Vehicle running instability detection algorithm (VRIDA): A signal based onboard diagnostic method for detecting hunting instability of rail vehicles

In recent years, significant research transpired on onboard monitoring of various phenomena arising in dynamic vehicle-track interaction. One key issue being monitoring of vehicle hunting instability. Current hunting detection standards are appropriate for certification tests of vehicles, but incapable to monitor the health of the vehicle and track subsystems influencing the hunting instability. This paper proposes a signal based procedure for accurately triggering Hunting/No-Hunting alarm by conforming to requirements of onboard monitoring. A new method is conceived to reveal coherence among lateral and longitudinal accelerations during vehicle hunting. Furthermore, an index which amalgamates phase and amplitude information of lateral and longitudinal axlebox accelerations is introduced to detect coupled modes in lateral and yaw directions, i.e. hunting modes. Several simulations based pragmatic case studies are performed to assess the efficacy of the proposed procedure. The proposed method outperforms traditional hunting detection procedures by detecting more Hunting/No-Hunting occurrences. The proposed method contributes towards digitalization of rail vehicles through condition-based and predictive maintenance.

Analysis of Low-Power Boilers Work on Real Heat Loads: A Case of Poland

The paper presents the methods of determination of the actual operation of solid fuel heating boilers in Poland. The analysis was based on an average annual distribution of the actual power outputs of the solid fuel heating boilers operated in four selected locations in Poland. Based on said data, three characteristic percent shares have been estimated of the nominal power outputs, at which the heating boilers in Poland operate throughout the year (divided into four characteristic portions—the seasons of the year). Additionally, for the analysis, the authors took into account the average annual temperature amplitude and the annual air quality information for the discussed locations and analyzed 30 solid fuel heating boilers in terms of their performance in the laboratory certification tests. In the final stage of the investigations, the authors initiated laboratory tests on the application of the combustion quality analyzers and their potential benefits.

EmDigital to Promote Digital Entrepreneurship: The Relation with Open Innovation

Entrepreneurial skills and digital competence are two basic competences in people’s education in the 21st century. They are also transversal competences in university degrees. We carried out an analysis of European models, which suggest areas and indicators within these two competencies (entrepreneurial and digital), with the ultimate goal of elaborating an original model of digital entrepreneurship competence, which we have named EmDigital. This analysis was performed by means of a qualitative approach and the combination of documentary analysis techniques, focus-group discussion and expert judgement through the Delphi method in a sequence of four consecutive phases. The proposed EmDigital model encompasses 4 areas, 15 sub-competences and 45 indicators. This model will be useful for the design of descriptive types of tests and certification tests, as well as for the design of formative proposals both for professors and for students of higher studies. Furthermore, the model will lead to new lines of research in the area of competence-based training.

Towards validation of combined-accelerated stress testing through failure analysis of polyamide-based photovoltaic backsheets

Novel methods for advancing reliability testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules and materials have recently been developed. Combined-accelerated stress testing (C-AST) is one such method which has demonstrated reliable reproduction of some field-failures which were not reproducible by standard certification tests. To increase confidence and assist in the development of C-AST, and other new testing protocols, it is important to validate that the failure modes observed and mechanisms induced are representative of those observed in the field, and not the product of unrealistic stress conditions. Here we outline a method using appropriate materials characterization and modelling to validate the failure mechanisms induced in C-AST such that we can increase confidence in the test protocol. The method is demonstrated by applying it to a known cracking failure of a specific polyamide (PA)-based backsheet material. We found that the failure of the PA-based backsheet was a result of a combination of stress factors. Photo-oxidation from ultra-violet (UV) radiation exposure caused a reduction in fracture toughness, which ultimately lead to the cracking failure. We show that the chemical and structural changes observed in the backsheet following C-AST aging were also observed in field-aged samples. These results increase confidence that the conditions applied in C-AST are representative of the field and demonstrates our approach to validating the failure mechanisms induced.

Non-destructive Inspection of Composite Aileron during Fatigue Test

The operational safety and reliability of an airplane must be an integral part of its design. The use of suitable materials that pass material certification tests is very important for a new aircraft design. The next part is testing specific samples, sub-components, and components such as the aileron. The paper deals with a non-destructive evaluation of composite primary structural part fatigue tests in accordance with damage tolerance philosophy considering impact damage presence. NDT methods such as visual, eddy current, and ultrasonic testing included phased array technique, are used for the inspections. A schedule of inspections was created, and structural durability was verified.

Practical Aspects of Vulnerability Detection During Certification Tests of Information Security Software

Purpose: analysis of various techniques and techniques for identifying defects and vulnerabilities during certification tests. Research method: comparative analysis. Result: the conclusion is made about the relevance and priority of the study of open-source web applications. The study is given and the shortcomings of directive methods for identifying vulnerabilities and undeclared capabilities in software products are shown. The author’s statistics of the identified vulnerabilities are given with detailing by classes of computer attacks, manufacturers of information security tools, programming environments and methods for identifying vulnerabilities. A comparative analysis of author’s methods with known directive testing methods is given. The relevance of the implementation of the concept of developing secure software is shown. Recommendations on improving the security of software tools for information protection are given.