Near-Optimal Solutions for the Minimum Cost Spare Allocation Problem using Hopfield-T ype Neural Network Optimizers 1

Balancing apparatus for performing in-process balancing of a rotary mass by capacitor discharge to deliver an arc to erode material from the mass. A capacitor bank is operatively coupled through a coupling circuit to electrode structure which delivers the arc to the mass. A trigger pulse is injected into the coupling circuit to initiate the arc discharge. The coupling circuit is so constructed and arranged as not to impair the effectiveness of the trigger pulse in initiating the arc, yet it provides no significant resistance to the high amperage capacitor discharge current which is enabled to flow to the electrodes once the gap between the electrode structure and the rotary mass has been broken down. Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment comprises multiple capacitor banks which are sequentially placed on-line. Associated with each capacitor bank is a "contactless switch". The contactless switch comprises a pair of contacts, preferably graphite blocks, having confronting faces forming a gap between them. A branch circuit shunts this gap and is selectively operable to selectively allow and disallow the gap to be broken down by the same trigger pulse that initiates the arc and in this way selectively allow and disallow the capacitor from discharging. When a capacitor bank is off-line it is recharged.

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