Experimental study of an electro-mechanical CVT ratio controller

This paper introduces an electro-mechanical, dual acting pulley, continuously variable transmission (EMDAPCVT) and presents its real time ratio controller using a proportional-derivative-plus-conditional-integral (PDPCI) controller. The ratio controller system is developed based on primary (input) and secondary (output) pulley position controllers. Each position controller has two PID parameters, releasing and clamping, which are determined experimentally using a relay feedback method. A PC-based ratio controller system is implemented using Matlab/Simulink® software and a Keithley DAS-1602 data acquisition system card. The experimental results show that the PDPCI controller system can control the CVT ratio adequately.     

The intelligent use of finite element methods

The structural analysis based on application of numerical methods used in the solution of complex structural problems, when applied correctly, is a powerful tool leading to rational structural design of ships. This paper discusses the practicalities of its application and indicates that in order to achieve the stated objective, the following are essential pre-requisites: a) full understanding of the problem; b) ability to solve the problem using currently available methods; and c) ability to interpret the results of the analysis correctly. Whilst there is still a lot of discussion on whether the structural analysis represents a structural design or a structural verification tool, the view expressed in this paper is that the structural analysis should mainly be used in the latter context. This means that a sound engineering solution ought to be established in the first phase of the analysis and used as a basis. The final results will then only be used to perfect the structural detail and modify the areas where rapid stress gradients occur. Any other approach would invariably require repetitive, time consuming and costly iterations which under normal circumstances may prove to be counter-productive. This paper presents a few examples of practical application, the methodology of achieving the solution and the way of interpreting the results.     

Optimal Linear Active Suspensions with Integral Constraint

This paper considers the application of linear optimal control to the design of an active automobile suspension system. By inclusion of an integral constraint in the performance index it is possible to achieve zero steady state axle to body response to both static body forces and ramp road inputs. Full state feedback is achieved by reconstructing the state variables from easily measured quantities.     

Static and changing port economic impacts

This paper attempts to provide general guidelines for conducting a port' economic impact analysis. In so doing, a methodology is proposed to organize efficiency the search for port-related industries and to determine the degree of their dependence on a port. this methodology is applied to the port of Hampton Roads. In addition, some constraints in predicting the changes in the economic impact of a port attribute to changes in the volume cargo are identified.     

Coal-fixed turbines versus diesel: an Australian context

This paper considers the economics of the diesel engine as against that of coal-fired turbines for ship propulsion in the context of the world energy debate. After formulating a generalized model of propulsive plant choice the model is applied to a particular Australian export trade.     

Locating and sizing park-ride lots with interactive computer graphs

Two alternative methods for conducting a preliminary analysis of the problem of locating and sizing park-ride lots for an urban bus transit system are examined. These alternative methods are tested using a large and complex street network representing the northern half of the City of Seattle, Washington. Four design criteria are identified and an overall measure of system performance is devised. The problem is to determine the size and location of three park-ride lots that will maximize the performance of the system. The first method utilizes a computing system called LOCATOR II in an interactive graphic mode. In an experimental setting, five students use LOCATOR II to locate three park-ride lots and their solutions are found to exhibit a very high average level of performance. The second method does not involve a direct interaction with the computing system but does use LOCATOR II in a batch mode. Several students participate in three rounds of the batch mode experiment and the performance of their designs is somewhat poorer than the designs found in the interactive graphics experiment. Overall, the experimental results show that relatively inexperienced persons can find a high performance design for a reasonably complex problem quickly and inexpensively. These designs can provide a good starting point for the detailed consideration of many of the other aspects of the problem of providing a high performance bus transit service in an urban area.     

Ride Dynamics of Articulated Vehicles-A Literature Survey

This paper presents a review of the available literature describing the methods of modelling the vibrational response of articulated vehicles to the road inputs at the tire contact points. It states and discusses the mathematical techniques that have been put forward for obtaining road input characteristics, for modelling the vehicles in a range of degrees of freedom, and for performing the analysis necessary to obtain the vibrational response. Finally the indices that have been proposed for ride comfort and ride safety are given and the manner in which various researchers relate these to the vibrational characteristics of the vehicles is described.