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A machine was built to study non-rolling tire stiffness and damping coefficient of agricultural tractor tires in the vertical direction. Measurements of static deflection and contact area on a rigid surface can be performed. During dynamic experiments, a sinusoidal deflection function is imposed to the test tire to determine dynamic stiffness and damping coefficient. The experimental setup and methodology are described in this paper. A complete sample test and its analysis are also presented. This paper was approved for publication by the Director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station as publication number 93-07-7238. Trade names are used solely to provide specific information. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a warranty of the product by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station of the LSU Agricultural Center nor an endorsement to the exclusion of other products not mentioned. The authors are François P. Brassart, Graduate Research Assistant, and Malcolm E.

A method to achieve roll-off cleanliness has been in existence since November 1979. This paper reviews the application of the procedure in one manufacturers operation and establishes additional considerations which should be given. A method of statistical analysis of shipaway cleanliness is employed to demonstrate capability.

The goal of this study was to determine the design constraints for the Georgia Southern SAE BAJA vehicle to operate in a rough terrain without unwanted direct body impact. The BAJA vehicle may encounter two distinct kinds of failure while climbing or descending terrain obstacles: Hang up failure, and Nose in failure. Hang up failure occurs when the bottom of the chassis of the vehicle makes contact with the obstacle. This occurs after the front tires have cleared the obstacle but before the rear tires have. This mitigates the pace of the vehicle but does not structurally threaten it. Nose in failure is when the protruding front bumper or “nose” of the vehicle makes contact with either the ground or the obstacle before or after encountering the obstacle. The possible ramifications of this event are much more disastrous than the Hang up failure. Nose in failure can send the vehicle into an end over end flip, or cause significant structural damage to the frame.

Driver visibility from commercial vehicles is often an issue in post-accident litigation. While the visibility through the windows of most vehicles is restricted due to the required structure of the vehicle itself, most manufacturers and users incorporate a series of mirrors to enhance driver visibility and to reduce blind spots. The challenge for an engineer is to first demonstrate what the driver could see to a reasonable degree of engineering certainty, and then to convey this information in a form that is easy for the lay person to grasp. This paper outlines procedures for calculating and modeling the driver visibility from commercial vehicles. The primary techniques presented require access to the vehicle, although the paper also presents techniques by which visibility can be analyzed through photogrammetry and 3-D computer models, both for the vehicle and for any mirrors incorporated onto the vehicle.

Research in any field of study requires analysis and comparisons or real-time predictions to extract useful information. To prove that the results have practical potential, various filtering techniques and methodologies should be designed and implemented. Filters being a class of signal processing helps innovate new technologies with various kinds of outcomes, using filters there are always various methods to solve a problem. Considering the current COVID-19 situation, researchers are working on sequencing the novel coronavirus and the genomes of people afflicted with COVID-19 using CPUs and GPUs along with various filtering techniques. In this paper we are using a method of filter implementation to collect raw heart rate data samples from fingertip and ear lobe and process those results on CPUs and GPUs. Our method of implementation to collect raw heart rate data is using a photoplethysmography method.

The paper proposes a method to analyze a trade-off between IC engine and electric battery sizes which is the essential issue of plugin hybrid and range extended electric vehicle design. This method implies a set of maps to be elaborated from batch simulations of hybrid vehicle running a driving cycle. Said maps establish relationships between ICE power, fuel consumption, electric energy consumption, and driving range of a vehicle. From these, one can choose a combination of ICE power and battery energy content meeting specific requirements for fuel economy and driving range. Mathematical model of the vehicle and the hybrid powertrain adopted for driving cycle simulations is described. Besides vehicle dynamics and drivetrain’s powerflows, it addresses battery’s current and voltage restrictions, which define performance of an electric drivetrain and have to be taken into account when selecting ICE power.

As a result of the Kyoto Protocol [1], the European Union's legislation demands higher saving rates for the total energy consumption of technical equipment. Heavy Equipment, such as construction- and agricultural machines, contributes over 80% of the total off-road diesel fuel consumption in Germany per annum. It is therefore necessary to provide helpful solutions in order to reach this ambitious aim. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research cooperates with machine manufacturers, component suppliers and research institutes in the area of heavy equipment. Under the project name TEAM [2] a three year project has been started, which is focused on the development and integration of new propulsion and steering systems for heavy equipment. One task within the project is finding an appropriate way of evaluating the energy efficiency of the enhanced machines, after the powertrain modifications have been applied to it.

A wide variety of computer and communications technology vendors currently in the marketplace offer technologies, products and services designed to streamline regulatory processes and improve operational efficiency for trucking companies. The goods and services are sold based on their “functional attributes” and the cost is a direct function of the nature of the application and the carrier's needs. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Intelligent Transportation Systems/Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO) User Services are “bundles” of functional services envisioned by the FHWA to help advance the overall objectives of improved operational efficiency of our nation's roadways and servicing of the commercial vehicle population. Because many of the technology applications are still in the development stage, a framework has been developed to assess the future hypothetical benefits and costs of the ITS/CVO User Services Program.

An engine model for use in computer simulation of transient behavior in drivetrain and vehicle systems is presented. Two elements, important for deviation (e.g. turbo-lag) from steady state characteristics, are the inertia of the supercharging unit (turbo shaft) and the fuel injection control system. No extensive combustion calculations are carried out within the model. Instead it uses condensed results from existing combustion models and measurements. The model is semi-empirical. Some of the engine specific properties needed for simulation are (e.g. for a turbocharged diesel): engine data in steady state operation, mappings of compressor and turbine performance, inertia of the engine components condensed to the crankshaft, turbo shaft inertia, displacement, compression ratio and the essentials of the fuel injection control strategy. Input parameters to the computer program based on the model are accelerator pedal position and external torque acting on the flywheel.

The commercial vehicle industry is evolving faster with the rise in multifarious aspects deciding a company's progress. In the current scenario, vehicle performance and its reliability in the areas of payload, fuel economy, etc. play vital roles in determining its sustenance in the industry, in addition to reducing driver fatigue and improving comfort levels. Test quality and time is the key to assure and affirm, smooth and quick launch of the product into the market. This paper details on the design of Multi-Axis road data simulator which entails realistic loads onto the components for capturing meaningful information on behavior of the product and recreate the field failure modes. The design was conceptualized keeping in mind both cost (for initial installation and running cost) and time for testing without loss in the convergence factor.

Rapid Urbanisation, in recent times, has created an exponential demand for light commercial vehicles. Electric vehicles are seen as a way to reduce the impact of emissions due to transportation in urban areas. Due to the growth of e-commerce, commercial transportation, and particularly last-mile delivery, is anticipated to increase. In this context, electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) have the potential to be a promising solution by tackling the emission impacts, ensuring faster delivery along with ideal running costs and payload capacity. To increase the range of electric vehicles, it has to be designed for lighter weight with optimal performance in order to meet the user requirements. Cargo capacity and payload have to be taken into account while design & validating the vehicle structure under static and dynamic conditions. Simulation driven product development will help the design team to account for the possible design failure cases at system and vehicle level.

The paper describes a compact low cost engine simulator used in a diagnostic system for marine diesel engines. It models normal and certain abnormal behaviour modes and can be used with an intelligent health monitor for fault recognition. The mathematical model used is the highly detailed ‘filling and emptying’ method wherein the first order equations which result from the principles of energy, mass and momentum conservation are solved on a degree by degree basis. This allows a number of faults to be simulated, for example, those which affect the airflow such as leaking intake or exhaust manifolds or fouled turbomachines or intercoolers. A multiprocessor Motorola 68020 computer system is used to allow concurrent solution of the equations for each of the thermodynamic control volumes.

The use of computer simulation of vehicle dynamics as a development tool has come into its own over the past few decades. “Simulated” testing on a computer makes possible a degree of control and repeatability that allows the automotive engineer to determine the influence of design variables on different aspects of dynamic performance in ways that would be difficult or impossible by experimental methods. One of the software tools receiving wide acceptance for simulating trucks and combination vehicles is Truck-Sim™. The attraction of this program arises in part from its foundation of truck modeling methods developed at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute over the past two decades, and the use of an advanced graphical user interface to make the software both easy to understand and easy to use by design and development engineers.

Most fertilizer application systems are not capable of variable rate adjustments “on-the-fly”. To change the application rate, the farmer must dismount the tractor and change the gear ratio mechanically (i.e. via gears, chains, etc.). Air seeder manufacturers have come up with their own unique solutions to address this problem, usually involving electrohydraulics. At present there are older seeding units that perform adequately, but do not have the variable rate option. A retrofit is therefore very desirable for these units. In this paper, the feasibility of a simple hydraulic proportional valve and variable speed motor circuit is employed to replace the gears and chains. The unit is integrated with a microcontroller to provide compensation to the nonlinear properties of a proportional valve, and in turn provide a very accurate feedrate. In addition, direct user input from the cab of the tractor is possible, allowing on-the-go rate changes.

A new bumper system which provides 8 kph (5 mph) vehicle protection with superior quality, outstanding durability and high value is in production. The system includes five new technologies: Hot stamped, ultra high strength front beam, 970 N/mm2 (160 KSI) which also is the #1 body structure crossmember. Ultra high strength roll formed rear beam 1150 N/mm2 (190 KSI). polypropylene foam isolators designed for controlled energy management Thermoplastic olefin (TPO), injection molded fascias Two component urethane paint for long term color, gloss and scratch resistance. This bumper system, installed on over 100,000 vehicles so far, meets both MPV and passenger car 8 kph standards. Consumer and insurance industry trends indicate increasing demand for Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) bumper systems which meet 8 kph criteria. The major competitors in the MPV market (Aerostar, Grand Caravan, Toyota Previa, GM APV's, and Mazda MPV) have either 0 kph or at best 4 kph systems.

A new, systematic, sensitivity based design process for weight reduction is presented. Traditionally, a trial and error method is used when a design fails to meet the weight and the design criteria, which often conflict. This old approach not only is time and cost consuming but also does not provide insight into structural behavior. This proposed process uses state-of-the-art technologies such as design sensitivity analysis, numerical optimization, graphical user interface, etc. It handles multi-discipline design criteria simultaneously and provides design engineers insight into structural responses for frequency, durability, and stiffness concerns and a means for systematic weight reduction and quality improvement. The new design process has been applied for the weight reduction of advanced truck frame designs. Results show that a significant weight savings has been achieved while all design criteria are met.

The internal combustion engines emit combustion gases which contain nano and micrometric particles that are harmful to human health, causing deleterious damages to the human's respiratory system. In Brazil, heavy vehicles, such as buses and trucks, have diesel engines that work under high loads and run through metropolitan areas or in intense traffic flow roads. They are considered, nowadays, the main solid particles emitter in several World's areas. There are already standard systems to analyze these particles quantitative and qualitatively at high prices collected from vehicle gases emissions in places such as bus stops. This paper presents a new method which retains solid micrometric particulate matter emitted by diesel engine. It is simple and has a relatively low cost. A sheet of textile element was encapsulated in a system for gripping micrometric particles emitted by diesel single-cylinder engine operating in a bench and coupled with a electrical generator.

In automotive design and development, there are different stages for product design. In this fast changing scenario product design, digital verification of design (CAE), physical validation of the product and launching of the same in short time is important in product development life cycle of any new generation vehicle. This paper proposes a new approach towards development of a green-field platform for commercial vehicles by improving reliability of CAE and thereby reducing the need for prototype testing and hence shortening development cycle and costs - we call it “Hybrid Mule”. This Hybrid Mule has complete design intent under-body and engine-house while upper-body is made of simple representative tubular space frame. FRP skin panels are attached to this space frame to create a safe environment for test-driver. FRP skin also provides early feel of styling in running condition and evaluates basic ergonomics and visibility.

An ISO (International Standards Organization) intermodal container handler has been developed to haul and top dump intermodal ISO type shipping containers. Municipal solid waste disposal is a material handling business and as larger regional/national landfills are constructed, solid waste is moved farther away from its point of generation. As the volume and distance that solid waste moves increases, containerized solid waste rail haul becomes the transport of choice. Containerized solid waste transport requires specialized material handling equipment to haul and dump containers of solid waste from a railhead to the landfill working face.

The new Series 600 John Deere Disks are designed for optimum disking performance in primary and secondary tillage conditions. The tandem design retains the performance characteristics of double offset configurations due to an exclusive rolling disk middlebreaker. Welded main and wing frames feature large square and rectangular tubes which are manufactured on common weld fixtures, providing a strong “family” appearance as well as reduced factory setups and inventories. These disks provide farmer-customers with many options and features necessary to operate in varying soil types and conditions while achieving level disking performance and uniform cutting action.