At present, the back-propagation (BP) network algorithm widely used in the short-term output prediction of photovoltaic power stations has the disadvantage of ignoring meteorological factors and weather conditions in the input. The existing traditional BP prediction model lacks a variety of numerical optimization algorithms, such that the prediction error is large. The back-propagation (BP) neural network is easy to fall into local optimization thus reducing the prediction accuracy in photovoltaic power prediction. In order to solve this problem, an improved grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is proposed to optimize the photovoltaic power prediction model of the BP neural network. So, an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm optimized BP neural network for a photovoltaic (PV) power prediction model is proposed. Dynamic weight strategy, tent mapping and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are introduced in the standard grey wolf optimization (GWO) to construct the PSO–GWO model. The relative error of the PSO–GWO–BP model predicted data is less than that of the BP model predicted data. The average relative error of PSO–GWO–BP and GWO–BP models is smaller, the average relative error of PSO–GWO–BP model is the smallest, and the prediction stability of the PSO–GWO–BP model is the best. The model stability and prediction accuracy of PSO–GWO–BP are better than those of GWO–BP and BP.

Metal columns of hollow and smoothly variable cross-sections, simply supported at their ends are considered in the paper. Columns of such shapes are recently frequently designed by architects in public utility buildings of various types. In thiswork authors present the comparatively simple method of buckling resistance assessment which can be used by designers of metal columns of such shapes. The formula on critical force required in the procedure was derived for columns of variable cross section by means of Mathematica™system. The closed formulae were obtained for a rod with a certain, predefined geometry being the surface of revolution. Critical forces obtained by means of derived formulae were compared with results of numerical solutions. To assess the compression resistance of considered rods the general Ayrton–Perry approach was applied and bow imperfection with assumed amplitude was used in the analysis. Results of numerical simulations and experimental tests inserted in the paper confirm the correctness and the effectiveness of the proposed procedure of buckling resistance assessment of considered struts.

There exist some possibilities for simultaneous delivery of laser radiation and ultrasounds of low frequency and high intensity: introducing ultrasound oscillations in the optical fiber by the rigid connection of the fiber to the vibrating element and non-contact influence of the ultrasonic wave on the laser beam. The article presents the results of Matlab simulations and experimental studies of influence of the ultrasonic wave on the laser beam. A role of the air gap, and its influence on laser-ultrasonic transmission in optical fiber was examined. Advantages and disadvantages of both solutions of interaction of ultrasonic and optical waves in, e.g., surgical applications are discussed.

With the continuous increase of output power ratings, multi-phase (multichannel) interleaved power factor corrector (IPFC) is gradually employed in domestic and commercial inverter air-conditioners. IPFC can solve several main problems, such as power rating increase, power device selection, input current ripple reduction as well as inductor on-board mounting. But for a multi-phase IPFC, the key problem is that it should show rapid dynamic responds and good current sharing capability, so in this paper the aim is to improve the dynamic performance and current sharing capability by means of passivity control theory. Considering the power circuit topology of a four-phase IPFC, an EL (Euler-Lagrange) mathematical model is established when the IPFC operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM). Then the passivity of the four-phase IPFC is proved, and the passivity-based controller using the state variables feedback and damping injection method is designed. The proposed control scheme, which is easy to control and needs no proportion integral controller, has strong robustness on disturbance from singlephase AC input voltage, the load as well as the parameters of the employed devices. Even in wide-range load condition, the mains current has a fast dynamic response and the average output voltage almost keep unchanged. As a result, the main functions of the four-phase IPFC are implemented including nearly unitary power factor and constant DC output voltage. Meanwhile, the four-phase IPFC acquires an excellent current sparing effect after using passivity-based controller. The above analysis has been proved with simulated results by means of MATLAB/SIMULINK and experimental results, showing that the passivity-based IPFC controller has superior performances and feasibility.