Remaining Useful Life Model and Assessment of Mechanical Products: A Brief Review and a Note on the State Space Model Method

The remaining useful life(RUL) prediction of mechanical products has been widely studied for online system performance reliability, device remanufacturing, and product safety(safety awareness and safety improvement). These studies incorporated many di erent models, algorithms, and techniques for modeling and assessment. In this paper, methods of RUL assessment are summarized and expounded upon using two major methods: physics model based and data driven based methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods are deliberated and compared as well. Due to the intricacy of failure mechanism in system, and di culty in physics degradation observation, RUL assessment based on observations of performance variables turns into a science in evaluating the degradation. A modeling method from control systems, the state space model(SSM), as a first order hidden Markov, is presented. In the context of non-linear and non-Gaussian systems, the SSM methodology is capable of performing remaining life assessment by using Bayesian estimation(sequential Monte Carlo). Being e ective for non-linear and non-Gaussian dynamics, the methodology can perform the assessment recursively online for applications in CBM(condition based maintenance), PHM(prognostics and health management), remanufacturing, and system performance reliability. Finally, the discussion raises concerns regarding online sensing data for SSM modeling and assessment of RUL.

Discrete element simulation of mechanical characteristic of conditioned sands in earth pressure balance shield tunneling

The discrete element method (DEM) was used to simulate the flow characteristic and strength characteristic of the conditioned sands in the earth pressure balance (EPB) tunneling. In the laboratory the conditioned sands were reproduced and the slump test and the direct shear test of the conditioned sands were implemented. A DEM equivalent model that can simulate the macro mechanical characteristic of the conditioned sands was proposed,and the corresponding numerical models of the slump test and the shear test were established. By selecting proper DEM model parameters,the errors of the slump values between the simulation results and the test results are in the range of 10.3%-14.3%,and the error of the curves between the shear displacement and the shear stress calculated with the DEM simulation is 4.68%-16.5% compared with that of the laboratory direct shear test. This illustrates that the proposed DEM equivalent model can approximately simulate the mechanical characteristics of the conditioned sands,which provides the basis for further simulation of the interaction between the conditioned soil and the chamber pressure system of the EPB machine.

Reliability-based selective maintenance for redundant systems with dependent performance characteristics of components

The reliability-based selective maintenance(RSM)decision problem of systems with components that have multiple dependent performance characteristics(PCs)reflecting degradation states is addressed in this paper.A vine-Copulabased reliability evaluation method is proposed to estimate the reliability of system components with multiple PCs.Specifically,the marginal degradation reliability of each PC is built by using the Wiener stochastic process based on the PC’s degradation mechanism.The joint degradation reliability of the component with multiple PCs is established by connecting the marginal reliability of PCs using D-vine.In addition,two RSM decision models are developed to ensure the system accomplishes the next mission.The genetic algorithm(GA)is used to solve the constraint optimization problem of the models.A numerical example illustrates the application of the proposed RSM method.

Research on the process of fabricating a multi-layer metal micro-structure based on UV-LIGA overlay technology

In this paper,we report the study of the process of fabricating a multi-layermetal micro-structure using UV-LIGA overlay technology,includingmask fabrication,substrate treatment,and UV-LIGA overlay processes.To solve the process problems in the masking procedure,the swelling problemof the first layer of SU-8 thick photoresist was studied experimentally.The 5μmline-width compensation and closed 20μmand 30μmisolation strips were designed and fabricated around the micro-structure pattern.The pore problemin the Ni micro-electroforming layer was analyzed and the electroforming parameters were improved.The pH value of the electroforming solution should be controlled between 3.8 and 4.4 and the current density should be below 3 A/dm^2.To solve the problems of high inner stress and incomplete development of the micro-cylinder hole array with a diameter of 30μm,the lithography process was optimized.The pre-baking temperature was increased via gradient heating and rose every 5℃ from 65℃ to 85℃ and then remained at 85℃ for 50 min–1 h.In addition,the full contact exposure was used.Finally,a multi-layer metal micro-structure with high precision and good quality of microelectroforming layer was fabricated using UV-LIGA overlay technology.

A new micromechanical approach of micropolar continuum modeling for 2-D periodic cellular material

In this paper, we present a new united approach to formulate the equivalent micropolar constitutive relation of two-dimensional（2-D） periodic cellular material to capture its non-local properties and to explain the size effects in its structural analysis. The new united approach takes both the displacement compatibility and the equilibrium of forces and moments into consideration, where Taylor series expansion of the displacement and rotation fields and the extended averaging procedure with an explicit enforcement of equilibrium are adopted in the micromechanical analysis of a unit cell.In numerical examples, the effective micropolar constants obtained in this paper and others derived in the literature are used for the equivalent micropolar continuum simulation of cellular solids. The solutions from the equivalent analysis are compared with the discrete simulation solutions of the cellular solids. It is found that the micropolar constants developed in this paper give satisfying results of equivalent analysis for the periodic cellular material.

PRINCIPLE AND TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY OF BERTRAND CONJUGATE SURFACES

Bertrand surface is presented by abstracting and subliming the common characteristic of the usual surfaces including rotational surfaces, developable surfaces, normal circular-arc surfaces, etc. Basic characteristic of Bertrand surface is that normals along generator are coplanar. Bertrand conjugate principle is studied and its basic characteristic is that the instantaneous contact line between a pair of Bertrand conjugate surfaces is generator. Bertrand conjugate can be divided into three kinds of typical conjugation forms in terms of the generators that are general plane curve, circular-arc and straight line. Basic conjugate condition is given respectively, and structure condition, which reflects transmission forms and directrix characteristic of this kind of.conjugation, is researched. As typical engineering application of Bertrand conjugate surface principle, transmission technology of loxodromic-type normal circular-arc bevel gear is studied.

Analysis of the Oscillating Mechanism of an Aerial Work Platform Based on ADAMS Hydraulic-Mechanical Coupling Simulation

Rigid model of the aerial work platform and hydraulic model of the oscillating mechanism were established with ADAMS. The simulation of two parameters, cy-linder force and oil chamber pressure, was carried out. The simulation result is useful to the design of the oscillating mechanism.

Dynamic Stability Analysis of Cages in High-Speed Oil-Lubricated Angular Contact Ball Bearings

To investigate the cage stability of high-speed oil-lubricated angular contact ball bearings, a dynamic model of cages is developed on the basis of Gupta’s and Meeks’ work. The model can simulate the cage motion under oil lubrication with all six degrees of freedom. Particularly, the model introduces oil-film damping and hysteresis damping, and deals with the collision contact as imperfect elastic contact. In addition, the effects of inner ring rotational speed, the ratio of pocket clearance to guiding clearance and applied load on the cage stability are investigated by simulating the cage motion with the model. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the design of ball bearing parameters.

Multi-degree-of-freedom coupling dynamic characteristic of TBM disc cutter under shock excitation

When the tunneling boring machine(TBM) cutterhead tunnels, the excessive vibration and damage are a severe engineering problem, thereby the anti-vibration design is a key technology in the disc cutter system. The structure of disc cutter contains many joint interfaces among cutter ring, cutter body, bearings and cutter shaft. On account of the coupling for dynamic contact and the transfer path among joint interface, mechanical behavior of disc cutter becomes extremely complex under the impact of heavy-duty, which puts forward higher requirements for disc cutter design. A multi-degree-of-freedom coupling dynamic model, which contains a cutter ring, a cutter body, two bearings and cutter shaft, is established, considering the external stochastic excitations, bearing nonlinear contact force, multidirectional mutual coupling vibration, etc. Based on the parameters of an actual project and the strong impact external excitations, the modal properties and dynamic responses are analyzed, as well as the cutter shaft and bearings' loads and load transmission law are obtained. Numerical results indicate the maximum radial and axial cutter ring amplitudes of dynamic responses are 0.568 mm and 0.112 mm; the maximum radial and axial vibration velocities are 41.1 mm/s and 38.9 mm/s; the maximum radial and axial vibration accelerations are 94.7 m/s2 and 58.6 m/s2; the maximum swing angle and angular velocity of cutter ring are 0.007° and 0.0074 rad/s, respectively. Finally, the maximum load of bearing roller is 40.3 k N. The proposed research lays a foundation for structure optimization design of disc cutter and cutter base, as well as model selection, modification and fatigue life of the cutter bearing.

Sliding mode robust controller for automatic rectification of shield machine

According to the actual engineering problem that the precise load model of shield machine is difficult to achieve,a design method of sliding mode robust controller oriented to the automatic rectification of shield machine was proposed. Firstly,the nominal load model of shield machine and the ranges of model parameters were obtained by the soil mechanics parameters of certain geological conditions and the messages of the self-learning of shield machine by tunneling for previous segments. Based on this rectification mechanism model with known ranges of parameters,a sliding mode robust controller was proposed. Finally,the simulation analysis was developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller. The simulation results show that the sliding mode robust controller can be implemented in the attitude rectification process of the shield machine and it has stronger robustness to overcome the soil disturbance.

Load-sharing Characteristic of Multiple Pinions Driving in Tunneling Boring Machine

The failure of the key parts, such as gears, in cutter head driving system of tunneling boring machine has not been properly solved under the interaction of driving motors asynchronously and wave tunneling torque load. A dynamic model of multi-gear driving system is established considering the inertia effects of driving mechanism and cutter head as well as the bending-torsional coupling. By taking into account the nonlinear coupling factors between ring gear and multiple pinions, the influence for meshing angle by bending-torsional coupling and the dynamic load-sharing characteristic of multiple pinions driving are analyzed. Load-sharing coefficients at different rotating cutter head speeds and input torques are presented. Numerical results indicate that the load-sharing coefficients can reach up to 1.2-1.3. A simulated experimental platform of the multiple pinions driving is carried out and the torque distributions under the step load in driving shaft of pinions are measured. The imbalance of torque distribution of pinions is verified and the load-sharing coefficients in each pinion can reach 1.262. The results of simulation and test are similar, which shows the correctness of theoretical model. A loop coupling control method is put forward based on current torque master slave control method. The imbalance of the multiple pinions driving in cutter head driving system of tunneling boring machine can be greatly decreased and the load-sharing coefficients can be reduced to 1.051 by using the loop coupling control method. The proposed research provides an effective solution to the imbalance of torque distribution and synchronous control method for multiple pinions driving of TBM.

Experimental investigation on fatigue of blade specimen subjected to resonance and effect of a damping hard coating treatment

Failures due to high-cycle fatigue have led to a high cost in aerospace engineering over the past few decades.In this paper,the experimental results of the fatigue behavior of compressor blade specimen subjected to resonance and the effects of a damping hard coating on relieving the fatigue progress are presented.The crack initiation and propagation processes were observed under resonance of the first bending mode by using the resonant frequencies as the indicator.Significant nonlinear features were observed in the spectrum of the blade with a fatigue crack.The finite element model considering the breathing crack was established with nonlinear contact based on the crack localization and size,which was obtained by ultrasonic phased array technology.The simulation results of the vibration behavior of the cracked blade were obtained and consistent with the experimental results.A NiCrAlY coating was deposited on the blade,and increases in the fatigue life were observed under the same condition.The results of this paper can help to better understand the fatigue of a compressor blade subjected to resonance and provide a preference for the application of a damping hard coating on compressor blades.

Relationship between rectification moment and angle of shield based on numerical simulation

The finite element method is used to simulate the rectification process of shield machine, to study the relationship between rectification moment and angle and to explore the influence laws of different soil parameters and buried depth on rectification moment. It is hoped that the reference value of rectification moment can be offered to operator, and theoretical foundation can be laid for future automatic rectification technology. The results show that the rectification moment and angle generally exhibit good linear behavior in clay layers with different soil parameters or buried depths, and then the concept of rectification coefficient, that is, the ratio of rectification angle to rectification moment, is proposed; different soil parameters and buried depths have different influences on rectification coefficient, in which elastic modulus has great influence but others have little influences; the simulations of rectification process are preformed in clay layers with different elastic modulus, and fitting results show that elastic modulus and rectification coefficient present the quadratic function relation.

Light-Weight Design Method for Force-Performance-Structure of Complex Structural Part Based Co-operative Optimization

A light?weight design method of integrated structural topology and size co?optimization for the force?performance?structure of complex structural parts is presented in this paper. Firstly, the supporting function of a complex structural part is built to map the force transmission, where the force exerted areas and constraints are considered as connecting structure and the structural configuration, to determine the part performance as well as the force routines. Then the connecting structure design model, aiming to optimize the static and dynamic performances on connection configuration, is developed, and the optimum design of the characteristic parameters is carried out by means of the collaborative optimization method, namely, the integrated structural topology optimization and size optimization. In this design model, the objective is to maximize the connecting stiffness. Based on the relationship between the force and the structural configuration of a part, the optimal force transmission routine that can meet the performance requirements is obtained using the structural topology optimization technology. Accordingly, the light?weight design of conceptual configuration for complex parts under multi?objective and multi?condition can be realized. Finally, based on the proposed collaborative optimization design method, the optimal performance and optimal structure of the complex parts with light weight are realized, and the reasonable structural unit configuration and size charac?teristic parameters are obtained. A bed structure of gantry?type machining center is designed by using the proposed light?weight structure design method in this paper, as an illustrative example. The bed after the design optimization is lighter 8% than original one, and the rail deformation is reduced by 5%. Moreover, the lightweight design of the bed is achieved with enhanced performance to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Optimal arrangement for pressure measurement points in working chamber of earth pressure balance shield

In order to exactly provide scientific basis for pressure dynamic balance control of working chamber of earth pressure balance shield (EPBS),study on optimal arrangement of pressure measurement points in working chamber was conducted. Based on mathematical description of optimal arrangement for pressure measurement points,fuzzy clustering analysis and discriminant analysis were used to divide pressure regions of nodes on bulkhead. Finally,the selection method of optimal measurement points was proposed,and by selecting d6.28 m EPBS as study object,the case study was conducted. By contrast,based on optimal arrangement scheme of pressure measurement points,through adopting weighted algorithm,the absolute error mean of equivalent pressure of working chamber is the smallest. In addition,pressure curve of optimal arrangement points presents parabola,and it can show the state of pressure distribution on bulkhead truly. It is concluded that the optimal arrangement method of pressure measurement points in working chamber is effective and feasible,and the method can provide basis for realizing high precision pressure control of EPBS.

Surface Roughness and Roundness of Bearing Raceway Machined by Floating Abrasive Polishing and Their Effects on Bearing's Running Noise

As the two most important indexes of bearing raceway, surface roughness and roundness have significant influence on bearing noise. Some researchers have carried out studies in this field, however, reason and extent of the influence of raceway surface geometric characteristics on bearing running noise are not perfectly clear up to now. In this paper, the raceway of 6309 type bearing＇s inner and outer ring is machined by floating abrasive polishing adopting soft abrasive pad. Surface roughness parameters, arithmetical mean deviation of the profile Ra, the point height of irregularities Rz, maximum height of the profile Rmax and roundness fof raceways, are measured before and after machining, and the change rules of the measured results are studied. The study results show that the floating abrasive polishing can reduce the surface geometric errors of bearing raceway evidently. The roundness error is reduced by 25%, Rm^x value is reduced by 35.5%, Rz value is reduced by 22% and Ra value is reduced by 5%. By analyzing the change of the geometrical parameters and the shape difference of the raceway before and after machining, it is found that the floating abrasive polishing method can affect the roundness error mainly by modifying the local deviation of the raceway＇s surface profile. Bearings with different raceway surface geometrical parameter value are assembled and the running noise is tested. The test results show that Ra has a little, Rmax and Rz have a measurable, and the roundness error has a significant influence on the running noise. From the viewpoint of controlling bearings＇ running noise, raceway roundness error should be strictly controlled, and for the surface roughness parameters, R,n^x and Rz should be mainly controlled. This paper proposes an effective method to obtain the low noise bearing by machining the raceway with floating abrasive polishing after super finishing.

Investigation on temperature field of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites during drilling process

The phenomenon of heat accumulation and transportation in the composite materials is a very typical and critical issue during drilling process.In this study,a three-dimensional temperature field prediction model is proposed using finite difference method,based on the partly homogenization hypothesis of material,to predict temperature field in the process of drilling unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy(C/E)composites.According to the drilling feed motion,drilling process is divided into four stages to study the temperature distributing characteristics.The results show that the temperature distribution predicted by numerical study has a good agreement with the experimental results.The temperature increases with increasing the drilling depth,and the burn phenomena is observed due to the heat accumulation,especially at the drill exit.Due to the fiber orientation,an elliptical shape of the temperature field along the direction is found for both numerical and experimental studies of C/E composites drilling process.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in plasma-arc flexible forming of laminated-composite metal sheets

Flexible forming of laminated-composite metal sheets (LCMS) using plasma arc is a latest technique, which produces LCMS components by thermal stress without mould and external force. Considering that the controllable temperature field is the key during the forming process, a three-layer FEM model, based on the characteristics along LCMS thickness direction, was developed to study the variation rules of temperature field, which was verified robustness by experimental validation. Besides, the influences of process parameters such as plasma arc power, scanning speed and plasma arc diameter on LCMS temperature field were performed. The comparisons of LCMS with single layer metal sheet (SLMS) show the temperature difference of LCMS along thickness direction is smaller than that of SLMS, but the heat-affected zone of LCMS along X axis is wider than that of SLMS under the same process parameters.

Fundamentals of atomic and close-to-atomic scale manufacturing:a review

Atomic and close-to-atomic scale manufacturing(ACSM)represents techniques for manufacturing high-end products in various fields,including future-generation computing,communication,energy,and medical devices and materials.In this paper,the theoretical boundary between ACSM and classical manufacturing is identified after a thorough discussion of quantum mechanics and their effects on manufacturing.The physical origins of atomic interactions and energy beams-matter interactions are revealed from the point view of quantum mechanics.The mechanisms that dominate several key ACSM processes are introduced,and a current numerical study on these processes is reviewed.A comparison of current ACSM processes is performed in terms of dominant interactions,representative processes,resolution and modelling methods.Future fundamental research is proposed for establishing new approaches for modelling ACSM,material selection or preparation and control of manufacturing tools and environments.This paper is by no means comprehensive but provides a starting point for further systematic investigation of ACSM fundamentals to support and accelerate its industrial scale implementation in the near future.

Flow Field and Temperature Field of Water-Cooling-Type Magnetic Coupling

At present, the water-cooling simulation of the water-cooled magnetic coupler is based on the water-cooled motor and the hydraulic coupler, which cannot accurately characterize the temperature distribution of the rotating watercooled coupling of the coupler. Focusing on rotating water cooling radiating, the present paper proposes simulating the water cooling temperature field as well as the flow field through the method of combining fluid-solid coupled heat transfer and MRF(Multiphase Reference Frame). In addition, taking an 800 kW magnetic coupling as an example, the paper optimizes the shape, number, cooling water inlet speed? and so on? of the cooling channel. Considering factors such as the complete machine’s temperature, and drag torque, it is proved that the cooling e ect is best when there are 36 involute curved channels and when the inlet speed is 3 m/s. Further, through experiments, the actual temperature values at six di erent positions when 50 kW and 70 kW thermal losses di er are measured. The measured values agree with the simulation results, proving the correctness of the proposed method. Further, data have been collected during the entire experimental procedure? and the variation in the coupling’s temperature is analyzed in depth, with the objective of laying a foundation for the estimation of the inner temperature rise as well as for the optimization of the structural design.