Design and preliminary validation of a tool for the simulation of train braking performance

Train braking performance is important for the safety and reliability of railway systems. The availability of a tool that allows evaluating such performance on the basis of the main train features can be useful for train system designers to choose proper dimensions for and optimize train＇s subsystems. This paper presents a modular tool for the prediction of train braking performance, with a par- ticular attention to the accurate prediction of stopping distances. The tool takes into account different loading and operating conditions, in order to verify the safety require- ments prescribed by European technical specifications for interoperability of high-speed trains and the corresponding EN regulations. The numerical results given by the tool were verified and validated by comparison with experimental data, considering as benchmark case an Ansaldo EMU V250 train--a European high-speed train--currently developed for Belgium and Netherlands high-speed lines, on which technical information and experimental data directly recorded during the preliminary tests were available. An accurate identification of the influence of the braking pad friction factor on braking performances allowed obtaining reliable results.

Braking Performance of a Biomimetic Squid-Like Underwater Robot

In this study, the braking performance of the undulating fin propulsion system ofa biomimetic squid-like underwater robot was investigated through free run experiment and simulation of the quasi-steady mathematical model. The quasi-steady equa- tions of motion were solved using the measured and calculated hydrodynamic forces and compared with free-run test results. Various braking strategies were tested and discussed in terms of stopping ability and the forces acting on the stopping stage. The stopping performance of the undulating fin propulsion system turned out to be excellent considering the short stopping time and short stopping distance. This is because of the large negative thrust produced by progressive wave in opposite direction. It was confirmed that the undulating fin propulsion system can effectively perform braking even in complex underwater explorations.

Assessment of the curving performance of heavy haul trains under braking conditions

To study the curving performance of trains, 1D and 3D dynamic models of trains were built using nu- merical methods. The 1D model was composed of 210 simple wagons, each allowed only longitudinal motion; whereas the 3D model included three complicated wagons for which longitudinal, lateral, and vertical degrees of freedom were considered. Combined with the calculated results from the 1D model under braking conditions, the behavior of draft gears and brake shoes were added to the 3D model. The assessment of the curving performance of trains was focused on making comparisons between idling and braking conditions. The results indicated the following： when a train brakes on a curved track, the wheel-rail lateral force and derailment factor are greater than under idling conditions. Because the yawing movement of the wheelset is limited by brake shoes, the zone of wheel contact along the wheel tread is wider than under idling conditions. Furthermore, as the curvature becomes tighter, the traction ratio shows a nonlinear increasing trend, whether under idling or braking conditions. By increasing the brake shoe pressure, train steering becomes more difficult.

Full Power Hydraulic Brake System Based on Double Pipelines for Heavy Vehicles

The hydraulic caliper disc brake system with air-over-oil is widely adopted at present for heavy vehicles,which makes use of air pressure system propelling the hydraulic pressure system acting on friction plates divided and combined for braking.There are some disadvantages such as pneumatic components failure,dust polluted and produce lots of heat in hydraulic caliper disc brake system.Moreover,considering the demands of the high speed,heavy weight,heavy load and fast brake of heavy vehicles,the full power hydraulic brake system based on double pipelines for heavy vehicles is designed and analyzed in this paper.The scheme of the full power hydraulic brake system,in which the triloculare cylinder is controlled by dual brake valve,is adopted in the brake system.The full power hydraulic brake system can accomplish steering brake,parking brake and emergent brake for heavy vehicles.Furthermore,electronic control system that is responsible for coordinating the work of hydraulic decelerator and hydraulic brake system is developed for different speed brakes.Based on the analysis of the influence of composed unit and connecting pipeline on braking performance,the nonlinear mathematic model is established for the full power hydraulic brake system.The braking completion time and braking pressure in braking performance of the double-pipeline steering brake and parking brake are discussed by means of simulation experiments based on Matlab/Simulink,and the simulation results prove that the braking performance of steering brake and parking brake meets the designing requirement of the full power hydraulic brake system.Moreover,the test-bed experiments of the brake system for heavy vehicles are carried out.The experimental data prove that the braking performance achieves the goal of the design,and that the full power hydraulic brake system based on double pipelines can effectively enhance braking performance,ensure braking reliability and security for heavy vehicles.

NEW TYPE OF LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL WITH THREE-PITCH FLUCTUATING SPEED RATIO

A type of three-pitch fluctuating speed ratio limited-slip differential （TPLSD） is presented for the first time, analyzed its working principle, introduced the tooth profile design method of using non-involute tooth profile and separated tooth profile design along the pitch line. Performance comparison between vehicles equipped with three-pitch fluctuating speed ratio limited-slip differential and common open differefitial is finished. The data from experiments prove that three-pitch fluctuating speed ratio limited-slip differential can increase the traction of a vehicle, improve its acceleration performance, decrease braking distance and limit sideslip. The basic structure of new differential is the same of open differential, the only difference is that they have different tooth profile, so the new differential has a high performance price.

A finite element analysis(FEA)approach to simulate the coefficient of friction of a brake system starting from material friction characterization

The coefficient of friction(COF)is one of the most important parameters to evaluate the performance of a brake system.To design proper brake systems,it is important to know the COF when estimating the brake force and resulting torque.It is challenging to simulate the COF since friction in disc brakes is a complex phenomenon that depends on several parameters such as sliding velocity,contact pressure,materials,and temperatures,etc.There is a lack of studies found in the literature focusing on simulation of the COF for a full brake system based on tribometer material characterization.The aim of this work is therefore to investigate the possibility to use a finite element analysis(FEA)approach combined with a COF pv-map to compute the global COF of a disc brake system.The local COF is determined from a pv-map for each local sliding velocity and contact pressure determined by the FEA.Knowing the local COF,the braking force of the entire brake system and the global COF can be evaluated.Results obtained by the simulation are compared with dyno bench test of the same brake system to investigate the validity of the simulation approach.Results show that the simulation is perfectly in line with the experimental measurements in terms of in-stop COF development,but slightly higher with a positive offset for every braking.