For internal combustion engines used in heavy-duty vehicles, increased engine efficiency and consequently reduced CO2 emissions can be obtained if the engine speed can be kept within an optimal speed range. This requires swift and frequent gear shifts where the dry friction clutch is utilized. Enhanced dry clutch simulation models and a better understanding of the involved phenomena can assist the development towards swifter gear shifts and help reduce CO2 emissions. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the modelling of dry clutch systems for heavy-duty applications and their effect on the torsional response of the driveline during transient events such as clutch engagement and disengagement. During these events it is primarily the first vibration mode of the driveline that is active and consequently it is possible to greatly reduce theof degrees of freedom (DOFs) of the powertrain model and still capture the relevant dynamics of the powertrain. The reduced set of differential equationsdescribe the torsional motion of the powertrain and the equations of motion are solved numerically in the time-domain. From a mathematical point ofview, the equations of motion turn "stiff" when the clutch is locked. This issue is resolved by utilizing numerical solution techniques suitable for stiff differential equations. In the simulations it was observed that no engine torque fluctuations were transferred through the slipping clutch. Consequently the response of the driveline is purely modal during sliding. If the gradient of the coefficient of friction is negative the modal response is possibly unstable with exponentially growing vibration amplitudes as an effect. Moreover, the way in which the clamp load evolves during clutch engagement is found to severely effect the excitation of transient vibrations during clutch synchronization. It can be shown that reducing the gradient of the evolving clamp load at the onset of sliding will reduce the amplitude of the friction induced vibrations. Reducing the torsional vibration amplitudes will help avoid the jerky motion of the vehicle during launch and increase comfort for driver and passengers. / Reduced transmission vibrations - reduced energy consumption and environmental impacts together with an increased competitiveness. Swedish Energy Agency (project No. 42100-1)

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para análise qualitativa e quantitativa de compostos de borracha destinados à fabricação de revestimentos de embreagem. Estes compostos são formados por um grande número de componentes, dentre os quais utilizam, além da base elastomérica, uma resina como agente de processo, agentes de vulcanização e diversas cargas, cada qual com uma função específica. Os sistemas elastoméricos são caracterizados por propriedades que podem ser afetadas pela adição ou remoção de algum ingrediente e também pelas variações em suas concentrações. Os compostos de borracha são confeccionados por uma empresa terceira; portanto, o desenvolvimento de uma variedade de ferramentas analíticas para monitoramento desses sistemas se torna essencial, uma vez que esses compostos são a base da formulação de um revestimento de embreagem. Para o desenvolvimento desta metodologia foram utilizadas as técnicas TG/DTG, FTIR, GC e EDXRF. Como primeira etapa do trabalho foi realizado um estudo exploratório e um estudo de pré-formulação para a caracterização qualitativa de cada matéria-prima no composto de borracha. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foram preparadas diversas amostras com concentrações conhecidas do componente a ser quantificado. Para a quantificação das cargas grafite e negro de fumo utilizou-se diretamente a técnica de TG/DTG. Para a quantificação dos demais componentes foram elaboradas curvas analíticas de resposta (FTIR, GC e EDXRF) vs. variação da concentração. Observou-se a existência de uma correlação forte/perfeita e positiva entre as variáveis e as equações obtidas apresentaram boa adequação ao modelo de regressão linear. As curvas analíticas possibilitaram determinar as concentrações dos componentes de teores desconhecidos. / In this work it was developed a methodology for qualifying and quantifying rubber compounds destined for facings manufacture. These compounds are formed by a large number of components which use, beyond the elastomeric base, a resin that is used as a process agent, vulcanization agents and different fillers, each one with a specific function. The elastomeric systems are characterized by properties that could be affected by the addition or removal of some ingredient and also by variations in its concentration. The rubber compounds are produced by an outsourced company, so the development of a variety of analytical tools for monitoring these systems is essential, since these compounds are the basis of a facing formulation. For developing this methodology, TG/DTG, FTIR, GC and EDXRF were used as techniques. The first step was an exploratory and a pre-formulation study for a qualitative characterization of each raw material in rubber compound. In the second stage, several samples with known concentrations of the quantifying component were prepared. The quantification of graphite and carbon black was made directly by means of TG/DTG technique. For quantifying the other components, analytical curves of response (FTIR, GC and EDXRF) vs. variation of concentration were elaborated. A strong/perfect and positive correlation between the variables was observed and the equations presented good fit with the linear regression model. By means of the analytical curves it was possible to determine the amounts of unknown concentration rubber compounds.

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para análise qualitativa e quantitativa de compostos de borracha destinados à fabricação de revestimentos de embreagem. Estes compostos são formados por um grande número de componentes, dentre os quais utilizam, além da base elastomérica, uma resina como agente de processo, agentes de vulcanização e diversas cargas, cada qual com uma função específica. Os sistemas elastoméricos são caracterizados por propriedades que podem ser afetadas pela adição ou remoção de algum ingrediente e também pelas variações em suas concentrações. Os compostos de borracha são confeccionados por uma empresa terceira; portanto, o desenvolvimento de uma variedade de ferramentas analíticas para monitoramento desses sistemas se torna essencial, uma vez que esses compostos são a base da formulação de um revestimento de embreagem. Para o desenvolvimento desta metodologia foram utilizadas as técnicas TG/DTG, FTIR, GC e EDXRF. Como primeira etapa do trabalho foi realizado um estudo exploratório e um estudo de pré-formulação para a caracterização qualitativa de cada matéria-prima no composto de borracha. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foram preparadas diversas amostras com concentrações conhecidas do componente a ser quantificado. Para a quantificação das cargas grafite e negro de fumo utilizou-se diretamente a técnica de TG/DTG. Para a quantificação dos demais componentes foram elaboradas curvas analíticas de resposta (FTIR, GC e EDXRF) vs. variação da concentração. Observou-se a existência de uma correlação forte/perfeita e positiva entre as variáveis e as equações obtidas apresentaram boa adequação ao modelo de regressão linear. As curvas analíticas possibilitaram determinar as concentrações dos componentes de teores desconhecidos. / In this work it was developed a methodology for qualifying and quantifying rubber compounds destined for facings manufacture. These compounds are formed by a large number of components which use, beyond the elastomeric base, a resin that is used as a process agent, vulcanization agents and different fillers, each one with a specific function. The elastomeric systems are characterized by properties that could be affected by the addition or removal of some ingredient and also by variations in its concentration. The rubber compounds are produced by an outsourced company, so the development of a variety of analytical tools for monitoring these systems is essential, since these compounds are the basis of a facing formulation. For developing this methodology, TG/DTG, FTIR, GC and EDXRF were used as techniques. The first step was an exploratory and a pre-formulation study for a qualitative characterization of each raw material in rubber compound. In the second stage, several samples with known concentrations of the quantifying component were prepared. The quantification of graphite and carbon black was made directly by means of TG/DTG technique. For quantifying the other components, analytical curves of response (FTIR, GC and EDXRF) vs. variation of concentration were elaborated. A strong/perfect and positive correlation between the variables was observed and the equations presented good fit with the linear regression model. By means of the analytical curves it was possible to determine the amounts of unknown concentration rubber compounds.

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have been used for artificial muscles for years. Recently the DEA-based deformable surfaces have demonstrated controllable microscale roughness, ease of operation, fast response, and possibilities for programmable control. DEA muscles used in bioinspired robotic arms for large deformation and strong force also become desirable for their efficiency, low manufacturing cost, high force-to-weight ratio, and noiseless operation. The DEA-based responsive surfaces in microscale roughness control, however, exhibit limited durability due to irreversible dielectric breakdown. Lowering device voltage to avoid this issue is hindered by an inadequate understanding of the electrically-induced wrinkling deformation as a function of the deformable dielectric film thickness. Also, the programmable control and geometric analysis of the structured surface deformation have not yet been fully explored. Current methods to generate anisotropic wrinkles rely on mechanical pre-loading such as stretching or bending, which complicates the fabrication and operation of the devices. With a fixed mechanical pre-loading, the device can only switch between the flat state and the preset wrinkling state. In this thesis, we overcome these shortcomings by demonstrating a simple method for fabricating fault-tolerant electro-responsive surfaces and for controlling surface wrinkling patterns. The DEA-based system can produce different reversible surface topographies (craters, irregular wrinkles, structured wrinkles) upon the geometrical design of electrode and application of voltage. It remains functional due to its ability to self-insulate breakdown faults even after multiple high voltage breakdowns, and the induced breakdown punctures can be used for amplification of local electric fields for wrinkle formation at lower applied voltages. We enhance fundamental understanding of the system by using different analytical models combined with numerical simulation to discuss the mechanism and critical conditions for wrinkle formation, and compare it with the experimental results from surface topography, critical field to induce wrinkles in films of different thickness, and wrinkling patterns quantitatively analysed by different disorder metrics. Based on the results, we demonstrate its wide applicability in adjustable transparency films, dynamic light-grating filter, molding for static surface patterns, and multi-stable mirror-diffusor-diffraction grating device. For DEAs used for macroscopic-scale deformation in robotic arms, the main issue that undermines the performance of DEA muscles is the trade-off between strong force and large displacement, which limits the durability and range of potential robotic and automation applications of DEA-driven devices. In this thesis, this challenge is tackled by using DEAs in loudspeaker configuration for independent scaling-up of force and displacement, developing a theoretical prediction to optimise the operation of such DEAs in bioinspired antagonistic system to maximise speed and power of the robotic arm, and designing a clutch-gear-shaft mechanical system collaborating with the muscles to decouple the displacement and output force. Therefore, the trade-off between force and displacement in traditional DEA muscles can be resolved. The mechanical system can also convert the short linear spurt to an unlimited rotary motion. Combining these advantages, continuous movement with high output force can be accomplished.