Note on Modern Trends in Heavy Vehicle Electrical Electronic systems

The paper presents an overview of some of the aerospace control systems that are being successfully adopted in the field of Armoured Fighting Vehicles. An automatic electronic transmission controller for an epicyclic gear box with a torque converter to select the forward and reverse speeds in a sequential logic has been developed. Transducers developed for monitoring various engine and transmission parameters are being used for Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), variable valve timings and electronic governing

Micro-Actuators and Implementation

Miniaturization of devices inculcates the need for small-sized actuators. Actuators in the size of a few centimeters are not uncommon but miniature devices need ones that are less than a few centimeters in dimension. Market for such actuators is rather small and information pertaining to their implementation is limited. This paper talks about various actuators and their actuation mechanism for the design of small-scale electronic devices. Not only are the small-sized actuators used for designing miniature devices, but also used for precise movements in the range of a few millimeters. We have included a procedure-wise description on how to implement these actuators. An in-depth analysis of their mechanical, electrical and chemical characteristics is elaborated in this paper

CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDRAULIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION DURING TRANSIENT EVENTS

A torque converter was instrumented with 29 pressure transducers to measure the torus, clutch plate, and torque converter cavities using telemetry to transfer the data. The torque converter was placed in a six-speed front wheel drive transmission and a test cell was built to drive and load the transmission to mimic in-vehicle performance. Steady state tests were completed to establish a baseline for pressure performance of the torque converter. The transient events tested include back drive and gear shifting. Back drive showed how the pressure fluctuates across the speed ratios above 1 as well as identifying the stator speed. Gear shifting presented how large the pressure change can be between each gear state. Low speed downshifting, where hydraulic demand can possibly exceed pump capacity, resulted in showing the control over the torque converter clutch was still possible and reliable. These results can be used to improve future calibrations and designs

STORWATTS: Compressed air energy storage system

The current problem with energy backup and grid stabilization systems is that both either require fuel and constant maintenance, such as diesel generators, or cannot perform at their peak operation and need constant replacement, like batteries. Our solution and the goal of the StorWatts senior design project was to design and create a small-scale compressed air energy storage system to be used in place of traditional energy backup and grid stabilization systems. The StorWatts system does not need fuel in order to store and generate power and therefore does not require constant refueling and maintenance. It also can work in most any climate, not needing environmental control like its battery counterparts. This allows for a standalone system that can perform reliably for years at a time. This StorWatts CAES system will convert electrical energy into mechanical energy by compressing air into a set of air storage tanks. When power is needed, the air will be released from the storage tanks through an expander. The expander, connected to a DC generator, will convert the stored energy into usable electric power. The StorWatts team, with a generous donation from the Biederer family, repurposed an old Briggs and Stratton four stroke gas engine into an air expander. The existing cylinder head was removed and redesigned to allow room for a thermocouple, a pressure transducer, a 500 psi safety release valve and two fast acting solenoids, one for inlet air and one for outlet exhaust air. The solenoids were controlled by an arduino with set open and close times. However, due to safety concerns and time restrictions, we unable to test the system above 70 psi. This created problems as the arduino was set for an inlet pressure of 500 psi. The engine was unable to turn over at 70 psi and no running information was obtained

Volume 3 – Conference

We are pleased to present the conference proceedings for the 12th edition of the International Fluid Power Conference (IFK). The IFK is one of the world’s most significant scientific conferences on fluid power control technology and systems. It offers a common platform for the presentation and discussion of trends and innovations to manufacturers, users and scientists. The Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems at the TU Dresden is organizing and hosting the IFK for the sixth time. Supporting hosts are the Fluid Power Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Dresdner Verein zur Förderung der Fluidtechnik e. V. (DVF) and GWT-TUD GmbH. The organization and the conference location alternates every two years between the Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems in Dresden and the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems in Aachen. The symposium on the first day is dedicated to presentations focused on methodology and fundamental research. The two following conference days offer a wide variety of application and technology orientated papers about the latest state of the art in fluid power. It is this combination that makes the IFK a unique and excellent forum for the exchange of academic research and industrial application experience. A simultaneously ongoing exhibition offers the possibility to get product information and to have individual talks with manufacturers. The theme of the 12th IFK is “Fluid Power – Future Technology”, covering topics that enable the development of 5G-ready, cost-efficient and demand-driven structures, as well as individual decentralized drives. Another topic is the real-time data exchange that allows the application of numerous predictive maintenance strategies, which will significantly increase the availability of fluid power systems and their elements and ensure their improved lifetime performance. We create an atmosphere for casual exchange by offering a vast frame and cultural program. This includes a get-together, a conference banquet, laboratory festivities and some physical activities such as jogging in Dresden’s old town.:Group 8: Pneumatics Group 9 | 11: Mobile applications Group 10: Special domains Group 12: Novel system architectures Group 13 | 15: Actuators & sensors Group 14: Safety & reliabilit

Design, simulation and experimental investigation of a novel reconfigurable assembly fixture for press brakes

A reconfigurable assembly fixture is a major and important component of a reconfigurable assembly system. It isrequired for the assembly of a variety of press brake models inorder to reduce the assembly time and overall production time.The stages and requirements for the design of an assembly fixtureand understanding of the assembly process for press brakemodels were used to design a reconfigurable assembly fixture.A detailed design analysis of parts of the fixture and the hydraulicsystem is considered and presented in this article. The stress anddisplacement analysis of the parts is executed using Solidworksexpress simulation. The parameters of the hydraulic componentswere determined from force requirements, and the hydraulic system was modelled physically using Matlab Simscape hydraulics.The response of the hydraulic system was obtained for eachactuator in the system in order to depict the output of the actuators from the spool displacement of the valves. Stress analysisconducted on parts of the fixture showed that it can withstandmaximum stresses that are lesser than the yield strength of thematerial used for the part. It was also established that synchronization of hydraulic actuators can best be achieved by the use of asine input to the electrohydraulic valve. An experimental investigation was done using FESTO hydraulic test bench in order toobserve the synchronized extension and retraction of the hydraulic actuators. The simulation of the hydraulic system, electricsystem and the programmable logic controller was prepared using automation studio. The design is envisaged to provide the industries with relevant information on accurate location and gripping of press brake frames rather than turning and repositioning of the frame in order to fit other parts during assembly. The article provides relevant information on the design analysis of a reconfigurable assembly fixture for press brakes which is novel because articles on reconfigurable assembly fixtures have not considered its application to press brake assembly