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IEE Proceedings A (Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews)

Volume 127, Issue 8, November 1980

Volumes & issues:

Volume 127, Issue 8

November 1980

Solar cells
  • Author(s): F.C. Treble
  • Source: IEE Proceedings A (Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews), Volume 127, Issue 8, p. 505 –527
  • DOI:  10.1049/ip-a-1.1980.0075
  • Type: Article
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  • p. 505 –527 (23)
    The history, state of the art and future prospects of the direct generation of electricity from sunlight are reviewed. Although expensive, photovoltaic solar cells have become progressively cheaper over the past five years and are already cost-effective for a wide range of low-power applications. The potential economic and social benefits of these devices are such that intensive and extensive efforts are being made to cut costs still further and encourage market growth. During the 1980s, silicon solar cell systems are expected to become cheaper to run than diesel generators. As a result, they are likely to be adopted for water pumping, irrigation and rural electrification, especially in developing countries. At a later stage, on-site photovoltaic generation may be used for houses, offices, hospitals, schools, shopping centres and factories. But a technological breakthrough to a highly-efficient thin-film cell is needed before photovoltaics can have any significant impact on the large-scale generation of electricity in industrialised countries.
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The application of minimisation algorithms in electrical engineering
Accurate calculation of electrical capacitances of axially symmetric systems including dielectric media
New method of measuring low values of dielectric loss in the near millimetre wavelength region using untuned cavities
Analysis of a dual-six-port network analyser and derivation of calibration equations
  • Author(s): D. Woods
  • Source: IEE Proceedings A (Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews), Volume 127, Issue 8, p. 541 –548
  • DOI:  10.1049/ip-a-1.1980.0079
  • Type: Article
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  • p. 541 –548 (8)
    Application of the 6-port reflectometer to the measurement of complex reflection coefficient, without the direct measurement of phase, is extended to a dual 6-port system for the characterisation of general 2-port networks of voltage-wave S-parameters. The manner in which previously-published calibration equations were derived is described in detail. Current calibration techniques are very complicated and involve extensive matrix-manipulation procedures. In this analysis the 6-ports are assumed to be calibrated as reflectometers by an established method. They are operated alternately in passive and active modes as well as simultaneously and this leads to a simple explicit solution for the four parameters of the unknown, and no matrix manipulation is involved. Calibration of the complete system requires only three complex constants which are measured by the calibrated reflectometers using the ‘through’ connection, and no additional standards are needed.
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Coupling between coaxial cables over a ground plane at low frequencies
Flashover across the surface of an electrolyte: arresting arc propagation with narrow metal strips
  • Author(s): D.A. Swift
  • Source: IEE Proceedings A (Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews), Volume 127, Issue 8, p. 553 –564
  • DOI:  10.1049/ip-a-1.1980.0081
  • Type: Article
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  • p. 553 –564 (12)
    A method of arresting the propagation of an arc across the surface of an electrolyte has been studied for its possible relevance to the design of high-voltage insulators for use in polluted locations. Experiments have been done using electrolyte contained in a flat trough and using, as powersource, a capacitor-resistor discharge circuit. Arc propagation and arrest have been photographed using a high speed ciné camera; corresponding voltage and current waveforms have been recorded with an oscilloscope. Arc arrest has been achieved by immersing, but not submerging, a long narrow strip of metal within the electrolyte across the flashover path. In some cases arc arrest occurred after the arc had been forced to propagate in a direction opposite to that which it would have taken had the strip not been present. A theoretical model has been presented to explain both such retrograde arc motion and arc arrest. It is based on the premise that the arc propagates in the direction which will maximise the current; key factors are the falls of potential at the anode and cathode, the resistance of the electrolyte around arc roots and the electric field intensity in the air ahead of the arc. Calculations are consistent with experimental observations. The findings are sufficiently encouraging to warrant further investigations on practical insulators.
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The engineering syndicate study
Book review: Finite Elements in Electrical and Magnetic Field Problems
Optimising production, inventory and procurement control in manufacturing industry: two case studies of companies with computerised management information systems
  • Author(s): P.F. Perry
  • Source: IEE Proceedings A (Physical Science, Measurement and Instrumentation, Management and Education, Reviews), Volume 127, Issue 8, p. 575 –583
  • DOI:  10.1049/ip-a-1.1980.0084
  • Type: Article
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  • p. 575 –583 (9)
    The paper outlines an approach to the simultaneous control of production schedules, stock levels and purchase costs based on a dynamic analysis of the management-information systems involved in the production-planning process. The problems of simultaneously reducing production costs, controlling the impact of high stock levels on company cash flow, and purchasing economically, are modelled within the framework of an integrated management-information system for production planning. It is shown that a combination of economic ordering, accurate forecasting, and stable updating of production plans as market conditions vary, can improve the performance of the manufacturing plant. Two case studies of actual manufacturing companies with computerised systems are examined: one a precision-engineering product manufacturer with a high degree of manual intervention in the computerised planning process, the other a fashion product manufacturer operating in a volatile market with an entirely computerised and automatic production-planning system. Results from the dynamic analyses of both cases show that manual intervention is an important factor in the success of any computerised system. The conclusions drawn are that integrated dynamic analyses of the individual components of the production system are necessary to ensure the overall objectives of the manufacturing plant are achieved.
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Book review: Energy and Human Needs
Erratum: New method for the display of three-dimensional vector fields

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