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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 17 February 2023

Luca Pugi, Giulio Rosano, Riccardo Viviani, Leonardo Cabrucci and Luca Bocciolini

The purpose of this work is to optimize the monitoring of vibrations on dynamometric test rigs for railway brakes. This is a quite demanding application considering the continuous…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to optimize the monitoring of vibrations on dynamometric test rigs for railway brakes. This is a quite demanding application considering the continuous increase of performances of high-speed trains that involve higher testing specifications for brake pads and disks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, authors propose a mixed approach in which relatively simple finite element models are used to support the optimization of a diagnostic system that is used to monitor vibration levels and rotor-dynamical behavior of the machine. The model is calibrated with experimental data recorded on the same rig that must be identified and monitored. The whole process is optimized to not interfere with normal operations of the rig, using common inertial sensor and tools and are available as standard instrumentation for this kind of applications. So at the end all the calibration activities can be performed normally without interrupting the activities of the rig introducing additional costs due to system unavailability.

Findings

Proposed approach was able to identify in a very simple and fast way the vibrational behavior of the investigated rig, also giving precious information concerning the anisotropic behavior of supports and their damping. All these data are quite difficult to be found in technical literature because they are quite sensitive to assembly tolerances and to many other factors. Dynamometric test rigs are an important application widely diffused for both road and rail vehicles. Also proposed procedure can be easily extended and generalized to a wide value of machine with horizontal rotors.

Originality/value

Most of the studies in literature are referred to electrical motors or turbomachines operating with relatively slow transients and constant inertial properties. For investigated machines both these conditions are not verified, making the proposed application quite unusual and original with respect to current application. At the same time, there is a wide variety of special machines that are usually marginally covered by standard testing methodologies to which the proposed approach can be successfully extended.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 March 2024

Weiqiang Xue, Jingfeng Shen and Yawen Fan

The transient loads on the spherical hybrid sliding bearings (SHSBs) rotor system during the process of accelerating to stable speed are related to time, which exhibits a complex…

Abstract

Purpose

The transient loads on the spherical hybrid sliding bearings (SHSBs) rotor system during the process of accelerating to stable speed are related to time, which exhibits a complex transient response of the rotor dynamics. The current study of the shaft center trajectory of the SHSBs rotor system is based on the assumption that the rotational speed is constant, which cannot truly reflect the trajectory of the rotor during operation. The purpose of this paper truly reflects the trajectory of the rotor and further investigates the stability of the rotor system during acceleration of SHSBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The model for accelerated rotor dynamics of SHSBs is established. The model is efficiently solved based on the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method and then to obtain the shaft center trajectory of the rotor during acceleration.

Findings

Results show that the bearing should choose larger angular acceleration in the acceleration process from startup to the working speed; rotor system is more stable. With the target rotational speed increasing, the changes in the shaft trajectory of the acceleration process are becoming more complex, resulting in more time required for the bearing stability. When considering the stability of the rotor system during acceleration, the rotor equations of motion provide a feasible solution for the simulation of bearing rotor system.

Originality/value

The study can simulate the running stability of the shaft system from startup to the working speed in this process, which provides theoretical guidance for the stability of the rotor system of the SHSBs in the acceleration process.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 76 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2024

Zejian Huang, Yihua Cao and Yanyang Wang

The sandy environment is one of the typical environments in which helicopters operate. Air-sand two-phase flow in sandy environments may be an important factor affecting flight…

Abstract

Purpose

The sandy environment is one of the typical environments in which helicopters operate. Air-sand two-phase flow in sandy environments may be an important factor affecting flight safety. Taking a typical example, this paper aims to investigate the aerodynamic and rotor trim characteristics of the UH-60 helicopter in sandy environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational study is conducted to simulate the air-sand flow over airfoils based on the Euler–Lagrange framework. The simulation uses the S-A turbulence model and the two-way momentum coupling methodology. Additionally, the trim characteristics of the UH-60 rotor are calculated based on the isolated rotor trim algorithm.

Findings

The simulation results show that air-sand flow significantly affects the aerodynamic characteristics of the SC1095 airfoil and the SC1094R8 airfoil. The presence of sand particles leads to a decrease in lift and an increase in drag. The calculation results of the UH-60 helicopter rotor indicate that the thrust decreases and the torque increases in the sandy environment. To maintain a steady forward flight in sandy environments, it is necessary to increase the collective pitch and the longitudinal cyclic pitch.

Originality/value

In this paper, the aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils and the trim characteristics in the air-sand flow of the UH-60 helicopter are discussed, which might be a new view to analyse the impact of sandy environments on helicopter safety and manoeuvring.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2024

Gowtham G. and Jagan Raj R.

The purpose of this study is to find the suitable trajectory path of the Numerical model of the Quadcopter. Quadcopters are widely used in various applications due to their…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find the suitable trajectory path of the Numerical model of the Quadcopter. Quadcopters are widely used in various applications due to their compact size and ease of assembly. Because they are quite unstable, autonomous control systems would be used to overcome this problem. Modelling autonomous control is predominant as the research scope faces challenges because of its highly non-linear, multivariable system with 6 degree of freedom.

Design/methodology/approach

Quadcopters with antonym systems can operate in an unknown environment by overcoming unexpected disturbances. The first objective when designing such a system is to design an accurate mathematical model to describe the dynamics of the system. Newton’s law of motion was used to build the mathematical model of the system.

Findings

Establishment of the mathematical model and the physics behind a four propeller drone for the frame TAROT 650 carbon was done. Simulink model was developed based on the mathematical model for simulating the complete dynamics of the drone as well as location and gusts were included to check the stability.

Originality/value

The control response of the system was simulated numerically results are discussed. The trajectory path was found. The phases with their own parameters can be used to implement the mathematical model for another type of quadcopter model and achieve quick development.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Metin Uzun

This research study aims to minimize autonomous flight cost and maximize autonomous flight performance of a slung load carrying rotary wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. UAV…

Abstract

Purpose

This research study aims to minimize autonomous flight cost and maximize autonomous flight performance of a slung load carrying rotary wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. UAV) by stochastically optimizing autonomous flight control system (AFCS) parameters. For minimizing autonomous flight cost and maximizing autonomous flight performance, a stochastic design approach is benefitted over certain parameters (i.e. gains of longitudinal PID controller of a hierarchical autopilot system) meanwhile lower and upper constraints exist on these design parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

A rotary wing mini UAV is produced in drone Laboratory of Iskenderun Technical University. This rotary wing UAV has three blades main rotor, fuselage, landing gear and tail rotor. It is also able to carry slung loads. AFCS variables (i.e. gains of longitudinal PID controller of hierarchical autopilot system) are stochastically optimized to minimize autonomous flight cost capturing rise time, settling time and overshoot during longitudinal flight and to maximize autonomous flight performance. Found outcomes are applied during composing rotary wing mini UAV autonomous flight simulations.

Findings

By using stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads over previously mentioned gains longitudinal PID controller when there are lower and upper constraints on these variables, a high autonomous performance having rotary wing mini UAV is obtained.

Research limitations/implications

Approval of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Republic of Türkiye is essential for real-time rotary wing mini UAV autonomous flights.

Practical implications

Stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads is properly valuable for recovering autonomous flight performance cost of any rotary wing mini UAV.

Originality/value

Establishing a novel procedure for improving autonomous flight performance cost of a rotary wing mini UAV carrying slung loads and introducing a new process performing stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads meanwhile there exists upper and lower bounds on design variables.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 November 2023

Rituraj Raut, Savitri Jadhav and Nathrao B. Jadhav

The purpose of this study is to offer a better and more effective hexacopter design for a 3 kg payload using finite element analysis (FEA), facilitating the use of different…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to offer a better and more effective hexacopter design for a 3 kg payload using finite element analysis (FEA), facilitating the use of different materials for different components that too without compromising strength.

Design/methodology/approach

A 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model of a hexacopter with a regular hexagonal frame is presented. Furthermore, a finite element model is developed to perform a structural analysis and determine Von Mises stress and strain values along with deformations of different components of the proposed hexacopter design.

Findings

The results establish that carbon fibre outperforms acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS) with respect to deformations. Within the permissible limits of the stress and strain values, both carbon fiber and ABS are suggested for different components. Thus, a proposed hexacopter offers lighter weight, high strength and low cost.

Originality/value

The use of different materials for different components is suggested by making use of static structural analysis. This encourages new research work and helps in developing new applications of hexacopter, and it has never been reported in literature. The suggested materials for the components of the hexacopter will prove to be suitable considering weight, strength and cost.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Unmanned Systems, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-6427

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Min Wan, Mou Chen and Mihai Lungu

This paper aims to study a neural network-based fault-tolerant controller to improve the tracking control performance of an unmanned autonomous helicopter with system uncertainty…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study a neural network-based fault-tolerant controller to improve the tracking control performance of an unmanned autonomous helicopter with system uncertainty, external disturbances and sensor faults, using the prescribed performance method.

Design/methodology/approach

To ensure that the tracking error satisfies the prescribed performance, the authors adopt an error transformation function method. A control scheme based on the neural network and high-order disturbance observer is designed to guarantee the boundedness of the closed-loop system. A simulation is performed to prove the validity of the control scheme.

Findings

The developed adaptive fault-tolerant control method makes the system with sensor fault realize tracking control. The error transformation function method can effectively handle the prescribed performance requirements. Sensor fault can be regarded as a type of system uncertainty. The uncertainty can be approximated accurately using neural networks. A high-order disturbance observer can effectively suppress compound disturbances.

Originality/value

The tracking performance requirements of unmanned autonomous helicopter system are considered in the design of sensor fault-tolerant control. The inequality constraint that the output tracking error must satisfy is transformed into an unconstrained problem by introducing an error transformation function. The fault state of the velocity sensor is considered as the system uncertainty, and a neural network is used to approach the total uncertainty. Neural network estimation errors and external disturbances are treated as compound disturbances, and a high-order disturbance observer is constructed to compensate for them.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2023

Rajini V., Jassem M., Nagarajan V.S., Sreeya Galla N.V. Sai and Jeyapradha Rb

Industrial drives require appropriate control systems for reliable and efficient performance. With synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) slowly replacing the most commonly used…

Abstract

Purpose

Industrial drives require appropriate control systems for reliable and efficient performance. With synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) slowly replacing the most commonly used induction, switched reluctance and permanent magnet machines, it is essential that the drive and its control be properly selected for enhanced performance. But the major drawback of synchronous reluctance motor is the presence of high torque ripple as its design is characterized by large number of variables. The solutions to reduce torque ripple include design modifications, choice of proper power electronic inverter and PWM strategy. But little has been explored about the power electronic inverters suited for synchronous reluctance motor drive to minimize torque ripple inherently by obtaining a more sinusoidal voltage. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the potential multilevel inverter topologies applicable to SynRM drives used in solar pumping applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The most significant field-oriented control using maximum torque per ampere algorithm for maximizing the torque production is used for the control of SynRM. Simulation results carried out using Matlab/Simulink are presented to justify the choice of inverter and its control technique for SynRM.

Findings

The five-level inverter drive gives lesser core or iron losses in the SynRMin comparison to the three- and two-level inverters due to lower Id current ripple. The five-level inverter reduces the torque ripple of the SynRM significantly in comparison to the three- and two-level inverter fed SynRM drives. The phase disposition-PWM control method used for the inverter shows the least total harmonic distortion (THD) levels in output voltage compared with the other level shifted PWM techniques.

Originality/value

Among the available topologies, a fitting topology is proposed for use for the SynRM drive to have minimal THD, minimal current and torque ripple. Additionally, this paper presents various modulation techniques available for the selected drive system and reports on a suitable technique based on minimal THD of output voltage and hence minimal torque ripple.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 February 2022

Manish Kumar Ghodki

Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and…

Abstract

Purpose

Electric motor heating during biomass recovery and its handling on conveyor is a serious concern for the motor performance. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to design and develop a hardware prototype of master–slave electric motors based biomass conveyor system to use the motors under normal operating conditions without overheating.

Design/methodology/approach

The hardware prototype of the system used master–slave electric motors for embedded controller operated robotic arm to automatically replace conveyor motors by one another. A mixed signal based embedded controller (C8051F226DK), fully compliant with IEEE 1149.1 specifications, was used to operate the entire system. A precise temperature measurement of motor with the help of negative temperature coefficient sensor was possible due to the utilization of industry standard temperature controller (N76E003AT20). Also, a pulse width modulation based speed control was achieved for master–slave motors of biomass conveyor.

Findings

As compared to conventional energy based mains supply, the system is self-sufficient to extract more energy from solar supply with an energy increase of 11.38%. With respect to conventional energy based \ of 47.31%, solar energy based higher energy saving of 52.69% was reported. Also, the work achieved higher temperature reduction of 34.26% of the motor as compared to previous cooling options.

Originality/value

The proposed technique is free from air, liquid and phase-changing material based cooling materials. As a consequence, the work prevents the wastage of these materials and does not cause the risk of health hazards. Also, the motors are used with their original dimensions without facing any leakage problems.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 November 2023

Wei Li, Yuxin Huang, Leilei Ji, Lingling Ma and Ramesh Agarwal

The purpose of this study is to explore the transient characteristics of mixed-flow pumps during startup process.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the transient characteristics of mixed-flow pumps during startup process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a full-flow field transient calculation method of mixed-flow pump based on a closed-loop model.

Findings

The findings show the hydraulic losses and internal flow characteristics of the piping system during the start-up process.

Research limitations/implications

Large computational cost.

Practical implications

Improve the accuracy of current numerical simulation results in transient process of mixed-flow pump.

Originality/value

Simplify the setting of boundary conditions in the transient calculation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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