Combustion phase detection algorithm for four-cylinder controlled autoignition engines using in-cylinder pressure information

For several decades, the primary goal of the automotive industry has been to reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel economy. Gasoline engines are clean and powerful propulsion systems, but have poorer fuel economy than that of diesel engines. However, due to the development of new technologies such as variable valve timing and lift and direct gasoline injection, controlled autoignition (CAI) combustion can be realized. CAI engines combine the advantages of cleaner emissions and lower fuel consumption than conventional spark-ignition gasoline engines. In this study, a cylinder-pressure-based combustion phase detection method for CAI combustion is proposed. This method utilizes a normalized difference pressure (NDP), which is defined as the normalized pressure difference between the firing and motoring in-cylinder pressures. The proposed method was developed and validated with steady-state experimental data from an inline 4 cylinder, 2 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) CAI engine. Because the calculations in the NDP method are faster and simpler than in the conventional combustion phase detection method in CAI engines, this method can be embedded in a real-time controller. Furthermore, the proposed method displayed good accuracy in detecting the combustion phase and thus stabilized CAI combustion. Finally, the detailed experimental results are presented.     

Measurement of the disc-pad friction coefficient for mechanical brakes using direct and indirect methods

It is necessary to guarantee the proper brake force to stop a train safely in a limited distance and o adjust its speed. Currently, most trains are run by electrical power and have a combined electrical and mechanical (friction) braking system. The mechanical brake force is determined by many parameters, such as the friction coefficient of the brake disc and pad, the pressure in the brake cylinder, the brake cylinder’s cross sectional area and the brake linkage ratio. In general, the friction coefficient data of the brake disc and pad have been taken through a dynamo-test in a laboratory, but these data might not be well matched with real data under operating conditions because of the difference in data acquisition conditions. The present study examined two methodologies that can measure the friction coefficient of the brake pad and disc based on a train’s real operating conditions. The first method was the direct method, which measured the brake force and clamping force applied on the mechanical brake by using strain gauges installed on the brake to calculate the friction coefficient. The second was an indirect method that obtained the friction coefficient by using the weight of the train and the equivalent brake force. Those variables were calculated from the longitudinal dynamic characteristics, such as resistance to motion, gradient resistance and curved resistance. These two methodologies were used to obtain the disc-pad friction coefficient for the mechanical brakes of a Korean high-speed train (HSR350x).     

Capacity estimation of torque converters with piston holes using the response surface method and an artificial neural network

In new slim torque converters, lock-up clutches are used to provide high fuel efficiency at low speed. However, the slimness of the converters causes difficulty in heat dissipation, which may damage the friction material and shorten its life span. A cooling hole in the lock-up piston reduces the heat but also reduces the torque because oil flows through the hole due to the pressure difference between the two faces of the piston. In the early stages of the development of this type of torque converter, designers must consider the minimum flow rate required to cool the friction material and the minimum torque capacity required to transmit the engine torque. This research explored two methods of estimating these parameters. In the first method, an estimation equation was derived by combining the response surface method with physical properties such as the centrifugal force, a sudden expansion, a sudden contraction, and the steady flow energy equation. The second method involved the use of an artificial neural network. The feasibility of the estimates based on statistics and on the artificial neural network were confirmed in the design stage by comparing experimental and estimated data. An estimation program was created using the C#.Net language and has been used for actual torque converter designs by the Korea Powertrain Company.     

Enhanced selective forwarding scheme for alert message propagation in vehicular <Emphasis Type="Italic">ad hoc</Emphasis> networks

Vehicle-based applications were recently introduced to improve traffic safety and efficiency. These applications are classified into either safety-oriented or non-safety-oriented applications. Safety-oriented applications are typically provided by means of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications to support reliable and fast alert message propagation to all surrounding vehicles when an emergency occurs on the road. In vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) broadcast-based packet forwarding is typically preferred for the propagation of urgent traffic-related information to all reachable nodes within a specified dangerous region. However, this approach may cause broadcast storm problems, which can lead to serious contention between transmissions from adjacent nodes. In this paper, we propose an alert message propagation scheme that is based on selective forwarding and aims to i) minimize the number of rebroadcasting nodes and ii) guarantee reliable and fast alert message delivery to all reachable nodes. Our scheme was evaluated using two different highway scenarios. The simulation results demonstrated that the performance of the proposed scheme was better than that of existing broadcast schemes in terms of the message delivery latency, the message delivery ratio, and the message rebroadcasting ratio.     

Development of a telematics evaluation environment based on a driving simulator and its application

For developing telematics devices, traditional development methods include the unit function test, compatibility test and T-Car, which have some limitations. Telematics devices have various functions that require accounting for the interactions among three major elements of automotive electronics: the vehicle, the device unit and driver. The KAAS (KATECH Advanced Automotive Simulator) system is a virtual-reality-based test environment designed to test and analyze the three elements in one place. One of the difficult functions when constructing such VR (Virtual Reality)-based telematics test environment is to develop a test method for the LBS (Location-Based Service) function such as a car navigation demanding the GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite signals because KAAS is in a fixed laboratory. To overcome these problems, a real-time GPS simulation system, which can be integrated with KAAS, is needed because the location of the vehicle in virtual space is determined purely by the driver’s personal intention while driving virtually. This paper presents new concepts needed to construct a VR-based telematics test environment to generate a GPS RF signal, which reflects the continuously changing vehicle location during virtual driving in real-time. To construct this system, the coordinate transform must be conducted from a rectangular coordinate system that is compatible with a virtual 3D DB that is used to construct a 3D image for KAAS using a WGS84 and a longitude-latitude coordinate system compatible with a GPS simulator. Moreover, the real-time HILS (Hardware In Loop Simulation) systems and the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) simulation system are developed to evaluate telematics devices. Finally, we show its applications and results.     

Relationship between occupant injury and the perturbation mark on the velocity indicator on a cluster panel

A perturbation mark is occasionally produced on the velocity indicator of the cluster panel of a vehicle during a vehicle collision. This mark can be used to estimate the velocity of the vehicle at the moment of the vehicle’s impact. In this study, the effect of the impact velocity and the deceleration of the vehicle on the perturbation mark were investigated, and an analysis of the driver’s injury was also conducted through a numerical pulse representation and computer simulations. Sled and pendulum tests were used to replicate the conditions that produce a perturbation mark on the velocity indicator of a cluster panel. It was verified that a higher peak acceleration is more likely than the impact velocity to cause a perturbation mark. According to the computer simulation results, a driver’s injury could be more severe at higher peak accelerations with a constant impact velocity. If a perturbation mark, which can be used to estimate the impact velocity, is found while investigating a vehicle accident, this mark reveals that the acceleration was higher than that listed in the related crash report. Therefore, the injuries of the occupants could be more serious than those expected at the reported impact velocity.     

Warning standards study of real-time monitoring for anti-collapse in large cross-sefction tunnel of soft and weak surrounding rockEI北大核心

Research purposes: The statistics for tunnel disasters showed that the quantities and casualties of tunnel collapse are much higher than other tunnel disasters. Achieved warning before collapse in tunnel construction, can greatly reduce the tunnel collapse hazards. The key to achieve anti-collapse warning in soft and weak surrounding rock tunnel is to obtain anti-collapse warning standards. Therefore, it is necessary to study tunnel anti-collapse warning standards to guide safe tunnel construction. Research conclusions: (1) Deformation of the tunnel is relevant to hydrogeological conditions, construction method, construction progress and other factors. Currently, the standard values in criterion were not suitable for tunnel collapse warning. (2) It is practicable to achieve anti-collapse monitoring by relative deformation, because anti-collapse real-time monitoring focused on dome relative deformation differently from routine monitoring in soft and weak surrounding rock tunnel. (3) The reference value of tunnel anti-collapse real-time monitoring is determined by displacement limit value in criterion, the maximum value of the measured displacement in similar project and the measured data in tunnel project. (4) The field experiment indicated that the reference value could meet tunnel anti-collapse warning. Therefore, the research results can be applied to large cross-section tunnel of soft and weak surrounding rock.     

���ڸ��Ϸֲ��Ļ�Ͻ�ͨʱ����ģ��

非复合分布模型可用于分析交通流量达1 800 vph的车辆时间间隔,但并不适用于更高交通流量的情况.为解决此类问题,提出了一些基于复合分布的模型.但这类模型的参数标定过程复杂,在一定程度上限制了其应用.针对流量介于1 900 vph到4 100 vph的车辆时间间隔,本文分别采用5种复合分布模型进行分析,即指数-极值分布(EEV)、对数正态-极值分布(LEV)、威布尔-极值分布(WEV)、威布尔-对数正态分布(WLN)和指数-对数正态分布(ELN).然后采用两种方法进行拟合优度检验——基于累计函数分布检验(CDF)和双样本(Cramer-von Mises)&K样本(Anderson-Darling)检验.结果表明,在分析车辆时间间隔方面,威布尔-极值分布(WEV)是最佳的复合分布模型,在Cramer-von Mises检验和K样本Anderson-Darling检验中均具有良好的一致性.     

Transformations and continuities of issues related to Chinese participation in the global seafarers’ labour market

Since the 1990s, Chinese seafarers have become a force to be reckoned with in the global seafarer labour market, particularly against the backdrop of the manning crisis. Compared with other groups of seafarers dominating the market such as the Filipinos and the Indians, they are commonly associated with perceptions of low cost, poor English skills, different safety/work culture, problems with the International Transport Workers’ Federation, etc. This article identifies transformations and continuities of problems related to Chinese seafarers in the global market in the last two decades or so by reviewing relevant Lloyd’s List reports as well as official documents and previous research. The review shows that Chinese authorities have been taking various initiatives to take advantage of the manning crisis and to expand and promote seafarer education, supply and export, which in general serve to make seafarers better educated and improve their communication skills. Although such initiatives have helped increase seafaring labour export, the success is nevertheless limited by tight government control on recruitment, which makes some foreign managers reluctant to employ Chinese seafarers.     

IAME 2011 – contemporary studies on maritime transport in Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean have evolved as a region of increased interest for the maritime and port industry as well as for academic research. Maritime transport activity in the region has experienced sustained growth rates over the last decades, resulting in ever-increasing demand for maritime services and port infrastructure. At the 2011 Annual Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), Latin America received significant attention. This editorial responds to growing research by giving a brief overview of the current situation and contemporary issues in maritime transport within the region. It also introduces the six selected papers for this Special Issue.