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The principal objectives of this study were first to obtain experimental curves of angulation versus moment of resistance of the human neck in hyperextension and lateral flexion, and second to determine angular limits short of significant injury observable in the unembalmed subjects employed in the study. The first of the tests were of the “static” type with load applied over a period of approximately 1s. To determine the applicability of the data to dynamic conditions, tests were also made of the dissected neck at angulation velocities comparable with those of typical accidental injury. Overall resisting moment and injury threshold were similar under the dynamic loading, but somewhat greater moment of resistance was noted during the (earlier) portion of the loading cycle when angular velocity was greatest.

One of the prime requisites for automobile radar systems is obstacle hazard evaluation, the extent needed being dependent upon the particular system application. Much of the information necessary for a radar system to assess the degree of hazard of a target must come from characteristics which can be measured by the radar itself. While the hazard evaluation capacity has not yet been developed for automobile radar systems, research to provide this capability is in progress. Continuous wave (CW) scattering measurements have been made in a manner which is consistent with automobile radar operation. Various aspects of simple targets and of an automobile were measured in a microwave anechoic chamber. Both horizontal and vertical linear polarizations were transmitted and their co-linear and cross polarizations received. These data have been used to confirm the existence of and to understand certain scattering mechanisms.

As the design of automobiles changed over the past seventy years, manufacturers have increased the usage of decorative trim to further enhance the beauty of styling concepts. As new trim materials were introduced and parts became more complicated in design, producers have continued their efforts to produce decorative trim parts which remain attractive during the service life of the automobile. The service performance of trim materials in several geographic locations, the use of accelerated tests to predict service performance, recent developments in improving the durability of plated parts, and requirements for producing quality exterior decorative trim are reviewed in this paper.

EXTENSIVE TESTING by GM Research Laboratories has screened five promising transaxle fluids out of 32 mineral-oil-base fluids, 10 synthetic-base fluids, and numerous additive-base stock combination fluids. This paper discusses the findings of the testing and the continuing program on the five fluids. Transaxle fluids have a number of properties affecting performance, including: High-temperature viscosity. Low-temperature fluidity. Shear resistance. Friction properties. Oxidation resistance. Antifoam quality. Effect on seals. Fluid-clutch plate compatibility. Antiwear quality. Extreme-pressure quality. Antirust and anticorrosion qualities.*

The tedious, time consuming task of hand reducing data from the California exhaust emission test has been alleviated through the use of digital data acquisition equipment and a digital computer. Analog signals from exhaust gas analyzers and an engine speed transducer are converted to digital measurements which are recorded on tape and submitted to a digital computer for data analysis and computation of results. In the data analysis, the computer identifies the required driving modes from engine speed changes, taking into account the sample delay time. “Reported” composite emissions determined by the automatic data reduction method agree within 5% with results determined by careful hand analysis of analog strip chart recordings. The results determined by the automatic data reduction system are more consistent and accurate because human errors prevalent in hand analysis have been eliminated, and because nonlinear analyzer response is accounted for.

This paper describes a computer study made by the General Motors Corp. Research Laboratories to determine what percentage of the energy supplied to the axle of a passenger car is available for recovery through regeneration. Several weight classes of passenger cars were studied using three driving schedules-city, suburban, and highway. For each vehicle run in accordance with the prescribed driving schedules, two ratio percentages were obtained: (1) the ratio of energy available for recovery to the total energy supplied to the axle, and (2) the above ratio modified by assumed efficiencies in the propulsion and regeneration systems.

THIS PAPER discusses the Stirling thermal enging from four points of view: 1. The ideal, thermodynamic point of view, showing the inherent potentialities of the ideal Stirling cycle in comparison to the basic cycles of other engines. 2. The physical engine and its method of operation with respect to the ideal cycle and the limitations of practical mechanics. 3. Performance data from the first modern Stirling engines ever operated in the United States, evaluating the relationship between the new engine and other more familiar engines of similar sizes. This comparative discussion serves to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of the Stirling engine and to indicate its proper place in the 1960 family of prime movers. 4. A look backward into the century of history behind the modern engine pointing out significant milestones in the engine's development.

At the 1970 SAE International Automobile Safety Conference, the first experimental chest impact results from a new, continuing biomechanics research program were presented and compared with earlier studies performed elsewhere by one of the authors using a different technique. In this paper, additional work from the current program is documented. The general objective remains unchanged: To provide improved quantification of injury tolerance and thoracic mechanical response (force-time, deflection-time, and force-deflection relationships) for blunt sternal impact to the human cadaver. Fourteen additional unembalmed specimens of both sexes (ranging in age from 19-81 years, in weight from 117-180 lb, and in stature from 5 ft 1-1/2 in to 6 ft) have been exposed to midsternal, blunt impacts using a horizontal, elastic-cord propelled striker mass. Impact velocities were higher than those of the previous work, ranging from 14-32 mph.

Forces necessary for fracture under localized loading have been obtained experimentally for a number of regions of the head. Three of these, the frontal, temporoparietal, and zygomatic, have been studied in sufficient detail to establish that the tolerances are relatively independent of impulse duration, in contrast with the tolerance of the brain to closed-skull injury. Significantly lower average strength has been found for the female bone structure. Other regions reported upon more briefly are mandible, maxilla, and the laryngotracheal cartilages of the neck. Pressure distribution has been measured over the impact area, which has been 1 sq in. in these tests, and the relationship between applied force as measured and as predicted from a head accelerometer is examined.

Noise produced by automotive ignition systems can deteriorate the performance of nearby communication systems. An important step toward alleviating this difficulty is to characterize the ignition noise. Measurements have been made of the noise peak amplitude distribution of a number of identically equipped vehicles over a fixed period of time. Both vertical and horizontal polarizations were used, and measurements were made at two frequencies, 145 and 230 MHz. These statistics were then compared to various probability distributions to attempt to characterize the amplitude distribution of the noise. The distributions studied were: the log-normal, the exponential, the Rayleigh, and the Weibull distributions. It was concluded that the best fit was provided by the Weibull distribution. The parameters of the best fitting distribution are primarily a function of the antenna's polarization, with frequency having only a minor effect.

To lower emissions from a multicylinder engine, the air-fuel ratio must be optimized in all cylinders. If uniform fuel distribution is achieved, then the cylinder-to-cylinder air distribution is of particular interest. A probe system has been developed to measure mass flow rates to individual cylinders during operation of a complete engine. Fast response measurements of pressure, temperature, and flow velocity are made in the intake port near the valve during the intake portion of the cycle. High-speed collection of the large volume of data was accomplished through on-line use of an IBM 1800 computer. A V8 455 CID (7457 cm3) engine with stock intake and single exhaust system was used in the initial application of the mass flow probe. Measurements of 30-40 individual cycles were combined to calculate the mean volumetric efficiency for each cylinder.

A viscoelastic neck structure that responds to impact environments in a manner similar to the human neck is described. The neck structure consists of four ball-jointed segments and one pin-connected “nodding” segment with viscoelastic resistive elements inserted between segments that provide bending resistance as well as the required energy dissipation. Primary emphasis was placed on developing appropriate flexion and extension responses with secondary emphasis placed on axial, lateral, and rotational characteristics. The methods used to design the resistance elements for the neck structure are discussed. Three variations of the resistive elements have been developed that meet the response characteristics based on the data of Mertz and Patrick. However, no single resistive element has satisfied the flexion and extension characteristics simultaneously, but such an element appears to be feasible.

This paper summarizes an analysis, design, and test project in which a dummy chest structure was developed. The chest consisted of mechanical elements that had been characterized by computer simulations as giving responses to blunt frontal impacts necessary for biofidelity. An analysis of mechanical rib structures indicated that materials having a high ratio of yield stress to modulus of elasticity were required. Only metals having unusually high yield strengths, such as spring steels, qualified. A mechanical system was developed with steel ribs pivoted at each end as a primary spring. A secondary spring was a pair of commercially available die springs acting in parallel with the ribs after 25.4 mm (1.00 in) deflection. A fluid damper was developed to provide the damping. The chest structure was tested under conditions modified from those used by Kroell. The modifications were holding the spine rigidly and reducing the impact masses.

This study explores the application of viscoelastic modeling for characterization of the response of the brain to impulsive loading with the objective of learning whether such models could exhibit the same time dependency of strain or likelihood of injury, as exhibited by the Severity Index, HIC Index, Wayne Tolerance Curve, and other similar representations of tolerance. The mathematical relationships between viscoelastic properties and the corresponding time dependency of tolerance are shown for Newtonian, Bingham plastic, and Pseudo-Bingham, as well as more general behavior. Preliminary static and dynamic tests upon small mammalian material are described with particular attention given to strain in the vicinity of the brainstem as a function of loading profile. Both the theoretical and experimental results show that the falling time dependency of the above indexes can be interpreted in terms of nonlinear viscoelastic response.

Utilization of numerically controlled milling has been found particularly attractive in producing, in limited quantities, the three-dimensional curved surfaces characteristic of turbomachinery. In experimental and developmental programs its use can result in decreased fabrication cost, reduced lead time, and improved dimensional accuracy. Following a review of the general classifications of numerically controlled milling machines available for manufacture of such parts, illustrations are given of some of the procedures and techniques employed in their use. A variety of parts made using numerical control serve as examples.

Two Highway Safety Research Institute (HSRI) dummies were tested and evaluated. Based on the analysis given, the HSI dummy should not be used for vehicle qualification testing. However, many of its components offer viable alternatives for future dummy development. The dummy was found to have inadequate biomechanical fidelity in the head, neck, and chest, although its characteristics were very promising and, as a whole, biomechanically superior to the Hybrid II. Its repeatability and reproducibility in dynamic component tests were better than the Hybrid II dummy. In particular, the HSRI friction joints were outstanding in repeatability and had a significant advantage in usability in that they do not require resetting between tests. In three-point harness and ACRS systems tests, the values of injury criteria produced by the HSRI dummy were generally lower than those obtained with the Hybrid II, especially the femur loads in the ACRS tests.

The following work was done in support of a continuing program to better characterize the behavior of the human chest during blunt sternal impact. Previous work on this problem has focused on determining the force-time, deflection-time, and force-deflection response of embalmed and fresh cadavers to impact by a 15 cm (6 in) diameter striker of variable mass traveling at velocities of 22.5-51 km/h (14-32 mph) and striking the sternum at the level of the fourth intercostal space. Additional questions persist concerning whether the anterior and posterior regions of the chest behave as highly damped masses or oscillate after impact, the relationship between force delivered to the surface of the body and the acceleration of the underlying regions, and the influence of air compressed in the lung on thoracic mechanics.

A professional high diver, instrumented with accelerometers, performed sixteen dives from heights between 27-57 ft. For each dive, he executed a 3/4 turn and landed supine on a 3-ft deep mattress which consisted of pieces of low-density urethane foam encased in a nylon cover. Using FM telemetry, sagittal plane decelerations were recorded for a point either on the sternum or the forehead. Impact velocities and corresponding stopping distances for the thorax and the head were calculated from high-speed movies of the dives. For a 57-ft dive, the impact velocity of the thorax was 41 mph with a corresponding stopping distance of 34.6 in. The peak resultant deceleration of the thorax was 49.2 g with a pulse duration of 100 ms. The maximum rate of change of the deceleration of the thorax was 5900 g/s. No discomfort was experienced as a result of this impact. The maximum forehead deceleration occurred during a 47.0-ft drop and exceeded 56 g with a Gadd Severity Index greater than 465.

Interactive graphics is an aid which eliminates the data management problems that arise when manually preparing finite element models. Line and surface data representations of sheet metal automotive stampings are displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT), and these data are then used for building finite element models. Elements are built by creating node points with the light pen or by using automatic mesh generating techniques. By using the interactive capability, the user immediately sees the results of his modeling decisions and can make changes in his model as a result of viewing his work. The interactive graphics system allows the user to define his elements, load cases, boundary conditions, and freedom sets without worrying about the grid point or element numbers. All information is communicated through the use of either the light pen or the keyboard. As information is supplied about the model, it is stored in a data base for review and possible change.

The use of multigrade (V.I. improved) oils in automotive engines has increased significantly in recent years. However, the performance of these oils in terms of factors such as oil economy, wear, and noise, is not always equal to that of single grade oils. Although the initial viscosity of multigrade oils is related to both the base oil and the V.I. improver, the viscosity decreases with use, with the primary factors determining the magnitude of the change being the degree of shear and the characteristics and concentration of the V.I. improver used. This decrease in viscosity has been assumed to be the cause of the decreases in oil economy that may occur with oil use. However, viscosity changes are not believed to be the primary factor responsible since similar oil economy changes have also been observed for single grade oils. Nevertheless, the characteristics and concentration of the V.I. improver used can be a significant factor influencing oil economy.