E955型新干线高速试验列车(FASTECH360Z)概述

介绍了E955型高速试验列车的开发难点及其应对措施,概述了其基本结构和技术特点。     

An Advanced Steering System with Active Kinesthetic Feedback for Handling Qualities Improvement

Advanced Steering System with artificial steering wheel torque-active kinesthetic information feedback for improving handling qualities is discussed. Fundamentally the structure of the system may be considered to another form of model following control. In this system, a driver always remains in the control loop and receives steering control information which give him/her a direct hint to steer a steering wheel. This system works as a stability and control augmentation system of the vehicle to improve the vehicle handling qualities both in compensatory and pursuit control task, and is expected to reduce driver's workload. Effects of this system are analyzed in terms of man-machine system characteristics. Identification of driver dynamics was carried out to find why such improvement could be achieved. Availability of the proposed system is verified by analysis, simulator and proving ground tests.     

Development of a single-handed hydrofoil sailing catamaran

A new, high-speed, recreational dinghy has been developed. It is a catamaran with submerged hydrofoils, which allow the crew to control the trim and heel balances. The two hulls are allowed to rotate about a main beam. The hydrofoils, which are attached below each hull, change the angle of attack independently, and the difference between the lift forces acting on each hydrofoil makes the catamaran stable. The stability of the boat is examined by numerical calculations and one-third scale model tests. Received: September 14, 2000 / Accepted: July 3, 2001     

Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process to Stochastic Robustness Synthesis of Integrated Vehicle Controllers

This paper deals with the robust design procedure of integrated vehicle dynamics controller based on Stochastic Robustness Synthesis with use of a rational decision making process of the controller parameters. The basic control structure that integrates four-wheel steering and four-wheel torque control is determined using a nonlinear predictive control theory. The Analytic Hierarchy Process, a basic approach to decision making, is applied to determine the weight coefficients of robustness evaluation function of the controller. The desired vehicle dynamic performance is described as four-layer hierarchy structure and the design priority is determined with respect to several design criteria. The proposed design process produced a control system with excellent stability and performance robustness to vehicle parameter variations.