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Cold spray (CS) is a rapidly developing solid-state repair and coating process, wherein metal deposition is produced without significant heating or melting of metal powder. Solid state bonding of powder particles is produced by impact of high-velocity powder particles on a substrate. In CS process, metal powder particles typically of Aluminum or Copper are suspended in light weight carrier gas medium. Here high pressure and high temperature carrier gas is expanded through a converging-diverging nozzle to generate supersonic gas velocity at nozzle exit. The CS process typically uses Helium as the carrier gas due to its low molecular weight, but Helium gas is quite expensive. This warrants a need to explore alternate carrier gases to make the CS repair process more economical. Researchers are exploring another viable option of using pure Nitrogen as a carrier gas due to its significant cost benefits over Helium.

Transient events in a vehicle driveline such as tip in tip out, clutch engagement-disengagement, engine start, etc. are very important considering NVH characteristics and hence comfort of a vehicle system overall. Clutch engagement (especially during vehicle launch from a rest condition) is one of the most important transient events in commercial vehicles utilizing automated manual transmissions (AMTs). This paper presents common NVH issues observed during vehicle launch in a commercial heavy duty truck. One of the most important NVH issues is clutch engagement judder. Judder is seen when torque fluctuations are generated in a slipping clutch which induce undesired driveline vibrations. This paper concentrates on friction judder as well as geometric judder. Different friction materials are compared for their performance against friction judder. Performance of friction materials with respect to slip speed, temperature, and pressure is also studied.

Engine braking is a supplemental retarding technology in addition to foundational friction brakes in commercial vehicles. This technology is in use in Europe & Americas for several decades now. In engine braking, the engine acts as a compressor, thus producing the required braking power. The braking power is generated by either reducing the volumetric efficiency or increasing the pressure difference across the cylinder. This is usually achieved by means of exhaust valve lift modulation. There are dominantly two types of engine brakes viz. bleeder brake and compression release brake. The present work uses GT-Power® model to study the braking performance of a 4-cylinder, medium duty diesel engine at different engine RPMs and valve lifts. The work brings out a comprehensive understanding of different lift events and their effects on braking performance.