Description of a flexible and extendable physical–biogeochemical model system for the water column

A modelling system for coupled physical–biogeochemical simulations in the water column is presented here. The physical model component allows for a number of different statistical turbulence closure schemes, ranging from simple algebraic closures to two-equation turbulence models with algebraic second-moment closures. The biogeochemical module consists of models which are based on a number of state variables represented by their ensemble averaged concentrations. Specific biogeochemical models may range from simple NPZ (nutrient–phytoplankton–zooplankton) to complex ecosystem models. Recently developed modified Patankar solvers for ordinary differential equations allow for stable discretisations of the production and destruction terms guaranteeing conservative and non-negative solutions. The increased stability of these new solvers over explicit solvers is demonstrated for a plankton spring bloom simulation. The model system is applied to marine ecosystem dynamics the Northern North Sea and the Central Gotland Sea. Two different biogeochemical models are applied, a conservative nitrogen-based model to the North Sea, and a more complex model including an oxygen equation to the Baltic Sea, allowing for the reproduction of chemical processes under anoxic conditions. For both applications, earlier model results obtained with slightly different model setups could be basically reproduced. It became however clear that the choice for ecosystem model parameters such as maximum phytoplankton growth rates does strongly depend on the physical model parameters (such as turbulence closure models or external forcing).     

Proposal for Testing and Rating of Traction and Stability Control Systems

Function and object of existing control systems for traction and stability are described. The problem of rating and objective evaluation of the influence of such slip control systems on vehicle dynamics is demonstrated. Closed-loop manoeuvres with subjective assessment and open-loop tests with measured data are shown. Analysis of correlation results in characteristic values which allow assessment of dynamic performance of slip control systems. Tests on natural and synthetic μ-low road surface with two passenger cars, equipped with different slip control systems, demonstrate the objective test method and show their results.     

Disturbance compensation with a torque controllable steering system

Via a conventional steering system the driver perceives desired and disturbing effects such as road feedback and resonance effects, respectively. They appear with overlapping frequency spectra within the driver's steering torque. This paper introduces a control algorithm that is suppressing periodic disturbances without affecting useful steering road feedback attributes as well as regular power assistance characteristic. This is realised by an integrated torque actuator within the steering column in conjunction with a conventional Hydraulic-assisted Power Steering (HPS) system.