In order to improve the power indices and to simplify the system of frequency speed control the scope of application of synchronous variable-frequency electric drives with independent frequency setting is being expanded. The synchronous motors with electromagnetic excitation and permanent magnet excitation in various industrial settings, including load-lifting machines and mechanisms, are used. As compared with the asynchronous frequency-regulated electric drives the synchronous ones have lower power loss, harder mechanical characteristic without feedback for speed and the simplest law of frequency control, i. e., a proportional one that, however, provides the maximum electromagnetic torque of the motor constant at all frequencies, due to the constant magnetic flux. The article concerns an analytical study of transient processes of synchronous electric drive with consideration of the influence of damping winding when the motor supply voltage frequency varies linearly during the transient time. As a result of the analysis the formulas have been obtained that make it possible to calculate the angular velocity of the rotor and the electromagnetic torque of the motor at start-up, braking, and impingement and discharge of loads, evaluating the quality of the transition process and tracking the maximum value of the electromagnetic torque, that must not exceed the permissible value. Validation of the developed technique of calculation of transient processes of synchronous electric drive has been obtained by comparison of calculations according to the formulas with the simulation results of the electric drive on the basis of the synchronous motor of the SD3 13-34-6 type (power of 500 kW and voltage of 6 kV).

For the analysis and control of power systems deterministic approaches that are implemented in the form of well-known methods and models of calculation of steady-state and transient modes are mostly use in current practice. With the use of these methods it is possible to obtain solutions only for fixed circuit parameters of the system scheme and assuming that active and reactive powers as well as generation in nodal points of the network remain the same. In reality the stochastic character of power consumption cause the casual fluctuations of voltages at the nodes and power flows in electric power lines of the power system. Such casual fluctuations of operation can be estimated with the use of probabilistic simulation of the power flows. In the article the results of research of the influence of depth of casual fluctuations of the load power of the system on the probability distribution of voltage at nodes as well as on the flows of active and reactive power in the lines are presented. Probabilistic modeling of flow under stochastic load change is performed for different levels of fluctuations and under loading of the mode of the system up to peak load power. Test study to quantify the effect of stochastic variability of loads on the probabilistic distribution parameters of the modes was carried out on behalf of the electrical network of the real power system. The results of the simulation of the probability flow distribution for these fluctuations of the load, represented in the form of discrete sample values of the active power obtained with the use of the analytical Monte-Carlo method, and real data measurements of their values in the network under examination were compared.

The significance of the braking devices is increasing due to the intensification of manufacturing, increase in the moving masses, speeds of movement and frequency of braking. During a short time period the braking device needs to convert a significant amount of mechanical energy into heat energy and transfer it into the environment without compromising the operability of both devices and machines in general. For electric actuators braking a normally closed mechanical brake is frequently used. When disconnecting the motor from the network the brake friction surfaces are closed and prevent rotation, and when the motor is switched on, they are opens under the action of the electromagnet, electro-hydraulic pusher, special electric motor, mechanical or pneumatic device. In the case of joint implementation of the asynchronous motor and the mechanical brake, the drive of quick stop is more compact and convenient. Such devices are further called asynchronous motors with electromechanical braking systems henceforth. The large number of requirements as well as different conditions of operation cause a large variety of designs of such motors. One of the major shortcomings of the functioning of well-known design is the periodic wear of the friction linings and the need for frequent replacement of them. The solution to this problem is the use of asynchronous motor with recessed combo braking device. However, for some mechanisms that do not require a smooth stop of the motor shaft and that have a speed of rotation of the motor shaft less than 1500 rpm, more simple and cheap solution would be the use of an electromechanical braking device with an air gap compensation. Due to wear of the friction linings the air gap of the electromagnet increases. Due to the compensation of the air gap of the electromagnet these devices make it possible to rub the material of the friction lining longer. The current designs of the electromechanical braking device with compensation of the air gap are quite bulky and complicated to be manufactured. Therefore, the authors developed, experimentally investigated and implemented two new, simple and cheap designs of electromechanical braking device with compensation of the air gap.

A mathematical model is developed to study the operation of three-phase asynchronous motor with squirrel-cage rotor when the stator winding is powered from a single phase network. To create a rotating magnetic field one of the phases is fed through the capacitor. Due to the asymmetry of power feed not only transients, but the steady-state regimes are dynamic, so they are described by differential equations in any coordinate system. Their study cannot be carried out with sufficient adequacy on the basis of known equivalent circuits and require the use of dynamic parameters. In the mathematical model the state equations of the circuits of the stator and rotor are composed in the stationary three phase coordinate system. Calculation of the established mode is performed by solving the boundary problem that makes it possible to obtain the coordinate dependences over the period, without calculation of the transient process. In order to perform it, the original nonlinear differential equations are algebraized by approximating the variables with the use of cubic splines. The resulting nonlinear system of algebraic equations is a discrete analogue of the initial system of differential equations. It is solved by parameter continuation method. To calculate the static characteristics as a function of a certain variable, the system is analytically differentiated, and then numerically integrated over this variable. In the process of integration, Newton's refinement is performed at each step or at every few steps, making it possible to implement the integration in just a few steps using Euler's method. Jacobi matrices in both cases are the same. To account for the current displacement in the rods of the squirrel-cage rotor, each of them, along with the squirrel-cage rings, is divided in height into several elements. This results in several squirrel-cage rotor windings which are represented by three-phase windings with magnetic coupling between them.

The electrical outdoor lighting grids are formed with a regard for their functional purpose. The present article draws the attention to the specific features of operation mode of an outdoor lighting line with a bilateral supply. This mode of operation is characteristic for main streets and circular roads. The article presents the method of calculating of the mode of such kind and the calculation itself that has been fulfilled on behalf of the outdoor lighting line with a bilateral supply described in the article. Luminaries with high pressure sodium lamps connected through electromagnetic ballasts were used as sources of light. The accuracy of parameters under calculation depends on the completeness of the source data. The calculations were implemented with the use of a program realized in MathCad. For each line phase the following mode parameters were defined: voltage in the circuit points, power, current, power loss and voltage drop on all segments of the line. The calculated data can be used for various purposes. Power magnitudes were determined for two points of supply and one can determine the power consumption provided that the time of operation of electric lighting is known. Estimation of the efficiency the mode on the basis of ensuring the necessary level of voltage at the luminaires was implemented. Active and reactive power of a luminary is determined by the voltage at the terminals of the luminaires. Magnitudes of power of luminaires located at different distances from the power source differ from each other. The voltage value has a significant effect on the electricity consumption values and on operating characteristics of a light source. With the use of the abovementioned program a line of outdoor lighting with a bilateral supply of any configuration can be simulated and different operation modes of a grid, viz. evening, night, dimming and other modes can be calculated.

The existing system of protection and diagnostics are not able to detect abnormal heating of the power capacitors caused by its internal malfunction formation. The paper contains a proposal of a technique that enables to detect such heat at its early study. This technique consists of a hardware and an algorithms. The hardware consists of a microprocessor-based instrument developed by the author, of measuring transformers of current and of temperature sensors. This equipment must be connected to the condenser unit with a rated voltage of 380 V. In operation, the device performs continuous measurement of the surface temperature of the casing of each condenser, the temperature of the external environment, voltage and current from the power source. The measured values are used in the mathematical model of thermal processes that enables to calculate the temperature of the hottest point of each capacitor in real-time. Then the calculation of the intrinsic difference ΔΘ1° between the average temperature values of the dielectric and the base average value of this temperatures during the second day from the start of the measurements. If the Dq1 value exceeds the value of the absolute error of simulation, diagnostic signals of abnormal levels of heating, viz. low, medium, high and very high, are generated. It is also necessary to calculate the rate of change of ΔΘ1° and to consider the values obtained in the formation of hazard levels. For the low level and the average level of hazard the operation of diagnostic system with a visual signal is recommended, while for the high level of hazard it is recommended to use both visual and sound signals, and for the very high hazard level the capacitor ought to be turned off from the source. The algorithms have been developed heuristically. The final formation of the algorithms is possible only after the long-term operation of the proposed diagnosis system on real objects. The implementation of the developed system will reduce the probability of sudden failure of capacitor units and, correspondingly, will increase the reliability of power supply system of enterprise.

The high-turbulent swirling flows of heat carrier that are created by a cyclone chamber are used in industry. They make it possible to intensify processes of heat and mass exchange. The results of an experimental study of convective heat transfer on the lateral surface of the active volume of a relatively long cyclone chamber considerably exceeding the length of the chambers that were used in previously performed studies are presented and analyzed in the article. Air supply in the swirler of the chamber was performed tangentially from diametrically opposite sides of the two input channels. The gas outlet was implemented from the opposite end. The heat transfer by convection to the swirling air flow was studied by the method of changing the state of aggregation of a heating agent – condensation of slightly superheated steam. Collecting condensate from the working section was made through a water seal for maintaining a constant pressure calorimeter. The amount of heat transferred during experiment was determined by weight of the collected condensate. The specific features of influence of geometrical characteristics of cyclone chamber on intensity of heat exchange are considered. In the experiments we varied the relative diameter of the outlet port of the chamber d_вых and the relative area of the input channels f_вх. Segmental construction of the chamber made it possible to move a calorimeter on its length. The local heat transfer coefficient was determined for various values of the dimensionless longitudinal coordinate z coinciding with the axis of the chamber, and counted from the back end of the swirler. The estimated equations of heat transfer obtained during the research are presented and recommended for use in practice of engineering. The considered problem is of an interest from the point of view of further research of aerodynamics and of convective heat transfer in a highly swirling flow cyclone devices, in order to improve the methods of their thermal and aerodynamic calculations.

Magnetic fluid is a colloid of magnetic nanoparticles. Using of magnetic fluids in technical devices demands applying of strong non-uniform magnetic fields for a long time. One of the most widespread magnetic fluid devices are magnetic fluid seals of mobile shafts, magnetic fluid supports, bearings, acceleration and angle of inclination gauges, devices for information input in the computer and etc. These devices demand high quality of used fluids. Processes of magnetophoresis and Brownian diffusion in magnetic fluid lead to concentration of magnetic particles in the areas with higher intensity of magnetic field and increase of fluid magnetization in these areas. A local change of particles concentration in the fluid leads to variation of its physical properties. Formation of aggregates from the particles and the further stratification of magnetic fluid, up to its destruction, may be the most serious consequence of redistribution of concentration of magnetic particles. These factors lead to variation of parameters of magnetic fluid devices; cause disturbance of their normal operation and even failure. Therefore, the consistent, high quality magnetic fluids which are not subject to fast stratification in a non-uniform magnetic field are necessary for effective work of the devices. The procedure of evaluation test of quality of magnetic fluids is proposed in this paper. The test is based on studying of influence of processes of magnetophoresis and Brownian diffusion of magnetic particles in magnetic fluid on the forces acting on the volume of fluid in an external non-uniform magnetic field. The procedure is developed on the basis of analysis of magnetic force variation in time under the action of non-uniform field of permanent magnets. Methods of determination of stability of magnetic fluid, known at present, demand rather complicated equipment and laborious and complex investigations. Proposed procedure can be used as an express method for evaluation of magnetic fluid quality for usage in technical devices, and it does not need complicated equipment.

The results of experimental studies of local hydrodynamics and mass exchange of coolant flow behind spacer and mixing grids of different structural versions that were developed for fuel assemblies of domestic and foreign nuclear reactors are presented in the article. In order to carry out the study the models of the following fuel assemblies have been fabricated: FA for VVER and VBER, FA-KVADRAT for PWR-reactor and FA for KLT-40C reactor. All the models have been fabricated with a full geometrical similarity with full-scale fuel assemblies. The study was carried out by simulating the flow of coolant in a core by air on an aerodynamic test rig. In order to measure local hydrodynamic characteristics of coolant flow five-channel Pitot probes were used that enable to measure the velocity vector in a point by its three components. The tracerpropane method was used for studying mass transfer processes. Flow hydrodynamics was studied by measuring cross-section velocities of coolant flow and coolant rates according to the model cells. The investigation of mass exchange processes consisted of a study of concentration distribution for tracer in experimental model, in determination of attenuation lengths of mass transfer processes behind mixing grids, in calculating of inter-cellar mass exchange coefficient. The database on coolant flow in fuel assemblies for different types of reactors had been accumulated that formed the basis of the engineering substantiation of reactor cores designs. The recommendations on choice of optimal versions of mixing grids have been taken into consideration by implementers of the JSC “OKBM Afrikantov” when creating commissioned fuel assemblies. The results of the study are used for verification of CFD-codes and CFD programs of detailed cell-by-cell calculation of reactor cores in order to decrease conservatism for substantiation of thermal-mechanical reliability.