Bogie-monitoring technology: Extending the detection of derailments to cover applications with slab tracks

Detection of derailments based on the irregular pattern of motion of an axle, bogie, or even an entire vehicle is becoming increasingly important due to extensive track use and higher frequency of freight and passenger operations. The current technology detects the irregular oscillation of wheels, and is therefore limited to tracks with sleepers and ballast. During a derailment, the wheels begin to oscillate violently and the detection device is triggered. However, this system faces a challenge due to the increasing use of slab tracks that have no or only a minimal number of sleepers. Knorr-Bremse, in a joint project with the Technical University of Berlin, is currently testing a new electronic derailment detector for these types of tracks. The new, model-based validation process will focus on a detection algorithm that can be used for all vehicle types.

Power spectra of totally asymmetric exclusion processes on lattices with a junction

In this paper, we have studied the power spectra of the entire particle occupancy in the totally asymmetric exclusion processes on lattices with a junction, at which two lanes I and II merge into lane III. We have performed the investigations, utilizing both Monte Carlo simulations and theoretical analysis based on linearized Langevin equations. The effect of lane length, particle entry rates at lanes I and II, and particle exit rate at lane III have been discussed. The transition from damped periodic oscillation to irregular oscillation as well as disappearance of oscillation has been observed. In particular, when lanes I, II, III are simultaneously in low density (LD) state or high density (HD) state, and the length [Formula: see text] of lane I is not remarkably different from the length [Formula: see text] of lane II, the damped periodic oscillations could be observed and the minima of the power spectra could be calculated via weighted average. However, when [Formula: see text] is notably different from [Formula: see text], the oscillation becomes irregular.

Design and Modeling of a 2-Dofs Wave Energy Converting Device for Underwater Vehicles

Based on the principle of 2-dofs inertia pendulum, a wave energy converting device (WECD) to realize the energy self-supply for underwater vehicles was proposed in the paper, which can absorb movements or forces from two directions perpendicularly. The key part is the one-way device, which converts the irregular oscillation into one-way rotation. Therefore, the energy obtained is stored in torsional coil spring to drive a generator. The dynamic equation of the simplified model was presented on the basis of Lagrange equation, and the variations of angles in 2-dofs were obtained through an example by Runge-Kutta (RK), and the parameters and qualifications for the device optimization were also analyzed by comparison. The analysis provides necessary information for dynamic performance analysis, optimal design, efficiency analysis and control of WECD.

Stochastic theories for the irregularity of ENSO

The El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is the dominant climatic fluctuation on interannual time scales. It is an irregular oscillation with a distinctive broadband spectrum. In this article, we discuss recent theories that seek to explain this irregularity. Particular attention is paid to explanations that involve the stochastic forcing of the slow ocean modes by fast atmospheric transients. We present a theoretical framework for analysing this picture of the irregularity and also discuss the results from a number of coupled ocean–atmosphere models. Finally, we briefly review the implications of the various explanations of ENSO irregularity to attempts to predict this economically significant phenomenon.

Consular Tribunes and their Successors

The efforts of scholars have failed to find a generally accepted single reason for the institution of what it will be convenient to call Consular Tribunes, i.e. Tribuni Militum consulari potestate or consulari imperio or pro consulibus. The irregular oscillation between pairs of Consuls and three, and later four, Consular Tribunes which is attested for the first forty years of the institution (444–406 B.C.) appeared to Beloch, not without reason, to contain an element of irrationality and to be without parallel in ancient constitutional practice. But even those scholars who are least inclined to trust the consular Fasti would admit that, though they may contain interpolations or omissions or the misreading of names, the fact of this oscillation cannot be denied, and, moreover, that the names of magistrates of this period are, in the main, to be trusted.