/library/oar/handle/123456789/5671 2025-11-05T07:42:40Z 2025-11-05T07:42:40Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/125732 2024-08-23T10:14:04Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Path planning for emergency landings Abstract: In the event of critical failures that compromise an aircraft's ability to remain airborne, flight crews face significant challenges in planning and executing an emergency landing. Currently, there is minimal flight deck support to assist crews in navigating this high-workload and high-risk situation. To maximise the probability of a safe landing, the development of onboard crew support systems that assist the pilots in making correct and timely decisions under high workload is critical. Such systems must consider a range of factors including proximity to potential landing sites, remaining aircraft performance, weather conditions, and terrain profiles. This project focuses on planning the descent trajectory to a predefined location in emergency scenarios involving a complete loss of engine thrust, requiring the aircraft to glide to the landing site without engine power. The aim of this dissertation is to compare two distinct approaches to trajectory planning algorithms: the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Non-Linear Programming (NLP). Both optimisers utilise the Dubin’s path to generate the lateral path of the aircraft by adjusting the location of predefined waypoints. The optimisation process seeks to identify an optimal descent trajectory that satisfies several operational and performance-related constraints. Utilizing nonlinear and linear constraints for the NLP and penalty functions for the PSO, the algorithms managed to identify valid trajectories that allow the aircraft to arrive at the target location at the correct aircraft energy level required for subsequent landing. Notably, each algorithm demonstrated unique strengths, with the NLP often generating slightly preferable paths compared to those produced by the PSO. Description: B.Eng. (Hons)(Melit.)

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/102092 2022-09-29T06:09:09Z 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysis and design of transistor resistor logic (TRL) circuit for digital computers Abstract: The object of this project is to analyse and to develop design procedures for a Transistor Resistor Logic (TRL) circuit to be used later for the construction of a 15 NOR circuits Teaching Kit (Dan-Gal) to be used for demonstrations of some Boolean Algebra principles. The basic circuit consists of ONE transistor and a number of resistors. This circuit may then perform the NOT, OR and AND functions. The first requirement for operation of this circuit is that the transistor must be saturated if ONE or more inputs are low. The second requirement is that the transistor must be cut off if ALL of the inputs are high. A ‘worst case’ analysis is performed for each of these requirements. Calculated and measured TURN – ON, TURN – OFF and STORAGE times values were performed on 0C83 transistor in order to understand better how and to what extent the values of collector current and base current etc. in the d.c. equations would affect the switching times of the transistor. A procedure has been followed to optimise for minimum required transistor base current. A solution was tried to obtain an ‘optimized’ value to build a NOR circuit of fan-in of 4 and fan-out of 1. Some methods have been also discussed to show how speed-up circuits can be used to give better switching times. Comparison of performance has been made between a NOR circuit used by Lan-Dec Computer Teaching Kit and the one designed by the theory outlined in this paper. The validity of the theory was tested on the Dan-Gal,- Educational Kit built for this purpose by programming some logic functions. Description: DIP.ENG.

1970-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/102091 2022-09-29T05:57:20Z 1978-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Locator of hidden P.V.C. installation conduit Abstract: The use of plastic conduits for concealed installation is legally inadmissable in certain areas, in Malta, for fear that any nails penetrating the walls might establish metallic contact with the live wires of the installation with the possibility of causing accidents through electrocution. It is in this context that this investigation was carried in order to assess the adaptability of the metal locator in tracing concealed wiring in walls or underground. The results of this investigation were not really encouraging but had time permitted we would have followed the matter up by attempting to increase the sensitivity by: 1. Matching the load (i.e. ammeter) resistance to the anode resistance of the amplifier load. 2. Increasing the input voltage to pin2 of the operational amplifier 1C2 through VR2. This attempt would have fully exploited the advantages of plastic conduit vis a vis steel conduit since it can be manipulated with comparative ease. It is therefore less demanding upon the skill of the worker and the time of completion is much shorter. Hence the task would be less expensive and executed in a shorter time. In preparing this project I have made use of material supplied by the Electrical Department of the University and with the help of the technical staff who permitted me to make use of the facilities present in the laboratories and workshop. Finally, I wish to express my appreciation to Profs., Daniel Minto ff, B.Sc., Eng. (LORD), C.Eng. M.I.E.E., Lecturer in charge, for his help and supervision. Description: DIP.ENG.

1978-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/102089 2022-09-29T05:54:33Z 1979-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A survey of electrical engineering in a hospital Abstract: This thesis was made as part of the study which was carried out during the last year of the Higher Technicians Diploma in Electrical Engineering, C and G course 800. The aim of this project was to carry out a survey of the various electrical and electronic engineering applications relevant to hospitals in Malta. It was intended that the survey would cover the following various applications of electrical and electronic engineering with particular reference to hospital services. The topics covered were: 1. Electrical power distribution and emergency supplies 2. X-Ray equipment 3. The E.C.G. and other medical electronic equipment We would like to thank our project supervisor Mr. J.A. Agius B.Sc. (Tech), C.Eng, M.I.E.E. for his continuous interest in helping us with the difficulties we met while preparing this thesis. We would like to thank also Mr. A. Axisa B.Sc (Eng), C.Eng, M.I.E.E., M.I. Hosp E., M.I.E.R.E. and Mr. L. Agius T. Eng (C.E.I.), A.M.I.E. of the St. Luke’s Hospital from whom we received great technical assistance; Mr. J. Attard B.A. for revising the project and Miss Mariella Mifsud for typing our work. Description: DIP.ENG.

1979-01-01T00:00:00Z