Investigation of influential factors of a brake corner system to reduce brake torque variation

This paper investigates the brake corner system to reduce brake torque variation in the brake judder problem. A numerical model for determining brake torque variation was constructed using the multi-body dynamics model. Using this model, the brake torque variation for a given disc thickness variation was obtained in the time domain. The multi-body dynamics model was verified by a dynamometer test via the comparison of brake torque variation and load distribution patterns of the pad. To reduce the simulation time and cost required to determine factors that influence the reduction in brake torque variation, a simple mathematical model was constructed and used to determine both the brake torque variation and influential factors. The multi-body dynamics model and dynamometer test were modified on the basis of the results of the simple mathematical model and deformed shape of the multi-body dynamics model. These influential factors were verified to reduce the brake torque variation.     

Development of jacket platform tsunami risk rating system in waters offshore North Borneo

This work details the simulation of tsunami waves generated by seaquakes in the Manila Trench and their effect on fixed oil and gas jacket platforms in waters offshore North Borneo. For this study, a four-leg living quarter jacket platform located in a water depth of 63m is modelled in SACS v5.3. Malaysia has traditionally been perceived to be safe from the hazards of earthquakes and tsunamis. Local design practices tend to neglect tsunami waves and include no such provisions. In 2004, a 9.3M _w seaquake occurred off the northwest coast of Aceh, which generated tsunami waves that caused destruction in Malaysia totalling US$ 25 million and 68 deaths. This event prompted an awareness of the need to study the reliability of fixed offshore platforms scattered throughout Malaysian waters. In this paper, we present a review of research on the seismicity of the Manila Trench, which is perceived to be high risk for Southeast Asia. From the tsunami numerical model TUNA-M2, we extract computer-simulated tsunami waves at prescribed grid points in the vicinity of the platforms in the region. Using wave heights as input, we simulate the tsunami using SACS v5.3 structural analysis software of offshore platforms, which is widely accepted by the industry. We employ the nonlinear solitary wave theory in our tsunami loading calculations for the platforms, and formulate a platform-specific risk quantification system. We then perform an intensive structural sensitivity analysis and derive a corresponding platform-specific risk rating model.     

Partial-profilogram reconstruction method to measure the geometric parameters of wheels in dynamic condition

The present work poses a method for the measurement of geometric parameters of rail wheels in a dynamic condition, by reconstructing the profilogram from a portion of the wheel surface wear with artificial vision. The suggested procedure can work with a two-dimensional laser displacement transducer or by processing a sole image from a single camera with a structured light source. These two procedures require fewer devices and simpler implementation processes and allow the use of mathematical algorithms that demand less information processing, thus generating more accurate results. Railway operators may implement this method to perform predictive maintenance to their rolling stock at a fraction of the regular cost; thus achieving better precision, availability, maintenance performance and improving safety. Results were compared to those given by commercial equipment, showing similar precision but a better cost–benefit relation.     

Effect of injector parameters on the injection quantity of common rail injection system for diesel engines

In this paper, the bond graph model of common rail injector was proposed in consideration of the effects of variable liquid capacitance and fuel physical property on the injection characteristics of the injector. State equations were derived based on the model, which were numerically solved by programming in Matlab. Comparisons between the simulation results and the experimental data show that the numerical model can effectively predict the injection quantity of the system. Effect of variation of delivery chamber diameter, needle seat semi-angle, needle cone semi-angle, ball valve seat semi-angle, nozzle hole diameter, inlet orifice diameter and outlet orifice diameter on fuel injection quantity had been analyzed. The influence rules of various parameters on the fuel injection quantity had been established. The experiments were conducted using face centered central composite design. A second order polynomial response surface model had been developed for predicting fuel injection quantity, as a function of the independent variables. Analysis of variation was used to determine the significance interactions which primarily affect the fuel injection quantity. It had been concluded that six interaction factors including delivery chamber diameter with nozzle hole diameter, needle seat semi-angle with needle cone semi-angle, needle seat semi-angle with nozzle hole diameter, needle cone semi-angle with nozzle hole diameter, nozzle hole diameter with inlet orifice diameter, and nozzle hole diameter with outlet orifice diameter have significant effect on the fuel injection quantity of the system.     

Handling Cut-In Vehicles in Strings of Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Vehicles

Cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) systems are a candidate to improve highway capacity by shortening headways and attenuating traffic disturbances. Although encouraging results have been obtained until now, a wide range of traffic circumstances has to be investigated in order to get reliable CACC systems driving on real roads. Among them, handling both vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications-equipped and unequipped vehicles merging into the string of CACC vehicles is a commonly mentioned challenge. In this article, an algorithm for managing the transitions in response to cut-ins from V2V- or non-V2V-equipped vehicles is developed and tested using a string of four CACC vehicles. A CACC controller is implemented in four production Infiniti M56s vehicles and tested in real traffic, where non-V2V-equipped vehicles can cut in. The effects of a vehicle performing a cut-out are also investigated. Then responses to cut-ins by equipped and nonequipped vehicles are simulated for longer strings of vehicles using car-following models for both the production adaptive cruise control (ACC) system and the newly developed CACC controller. Results demonstrate that the CACC system is able to handle cut-in vehicles without causing major perturbations, while also reducing significantly the impact of this maneuver on the following vehicles, improving traffic flow.     

船舶成品管尺寸偏差自动测量系统

针对使用传统量具对船舶成品管尺寸偏差进行检验存在效率低、误差大等问题，设计一种基于多相机摄影测量系统的船舶成品管尺寸偏差自动测量系统。该系统由近景工业摄影测量双相机系统、扫码枪软件集成系统、实时数字化分析软件和编码定位工装组成，实现不同种类成品管的实时在线检测工作，并出具检测结果报告。该系统可提高船舶成品管的检测精度和检测效率。