Search Results

Construction machines like excavators are commonly used for rescue operations at disaster sites. However, they have the disadvantages of being energy-inefficient and slow. So, we are trying to develop a new type of rescue vehicle called a Super All-Terrain Vehicle (SATV) that uses a constant-pressure system (CPS) and a flywheel at low speeds to save energy and a hydro mechanical transmission (HMT) to achieve high speeds of up to 80km/h. This study focused on the CPS. Simulations were used to assess the potential performance of a CPS, and basic experiments were carried out using manufactured components.

For rescue operations at a disaster site, many kinds of vehicles are used to transport men and materials, to carry away the injured, and so on; and different vehicles are needed depending on the purpose for which they are used. To facilitate these activities, we are developing a new type of rescue vehicle called a Super All-Terrain Vehicle (SATV) that can handle all types of rescue operations, such as rapid arrival on the scene of a disaster, the carrying away of the injured, etc. In this study, we developed a power transmission for efficient, high-speed travel and made a preliminary design for an undercarriage suitable for navigating the terrain of disaster sites and operating in confined areas.

An acoustic tube was developed and applied to measure the engine radiation noise for the prediction of the steady state exterior engine noise. Using accelerometers to measure the engine surface vibration is a difficult task, especially for the places like the exhaust manifold. The proposed method, an acoustic tube containing a microphone is set at a given distance from the engine and measurements were carried out in such a way that the whole engine surface was covered. Exterior engine noise at a certain distance from the vehicle was predicted by using the measured volume velocity values and propagation characteristics. The predicted results agreed well with previously experimented values.