Diagnosis and Design Improvement of the Internal Flow Field in an Automotive Cooling Fan Based on Boundary Vorticity Dynamics, Part Ⅰ: Blade Profile Scaling and Rotation

To optimize the aerodynamic performance of the automobile cooling fan(ACF), the internal flow field of the original fan was numerically simulated. According to the theory of boundary vorticity dynamics(BVD), the distribution laws of the boundary vorticity flux(BVF) on the blade surface and the circumferential vorticity(CV) at the wake plane of the fan were analyzed, and the underlying various negative factors, such as vortex shedding, separated flow and complicated secondary flow, on the fan blade surface and its dynamic source were diagnosed. Combined with the velocity triangle theory, the mathematical relationship between the BVF diagnosis and the geometrical characteristics of the blade profile(hereinafter referred to as profile) is used to guide the design improvement of the blade. The analysis found that at the same speed, the extension and rotation of the profile could match a smaller input torque at the same flow rate and pressure rise, thereby improving the efficiency of the fan. The test results confirmed the above conclusion. The peak efficiency of the improved fan has been increased by 2.3%, and the aerodynamic performance in the low-flow-rate has been improved. The conclusion of the study shows the applicability of the BVD theory in the diagnosis and design improvement of ACF internal flow.

Improving the design of reinforcing frames by simulating the arch and peltate venation structures

Based on the analyses on arch and peltate venation structures, the design of reinforcing frames was improved. First, distribution rules of the arch structure were summarized. According to the load condition and the structure of the frame, a mechanical model of arch structure was devel- oped, and two solutions for the model were analyzed and compared with each other. Through the a- nalysis, application rules of arch structure for improving the design were obtained. Then, distribu- tion rules of peltate venation structure were summarized. By using the same method, application rules of peltate venation structure for improving the design were also obtained. Finally, mechanical problem of the frame was described, and rib arrangement of the frame was redesigned. A parameter optimization for the widths of ribs in bionic arrangement was also carried out to accomplish the im- proving design. Comparison between bionic and conventional reinforcing frames shows that the weight is reduced by as much as 15.3%.

The Improved Design of Multi-channel Thin Gap Chamber Simulation Signal Source for the ATLAS Detector Upgrade

We develop an improved design of thin gap chamber （TGC） simulation signal source. To further simulate the feature of TGC detector, a novel thought is proposed. The TGC source has 256 channels. Every channel can randomly output the signal in 25 ns. The design is based on true random number generator （TRNG）. Considering the electrical connection between the TGC source and the developing trigger electronics, the GFZ connector is used. The experimental results show that the improved TGC simulation signal source can uniformly output the random signal in every channel. The output noise is less than 3 mVrms.

Technical Analysis and Improvement of the Pedestrian Safety Protection of a Car Hood

The pedestrian protection technology must be used in automotive design if China-made automotives want to compete and grow strong in the world in the future. In this paper, a CAE simulation analysis is made for a domestic sedan car hood to check whether it meet the pedestrian safety protection laws and regulations. Results show that the original car cannot meet the demands of the rules. In order to meet the standards of the pedustrian protection rules, the car hood should undergo structural improvements. Tested again by CAE simulation analysis, the car after a series of improved design can reached the 3-star class EuroNCAP（ Euro New Car Assessment Program）standard of the car pedestrian safety protection laws and regulations.

High Reliability LM-2F Launch Vehicle for Space Station Mission

As China’s only manned launch vehicle,the LM-2 F Launch vehicle successfully launched the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft into its predetermined orbit on June 12,2021,signifying the successful completion of the first manned launch mission in the construction and key technology test stage of China Space Station(CSS).From the launch of the Shenzhou 11 manned spacecraft on October 12,2016 to the launch of Shenzhou 12 in 2021,over the past five years,the LM-2 F launch vehicle has been continuously improved in terms of product reliability through technological innovation and design improvement,and its flight reliability index has increased from 0.97 to 0.98.Based on the new launch mission requirements for the construction stage of CSS,this paper introduces the technological innovation and reliability improvement methods of the LM-2 F from the aspects of design improvement,research methods and process optimization.The LM-2 F launch vehicle will make greater contributions in supporting the construction of CSS with higher reliability and perfect launch success rate.

Structure modification and constant remelting speed control of a 120-t three-phase electroslag furnace

The traditional large electroslag remelting furnaces have many shortages,such as high short-network impedance and inductance,long maintenance time for electrode replacement,low stiffness of driveline,and low control accuracy of remelting speed.The present research was aimed to solve these problems through structure modification and constant remelting speed control for a 120-t electroslag remelting(ESR) furnace.Based on the technique of three-phase double electrodes in series,the short-network system and the structure of the 120-t ESR furnace were improved;and a continuous feeding system for the self-consumption electrode was proposed.A selfdesigned fully hydraulic driveline system with three degrees of freedom was successfully applied to the 120-t ESR furnace.An electrode auto-replacement system and the S-style speed-control curve of electrode-feeding system were designed on the basis of the soft measurement/sensing model on the remaining electrode length so as to obtain a high accuracy control system for constant remelting speed.The experiment products showed good surface quality and cross-sectional results,indicating good system control,and verifying the effectiveness of the structure modification of the furnace.

Influence of Surrounding Structures upon the Aerodynamic and Acoustic Performance of the Outdoor Unit of a Split Air-Conditioner

DC-inverter split air-conditioner is widely used in Chinese homes as a result of its high-efficiency and energy-saving. Recently, the researches on its outdoor unit have focused on the influence of surrounding structures upon the aerodynamic and acoustic performance, however they are only limited to the influence of a few parameters on the performance, and practical design of the unit requires more detailed parametric analysis. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics（CFD） and computational aerodynamic acoustics（CAA） simulation based on FLUENT solver is used to study the influence of surrounding structures upon the aforementioned properties of the unit. The flow rate and sound pressure level are predicted for different rotating speed, and agree well with the experimental results. The parametric influence of three main surrounding structures（i.e. the heat sink, the bell-mouth type shroud and the outlet grille） upon the aerodynamic performance of the unit is analyzed thoroughly. The results demonstrate that the tip vortex plays a major role in the flow fields near the blade tip and has a great effect on the flow field of the unit. The inlet ring＇s size and throat＇s depth of the bell-mouth type shroud, and the through-flow area and configuration of upwind and downwind sections of the outlet grille are the most important factors that affect the aerodynamic performance of the unit. Furthermore, two improved schemes against the existing prototype of the unit are developed, which both can significantly increase the flow rate more than 6 %（i.e. 100 m3·h～（-1）） at given rotating speeds. The inevitable increase of flow noise level when flow rate is increased and the advantage of keeping a lower rotating speed are also discussed. The presented work could be a useful guideline in designing the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of the split air-conditioner in engineering practice.

Concepts and implementation of strain-based criteria in design codes for steel structures

A uniaxial tension test is commonly used to determine the mechanical properties of steel,but it has no meaning for the response of the material in a structure.The test was developed as a consensus solution by producers,fabricators,designers and code writers,to have a standard by which similar materials could be compared to a common base.It does not represent the actual behavior of the steel in a structure,and was never intended to do so.To study the true behavior of the structure and how the material responds it would be better to determine the strains and deformations that will take place during actual service condition.Such characteristics reflect the real behavior,whether in the elastic or inelastic range.If stresses or forces are needed,these are easily determined by the value of the strain and the relevant material modulus,along with the type of cross section,whether elastic or inelastic.The paper addresses the properties of a range of structural steels,how these are incorporated into design standards and how the standards define deformation characteristics and demands for bolted and welded connections.

Design and Performance of an Improved Trapped Vortex Combustor

A trapped vortex combustor （TVC） has been a very promising novel concept for it offers improvements in lean blow out, altitude relight, operating range, as well as a potential to decrease NOx emissions compared to conventional combustors. The present paper discusses the improved designs of the new combustor over the prior ones of our research group, including that：a） the over-all dimensions, both axial and radial, are reduced to those of an actual aero-engine combustor; b） the air flow distribution is optimized, and especially 15% of the air is fed into the liner as cooling air; c） a straight-wall diffuser with divergence angle 9°is added. A series of experiments （cavity-fueled only, under atmospheric pressure） has been conducted to investigate the performance of the improved TVC. Experimental results show that at the inlet temperature of 523 K, the inlet pressure of 0.1 MPa, stable operation of the TVC test rig is observed for the Mach number 0.15-0.34, indicating good flame stability; the combustion efficiency obtained in this paper falls into the range of 60%-96%; as the total excess air ratio increases, the combustion efficiency decreases, while the increase of the inlet temperature is beneficial to high combustion efficiency; besides, the optimal Mach numbers for high combustion efficiency under different inlet conditions are confirmed. The outlet temperature profiles feature a bottom in the midheight of the exit. This paper demonstrates the feasibility for the TVC to be applied to a realistic aero-engine preliminarily and provides reference for TVC design.

Elastin-like polypeptide fusion for precision design of protein-polymer conjugates with improved pharmacology

Therapeutic proteins and peptides are characteristic by their high biological activity and specificity,but their clinical uses are bottlenecked by their poor stability,short in vivo half-life and immunogenicity[1].One typical example is recombinant human interferon alpha(IFN-α),FDA-approved and widely used in treatments of viral diseases and cancer,yet its short plasma half-life(t1/2=2-4 h)necessi-

The rational design of multiple molecular module-based assemblies for simultaneously improving rice yield and grain quality

Rice is one of the most important staple food for over half of the world＇s population,and a substantial increase in productivity and quality of rice grain will be required to feed a growing human population.Grain size and shape are the two important components contributing to grain yield and quality,because they impact both yield potential and end-use quality.

An Improved Graphic Representation for Structured Program Design

In this paper,an improved graphic representation for Structured Program Design——N-S-Z (Nassi-Shneiderman-Zhou Diagram)is proposed.It not only preserves the advantages of the conventional graphic and non-graphic representations,but also adds some new features which will enhance the representa- tive power of the original diagram.

Research on the Optimization Approach for Cargo Oil Tank Design Based on the Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

Based on the improved particle swarm optimization(PSO) algorithm,an optimization approach for the cargo oil tank design(COTD) is presented in this paper.The purpose is to design an optimal overall dimension of the cargo oil tank(COT) under various kinds of constraints in the preliminary design stage.A non-linear programming model is built to simulate the optimization design,in which the requirements and rules for COTD are used as the constraints.Considering the distance between the inner shell and hull,a fuzzy constraint is used to express the feasibility degree of the double-hull configuration.In terms of the characteristic of COTD,the PSO algorithm is improved to solve this problem.A bivariate extremum strategy is presented to deal with the fuzzy constraint,by which the maximum and minimum cargo capacities are obtained simultaneously.Finally,the simulation demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Quantifying the effect of improved school and residential building codes for tornadoes in community resilience

Tornadoes can destroy or severely damage physical infrastructure including buildings in a community.This can result in direct losses but also indirect losses such as the closure of key social institutions reverberating further through the community(e.g.,schools).Despite significant losses in past events,building codes and standards have not previously included tornado hazards because of the relatively low probability of a direct strike.The recent release of the ASCE 7-22 standard considers tornadoes for Risk Category 3 and 4 buildings,i.e.ranging from schools to critical facilities.This study proposes a series of design combinations of a reinforced masonry school building with different performance targets intended to enable schools to reopen sooner.Tornado fragilities were developed for a school building having improved designs using tornado loads determined based on the new tornado chapter in ASCE 7-22,and then integrated into a community level model with school attendance zones to examine the effect.The ultimate goal in this study is to investigate the effect of improving school building designs would have on maintaining school continuity(and more rapid return)for school children.

A hybrid method for product low-end disruptive innovation

Product innovation is often a process for improving existing products.Low-end disruptive innovation(LDI)enables a product to meet the most price-sensitive customers in the low-end market.The existing LDI methods are mainly based on unnecessary characteristics of disruptive innovations.Thus,they cannot easily identify and respond to the LDI design needs.This study proposes a hybrid method for the product LDI in two levels of the product design based on the summarized definition and essential characteristics of LDI.Feasible areas of the product LDI are determined using a hybrid relational function model to identify the maturity of dominant technologies.The technologies are identified through the technical search and evaluation of the feasible area for innovation to form an initial LDI scheme.Then,the product function is optimized using the trimming concept of theory of inventive problem solving based on the characteristics of LDI.The final LDI scheme is formed and evaluated based on the essential characteristics of the product LDI.The feasibility of the proposed method is verified in the design of a new dropping pill machine.