Magneto-rheological suspensions for improving ground vehicle’s ride comfort,stability, and handling

ABSTRACT

A state-of-the-art discussion on the applications of magneto-rheological (MR) suspensions for improving ride comfort, handling, and stability in ground vehicles is discussed for both road and rail applications. A historical perspective on the discovery and engineering development of MR fluids is presented, followed by some of the common methods for modelling their non-Newtonian behaviour. The common modes of the MR fluids are discussed, along with the application of the fluid in valve mode for ground vehicles’ dampers (or shock absorbers). The applications span across nearly all road vehicles, including automobiles, trains, semi-trucks, motorcycles, and even bicycles. For each type of vehicle, the results of some of the past studies is presented briefly, with reference to the originating study. It is discussed that Past experimental and modelling studies have indicated that MR suspensions provide clear advantages for ground vehicles that far surpasses the performance of passive suspension. For rail vehicles, the primary advantage is in terms of increasing the speed at which the onset of hunting occurs, whereas for road vehicles – mainly automobiles – the performance improvements are in terms of a better balance between vehicle ride, handling, and stability. To further elaborate on this point, a single-suspension model is used to develop an index-based approach for studying the compromise that is offered by vehicle suspensions, using the H₂ optimisation approach. Evaluating three indices based on the sprung-mass acceleration, suspension rattlespace, and tyre deflection, it is clearly demonstrated that MR suspensions significantly improve road vehicle’s ride comfort, stability, and handling in comparison with passive suspensions. For rail vehicles, the simulation results indicate that using MR suspensions with an on-off switching control can increase the speed at which the on-set of hunting occurs by as much as 50% to more than 300%.     

A study on the stability of a motorcycle wheel–swingarm suspension with chain transmission

The present study describes a possible driving mechanism for a self-excited oscillation observed in motorcycle dynamics, often referred to as chatter. This phenomenon, affecting the performance of road racing motorcycles, has been simulated in straight running braking manoeuvres with multibody motorcycle models. It involves rear suspension bounce and driveline oscillation in the frequency range between 17 and 22?Hz. A simplified model of a motorcycle rear suspension with chain transmission is proposed and its stability in equilibrium configurations is studied via eigenvalue analysis. The sensitivity with respect to all its governing parameters is analysed by means of stability maps and the self-excitation mechanism is explained with the aid of energy balance analysis and phase diagrams. It is found that the key role for the instability onset is played by the gradient of the nonlinear characteristic slip function of the tyre.     

Simulation and analysis of vehicle stability based on ADAMS/CAR differential brake

To improve the braking safety of automobiles, the author studied the effect of differential brake on the stabilities. To analyze the mechanical characteristics of differential brake, automotive subsystem models were built by applying ADAMS/CAR, and automotive mechanics simulation model was built by setting the main subsystems such as body, engine and brake. The simulation model studied the distribution mode of three kinds of differential brake, and beeline braking stability and turning braking stability were simulated. It shows that differential brake can amend turning shortage of automobile brake and improve its braking stability, but the effect of automobile mass on its braking stability is great. So the distribution mode of braking force and the effect of mass change should be considered while differential brake is applied.     

沥青玛蹄脂混合料的高温性能影响因素分析

沥青玛蹄脂混合料作为良好的钢桥面铺装层材料,其高温性能一直是关注的焦点,本文基于室内车辙试验研究了其高温性能影响因素,重点分析了荷载和温度、拌合时间及加铺SMA对沥青玛蹄脂混合料的高温性能指标动稳定度的影响规律,为今后玛蹄脂混合料的路用实践提供了借鉴.     

船舶电力系统暂态稳定性的混合分析法

针对大型船舶电力系统的特点及其日益突出的暂态稳定性问题,开展了适用于船舶电力系统的方法研究。结合船舶电网拓扑结构自身特点,建立了适用于大扰动下暂态稳定分析的船舶柴油发电机组的动态等值模型、推进电机及其螺旋桨四象限工作特性等值模型。以船舶电网轴线为界,将系统等效成两机模型进行时域仿真分析,在此基础上建立系统能量函数,提出了一种适用于船舶电力系统的暂态稳定性混合分析法。该方法即可定量描述系统暂态稳定性及其稳定裕度,又可直观地在线监测系统各状态变量的动态过程。最后通过仿真算例验证了新方法的正确性和有效性。     

基于大型打桩船桩架的三维力学特性分析

应用国际广泛使用的大型通用结构有限元分析程序ALGOR对110m大型打桩船桩架进行了三维力学分析,该装备是国内最高并在海上施工的桩架,因此对各工况进行了详细的分析研究,并给出了合理的设计建议。对从事该领域设计施工者有一定指导作用。     

基于稳性实时计算技术的船舶破损智能扶正系统研究

基于船舶稳性实时计算技术研究船舶实时状态三维模型数字化算法用于快速计算船舶的大倾角稳性、破舱稳性和平衡浮态。参考遗传算法研究船舶破损智能扶正方案生成算法来实现智能生成扶正方案功能。然后运用上述两种核心算法设计船舶破损智能扶正系统软件,为船舶在突发破损事故时提供一套包含压载水调拨措施与步骤建议的智能扶正方案,提高船舶破损事故的处理能力。     

方沉箱浮游稳定特性

针对某港码头方沉箱,探讨了影响方沉箱浮游稳定特性各因素(定倾半径、质心到浮心的距离、定倾高度和沉箱吃水)随着沉箱密度和前舱加水高度的变化规律。结果表明:在前舱加水高度不变的情况下,方沉箱定倾半径和质心到浮心的距离随着沉箱密度增加而减小,定倾高度和沉箱吃水则相反;在沉箱密度不变的情况下,各因素随着沉箱密度的变化规律同前舱加水高度。前舱加水高度过高,会引起方沉箱的浮游由稳定平衡变为不稳定平衡,存在较大风险,而规范中并未有所体现,建议设计时加以考虑。同时在满足浮游稳定的前提下,尽量减少前舱加水高度从施工上来说是很有必要的。     

镇江地区非饱和膨胀土边坡在降雨入渗下的稳定性分析

针对非饱和膨胀土边坡在降雨入渗下的稳定问题,结合镇江地区非饱和土的室内试验,对边坡的动态过程进行分析.分析了不同雨强、地下水位情况下降雨入渗的情况,对降雨入渗下的非饱和土边坡进行渗流场的数值模拟,得到非饱和土边坡降雨入渗下的若干规律,以及随降雨发展边坡稳定性的变化情况,为镇江地区的非饱和膨胀土边坡的稳定分析提供依据.     

150 m跨径中承式提篮钢拱桥浮拖施工分析

基于150m跨径的清江石化钢拱桥,介绍浮拖施工技术在大跨径中承式提篮钢拱桥施工中的应用,分析大跨钢拱桥整体浮拖施工的要点和难点。针对本桥浮拖施工需要进行多个体系转换的特点,应用空间有限元分析程序,进行了关键施工阶段的受力分析,研究了浮拖施工阶段钢拱桥的稳定性。