Decoupled robust control of vehicular platoon with identical controller and rigid information flow

Platoon driving has potential to significantly benefit road traffic. This study presents a decoupled robust control strategy for a vehicular platoon with identical feedback controller and rigid information topology. The node dynamics of vehicle with a lower-level controller is assumed to be covered by a multiplicative uncertainty model. The vehicular platoon control system is skillfully decomposed into an uncertain part and a diagonal system by applying linear transformation and eigenvalue decomposition on information flow graph. Then the requirements of robust stability and distance tracking error are equivalent to the H-infinity norm of decoupled sub-systems. Comparative simulations with a non-robust controller and different communication topologies are conducted to demonstrate the robust stability and distance tracking performances of the proposed method.     

Novel Application of High Voltage Electrostatics Corona Ions Discharge Related to Treatment,Sanitization and Disinfection of Biological Matter Such HIV-AIDS Infected Blood

A novel high-voltage electrostatics corona ions pre-charger apparatus and methods were invented earlier by Hamade related to treat various types of receptors such as but not limited to electret polymer, air filters, particulates, catalytic converters, bioaerosols, fluids, pollutants, virus, and bacteria. It is shown in this article that his work led to the construction of various prototype chargers, customized differently for each type of a receptor. In particular his recent development of biological matter corona charger (BMCC) prototype related to expose, treat, sanitize, and disinfect bioaerosols, virus, bacteria, and contaminated fluids and blood such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is shown in this paper that each previous investigated research contemplated ionized corona charger attendant to a charging process and the corona, imparts and provides enough treatment charges to receptors including the aforementioned receptors. Researchers often relied on adopting prior corona charger methods that do not necessarily and effectively solve the problems associated with them or utilize them for optimum treatment effect. The inventor exhaustively studied the characteristics of corona discharge, and has found that the greatest difficulty in corona discharge has to do with the maintenance of the corona, particularly when the receptor is being charged. This is due to variations in either the dielectric value between the corona electrode and a grounded base or flaws in the design as the receptor passes there between suppressing or hindering corona and its effectiveness. What is needed in-the-art is an apparatus and method to achieve maximum possible charge on a receptor, a charge order of magnitude greater than that used by other investigators. This often requires customizing each apparatus and method and does not just merely use one type of a charger to satisfy all applications. To satisfy this need, we build a low cost prototype BMCC that generates self-sustaining charge corona, eliminates many previous design flaws such as spark over, and make it ready for testing remotely or with apparatus.     

Nonlinear adaptive sliding mode control for vehicle handling improvement via steer-by-wire

This paper proposes a nonlinear adaptive sliding mode control that aims to improve vehicle handling through a Steer-By-Wire system. The designed sliding mode control, which is insensitive to system uncertainties, offers an adaptive sliding gain to eliminate the precise determination of the bound of uncertainties. The sliding gain value is calculated using a simple adaptation algorithm that does not require extensive computational load. Achieving the improved handling characteristics requires both accurate state estimation and well-controlled steering inputs from the Steer-By-Wire system. A second order sliding mode observer provides accurate estimation of lateral and longitudinal velocities while the driver steering angle and yaw rate are available from the automotive sensors. A complete stability analysis based on Lyapunov theory has been presented to guarantee closed loop stability. The simulation results confirmed that the proposed adaptive robust controller not only improves vehicle handling performance but also reduces the chattering problem in the presence of uncertainties in tire cornering stiffness.     

Experimental validation of a mathematical model of a reed-valve reciprocating air compressor from an automotive-braking system

Mathematical simulation is the process of designing a model of a real system and then conducting experiments with the simulation to understand the system’s behavior. Mathematical simulation is widely used for investigating and designing compressors, and with a minimal number of simplifying assumptions, mathematical models can be used in conjunction with modern computing tools to solve complicated problems. A considerable amount of previous research has focused on the mathematical modeling of reciprocating air compressors used in automotive braking. The aim of the present work was to experimentally validate the mathematical model for such compressors. We present a simplified and effective mathematical model for estimating compressor performance, and this model can easily be executed using personal computers. Parameters such as compressor speed, discharge pressure and clearance volume were evaluated in terms of their effect on the thermodynamic behavior of compressors. The model can predict cylinder pressure, cylinder volume, cylinder temperature, valve lift and resultant torque at different crank angles; it can also predict the free air delivered and the indicated power of the compressor. Therefore, the model has been validated using experimental results.     

Method for analyzing epicyclic gearboxes

This paper presents a method for analyzing epicyclic gearboxes by evaluating the speeds, torques and power of the external elements in epicyclic gear mechanisms, as well as the total ratios of the gear box. The method is based on the equations that describe each epicyclic gear mechanism and rules that assign appropriate codes to the external elements. The method emphasizes how power flows are transmitted through the epicyclic gears, as well as power losses. Analysis of an epicyclic gear box is performed to illustrate the proposed method.     

Derivation of Frequency Dependent Creep Coefficients Based on an Elastic Half-Space Model

Kalker's creep coefficients for linear rolling contact problems are only valid in the steady state case. A method for the extension of linear contact mechanics into the high frequency range is presented. Frequency dependent creep coefficients are obtained, which can be interpreted as harmonic responses of the creep forces for harmonically varying creepages. For linear investigations of contact phenomena in the high frequency range simple laws governing the Kalker coefficients C₁₁and C₂₂ are given.     

On Control Laws for Vehicle Suspensions Accounting for Input Correlations

Input correlations involving time delays are common in active vehicle suspension system problems. One approach to control law derivation fur such systems is to restrict attention to slate feedback laws in the interests of practicality and it is then of interest to determine the law which is, in some sense, the best. Under assumptions which are common in this area. relating to input, system and cost Function forms, a new derivation of the expression for the cost, accounting for time delays, is given. The use of the expression in numerical procedures for determining effective control gains is discussed and an example for a half car planar vehicle model is described. By comparing results with existing ones which are truly optimal, an estimate is made of the loss of performance which results from the restriction of the control law form in this case. Some generalisation of the results is attempted and they are placed in a contemporary context at the conclusion.     

Impact of telecommuting on spatial and temporal patterns of household travel

A spatial and temporal analysis of travel diary data collected during the State of California Telecommuting Pilot Project is performed to determine the impacts of telecommuting on household travel behavior. The analysis is based on geocoded trip data where missing trips and trip attributes have been augmented to the extent possible. The results confirm the earlier finding that the Pilot Project telecommuters substantially reduced travel; on telecommuting days, the telecommuters made virtually no commute trips, reduced peak-period trips by 60%, total distance traveled by 75%, and freeway miles by 90%. The spatial analysis of the trip records has shown that the telecommuters chose non-work destinations that are closer to home; they exhibited contracted action spaces after the introduction of telecommuting. Importantly, this contraction took place on both telecommuting days and commuting days. The telecommuters distributed their trips, over the day and avoided peak-period travel on telecommuting days. Non-work trips, however, show similar patterns of temporal distribution on telecommuting days and commuting days. Non-work trips continued to be made during the lunch period and late afternoon and evening hours.     

Aircraft Landing Gear Dynamics: Simulation and Control

The landing gear is an inevitable system for the aircraft. It absorbs the energy of the landing impact and carries the aircraft weight at all ground operations, including take off, taxiing, and towing. Numerical simulation has become an invaluable tool for the assessment of landing gear dynamics as well as of aircraft/landing gear interaction. This paper gives an overview of the landing gear requirements and illustrates landing gear operational conditions, i.e., the shimmy problem, the dynamics at touch down and at ground roll. Furthermore, three software packages used in the simulation of aircraft ground dynamics are presented. A look at flight simulators and landing gear test facilities follows. Finally, the possible application of controlled landing gears is discussed.