This research investigates a novel arrangement to pneumatic suspensions that are commonly used in heavy trucks, toward providing a dynamically balanced system that resists body roll and provides added roll stability to the vehicle. The new suspension, referred to as "balanced suspension," is implemented by retrofitting a conventional pneumatic suspension with two leveling valves and a symmetric plumbing arrangement to provide a balanced airflow and air pressure in the airsprings. This new design contributes to a balanced force distribution among the axles, which enables the suspension to maintain the body in a leveled position both statically and dynamically. This is in contrast to conventional heavy truck pneumatic suspensions that are mainly adjusted quasi-statically to level the body in response to load variations. The main objectives of the research are to discover and analyze the effects of various pneumatic components on the suspension dynamic response and numerically study the benefits of the pneumatically balanced suspension system. A pneumatic suspension model is established to capture the details of airsprings, leveling valves, check valves, pipes, and air tank based on the laws of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Experiments are designed and conducted to help determine and verify the modeling parameters and components. Co-simulation technique is applied to establish a multi-domain model that couples highly non-linear fluid dynamics of the pneumatic suspension with complex multi-body dynamics of an articulated vehicle. The model is used to extensively study effects of pneumatic balanced control of the suspensions on the tractor and trailer combination dynamics. The simulations indicate that the dual leveling valve arrangement of the balanced suspension provides better adjustments to the body roll by charging the airsprings on the jounce side, while purging air from the rebound side. Such an adjustment allows maintaining a larger difference in suspension force from side to side, which resists the vehicle sway and levels the truck body during cornering. Additionally, the balanced suspension better equalizes the front and rear drive axle air pressures, for a better dynamic load sharing and pitch control. It is evident from the simulation results that the balanced suspension increases roll stiffness without affecting vertical stiffness, and thereby it can serve as an anti-roll bar that results in a more stable body roll during steering maneuvers. Moreover, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) study suggests that when one side of the balanced suspension fails, the other side acts to compensate for the failure. On the other hand, if the trailer is also equipped with dual leveling valves, such an arrangement will bring an additional stabilizing effect to the vehicle in case of the tractor suspension failure. The overall research results presented show that significant improvements on vehicle roll dynamics and suspension dynamic responsiveness can be achieved from the balanced suspension system. / PHD

The ability of a Formula SAE sports car to negotiate a turn in a race is influenced by many parameters which include car's overall geometry, its shape, weight distribution, type of suspension used, spring and shock absorber characteristics that are used in the tire properties, static and dynamic loading. Steady-state cornering implies that the forces acting on the vehicle are unchanging for a given time. The suspension uprights form a connection between the wheel assembly and the suspension linkages. The criticality of the upright is that it is considered an un-suspended body, but in fact, it is subjected to very high stresses. The dynamic load imposed on the vehicle from various road conditions, cornering, braking and suspension assembly constraints generate stress on the upright body. The equations of motion generally govern vehicle dynamics. For a kinematic and rigid body dynamics analysis, a multibody dynamics (MBD) approach is popular. The results of the dynamic analysis yield internal loads which are used to analyze suspension components for structural stiffness and strength. Automotive companies with relatively lower structural loads have made the MBD approach popular because it is supposed to be computationally less expensive. Elastodynamics is an alternative approach to solving dynamics equations while considering the components to be elastic. This approach can capture the inertial and elastic responses of the components and the load path with varying positions of the components in a mechanism. In this research, a quarter-car suspension is modeled in a finite element code (Abaqus®), focusing on the vehicle upright but still modeling the connections and interactions of the quarter-car suspension system of a FSAE vehicle. The BEAM element modeling used for the suspension members captures the bending response. The overall model is created by making computationally conscious decisions, debugging and refining the interactions and connections to be representative. The modeling technique to create elastodynamic models is explored and established with a versatile set of suspension components and interactions providing a good experience with finite element modeling. The models are created with incremental steps and early steps are verified with hand calculations. A further vehicle verification and validation plan is the next immediate priority to gain confidence in the model for accurate simulations which can be used to predict accurate structural and dynamic results. With extending the model capabilities and computational capabilities, a quarter-car suspension model is powerful enough to run the entire track simulations for formula races and even durability load cases for commercial vehicles. Fatigue loading and abusive test cases would be the load cases to investigate possible failure modes. The quarter-car suspension model is a framework with different interactions, connections, components, boundary conditions and loads that are representative for different suspension configurations in different vehicles. The best practices of this modeling exercise are established and scalability to defeature or add details while preserving the connection behavior is achieved. / Master of Science

Ce mémoire présente la conception d’une suspension aux basses fréquences servant à isoler un récepteur électromagnétique des vibrations. Ce récepteur est installé sur une plateforme de support située au centre d’un anneau transmetteur de 30 mètres de diamètre suspendu à un hélicoptère. La suspension isole le récepteur des vibrations de la plateforme. Des gréements connectent la plateforme à l’anneau transmetteur et à l’hélicoptère. Le système à l’étude sert à effectuer de l’exploration géophysique par la méthode électromagnétique. La réduction des vibrations du récepteur permet une diminution du bruit électromagnétique qui est couplé à ces vibrations. Ce couplage est principalement causé par les rotations du récepteur dans le champ magnétique terrestre. La diminution du bruit électromagnétique permet de discerner la réponse du sol qui autrement serait cachée par le bruit. La suspension agit comme un filtre passe bas et empêche les vibrations de la plateforme d’être transmises au récepteur à partir d’une certaine fréquence. Le projet de recherche vise à l’amélioration d’une suspension de référence. Cette suspension est non métallique et comporte deux étages. Le premier étage isole des translations et consiste en des cordes élastiques de type « bungee ». Le deuxième étage isole des rotations à l’aide de cordes rigides. Un prototype de cette suspension a permis d’atténuer suffisamment les vibrations et le bruit électromagnétique pour discerner la réponse du sol à partir de 15 Hz. Le nouveau concept de suspension devrait permettre d’isoler le récepteur de manière plus efficace et ainsi de pouvoir discerner la réponse du sol à partir de 6 Hz. Cette basse fréquence permet entre autres de mieux discerner les corps conducteurs enfouis sous un mort-terrain conducteur. La suspension de référence a d’abord été utilisée pour développer et valider une méthodologie de simulation. Cette suspension a été caractérisée à l’aide d’essais de vibrations au sol, mettant en évidence différents couplages entre les rotations et les translations du système. La suspension a ensuite été modélisée par la méthode des éléments finis en utilisant le logiciel Ansys Workbench. La méthodologie de simulation développée est prédictive puisque celle-ci est basée sur la caractérisation des éléments fondamentaux du système, dont les cordes élastiques. Le modèle a permis de calculer des fréquences naturelles du système ayant un écart maximal de 8 % par rapport aux résultats expérimentaux. La méthodologie de simulation a par la suite été appliquée à différents concepts d’isolateur dans une analyse comparative. Alors que la suspension de référence atteignait un certain niveau d’isolation à 15 Hz, la nouvelle suspension atteint ce même niveau d’isolation à 6 Hz, selon la simulation. Le bruit électromagnétique devrait donc être assez faible pour pouvoir discerner la réponse du sol à partir de 6 Hz. Le nouveau concept consiste en un système à trois étages d’isolation en rotation et deux étages en translation. Un équilibrage précis du récepteur permettrait de réduire grandement certains couplages, diminuant les vibrations. Une diminution de masse du récepteur et de la suspension affecte peu les performances et est donc souhaitable pour réduire la masse totale du système. Des modifications aux gréements sont aussi proposées pour rigidifier les modes en rotation de la plateforme de support du récepteur.

This thesis re-examines the suspension of the gold standard rule in Britain between 1797 and 1821 within the framework of the theory of credible and time consistent monetary policy. By combining both historical and theoretical analysis the thesis challenges the prevailing theory in which the gold standard is considered as a contingent rule and the suspension as an exogenously credible regime. Firstly, the thesis analyses what made the suspension credible in the absence of the gold standard rule. It is proposed that the suspension was a credible regime, because the resumption of the gold standard at the old par value in the future was a sustainable plan. It is shown that monetary policy during the bad state -- such as war -- can still be time consistent in the absence of the formal commitment rule, if the policy maker's plan is to resume the original commitment rule when the economy returns to the good state. The equilibrium is based on trigger strategies where private agents retaliate if a policy maker deviates from its policy plan to resume the gold standard rule. Secondly, the thesis aims to establish why the gold standard rule was suspended for twenty-four years. Both historical analysis and a dynamic general equilibrium model demonstrate that the gold standard was a shock amplifier when the shocks became persistent in the 1790s, and suspension was used to restore monetary stability during the French Wars. As the suspension of cash payments was a credible regime, it maintained the value and circulation of paper currency that in turn stabilised production and consumption. Suspension increased the degree of flexibility in the economic policy as the monetary authority had an opportunity to stimulate the economy by issuing fiat money during the war, on the understanding that the fiat money so issued would be withdrawn from circulation before the gold standard resumed. Finally, it is explained why the gold standard was resumed after the relatively successful Suspension Period. The gold standard was seen as a solution to the problem that arose from the Bank of England's ambiguous role as a public and private institution. Rules were considered to be better than discretion, and the gold convertibility was a transparent principle, which maximised the long-run welfare of the society. The thesis demonstrates how already in the eighteenth century commitment to the gold standard rule had increased the efficiency of capital markets and enabled Britain to finance its eighteenth-century wars by using deficit finance. Maintaining these abilities through the gold standard was desirable.

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

<p>The fiber suspensions in the production line from wood topaper are subjected to many types of chemical and mechanicalprocesses, in which the flow of the suspension is of vitalimportance. The flow of the suspension determines the degree ofuniformity of the fibers through the processing, which inreturn affects the properties of the fiber suspension. In orderto optimise the process, thorough knowledge of the suspensionflow is necessary, both on the level of suspension, fibernetworks and individual fibers. Knowledge of the fibersuspension behaviour combined with commercial CFD simulationprovides an efficient design method for any unit operation inthe papermaking process.</p><p>This work concentrates on macroscopic modeling of thebehaviour of fiber suspensions from 0.5-5% dry content, purefiber suspensions without fillers or additives. Any mechanismscausing the characteristic behaviour of the pulp suspensionhave not been included, they are only included through theirinfluence on the suspension parameters. Excluded mechanismsare, for instance, the fiber-fiber coupling mechanisms that arethe reason for the formation of fiber networks and parts offiber network, flocs.</p><p>By combining a rheology model for the bulk suspension, awall function that accounts for the slip layer and finallyintroducing turbulence, a model has been created that is ableto simulate the flow of most fiber suspensions. The flow of thesuspension is not constrained to any particular flowconditions; the models discussed in this work aim at describingthe behaviour of the suspension for all flow rates and flowtypes. The models are developed under simple flow conditions,where all variables can be controlled, but the models areintended for usage within the industry-based flows in real pulpand papermaking applications.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>rheology, fiber, suspension, CFD, model, wall,slip, turbulence</p>

La problématique liée au bruit des motoneiges est un enjeu important dans l’industrie des véhicules récréatifs. Il est donc nécessaire de trouver de nouvelles solutions technologiques qui permettront de concevoir des motoneiges plus silencieuses. La suspension arrière est un élément contribuant aux transferts des vibrations du véhicule qui, par la suite, peuvent créer un rayonnement sonore. Pour identifier les chemins de transfert vibroacoustique une méthodologie type TPA (Transfer Path Analysis) et OTPA (Operational Transfer Path Analysis) est mise en place. Cela consiste à utiliser des procédés expérimentaux pour obtenir une modélisation matricielle vibroacoustique de la suspension. Les résultats obtenus seront ensuite validés expérimentalement et permettront de proposer des solutions technologiques qui pourront être intégrées sur les nouveaux prototypes de motoneige.

The main function of the cardiovascular system is to deliver a sufficient quantity of oxygenated blood to the tissues, cells, and organs of the body in order to provide the cells with essential nutrients for metabolism and for the removal of waste products. All cells require and utilize oxygen. Oxygen is transported to various cells and tissues via red blood cells flowing through the microcirculation of an organism. Measurement of oxygen transport in the microcirculation has shown that about ten times more oxygen appears to leave the blood of arterioles than can be accounted for by diffusion. One possibility to explain the high oxygen loss is an increased release of oxygen due to exposure of blood to light. In the present in vitro study the release of oxygen from red blood cells was measured during exposure of the sample to light by monitoring the change in PO2 of the suspension during light exposure. A PO2 electrode was calibrated using PBS solution and utilized to monitor the change in current in the present study. Red blood cell suspensions were made using blood withdrawn from male Sprague-Dawley rats. The red blood cell suspension was placed in a closed sample chamber and exposed to light for 5 minutes. A method to correct for the drift of the PO2 electrode and temperature change during the experiment was implemented. The calculated change in PO2 of the RBC suspension due to light exposure was small. The change of PO2 in the sample chamber during light exposure was an average of 1.60 ± 0.9 mmHg (SEM). The contribution of photo-dissociation of oxygen from oxygenated hemoglobin molecules to the observed oxygen loss per RBC can account for only about 0.01% of the observed in vivo results. Therefore, light-associated oxygen release is negligible. These findings disprove the hypothesis of the present study, in which light exposure does not have a significant effect on oxygen release and thus rules out this possible explanation for the discrepancy between experiment and theory.

Milk thistle, Silybum marianum L. Gaertn., is a source of flavonoid taxifolin and flavonolignans - silymarin complex (silybin, silydianin, silycristin and isosilybin). Milk thistle is usually obtained by field cultivation. Alternative way for getting the active components, is the use of in vitro cultures. But the production of secondary metabolites by the in vitro cultures is low in comparison with plant. One of the possibilites how to increase this produciton is the method of elicitation. In this study, ethephon as the elicitor, in the concentrations of 500 µmol/l, 400 µmol/l, 200 µmol/l, 100 µmol/l and 50 µmol/l was used with the aim to increase secondary metabolite production in suspension and callus cultures. The effect of ethephon was compared to its inhibitor (AgNO3, 120 µmol/l). The levels of flavonolignans and taxifolin were measured by the method of HPLC. The samples were taken 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 hours after the ethephon application and inhibitor treatment. The nutrient medium of suspension culture was also tested for the possibity of secondary metabolites releasing into medium. The highest content of flavonoid taxifolin was found in the suspension culture medium after 48 h treatment with ethephon in conc. of 400 µmol/l. The level of taxifolin was increased by 197-fold to 1,97 mg/100...

Genista tinctoria, family Fabaceae, is a potent source of isoflavonoids (genistin, genistein, daidzein, formononetin, biochanin A) with a wide spectrum of potential medical impact. Genista also contains quinolizidin alkaloids (cytisin, anagyrin, lupanin, spartein, etc.), which are toxic. The reason why in vitro cultures are used is an absence of toxic alkaloids production and higher yield of isoflavonoids in comparison with intact plant. For an increase of isoflavonoid production method of elicitation is beeing used. Isoflavonoids are studied for their phytoestrogenic effects, for which they could be used in treatment of postmenopausal symptoms and even in treatment of hormon-dependent tumours. The elicitor ethephon in concentration of 7000 µM, 700 µM and 70 µM was used in this work. The effect of ethephon inhibitor (AgNO3) in concentration of 120 µM was investigated too. Samples were examined after 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 hours and then analysed by HPLC method. An effect of ethephon and its combination with AgNO3 was observed in callus and suspension cultures. Release of isoflavonoides into culture media was studied too. Daidzein production was the highest of all isoflavonoids in the callus culture after the treatment of ethephon in concentration of 700 µM after 96 hours (45,10 mg/g DW). The most...