Dynamic motions of planing vessels in head seas

The dynamic response of planing vessels in regular head seas is investigated numerically. Nonlinear time domain simulations were performed using a 2D + t theory (two-dimensional plus time dependent theory). A prismatic hull form was assumed. We employed a two-dimensional (2D) boundary element method to solve the initial boundary value problems in 2D cross planes, in which nonlinear free-surface conditions and exact body boundary conditions were satisfied. At each time step, the total force and moment on the hull could be obtained by using the sectional forces calculated in those 2D planes. Heave and pitch motions were then acquired by solving the equations for those motions. The calculated heave and pitch responses were compared with the experiments by Fridsma (A systematic study of the rough-water performance of planing boats. Davidson Laboratory Report R-1275, 1969) for two different Froude numbers. Three-dimensional (3D) corrections at the transom stern were applied to show the influence of the 3D effect at the stern on the numerical results. Ship motions were affected by the 3D corrections, especially near the resonance frequency, while the phase angles were slightly affected and the acceleration peaks at the bow near the resonance frequency were sensitive to the 3D corrections. Other error sources in the theoretical results are also mentioned.     

The effect of sloshing on the sway motions of 2D rectangular cylinders in regular waves

In this paper, we investigated the effect of sloshing on the sway motions of two-dimensional rectangular cylinders in regular waves, bearing in mind possible applications for LNG-FPSO and LNG-FSRU. First, we carried out experiments for two models with different drafts, or the same draft but different filling ratios, in which the models were firmly connected to each other. The sway motion was measured with a noncontact video camera. This is an extension of Rognebakke and Faltinsen’s work for a single model (J Ship Res 47(3):208–221, 2003). It was found that the sway motion became small when the incident wave frequency was close to the lowest natural frequency of each model. The sway motion greatly increased when the wave frequency was higher than this frequency. The measured data were compared with numerical results obtained by a single-dominant multi-modal method; relatively good agreement was noted. However, the numerical results deviated from the experimental results near the lowest natural frequency of the smaller model, which was believed to be due to overturning waves, as observed during the experiment. Since this is out of the valid range for the single-dominant multi-modal method, other, more appropriate, methods such as the multi-dominant modal method must be applied instead.     

Configuration estimation method for preliminary cost of ships based on engineering bills of materials

Ships are complex engineering structures that are designed and built on the basis of technical experience. A shipowner will often be required to estimate the price of a new ship on the basis of the value of comparable ships identified in trade journals. Similarly, shipbuilders are often interested in estimating approximate costs during the tendering phase in order to determine whether a ship is likely to be competitive for a particular order. Thus, when designing a ship prior to having obtained a contract, one of the most important processes is the estimation of approximate costs, including materials, associated labor, and overhead. During this preliminary design phase, the design is temporary and subject to change based on variations in the shipowner’s requirements. Hence, quick and flexible responses are key during this period and an integral aspect of the competitive powers of the shipbuilder. Given this environment, we propose a “configuration estimation method.” Our method is based on the configuration design method that is widely used in three-dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) systems. We assume that a product lifecycle management system is furnished and that the cost is then estimated via the configuration of the ship, using an engineering bill of materials (E-BOM). In referring to the E-BOM, we utilize technical parametric costs derived from similar ships built previously. Using the proposed method, it is possible to obtain an accurate list of materials from the quotation, as well as a detailed work assessment for labor costs and overhead rates, so that reliable cost estimates can be generated quickly and flexibly. To demonstrate the practical applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method, we implement the prototype of a shipbuilding configuration estimation system by using a Microsoft Structured Query Language database and an E-BOM from AVEVA Marine version 12.01, which is a representative CAD system for shipbuilding.     

Experimental investigation of TARMAX model for modeling of hydrodynamic forces on cylinder-like structures

A new approach that models lift and drag hydrodynamic force signals operating over cylindrical structures was developed and validated. This approach is based on stochastic auto regressive moving average with exogenous (ARMAX) input and its time-varying form, TARMAX. Model structure selection and parameter estimation were discussed while considering the validation stage. In this paper, the cylindrical structure was considered as a dynamic system with an incoming water wave and resulting forces as the input and outputs, respectively. The experimental data, used in this study, were collected from a full-scale rough vertical cylinder at the Delft Hydraulics Laboratory. The practicality of the proposed method and also its efficiency in structural modeling were demonstrated through applying two hydrodynamic force components. For this purpose, an ARMAX model is first used to capture the dynamics of the process, relating in-line forces provided by water waves;secondly, the TARMAX model was applied to modeling and analysis of the lift forces on the cylinder. The evaluation of the lift force by the TARMAX model shows the model is successful in modeling the force from the surface elevation.     

Lubrication characteristics of spiral groove liquid seals for use in the carrier of a vane-type external LPG fuel pump

We analyzed the lubrication characteristics of a design-selected spiral groove liquid seal for the critical component, the carrier, of a rotary vane-type fuel pump developed for external installation on fuel tanks for liquid phase LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) injection (LPLi) vehicles, with the aim of fundamentally improving lubrication performance and so protecting the carrier from early frictional wear damage at its suction face. The main reason for selecting a spiral groove pattern was because the viscosity of liquid LPG is very low, comparable to that of air, and current commercial dry gas seals adopting spiral grooves have been successfully employed in completely noncontacting applications. Utilizing the Galerkin finite element lubrication analysis method, a detailed lubrication characteristic analysis of the seal was performed, and lubrication performance optimization was performed by systematic parameter analyses of the design variables. Compared to the initial reference design, the final optimized spiral groove seal design had a groove depth increased by 66.7% and an equilibrium seal clearance increased by 65.3%. Our model also predicted that under a condition of equilibrium between the closing force of the pumping pressure and the seal opening force, the optimally designed carrier spiral groove liquid seal was capable of maintaining a stable lubricating film with sufficient axial stiffness and thereby demonstrated successful noncontact operation; in addition, leakage through the seal was minimal.     

Sideslip angle estimation considering short-duration longitudinal velocity variation

The accurate estimation of sideslip angle is necessary for many vehicle control systems. The detection of sliding and skidding is especially critical in emergency situations. In this paper, a sideslip angle estimation method is proposed that considers severe longitudinal velocity variation over the short period of time during which a vehicle may lose stability due to sliding or spinning. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) based on a kinematic model of a vehicle is used without initialization of the inertial measurement unit to estimate vehicle longitudinal velocity. A dynamic compensation method that compensates for the difference in the locations of the vehicle velocity sensor and the IMU in on-road vehicle tests is proposed. Evaluations with a CarSim™ 27-degree-of-freedom (DOF) model for various vehicle test scenarios and with on-road tests using a real vehicle show that the proposed sideslip angle estimation method can accurately predict sideslip angle, even when vehicle longitudinal velocity changes significantly.     

Structural design of an outer tie rod for a passenger car

This study proposes a structural design method for an outer tie rod installed in a passenger car. The weight of the outer tie rod is optimized by using the aluminum alloy Al6082M, which is developed as a steel-substitute material, and applying structural optimization techniques. The high strength aluminum with improved mechanical properties was developed to reduce the weight of the outer tie rod. The newly developed aluminum alloy Al6082M is applied as the material of the outer tie rod. The static strength due to inertia force, durability and buckling performances are considered in the structural design of the outer tie rod. At the proto design stage of a new outer tie rod, it is cost-effective to utilize FE (finite element) analysis to predict each of these performances. In addition, the current trend in the structural design of automobile parts is to use optimization techniques to reduce the weights of the parts. First, for an arbitrary base design, the static strength, the life cycle and the buckling load are calculated to check whether the design satisfies its criteria. Then, the critical performance is selected so as to include its loading condition only in the optimization process. In this study, the metamodel based optimization process using kriging is adopted to obtain the minimum weight satisfying the critical design requirement. Then, the feasibility of the determined optimum shape is investigated against the other performances. Finally, the optimum design of outer tie rod is modified by considering forging efficiency. The performances of the final design are investigated through simulation and experiment.     

Development of a hardware in the loop simulation system for electric power steering in vehicles

In this paper, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) system was developed before the development of an electric power steering (EPS) system in a vehicle. This study was focused on the establishment of the HILS system. Driving conditions are simulated with the HILS system. The actual steering input parameters are confirmed on the monitor while driving the HILS system. The steering forces observed in the simulation with the developed HILS system are similar to those in real vehicle tests. The developed HILS system can be applied in the development of various types of EPS systems.     

Optimized fuzzy control strategy for a spa hybrid truck

In this paper, an optimized control strategy is proposed for a split parallel hydraulic hybrid truck. The model of the vehicle was simulated in Simulink. According to a global optimization technique, a fuzzy control strategy is developed for the vehicle. This strategy shows flexibility for different drive cycles and a desirable fuel consumption reduction, especially for a low speed drive cycle, which is extracted according to an urban utility vehicle mission.     

Experimental studies on the heating performance of the PTC heater and heat pump combined system in fuel cells and electric vehicles

In this study, a combined system consisting of a heat pump and a PTC heater was developed as a heating unit in electric vehicles. The system consists of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device and a PTC heater. Experiments were conducted to examine the steady-state performance and dynamic characteristics of this system. The compressor speed, outdoor air inlet temperature, and indoor air inlet temperature were varied, and the performance of the system was experimentally investigated. The heating capacity, compressor power consumption and COP were obtained. Warm-up experiments were performed to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the system with a heat load of 1.5 kW in the indoor chamber. For the heat pump system, the PTC heater and the combined system, the heating performance and efficiency were investigated to determine an optimal control method. The results of this study agree well with the experimental results available in literature. This study provides experimental data of good quality for heating system design and the development of electric vehicles.