The flow of gas in the suction chamber of an air brake compressor was analyzed, and losses due to pressure drop and heat transfer were identified by CFD simulations. Based on the results of the calculations the geometry of the suction chamber was modified to investigate possible improvements. Due to simple design modifications the flow direction of the gas was changed, which resulted in a reduc...

At two trench segments below the Andes, the Nazca Plate is subducting sub-horizontally over ∼200-300 km, thought to result from a combination of buoyant oceanic-plateau subduction and hydrodynamic mantle-wedge suction. Whether the actual conditions for both processes to work in concert existed is uncertain. Here we infer from a tectonic reconstruction of the Andes constructed in a mantle refere...

1bis two-part paper describes a compressor redesign program for improving efficiency, lowering sound emission, and cost. Part I indicates how the efficiency goals were met through reduced flow losses, reduced superheat in suction flow path, and improved valve and port design.

This paper introduces a generic, transparent and compact model for the evaluation of the aerodynamic performance of insect-like flapping wings in hovering flight. The model is generic in that it can be applied to wings of arbitrary morphology and kinematics without the use of experimental data, is transparent in that the aerodynamic components of the model are linked directly to morphology and ...

To analyse the performance of mushroom-shaped fibrillar adhesive microstructure, its behaviour was studied during different stages of attachment-loading-detachment cycle. Visualizing the evolutions of real contact area of single microfibres, it is shown that the mushroom-shaped geometry of contact elements promotes fast and simple generation of reliable adhesion. The mushroom-shaped geometry se...

Prey capture is critical for survival, and differences in correctly positioning and timing a strike (accuracy) are likely related to variation in capture success. However, an ability to quantify accuracy under natural conditions, particularly for fishes, is lacking. We developed a predictive model of suction hydrodynamics and applied it to natural behaviours using three-dimensional kinematics o...

We deal with the study of momentum and heat transfer characteristics in a second-grade rotating flow past a porous plate. The analysis is performed when the suction velocity normal to the plate, as well as the external flow velocity, varies periodically with time. The plate is assumed at a higher temperature than the fluid. Analytic solutions for velocity, skin friction, and temperature are der...

The arterial baroreceptors constitute an essential sensory link for the short-term regulation of blood pressure and may also influence higher cortical function. The present study was undertaken to evaluate previous reports of such a cortical influence under conditions of psychologically controlled, mechanical baroreceptor stimulation. This control was achieved by use of PRES (phase-related exte...

Most patients who have lung surgery require drainage of the pleural space to remove pleural fluid and air in the postoperative period and to allow adequate expansion of the remaining lung. Prolonged air leak is an expected complication in approximately 10% of patients.(1) It is necessary that the health care team be qualified to manage the drainage system adequately. The measurement or grading ...