NFR (Natural Frequency Region) approach for dynamic evaluation of anti-vibration systems with rebound resilience method

There is no universal method to perform dynamic analysis on solid rubber anti-vibration systems. In this article, an equivalent damping ratio is introduced to account for rubber hysteresis using a resilience experiment. A new concept, NFR (Natural Frequency Region), is defined for dynamic evaluation based on natural characteristics of a rubber anti-vibration system itself. Two typical industrial products were selected to verify the proposed NFR approach. The verification procedure involves three parts: natural frequencies, harmonic spectra and impact responses. The dynamic responses from both simulation and experiment have been compared and have not only demonstrated that the proposed approach is reliable but that it could also be used to guide the design of rubber anti-vibration systems in industry. The key points for applying this approach are also presented through the verification procedure.     

Observation of thermoluminescence induced by fission fragments

Abstract

Thermoluminescence induced in CaF₂ powder by fission fragments emanating from a uranium foil bombarded by fast neutrons has been measured as a function of neutron fluence. A linear relationship between the glow produced and the fast neutron fluence between 5 × 10¹⁰ and 6.5 × 10¹¹ n/cm² has been obtained, thus establishing the feasibility of the use of this method for fast-neutron dosimetry. A limitation of the method is that, if the fissile foil is not separated from the phosphor after irradiation, the TL produced by the α-disintegration of ²³⁸U may eventually mask the fission-induced TL.     

Nonlinear model-predictive control with hysteresis compensation of an electro-pneumatic clutch for truck applications

This contribution presents two real-time capable nonlinear model-predictive control (NMPC) approaches for an electro-pneumatic clutch for heavy trucks: a centralized control approach and a cascaded one. A clutch is necessary at start-up or during gear shifts to connect or disconnect the combustion engine and the gear box. This automated actuator disburdens the driver and provides the necessary actuation force according to the large torque typically transmitted through the drive train. The force characteristic of the clutch, however, is subject to hysteresis, which is described by a generalized Bouc–Wen model and used for a feedforward hysteresis compensation in the control algorithm. The proposed NMPC-algorithm involves (i) a minimization of the difference between the desired and predicted state vector at the end of the prediction horizon and (ii) flatness-based techniques to compute desired trajectories for the complete state vector as well as the control input. The optimal control is given by an additional, minimum-norm control input that minimizes the difference between the predicted state vector and the desired one at the end of the prediction horizon. Thereby, the computation effort of the NMPC approaches can be kept relatively small, and a real-time evaluation becomes possible. A reduced-order observer estimates an effective pressure in the clutch that also accounts for an uncertain disturbance force. Thereby, a disturbance compensation and a high tracking accuracy is achievable for the piston position as controlled variable. The efficiency of the two proposed control structures is emphasized by experimental results from a dedicated test rig.     

Determination of the second step microstructure for superhydrophobic surfaces

A selection of suitable microstructures is critical to fabrication and properties of superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS). In this study, we introduce a three‐dimensional droplet model to thermodynamically analyze the superhydrophobic properties for the purpose of determining the second step of a two‐step microstructure suitable for the SHS based on the common models within the reach of the existing macro‐machining technology. It is found that a sinusoidal microstructure is the most suitable, followed by a cone frustum and a prism in the composite wetting state, as well as the transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic depends basically on the solid fraction rather than non‐determinative surface microscopic topography. The predictions of the model are found in quite good agreement with the experimental observations. This study will facilitate fabrication of the SHS on how to select the suitable morphology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy dissipation of a ring-like metal rubber isolator

Metal rubber （MR） is a kind of homogeneous poroelastic damping material made of metal wire. In this paper, by ana- lyzing the forces on the MR isolator and the MR element, the hysteresis loops of the force and deformation are studied and verified by experiments. The results show that the force and displacement hysteresis loop of the MR isolator is described by the force and deformation hysteresis loops of the MR elements. In addition, the relationship between the energy dissipation coefficient of the MR element and that of the MR isolator is derived. The energy dissipation coefficient is programmed and calculated by MATLAB using experimental data, and the results are compared with the theoretical value. It is the basis for the design and applied research of the MR isolator in a future study.     

一个分数阶忆阻器模型及其简单串联电路的特性

忆阻器是具有时间记忆特性的非线性电阻. 经典HP TiO₂忆阻器模型的忆阻值为此前通过忆阻器电流的时间积分, 即记忆没有损失. 而最近研究证实HP TiO₂ 线性忆阻器掺杂层厚度不能等于零或者器件整体厚度, 导致器件的记忆有损失. 基于此发现, 本文首先提出了一个阶数介于0 与1间的分数阶HP TiO₂ 线性忆阻器模型, 研究了当受到周期外激励时, 分数阶导数的阶数对其忆阻值动态范围和输出电压动态幅值的影响规律, 推导出了磁滞旁瓣面积的计算公式. 结果表明, 分数阶导数阶数对磁滞回线的形状及所围成区域面积有重要影响. 特别地, 在外激频率大于1时, 分数阶忆阻器的记忆强度达到最大. 然后讨论了此分数阶忆阻器与电容或电感串联组成的单口网络的伏安特性. 结果表明, 在周期激励驱动时, 随着分数阶导数阶数的变化, 此分数阶忆阻器与电容的串联电路呈现出纯电容电路与忆阻电路的转换, 而它与电感的串联电路则呈现出纯电感电路与忆阻电路的转换.     

One-dimensional migration of interstitial clusters in SUS316L and its model alloys at elevated temperatures

For self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters in various concentrated alloys, one-dimensional (1D) migration is induced by electron irradiation around 300 K. But at elevated temperatures, the 1D migration frequency decreases to less than one-tenth of that around 300 K in iron-based bcc alloys. In this study, we examined mechanisms of 1D migration at elevated temperatures using in situ observation of SUS316L and its model alloys with high-voltage electron microscopy. First, for elevated temperatures, we examined the effects of annealing and short-term electron irradiation of SIA clusters on their subsequent 1D migration. In annealed SUS316L, 1D migration was suppressed and then recovered by prolonged irradiation at 300 K. In high-purity model alloy Fe-18Cr-13Ni, annealing or irradiation had no effect. Addition of carbon or oxygen to the model alloy suppressed 1D migration after annealing. Manganese and silicon did not suppress 1D migration after annealing but after short-term electron irradiation. The suppression was attributable to the pinning of SIA clusters by segregated solute elements, and the recovery was to the dissolution of the segregation by interatomic mixing under electron irradiation. Next, we examined 1D migration of SIA clusters in SUS316L under continuous electron irradiation at elevated temperatures. The 1D migration frequency at 673 K was proportional to the irradiation intensity. It was as high as half of that at 300 K. We proposed that 1D migration is controlled by the competition of two effects: induction of 1D migration by interatomic mixing and suppression by solute segregation.     

STABILITY OF EQUILIBRIA OF NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

We provide an analytical study on the stability of equilibria of rigid rodlike nematic liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) governed by the Smoluchowski equation with the Maier-Saupe intermolecular potential. We simplify the expression of the free energy of an orientational distribution function of rodlike LCP molecules by properly selecting a coordinate system and then investigate its stability with respect to perturbations of orientational probability density. By computing the Hessian matrix explicitly, we are able to prove the hysteresis phenomenon of nematic LCPs: when the normalized polymer concentration b is below a critical value b*(6.7314863965), the only equilibrium state is isotropic and it is stable; when b*< b < 15/2, two anisotropic (prolate) equilibrium states occur together with a stable isotropic equilibrium state. Here the more aligned prolate state is stable whereas the less aligned prolate state is unstable. When b > 15/2, there are three equilibrium states: a stable prolate state, an unstable isotropic state and an unstable oblate state.