Multi-Objective Optimization of Aluminum Alloy Electric Bus Frame Connectors for Enhanced Durability

The widespread adoption of aluminumalloy electric buses,known for their energy efficiency and eco-friendliness,faces a challenge due to the aluminum frame’s susceptibility to deformation compared to steel.This issue is further exacerbated by the stringent requirements imposed by the flammability and explosiveness of batteries,necessitating robust frame protection.Our study aims to optimize the connectors of aluminum alloy bus frames,emphasizing durability,energy efficiency,and safety.This research delves into Multi-Objective Coordinated Optimization(MCO)techniques for lightweight design in aluminum alloy bus body connectors.Our goal is to enhance lightweighting,reinforce energy absorption,and improve deformation resistance in connector components.Three typical aluminum alloy connectors were selected and a design optimization platform was built for their MCO using a variety of software and methods.Firstly,through three-point bending experiments and finite element analysis on three types of connector components,we identified optimized design parameters based on deformation patterns.Then,employing Optimal Latin hypercube design(OLHD),parametric modeling,and neural network approximation,we developed high-precision approximate models for the design parameters of each connector component,targeting energy absorption,mass,and logarithmic strain.Lastly,utilizing the Archive-based Micro Genetic Algorithm(AMGA),Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO),and Non-dominated SortingGenetic Algorithm(NSGA2),we explored optimized design solutions for these joint components.Subsequently,we simulated joint assembly buckling during bus rollover crash scenarios to verify and analyze the optimized solutions in three-point bending simulations.Each joint component showcased a remarkable 30%–40%mass reduction while boosting energy absorption.Our design optimization method exhibits high efficiency and costeffectiveness.Leveraging contemporary automation technology,the design optimization platform developed in this study is poised to facilitate intelligent optimization of lightweight metal components in future applications.

Thermal stress simulation analysis of aerospace optical fibers and connectors and related extensions to high-speed railway area

Aerospace optical cables and fiber-optic connectors have numerous advantages(e.g.,low loss,wide transmission frequency band,large capacity,light weight,and excellent resistance to electromagnetic interference).They can achieve optical communication interconnections and high-speed bidirectional data transmission between optical terminals and photodetectors in space,ensuring the stability and reliability of data transmission during spacecraft operations in orbit.They have become essential components in high-speed networking and optically interconnected communications for spacecrafts.Thermal stress simulation analysis is important for evaluating the temperature stress concentration phenomenon resulting from temperature fluctuations,temperature gradients,and other factors in aerospace optical cables and connectors under the combined effects of extreme temperatures and vacuum environments.Considering this,advanced optical communication technology has been widely used in high-speed railway communication networks to transmit safe,stable and reliable signals,as high-speed railway optical communication in special areas with extreme climates,such as cold and high-temperature regions,requires high-reliability optical cables and connectors.Therefore,based on the finite element method,comprehensive comparisons were made between the thermal distributions of aerospace optical cables and J599III fiber optic connectors under different conditions,providing a theoretical basis for evaluating the performance of aerospace optical cables and connectors in space environments and meanwhile building a technical foundation for potential optical communication applications in the field of high-speed railways.

Experimental investigation and analytically modeling of hysteretic behavior of rigid bus-flexible connectors of 220 kV electrical substations

This paper describes the quasi-static testing and analytical modelling of the hysteretic behavior of aluminum alloy rigid bus-flexible connectors of 220 kV electrical substations.The main objective of the study is to experimentally investigate the hysteretic behavior of six different types of rigid bus-flexible connectors 220 kV electrical substations when subjected to cyclic loading.Another objective is to theoretically study the flexibility and effectiveness of a previously proposed analytical model in fitting the experimental hysteresis loops of the tested rigid bus-flexible connectors.The experimental investigation indicates that the tested rigid bus-flexible connectors exhibit highly asymmetric hysteresis behavior along with tension stiffening effect.The theoretical study demonstrates that the generalized Bouc-Wen model has high flexibility and is effective in fitting the experimental hysteresis resisting force-displacement curves of the six tested rigid bus-flexible connectors.

Optimal Stiffness for Flexible Connectors on A Mobile Offshore Base at Rough Sea States

This paper investigates a simplified method to determine the optimal stiffness of flexible connectors on a mobile offshore base(MOB) during the preliminary design stage. A three-module numerical model of an MOB was used as a case study. Numerous constraint forces and relative displacements for the connectors at rough sea states with different wave angles were utilized to determine the optimized stiffness of the flexible connectors. The range of optimal stiffnesses for the connectors was obtained based on the combination and intersection of the optimized stiffness results, and the implementation steps were elaborated in detail. The percentage reductions of the optimized and optimal stiffness of the flexible connector were determined to quantitatively evaluate the decreases of the constraint force and relative displacement of the connectors compared with those calculated by using the original range of the connector stiffnesses. The results indicate the accuracy and feasibility of this method for determining the optimal stiffness of the flexible connectors and demonstrate the rationality and practicability of the optimal stiffness results. The research ideas, calculation process, and solutions for the optimal stiffness of the flexible connectors of an MOB in this paper can provide valuable technical support for the design of the connectors in similar semisubmersible floating structures.

Shear Behavior of Open Steel Tube Connectors in Steel⁃UHPC Composite Decks

Steel and ultra⁃high performance concrete(UHPC)composite decks are effective at reducing fatigue cracking and asphalt pavement damage.The shear behavior of innovative open steel tube(OST)connectors in steel⁃UHPC composite decks was investigated by conducting push⁃out tests.The test parameter is the presence of reinforcement in the deck.The load⁃slip curves and shear behavior of the push⁃out specimens were obtained and discussed.The test results indicate that as compared with plain concrete specimens,the limit slip of reinforced specimens decreased by 32%and the shear stiffness increased by 10%,but the ultimate shear capacity was almost the same.The use of UHPC influenced the failure process as it was observed that the OST connector was sheared off at its lower semi⁃tube,followed by the pull⁃out failure of the upper semi⁃tube.A finite element model was verified by tests and was then used to analyze the deformation and failure behaviors of the composite deck with open tubes.The model demonstrates that there is a stress concentration zone at the connector root,and the lower semi⁃tube is the main component that is subject to loads.

Dynamic Responses of Mobile Offshore Base Connectors

A Mobile Offshore Base (MOB) is a multi-purpose logistics base, which can be stationed in coastal or international waters. In the conceptual design of the MOB, attention should he paid to the dynamic responses of the inter-module connectors because tremendous loads occur in the connectors. In this paper, a study on dynamic responses of the MOB connectors is carried out by use of the Rigid Module Flexible Connector (RMFC) model which assumes that the module stiffness is significantly larger than that of the connector. In the analysis, the connector is modeled as a linear spring, which restricts relative translations but allows for relative rotations of modules. The 3-D source distribution method is adopted to determine the hydrodynamic forces of the modules, and the hydrodynamic interaction between modules is taken into account. The module motions and connector loads for 12 connector stiffness cases in regular and irregular waves are calculated with the multi-rigid-body motion equations. And the calculated results are compared with those from relative references. It is shown that the results obtained by different methods are in good agreement.

Seismic behavior of large-scale FRP–recycled aggregate concrete–steel columns with shear connectors

The application of fi ber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for the development of high-performance composite structural systems has received signifi cant recent research attention. A composite of FRP–recycled aggregate concrete (RAC)–steel column (FRSC), consisting of an outer FRP tube, an inner steel tube and annular RAC fi lled between two tubes, is proposed herein to facilitate green disposal of demolished concrete and to improve the ductility of concrete columns for earthquake resistance. To better understand the seismic behavior of FRSCs, quasi-static tests of large-scale basalt FRSCs with shear connectors were conducted. The infl uence of the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage, shear connectors and axial loading method on the lateral load and deformation capacity, energy dissipation and cumulative damage were analyzed to evaluate the seismic behavior of FRSCs. The test results show that FRSCs have good seismic behavior, which was evidenced by high lateral loads, excellent ductility and energy dissipation capacity, indicating RAC is applicable in FRSCs. Shear connectors can signifi cantly postpone the steel buckling and increase the lateral loads of FRSCs, but weaken the deformation capacity and energy dissipation performance.

Evaluation of the Shear Strength of Perfobond Rib Connectors in Ultra High Performance Concrete

Since the previous strength prediction models for the perfobond rib connector were proposed based upon the results of push-out tests conducted on concretes with compressive strength below 50 MPa, push-out test is performed on perfobond shear connectors applying ultra high performance concretes with compressive strength higher than 80 MPa to evaluate their shear resistance. The test variables are chosen to be the diameter and number of dowel holes and, the change in the shear strength of the perfobond rib connector is examined with respect to the strength of two types of UHPC: steel fiber-reinforced concrete with compressive strength of 180 MPa and concrete without steel fiber with compressive strength of 80 MPa. The test results reveal that higher concrete strength and larger number of holes increased the shear strength, and that higher increase rate in the shear strength was achieved by the dowel action. The comparison with the predictions obtained by the previous models shows that the experimental results are close to the values given by the model proposed by Oguejiofor and Hosain [1].

Academic health sciences libraries as connectors to knowledge beyond literature

Libraries at large academic medical centers in the United States are undergoing a transformation from their traditional role as knowledge repositories to a new role as connectors to knowledge. This transformation is fueled by the move away from library-held print resources as the primary source of information used by researchers,clinicians and students. Knowledge resources critical to the missions of academic medical centers now include online books and journals,very large data sets,software tools,and expertise far beyond the walls of the library. This article illustrates how Bernard Becker Medical Library at Washington University in St. Louis has seized the opportunity to recast itself as a connector to knowledge beyond literature and strengthen its vital role within the university as a catalyst for learning and discovery.

Influences of polishing on return loss of optical fiber connectors

With Al2O3 and SiO2 as polishing medium, under different polishing conditions, e.g. with different polishing pressure, polishing time and polishing fluid, the influences of polishing treatment on the return loss of optical fiber connectors were investigated. The return loss of optical fiber connectors is 32CD*238dB before polishing. The results show that dry polishing（i.e. no polishing fluid） with Al2O3 has less influence on return loss of optical fiber connectors, while dry polishing with SiO2 reduces return loss to about 20dB because of the end-face of optical fiber contaminated. The wet polishing（i.e. using distilled water as polishing fluid） with Al2O3 or SiO2 can increase return loss to 45CD*250dB, but wet polishing with Al2O3 may produce optical fiber undercut depth of 80CD*2140nm. Wet polishing with SiO2 should be preferentially selected for optical fiber connectors and polishing time should be controlled within 20CD*230s.

A Corpus-Based Study of Adverbial Connectors in Native and Non-native Students＇ Writing

In writing and speaking, adverbial connectors always play a part to connect different parts together at both semantic and syntactic aspects. For it is so important that a lot of scholars have made and are making a series of studies to their functions. On the basis of corpus-based study, this paper firstly makes a comparison to the usage of adverbial connectors in their writings of the native students and non-native students and then exposes a distinctive gap between these two types of writings in usage of adverbial connectors. In order to help Chinese second-language learners acquire English as well as English native speakers do, this study deeply digs this gap and in further provides several pedagogical suggestions for English teachers and second-language learners.

Transient responses of double-curved sandwich two-layer shells resting on Kerr's foundations with laminated three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber surface and auxetic honeycomb core subjected to the blast load

This work uses refined first-order shear theory to analyze the free vibration and transient responses of double-curved sandwich two-layer shells made of auxetic honeycomb core and laminated three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber surface subjected to the blast load.Each of the two layers that make up the double-curved shell structure is made up of an auxetic honeycomb core and two laminated sheets of three-phase polymer/GNP/fiber.The exterior is supported by a Kerr elastic foundation with three characteristics.The key innovation of the proposed theory is that the transverse shear stresses are zero at two free surfaces of each layer.In contrast to previous first-order shear deformation theories,no shear correction factor is required.Navier's exact solution was used to treat the double-curved shell problem with a single title boundary,while the finite element technique and an eight-node quadrilateral were used to address the other boundary requirements.To ensure the accuracy of these results,a thorough comparison technique is employed in conjunction with credible statements.The problem model's edge cases allow for this kind of analysis.The study's findings may be used in the post-construction evaluation of military and civil works structures for their ability to sustain explosive loads.In addition,this is also an important basis for the calculation and design of shell structures made of smart materials when subjected to shock waves or explosive loads.

THE EFFECT OF THE USE OF ADVERBIAL CONNECTORS ON CHINESE EFL LEARNERS' ENGLISH WRITING QUALITY

This paper reports a corpus-based study on the use of adverbial connectors by Chinese non-English major EFL learners with different English proficiency levels. Research results show that there is a significant correlation between the learners' use of adverbial connectors and their writing quality. The Chinese learners with higher linguistic proficiency use more tokens and types of adverbial connectors and perform better in the use of adverbial connectors in terms of stylistic awareness in their writings than those with lower linguistic proficiency.

USE OF ADVERBIAL CONNECTORS IN CHINESE EFL LEARNERS' ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

Based on more comparable corpora, the present study verified some of the previous findings about the use of adverbial connectors by Chinese learners. Also some new insights have been gained: 1) the overuse of resultive and listing adverbial connectors implies that the learners adopt different ways of argumentation from the native speakers; 2) the use of adverbial connectors is relevant to the learners' proficiency;3) the command of a small variety of adverbial connectors is possibly one of the causes for the overuse of the high frequency ones. Comparisons with learners of other L1 backgrounds indicate that the following two features are common to EFL learners: 1) they tend to rely heavily on the top ten adverbial connectors for linking purposes; 2) the overuse and underuse reflect a general stylistic uncertainty about the use of adverbial connectors by the EFL learners.

Lifetime prediction of electrical connectors under multiple environment stresses of temperature and particulate contamination

Electrical connectors play a significant role in the electronic and communication systems. As they are often exposed in the atmosphere environment, it is extremely easy for them to cause electrical contact failure. It is essential to carry out the reliability modeling and predict the lifetime. In the present work, the accelerated lifetime testing method which is on account of the uniform design method was designed to obtain the degradation data under multiple environmental stresses of temperature and particulate contamination for electrical connectors. Based on the degradation data, the pseudo life can be acquired. Then the reliability model was established by analyzing the pseudo life. Accordingly, the reliability function and reliable lifetime function were set up, and the reliable lifetime of the connectors under the multiple environment stresses of temperature and particulate contamination could be predicted for electrical connectors,

Recent Progress on Optical Fiber Connectors for Telecommunication Systems

Various optical fiber connectors have been developed during the 20 years since optical fiber communications systems were first put into practical use. This paper describes the technical background and recent issues related to photonic connection technologies.

The Design of Multi-Connector IoT Central Gateway Based on Raspberry Pi and Docker

With the vigorous development of Internet of Things(IoT)technology,the demand for communication and data exchange between different types of IoT devices is increasing day by day.To solve the problems of diversity and complexity of communication protocols between devices,this paper proposes a design scheme of a multi-connector IoT central gateway based on Raspberry Pi and Docker.Through the research and application of related technologies,by integrating multiple communication interfaces and utilizing containerization technology,an efficient,flexible,and scalable IoT central gateway has been realized,which can support the connection and data interaction of multiple communication protocols and provide strong support for the stable operation and development of the IoT system.

3D defect detection of connectors based on structured light

In order to realize the rapid detection of three-dimensional defects of connectors, this paper proposes a method for detecting connector defects based on structured light. This method combines structured light with binocular stereo vision to obtain three-dimensional data for the connector. Point cloud registration is used to identify defects and decision trees are used to classify defects. The accuracy of the 3D reconstruction results in this paper is 0.01 mm, the registration accuracy of the point cloud reaches the sub-millimeter level, and the final defect classification accuracy is 94%. The experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed three-dimensional connector defect detection method in connector defect detection and classification.

Study on the interfacial shear behavior of steel reinforced concrete （SRC） members with stud connectors after fire

Statically push-out tests of 20 steel reinforced concrete short columns （SRCSC） with stud connectors on the surface of shape steel after fire and two SRCSC under ambient temperature were carried out, in order to study the failure mode, load-slip relationship and the interfacial shear transfer of SRC members after fire. Experimental results show that the typical failure modes and load-slip curves of SRCSC after fire are almost the same as the case under ambient temperature. The interfacial shear transfer of SRCSC declines exponentially not only with the increase of the peak temperature the specimen experienced but also with the increase of the peak temperature duration. The interfacial shear transfer of the specimens with studs arranged at the steel web is much higher than those with studs arranged at the steel flange. Empirical formulas of SRCSC interfacial shear transfer after fire are proposed, and the calculated results generally agree well with the experimental results.

An Analysis and Simulation of Failure in Dower Connectors

Power connector, as one kind of fittings, is used to connect power equipmentto conductor, conductor to wire or wire to wire in power lines. Owing to its simple structure, easyinstallation and low cost, bolt-type power connector-parallel groove clamp is widely used inoverhead power transmission and distribution line. However, owing to high current load and harshenvironment in China, there are still some problems in application of this kind of connector. So,some failure connectors replaced from domestic overhead power lines are collected. The main reasonsthe failure are given out through investigation into residual contact force, connection resistance,substrate quality, makeup, condition of contact interface and installation, manufacture techniqueetc. Then, the current test on parallel groove clamps is carried out and finite element method isused to simulate its failure process.