A strategy for strengthening chaotic mixing of dual shaft eccentric mixers by changing non-Newtonian fluids kinetic energy distribution

Efficiently modulating the velocity distribution and flow pattern of non-Newtonian fluids is a critical challenge in the context of dual shaft eccentric mixers for process intensification,posing a significant barrier for the existing technologies.Accordingly,this work reports a convenient strategy that changes the kinetic energy to controllably regulate the flow patterns from radial flow to axial flow.Results showed that the desired velocity distribution and flow patterns could be effectively obtained by varying the number and structure of baffles to change kinetic energy,and a more uniform velocity distribution,which could not be reached normally in standard baffle dual shaft mixers,was easily obtained.Furthermore,a comparative analysis of velocity and shear rate distributions is employed to elucidate the mechanism behind the generation of flow patterns in various dual-shaft eccentric mixers.Importantly,there is little difference in the power number of the laminar flow at the same Reynolds number,meaning that the baffle type has no effect on the power consumption,while the power number of both unbaffle and U-shaped baffle mixing systems decreases compared with the standard baffle mixing system in the transition flow.Finally,at the same rotational condition,the dimensionless mixing time of the U-shaped baffle mixing system is 15.3%and 7.9%shorter than that of the standard baffle and the unbaffle mixing system,respectively,which shows the advantage of the U-shaped baffle in stirring rate.

A Multiscale Reliability-Based Design Optimization Method for Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Drive Shafts

Carbon fiber composites,characterized by their high specific strength and low weight,are becoming increasingly crucial in automotive lightweighting.However,current research primarily emphasizes layer count and orientation,often neglecting the potential of microstructural design,constraints in the layup process,and performance reliability.This study,therefore,introduces a multiscale reliability-based design optimization method for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic(CFRP)drive shafts.Initially,parametric modeling of the microscale cell was performed,and its elastic performance parameters were predicted using two homogenization methods,examining the impact of fluctuations in microscale cell parameters on composite material performance.A finite element model of the CFRP drive shaft was then constructed,achieving parameter transfer between microscale and macroscale through Python programming.This enabled an investigation into the influence of both micro and macro design parameters on the CFRP drive shaft’s performance.The Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO)algorithm was enhanced for particle generation and updating strategies,facilitating the resolution of multi-objective reliability optimization problems,including composite material layup process constraints.Case studies demonstrated that this approach leads to over 30%weight reduction in CFRP drive shafts compared to metallic counterparts while satisfying reliability requirements and offering insights for the lightweight design of other vehicle components.

Early Treatment Outcome of Humeral Shaft Fracture Non-Union in Adults: Comparative Study of Plating versus Interlocking Nailing

Background: Fractures of humeral shaft in adults are common injuries. Humeral shafts non-union either from late presentation after initial treatment by traditional bone setters or failed non-operative orthodox care is a major problem in this part of the world. This non-union is a major treatment challenge with increased cost of care and morbidity in this part of the world. Humeral shaft non-union can be treated with locked intra-medullary nailing (LIMN) or dynamic compression plating (DCP). Study on comparison of these methods of fixation in this part of the world is scarce in literature search, hence the reason for this study. Objective: The objectives of this study are: (1) to compare early clinical outcome following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN;(2) to compare the time of radiologic fracture union of DCP with LIMN;(3) to compare complications following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized control study done for 2 years in which fifty adult patients with humeral shaft non-union were recruited. The patients were grouped into 2 (P = DCP & N = LIMN). Forty five of the patients completed the follow up periods of the study and then analyzed. The P group had ORIF with DCP while the N group had ORIF with LIMN. Both groups had grafting with cancellous bones. Each patient was followed up for a period of 6 months at the time which radiographic union is expected. Any patient without clinical and/or radiographic evidence of union after six months of surgery was diagnosed as having recurrent non-union. The data generated was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. The results were presented in charts and tables. The paired t-test was used while considering p value Result: Forty five patients completed follow up. There was a male preponderance (4:1), right humerus predominated (3:2). Motor vehicular accidents were the commonest cause of the fractures (62%). Most non-union fractures occurred at the level of the middle 3rd of the humeral shaft (60%). Failed TBS treatment was the commonest indication for the osteosynthesis (71%). More patients had plating (53%) compared to 47% who had LIMN. Most patients (93.4%) had union between 3 to 6 months irrespective of fixation type with no significant statistical difference between the union rate of DCP and LIMN (p value 0.06) with similar functional outcome and complication rates irrespective of the type of fixation. Conclusion: This study showed that the success rates in term of fracture union, outcome functional grades and complication rates were not directly dependent on the types of the fixation: plating or locked intra-medullary nailing.

Functional Outcomes of Adult Tibia Shaft Fractures Treated with Solid Intramedullary Nails versus Hollow Nails: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The management of fractures of the tibia shaft is an important aspect of orthopaedic care, and the selection of the surgical method for fixation can substantially impact patient outcomes. The current review aims to compare the outcomes of adult tibia fractures treated with solid nails to those treated with hollow nails. Methods: A search on Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, using three keywords (Outcome, Tibia shaft fractures, Nail) was conducted in April 2023. Results were compiled and two independent reviewers screened and selected eligible articles After removing duplicates, titles and abstracts were read to exclude ineligible studies. Full-text articles of the remaining papers were read to select eligible studies which were further critically appraised to ascertain their methodological quality. The data extracted from the selected papers were synthesized using a combination of pooling of results, tests of statistical difference (t-test and chi-square) and narrative synthesis methods. Results: A total of 2295 articles were obtained from the databases and citation searching. A total of 9 papers were identified as eligible and included in the review. Findings revealed that there is no statistical difference in the outcomes of tibia fractures treated with either solid or hollow nail groups such as duration of surgery (p = 0.541), rate of delayed and non-union (p = 0.342), and rate of surgical site infections (p = 0.395). Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing of tibia shaft fractures with either solid or hollow nails have similar functional outcomes.

CFD simulation of hydrodynamics and mixing performance in dual shaft eccentric mixers

This work aims to systematically study hydrodynamics and mixing characteristics of non-Newtonian fluid(carboxyl methyl cellulose,CMC)in dual shaft eccentric mixer.Fluid rheology was described by the power law rheological model.Computational fluid dynamics was employed to simulate the velocity field and shear rate inside the stirred tank.The influence mechanism of the rotational modes,height difference between impellers,impeller eccentricities,and impeller types on the flow field have been well investigated.We studied the performance of different dual-shaft eccentric mixers at the constant power input with its fluid velocity profiles,average shear strain rate,mixing time and mixing energy.The counter-rotation mode shows better mixing performance than co-rotation mode,and greater eccentricity can shorten mixing time on the basis of same stirred condition.To intensify the hydrodynamic interaction between impellers and enhance the overall mixing performance of the dual shaft eccentric mixers,it is critical to have a reasonable combination of impellers and an appropriate spatial position of impellers.

Crack Fault Diagnosis and Location Method for a Dual-Disk Hollow Shaft Rotor System Based on the Radial Basis Function Network and Pattern Recognition Neural Network

The crack fault is one of the most common faults in the rotor system,and researchers have paid close attention to its fault diagnosis.However,most studies focus on discussing the dynamic response characteristics caused by the crack rather than estimating the crack depth and position based on the obtained vibration signals.In this paper,a novel crack fault diagnosis and location method for a dual-disk hollow shaft rotor system based on the Radial basis function(RBF)network and Pattern recognition neural network(PRNN)is presented.Firstly,a rotor system model with a breathing crack suitable for a short-thick hollow shaft rotor is established based on the finite element method,where the crack's periodic opening and closing pattern and different degrees of crack depth are considered.Then,the dynamic response is obtained by the harmonic balance method.By adjusting the crack parameters,the dynamic characteristics related to the crack depth and position are analyzed through the amplitude-frequency responses and waterfall plots.The analysis results show that the first critical speed,first subcritical speed,first critical speed amplitude,and super-harmonic resonance peak at the first subcritical speed can be utilized for the crack fault diagnosis.Based on this,the RBF network and PRNN are adopted to determine the depth and approximate location of the crack respectively by taking the above dynamic characteristics as input.Test results show that the proposed method has high fault diagnosis accuracy.This research proposes a crack detection method adequate for the hollow shaft rotor system,where the crack depth and position are both unknown.

Eigen value analysis of composite hollow shafts using modified EMBT formulation considering the shear deformation along the thickness direction

Composite hollow shafts are used in power transmission applications due to their high specific stiffness and high specific strength.The dynamic characteristics of these shafts are important for transmission applications.Dynamic modelling of these shafts is generally carried out using Equivalent Modulus Beam Theory(EMBT)and Layerwise Beam Theory(LBT)formulations.The EMBT formulation is modified by considering stacking sequence,shear normal coupling,bending twisting coupling and bending stretching coupling.It is observed that modified EMBT formulation is underestimating the shafts stiffness at lower length/mean diameter(l/dm)ratios.In the present work,a new formulation is developed by adding shear deformation along the thickness direction to the existing modified EMBT formulation.The variation of shear deformation along the thickness direction is found using different shear deformation theories,i.e.,first-order shear deformation theory(FSDBT),parabolic shear deformation theory(PSDBT),trigonometric shear deformation theory(TSDBT),and hyperbolic shear deformation theory(HSDBT).The analysis is performed at l/d_(m) ratios of 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,and 40 for carbon/epoxy composites,E-glass/epoxy composites,and boron/epoxy composite shafts.The results show that new formulation has improved the bending natural frequency of the composite shafts for l/d_(m)<15 in comparison with modified EMBT.The effect of new formulation is more significant for the second and third bending modes of natural frequencies.

Parameter Study on a Composite Sound-Absorbing Structure Liner in Elevator Shafts

With the growing global environmental awareness,the development of renewable and green materials has gained increased worldwide interest to substitute conventional materials and are favorable for sustainable economic development.This paper proposed a novel eco-friendly sound absorbing structure(NSAS)liner for noise reduction in elevator shafts.The base layer integrated with the shaft walls is a damping gypsum mortarboard,and a rock wool board and a perforated cement mortarboard are used to compose the NSAS.Based on the acoustic impedance theory of porous materials and perforated panels,the sound absorption theory of the NSAS was proposed;the parameter effects of the rock wool board(flow resistivity,porosity,structure factor)and perforated panel(perforated rates,thickness,density,perforated diameter)on NSAS absorption were discussed theoretically for absorption improvement,and experiments were also conducted.Numerical results showed that the perforation rate,the thickness of the perforated plate,and the porosity,flow resistance,and volume density of the rock wool board played a key issue in the absorption performances of the NSAS.Experiments verified the accuracy of the proposed theoretical model.Wideband sound absorption performance of the NSAS at frequencies between 500–1600 Hz was achieved in both numerical analysis and experiments,and the sound absorption coefficient was improved to 0.72 around 1000 Hz after parameter adjustments.The NSAS proposed in this paper can also be made of other renewable materials with preferable structure strength and still has the potential to broaden the absorption bandwidth.It can provide a reference for controlling the elevator shaft noise.

Radial Head Dislocation Associated with an Ipsilateral Open Type II Gustilo-Anderson Fracture of the Radial Shaft

Radial head dislocation associated with an ipsilateral radial shaft fracture is a rare lesion, even more so for open lesions. Few cases have been found in the literature. We report this case due to its exceptional nature and discuss the mechanism of onset. A twenty-five-year-old patient presented with a dislocation of the radial head associated with a GUSTILO ANDERSON type II open fracture of the radial shaft following an occupational accident. He was managed twenty-four hours after the trauma. The mechanism was a direct blow. The dislocation was reduced by external manoeuvre following open reduction of the radial shaft. The fracture was stabilized by two Kirschner wires following reduction. The result at 12 months was satisfactory from a clinical and radiological standpoint.

A Comparison of the Genetic Shaft Types of Some Karst Areas Based on Their Specific Shaft Lengths

Shaft development can be documented on the basis of comparative studies of specific shaft lengths and shaft patterns.We calculated the specific length of shafts and the average specific shaft length of the shafts in some karst areas and we investigated the relation between the altitude of shaft floors and the specific shaft length.Taking the registered specific shaft lengths and the shaft patterns into consideration,it can be stated that some parts of the shafts developed paragenetically in the studied karst areas.In the Bakony Region,this was caused by surface water influx,rise of karst water level,and their simultaneous effect.As a result,shaft systems,bifurcating shafts and storeyed shafts developed.On glaciokarst areas,shafts may constitute a system with phreatic passages:either because a phreatic environment developed in the vadose zone due to the permanent impoundment of karst water or because a phreatic passage got into the vadose zone since the karst became elevated.On the studied karst areas,the following shaft development types are distinguished:glacial-high mountain surface flood development type(1),glacial-high mountain karst water and surface flood development type(2),glacial karst water and surface flood later phreatic development type(3),shaft with a passage that got into the vadose zone(4).

Empirical methods for determining shaft bearing capacity of semi-deep foundations socketed in rocks

Semi-deep foundations socketed in rocks are considered to be a viable option for the foundations in the presence of heavy load imposed by high-rise structures, due to the low settlement and high bearing capacity. In the optimum design of semi-deep foundations, prediction of the shaft bearing capacity, rs, of foundations socketed in rocks is thus critically important. In this study, the unconfined compressive strength(UCS), qu, has been applied in order to investigate the shaft bearing capacity. For this, a database of 106 full-scale load tests is compiled with UCS values of surrounding rocks, in which 34 tests with rock quality designation(RQD), and 5 tests with rock mass rating(RMR). The bearing rocks for semi-deep foundations include limestone, mudstone, siltstone, shale, granite, tuff, granodiorite, claystone, sandstone, phyllite, schist, and greywacke. Using the database, the applicability and accuracy of the existing empirical methods are evaluated and new relations are derived between the shaft bearing capacity and UCS based on the types of rocks. Moreover, a general equation in case of unknown rock types is proposed and it is verified by another set of data. Since rock-socketed shafts are supported by rock mass(not intact rock), a reduction factor for the compressive strength is suggested and verified in which the effect of discontinuities is considered using the modified UCS, qu(modified), based upon RMR and RQD in order to take into account the effect of the rock mass properties.

A methodology for lining design of circular mine shafts in different rock masses

In this study, the finite element numerical modelling of 2D shaft sections in a Hoek–Brown medium are carried out in a non-hydrostatic stress state in an attempt to predict pressures developing around mine shafts. An iterative process of applying support pressure until observing no failure zone around the shaft is used to simulate the required lining support pressure for different shaft models. Later, regression analysis is carried out to find a generic shaft pressure equation representing the rock mass and the stress state. Finally, the developed pressure equation which shows a good agreement with a case study is used in elastic ‘‘thick-walled cylinder" equation to calculate the lining thickness required to prevent the development of a failure zone around the shaft. At the end of the study, a user-friendly object-oriented computer program ‘‘Shaft 2D" is developed to simplify the rigorous shaft lining thickness calculation process.

Building up a Mathematical Model of Shaftes System and CAD for Linked Tetra-Shaft and Double-Cantilever Flat Flap Gate

Linked tetra shaft and double cantilever flat flap gate is a new type of structure in water conservancy projects,but the traditional method is now adopted in its design.In order to the application and dissemination of the type of sluice,this paper researches the difficult points of design advance,through researching the motion locus & stress coundition of linked tetra shaft system.The writer will build up the mathmatical model and handle it with the computer.Thus,we can achieve the modern desing on the basis of the software of linked tetra shaft system development.

Simulation Study on Reinforcing Overburden to Prevent and Cure the Rupture of Shaft Lining

For preventing and curing the rupture disaster of shaft lining effectively, according to the additional force theory of shaft lining fracture, more than forty tests were carried out on the large scale test rig on the basis of simulating theory. The influence of the position of aquifer, the reinforcing scope of aquifer, reinforcing distance and the strength of grouting cemented mixture on the value and variation law of the axial additional force on shaft lining is studied. The relationships between the reinforcing parameters and the axial additional force on shaft lining are obtained, which provides the theoretic foundation and construction design parameters for the method of reinforcing strata by grouting to prevent and cure tbe rupture disaster of shart lining.

Effects of Flexibility and Suspension Configuration of Main Shaft on Dynamic Characteristics of Wind Turbine Drivetrain

The current research of wind turbine drivetrain is mainly concentrated in dynamic characteristics of gearbox with a specific suspension of main shaft, such as one-point and two-point suspension. However, little attention is paid to the e ects of these suspension configurations on the dynamic responses of wind turbine gearbox. This paper investigates the influences of suspension configurations of main shaft on the dynamic characteristics of drivetrain. For evaluating the dynamic behaviors of drivetrain with multi-stage transmission system more realistically, a dynamic modeling approach of drivetrain is proposed based on Timoshenko beam theory and Lagrange's equation. Considering the flexibility and di erent suspension configurations of main shaft, time-varying mesh sti ness excitation, time-varying transmission error excitation and gravity excitation, etc., a three-dimensional dynamic model of drivetrain is developed, and the dynamic responses of drivetrain are investigated. Results show that with the one-point suspension of main shaft, the resonance frequencies in gearbox, especially at the low-speed stage, obviously shift to the higher frequency range compared to the gearbox without main shaft, but this trend could be inversed by increasing main shaft length. Meanwhile, the loads in main shaft, main shaft bearing and carrier bearing are greatly sensitive to the main shaft length. Hence, the load sharing is further disrupted by main shaft, but this e ect could be alleviated by larger load torque. Comparing to the one-point suspension of main shaft, there occurs the obvious load reduction at the low-speed stage with two-point suspension of main shaft. However, those advantages greatly depend on the distance between two main bearings, and come at the expense of increased load in upwind main shaft unit and the corresponding main bearing. Finally, a wind field test is conducted to verify the proposed drivetrain model. This study develops a numerical model of drivetrain which is able to evaluate the e ects of di erent suspension configurations of main shaft on gearbox.

Lightweight Design of Automobile Drive Shaft Based on the Characteristics of Low Amplitude Load Strengthening

There are two kinds of internationally recognized approaches in terms of lightweight design.One is based on fatigue accumulated damage theory to achieve better reliability by optimal structural design; another is to use high performance lightweight materials.The former method takes very few considerations on the structural strengthening effects caused by the massive small loads in service.In order to ensure safety,the design is usually conservative,but the strength potential of the component is not fully exerted.In the latter method,cost is the biggest obstacle to lightweight materials in automotive applications.For the purpose of light weighting design on a fuel cell vehicle,the new design method is applied on drive shafts.The method is based on the low amplitude load strengthening characteristics of the material,and allows the stress,corresponding to test load,to enter into the strengthened range of the material.Under this condition,the light weighting design should assure that the reliability of the shaft is not impaired,even maximizes the strength potential of machine part in order to achieve the weight reduction and eventually to reduce the cost.At last,the feasibility of the design is verified by means of strength analysis and modal analysis based on the CAD model of light weighted shaft.The design applies to the load case of half shaft in independent axle,also provides technological reference for the structural lightweight design of vehicles and other machineries.

Experimental study on vibration suppression of gear shaft misalignment with ISFD

Misalignment faults in gear systems lead to violent vibration and noise, shortening the life of equipment. The aim of this work is the demonstration of vibration suppression of parallel-misaligned gear shafts using an integral squeeze film damper(ISFD). Using a first grade spur gear in engineering for reference, an open first-grade spur gear system is built and the vibration characteristics of the gear system with rigid supports and ISFD elastic damping supports are studied under different degrees of misalignment. The experimental results show that ISFD supports have excellent damping and vibration attenuation characteristics, which have improved control of the gear system vibration in horizontal, vertical and axial directions under different degrees of misalignment. This work shows that an ISFD structure can effectively suppress vibration of characteristic frequency components and resonance modulation frequency components. The test results provide evidence for the application of ISFD in vibration control of gear shaft misalignment faults in engineering.

New Measurement Method for Spline Shaft Rolling Performance Evaluation using Laser Displacement Sensor

In order to control the quality of spline shaft in rolling process, an efficient measurement method for rolling performance evaluation is essential. Here, a newly developed on-machine non-contact measurement prototype based on laser displacement sensor and rotary encoder is proposed. The prototype is intended for the automated evaluation of the spline shaft rolling performance by measuring the dimensional change of tooth root, which is correlated with the surface residual stress and micro-hardness. Laser displacement sensor and rotary encoder are used to record the polar radius and polar angle of each point on measuring section. Data are displayed in a polar coordinate system and fitted in a gear. Through multipoint curvature method, the roots of spline shaft are recognized automatically. Then, the dimensional change can be calculated by fitting the radius of the tooth root circle before and after rolling. Systematic error covering offset error is also analyzed and calibrated. At last, measurement test results show that the system has advantages of simple structure, high measurement precision(radius error < 0.6 μm), high measurement efficiency(measuring time < 2 s) and automatic control ability, providing a new opportunity for the efficient evaluation of various spline shafts in high-precision mechanical processing.

Direct reduction swelling behavior of pellets in hydrogen-based shaft furnaces under typical atmospheres

Hydrogen-based shaft furnace process is gaining more and more attention due to its low carbon emission, and the reduction behavior of iron bearing burdens significantly affects its operation. In this work, the effects of reduction degree, temperature, and atmosphere on the swelling behavior of pellet has been studied thoroughly under typical hydrogen metallurgy conditions. The results show that the pellets swelled rapidly in the early reduction stage, then reached a maximum reduction swelling index (RSI) at approximately 40%reduction degree. The crystalline transformation of the iron oxides during the reduction process was the main reason of pellets swelling. The RSI increased significantly with increasing temperature in the range of 850-1050℃, the maximum RSI increased from 6.66%to 25.0%in the gas composition of 100%H_(2). With the temperature increased, the pellets suffered more thermal stress resulting in an increase of the volume. The maximum RSI decreased from 19.78%to 17.35%with the volume proportion of H_(2) in the atmosphere increased from 55%to 100%at the temperature of 950℃.The metallic iron tended to precipitate in a lamellar structure rather than whiskers. Consequently, the inside of the pellets became regular, so the RSI decreased. Overall, controlling a reasonable temperature and increasing the H_(2) proportion is an effective way to decrease the RSI of pellets.

Theoretical Investigation on Vertical Additional Force on Shaft Lining in Special Stratum

The model of skaft lining under force is developed on the basis of the special stratum condition led to sbart cracking- The model is broken into 3 sub-questions to solve separately. According to the principle of superposition and strain compatibility, a second kind Fredholm integral equation is generated.A theoretical solution to vertical additional force on shaft lining is obtained by numerical method to the integral equation.