Identification of a Longitudinal Human Driving Model for Adaptive Cruise Control Performance Assessment

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a longitudinal human driving model that is accurate enough for the performance evaluation of adaptive cruise control systems. Six driver models were evaluated based on selected data from two vehicle motion databases—the SAVME database and the ICCFOT database, both created at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). Among the models we evaluated, the Gipps’ model was found to be the most promising and was further analyzed. A modified version of the model was suggested and evaluated. The modified model was implemented in a microscopic traffic simulator and was found to produce results that agree with macroscopic traffic behavior very well.

Limitations of an Indentation Model for Grinding Gamma Titanium Aluminide

This paper explores the limitations of a previously reported indentation model that correlated the depth of plastic deformation and the normal component of the grinding force. The indentation model for grinding is studied using force control grinding of gamma titanium aluminide (TiAl-γ). Reciprocating surface grinding is carried out for a range of normal force 15–90 N, a cutting depth of 20–40 μm and removal rate of 1–9 mm3/sec using diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) abrasives. The experimental data show that the indentation model for grinding is a valid approximation when the normal component of grinding force exceeds some value that is abrasive dependent.

A Path-Planning Strategy for Overhead Cranes With High Hoisting Speed

This paper proposes a path planning strategy for high-performance anti-swing control of overhead cranes, where the anti-swing control problem is solved as a kinematic problem. First, two anti-swing control laws, one for hoisting up and the other for hoisting down, are proposed based on the Lyapunov stability theorem. Then a new path-planning strategy is proposed based on the concept of minimum-time control and the proposed anti-swing control laws. The proposed path planning is free from the usual constraints of small load swing, slow hoisting speed, and small hoisting distance. The effectiveness of the proposed path planning is shown by computer simulation with high hoisting speed and hoisting ratio.

Modeling of a Urea SCR Catalyst With Automotive Applications

A zero order lumped parameter control oriented model of a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst is presented. The lumped parameter model is developed using two approaches. in the first approach it was assumed that the catalyst behaves as an Isothermal Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (ICSTR). The second approach involved deriving the lumped parameter model from a 1D model using the method of weighted residuals. Both approaches led to a three state model, with the gas phase concentrations of NOx and NH3 and the surface coverage fraction as the states. The model depends on chemical properties specific to the SCR catalyst; consequently model validation requires knowledge of these parameters, either via laboratory-based experiments or as supplied by the catalyst supplier. We present an alternate approach that allows estimation of the essential parameters through a minimization of the l2 errors between measured and simulated results.

Intelligent Monitoring and Control of Industrial Processes Through the Internet

This paper presents a framework for developing a universal network infrastructure that would allow web-based monitoring and control of industrial processes, research facilities, and academic experiments. Internet technology is used here for its versatility, wide availability, and relative low cost. The main element of the infrastructure is a web-server, which connects to multiple control-servers, which in turn are connected to various processing modules within a local industrial facility, Since the web-server is the system centerpiece, which provides smooth information flow, a robust, intelligent, and autonomous scheduling scheme is required. Once such infrastructure is established, remote users in an academic or research environment, or in an industrial environment will be able to carry out a variety of tasks including experiments, monitoring and supervision, process scheduling and reconfiguration, using a web-browser. The flexibility and modularity of the developed networked infrastructure provide the rationale for implementing a multi-level hierarchical monitoring and control structure for a process. The usefulness of such a hierarchical structure is demonstrated through an application example on an industrial fish processing machine, which incorporates intelligent adaptive control.

Application of an Imaging System to Study Machining Mist Formation via an Atomization Mechanism

Airborne inhalable particulate in the workplace represents a significant health hazard. One of the primary sources of this particulate is mist produced through the application of cutting fluids in machining operations. One of the important mechanisms for the production of cutting fluid mist is the atomization mechanism. In this paper, atomization is studied by applying cutting fluid to a rotating workpiece such as found in turning. An imaging system is presented for the study of the atomization mechanism. The imaging system extends the size measurement range typically achievable with aerosol sampling devices to consider larger particles. Experimental observations from the imaging system reveal that workpiece rotation speed and cutting fluid flow rate have significant effects on the size of the droplets produced by the atomization mechanism. With respect to atomization, the technical literature describes models for fluid interaction with the rotating workpiece and droplet formation via drop and ligament formation modes. Experimental measurements are compared with model predictions. For a range of rotation speeds and fluid application flow rates, the experimental data is seen to compare favorably with the model predictions.

Open Platform for the Integration of Monitoring Applications

Process and machine tool condition monitoring are the keys to an increasing degree of automation and consequently to an increasing productivity in manufacturing. The realisation of monitoring functionality demands an extension of the control system. The prerequisite for these extensions are open interfaces in the NC-kernel. Nowadays controls with open NC-kernel interfaces are available on the market. However these interfaces are vendor specific solutions that do not allow the reuse of monitoring software in different controls. To overcome these limitations a platform with vendor neutral open real-time interface for the integration of monitoring functionality into the NC-kernel is presented in this paper. Additionally two realisations of the integration platform for different target systems are described.

Motion Planning for Dynamic Systems Using First-Order Logic

The problem of motion planning for a class of dynamic systems is considered in this study. A knowledge-based approach is used to determine the initial conditions that will yield a certain desired state of the dynamic system. The search space is limited by using a set of rules because reasoning about dynamic systems is basically searching an infinite space. In this study, first-order logic is used for knowledge representation and reasoning. The methodology is applied to playing a pool game. The dynamics of the motion of the balls are complicated and significant expertise is required to know how to strike the balls. Simulated results presented show how the rules help in finding the appropriate strategies for playing the game.

A Forward Approach for Helicopter Track and Balance

A method of helicopter track and balance is introduced that uses a forward-model to search for the appropriate blade modifications. This method uses an interval model to represent the ranges of effects of blade modifications on helicopter vibration, instead of exact values, in order to cope with the stochastic nature of aircraft vibration. The coefficients of the interval model are initially defined according to sensitivity coefficients between the blade modifications and helicopter vibration, but they are subsequently updated after each tuning iteration to improve the model’s estimation accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a simulation model that represents experimental vibration measurements of Black Hawk helicopters.

Run-Time Three-Dimensional Blend-Path Generation for Cobot Constraint Surfaces

During human-cobot interaction, transitions often occur between free mode operation and constraint surface following. This paper considers the following typical scenario: an operator of a three-dimensional (e.g. x-y-z or x-y-θ) cobot commands a “join” from free mode to a one-dimensional constraint path. To ensure that this transition is smooth and responsive, a “blend path” is computed that joins the cobot’s initial location to a location on the constraint path. The blend path must match tangency and curvature at each end, and must also exhibit continuous curvature. A novel “triple-clothoid” algorithm is developed that meets these requirements. In addition, we demonstrate that the triple-clothoid is particularly amenable to x-y-θ systems via implementation on a planar cobot.