Improving the Performance of Loop-Sensor-Based Traffic-Information System by (M+PLL) Circuit

Conventionally a phase-shift detection method (PSDM) and a frequency-shift detection method (FSDM) have been used in loop detectors. The PSDM has a fast response time and is very effective in detecting vehicles traveling at normal speeds. However, it is well known that the detection results are erroneous for vehicles traveling at low speeds in heavy traffic conditions. On the other hand, the FSDM greatly improves the detector performance for heavy traffic conditions. However, this method is not effective in fast and normal traffic conditions. Thus, in order to collect accurate traffic data for all traffic conditions, this paper proposes combining two methods using the digital OR logic. In the developed circuit, a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is used for measuring the phase change. This paper also develops a new loop detector instrumentation method using the so-called M circuit for detecting frequency change. The developed method has been tested for various traffic conditions. Experimental results show that the new combined M and PLL detection method greatly improves the accuracy in all traffic conditions, reducing the error rate in measuring traffic flow by more than 83%, when compared to the PSDM.     

Transformation and Expression of Choline Monooxygenase(CMO) Gene in Embryogenic Tissue of White Pine(Pinus strobus)

Many plants can accumulate glycine betaine(GlyBet, N, N, N-trimethylglycine), an non-toxic or osmo-protectant in response to salinity anddrought stress. Numerous experiments in vitrohave indicated that betaine acts as an osmoprotec-tant by stabilizing both the quaternary structure ofproteins and the highly ordered structure of mem-branes against the adverse effects of high salinityand extreme temperatures. Exogenous applicationof betaine to leaves or roots has been shown to in-crease the tol…     

Numerical Study for Brake Squeal by Machining Patterns on Frictional Surface

Automotive brake noise has become a stubborn problem as automotive cars achieve higher driving torques, since that the increased torque induces the generation of severe noise dissipation during brake operation. Moreover, the global brake tuning market for achieving higher performance of the vehicle has expanded recently. The need to control the noise grows more in this connection. The tuning brake kits have employed cross-drilled and slotted machining pattern on the surface of the rotor. These designs have advantages to improve air ventilation, temperature control, and surface cleaning of brake pad. However, the effects of modal frequency by patterned rotor surfaces are rarely discussed, even if it is highly related with brake squeal phenomenon. Therefore, this study deals with the relationship between patterned surfaces and brake squeal through the numerical methods. The commercial software of a finite element analysis is employed for calculation by varying geometric design factors of each rotor pattern. As a result, the cross-drilled machining patterns are concluded to be an influential factor for in-plane mode frequency while the slotted patterns have more leverage for out-of-plane mode frequency.     

Estimation of Road Bank Angle and Vehicle Side Slip Angle Using Bayesian Tracking and Kalman Filter Approach

A lateral acceleration is considered to be a significant sensor signal for an estimation of a side slip angle. Due to the fact that a characteristic of a lateral G sensor, the sensor has a technical issue when a road bank angle has presented. In order to resolve the issue, this paper describes a novel method for the real time estimation of a vehicle side slip angle and a road bank angle simultaneously. A Bayesian tracking approach is used to estimate the road bank angle by comparing a measured lateral acceleration with the calculated one in the case of various angle. A Kalman Filter has been implemented through bicycle model using vehicle roll angle, road bank angle and angular velocity of side slip angle. The performance of the proposed estimation method has been evaluated via vehicle tests on a real road.     

Model-Based Integrated Control of Engine and CVT to Minimize Fuel Use

In this study, a model-based integrated control method for engines and continuous variable transmissions (CVTs) is developed. CVT refers to a type of transmission which allows an engine to be operated independently with respect to the vehicle speed, with the engine torque and CVT gear ratio controlled in an integrated manner. In the proposed integrated control scheme, engine operating points which minimize the rate of instantaneous fuel consumption are calculated, and the engine target torque and target gear ratio are determined in an integrated manner based on the results of the calculations. Unlike the previous map-based control method, the method introduced in this study does not require an engine torque map or a CVT ratio map for tuning, and the engine torque and CVT ratio are controlled to minimize the amount of fuel used while satisfying the level of acceleration demand from the driver. The control scheme is based on the powertrain model, and the CVT response lag and transmission loss are also considered in the integrated control processes. The algorithm is simulated with various driving cycles, with the simulation results showing that the fuel economy performance of the vehicle system is improved with the newly suggested engine-CVT integrated control algorithm.     

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.     

Pressure drop and heat transfer of catalyzed diesel particulate filters due to changes in soot loading and flow rate

When soot particles are loaded in a diesel particulate filter, it causes increase in back pressure of the exhaust system. To minimize this pressure drop due to DPF, the filter needs to be regenerated after a certain amount of soot has been accumulated. It is crucial to estimate the correct amount of soot that has been accumulated by measuring the differential pressure. It is also important to understand changes in pressure drop due to flow rate variations of the exhaust gas, since the pressure drop would be influenced by the exhaust flow rate as well as the amount of soot. Furthermore, the heat transfer characteristics of the catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) are another major issue, as the filter is occasionally exposed to high temperature gas. This study presents the characteristics of pressure drop according to the variation of soot loading and the mass flow rate in CDPF. In addition, heat transfer characteristics in the filter was investigated when a high temperature gas flows into the CDPF. Tests were performed in several CDPF samples having varying amounts of catalyst coating. Experimental results indicate that rig-based experiments are useful in understanding the characteristics of pressure drop in the CDPF. In the cake filtration region, a pressure drop has a proportional relationship according to soot loading and mass flow rate. It was found that an increased catalyst coating may lead to enhanced convective heat transfer.     

Sequential Approximate Optimization of MacPherson Strut Suspension for Minimizing Side Load by Using Progressive Meta-Model Method

In a MacPherson strut suspension, the side load is inevitably generated and it causes friction at the damper reducing riding comfort. In this paper, to solve this problem, progressive meta-model based sequential approximate optimization (SAO) is performed to minimize the side load. To calculate the side load, a wheel travel analysis is performed by using flexible multi-body dynamics (FMBD) model of suspension, which can consider both finite element method (FEM) and multi-body dynamics (MBD). In the optimal design process, meta-model is generated by using extracted sampling points and radial basis function (RBF) method. As a result of optimal design, spring setting positions that minimize the side load are obtained and by using optimal spring setting positions, the suspension FMBD model was constructed.     

Accumulated tolerance analysis of suspension by geometric tolerances based on multibody elasto-kinematic analysis

Tolerance design of vehicle suspension is an important factor that affects the ride and handling quality and cost of the vehicle. Also, applying geometric tolerance to an analysis model is found to be a difficult process. This paper presents a method for tolerance analysis of wheel alignment of vehicle suspension. Monte-Carlo simulation method is applied to multibody elasto-kinematic model to analyze the accumulated geometric tolerances. As an example, Macpherson Strut Type front half car model is used, and wheel alignment dispersion and contribution ratio to the dispersion by accumulated geometric tolerances is computed. This paper also presents an efficient modeling and analysis method for elasto-kinematic model of vehicle suspensions by computing the stiffness matrix analytically. The simulation results of a Macpherson Strut Type demonstrates the validity and accuracy of the proposed method.     

Improvement of combustion efficiency and emission characteristics of IC diesel engine operating on ESC cycle applying Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) with vaneless turbine volute

Based on experimental data, the present study investigates the influence of turbine adjustment in a turbocharger with vaneless turbine volute on diesel combustion efficiency indices and emission characteristics. Experimental investigations were conducted on engine modes as set out by the European Stationary Cycle (ESC). The adjustment algorithms selected for the experiment under ESC modes included adjustment to achieve minimal values of specific fuel consumption (SFC), NOx, CO and particulate matter (PM). In present research only VGT adjustment was investigated, the factors like fuel injection timing and EGR were not investigated. As a result we were able to make a comparison of the engine combustion efficiency and emission indices for VGT and a common turbocharger running on ESC cycle modes.