Parametric analysis of wheel wear in high-speed vehicles

In order to reduce the wheel profile wear of highspeed trains and extend the service life of wheels, a dynamic model for a high-speed vehicle was set up, in which the wheelset was regarded as flexible body, and the actual measured track irregularities and line conditions were considered. The wear depth of the wheel profile was calculated by the well-known Archard wear law. Through this model, the influence of the wheel profile, primary suspension stiffness, track gage, and rail cant on the wear of wheel profile were studied through multiple iterafive calculations. Numerical simulation results show that the type XP55 wheel profile has the smallest cumulative wear depth, and the type LM wheel profile has the largest wear depth. To reduce the wear of the wheel profile, the equivalent conicity of the wheel should not be too large or too small. On the other hand, a small primary vertical stiffness, a track gage around 1,435-1,438 mm, and a rail cant around 1：35-1：40 are beneficial for dynamic performance improvement and wheel wear alleviation.

Flight Loads and Dynamics of Flexible Air Vehicles

Based on the equations of motion of flexible air vehicles includingrigid-body modes and elastic structural modes, and applying influence coefficients of linearaerodynamics, a set of equations are derived and a method is presented for analysis of flight loadsand dynamic characteristics. The problems in the fields of flight mechanics and aeroelasticity suchas static aeroelastic divergence, trim and deformation, aerodynamic loads distribution, flutter andflight dynamics can be solved by the procedure. An airplane with high aspect ratio wings isanalyzed, and the results show that the coupling between rigid -body modes and elastic modes isdistinct and should not be overlooked.

Circular Formation Flight Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles With Directed Network and External Disturbance

This paper proposes a new distributed formation flight protocol for unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)to perform coordinated circular tracking around a set of circles on a target sphere.Different from the previous results limited in bidirectional networks and disturbance-free motions,this paper handles the circular formation flight control problem with both directed network and spatiotemporal disturbance with the knowledge of its upper bound.Distinguishing from the design of a common Lyapunov fiunction for bidirectional cases,we separately design the control for the circular tracking subsystem and the formation keeping subsystem with the circular tracking error as input.Then the whole control system is regarded as a cascade connection of these two subsystems,which is proved to be stable by input-tostate stability(ISS)theory.For the purpose of encountering the external disturbance,the backstepping technology is introduced to design the control inputs of each UAV pointing to North and Down along the special sphere(say,the circular tracking control algorithm)with the help of the switching function.Meanwhile,the distributed linear consensus protocol integrated with anther switching anti-interference item is developed to construct the control input of each UAV pointing to east along the special sphere(say,the formation keeping control law)for formation keeping.The validity of the proposed control law is proved both in the rigorous theory and through numerical simulations.

Structural Deformation Monitoring of Flight Vehicles Based on Optical Fiber Sensing Technology:A Review and Future Perspectives

Structural deformation monitoring of flight vehicles based on optical fiber sensing(OFS)technology has been a focus of research in the field of aerospace.After nearly 30 years of research and development,Chinese and international researchers have made significant advances in the areas of theory and methods,technology and systems,and ground experiments and flight tests.These advances have led to the development of OFS technology from the laboratory research stage to the engineering application stage.However,a few problems encountered in practical applications limit the wider application and further development of this technology,and thus urgently require solutions.This paper reviews the history of research on the deformation monitoring of flight vehicles.It examines various aspects of OFS-based deformation monitoring including the main varieties of OFS technology,technical advantages and disadvantages,suitability in aerospace applications,deformation reconstruction algorithms,and typical applications.This paper points out the key unresolved problems and the main evolution paradigms of engineering applications.It further discusses future development directions from the perspectives of an evolution paradigm,standardization,new materials,intelligentization,and collaboration.

Research on star-tracking correction technology for near-earth flight vehicles

By analyzing the traditional star-tracking correction technology,this paper studies the star-tracking direct correction method which is based on star sensor dynamic separation initial displacement angles and main errors of inertial measure unit（IMU） in order to carry out automatic navigation and improve the hitting accuracy and quick reaction capability of near-earth flight vehicles.Through comprehensive application and improvement of the best correction factor method,this paper proposes the startracking comprehensive correction method which combines the two methods above-mentioned and the accelerometer dynamic error separation technology.The simulation results show that obvious effects can be achieved by using the star-tracking integrated correction method.

Theory and practice for assessing structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains

Purpose–The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.This paper aims to define and substantiate the assessment of the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains in both theory and practice.The key principles and approacheswill be proposed,and their applications to high-speed trains in Chinawill be presented.Design/methodology/approach–First,the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are defined,and their relationship is introduced.Then,the principles for assessing the structural integrity of structural and dynamical components are presented and practical examples of gearboxes and dampers are provided.Finally,the principles and approaches for assessing the dynamical integrity of highspeed trains are presented and a novel operational assessment method is further presented.Findings–Vehicle system dynamics is the core of the proposed framework that provides the loads and vibrations on train components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.For assessing the structural integrity of structural components,an open-loop analysis considering both normal and abnormal vehicle conditions is needed.For assessing the structural integrity of dynamical components,a closed-loop analysis involving the influence of wear and degradation on vehicle system dynamics is needed.The analysis of vehicle system dynamics should follow the principles of complete objects,conditions and indices.Numerical,experimental and operational approaches should be combined to achieve effective assessments.Originality/value–The practical applications demonstrate that assessing the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains can support better control of critical defects,better lifespan management of train components and better maintenance decision-making for high-speed trains.

Finite-time control of formation system for multiple flight vehicles subject to actuator saturation

This paper investigates the problem of formation tracking control for multiple flight vehicle(MFV) system considering actuator saturation constraints. First, the formation tracking control model is established. Then, the problem of formation control of the MFV system is converted to the convergence of a dynamical system, which is obtained by using the differential geometry theory.A class of saturation functions is introduced, and on this basis a second-order finite-time formation control protocol is developed.With the help of the homogeneous theory and Lasalle's invariance principle, it is theoretically proved that the designed formation protocol could complete the formation task in finite time, and the control inputs are shown to remain within their available actuating limits. Finally, simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the scheme.

Intelligent and Autonomous Flight Technology for Launch Vehicles

This paper proposes the architecture of an intelligent flight launcher system as well as fundamental solutions to capability prediction and dynamic planning. This effort reflects the latest progress in the applications of intelligent and autonomous technology for launcher flights. The paper first describes the characteristics and capabilities of intelligent and autonomous systems and classifies various related technologies. In the context of intelligent and autonomous technology in aerospace engineering, it then focuses on technical difficulties involved with intelligent flight and reviews developments in the field. An E^3 classification model of an intelligent flight launcher is then proposed and its application scenarios are discussed. Based on an intelligent flight system configuration of the launcher, the online trajectory planning and initial value guess are examined, and vertical landing is provided as an example to explain the effects of the implementation of computational intelligence to flight systems.

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued) The 75th Launch On December 30, 2003, the LM-2C/SM launch vehicle launched theTance 1 (TC-1) satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered a super geosynchronous orbit . Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center Launch Result: Success At 03:06 Beijing time on December 30, the LM-2C/SM launch vehicle lifted off into space with TC-1 (equatorial satellite) and precisely sent the satellite into

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Flight Safety Improvement Using In-Flight Awareness

This paper presents a novel onboard system called In-Flight Awareness Augmentation System (IFA2S) to improve flight safety. IFA2S is designed to semi-automatically (with human supervision) avoid hazards and accidents due to either internal or external causal factors. The requirements were defined in an innovative way using Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method and applied next to model the system. IFA2S increases aircraft awareness regarding both itself and its environment and, at the same time, recognizes platform and operational constraints to act in accordance to predefined decision algorithms. Results are presented through simulations and flight tests using state machines designed to allow the adoption of appropriate actions for the identified hazards. The different decision algorithms are evaluated over as many as possible hazard situations by simulations conducted with software Labview and XPlane flight simulator. Flight tests are performed in a small fixed wing aircraft and make use of a limited version IFA2S, partially attending identified requirements. Results support the conclusion that IFA2S is capable of improving flight safety.

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued)The 71st Launch On October 15,2003,China's first manned spaceship,Shenzhou 5,was launched by a LM-2F launch vehicle.The first Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei stayed in space for 21 hours and landed back on the Earth safely on October 16。

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued) THE 59TH LAUNCH On November 20,1999,a LM-2F launch vehicle lifted off with China’s indigenous Shenzhou 1 experimental spaceship from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.Shenzhou 1 returned to Earth on November 21 after 21 hours of in-orbit operation and circling the Earth 14 times.

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued)THE 67TH LAUNCHOn May 15, 2002, a LM-4B launch vehicle lifted off with FY-1D meteorological satellite and HY-1A oceanic satellite from Tai-yuan Satellite Launch Center and

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued)THE 67TH LAUNCHOn May 15, 2002, a LM-4B launch vehicle lifted off with FY-1D meteorological satellite and HY-1A oceanic satellite from Tai-yuan Satellite Launch Center and

Flight Record of the Long March Series of Launch Vehicles

(Continued) The 79th Launch On September 9, 2004, a LM-4B launch vehicle launched two satellites, SJ-6A and SJ-6B, into space both for space environment exploration from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The two satellites entered their preset sun synchronous orbits. Launch Site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Launch Result: Success At 07:14 Beijing time on September 9, the LM-4B launch vehicle was launched into space with SJ-6A and SJ-6B on board.

ADRC FRACTIONAL ORDER PID CONTROLLER DESIGN OF HYPERSONIC FLIGHT VEHICLE

Active disturbance rejection controller（ADRC）uses tracking-differentiator（TD）to solve the contradiction between the overshoot and the rapid nature.Fractional order proportion integral derivative（PID）controller improves the control quality and expands the stable region of the system parameters.ADRC fractional order（ADRFO）PID controller is designed by combining ADRC with the fractional order PID and applied to reentry attitude control of hypersonic vehicle.Simulation results show that ADRFO PID controller has better control effect and greater stable region for the strong nonlinear model of hypersonic flight vehicle under the influence of external disturbance,and has stronger robustness against the perturbation in system parameters.

Adaptive augmentation of gain-scheduled controller for aerospace vehicles

This paper proposes an adaptive augmentation control design approach of the gain-scheduled controller.This extension is motivated by the need for augmentation of the baseline gainscheduled controller.The proposed approach can be utilized to design flight control systems for advanced aerospace vehicles with a large parameter variation.The flight dynamics within the flight envelope is described by a switched nonlinear system,which is essentially a switched polytopic system with uncertainties.The flight control system consists of a baseline gain-scheduled controller and a model reference adaptive augmentation controller,while the latter can recover the nominal performance of the gainscheduled controlled system under large uncertainties.By the multiple Lyapunov functions method,it is proved that the switched nonlinear system is uniformly ultimately bounded.To validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach,this approach is applied to a generic hypersonic vehicle,and the simulation results show that the system output tracks the command signal well even when large uncertainties exist.

Flight Control System of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

To date unmanned aerial system(UAS)technologies have attracted more and more attention from countries in the world.Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)play an important role in reconnaissance,surveillance,and target tracking within military and civil fields.Here one briefly introduces the development of UAVs,and reviews its various subsystems including autopilot,ground station,mission planning and management subsystem,navigation system and so on.Furthermore,an overview is provided for advanced design methods of UAVs control system,including the linear feedback control,adaptive and nonlinear control,and intelligent control techniques.Finally,the future of UAVs flight control techniques is forecasted.

Progress in high-speed train technology around the world

This is a review of high-speed train development in the sense of technology advances all over the world. Three generations of high-speed trains are classified according to their technical characteristics and maximum operating speed. Emphasis is given to the newly developed high-speed train in China, CRH380. The theoretical foundations and future development of CRH380 are briefly discussed.

Damage Tolerance Assessment of a Brake Unit Bracket for High-Speed Railway Welded Bogie Frames

The brake unit bracket of a bogie frame is an important load-carrying component, particularly under emergency start/stop conditions. Conventional infinite/safe life approaches provide an over-conservative recommendation for the allowable strength and lifetime, which hinders the lightweight design of modern railway vehicles. In this study, to ensure the reliability and durability of a brake unit bracket, an attempt was made to integrate the nominal stress method and an advanced damage tolerance method. First, a complex bogie frame was modelled using solid elements instead of plate and beam elements. A hot spot stress region on the bracket was found under an eight-stage load spectrum obtained from the Wuhan–Guangzhou high-speed railway line. Based on the probability of foreign damage, a semi-elliptical surface crack was then assumed for residual life assessment. The results obtained by the cumulative damage and damage tolerance methods show that the brake unit bracket can operate for over 30 years. Moreover, even if a 2-mm depth crack exists, the brake unit bracket can be safely operated for more than 2.27 years, with the hope that the crack can be detected in subsequent maintenance procedures. Finally, an appropriate safety margin was suggested which provides a basis for the life prediction and durability assessment of brake unit brackets of high-speed railways.