Effect of surface micro-groove texture on lubrication performance of tripod universal coupling

Purpose This study aims to study the effect of micro-groove texture geometric parameters on the lubrication characteristics of the tripod universal coupling. Design/methodology/approach The Navier–Stokes equation was used to analyse the influence of micro-groove geometric parameters on the coupling’s lubrication performance. Further, Kriging approximate model and neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA) were used to optimise the micro-groove geometric parameters and improve the coupling’s lubrication performance. Findings The results show that as the micro-groove depth and width increase, respectively, the oil film-bearing capacity first increases and then decreases; on the contrary, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases. With the increase of the micro-groove inclination angle, the bearing capacity of the oil film first increases and then remains unchanged. At the same time, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases slightly. The lubricating performance of the optimised coupling is significantly improved: the optimised oil film-bearing capacity increases by 12.5%, the friction coefficient reduces by 14% and the maximum oil film pressure increases by 4.3%. Originality/value At present, the grease lubrication performance of the micro-groove textured tripod universal coupling has not been studied. The micro-groove parameters are optimised, and the coupling’s lubrication performance is improved greatly by the Kriging model and NCGA algorithm. It is of great significance to extend the coupling’s fatigue life.

BBN constraints on universally-coupled ultralight scalar dark matter

Ultralight scalar dark matter can interact with all massive Standard Model particles through a universal coupling. Such a coupling modifies the Standard Model particle masses and affects the dynamics of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We model the cosmological evolution of the dark matter, taking into account the modifications of the scalar mass by the environment as well as the full dynamics of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We find that precision measurements of the helium-4 abundance set stringent constraints on the available parameter space, and that these constraints are strongly affected by both the dark matter environmental mass and the dynamics of the neutron freeze-out. Furthermore, we perform the analysis in both the Einstein and Jordan frames, the latter of which allows us to implement the model into numerical Big Bang Nucleosynthesis codes and analyze additional light elements. The numerical analysis shows that the constraint from helium-4 dominates over deuterium, and that the effect on lithium is insufficient to solve the lithium problem. Comparing to several other probes, we find that Big Bang Nucleosynthesis sets the strongest constraints for the majority of the parameter space.

Study on Torsional Vibration Characteristics of Cross Shaft Universal Coupling

In this work, the ship propulsion shaft system with cruciform universal coupling is studied. First, based on the analysis of the structure and characteristics of the cross-axis universal coupling, the motion relations and expressions between the components of the universal coupling are established by using the coordinate transformation method. Second, the characteristics of the four submodels of the head mass point element, the end mass point element, the universal coupling mass point element, and other mass point elements are discussed, and the corresponding torsional vibration differential equations of the four submodels are established. On this basis, the mathematical model of the propulsion shafting system and the differential equations of torsional vibration are established by using the modularization method and lumped parameter method. Finally, the torsional vibration modes and response characteristics of the shafts are calculated and analyzed by using the system matrix method when the external load driving torques of the universal coupling, propeller, and diesel engine are considered. At the same time, the correctness of the mathematical model and calculation method is verified by the test and comparative analysis of ship propulsion shafts. It lays a theoretical foundation for further research on torsional vibration characteristics and mechanisms of the ship propulsion shafting system based on universal coupling.

Analysis of fluid–solid coupling characteristics of tripod sliding universal coupling based on cavitation and thermal effects

In this article, a fluid–solid coupling analysis of tripod sliding universal coupling and lubricating oil film was conducted by taking into consideration cavitation and thermal effects. The coupling of the sleeve and slip pin with the lubricant oil film under different pressure differences and frequencies was investigated. Moreover, the study results were compared with the results of fluid–solid coupling under the ideal condition of negligible cavitation and thermal effects. When considering these effects, the deformation and stress values of the sleeve and the slip pin gradually increase as the pressure difference and frequency increase. The deformation and stress values of the sleeve are reduced relative to the calculation results of fluid–solid coupling in ideal conditions. However, the values of the slip pin are increased. Furthermore, when considering the thermal effect, the deformation and stress differences for the sleeve and slip pin decrease as the pressure difference increases. The stress difference of the sleeve grows sharply, whereas the deformation difference of the slip pin increases only slightly as the frequency increases.

Nonlocal Inverse Square Law in Quantum Dynamics

Schrödinger dynamics is a nonlocal process. Not only does local perturbation affect instantaneously the entire space, but the effect decays slowly. When the wavefunction is spectrally bounded, the Schrödinger equation can be written as a universal set of ordinary differential equations, with universal coupling between them, which is related to Euler’s formula. Since every variable represents a different local value of the wave equation, the coupling represents the dynamics’ nonlocality. It is shown that the nonlocal coefficient is inversely proportional to the distance between the centers of these local areas. As far as we know, this is the first time that this inverse square law was formulated.

Actin-inspired feedback couples speed and persistence in a Cellular Potts Model of cell migration

ABSTRACTCell migration is astoundingly diverse. Molecular signatures, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and environmental structures each play their part in shaping cell motion, yielding numerous different cell morphologies and migration modes. Nevertheless, in recent years, a simple unifying law was found to describe cell migration across many different cell types and contexts: faster cells turn less frequently. Given this universal coupling between speed and persistence (UCSP), from a modelling perspective it is important to know whether computational models of cell migration capture this speed-persistence link. Here, we present an in-depth characterisation of an existing Cellular Potts Model (CPM). We first show that this model robustly reproduces the UCSP without having been designed for this task. Instead, we show that this fundamental law of migration emerges spontaneously through a crosstalk of intracellular mechanisms, cell shape, and environmental constraints, resembling the dynamic nature of cell migration in vivo. Our model also reveals how cell shape dynamics can further constrain cell motility by limiting both the speed and persistence a cell can reach, and how a rigid environment such as the skin can restrict cell motility even further. Our results further validate the CPM as a model of cell migration, and shed new light on the speed-persistence coupling that has emerged as a fundamental property of migrating cells.SIGNIFICANCEThe universal coupling between speed and persistence (UCSP) is the first general quantitative law describing motility patterns across the versatile spectrum of migrating cells. Here, we show – for the first time – that this migration law emerges spontaneously in an existing, highly popular computational model of cell migration. Studying the UCSP in entirely different model frameworks, not explicitly built with this law in mind, can help uncover how intracellular dynamics, cell shape, and environment interact to produce the diverse motility patterns observed in migrating cells.