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Liquid Crystal Display is in the process of achieving the supreme position as an automotive instrument panel; it will replace all other existing automotive displays on dashboards. However, a number of problems on technical support remain to be solved. Focused the most among them is the strong demand of a highly reliable connection method. The new connection technique by soldering was presented in the previous paper. This paper describes the reliability and fabrication process of the new connection and its application to Driver IC on flexible P.C.B. and Chip on Glass instrument panels.

For the purpose of developing direct injection heavy-duty methanol engines which surpass diesel engines in purformace, this paper first clarifies the methanol concentration around the spark plug for achieving a high ignition stability by sampling the gas near the spark plug using a sampling valve. The combustion process of methanol is then observed by the method of high-speed Schlieren photography to clarify the mode of methanol combustion. A new methanol DISC combustion system having a protrusion in the combustion chamber is devised based on such results. This study clarifies that the methanol concentration at the point of ignition for high ignition stability is in the range of 6 to 22 vol%. The methanol mixture burns by flame propagation so far as the compression ratio is on the order of 16.5.

A new electric powertrain and axle for light/medium trucks is presented. The indoor testing and the simulation of the dynamic behavior are performed. The powertrain and axle has been produced by Streparava and tested at the Laboratory for the Safety of Transport of the Politecnico di Milano. The tests were aimed at defining the multi-physics perfomance of the powertrain and axle (efficiency, acceleration and braking, temperature and NVH). The whole system for indoor tests was composed by the powertrain and axle (electric motor, driveline, suspensions, wheels) and by the test rig (drums, driveline and electric motor). The (driving) axle was positioned on a couple of drums, and the drums provided the proper torques to the wheels to reproduce acceleration and braking. Additionally a cleat fixed on one drum excited the vibration of the suspensions and allowed assessing NVH performance. The simulations were based on a special co-simulation between 1D-AMESIM and VIRTUAL.LAB.

Low temperature Diesel exhaust operations such as during low-load cycles are some of the most difficult conditions for SCR of NOx. This, along with newer regulations targeting substantial reduction of the tailpipe NOx such as California-2024/2027 NOx regulations, adds to challenges of high efficiency SCR of NOx in low temperature operations. A novel design, low-cost, low-energy Electrically Heated Mixer (EHM™), energized via the 12, 24 or 48 V vehicle electrical system, is used to accelerate formation of reductants (ammonia, isocyanic acid) in low temperature exhaust (low load cycles), so to enable high efficiency SCR of NOx in most challenging SCR conditions, while also mitigating urea deposit formation. EHM™ is also used to heat the cooler exhaust flow during engine cold-start. It easily fits common exhaust configurations and can be utilized on light, medium or heavy duty Diesel aftertreatment systems, on- or non-road or in stationary systems.

A new transparent type electrochromic device (ECD) has been developed. It consists of two electrochromic thin films facing each other, one of “prussian blue” (PB) and the other of tungsten trioxide (WO3). PB exhibits a high intensity of coloration and is blue in the oxidized state and transparent in the reduced state. By electrodeposition, the PB layer can be formed on large substrates at low cost. This ECD has been applied to large, curved automotive glass. It reversibly turns from dark blue to transparent at low operating voltage and maintains the same intensity of coloration without the aid of an external power supply. Compared with photochromic glass, it achieves a greater color change in a shorter time and its light absorption can be changed at will. It shields passengers from the discomfort of glare and heat flow through glass.

With the advent of ever larger mobile machines in the earthmoving industry new methods of steering control had to be developed. Three basic systems which had sufficed in the past were mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic power steering mechanisms. This paper describes a new hydrostatic power steering system which appears particularly applicable to large off-road construction machines. Basic features of the V2 Hydraguide system are discussed. It is believed this system meets the general requirements for a high-flow steering unit and represents a new era in controlability for articulated vehicles.

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study on the determination of the efficiency of a hydraulic gear pump based on an analysis of the hydraulic fluid temperature at the inlet and outlet ports. Considering the thermodynamics and fluid mechanics equations, the steady state behavior of the gear pump is described for different wear conditions. The model establishes the relationship between the inlet and outlet temperatures and the main variables such as pressure, torque, flow, and angular speed and, consequently, the pump efficiency.

Review of various construction, equipment and organization factors considered in the design of new plant facility for fabrication of prototype earthmoving vehicles. Emphasis on eliminating existing problems and maximizing plant efficiency.

A family of high-accuracy, solid-state instruments ideally suited for internal combustion engine and vehicular applications has been developed. The core of each instrument is a programmable custom integrated circuit which produces exceptionally precise performance in applications as demanding as off-road equipment. The instruments are compatible with any form of resistive, voltage or current-producing sensor. Instrument outputs include displays in light emitting diode or liquid crystal formats and electronic signals for remote warning or equipment shutdown. Inherently rugged construction permits operation in sustained high-shock and high-vibration environments over wide temperature ranges. Improvements over existing products are delivered at comparable costs.

Federal legislation was passed in 1983 deregulating the intercity bus industry opening up entry to new carriers and permitted existing carriers to experiment with innovative price and service options. This generated a new diversified market in a once thought to be a very stable industry. Greyhound's bus manufacturing companies, Motor Coach Industries (MCI) located in Winnipeg, Canada and Transportation Manufacturing Corporation (TMC) in Roswell, New Mexico quickly reacted to this challenge with the introduction of a family of four 40-foot intercity bus models.

The use of global positioning systems, or GPS, as a means of logistical organization for fleet vehicles has become more widespread in recent years. The system has the ability to track vehicle location, report on diagnostic trouble codes, and keep tabs on maintenance schedules thus helping to improve the safety and productivity of the vehicles and their operators. In addition, the increasing use and implementation of yaw and roll stability control in heavy trucks has contributed to an increased level of safety for truck drivers and other motorists. However, these systems require the vehicle to begin a yaw or roll event before they assist in maintaining control. The aim of this paper is to present a new method for utilizing the GPS signal in conjunction with the fuzzy based stability index to create a truly active safety system.

A new concept in conventional truck cab vibration isolation has been developed by Holland Neway International. The system provides a significant improvement in ride comfort for the truck cab occupants in the truck of the twenty-first century. The single point isolator incorporates inclined sleeve type air springs to achieve a very low natural frequency, typically 0.9 - 1.1 hertz. A unique variable geometry damping system is used in conjunction with the sleeve springs to allow the configuration to achieve significant improvements in vibration isolation. The passive variable geometry control operates essentially undamped until large displacement disturbances are encountered allowing maximum possible isolation performance. Since the isolator natural frequency occurs in a region where the human physiology is most tolerant of vibratory motion, a high level of ride comfort is achieved.

Spicer has developed a new family of transmissions for the class 8 series truck. This paper describes the specifications, design features and thought processes that generated this new transmission design.

The new X-by-Wire systems under study for commercial and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as for Agricultural Tractors, are increasingly real autonomous systems, capable to autonomously control a vehicle functionality, actuating the operator's commands, or managing in a complete autonomy a machine function. These application need an higher Performance Level from the functional safety point of view, due to the risk of a malfunction consequence. The paper deals with a new concept hydraulic spool valve that allow the design of new safer and more compacted hydraulic circuit architectures, ensuring higher safety performance levels. The architecture presents advantages both from performance (precision, fastness), both from operational point of view. The paper will focus in particular on safety and control topics. The new patented valve presents a secondary rotary type actuator connected to a sleeve interposed between the spool and the valve body, thus composing a roto-translating valve.

An ISO (International Standards Organization) intermodal container handler has been developed to haul and top dump intermodal ISO type shipping containers. Municipal solid waste disposal is a material handling business and as larger regional/national landfills are constructed, solid waste is moved farther away from its point of generation. As the volume and distance that solid waste moves increases, containerized solid waste rail haul becomes the transport of choice. Containerized solid waste transport requires specialized material handling equipment to haul and dump containers of solid waste from a railhead to the landfill working face.

Electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids have found commercial application in a wide range of damping, force transmission and fluid flow arrangements, but are complex fluids, needing accurate rheological models for application design. In order to further the understanding of the behavior of these fluids under stress, a new lumped parameter (eight-element) model of shear-mode electrorheological fluid dampers has been developed. In this paper, the new model is presented and experimental data on damper force response is compared with model predictions over a range of sinusoidal input displacement amplitudes, input excitation frequencies and electric fields.

This paper describes the design and certification program for a new light twin-engine aircraft. The factors considered in the design of the aircraft, the flight testing, and the changes required for certification are described. Some of the problems encountered in flight testing, and the solutions to these problems, are also discussed.

The new Series 600 John Deere Disks are designed for optimum disking performance in primary and secondary tillage conditions. The tandem design retains the performance characteristics of double offset configurations due to an exclusive rolling disk middlebreaker. Welded main and wing frames feature large square and rectangular tubes which are manufactured on common weld fixtures, providing a strong “family” appearance as well as reduced factory setups and inventories. These disks provide farmer-customers with many options and features necessary to operate in varying soil types and conditions while achieving level disking performance and uniform cutting action.

Separation efficiency, contaminant capacity and operating power consumption are the three major factors in determining the performance of any separator. For an ideal separator, all unwanted material should be removed from the process fluid. In addition, the ideal separator must hold an infinite amount of separated contaminant and consume no power. Unfortunately, such an ideal separator is impossible to attain under the current laws of physics. However, the technology presented here represents a major step closer to these objectives. This paper introduces a new concept, orbital separation, for achieving high performance gas, liquid and solid separation. Orbital separation has nearly unlimited contaminant capacity and requires only a fraction of the input power required by other separation techniques. In this paper, the general principles of filtration and separation mechanics are reviewed. The orbital separation concepts are discussed and illustrated.