A New Explicit Algorithm for Bi-Phasic Mixture Flow in MIM

Metal injection moulding (MIM) is a new technology to manufacture small intricate parts in large quantity. Numerical simulation plays an important role in its development. To predict the specific segregation effect in MIM injection, mixture theory is adopted to model the injection flow by a bi-phasic model. This model conducts to the solution of two-coupled Stokes equations. It is an extremely computational consuming solution in the scope of the traditional algorithms, which induce a serious challenge to cost-effectivity of the MIM simulation. Referred to some methods proposed by Lewis in mono-phasic simulation and the implicit algorithms in MIM simulation, a new explicit algorithm is proposed and realized to perform efficiently this type of bi-phasic flow. Numerically this algorithm is devised to perform the simulation in a fully uncoupled manner except for a global solution of the pressure field in each time step. The physical coupling is taken into account in a sequential pattern by fractional steps. This special algorithm does not need any iteration, so it is straightforward and robust, suitable for MIM simulation and other sorts of simulations for multi-phasic flow.     

Comparison of advanced imputation algorithms for detection of transportation mode and activity episode using GPS data

Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies have been increasingly considered as an alternative to traditional travel survey methods to collect activity-travel data. Algorithms applied to extract activity-travel patterns vary from informal ad-hoc decision rules to advanced machine learning methods and have different accuracy. This paper systematically compares the relative performance of different algorithms for the detection of transportation modes and activity episodes. In particular, naive Bayesian, Bayesian network, logistic regression, multilayer perceptron, support vector machine, decision table, and C4.5 algorithms are selected and compared for the same data according to their overall error rates and hit ratios. Results show that the Bayesian network has a better performance than the other algorithms in terms of the percentage correctly identified instances and Kappa values for both the training data and test data, in the sense that the Bayesian network is relatively efficient and generalizable in the context of GPS data imputation.     

On the implementation of an auxiliary pantograph for speed increase on existing lines

The contact between pantograph and catenary at high speeds suffers from high dynamic contact force variation due to stiffness variations and wave propagation. To increase operational speed on an existing catenary system, especially for soft catenary systems, technical upgrading is usually necessary. Therefore, it is desirable to explore a more practical and cost-saving method to increase the operational speed. Based on a 3D pantograph–catenary finite element model, a parametric study on two-pantograph operation with short spacing distances at high speeds shows that, although the performance of the leading pantograph gets deteriorated, the trailing pantograph feels an improvement if pantographs are spaced at a proper distance. Then, two main positive effects, which can cause the improvement, are addressed. Based on a discussion on wear mechanisms, this paper suggests to use the leading pantograph as an auxiliary pantograph, which does not conduct any electric current, to minimise additional wear caused by the leading pantograph. To help implementation and achieve further improvement under this working condition, this paper investigates cases with optimised uplift force on the leading pantograph and with system parameter deviations. The results show that the two positive effects still remain even with some system parameter deviations. About 30% of speed increase should be possibly achieved still sustaining a good dynamic performance with help of the optimised uplift force.     

Practicability study on the suitability of artificial,neural networks for the approximation of unknown steering torques

For steer-by-wire systems, the steering feedback must be generated artificially due to the system characteristics. Classical control concepts require operating-point driven optimisations as well as increased calibration efforts in order to adequately simulate the steering torque in all driving states. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are an innovative control concept; they are capable of learning arbitrary non-linear correlations without complex knowledge of physical dependencies. The present study investigates the suitability of neural networks for approximating unknown steering torques. To ensure robust processing of arbitrary data, network training with a sufficient volume of training data is required, that represents the relation between the input and target values in a wide range. The data were recorded in the course of various test drives. In this research, a variety of network topologies were trained, analysed and evaluated. Though the fundamental suitability of ANNs for the present control task was demonstrated.     

Design process to minimize roof surface defects using a flexural function and Finite Element analysis

The appearance and exterior precision of passenger cars aesthetics has become an important factor in the automotive industry. During vehicle assembly, the curvature of the roof can change slightly and create cosmetic defects that affect the exterior appearance. The critical factor causing curvature change on the roof is the thermally driven expansion of an elastomer-based mastic sealer which is applied between the exterior roof panel and support rail during the frame assembly process. Therefore the expansion of the mastic sealer was modeled to predict the curvature change in the roof panel. In order to evaluate the causes and predict the curvature change quantitatively, a Finite Element (FE) simulation of the oven heating and mastic curing was performed. Validation of the simulation model was performed by comparing the local deformation and amount of the curvature change on the roof obtained from the actual process. In order to minimize the curvature change, the Taguchi method was used in conjunction with the FE model where a total of eight factors were chosen to perform a sensitivity analysis. In order to exclude the deformation due to residual stress resulting from the oven process, it was selected as a noise factor. Response was taken as the maximum curvature change calculated by a flexural function which was used to distinguish absolute curvature that is not affected by the horizontal or vertical movement of roof panel. A total of 18 cases were analyzed with length of each sealer, pitch of sealer, and rail location being identified as the most influential factors affecting the curvature change. Using the optimum values, the amount of curvature change in the roof panel was reduced by 12 percent.     

Experimental study of EGR cooler regeneration aided by oxygen-fed NTP and air-fed NTP

Based on non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology fed by oxygen and air as the gas source respectively, the experimental system of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler regeneration was built to do a study at different regeneration temperatures. By measuring the concentration of main active substance and CO_x in regeneration process, the influence of temperature on regeneration aided by oxygen-fed NTP and air-fed NTP was investigated. The experimental results indicate that EGR cooler can be regenerated both by air-fed NTP and oxygen-fed NTP at a wide temperature range of 18 °C ～ 300 °C. By comparison of the regeneration with oxygen-fed NTP and air-fed NTP, it can be easily known that the regeneration effect is most remarkable at 150 °C with oxygen-fed NTP and at 120 °C with air-fed NTP. In addition, when the temperature is below 150 °C especially at 120 °C, the regeneration efficiency of air-fed NTP is lower than oxygen-fed NTP, nevertheless, when the temperature is above 150 °C, air-fed NTP has a superiority in regeneration and the higher the temperature is, the more obvious the superiority will be.     

Factors associated with bicycle ownership and use: a study of six small U.S. cities

As a means of transportation and as a form of physical activity, bicycling generates benefits to the bicyclist as well as to the community as a whole. Bicycling now accounts for less than 1 percent of all trips for all purposes in the U.S., but evidence from other western countries suggests that under the right conditions, bicycling levels can be significantly higher. Indeed, the experiences of some U.S. cities suggest that it is possible to create conditions conducive to higher levels of bicycling even in the U.S. However, the extent to which bicycle investments have contributed to bicycling levels in these communities has not been rigorously assessed. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of the determinants of bicycle ownership and use as a basis for identifying ways to promote bicycling. A cross-sectional study of six cities was designed to test the importance of bicycle infrastructure and other physical environment factors relative to individual factors and social environment factors, using a nested logit model to examine ownership and use decisions jointly. The results show strong effects of individual attitudes and physical and social environment factors on bicycle ownership and use.     

电力牵引系统用优化的传动机组

原边能源是电动汽车牵引系统中易造成故障的一个组件,力争对应用了成熟技术的发动机组进行优化.     

Surf-riding and oscillations of a ship in quartering waves

The behavior of a ship encountering large regular waves from astern at low frequency is the object of investigation, with a parallel study of surf-riding and periodic motion paterns. First, the theoretical analysis of surf-riding is extended from purely following to quartering seas. Steady-state continuation is used to identify all possible surf-riding states for one wavelength. Examination of stability indicates the existence of stable and unstable states and predicts a new type of oscillatory surf-riding. Global analysis is also applied to determine the areas of state space which lead to surf-riding for a given ship and wave conditions. In the case of overtaking waves, the large rudder-yaw-surge oscillations of the vessel are examined, showing the mechanism and conditions responsible for loss of controllability at certain vessel headings.List of symbols c wave celerity (m/s) - C(p) roll damping moment (Ntm) - g acceleration of gravity (m/s²) - GM metacentric height (m) - H wave height (m) - I _x ,I _z roll and yaw ship moments of inertia (kg m²) - k wave number (m^–1) - K _H ,K _W ,K _R hull reaction, wave, rudder, and propeller - K _p forces in the roll direction (Ntm) - m ship mass (kg) - n propeller rate of rotation (rpm) - N _H ,N _W ,N _R hull reaction, wave, rudder, and propeller - N _P moments in the yaw direction (Ntm) - p roll angular velocity (rad/s) - r rate-of-turn (rad/s) - R(,x) restoring moment (Ntm) - Res(u) ship resistance (Nt) - t time (s) - u surge velocity (m/s) - U vessel speed (m/s) - v sway velocity (m/s) - W ship weight (Nt) - x longitudinal position of the ship measured from the wave system (m) - x _G ,z _G longitudinal and vertical center of gravity (m) - x _S longitudinal position of a ship section (S), in the ship-fixed system (m) - X _H ,X _W ,X _R hull reaction, wave, rudder, and propeller - X _P forces in the surge direction (Nt) - y transverse position of the ship, measured from the wave system (m) - Y _H ,Y _W ,Y _R hull reaction, wave, rudder, and propeller - Y _p forces in the sway direction (Nt) - z _Y vertical position of the point of action of the lateral reaction force during turn (m) - z _W vertical position of the point of action of the lateral wave force (m) Greek symbols angle of drift (rad) - rudder angle (rad) - wavelength (m) - position of the ship in the earth-fixed system (m) - water density (kg/m³) - angle of heel (rad) - heading angle (rad) - _e frequency of encounter (rad/s) Hydrodynamic coefficients K roll added mass - N _v ,N _r yaw acceleration coefficients - N _v N _r N _rr N _rrv ,N _vvr yaw velocity coefficients K. Spyrou: Ship behavior in quartering waves - X _u surge acceleration coefficient - X _u X _vr surge velocity coefficients - Y _v ,Y _r sway acceleration coefficients - Y _v ,Y _r ,Y _vv ,Y _rr ,Y _vr sway velocity coefficients European Union-nominated Fellow of the Science and Technology Agency of Japan, Visiting Researcher, National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering of Japan