Abstract Traditional synchronous motion control of a multi-cylinder system was always achieved by using hydraulic loops design and constrained linkage mechanisms. Therefore, these control methodologies always have many disadvantages, such as inaccuracy, cost expensive, and huge volume of the equipment, and so on. In this paper, the nonlinear control strategy was proposed to control the proportional directional valves of two-cylinder electro-hydraulic system in order to achieve synchronous motion under the consideration of unbalanced and uncertainty loading. Besides, in order to explore influence of different loading to the system, two-cylinder mechanism was designed to have individual loading device without any hardware constrain between two pistons. And the maximum loading capacity for one piston is 210kg. Due to the highly complicated coupling effect of internal pressure and flow rate for two cylinders, in this paper, feedforward controller with three fuzzy controllers was designated to overcome the problem of synchronous motion. In the first, the feedforward controller of each cylinder is developed to track a desire velocity trajectory. Then, the fuzzy control of each cylinder was specified to improve the individual tracking performance. Finally, the third fuzzy controller was performed to compensate the coupling effect of two-cylinder in order to progressively improve the performance of synchronous motion. According to the experimental results, the proposed control strategy for synchronous motion of two-cylinder system was verified and the maximum synchronous error of the total system was controlled to be within 10mm. Keyword: synchronous motion; proportional directional valve; fuzzy controller; feedforward controller

Student Number : 9707408V - MSc(Eng) research report - School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This research is an investigation into the performance and combustion characteristics of a two-cylinder, four-stroke compression ignition engine fuelled on diesel and then on dimethyl ether (DME). Baseline tests were performed using diesel. The tests were then repeated for dimethyl ether fuelling. All DME tests were performed at an injection opening pressure of 210 bar, as recommended for diesel fuelling. The tests were all carried out at constant torque with incremental increases in speed and an improved method of measuring the DME flow rate was devised. It was found that the engine’s performance characteristics were very similar, regardless of whether the engine was fuelled on diesel or DME. Brake power, indicated power and cylinder pressure, during the highest loading condition of 55 Nm, were virtually identical for diesel and DME fuelling, with the most significant finding being that the engine was more efficient when fuelled on DME than when fuelled with diesel. Another interesting finding was that the energy release of diesel decreases with increasing load, whilst the energy release of DME increases with increasing load. At the highest loading condition of 55 Nm, the energy release of DME was approximately 210 joules higher than that of diesel. This investigation concluded that DME may definitely be a suitable substitute fuel for diesel.

This master's thesis focuses on cranktrain of two-cylinder spark ignition engine. Aim of this thesis is the following sequence. Comparing various construction configurations, choosing the best concept, balancing inertial forces of reciprocating and revolving masses and theirs moments within this concept and finally checking the torsion stress.

The aim of this master’s thesis was to define force progression in crank-type mechanism from the set parameters of the cylindrical unit. Furthermore, the design of the possible balance of this crank-type mechanism with one balancing shaft was realized. The calculations of torsional vibration and stress analyses of the designed crank-type mechanism were realized too.

The goal of this master’s thesis is to examine the influence of eccentricity on the behaviour of forces between the piston and cylinder liner and on balancing of the crank mechanism for given parameters of the diesel engine. Another aim of this paper is to propose an appropriate balancing of the crank mechanism followed by stress analysis considering torsional vibration for a chosen value of eccentricity.

Growing concerns about interruption to oil supply and oil shortages have led to escalating global oil prices. In addition, increased public acceptance of the global warming problem has prompted car manufacturers to agree to carbon emission targets in many regions including most recently, the Californian standards. Other legislating bodies are sure to follow this lead with increasingly stringent targets. As a result of these issues, spark ignition engines in their current form will need significant improvements to meet future requirements. One technically feasible option is smaller capacity downsized engines with enhanced power that could be used in the near term to reduce both carbon emissions and fuel consumption in passenger vehicles.This research focuses on exploring the performance limits of a 0.43 liter spark ignited engine and defining its operating boundaries. Limiting factors such as combustion, gas exchange and component design are investigated to determine if they restrict small engine performance. The research gives direction to the development of smaller gasoline engines and establishes the extent to which they can contribute to future powertrain fuel consumption reduction whilst maintaining engine power at European intermediate class requirements.