Search Results (1,371)

To improve the flux regulation range of the Axial–Radial Flux Hybrid Excitation Machine (ARFHEM) and the utilization rate of permanent magnets (PMs), the effects of different length–diameter ratios (LDRs) on the ARFHEM performance are studied. Firstly, the principle of the flux regulation of the ARFHEM is introduced by means of the structure and equivalent magnetic circuit method. Then, based on the principle of the bypass effect, the analytical formulas of LDRs, the number of pole-pairs, and the flux regulation ability are derived, and then the restrictive relationship between the air-gap magnetic field, LDR, and the number of pole-pairs is revealed. On this basis, the influence of an electric LDR on motor performance is studied. By comparing and analyzing the air-gap magnetic density and no-load back electromotive force (EMF) of motors with different LDRs, the variation in the magnetic flux regulation ability of motors with different LDRs is obtained and its influence mechanism is revealed. In addition, the torque regulation ability and loss of motors with different LDRs are compared and analyzed, and the influence mechanism of the LDR on torque and loss is determined. Finally, the above analysis is verified by experiments. Full article

The leakage characteristics and static stiffness of scallop damper seals have a significant impact on rotor vibration and stability. A parameter sensitivity analysis model for geometrical parameters in scallop damper seals was developed using a design of experiments (DOE) approach. The method employed a central composite design, integrating factorial, axial, and center points to assess non-linear effects efficiently. And the effects of radial clearance, cavity depth, and length–diameter ratios on leakage performance and rotor stability were investigated. The leakage rate, flow-induced force, and static stiffness coefficient for 15 different combinations of geometric parameters at eccentricities of 0.2 and 0.4 were numerically calculated. The results show that eccentricity has little effect on leakage and its parameter sensitivity. Larger cavity depths and length–diameter ratios are beneficial for seal leakage performance. The tangential force increases with increasing eccentricity but decreases with increasing radial clearance, while it first decreases and then increases with the increase in the cavity depth and length–diameter ratios. Additionally, the radial force decreases with the increase in the length-to-diameter ratio and increases first and then decreases with the increase in radial clearance. The parameter level in this study is defined as the ratio of the actual parameter value to the maximum parameter value. Static direct stiffness reaches its maximum value at a radial clearance level of 30.2%. It remains positive within a cavity depth range of 92.3~100%, as well as a length–diameter ratio range of 0~20.3%. The static cross-coupled stiffness gradually decreases with the increase in radial clearance but first decreases and then increases with the increase in the cavity depth or length–diameter ratio levels. The research results presented in this paper can serve as a reference for the analysis of the performance and design of scallop damper seals. Full article

Duralumin 2024-T351 is an alloy characterized by a good mechanical strength, relatively high hardness and corrosion resistance frequently used in the aeronautical, automotive, defense etc. industries. In this paper, the variation of axial forces and torques when drilling aluminum alloy 2024-T351 was investigated, analyzing the measured values for different cutting regimes. Experimental data on the forces and moments generated during the drilling process were collected using specialized equipment, and these data were preprocessed and analyzed using MatLab R218a. The experimental plan included 27 combinations of the parameters of the cutting regime (cutting depth, cutting speed, and feed), for which energetic cutting parameters were measured, the axial force and the torsion moment, respectively Based on these data, a neural network was trained, using the Bayesian regularization algorithm, in order to predict the optimal values of the cutting energy parameters. The neural model proved to be efficient, providing predictions with a relative error below 10%, indicating a good agreement between measured and simulated values. In conclusion, neural networks offer an accurate alternative to classical analytical models, being more suitable for materials with complex behavior, such as aluminum alloys. Full article

Many stroke patients develop ankle deformities due to neurological or non-neurological factors, resulting in abnormal gait patterns. While Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are commonly used to address these issues, few are specifically designed for ankle varus. The Elastic Neutral Ankle-Foot Orthosis (EN-AFO) was developed for this purpose. This study aimed to analyze changes in kinematic and kinetic gait data in stroke patients with ankle varus, comparing those walking with and without EN-AFO in both AFO and No-AFO groups. Initially, 30 stroke patients with ankle varus were screened; after exclusions, 17 were included in the final analysis. In the No-AFO group, EN-AFO significantly improved maximal ankle inversion on the affected side during the swing phase (from 4.63 ± 13.26 to 10.56 ± 11.40, p = 0.025). Similarly, in the AFO group, EN-AFO led to a significant improvement in maximal ankle inversion on the less-affected side during the swing phase (from 7.95 ± 10.11 to 12.01 ± 8.64, p = 0.021). Additionally, ground reaction forces on the affected side of the AFO group significantly increased at both the forefoot (from 182.76 ± 61.45 to 211.55 ± 70.57, p = 0.038) and hindfoot (from 210.67 ± 107.88 to 231.85 ± 105.38, p = 0.038) with EN-AFO. Conversely, maximal and minimal thoracic axial rotation on the affected side improved significantly in the No-AFO group compared to the AFO group with EN-AFO, during both the stance and swing phases (stance phase: max improvement from −1.13 ± 1.80 to 4.83 ± 8.05, min improvement from −1.06 ± 2.45 to 5.89 ± 7.56; swing phase: max improvement from −1.33 ± 2.13 to 5.49 ± 7.82, min improvement from −1.24 ± 2.43 to 5.95 ± 7.12; max p = 0.034, min p = 0.016 during stance; max p = 0.027, min p = 0.012 during swing). Furthermore, both maximal and minimal thoracic axial rotation on the less-affected side during the swing phase improved significantly in the No-AFO group (max improvement from −2.09 ± 4.18 to 6.04 ± 6.90, min improvement from −0.47 ± 2.13 to 8.18 ± 10.45; max p = 0.027, min p = 0.012) compared with the AFO group. These findings suggest that EN-AFO may effectively improve gait in stroke patients with ankle varus in the No-AFO group. Full article

Waste minimization is a major way to achieve sustainable development. Electrostatic separation is already used in the recycling industry for processing certain mixtures of shredded plastics originating from waste electric and electronic equipment. Standard tribo-electrostatic separators use electric forces to deflect the trajectories of triboelectrically charged particles in the electric field generated between two vertical plate electrodes connected to high voltage supplies of opposite polarities. However, the efficiency of this device is often limited by the impacts between the particles and the electrodes, which diminish the recovery and the purity of the end product. An innovative electrostatic separator was specifically designed to mitigate this risk. The innovation lies in using two rotating co-axial vertical cylindrical electrodes and assisting the movement of the particles with downward-oriented air flow to reduce their impact on the electrodes and improve the quality of the recovered products. The aim of this study was to optimize the operation of the patented electrostatic separator by using experimental design methodology to obtain quadratic polynomial models of the recovery and the purity of the products as functions of the high voltage applied to the electrode system and of the air flow through the device. The experiments were conducted with a granular mixture composed of 88% polypropylene (PP) and 12% high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) particles, extracted from the recycling process of waste electrical and electronic equipment, and triboelectrically charged in a fluidized bed device. A voltage of 50 kV combined with an air flow rate of 1700 m³/min maximized the recovery and the purity of PP and HIPS products collected at the outlet of the separator. These results open promising prospects for expanding the use of tribo-electrostatic separation for efficient recycling of granular waste plastics. Full article

This work presents accurate values for the dynamic stiffness matrix coefficients of Levinson beams under axial loading embedded in a Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundation. Levinson’s theory accounts for greater shear deformation than the Euler–Bernoulli or Timoshenko theories. Using the dynamic stiffness approach, an explicit algebraic expression is derived from the homogeneous solution of the governing equations. The dynamic stiffness matrix links forces and displacements at the beam’s ends. The Wittrick–Williams algorithm solves the eigenvalue problem for the free vibration and buckling of uniform cross-section parts. Numerical results are validated against published data, and reliability is confirmed through consistency tests. Parametric studies explore the effects of aspect ratio, boundary conditions, elastic medium parameters, and axial force on beam vibration properties. The relative deviation for the fundamental frequency is almost $6.89\%$ for a cantilever beam embedded in the Pasternak foundation, $5.16\%$ for a fully clamped beam, and $4.79\%$ for a clamped–hinged beam. Therefore, Levinson beam theory can be used for calculations relevant to loads with short durations that generate transient responses, such as impulsive loads from high-speed railways, using the mode superposition method. Full article

In this study, the jacking force of a stuck pipe was explored under various contact conditions in long-distance composite strata. The Jiaoliu River jacking project in Yichao, Inner Mongolia, was selected for study, and the precise location of the pipe sticking was determined by laying strain gauges on the surface of the pipe and via integration with the measured data. Corresponding technical measures for releasing the pipe sticking were also put forward. Finally, ABAQUS 2022 software was used to establish a finite element analysis model of jacking force considering full contact conditions, and the maximum friction coefficient of the pipe that can be jacked forward in the pipe sticking state was calculated, providing a reference for related engineering cases. The results show that the position of the pipe sticking can be accurately identified through strain gauges on the surface of the pipe. The axial jacking force is transmitted more effectively in the upper section of the pipe than in the lower section, and as the jacking force increases, the length of the pipe becomes longer according to this rule. Measures were taken to adequately lubricate the pipe affected by sticking to ameliorate this condition. Full article

An axial field hybrid excitation synchronous generator (AF-HESG) is proposed for an independent power supply system, and its electromagnetic performance is studied in this paper. The distinguishing feature of the proposed generator is the addition of static magnetic bridges at both ends to place the field windings and the use of a sloping surface to increase the additional air-gap cross-sectional area. The advantage of the structure is that it achieves brushless excitation and improves the flux-regulation range. The structure and magnetic circuit characteristics are introduced in detail. Theoretical analysis of the flux-regulation principle is conducted by studying the relationship between field magnetomotive force, rotor reluctance, and air-gap flux density. Quantitative calculation is performed using a magnetomotive force (MMF)-specific permeance model, and the influence of the main parameters on the air-gap flux density and flux-regulation range is analyzed. Subsequently, magnetic field, no-load, and load characteristics are investigated through three-dimensional finite element analysis. The loss distribution is analyzed, and the temperature of the generator under rated conditions is simulated. Finally, a 30 kW, 1500 r/min prototype is developed and tested. The test results show good flux-regulation capability and stable voltage output performance of the proposed generator. Full article

Buckling is a significant concern for cable-stayed bridges that incorporate a large number of steel components, particularly those featuring unique-shaped towers that require further examination due to the intricate internal force and stress distribution. This paper investigates the buckling behavior of a cable-stayed bridge with inverted V-shaped towers. The cable tower is characterized by its unique design that consists of diagonal bracings and columns in a compression-bending state. A finite element model is established for the nonlinear buckling analysis of the bridge, revealing that the buckling failure mode of the bridge mainly concerns the tower columns that bear large bending moments and axial compressions. The buckling safety factors are analyzed under different loading conditions and design parameters, including the stiffening rib thickness, the width-to-thickness ratio, and the initial cable forces. It indicates that the design optimization can be achieved by using smaller and thinner ribs while maintaining the buckling safety factor above the required level in design specifications. Furthermore, the reliability evaluation of buckling safety is considered using Monte Carlo simulations, which incorporates the long-term effects of corrosion on steel components. Based on the identified buckling failure modes and safety factors, it suggests that the buckling resistance of the bridge is sufficient, though it can be further enhanced by using high-strength weathering steel on critical parts. Additionally, maintenance interventions are shown to be highly beneficial in improving the life-cycle performance of the structure. Full article

To address the needs of mechanized tomato leaf pruning, this paper presents the design of an end-effector capable of adaptive positioning at the base of the branch. This design effectively prevents infection at the cut sites of a residual branch and protects the rest of the plant from damage. The design objectives for the pruning actuator were established through the measurement of key parameters related to the morphology and mechanical properties of the lateral branch. Based on this foundation, we developed an innovative gripper featuring a spiral guide groove, enabling simultaneous axial traction and radial cutting of the branch. This design ensures that the branch–stem junction conforms to the cutting blade under shear stress, achieving the required adaptive positioning. By analyzing the mechanical properties of the lateral branch, we modeled the actuator’s traction and cutting forces to determine the key geometric parameters of the spiral fingers and the necessary driving torque. We validated the actuator’s operational effectiveness through discrete element simulation and practical application tests. The experimental results indicate that when removing the branch, a traction force of 32.5 N and a cutting force of 66.3 N are generated. Harvesting effectiveness tests conducted in the tomato field achieved a success rate of 85%. This research offers technical support for the development of handheld pruning devices and pruning robots. Full article

In collapsible loess sites, large-scale collapsible settlement may occur after water immersion, which will reduce the bearing capacity of existing highway bridge pile foundations and pose serious potential safety hazards. Given this, a large-scale field pile foundation immersion–loading test was conducted in a collapsible loess site. The settlement law of collapsible loess during the immersion was obtained, the bearing characteristics of pile foundations under the loading and immersion–loading conditions were compared and analyzed, and the formation mechanism of negative skin friction was discussed. The results show that the degree of collapsible deformation is related to the duration of immersion, external load, boundary conditions, and soil layer depth. Whether the collapsible loess site is immersed or not can only change the value and transfer rate of the axial force of the pile foundation but cannot change its transfer law. The collapsible deformation will increase the utilization rate of the pile tip resistance. During the collapsible settlement process, part of the gravity of the soil around the pile will be transferred to the pile, generating negative skin friction on the pile shaft. On this basis, eight preventive measures for reducing the negative skin friction of pile foundations in collapsible loess sites were proposed. The research findings can serve as a valuable reference for the design and construction of highway bridge pile foundations in collapsible loess areas. Full article

The microphonic noise induced by the vibration from cryocoolers has been found to cause energy resolution degradation in vibration-sensitive instruments. In this paper, theoretical and experimental research on the vibration generation mechanism of an aerospace-grade coaxial pulse-tube cryocooler (CPTC) is presented. Accordingly, suggestions for suppressing the vibration of the pulse-tube cryocooler are provided. A vibration model for the Oxford-type dual-opposed linear compressor is established, and the mechanism of vibration induced by the compressor is theoretically analyzed. A numerical simulation indicates that deviations in the compressor’s inductance coefficient, electromagnetic force coefficient, and flexure spring stiffness coefficient significantly affect the axial vibration of the compressor. The theoretical and experimental studies show that the high-order harmonic vibrations of the compressor are determined by both the resonance of the flexure springs and the high-order harmonics of the driving power supply. Through experiments and simulations, it is revealed that the dynamic gas pressure only induces vibration axially at the cold tip, while the radial vibration at the cold tip is determined by the heat head ‘s vibration and the structural response characteristics of the cold finger. Full article

Concrete columns are considered critical elements with respect to the stability of buildings during earthquakes. To improve the accuracy of column damage and collapse risk estimates using numerical simulations, it is important to develop a methodology to quantify the effect of displacement history on column force–deformation modeling parameters. Addressing this knowledge gap systematically and comprehensively through experimentation is difficult due to the prohibitive cost. The primary objective of this study was to develop guidelines to simulate the lateral cyclic behavior and axial collapse of concrete columns with different modes of failure using continuum finite element (FE) models, such that wider parametric studies can be conducted numerically to improve the accuracy of assessment methodologies for critical columns. This study expands on existing FEM research by addressing the complex behavior of columns that experience multiple failure modes, including axial collapse following flexure–shear, shear, and flexure degradation, a topic which has been underexplored in previous works. Nonlinear FE models were constructed and calibrated to experimental tests for 21 columns that sustained flexure, flexure–shear, and shear failures, followed by axial failure, when subjected to cyclic and monotonic lateral displacement protocols. The selected columns represented a range of axial loads, shear stresses, transverse reinforcement ratios, longitudinal reinforcement ratios, and shear span-to-depth ratios. Recommendations on optimal material model parameters obtained from a parametric study are presented. Metrics used for optimization include crack widths, damage in concrete and reinforcement, drift at initiation of axial and lateral strength degradation, and peak lateral strength. The capacities of shear–critical columns calculated with the optimized numerical models are compared with experimental results and standard equations from ASCE 41-17 and ACI 318-19. The optimized finite element models were found to reliably predict peak strength and deformation at the onset of both lateral and axial strength failure, independent of the mode of lateral strength degradation. Also, current standard shear capacity provisions were found to be conservative in most cases, while the FE models estimated shear strength with greater accuracy. Full article

To investigate the design principles and simplified calculation model of large-size PBL-stiffened steel–concrete joints, this study uses a Y-shaped rigid frame-tied arch composite bridge as an engineering background. Based on deformation coordination theory, a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation was employed to derive a simplified calculation model that accounts for boundary conditions such as the stiffness of steel beam end restraints and the local bearing effect of the bearing plate. Parametric analysis of the steel–concrete joint was conducted. The results indicate that the derived simplified calculation model exhibits good accuracy and is suitable for calculating force transfer in various components of the steel–concrete joint under different boundary conditions. Using the simplified model, the effects of parameters such as steel–concrete joint length, connector stiffness, and structural axial stiffness on the axial force transfer in primary force-bearing components (connectors and bearing plates) were studied. The findings reveal that an excessively long steel–concrete joint does not effectively reduce maximum shear force; variations in connector stiffness primarily affect connectors farther from the bearing plate without changing the shear force distribution. Increasing the axial stiffness of the steel structure within a certain range can improve the maximum shear force in connectors, whereas increasing the axial stiffness of the concrete structure has the opposite effect. Full article

Given the fact that belt drives are used to transmit power to a fairly large extent, it is natural to devote scientific attention to their transmission with an effort to contribute to the constant technical and technological progress in the field of belt production and use. For testing and monitoring belt drives, a measuring system was designed and manufactured, which allowed the installation of various types of belt drives and, under a controlled load, to monitor selected parameters and the behavior of individual transmission elements. The presented contribution presents both the measuring system itself and experimental measurements on three V-belts of the same size manufactured by three different manufacturers. During the experimental measurements, parameters such as belt tension were changed by changing the axial distances of the pulley axes; by connecting electric motors through frequency converters, it was possible to control the change in the input speed of the transmission and, at the same time, the load on the output pulley. On the proposed specific design solution for testing belt drives, the actual speed of the input and output pulleys was measured by sensors to determine the belt slip, and the belt’s floating in one plane was monitored using high-precision distance measurement sensors. The analysis of the belt drives also included an assessment of their impact on other parts of the machine or equipment (for example, when transmitting large forces, this can have a negative impact on bearings and gearbox components) on which they are installed; therefore, vibration measurements were also performed. The results of the experimental measurements can contribute to designers choosing a belt drive, for example, even under boundary load parameters and extreme conditions. Full article