Opportunistic preventive maintenance optimization for multi-unit series systems with combing multi-preventive maintenance techniques

This paper proposes a dynamic opportunistic preventive maintenance (PM) optimization policy for multi-unit series systems by integrating multi PM techniques. Two PM techniques, periodic PM and sequential PM, are considered. Whenever one of the units reaches its reliability threshold, a PM action has to be performed on that unit. At that time the whole system has to be stopped and PM opportunities arise for the other units of the system. An optimal PM practice is determined by maximizing the short-term cumulative opportunistic maintenance (OM) cost savings for the whole system. Numerical examples are given to show how this approach works. Finally, a comparison between the proposed PM policy and the other policies is given.     

On the algorithms of adaptive neural network-based speed control of switched reluctance machines

AbstractA switched reluctance machine(SRM)drive is a time-varying,strongly nonlinear system.High performance control can no longer be achieved by using linear techniques.This paper describes the back-propagation (BP)neural network-based proportional-integral-derivative(PID)speed control of the SRM.It’s the interest of this paper to explore the utilization of the prior empirical knowledge as guidance in the initializing and training of the neural networks.The purpose is to make the networks less sensitive on the initial weights.Two modified algorithms are presented and simulation experiments show some interesting findings about their control effects and their corresponding sensitivity on the initial weights of the networks.     

3D Numerical simulation of non-isothermal resin transfer molding filling process using unstructured tetrahedron mesh

We present a numerical formulation for resin flow based on the concept of quasi-steady state situation at the flow front. To be fit for complicated product shapes, we use the four-node unstructured tetrahedron mesh based on which the numerical formulation of temperature and degree of cure is developed. The validity of our method is established in the case where flexible meshes are used. The results show that the numerical procedure, tested on known data, provides numerically valid and reasonably accurate predictions.     

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在拥堵的高速公路上,合乘车辆（HOV）车道是一种高效环保的交通方式. 虽然HOV车道广受采纳,但该系统的利用效率受到质疑. 加州在全州范围内 采取了一项允许混合动力车辆使用HOV车 道的政策,以期通过鼓励驾驶员使用省油汽车来减少尾气排放,同时通过更有效地利用HOV车道的剩余通行能缓解交通拥挤. 加州橘县高速公路的路网用于研究 该政策的影响及有效性. 研究方法结合使用传统的规划模型来估计交通需求及校准的微观仿真模型来评价系统性能. 通过对系统整体性能、车道服务水平和空气质量 三方面的分析,结论表明此政策对在高峰时段没有剩余通行能力的HOV车道带来严重的负面影响. 为保证HOV车道服务质量不明显下降还能减少排放,该政策最多允许50 000辆在加州注册的混合动力车辆使用HOV车道.     

Age and cross-cultural comparison of drivers’ cognitive workload and performance in simulated urban driving

Driving demands significant psychomotor attention and requires even more when drivers are engaged in secondary tasks that increase cognitive workload and divert attention. It is well established that age influences driving risk. Less is known about how culture impacts changes in attention. We conducted parallel driving simulations in the US and Korea to measure the extent to which age and culture influence dual-task performance. There were 135 participants divided into two groups: a younger group aged 20∼29, and an older group aged 60∼69. Whereas some differences by culture appeared in absolute control measures, the younger participants showed similar mean velocity and compensatory patterns associated with increased cognitive load in the urban setting; however, the results from the older samples were less similar.     

Optimizing the shape of a bumper beam section considering pedestrian protection

This paper presents a design technique to optimize the shape of a vehicle bumper beam that satisfies both the safety requirements for a front rigid-wall impact and the regulations protecting pedestrians from lower leg injuries caused by bumper impacts. An intermediate response surface modeling (IRSM) technique was introduced to approximate the non-linear force-displacement curves obtained from the front impact analysis of a vehicle bumper. The accuracy of the IRSM model was tested by comparing its results with those of the non-linear finite element analysis. The maximum displacement error between the two models did not exceed 3%. Using pedestrian impact analyses based on the experimental arrangement of the Plackett-Burman design, the approximate functions describing the response values acting on the lower legs were calculated. The shape of the bumper beam was optimized by integrating the IRSM with the force-displacement model and the approximate functions on lower leg impact. The optimization results satisfied safety regulations on the maximum allowable displacement of the vehicle bumper, and also the regulations protecting pedestrians from lower leg injuries caused by bumper impacts.     

Effect of various LPG supply systems on exhaust particle emission in spark-ignited combustion engine

The particle size distribution and particle number (PN) concentration emitted by internal combustion engine are a subject of significant environmental concern because of their adverse health effects and environmental impact. This subject has recently attracted the attention of the Particle Measurement Programme (PMP). In 2007, the UN-ECE GRPE PMP proposed a new method to measure particle emissions in the diluted exhaust of automotive engines and a regulation limit (<6.0×10¹¹ #/km, number of particles). The specific PN regulation of spark-ignited combustion engine will be regulated starting on September 1, 2014 (EURO 6). In this study, three types of LPG supply systems (a mixer system and a multi-point injection system with gas-phase or liquid-phase LPG fuel) were used for a comparison of the particulate emission characteristics, including the nano-sized particle number density. Each of the three LPG vehicles with various LPG injection systems contained a multi-cylinder engine with same displacement volumes of 2,000 cm³ and a three-way catalytic converter. The test fuel that was used in this study for the spark-ignited combustion engine was n-butane basis LPG fuel, which is primarily used for taxi vehicles in Korea. The characteristics of nano-particle size distribution and number concentration of particle sizes ranging from 20 to 1,000 nm (aerodynamic diameter) that were emitted from the three LPG vehicles with various LPG supply systems were investigated by using a condensation particle counter (CPC), which is recommended by the PMP under both the NEDC and FTP-75 test modes on a chassis dynamometer. The experimental results indicate that the PN emission characteristics that were obtained by the CPC system using the PMP procedure are sufficiently reliable compared to other regulated emissions. Additionally, the sources of PN emissions in ascending order of magnitude are as follows: mixer type, gas-phase LPG injection (LPGi) and liquid-phase LPG injection (LPLi) passenger vehicles. The liquid-phase LPG injection system produced relatively large particle sizes and number concentrations compared to the gaseous system, regardless of the vehicle driving cycle. This phenomenon can be explained by unburned micro-fuel droplets that were generated due to a relatively short homogeneous fuel-air mixture duration in the engine intake manifold. Also the particle number emissions from the LPG vehicle were influenced by the vehicle driving cycle.     

Analytical study to estimate the performance of the Power Shift Drive (PSD) Axle for a forklift

In this study, a new concept for a power delivery system is developed. Power Shift Drive (PSD) Axle vehicle modeling and dynamic movement analysis are performed via simulation. The dynamic vehicle model is constructed from data obtained from the derived equation, considering the specific characteristics of each part. The model is composed of a torque converter, a gear box, a differential, hub reduction and an engine, which is the power source of the 1st forward and reverse PSD-Axle. By unifying the mathematical equations for each component, a mathematical model of the 1st forward gear is derived. The system dynamic model is created using MATLAB/Simulink based on the mathematical model. Simulation is carried out using Simulink to estimate the dynamic behavior of the PSD-Axle. In addition, the dynamo test result is used to verify the model. Finally, a successful model is created. This study will be used to establish the basic conceptual design for the PSD-Axle multi-gear system.     

Optimum distribution of yaw moment for unified chassis control with limitations on the active front steering angle

This paper describes an optimum distribution method for yaw moment for use with unified chassis control (UCC) with limitations on the active front steering (AFS) angle. Although the UCC has been assumed to have no AFS angle limitation in the literature, a physical limitation exists in real applications. To improve upon the previous method, a new optimum distribution method for yaw moment is proposed that takes this limitation into account. This method derives an optimum longitudinal/lateral force using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality condition, and a simulation is performed to validate the proposed method. The simulation results indicate that the limitation on the AFS angle increases longitudinal braking force and, therefore, reduces the vehicle speed and the side-slip angle.     

Active coolant control strategies in automotive engines

The coolant flow rate in conventional cooling systems in automotive engines is subject to the mechanical water pump speed, and high efficiency in terms of fuel economy and exhaust emission is not possible given this limitation. A new technology must be developed for engine cooling systems. The electronic water pump is used as a substitute for the mechanical water pump in new engine cooling systems. The new cooling system provides more flexible control of the coolant flow rate and engine temperature, which previously relied strongly on engine driving conditions such as load and speed. In this study, the feasibility of two new cooling strategies was investigated using a simulation model that was validated with temperatures measured in a diesel engine. Results revealed that active coolant control using an electronic water pump and valves substantially contributed to a reduction of coolant warm-up time during cold engine starts. Harmful emissions and fuel consumption are expected to decrease as a result of a reduction in warm-up time.