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Article
Publication date: 18 October 2011

He Xu, Zhenyu Zhang, Khalil Alipour, Kai Xue and X.Z. Gao

Wheel‐terrain interaction has hardly been taken into consideration in the process of conventional mobile robot design, but its importance has been reflected increasingly towards…

Abstract

Purpose

Wheel‐terrain interaction has hardly been taken into consideration in the process of conventional mobile robot design, but its importance has been reflected increasingly towards these categories of mobile robots in rough sandy terrain or obstacle‐dense ground, as the first performance index in this situation is the trafficability of robot whose propulsion is uniquely generated by wheel‐terrain interaction. Consequently, it is valuable to find an optimized design method when the terrain and robot itself are regarded simultaneously. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel and reasonable design approach to mobile robot in sandy terrain.

Design/methodology/approach

Leading to some conflicted performance indices of robot, terramechanics describes the non‐linear characteristics in wheel‐terrain interaction mathematically, therefore, trade‐offs must be implemented to get a proper solution by multi‐objective optimization (MOO). In this paper, a five‐wheeled drive and five‐wheeled steering (5WD5WS) reconfigurable mobile robot is taken as demonstration with taxonomy of total‐symmetrical, partial‐symmetrical and asymmetrical prototypes. After function modeling, the MOO is carried out via iSIGHT‐FD using NCGA (Neighborhood Cultivation Genetic Algorithm) to minimize the mass, wheel resistance and maximize the static stability simultaneously.

Findings

After MOO, a compact and light weighted asymmetrical prototype is obtained with better trafficability, and other prototypes can produce diversified configurations to meet specific requirements. Significantly reduced masses (about 17 kg) enhance the grade‐ability when robot is in rough terrain. Performed real‐world experiments have also verified these prototypes.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new design approach for a mobile robot which focuses on both robot and terrain simultaneously with respect to conflicted factors. To unveil the insight relation of these factors, MOO is an effective tool to get a trade‐offs prototype.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2021

Xin Jiang, Xiaodong Hu, Hai Liu, Dongying Ju, Yoshio Fukushima and Zhenglai Zhenglai

This research establishes a suitable casting model for magnesium alloy wheel. The casting of the wheel is an element that must be considered in the design of the wheel. Casting is…

Abstract

Purpose

This research establishes a suitable casting model for magnesium alloy wheel. The casting of the wheel is an element that must be considered in the design of the wheel. Casting is an important basic process and technology in the field of machinery which is widely used in production, transportation, national defense, social life and other aspects. Computer numerical simulation of the casting process can shorten the product manufacturing cycle, reduce product costs, reduce casting defects and ensure product quality. The casting material in this study is AZ91 magnesium alloy used for wheel lightweight.

Design/methodology/approach

Lightweight research of automobile is a significant trend, and people are paying attention to the lightweight design of automobiles. Higher requirement was proposed on design and casting performance of the wheel which is an important part of lightweighting vehicle. In order to achieve better quality, the parametric studies of alloy wheel and casting are necessary. This research designs a new model of automobile wheel, to ensure energy efficiency, the wheels must be as lightweight as possible, using magnesium alloy material for lightweight.

Findings

Analysis of casting process is a very complex issue. This research based on finite element theory and actual production, designed reasonable casting model, instant filling and solidification data were obtained. Aiming at reducing casting defects, process improvement of casting riser structure was designed. On the basis of the foundation, it has important guiding significance for actual foundry production.

Originality/value

This research establish a suitable casting model for magnesium alloy wheel. Aiming at reducing casting defects, process improvement of casting riser structure were designed.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2007

Aimee L. Franklin and Jos C.N. Raadschelders

This article introduces an emerging demographic trend, invisible residents, or retired persons who travel extensively seeking better climates during the winter. In this article…

Abstract

This article introduces an emerging demographic trend, invisible residents, or retired persons who travel extensively seeking better climates during the winter. In this article, we articulate the costs and benefits these temporary residents could have on cities they visit in four areas: economic development, local government revenues, city service demands and indirect and intangible effects. We conclude that changes in city revenue structures may more closely align who uses and who pays for government services. However, the dearth of empirical evidence prohibits making strong conclusions about the relative attractiveness of this population to cities. Future research documenting this age-based phenomenon, currently estimated to include 10 million persons, is warranted as competition to attract these visitors heats up between Sunbelt cities.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

Abstract

Details

Further Documents from F. Taylor Ostrander
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-354-9

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Josep M. Coll

The world needs more Eastern knowledge and, ergo, more consciousness. Humanity will unlikely experience a quantum leap in consciousness if we keep ignoring Eastern and other…

Abstract

The world needs more Eastern knowledge and, ergo, more consciousness. Humanity will unlikely experience a quantum leap in consciousness if we keep ignoring Eastern and other sources of perennial wisdom in the design and development of our socioeconomic and ecological systems. This chapter aims to bridge the consciousness gap by exploring the meaning and application of Buddhist and Taoist systems thinking to regenerative systemic leadership, design, development and sustainable transformation.

Details

Applied Spirituality and Sustainable Development Policy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-381-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2018

Vivek Anand A., Arumugam V., Jayalakshmi S. and Arvind Singh R.

The failure of structures and components made of SS304 steel because of corrosion in the presence of saline water environment is still an unsolved issue across the globe…

Abstract

Purpose

The failure of structures and components made of SS304 steel because of corrosion in the presence of saline water environment is still an unsolved issue across the globe. Conventionally, coatings and inhibitors are used to mitigate corrosion. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to tackle corrosion by means of micro-patterning on the surface and to explore the relation between surface morphology, corrosion and wetting nature of micro-patterned SS304 Steel.

Design/methodology/approach

Groove-shaped micro-patterns were created on SS304 steel surface with varying ridge and channel widths. Wettability studies conducted on flat and micro-patterned steel surfaces using high speed camera. Corrosion tests carried out in saline water using an electrochemical test set-up to quantify the performance of micro-patterned surface over flat surface and scanning electron microscopic analysis to visualize the severity of corrosion on the surfaces of SS304 steel.

Findings

Wettability studies showed that the micro-patterned steel surfaces were hydrophobic. Corrosion rates of the micro-patterned steel surfaces were lower by more than an order of magnitude compared to that of the flat steel surface. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that the micro-patterned steel surfaces had less surface damage compared to the flat surface.

Originality/value

The author shows that the remarkable corrosion resistance shown by the micro-patterned steel surfaces is attributed to their hydrophobicity, which reduced the contact between the surfaces and the corrosive liquid media. Results from the investigation indicate that micro-patterning of SS304 steel surfaces is an effective route to decrease corrosion.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 65 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1979

H. KRAUSE and J. SCHOLTEN

CONTINUAL pressure of competition from the aircraft and automobile industries is forcing the administrators of railways throughout the world to concentrate their efforts on…

Abstract

CONTINUAL pressure of competition from the aircraft and automobile industries is forcing the administrators of railways throughout the world to concentrate their efforts on possibilities of modernization and improvement, with particular emphasis on the increase in travelling speeds. It is, therefore, necessary to pay special attention to the system railway wheel/rail, as it is this which has to fulfil such important functions as transmitting the driving, braking and guiding forces, quite apart from supporting the vehicle itself.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1935

A SINGLE‐ENGINED amphibian aeroplane has recently been completed for Pan American Airways by the Fairchild Airplane Corporation, of Hagerstown, Md., the first machine of the type…

Abstract

A SINGLE‐ENGINED amphibian aeroplane has recently been completed for Pan American Airways by the Fairchild Airplane Corporation, of Hagerstown, Md., the first machine of the type making its trial flight at Hagerstown on April 5th.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 7 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 18 August 2022

Hany Osman and Soumaya Yacout

In this paper, a data mining approach is proposed for monitoring the conditions leading to a rail wheel high impact load. The proposed approach incorporates logical analysis of…

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, a data mining approach is proposed for monitoring the conditions leading to a rail wheel high impact load. The proposed approach incorporates logical analysis of data (LAD) and ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms in extracting patterns of high impact loads and normal loads from historical railway records. In addition, the patterns are employed in establishing a classification model used for classifying unseen observations. A case study representing real-world impact load data is presented to illustrate the impact of the proposed approach in improving railway services.

Design/methodology/approach

Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches becomes an essential tool in improving the performance of railway transportation systems. By using these approaches, the knowledge extracted from historical data can be employed in railway assets monitoring to maintain the assets in a reliable state and to improve the service provided by the railway network.

Findings

Results achieved by the proposed approach provide a prognostic system used for monitoring the conditions surrounding rail wheels. Incorporating this prognostic system in surveilling the rail wheels indeed results in better railway services as trips with no-delay or no-failure can be realized. A comparative study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach versus other classification algorithms. In addition to the highly interpretable results obtained by the generated patterns, the comparative study demonstrates that the proposed approach provides classification accuracy higher than other common machine learning classification algorithms.

Originality/value

The methodology followed in this research employs ACO algorithm as an artificial intelligent technique and LDA as a machine learning algorithm in analyzing wheel impact load alarm-collected datasets. This new methodology provided a promising classification model to predict future alarm and a prognostic system to guide the system while avoiding this alarm.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2008

Martin Langner and David Sanders

Simple and affordable systems are described to assist wheelchair users in steering their wheelchairs across sloping ground. The systems can be attached to many standard powered…

Abstract

Simple and affordable systems are described to assist wheelchair users in steering their wheelchairs across sloping ground. The systems can be attached to many standard powered wheelchairs. Wheelchairs often steer by having two swivelling caster wheels but problems with this configuration occur when a wheelchair is driven along sloping ground because the casters can swivel in the direction of the slope. Gravity then causes the wheelchair to start an unwanted turn or ‘veer’ and the chair goes in an unintended direction. This situation is exacerbated for switch users, as switches cannot provide fine control to trim and compensate. Early experiments demonstrated that calibrating wheelchair controllers for straight‐line balance and optimising motor‐compensation did not solve this problem. Caster angle was selected to provide feedback to the wheelchair controllers. At the point when veer is first detected, a wheelchair has already begun to alter course and the job of the correction system is to minimise this drift from the desired course. A rolling road was created as an assessment tool and trials with both the test bed and in real situations were conducted to evaluate the new systems. The small swivel detector that was created could be successfully attached to caster swivel bearings. The new system was successful, robust and was not affected by changeable parameters. Although primarily intended for switch users, the methods can be applied to users with proportional controls.

Details

Journal of Assistive Technologies, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-9450

Keywords

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