Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Technology

Natural, Synthetic, and Artificial Polymers

A polymer is a macromolecule composed of long strings, where a smaller molecular unit, known as a monomer, is repeated. It is a typical type of structure of organic compounds, formed by the union of monomers, which are carbon compounds, hydrogen, and other radicals, with the ability of carbon to establish bonds between their atoms.

• Natural polymers: proteins, nucleic acids, lignin, chitin, and rubber.
• Synthetic polymers: nylon, polystyrene, polyester, PVC.
• Artificial polymers: rayon, nitrocellulose, and vulcanized rubber.

PVC and Wood: Properties and Uses

PVC

PVC is a thermoplastic polymer that comes in two varieties:

• Rigid: used for structural elements of construction such as door frames, windows, and pipes.

General Documentation

• Name: Tassel House
• Author: Victor Horta
• Date: 1892 - 1893
• Style: Art Nouveau
• Location: Brussels
• Material: Stone, iron, glass, ceramic, and wood
• Construction System: Industrial materials

Formal Analysis

We are in a formal analysis of the Tassel House floor plan, which is narrow, elongated, and almost rectangular, consisting of three floors. The distribution of the floors is determined by the staircase that starts in the lobby and the rooms that are placed on either side of a corridor. The support elements are fine iron columns that allow for the bypass of load-bearing walls. These columns are decorated in the capital with great imagination and creativity. As for the supported elements, apart from the roof, of note are the iron beams... Continue reading "Victor Horta's Tassel House: A Deep Dive into Art Nouveau" »

Flywheel Functionality

A flywheel counteracts irregular movements. When irregularities occur, the flywheel helps achieve a more uniform rotation in the machine's output shaft.

Coefficient of Fluctuation in Rotating Shafts

The coefficient of fluctuation is the angular speed difference between the average angular velocities, expressed as (wf - wo) / wm.

Types of Clutches

• Friction Clutches
• Tooth Clutches
• Single-Disk Clutches
• Hydraulic Clutches

Hydraulic Clutch vs. Friction Clutch

A hydraulic clutch comprises two turbines and transmits motion using the momentum of oil at high speeds. It operates automatically without requiring any manual input. In contrast, a friction clutch requires a series of actions for proper operation.

Types of Springs

• Tension and Compression

C. Thomsen's Classification of Materials and Historical Ages

C. Thomsen classified materials and historical ages: Stone Age (Paleolithic, Neolithic), Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age. Other materials include wood, bone, ceramics, and leather.

Types of Materials

• Natural (e.g., wood, marble, granite)
• Artificial (created by changing natural materials)
• Synthetic (created in laboratories)

Historical Use of Materials

1. New needs lead to new materials.
2. New materials lead to new scientific discoveries.
3. Major discoveries of natural materials lead to further development of artificial materials.
4. Conflicts and wars arise over the control of natural resources.
5. Artificial materials evolve significantly during wartime.

Ceramics

Clay (mud) bricks, billets, fine porcelain... Continue reading "Material Science and Communication Technologies" »

Mechanical Properties of Metals

Mechanical properties are the properties that express the behavior of metals under forces aimed at altering their shape. A summary of the different types of fundamental forces to which any structure or machine can be subjected are: tension, compression, shear, bending, torsional buckling, or a combination of these.

Resistance

Resistance is the ability of a metal to withstand an external load of the types mentioned above without breaking. As each load type has its corresponding resistance, it is usual to work with a resistance lower than that which would cause breakage in the plastic period of the material, i.e., working within the elastic period.

Hardness

There are two types of hardness: physical, which is the ability... Continue reading "Understanding Mechanical Properties of Metals" »

Main Elements of Home Wiring

At the entrance of the home, the following are typically located:

• Limit Switch (ICPM): A power control switch that prevents power consumption from exceeding a set limit. It also protects against short circuits.
• Differential Switch: Detects current leaks and cuts off the power supply.
• Meter: Located in the meter room or within the house, it informs the utility company of energy consumption.
• Switch: Consists of three cables: two for power supply and a third for grounding to prevent leakage.

Wiring Diagram

The electrical panel with the limiter and differential should be as close as possible and at a height of 1.5 to 1.8 meters. Each circuit is protected by a miniature circuit breaker (PIA) that trips when exceeding a certain... Continue reading "Home Wiring, Plumbing, HVAC, Gas, and Domotics Explained" »

Substations are the centers or facilities that transform the stresses of transportation or distribution tensions between transmission and distribution voltages simultaneously.

Substations in Our Region

Substations (in our region) are responsible for transforming regular or distribution voltages (25kV / 11kV). Transformer stations can be of various types and transform the voltage to low voltage distribution tension. Renewable energy installations, substations, and transformer stations are subject to compliance with regulations and standards, also typical of power companies, usually very demanding for construction and exploitation.

Substations and Receiving Stations

Substations and receiving stations are an important link between the power production,... Continue reading "Substations and Receiving Stations: Function and Classification" »

Questionnaire 5

1. Preventing Grid Contact

To prevent contact between a person and a grid, ensure there is no galvanic connection between them. Natural elements like land or soil can act as galvanic connections.

2. Default Voltage (UD) and Contact Voltage (UC)

• Default Voltage (UD): The voltage between a source or ground masses and a reference point in case of a fault.
• Contact Voltage (UC): The portion of the default voltage, or voltage from the ground, that could be experienced by a person.

3. UNE 20,460 Direct Contact Protection

The UNE 20,460 standard defines the following protection measures against direct contacts:

• Protection by insulation of active parts.
• Protection by barriers or enclosures.
• Protection by obstacles.
• Protection by distance.
• Additional

Data Modeling Concepts: True or False

• False: ProcessAnalyst typically focuses on business process modeling, not primarily on designing detailed entity-relationship models.
• False: An analyst's concerns extend beyond just designing an information system; they include requirements gathering, process analysis, and more.
• False: Referential integrity is a rule ensuring consistency between related tables, typically involving primary and foreign keys, not governing general data types within attributes.
• True: A domain is a constraint that governs the permissible data types and values for an attribute.
• True: An occurrence (or instance) of an entity is uniquely identified by a primary key.
• True: A Data Architect initiates the process by building a conceptual