Active secondary suspension in trains has been studied for a number of years, showing promising improvements in ride comfort. However, due to relatively high implementation and maintenance costs, active technology is not being used in service operation to a large extent. The objective of this study is to develop an active lateral secondary suspension concept that offers good ride comfort improvements and enables centring of the carbody above the bogies when negotiating curves at unbalanced speed. Simultaneously, the active suspension concept should be a cost-effective solution for future series production. The thesis consists of an introductory part and three appended papers. The introductory part describes the concept of active secondary suspension together with different actuator types and control methods. Further, the present simulation model and applied comfort evaluation methods are presented. The introductory part also comprises a summary of the appended papers, an evaluation of track forces and suggestions for further work. Paper A presents the initial development of an active lateral secondary suspension concept based on sky-hook damping in order to improve vehicle dynamic performance, particularly on straight tracks. Furthermore, a Hold-Off-Device (HOD) function has been included in the suspension concept in order to centre the carbody above the bogies in curves and hence avoid bumpstop contact. Preparatory simulations as well as the subsequent on-track tests in the summer of 2007 showed that the active suspension provides improved passenger ride comfort and has significant potential to be a cost-effective solution for future implementation. In Paper B, measurement results from on-track tests performed in 2008 are presented. The active secondary suspension concept was slightly modified compared to the one presented in the first paper. One modification was the implementation of a gyroscope in order to enable detection of transition curves and to switch off the dynamic damping in these sections. Ride comfort in the actively suspended carbody was significantly improved compared to that in the passively suspended car. The satisfactory results led to implementation of the active suspension system in long-term tests in service operation in the beginning of 2009. In Paper C, a quarter-car model in MATLAB has been used to investigate a more advanced control algorithm: H∞ instead of sky-hook. H∞ control provides more flexibility in the design process due to the possibility to control several parameters. In particular, this is done by applying weight functions to selected signals in the system. When comparing the two control strategies through simulations, the results show that H∞ control generates similar carbody accelerations at the same control force as sky-hook; however, the relative displacement displacement is somewhat lower.

This article presents a simulation study into effects of compliant (flexible) components (such as the engine subframe and the lower control arm) and their deflections on the characteristics of a vehicle experiencing steering drift during straight-line braking. The vehicle front and rear suspension are modelled using multi-body dynamic analysis software. The front suspension model represents theMacPherson strut design of the vehicle and includes a rack and pinion steering system, brake system, engine subframe, and a powertrain unit. The model has been analysed under two steering control methods: fixed and free control. Suspension characteristics and the effect of deflections arising from the subframe and the lower control arm on these suspension characteristics have been analysed. The simulations confirmed that variation of component stiffness and interactions within components give rise to side-to-side deflections that could affect lateral drift during braking. It is concluded that side-to-side variation of suspension characteristics can have a detrimental effect on lateral drift during braking and that compliant components whose stiffness varies from side to side can cause different side-to-side deflections that can induce and influence variation in suspension characteristics such as toe steer angle that can lead the vehicle during braking.

Cone crushers are used in both the construction and mining industries for the production of aggregates and extraction of ores. Aggregates are used when building for example houses, roads and railways, hence the cone crushers are a vital part of modern society. To ensure the performance of the cone crusher, it is important to properly adjust the feeding conditions. Using computational methods to virtually analyze the performance of the crushers is a more time and cost efficient solution compared to physical testing. This thesis was divided into two parts, where the main objective of the first part was to use the discrete element method (DEM) to analyze the segregation in cone crushers. Three different methods were developed, which later were utilized to compare the segregation for four different feeding conditions. Two of the analysis methods only considered the segregation in the feed hopper, whilst the third method aimed to give an understanding ofthe segregation inside the crushing chamber. The two first methods could successfully be used to compare how segregated the feed material was for the four feeding conditions, however, the third method proved to be both hard to validate and highly dependent on proper material flow inside the crushing chamber. The main objective during the second part of the thesis was to investigate the possibility of running the DEM simulations coupled to a multibody simulation (MBS) software. The simulation routine was then used to compare the foundation loads for the same four feeding conditions as in the first part. The subframe was later modeled as a flexible body to analyze and compare the stresses the subframe was subject to during operation for the same four feeding conditions. Setting up and running the coupled simulation was successful. Different simulation settings were tested, anda general guideline on how those settings should be defined was set up. The actual impact the coupling had on the foundation loads and stresses in the subframe was however almost non-existent. This could probably be directly related to the fact that the crushing forces in EDEM are known to be many times smaller than what they have been measured to in experiments. This also meant that changing the feeding conditions to alter the segregation did not have a noticeable effect on the results.

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This paper presents a multidegrees-of-freedom non-linear multibody dynamic model of a vehicle, comprising front and rear suspensions, steering system, road wheels, tyres and vehicle inertia. The model incorporates all sources of compliance, stiffness and damping, all with non-linear characteristics. The vehicle model is created in ADAMS (automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems) formulation. The model is used for the purpose of vehicle handling analysis. Simulation runs, in-line with vehicle manoeuvres specified under ISO and British Standards, have been undertaken and reported in the paper.

The focus of this study is on the development of a state-of-the-art single-wheel roller rig for studying contact mechanics and dynamics in railroad applications. The use of indoor-based simulation tools has become a mainstay in vehicle testing for the automotive and railroad industries. In contrast to field-testing, roller rigs offer a controlled laboratory environment that can provide a successful path for obtaining data on the mechanics and dynamics of railway systems for a variety of operating conditions. The idea to develop a laboratory test rig started from the observation that there is a need for better-developed testing fixtures capable of accurately explaining the complex physics of wheel-rail contact toward designing faster, safer, and more efficient railway systems. A review of current roller rigs indicated that many desired functional requirements for studying contact mechanics currently are not available. Thus, the Virginia Tech Railway Technologies Laboratory (RTL) has embarked on a mission to develop a state-of-the-art testing facility that will allow experimental testing of contact mechanics in a dynamic, controlled, and consistent manner. VT roller rig will allow for closely replicating the boundary conditions of railroad wheel-rail contact via actively controlling all the wheel-rail interface degrees of freedom: cant angle, angle of attack, and lateral displacement. Two sophisticated independent drivelines are configured to precisely control the rotational speed of the wheels, and therefore their relative slip or creepage. A novel force measurement system, suitable for steel on steel contact, is configured to precisely measure the contact forces and moments at the contact patch. The control architecture is developed based on the SynqNet data acquisition system offered by Kollmorgen, the motors supplier. SynqNet provides a unified communication protocol between actuators, drives, and data acquisition system, hence eliminating data conversion among them. Various design analysis indicates that the rig successfully meets the set requirements: additional accuracy in measurements, and better control on the design of experiments. The test results show that the rig is capable of conducting various contact mechanics studies aimed for advancing the existing art. Beyond developing the experimental testing fixture for studying contact mechanics, this study provides a comprehensive review of the contact models. It discusses the simplifying assumptions for developing the models, compares the models functionality, and highlights the open areas that require further experimental and theoretical research. In addition, a multi-body dynamic model of the entire rig, using software package SIMPACK, is developed for conducting modal analysis of the rig and evaluating the performance of the rig's components. A MATLAB routine is also developed that provides a benchmark for developing creep curves from measurements of the rig and comparing them with existing creep curves. / Ph. D.

Yes / This article presents transient handling analysis with a full-vehicle non-linear multi-body dynamic model, having 102 degrees of freedom. A transient cornering manoeuvre, with a constant steer angle and velocity has been undertaken. The effects of aerodynamic lift and drag forces have been included in the simulation tests. The vehicle handling characteristics with and without aerodynamic forces have been compared and various observations made. The aerodynamic forces have been predicted by a k¿1 model solution of the Navier¿Stokes equations for turbulent flow. The numerical predictions for the evaluation of aerodynamic lift coefficient agrees well with the scaled-down air tunnel experimental work, using hot-wire anemometry

This document describes the possibilities of increasing the mechanical efficiency of the crank train of an internal-combustion engine. For this purpose, a concept with a reduced number of main bearings is chosen and its contribution is verified experimentally. The proposed solution consists of an innovative crankshaft design of a four-cylinder spark-ignition engine with only three main journal bearings and laser-welded sheet metal crank webs. The new design is compared to the mass-produced one in terms of friction losses, vibrations and loading of engine parts by means of simulations of crank train dynamics using the Multi-Body System. The increase in vibration, accompanied by a reduction in friction losses, is compensated by a torsional vibration damper and its effect is experimentally verified. Experimental research of laser welds on the crankshaft in terms of fatigue life is also described. The overall potential is also summarised and further possible development of this innovative and patented design is outlined.

This work describes the use of Multi-Body Simulation (MBS) to create a virtual prototype of a geared drive called Power transfer unit (PTU). PTU is a subsystem of the all-wheel drive driveline responsible for transfer of power between front and rear axles in an Automobile. The objective of the developing the prototype is to simulate the dynamic behavior of the PTU. Focus is on predicting the gear transmission error(TE) and gearbox housing vibration level. A Hypoid gear set, bearings, tubular shaft and housing are the major components in the PTU. This work is carried out at GKN Automotive which specializes in development of Automotive All wheel drive systems. When developing such geared systems one important characteristic analyzed is the noise and vibration it generates. And for companies like GKN it is desirable to predict these characteristics as early as possible for two reasons, to avoid late design changes and to speed up the product development cycle. To achieve this, a validated virtual model which is computationally efficient is desired. The methodology followed contains of two facets, development of the MBS model and validation of the developed model with physical testing. An integrated MBS-FEM approach is used, an FE modal reduction technique is used to create flexible components with which a virtual prototype is built and simulated in an MBS tool MSC ADAMS c . Gear contact and bearings are defined using an analytical approach which considers the nonlinear stiffness and damping. A dynamic analysis and system level modal analysis is performed to predict the TE, housing vibrations and PTU modal parameters. Experimental modal analysis and physical testing on test rig are performed to measure the actual values of the above predicted outputs. Parameters like damping, contact stiffness of the model are then tuned to achieve correlation. When comparing test and prediction, close correlation is seen in the TE and for housing vibration a similar trend is observed with some deviations. Predicted TE is heavily dependent on gear contact parameters. On the modal parameter comparison, a correlation of five modes and mode shapes below 2500Hz is seen which shows the validity of the MBS model. Parameter studies are performed to study the effect of bearing damping and preload on housing vibrations and TE. It is observed that an optimum value of preload and damping is essential to avoid unnecessary vibrations. In conclusion, the model with some fine tuning of damping parameters can be used for virtual noise and vibration analysis of the PTU. / Detta arbete beskriver anv¨andningen av beräkningsmetoden Multi-Body Simulation (MBS) för att skapa en virtuell prototyp av en vinkelväxel (Power Transfer Unit, PTU ). PTU är ett delsystem för fyrhjulsdrift som har funktionen att överföra kraft mellan fram- och bakaxlar i en bil. Målet med att utveckla modellen är att simulera PTUns dynamiska beteende. Fokus ligger på att beräkna vinkelväxelns transmissionsfel och vibrationsnivåer på växellådans hus. De vikitgaste komponenterna i PTUn är hypoidväxeln med kronhjul och pinjong, röraxel, lager och hus. Detta arbete har utförts på GKN Automotive som är specialiserade på utveckling av drivsystem för fyhjulsdrivna bilar. Ljud och vibrationer är viktiga egenskaper att ta hänsyn till under utvecklingen. För företag som GKN är det önskvärt att kunna beräkna dessa egenskaper så tidigt i projektet av två skäl: dels för att undvika sena konstruktionsförändringar och dels att påskynda produktutvecklingscykeln. För att uppnå detta behövs en validerad virtuell modell som är beräkningseffektiv. Den metod som använts innehåller två delar: utveckling av MBS-modellen och validering av den utvecklade modellen med fysisk testning. En integrerad MBS-FEM -mettod har använts. Det innebär att en FE-modal reduktionsteknik andvänds för att skapa flexibla komponenter med vilka en virtuell prototyp byggs och simuleras i ett MBS-verktyg (MSC ADAMS (c) ). Lager och kuggkontakt i växeln definieras med hjälp av en analytisk metod som beaktar den olinjära styvheten och dämpningen. En dynamisk analys och modalanalys på systemnivå har utförts för att beräkna TE, husvibrationer och PTUns modala parametrar. Experimentell modalanalys och testning i rigg gjorts för att mäta motsvarande värden som har beräknats. Parametrar som dämpning och kontaktstyvhet har sedan justerats för att uppnå korrelation. Vid jämförelse av test och förutsägelse ses en god korrelation i TE och för husvibrationer observeras en liknande trend, med vissa avvikelser. Beräknat TE är starkt beroende på parametrar för kuggkontakten i växeln. Vid jämförelse av modala parametrar ses en god korrelation under 2500 Hz mellan fem moder i mätning och beräkning vad gäller frekvens och modform, vilket visar MBS-modellens giltighet. Parameterstudier har utförts för att studera effekten av lagerdämpning och förbelastning på TE och husvibrationer. Ett optimalt värde på förbelastning och dämpning är viktigt för att undvika onödiga vibrationer. Sammanfattningsvis kan modellen med viss finjustering av dämpningsparametrar användas i virtuell ljud- och vibrationsanalys av PTU.