Power Distributor Research Articles

Broadband Multiport Dynamic Optical Power Distributor Based on Thermooptic Polymer Waveguide Vertical Couplers

We propose a broadband multiport dynamic optical power distributor, which consists of a series of asymmetric vertical optical waveguide directional couplers with thermooptically tunable splitting ratios. To demonstrate the idea experimentally, we fabricated a five-port optical power distributor with four polymer waveguide vertical couplers. The fabricated device is 9 mm long and allows a practically arbitrary optical power distribution to be achieved with a maximum electric power consumption less than 50 mW in any of the couplers and a response time of ~1 ms. The device operates effectively in the whole C-band without significant variations in performance.

A six-camera digital video imaging system sensitive to visible, red edge, near-infrared, and mid-infrared wavelengths

This paper describes a six-camera multispectral digital video imaging system designed for natural resource assessment and shows its potential as a research tool. It has five visible to near-infrared light sensitive cameras, one near-infrared to mid-infrared light sensitive camera, a monitor, a computer with a multichannel digitizing board, a keyboard, a power distributor, an amplifier, and a mouse. Each camera is fitted with a narrowband interference filter, allowing the system to obtain imagery in the blue (447 – 455 nm), green (555 – 565 nm), red (625 – 635 nm), red edge (704 – 716 nm), near-infrared (814–826 nm), and mid-infrared (1631 – 1676 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Analogue video acquired by this system is converted to digital format. Radiometric resolution of the imagery is 8-bit (pixel values range 0 – 255). Images obtained by the system can be evaluated individually and/or in combination with each other to assess natural resources.

Hot pursuit [configurable power supplies

In the race to win market share, power suppliers are making real breakthroughs in configurable devices. The article looks at one device and its competitors. A former power distributor, XP, is aiming to take on leading suppliers of AC/DC power systems in Europe. XP has transformed itself from distributor to manufacturer with a series of acquisitions, re-branding itself as XP Power. XP recently released a configurable power supply called Flexpower. The AC/DC system is configurable from a universal input, providing 400 to 900 W at 3.3 to 60 V with a high line option that can bring the power output to 1100 W. Two chassis together can provide up to 2200 W. XP believes that the ability to connect units with different power levels allows system designers to specify the power level they need for different applications without having to pay extra for additional power capabilities. UK-based Lambda also has a range of AC/DC supplies. Their HWS series runs from 15 to 150 W versions, with nominal output voltages selectable from 3.3, 5, 12, 15, 24 or 48 V Each model accepts a continuous input from 85 to 265 VAC. California-based Astec Power, is also confident that configurable AC/DC power supplies form part of a major growing market.

Bridges and Outdoor Lighting

Northeast Utilities, the electric power distributor for Connecticut, has devised a plan to light the Arrigoni Bridge across the Connecticut River at Middletown. This paper descibes the plan and its impact on the surrounding region. The floodlights will affect migratory birds, and teaching and research at the nearby Van Vleck Observatory on Wesleyan Campus. Examples of bridges at other sites are also discussed, including the suspension spans of New York and San Francisco, that bear only tracer lights, or no lights at all.

Flexible Electric Power Distributor for Smart Use of Dispersed Generation Plants in Metropolitan Area

This paper proposes a flexible electric power distributor which is called “ Electric Energy Router “ for the adjustment of imbalance between supply and demand in a free market of electricity. The distributor is a main component of “ OEEN (Open Electric Energy Network) “ which has been studied by authors as the demand-side network suitable for the participation of various power producers in the market. In OEEN, electric energy is treated as a packet of electricity, and flows autonomously under the supervision of the distributor. OEEN and Electric Energy Router will settle the complicated problems of power flow control in the market.

A cost function study of the providers of TVA power

AbstractThis paper examines these TVA power distributor issues: distribution of nonelectric utilities, municipal versus co‐operative distributors, effects of high urbanization, marketing and customer recruiting (M&CR), conservation and load management (C&LM) programs, and service area boundary changes. A translog cost model is the basis for the analyses. The conclusions are: (1) TVA distributors experience electrical distribution inefficiencies when they distribute water and electricity, but when they also distribute gas, there are no additional effects; (2) TVA co‐operatives enjoy electrical distribution cost advantages over TVA municipals; (3) the TVA municipals that serve the five largest metropolitan areas of the Tennessee River Valley have the highest electrical distribution costs; (4) M&CR efforts benefit TVA distributors; (5) the many TVA‐sponsored C&LM programs produce varied fiscal effects for TVA distributors; (6) there are both diseconomies and economies to scale given proportional increases in output components brought about by hypothetical increases in TVA distributor service areas.

Optimizing Simulation for Policy Analysis in a Residential Energy End-Use Model

This paper describes an end-use energy forecasting model for the residential sector. The technology-choice component dynamically optimizes capital and energy inputs to achieve economic efficiency within policy constraints. A policy example contrasts the marginal social costs—from both a private and a social perspective—of a building conservation standard with marginal social costs for investments in electric-power generation alternatives. The standard reduces electric space heat consumption in new houses to approximately one-third of the level predicted under current building codes. The policy analysis assumes that the builder and homeowner bear the full cost and risks of the conservation measure. The standard is shown not to be cost effective relative to power generation alternatives available for the Bonneville Power Administration, a U.S. government power distributor in the Pacific Northwest. However, because the policy is a cost effective social investment, the paper recommends an alternative financing scheme.

The problems posed by electrical power supply to industrial installations

Despite the fact that electrical power is a widespread and highly flexible product, perfection cannot always be guaranteed owing to disturbances caused either by random phenomena affecting the network (lightning, network equipment faults etc.) or by the operation of certain types of equipment (are furnaces, rolling mills, electronic power equipment etc.). After a brief summary of the origins and nature of the various disturbances to which electrical networks are prone, be they public or industrial, we will deal in more detail with the problem of voltage dips and short time interruptions, these being the most problematical disturbances for the industrial customer. The principal technical solutions for correct operation of industrial installations will be described. In particular, the possibility of private generation operating in parallel with the public network will be dealt with. The need for collaboration between the user (or engineering firm representing him) and manufacturer (or installer) of electrical equipment and the electrical power distributor is stressed.

Ceramic rod array scanned with ferrite phase shifters

Steering a radiation beam originating from a stationary antenna rapidly and at will is one of the most attractive problems in the field of antenna engineering. This paper describes some aspects of the authors' efforts to develop an efficient and reliable electronic scanning antenna system. The prototype of the antenna consists of a linear array, a power distributor, an electronic phase-shift feed scheme, and its driver. The array consists of ceramic rod antennas, which are fed separately from the ends of parallel waveguides lined up in the H-plane. The power distributor is composed of directional couplers and magic tees, and is used for beam forming. The electronic phase-shift feed scheme is provided by inserting a ferrite phase shifter into each of the above-mentioned waveguides. The waveguides are of equal length and are connected in parallel to the microwave source (transmitter, receiver, or both) through the power distributor. The driver generates a number of sawtooth wave currents, which have different repetition frequencies derived from the design equation, and excite the corresponding ferrite phase shifters. Thus a uniform progressive phase shift, which varies in a sawtooth waveform with time, is achieved along the array and the radiation beam is scanned with higher efficiency. The design and engineering of the antenna are discussed, with special attention to performance reliability and reproducibility.