transformation, it has tended to reach many of the same conclusions, and in the same manner, as other variants of liberal IR theory. In addition, this comparison reveals that, despite its assumption of exogenous interests, neoliberal institutionalism relies implicitly on an identity transformation in order to account for cooperation's maintenance. Such a transformation is entirely consistent with constructivist expectations. The choice between neoliberal institutionalism and constructivism is not paradigmatic and is merely a choice between explaining short-term, behavioral cooperation in the moment or its development into communal cooperation in the future. The article concludes with some general observations regarding why this parallel has occurred and what its implications are for our understanding of IO.

OA&M framework for multiwavelength photonic transport networks

Photonic networks based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and optical path technologies are expected to realize flexible, transparent, and cost-effective transport networks with a large transmission capacity. This paper explores the design framework of photonic transport networks taking into consideration the operation administration and maintenance (OA&M) functions required for the successful introduction of WDM systems based on the optical path concept. From the view point of network maintenance, clear distinction is made between the optical path layer and the optical section layer to facilitate accurate and smooth failure localization. The digital multiplexing span between physical multiplexing interfaces at the end-to-end digital nodes should have the same maintenance span as the corresponding optical path. We argue that cooperative maintenance by OA&M functions at both the digital and optical layers can be a practical way of network supervision. A supervisory (SV) signal transfer method and a configuration that is suitable for the terrestrial trunk network are also indicated. As an example, a practical SV system design methodology and an actual procedure developed for a single channel optical transmission system based on optical in-line amplifiers are introduced. Furthermore, application of the developed SV system and network restoration schemes is discussed for future WDM-based photonic networks. The OA&M aspects introduced will be valuable for creating future photonic network systems.

Alabama Electric Cooperative Flue Gas Desulfurization Operating and Maintenance Experience

Alabama Electric Cooperative, Leroy, AL, has recently started up two 255 MW units, including a flue gas desulfurization system, at their Tomblgbee Station. The flue gas desulfurization system was designed by Peabody Process Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT. After 20 months operation, performance, in terms of start-up operations and maintenance, has been exceptionally good. This paper discusses those design factors which contributed to this successful performance.