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This paper details testing for torque converter clutch (TCC) characterization during steady state and dynamic operation under controlled slip conditions on a dynamometer setup. The subject torque converter under test is a twin plate clutch with a dual stage turbine damper without a centrifugal pendulum absorber. An overview is provided of the dynamometer setup, hydraulic system and control techniques for regulating the apply pressure to the torque converter and clutch. To quantify the performance of the clutch in terms of control stability, pressure to torque relationship and the dynamic behavior during apply and release, a matrix of oil temperatures, output speeds, input torques, and clutch apply pressures were imposed upon the torque converter.

Vehicle navigation in off-road environments is challenging due to terrain uncertainty. Various approaches that account for factors such as terrain trafficability, vehicle dynamics, and energy utilization have been investigated. However, these are not sufficient to ensure safe navigation of optionally manned ground vehicles that are prone to detection using thermal infrared (IR) seekers in combat missions. This work is directed towards the development of a vehicle IR signature aware navigation stack comprised of global and local planner modules to realize safe navigation for optionally manned ground vehicles. The global planner used A* search heuristics designed to find the optimal path that minimizes the vehicle thermal signature metric on the map of terrain’s apparent temperature. The local planner used a model-predictive control (MPC) algorithm to achieve integrated motion planning and control of the vehicle to follow the path waypoints provided by the global planner.

As wireless devices and cellular networks continue to evolve, opportuvnities are created for enhancing the overall user experience with telematics related services. This paper discusses the pros and cons of por phone systems and embedded phone systems as conduits for telematics applications. Methods to enhance embedded in-vehicle telematics systems to include operation with handheld wireless devices on both Wide Area Networks (WAN) and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) will also be presented. Services will be discussed that allow vehicles and wireless devices to interact with each other and with remote servers. Implementation options will be explored along with an analysis of the key players in the telematics supply chain (i.e., OEMs, Suppliers, Carriers, Call Centers, Consumers) who ultimately benefit from each approach.

The application of accelerated testing theory is a difficult proposition, yet one that can result in considerable time and cost savings, as well as increasing a product's useful life. In Accelerated Testing: A Practitioner's Guide to Accelerated and Reliability Testing, readers are exposed to the latest, most practical knowledge available in this dynamic and important discipline. Authors Bryan Dodson and Harry Schwab draw on their considerable experience in the field to present comprehensive, insightful views in this book. Readers have free access to a website with numerous Excel templates and statistical tables as well as government documents and the AMSAA Reliability Growth Handbook. Development and quality assurance tests are defined in detail and are presented from a practical viewpoint. Included are testing fundamentals, plans and models, and equipment and methods most commonly used in accelerated testing.