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This paper discusses various aspects of: biodegradable hydraulic lubricants; the type of bio-oils (biodegradable) available; the approved test method of bio-oils; a label called Blue Angel used for the identification of environment friendly products; bio-oil applications; practical field test experience and economic impact. The paper provides a general view of the current situation in Central Europe. Practical experience with environment-friendly oil and grease has been known for over 4,000 years. When the pyramids were built, animal and vegetable oil and grease was used to lubricate transport sledges. At that time, it was not an environmental protection consideration. Today it is our challenge to protect people, plants and animals. Who would have thought that environmental protection would become such an important and inevitable issue? Five or ten years ago words like biodegradable, environment-friendly, environment-compatible were definitions hardly known to most people.

This is an assessment of United States High Speed Guided Transit (HSGT) systems policy, vision, goals, and magnetic levitation development and commercialization technology; as affected by the new United States National Energy Strategy. It includes a brief review of the key aspects and assumptions which formed the basis for the US National Energy Strategy scenario, and the tactics proposed to implement a National Maglev transit network by the target year 2015 (1)1. It is followed by a historical review of past magnetic levitation vehicle developments, a review of the present status of Maglev trains, and an outline of future (EMA) Electro Magnetic Attraction levitation for speeds under 400 km/h; (SC) Super Conductive (EDR) Electro Dynamic Repulsion levitation for subsonic speeds approaching 900 km/h; and, an introduction to the (MPW) Magnetic Potential Well levitation effect as developed by Kozoriz (2) in 1976, also see (39).

The problem of synchronizing several loads has been the subject of many studies over the past few years. Some of the authors have been involved in the design of high precision flow divider/combiner valves which are accurate to 99% over large pressure and flow ranges. The disadvantage of these designs lies in their inflexibility in terms of varying flow with complete independence to the various loads. Traditional approaches to the multi-load problem have been to use velocity or flow feedback signals to several electrohydraulic valves to obtain independent action. In this paper, the authors introduce the feasibility of using a single rotary type valve to provide a pulse width modulated flow pulse to each circuit. A model of the basic concept was used to establish the feasibility of the approach using simulation studies. A possible valve configuration to implement the concept is presented.

A method of calculation is proposed that allows, on the basis of cause-and-sequence approach, to improve the main quantitative characteristics of diesel engines by means of optimization of fuel injection conditions and finding out parameters of fuel injection equipment (TA) for their realization. When using the method, it is assumed that certain technical requirements and limits are to be observed (for instance, the maximum combustion pressure, engine noise, emission standards etc.). The two stages of the method are reflecting the natural sequence of TA design. Components of a developed mathematical model are described in this paper. In particular, special attention is paid to an original phenomenological model of a dispersed fuel spray on the basis of experimental data pertaining to its structure and mixture formation mechanism.

The potential benefits of combine harvester control are outlined. The implementation of combine automation, however, has been hampered by the lack of available sensors. This paper identifies the major sensor requirements, provides a literature review of sensor development to date, and suggests areas for sensor research and development.

The feasibility study of using machine vision technology to locate corn plants was conducted to determine its potential in the development of an intelligent detasseling machine. A corn plant feature, the main vein of leaf, was used and the method of feature detection was developed for corn plant identification. Experimental results showed that the leaf feature and the center of the plant can be detected and located using image processing techniques when an image is taken from above of a plant. This research showed that it is possible to identify and locate the corn plant using machine vision technology.

Electronics are very sensitive to vibration and it is mandatory that the design engineer be familiar with the environment in which they will be used. This paper describes the vibrational environment of a tractor. A full scale tractor cab was outfitted with sensors and vibrated at various frequencies. The results are supported by theoretical calculations.

Diesel powered vehicles are characterized by two distinctives, of particulate, sensed by sight, and odor, sensed by smell. Dramatically reducing these distinctives would result in a “clean diesel”. A joint program of Yellow Freight System, Inc. (YFS) and the author's employer (DCI) has addressed one distinctive (particulate) and has resulted in an exhaust filtering system for the diesel forklift trucks YFS use to move freight at their terminals. This paper covers design, installation, and testing of the system to filter the particulate emissions emanating from these forklifts. The filters, designed to operate for one programmed maintenance (PM) cycle, are then cleaned in off-board equipment and returned to service for another cycle. All filter materials utilized are compatible with the 200°C normal maximum operating temperature, although short excursions to 260°C have not been detrimental.

Investigations were carried out on five different soils at different moisture conditions. Soil resistance was measured with a hydraulic dynamograph on a single bottom plough operated with a tractor at 20-22 cm depth with a width of 60 cm. On light soils (sandy and loess soils) the soil resistance to ploughing was relatively small. The amplitude of instantaneous soil resistance measured from the mean value was also small. In the heavy loam soils, these variations were high. The highest instantaneous as well as the total soil resistance were found on the soil made of limy rock soil with a low organic matter. The magnitude of instantaneous soil resistance increased considerably with soil drying. The tillage tools must, therefore, overcome this short duration of high soil resistance. Such factors should be taken into consideration while designing new tillage tools.

The National Soil Dynamics Laboratory and Auburn University are developing tools and methods to help farmers make correct decisions about how to best avoid compacting their soil. Four areas of research are being integrated into an overall soil compaction model. These areas are the measurement of soil-tire interface stresses, the measurement of soil stresses in the soil profile, the development of constitutive stress-strain relationships for agricultural soils, and the development of analytical and finite element soil compaction models that can accurately predict the depth and degree of excessive soil compaction.

Tillage is an importantcomponent of crop production system and may be defined as any mechanical manipulation of soil to improve its appearance and physical condition for crop production. The factors affecting the energy requirement by a tillage tools include initial soil conditions, tool shape, and manner of tool movement in the soil and the desired final soil conditions. Soil bin facilities have generally been used to evaluate soil forces and compare energy required by tillage tools. Commonly used cultivator sweeps in the Canadian Prairies were tested in the soil bin to evaluate their suitability on energy demand. The draft of the sweeps was found to be a function of the depth and speed of operation. Tool shape plays an important role in the energy demand. The smooth sweep with low soil lifting characteristics was found to be the most suitable under these test conditions.

Cereal grains are subjected to physical forces produced by agricultural machinery during and after harvest. The resulting physical damages have biological consequences such as reduced germination and yield. Damages may be minimized by adjusting equipment to take into account the physical resistance of grain to mechanical and dynamic loading. This paper describes methods for evaluating grain-to-ear binding force and grain physical resistance and presents the results for barley, rye, spring wheat and winter wheat varieties. Results of research on relationships between physical forces and biological effects on varieties of spring wheat and winter wheat are also presented and discussed.

The Serpentine Drive Analysis Program (SDAP) is developed for designing flexible member (i.e. roller chain, synchronous belt, and V-belt) serpentine drives. The program, based on industry standard design procedures, provides the user with a design tool for investigating alternative configurations. SDAP calculates driver sizes, geometrical relationships, and force transmission characteristics. Basic design methodology is discussed, and two examples illustrate the usage and flexibility of the program.

In view of the great gas reserves in Argentina, that have become the basis of the governmental policies on substitution of oil-derived liquid fuel, Mercedes-Benz Argentina launched the first urban bus manufactured in the country that is compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled. This paper explains the process followed for building the engine, analyzing the alternatives of the combustion cycle and defining the stage of maximum power and minimum consumption for a 1,18 lambda, using conventional technology which is ideal for meeting the current needs of the market. The results of the tests carried out with four vehicles driven by urban bus lines are hereinafter described, defining the performance of the vehicle. Finally, an analysis of the results with respect to the Diesel- engine vehicle enables to reach conclusions on the steps to be taken concerning the evolution of the CNG-propelled urban bus.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the branch of computer science committed to attaining and exceeding the intelligence of the human brain, primarily by innovative software technology. Following significant accomplishments in all phases of human endeavor are proof of its potential: medical diagnostics and treatments, military weapon and space technology, learning and teaching, plus manufacturing and expert systems, robotics, etc. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of AI applications, tools and techniques and to assist and encourage renewed initiative in research, development and applications of AI enhanced expert systems and robotics for the benefit of our industry.

Current SAE practices for evaluating potential improvements in fuel economy on heavy-duty vehicles rely on gravimetric measurements of fuel tanks. However, the recent evolution of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) offers an alternative means of evaluating real-world fuel economy that may be faster and more cost effective. This paper provides a direct comparison of these two methods based on a recent EPA study conducted at Southwest Research Institute. More than 228 on-road tests were performed on two pairs of class 8 tractor-trailers according to SAE test procedure J1321 in an assessment of various chassis components designed to reduce drag losses on the vehicle. During these tests, SEMTECH-D™ portable emissions measurement systems from Sensor's, Incorporated were operating in each of the vehicles to evaluate emissions and to provide a redundant measure of fuel economy.

The road impact load and the vibration are the main factors for the commercial vehicle, especially on the van trailer. In this paper, a new method which puts the operating modal identification and power spectrum density (PSD) analysis together was presented. The analysis results coincided with the road test quite well. The power spectrum response was obtained and the fatigue life of the vehicle was also estimated. This method can be used for the vibration optimization design and a random fatigue design of other commercial vehicles.

SCR technology has proven its ability to significantly reduce NOX emissions to fulfill future emission legislations. The key to this technology is the generation of ammonia on-board to reduce the NOX. Ammonia generation catalyst systems need to be highly efficient in a limited packaging space. The influence of physical parameters of the catalyst's substrate such as thermal mass, hydraulic diameter and geometric surface area on catalyst's efficiency is well known, but the transport processes in structured metallic substrates are still an object of investigation. A numerical study for 3 structured substrates was carried out, and the results were compared with experimental data. An increase of the volumetric efficiency was found when structured substrates were applied. The numerical results are in good accordance with the experimental data and therefore proven to be an excellent tool for channel design optimization.

This paper reviews the basics of radio frequency identification technology and the existing uses in commercial vehicle systems. The specific engineering design challenges associated with the metallic environments encountered in commercial applications are discussed. An empirical design method using a variable dielectric thickness is given. Experimental results for the use of RFID in the metallic environment encountered in a commercial vehicle demonstrate the validity of the design method.

Over the past several years the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association has developed standards for the 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short Range Communications protocols, also known as Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments. These standards consist of IEEE 1609 as well as an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard or 802.11p. The 1609 standards were published for Trial Use and these as well as the 802.11p draft have been implemented in a variety of test beds to provide lessons learned and feedback into the standards working groups. Based on ongoing testing, the protocols display a strong capability to address the requirements of crash avoidance and transportation mobility applications. The corresponding test results provide information necessary to update the standards after the first trial phase as industry moves toward commercial implementations.