This research studied the tractive performance of integrated steering-drive systems by investigating a two-wheel-drive vehicle having two independent rear drive wheels and non-driven steerable front wheels. The feasibility of integrating the steering and drive systems and the performance advantages that may be obtained was investigated. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept, the steering system and the drive system of a test vehicle were integrated using a computer with a specially-developed program. The software algorithm developed for the program used the mathematical relationship between the rear drive wheel speeds and the steer angles of the non-driven front wheels to set the steer angles. A test-bed vehicle was fitted with instrumentation to implement the computer-integrated system. The circuitry of the hydraulic lines of the hydraulically-driven test vehicle was modified to allow changes in drive configuration. These changes are not possible with conventional vehicles. The test vehicle could be configured for the following steering-drive configurations: open differential rear drive with steerable front wheels, independent rear drive wheels with front castors, locked differential rear drive with steerable front wheels and the computer-integrated steering-drive system developed. The sensors on the vehicle allowed data collection for characterising the vehicle and wheels. omputer models were developed for the various steering-drive configurations from the force relationships, longitudinal slip relationships, vehicle geometry and turning geometry. Characteristics of the test vehicle's wheels for use in the models were measured experimentally. he models were used to simulate the behaviour, and calculate the tractive performance, of the four steering-drive configurations in various situations but actual tests were not able to be conducted with the available resources. Unlike previous models, the models of this research used force and longitudinal slip information rather than power input and power output to produce values for drawbar efficiency. theoretical analysis was conducted into the optimal slip conditions for maximum tractive efficiency. The analysis was conducted using a more rigorous mathematical analysis than previous researchers and used a thorough graphical analysis to substantiate the mathematical analysis. Previous studies concluded that under all traction conditions the efficiency of slip will be a maximum when the slip of each wheel is equal. This research revealed that, contrary to the previous literature, efficiency of slip will not be a maximum when the slip of each wheel is equal under non-uniform traction conditions. The simulations were focussed on turning situations, non-uniform traction conditions and traversing slopes. The optimal slip conditions and steer angles for turning situations were also investigated and analysed. The computer-integrated steering-drive system achieved a drawbar pull 50% higher than that for a conventional open differential when undertaking a 10 m radius turn with non-uniform traction conditions. Under these conditions, the drawbar efficiency of the computer-integrated steering-drive system was 5% greater than that for the open differential at the lower drawbar pull. It was concluded that it is feasible and beneficial to use a computer-integrated steering system. Vehicles using such a system would operate more effectively and efficiently when turning under load, moving across slopes and in non-uniform traction conditions. More effectiveness was provided through greater drawbar pull and higher drawbar efficiency. / thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2005.

This research studied the tractive performance of integrated steering-drive systems by investigating a two-wheel-drive vehicle having two independent rear drive wheels and non-driven steerable front wheels. The feasibility of integrating the steering and drive systems and the performance advantages that may be obtained was investigated. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept, the steering system and the drive system of a test vehicle were integrated using a computer with a specially-developed program. The software algorithm developed for the program used the mathematical relationship between the rear drive wheel speeds and the steer angles of the non-driven front wheels to set the steer angles. A test-bed vehicle was fitted with instrumentation to implement the computer-integrated system. The circuitry of the hydraulic lines of the hydraulically-driven test vehicle was modified to allow changes in drive configuration. These changes are not possible with conventional vehicles. The test vehicle could be configured for the following steering-drive configurations: open differential rear drive with steerable front wheels, independent rear drive wheels with front castors, locked differential rear drive with steerable front wheels and the computer-integrated steering-drive system developed. The sensors on the vehicle allowed data collection for characterising the vehicle and wheels. omputer models were developed for the various steering-drive configurations from the force relationships, longitudinal slip relationships, vehicle geometry and turning geometry. Characteristics of the test vehicle's wheels for use in the models were measured experimentally. he models were used to simulate the behaviour, and calculate the tractive performance, of the four steering-drive configurations in various situations but actual tests were not able to be conducted with the available resources. Unlike previous models, the models of this research used force and longitudinal slip information rather than power input and power output to produce values for drawbar efficiency. theoretical analysis was conducted into the optimal slip conditions for maximum tractive efficiency. The analysis was conducted using a more rigorous mathematical analysis than previous researchers and used a thorough graphical analysis to substantiate the mathematical analysis. Previous studies concluded that under all traction conditions the efficiency of slip will be a maximum when the slip of each wheel is equal. This research revealed that, contrary to the previous literature, efficiency of slip will not be a maximum when the slip of each wheel is equal under non-uniform traction conditions. The simulations were focussed on turning situations, non-uniform traction conditions and traversing slopes. The optimal slip conditions and steer angles for turning situations were also investigated and analysed. The computer-integrated steering-drive system achieved a drawbar pull 50% higher than that for a conventional open differential when undertaking a 10 m radius turn with non-uniform traction conditions. Under these conditions, the drawbar efficiency of the computer-integrated steering-drive system was 5% greater than that for the open differential at the lower drawbar pull. It was concluded that it is feasible and beneficial to use a computer-integrated steering system. Vehicles using such a system would operate more effectively and efficiently when turning under load, moving across slopes and in non-uniform traction conditions. More effectiveness was provided through greater drawbar pull and higher drawbar efficiency. / thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2005.

A comparison of a high speed container ship using a rudder versus a podded propulsor is made to study replacing a rudder with a pod. A mathematical model is altered to simulate a ship operating with a rudder and with a pod to maneuver. The model incorporates the nonlinear maneuvering equations and couples the surge and sway forces, yaw and roll moment, and the roll angle induced during a steady turn with varying rudder and pod angles. The model uses the hydrodynamic derivatives and coefficients for a high speed container ship. The equations are numerically integrated in order to predict the roll angle, sway and surge velocities, and the ship's position in the xy-plane. Both transient and steady state results are utilized to quantify the relative efficiency of each system. The results are used as a preliminary study into replacing a rudder on a ship with a podded propulsor. The results indicate that the ship responds faster and has a shorter turning radius with the pod at lower initial speeds and pod angles, while the rudder responds better at high speeds regardless of angle. Further research is necessary to study the effects of changing the pod's position and increasing the number of pods used. / US Navy (USN) author.

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Fotis Papoulias. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 1989. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-85).

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references.

This thesis presents two-dimensional hydrodynamic analysis of flapping foils for the propulsion of underwater vehicles using a source-vortex panel. Using a simulation program developed in MatLab, the hydrodynamic forces (such as the lift and the drag) as well as the propulsion thrust and efficiency are computed with this method. The assumptions made in the analysis are that the flow around a hydrofoil is two-dimensional, incompressible and inviscid. The analysis is first considered for the case of a deeply submerged hydrofoil followed by the case where it is located in shallow water depth or near the free surface. In the second case, the presence of the free surface and wave effects are taken into account, specifically at high and low frequencies and small and large amplitudes of flapping. The objective is to determine the thrust and efficiency of the flapping –foils under the influence of added effects of the free surface. Results show that the free-surface can significantly affect the foil performance by increasing the efficiency particularly at high Frequencies. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A microestrutura de uma peça temperada determina suas características mecânicas. Dessa forma, torna-se fundamental conhecer os parâmetros que influenciam na formação da estrutura do componente tratado com função dos tratamentos térmicos aplicados, permitindo obter melhorias de qualidade de uma peça frente a sua aplicação. Métodos distintos podem ser empregados para obtenção da camada de têmpera. Entretanto, esses métodos devem ser parametrizados adequadamente para garantir a qualidade do produto final. No trabalho em questão, aplicaram-se dois metódos distintos de têmpera: por indução e por condução para obtenção da camada martensítica, dureza e durabilidade requerida em cremalheiras de aço SAE 1045, utilizadas em mecanismo de direção automotiva. Fabricou-se um lote de peças, do qual metade das peças foram tratadas por indução e a outra por condução. Após a têmpera e após o revenido, foi avaliado o nível de empenamento, a dureza superficial, a microdureza, a microestrutura formada. A peças após o término do processo de fabricação, foram montadas no sistema caixa de direção, sendo realizados ensaios de durabilidade e impacto dos mesmos. Os tratamentos realizados demonstraram resultados de empenamento, dureza, microestrutura e ensaios de durabilidade e impacto no produto final, dentro das especificações. O processo de têmpera por condução levou a melhor micrestrutura, mais alta dureza e menores níveisde empenamento comparado com o processo de têmpera por indução. Mas, também constatou-se que é possível desenvolver melhorias no processo de indução para atingir-se resultados melhores. / The microstructure of a hardened part is determining its mechanical characteristiscs. Thus, the knowledge of pararameters influencing the heat treated part’s microstructure is of fundamental importance. This allows to obtain quality improvements for specific applications. Diferent methods can be used for the obtation of a hardened layer. However, in these methods the parameters have to be correctly set to reach the final product quality. In this work, two diferente techniques were applied, induction and conduction surface hardening to obtain a required martensitic layer depth, hardness and durability of SAE 1045 steel racks used in automotive driving systems. A batche of parts were manufactured, being half of the parts surface hardened by Induction and half by conduction. After hardening and after tempering, the warpage level, surface hardness, microhardness and microstructure were investigated. The parts were mounted in a steering gear system and then endurance tests and impact tests were carried out. The results of warpage levels, hardness, microstructure and endurance tests, as well as the impact tests were in the range of the specifications. The conduction hardening process leads to better microstructure, higher hardness and lower warpage levels compared to induction hardening. But it was found that the Induction hardening can be optimized to reach better results.

Thesis. 1977. B.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaf 40. / B.S.