Browse Topic: Cost analysis

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Augusta Regional Airport Preparation for Transformative VTOL Air Vehicle OperationsF-0081-2025-01325/20/2025
The emergence of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) air vehicles is transforming how people and freight are moved in short distances. This transformation has a profound impact on surrounding infrastructure necessary to provide Aircraft On Ground support for eVTOLs. The hover capabilities of eVTOLs have similar operating characteristics within terminal and uncontrolled airspace. However, the need to conserve battery energy via rapid approaches and departures affects terminal airspace management. To attract eVTOL operators, existing airports, landing zones, and vertiports are modifying their infrastructure to include fixed electric charging stations, additional taxiways, upgraded fire suppression systems, separate hangers, and capable MRO facilities. Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS) is the base airport for the annual Masters Golf Tournament which experiences five times the normal airport traffic and some 40,000 commuting patrons. eVTOLs can offset land traffic issues associated with commuters and supplies. Since KAGS is centroid to 32,000 square miles of territory void of major highways, basing eVTOLs can offer expedited transit services for people and goods which will have a profound impact on the economic viability and quality of life in the area.
Stanzione, Kaydon, Johnston, Diane
Gross Weight, CG Position, and Rotor Flapping Prediction for a Compound Helicopter using Machine LearningF-0080-2024-13285/7/2024
This study investigates the use of machine learning (ML) models to estimate the gross weight (GW), the longitudinal position of the center of gravity (CGx), and 1/rev cyclic flapping angles (Δ1c and Δ1s) of a compound helicopter with three redundant controls - main rotor RPM, collective propeller thrust, and stabilator angle. Neural Network (NN), Gaussian Process for Regression (GPR), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms are employed to develop estimation models using supervised training. The airspeed, redundant controls, main rotor controls, aircraft attitudes, and main rotor torque are selected as input variables (predictors) to the models due to their accessibility through the aircraft Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). The dataset is split into low-speed and high-speed regimes to compare the prediction accuracy and training cost of separate regime models against a combined full-regime model. Separate airspeed regime GPR models showed superior performance in GW estimation, with higher accuracy and cost-effectiveness compared to a single full-regime model. For CG estimation, GPR again outperformed NN and SVM, although the maximum outlier errors increase significantly if a 95% confidence interval is considered. Finally, for 1/rev cyclic flapping angle predictions, SVM estimations, though not superior to GPR or NN, were acceptable and had a significantly lower computational cost. The study also examined the importance of predictors, highlighting that, on average, certain predictors like rotor RPM and rotor torque are less influential, but their removal degraded performance and had no cost benefit.
Halder, Anubhav, Makkar, Gaurav, Gandhi, Farhan
682 Guidance for Air Transport Service Bulletins (TEST POPST CT and APPSEARCH)ARINC682 (Current)9/21/2022
This document provides industry guidance to supplement ATA standards and airframe requirements, addressing gaps and vague areas to move suppliers/vendors and airframers toward a common standard for format and wording in Vendor Service Bulletins (VSB) for Air Transport components. This document supplements the VSB guidance of iSpec 2200, providing clarity of requirements and resulting in a common standard wording and format of VSBs from all suppliers on all aircraft types. The guidance in this document is intended to be applied to VSBs created and released subsequent to the release of the guidance document and will not require the retroactive update of VSBs released prior to the creation and release of the guidance.
Reducing Risk in 3D Printed Composite ToolingF-0076-2020-1628010/5/2020
For high end composite manufacturing in a rapid development environment, the long lead item is often the hard tooling, in particular the cure mold. A traditional metal mold takes in the neighborhood of four to nine months to design, fabricate and validate. With high temperature capable print materials, and larger and faster printers, Additive Manufacturing (AM) appears to have high potential in this area of advanced composites manufacturing. Sikorsky has used AM very successfully on a scale up to approximately 3'x3' and cure temperatures of 350°F. Though long-term durability is still to be determined; the materials, technologies, and techniques Sikorsky has employed for AM autoclave cure molds on this scale have consistently exceeded expectations. AM tools along the scale of main rotor blades could be leveraged to realize even more significant cost and schedule gains from AM autoclave tooling, and in this area, there are still more questions than answers when it comes to a dependable tooling solution. Rotorcraft development, in particular Future Vertical Lift (FVL), programs offer an opportunity to realize the significant schedule and cost benefits AM can provide for composite tooling.
Dunn, Eric
On Modeling the Total Cost of Ownership of Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles2020-01-14354/14/2020
Sales of plug-in vehicles (PEVs), which include battery-only electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), have steadily grown in the past years amidst various incentive programs. While incentives are important, or perhaps essential during early phases of market introduction, they may not be feasibly sustainable when/if PEV sales ramp up to mass-market levels. As such, much interest and speculation exist on how soon could PEVs become cost-competitive without incentives. Research in this paper adopts a bottom-up approach for estimating sale price and total cost of ownership (TCO) for new vehicles. A critical review is also conducted for various publicly available sources of information pertaining to PEVs and conventional internal combustion-engine (CICE) vehicles. Due to the existence of some uncertainty about current costs, let alone future costs, a sensitivity analysis is conducted. In the various scenarios considered in the sensitivity analysis, a combination of cost predictions being better than the baseline case may allow some of the PEVs to have better TCO than a CICE within the 2030 timeframe. However, even the most optimistic scenarios considered did not show PEVs reaching purchase price parity by 2030 compared to a CICE.
Hamza, Karim, Laberteaux, Ken, Chu, Kang-Ching
JLR tackles weight with structural electronics20AUTP03_103/1/2020
Ashutosh Tomar, electrical research technical manager at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said he has absolute confidence in the potential of structural electronics (SE) now being pioneered by the company. Dubbed LESA (Lightweight Electronics in Simplified Architecture), the technology is expected in upcoming JLR models, though its use in the next-generation Jaguar XJ to be launched in 2020 has not been confirmed. JLR is completing a successful R&D program into printed SE, initially to introduce curved dashboard screens. The company claims an industry first that has the potential to radically alter vehicle interiors, with other applications forthcoming. SE is not a new technology. Decades ago the aerospace industry was considering it as part of aircraft-surface morphing capability to adapt to varying flight conditions.
Birch, Stuart
Reducing the High Cost Of TitaniumTBMG-3566712/1/2019
Titanium is neither a precious metal nor rare, yet among industrial metals it has the reputation for being very expensive. It's the fourth most abundant metallic element and the ninth most abundant of all the elements in the earth's crust. Its commercially useful oxide ore occurs in the minerals rutile and ilmenite and numerous iron ores, and exploitable ore deposits are liberally scattered around the world in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Norway, Russia, South Africa and the U.S. But due to its properties and high cost it has often been referred to as unobtanium.
Reducing the High Cost Of Titanium19AERP12_0312/1/2019
Titanium is neither a precious metal nor rare, yet among industrial metals it has the reputation for being very expensive. It's the fourth most abundant metallic element and the ninth most abundant of all the elements in the earth's crust. Its commercially useful oxide ore occurs in the minerals rutile and ilmenite and numerous iron ores, and exploitable ore deposits are liberally scattered around the world in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Norway, Russia, South Africa and the U.S. But due to its properties and high cost it has often been referred to as unobtanium. With such great abundance why is titanium so expensive?
Technology Impact Forecasting for Multi-Functional Composites19AERP12_0912/1/2019
Multi-functional composites offer a possible solution to the conflicting design goals of making new aircraft lighter, stronger, faster, and more environmentally sustainable. Air Force Research Laboratory, Arlington, Virginia To survive within today's stringent economic environment, aircraft design, particularly military aircraft design, has been experiencing a paradigm shift from an emphasis on design for optimum performance to design for system effectiveness. As a consequence, designers and manufacturers are increasingly considering the addition of new technologies to aircraft design to reduce their cost, increase their operating capacities, and optimize new capabilities. For next generation aircraft design, there are many innovative technologies to be developed that are financially constrained. However, infusion of a new technology (or technologies) are leading to another challenge: how does this new technology affect the aircraft system both in capability and economically?
Technology Impact Forecasting for Multi-Functional CompositesTBMG-3567912/1/2019
To survive within today's stringent economic environment, aircraft design, particularly military aircraft design, has been experiencing a paradigm shift from an emphasis on design for optimum performance to design for system effectiveness. As a consequence, designers and manufacturers are increasingly considering the addition of new technologies to aircraft design to reduce their cost, increase their operating capacities, and optimize new capabilities.
Maximizing Biomanufacturing Productivity in Single-Use ApplicationsTBMG-3551811/1/2019
Biologics and personalized medicine are increasingly becoming more popular — causing the biomanufacturing industry to change. Instead of sticking to large-scale production processes, manufacturers are looking for new ways to be agile. To reduce product changeover times and improve efficiency, many are turning to single-use technologies, which use disposable bioprocessing equipment instead of stainless steel. Because they avoid time-consuming clean-in-place (CIP) and steam-in-place (SIP) processes between batches, single-use products lower labor, material, and utility costs and improve time to market.
Low Cost Reconfigurable Jig Tooling and In-Process Metrology for High Accuracy Prototype Rotorcraft Wing Assembly2019-01-18779/16/2019
Reconfigurable tooling frames consisting of steel box sections and bolted friction clamps offer an opportunity to replace traditional expensive welded steel tooling. This well publicized reconfigurable reusable jig tooling has been investigated for use in the assembly of a prototype compound helicopter wing. Due to the aircraft configuration, the wing design is pinned at both ends and therefore requires a higher degree of end to end accuracy, over the 4m length, than conventional wings. During the investigation some fundamental issues are approached, including: Potential cost savings and variables which effect the business case. Achievable Jig accuracy. Potential sources of instability that may affect accuracy over time. Repeatability of measurements with various features and methods. Typical jig stability over 24hrs including effects of small temperature fluctuations. Deflections that occur due to loading. The cost benefit of reusable tooling in a low volume prototype scenario is examined followed by the design of the jig and location features to enable the accurate build and certification documentation to be completed. A prototype 4m test jig comprising of commercially available components and bespoke machined ‘pick-ups’ is presented. Hardware and measurement process cost modelling is documented along with results for the positional and center-line concentricity setting accuracy that was achieved using a Leica AT901 laser tracking system. Subsequent measurements over a 24hr period are also discussed along with potential sources of deviation in jig accuracy over time and with an applied load.
Crossley, Richard J., Ratchev, Svetan
Application of Multi-Attribute Weighted Gray Target Decision in Automobile Noise Reduction Scheme Evaluation02-12-03-00147/3/2019
In the selection of automobile noise reduction schemes, the lack of comprehensive quantitative index system and objective evaluation method is a serious problem. In this article, the methods of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and gray target decision were used to solve the problem. Firstly, AHP and gray target decision method were introduced respectively in detail. Secondly, three automobile noise reduction schemes were illustrated. Four types of data were selected as the decision indexes, and the weight coefficients of all the decision indexes were calculated using the AHP. Then multi-attribute mixed weighted gray target decision model was established. The optimum scheme was obtained by the calculation of the off-target distance and the sorting of the calculation results. The proposed method can quantify the evaluation process and overcome the disadvantages of the traditional analogy method. The example shows that the method is feasible.
Zhao, Zhendong
Development and Application of an Objective Metric for Transient Engine Clatter Noise2019-01-15196/5/2019
Several powertrain noise phenomena have been studied over the years. Sound quality metrics, like loudness, sharpness, modulation, and tonality, among others, have been developed to characterize powertrain noises. While these readily available metrics work well on steady state and some transient noises, they do not correlate directly with subjective impressions. Moreover, it is difficult to assign a meaningful single rating for time varying noises that may also be associated with simultaneous variations in frequency content. This paper summarizes the process of creating a vehicle level objective metric and its application to blind noise samples to verify correlation with subjective impressions, particularly in association with clatter noise at moderate engine speeds (2000-3500 rpm) with light to moderate throttle tip-ins. The main results include a single number rating and a rating curve as a function of engine speed useful for comparative NVH assessments of multiple vehicles or of multiple hardware iterations on a development vehicle with objectionable clatter content. The latter application is particularly useful since it gives correct feedback to an uninitiated engineer about the hardware changes he or she is proposing. Further this could help in data driven decision making during cost versus benefit assessments.
Parbat, Aniket, Charan, Anil
CVT, Promising Solutions for Electrification2019-01-03594/2/2019
A single speed transmission for electric vehicles (EV) puts specific requirements on the electric motor and battery to enable the full characteristics as offered by the internal combustion engine such as driving large distances at higher speed or towing a trailer. EV developers are facing several challenges in extending driving range, reducing recharge times and finding a performance and efficiency compromise between low and high-speed conditions. This study proposes a combination of a dedicated electric machine and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that offers a chance to overcome these challenges. The result is an efficient and cost effective solution where the surplus cost of the CVT is recovered within the powertrain by lowering cost of the electric components, cooling system and battery. A CVT reduces the maximum torque and speed requirement of the electric machine which enables a reduced size and cost of the active parts. The combination of a downsized electric machine and a pushbelt CVT can deliver the good performance that consumers expect from their EV. This paper combines the results of research into various topics to support these statements. A simulation based comparative study of various EV powertrain configurations shows that with respect to the single speed EV, efficiency benefits around 13% on WLTC are possible. A cost study based on the bill of materials furthermore concludes that a 6% cost benefit is achievable.
Van der Sluis, Francis, Romers, Luc, Van Spijk, Gert-Jan, Hupkes, Ingmar
Enabling Expanded Aerospace Automation Using Tactile Cognition Analytics2019-01-13603/19/2019
Aerospace assembly operations are still highly dependent on human labor and processes. This paper will describe and illustrate the transformational technologies that will enable replication of the human cognitive (in context) textural ability to assemble airplane and space structure. The paper will also provide use case examples where these innovative technologies have been applied successfully. Without context, data are just dots, floating around without meaning. With context data becomes an enlightened component of knowledge that brings value to information. In-context enlightened knowledge provides manufacturing visibility within factory operations. Visibility is a key component of the Smart, Brilliant, or Intelligent Factory.
Bullen, George Nicholas
Collaboration in a Hybrid Team of Human and Robot for Improving Working Conditions in an Aircraft Riveting Process2019-01-13723/19/2019
Aircraft production is facing various technical challenges, such as large product dimensions, complex joining processes, and organization of assembly tasks. Overcoming such challenges, as well as maintaining low tolerances and small batch sizes, is often difficult to achieve whilst retaining economic viability. ZeMA believes that a semi-automated approach is the most effective way to optimize aircraft section assembly. This can be achieved with a semi-automated riveting process for solid rivets, using Human-Robot-Collaboration in combination with an intuitive Human-Machine-Interaction operating concept. In the assembly of aircraft structures - in this scenario the aircraft aft section - the pressure bulk head is mounted to the section barrel. Two operators work collaboratively in uncomfortable, non-ergonomic positions, yet of course have to maintain exacting quality standards. In order to improve this process, a dynamic task sharing strategy between human and robot according to their respective skills, with due consideration given to ergonomic factors is proposed. The ideal solution involves placing a robot inside the section barrel. The robot’s workspace is expanded by mounting it on top of a lifting unit so that it can position the anvil properly. In the meantime, the human performs the more complex tasks of inserting the solid rivets and operating the riveting hammer from outside the section barrel. In order to carry out the assembly tasks efficiently, the following components must be implemented: Human-Robot-Collaboration based on natural and intuitive interaction possibilities, and smart mixed reality devices for communication between human and robot in the hybrid team. By implementing a modular control system for configuration and operation of the assembly station with a variety of interaction possibilities, human and robot can perform the collaborative riveting process more efficiently than human operators alone. Additionally, due to the high forces and vibrations applied by the riveting hammer, a process-specific tool has been developed to prevent damage to the robot system. The implementation of natural and intuitive interaction within the Human-Robot-Collaboration achieves operator acceptance, improves ergonomics and therefore effectively optimizes aircraft production. The results are part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, and present semi-automation as shown in the HRC riveting process.
Mueller, Rainer, Vette-Steinkamp, Matthias, Kanso, Ali, Masiak, Tobias
Cost Controlling Methodology: Design to Cost2019-26-00771/9/2019
Current Global Economic scenario is driven by high quality and innovative products and services available at lower cost. With the volatility in the cost drivers market of 3M’s (man, material and manufacturing), Industry needs a methodology which can control cost and assists in increasing research and development efficiencies, robust quality, shared volumes for lower cost and investment, aligned manufacturing sequences and a consistent customer experiences across Global market. This Paper uses the ideology of design to cost as its basis, since a substantial portion of the product’s cost is dictated by decisions with regards to its design. Design to cost is a management strategy and supporting methodologies to achieve an affordable product by focusing on target cost as an independent design parameter that needs to be achieved with the development of a product. The approach emphasizes on Customer Affordability and Competitive Pricing with balance in Product Features. It is a trade-off between cost and performance for competing product alternative at the early stage of the design process. The process/approach aids in evaluation of how the ‘cost of product’ likely to alter with changes to the system design, product components and processes. Product Cost can be optimized, keeping in focus different parameters likes material utilization, design for manufacturing, reduction in Scrap, complexity in system and sharing volumes across portfolio of Products. The Paper includes illustration of Design to Cost methodology applied to structural cost reduction in Agriculture Industry to achieve cost optimization.
Sharma, Himanshu
Manufacturing of Transmission Quill Gear by Sinter Hardening2019-26-01651/9/2019
Transmission quill gears are hot forged steel parts often used in constant mesh manual transmissions. The quill gear, which helps to transmit the power from input drive shaft to output shaft through driving gears. It’s having external teeth which is positively engaged with driving gear and sleeve. During gear selection sleeve take load from input shaft and transmit to driven gear. Quill gear directly engaged with driving gears on outer surface and bearing in inner surface which needs to have high strength and durability. These properties can be improved by carburization heat treatment in existing design such processes can lead to increased costs. We have developed quill gear through powder metallurgical process and then cooled rapidly in the furnace to get high strength and wear properties. Material composition are optimized to suit for sinter hardening process conditions. Thus, we have succeeded in the development of quill gears via sinter hardening, thus eliminating the forging and second hardening process. This paper will have detailed discussion on material chemical composition, sinter hardening process, mechanical and metallurgical properties comparison and validation results.
Gunalan, Magendran, Deshmukh, Rahul, Bane, Uttam
SUPPLIER EYE19AUTP01_071/1/2019
Welcome to 2019, a new year that's already brimming with challenges for mobility-industry suppliers. As they deal with escalating technology investments, unpredictable product-launch cadences, an influx of non-traditional competitors, extreme U.S. import tariffs, and other factors, most suppliers (and their OEM customers) are in a reactive mode to stabilize the bottom line. The tariffs-25% on steel and 10% on aluminum-have been a thorny issue since March 2018. According to IHS Markit, the Steel Producer Price Index in September 2018 was up over 22% year over year, significantly impacting material economics for this metals-intensive industry. Exposure to such unplanned economic price hikes depends upon who is the importer of record, as well as whether or not they're participating in OEM material resale programs.
Robinet, Michael
Design Considerations for Enclosed Turboshaft Engine Test CellsAIR4989A (Current)11/21/2018
This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) developed by a broad cross section of personnel from the aviation industry and government agencies is offered to provide state-of-the-art information for the use of individuals and organizations designing new or upgraded turboshaft engine test facilities.
EG-1E Gas Turbine Test Facilities and Equipment
Why is Silicone the Material of Choice for Healthcare Tubing?TBMG-3324411/1/2018
Healthcare-related tubing is used for fluid management and drainage as well as with anesthesiology and respiratory equipment, IVs, catheters, peristaltic pumps, and biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment. It is essential that the materials employed meet the highest quality requirements.
An Integrated Methodology for 0D Map-Based Powertrain Modelling Applied to a 48 V Mild-Hybrid Diesel Passenger Car2018-01-16599/10/2018
Nowadays, the 48 V vehicle architecture seems to be the perfect bridge between the 12 V system and the costly High Voltage (HV) electrification towards the crucial goal of CO2 and pollutants emissions reduction in combination with enhanced performance. However, this approach leads to an increased complexity in the interaction between different sub-systems targeting the optimization of the Energy Management System (EMS). Therefore, it becomes essential to perform a preliminary hardware assessment, exploring the interactions between the different components and quantifying the cost vs benefit trade-off. To this purpose, an integrated experimental/numerical methodology has been adopted: a comprehensive map-based Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) model has been built, allowing the simulation of a variety of hybrid architectures, including both HV and 48 V systems. It comprises an embedded EMS model, calibrated by means of dedicated test campaigns carried out on benchmarking vehicles, under both steady-state and transient conditions. Furthermore, the main electrical subsystems have been characterized during the same experimental campaigns with a minimum and non-invasive instrumentation effort. Specifically, this activity investigates the features and performance of a 48 V mild-hybrid Diesel P0 architecture. The aim of this activity is to achieve an accurate determination of the energy and fuel consumption, as well as of the CO2 emissions, over standard driving cycles, by means of a 0D model calibrated with a dedicated test campaign. The obtained results indicate that the developed 0D model can be used to predict the powertrain behavior for different vehicle mission profiles such as extended Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests. Furthermore, it enables the possibility to assess, on a virtual test rig, the impact of modifications of the components specifications in order to evaluate alternative and feasible designs that can fit customer needs.
DiPierro, Giuseppe, Millo, Federico, Scassa, Mauro, Perazzo, Alessandro
A Paper-Like LCD — Thin, Flexible, Tough, and CheapTBMG-328809/1/2018
Optoelectronic engineers in China and Hong Kong have manufactured a special type of liquid crystal display (LCD) that is paper-thin, flexible, light, and tough. With this, a daily newspaper could be uploaded onto a flexible paper-like display that could be updated as fast as the news cycles. It sounds like something from the future, but scientists estimate it will be cheap to produce, perhaps only costing $5 for a 5-inch screen.
Digital Manufacturing Helps Revolutionize Surgical StaplerTBMG-297487/1/2018
Modern science has allowed surgeons to fix the human body amazingly fast yet leave behind only small traces where repairs were performed. One of the more commonly used methods to achieve this is by a minimally invasive technique called laparoscopic surgery, where small incisions are made into a patient's skin, a laparoscope is inserted to provide a magnified view of the patient's organs, the procedure is performed, and the incision is closed by stitching or surgical staples. You can have your gallbladder removed before breakfast and be binge-watching Netflix from the comfort of your couch by dinner.
Thermoeconomic, Sustainability and Environmental Damage Cost Analysis of Air Cooled CT7-7A Turboprop Engine2018-01-07744/3/2018
The aim of this study is to investigate the overall performance (exergetic, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental) of CT7-7A turboprop engine manufactured by General Electric Aviation (GE Aviation) and currently used to power CN-235, a medium range transport aircraft. The investigation has been carried out using the thermoeconomic, sustainability and environmental damage cost analysis methods. The adopted turboprop engine has been investigated to observe the behaviour of various performance parameters, sustainability, emission parameters as well as cost parameters of engine. Due to ever increasing demand in air transport systems, focus has been on developing efficient and sustainable systems with lowest possible cost. In order to reduce cost & environmental effects of engine and at same time to acquire higher performance, it is necessary to understand the mechanism that can offer improvements in the engine operating and design parameters so that higher performance can be obtained. Exergetic sustainability parameters such as exergetic efficiency, exergy loss and destruction ratio, environmental damage cost, sustainability index and sustainability cost index play an important role on choice of suitable aircraft engine for operation. The methodology includes working with energy, exergy and cost balance equations and sustainability index for component-wise modelling of the whole system. The presented work analyses CT7-7A engine from all three (thermoeconomic, sustainability and environmental analysis) perspectives.
Sahu, Mithilesh Kumar, Choudhary, Tushar, Kumari, Anupam, R, Sanjay
Standard Driving Cycles Comparison (IEA) & Impacts on the Ownership Cost2018-01-04234/3/2018
A new type of approval procedure for light-duty vehicles, the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), developed by an initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, will come into force by the end of 2017. The current European type-approval procedure for energy consumption and CO2 emissions of cars, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), includes a number of tolerances and flexibilities that no longer accurately reflect state-of-the-art technologies. Indeed, on the basis of an analysis of real-world driving data from the German website spritmonitor.de, the ICCT concluded that the differences between official laboratory and real-world fuel consumption and CO2 values were around 7% in 2001. This discrepancy has been increasing continuously since then to around 30% in 2013, with notable differences found between individual manufacturers and vehicle models. In anticipation of the transition from NEDC to WLTP, many research activities have been carried out to verify the capability of current and future engine/vehicle technologies to meet the new regulations on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. The new procedure will also have consequences for the NEDC-based passenger cars’ CO2 emission target for 2020-2021 (95 g CO2/km), which will need to be adapted to the new testing procedure. This study compares the energy consumption benefits of various technologies for multiple drive cycles, including current and future regulatory tests in the US and Europe. This paper identifies and quantifies the impacts of the main parameters influencing the energy consumption for different time frames, vehicle classes, powertrains, and technologies. In addition, the paper estimates the cost benefit to the customer (levelized cost of driving, total present value, etc.) of each option in different areas of the world.
Kamguia Simeu, Severin, Kim, Namdoo
Designing for Mechanical and Signal Integrity in Handheld Medical Treatment ApplicationsTBMG-281381/1/2018
Design, Development & Testing of Test Rig Setup for UAV Propulsion System2017-01-20649/19/2017
In the present market, multiple sophisticate and expensive Thrust Test Rigs for Brushless Motors (BLDC Motor) are available making it impossible to conduct such thrust analysis on a regular and cost effective basis. Moreover the present test rigs are incapable to measure high Thrust values. This needs specialized thrust testing rig which is more expensive. This paper aims at Design & Development of the Small Scale Test Rig Setup for measurement of the thrust of any Brushless DC motor and helps in refining the Selection of motor and propeller. This is a set up based on cost efficiency factor to implement such rigs, test and for comparing the static thrust produced by the BLDC motor. The fairly simple construction contains a weighing machine, a Tachometer and a Wattmeter to measure the Thrust, RPM and the Current Drawn respectively, and provide comprehensive, accurate and efficient data coming from the BLDC Motor including the Propeller and Electronic Speed Control (ESC).
M, Parvez Alam, Manoharan, Dinesh, Chandramohan, Satheesh, Chakkath, Sabarish, MAURYA, Sunil
The Flying Carpet: Aerodynamic High-Altitude Solar Reflector Design Study2017-01-20269/19/2017
Our concept studies indicate that a set of reflectors floated in the upper atmosphere can efficiently reduce radiant forcing into the atmosphere. The cost of reducing the radiant forcing sufficiently to reverse the current rate of Global Warming, is well within reach of global financial resources. This paper summarizes the overall concept and focuses on one of the reflector concepts, the Flying Carpet. The basic element of this reflector array is a rigidized reflector sheet towed behind and above a solar-powered, distributed electric-propelled flying wing. The vehicle rises above 30,480 m (100,000 ft) in the daytime by solar power. At night, the very low wing loading of the sheets enables the system to stay well above the controlled airspace ceiling of 18,288 m (60,000 ft). The concept study results are summarized before going into technical issues in implementation. Flag instability is studied in initial wind tunnel experiments. This has forced evolution of the concept to one similar to a hang-glider, the sheet supporting the propelled wing at very low flight speed. Later designs may dispense with the wing altogether. Lift-induced drag can be minimized by joining several elements together in flight to create a large aspect ratio, and by staggering elements in flight as long-distance birds do, with swarm flight control. The primary parameter is the areal density that can be achieved for the reflector sheet under aerodynamic loads. Successful designs can be closed even with 2-mil Mylar sheets, but going to strengthened versions of solar sails would offer strong advantages. Mass-based cost estimation allows an upper bound on architecture cost by comparing equivalent number of launch masses of a well-known large space launch system. The next level of cost analysis shows that the manufacturing cost which is dominant, is best addressed through automotive industry techniques.
Komerath, Narayanan, Hariharan, Shravan, Shukla, Dhwanil, Patel, Sahaj, Rajendran, Vishnu, Hale, Emily
Vibroacoustic Optimisation of Tractor Cabin and Correlation with Experimental Data2017-01-18476/5/2017
Tractor operators prefer to drive more comfortable tractors in the recent years. The high noise and vibration levels, to which drivers of agricultural tractor are often exposed for long periods of time, have a significant part in the driver’s fatigue and may lead to substantial hearing impairment and health problems. Therefore, it is essential for an optimal cabin design to have time and cost effective analysis tools for the assessment of the noise and vibration characteristics of various design alternatives at both the early design stages and the prototype testing phase. Airborne excitation and Structure Borne excitation are two types of dynamic cabin excitations mainly cause the interior noise in a driver’s cabin. Structure-borne excitation is studied in this paper and it consists of dynamic forces, which are directly transmitted to the cabin through the cabin suspension. These transmitted forces introduce cabin vibrations, which in turn generate interior noise. This study comprises the correlation and verification of low frequency acoustic performance of a tractor cabin and development for interior noise. In order to correlate the model, finite element analysis and tests were performed simultaneously in order to update the model. Then, results from analysis were compared against the subjective comments and objective levels. With the help of this work, a methodology for correlating complex models with local information was developed. In order to illustrate the efficiency and reliability of the various vibro-acoustic analysis procedures, all experimental and numerical procedures have been applied and evaluated for the tractor cabin model.
Shaik Mohammad, Asif Basha, Vijayakumar, Ravindran, rao.P, Nageshwar
An Integrated Approach for Dynamic Charging of Electric Vehicles by Wireless Power Transfer - Lessons Learned from Real-Life Implementation2017-01-90764/11/2017
The aim of this paper is to introduce a complete fast dynamic inductive charging infrastructure from the back-office system (EV management system) up to the Electric Vehicle (EV) (inductive power transfer module, positioning mechanism, electric vehicle modifications) and the EV user (User interface). Moreover, in order to assess the impact of the additional demand of inductive charging on the grid operation, an estimation of the 24-hour power profile of dynamic inductive charging is presented considering, apart from the road traffic, the probability of the need for fast charging, as well as the specifications of the proposed solution. In addition, an energy management system is presented enabling the management of the operation of the inductive charging infrastructure, the interaction with the EV users and the provision of demand response services to different stakeholders. The proposed dynamic inductive charging approach has been demonstrated within a real urban environment in order to provide useful insights regarding the experience gained from a real-field trial. The relevant practical conclusions are also discussed in this paper. Finally, a cost/benefit analysis, according to the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) principles, is performed in order to assess the economic viability of the proposed solution.
Marengo, Luca, Karakitsios, Ioannis, Karfopoulos, Evangelos, Bustillo, Aitor, Ponsar, Marc, Del Pozo, Dionisio, Madjarov, Nikolay
Evaluation of Exhaust Heat Recovery System Effectiveness in Engine Friction Reduction and Fuel Economy Improvement for Indian Hatchback2017-01-01543/28/2017
With the upcoming regulations for fuel economy and emissions, there is a significant interest among vehicle OEMs and fleet managers in developing computational methodologies to help understand the influence and interactions of various key parameters on Fuel Economy and carbon dioxide emissions. The analysis of the vehicle as a complete system enables designers to understand the local and global effects of various technologies that can be employed for fuel economy and emission improvement. In addition, there is a particular interest in not only quantifying the benefit over standard duty-cycles but also for real world driving conditions. The present study investigates impact of exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) on a typical 1.2L naturally aspirated gasoline engine passenger car representative of the India market. Computational Sciences Experts Group (CSEG) has developed a forward calculating Simulink model of the passenger car in order to calculate the engine loading, engine heat rejection and the exhaust energy generated during a drive cycle. The calibrated model was then used to simulate a Modified Indian Drive Cycle (MIDC), and closely integrated with a transient underhood thermal model to evaluate the warm-up impact and the engine friction reduction attributed to the addition of the EHRS system. This approach can assist in the selection of the appropriate powertrain to optimize fuel economy. Further, the tool and the methodology quantify benefits in real world driving conditions and can help designers make educated investment decisions a cost/benefit and emission impact of the technologies.
Uppuluri, Sudhi, R Khalane, Hemant, Naiknaware, Ajay
Turbulence Models and Model Closure Coefficients Sensitivity of NASCAR Racecar RANS CFD Aerodynamic Predictions2017-01-15473/28/2017
Cost benefit and teraflop restrictions imposed by racing sanctioning bodies make steady-state RANS CFD simulation a widely accepted first approximation tool for aerodynamics evaluations in motorsports, in spite of its limitations. Research involving generic and simplified vehicle bodies has shown that the veracity of aerodynamic CFD predictions strongly depends on the turbulence model being used. Also, the ability of a turbulence model to accurately predict aerodynamic characteristics can be vehicle shape dependent as well. Modifications to the turbulence model coefficients in some of the models have the potential to improve the predictive capability for a particular vehicle shape. This paper presents a systematic study of turbulence modeling effects on the prediction of aerodynamic characteristics of a NASCAR Gen-6 Cup racecar. Steady-state RANS simulations are completed using a commercial CFD package, STAR-CCM+, from CD-Adapco. Three turbulence models are included in this study: the realizable and AKN variants of the k − ε model, and the SST k − ω model. The a1 coefficient for the SST k − ω model is slightly modified in order to investigate the sensitivity of this modeling constant on the veracity of predictions. The aerodynamic characteristics investigated include the force and moment coefficients, and front-to-rear downforce balance. In addition, the turbulence model dependence of the flow around the vehicle, particularly at some key locations in the wake region, will be analyzed. Although the flow features in the wake of this racecar show a discernable dependence on the choice of the turbulence model, this difference did not translate into a significant difference in the prediction of force coefficients.
Fu, Chen, Uddin, Mesbah, Robinson, Clay, Guzman, Arturo, Bailey, David
A Variable Displacement Supercharger Performance Evaluation2017-01-06403/28/2017
The Variable Displacement Supercharger (VDS) is a twin helical screw style compressor that has a feature to change its displacement and its compression ratio actively during vehicle operation. This device can reduce the parasitic losses associated with supercharging and improve the relative fuel economy of a supercharged engine. Supercharging is a boosting choice with several advantages over turbocharging. There is fast pressure delivery to the engine intake manifold for fast engine torque response providing the fun to drive feel. The performance delivered by a supercharger can enable engine fuel economy actions to include engine downsizing and downspeeding. The cost and difficulty of engineering hot exhaust components is eliminated when using only an air side compressor. Faster catalyst warm up can be achieved when not warming the turbine housing of a turbocharger. To quantify these effects, a 2.0L Ford Eco-Boost® engine was chosen for an analytical comparison of three boosting configurations: turbocharged, roots style supercharged, and twin screw compressor supercharged with variable displacement. A number of partial load points were chosen to compare cycle averaged fuel consumption of the boost systems with weighting factors that represent a large SUV. Engine dynamometer testing validated the simulation results.
Wade, Robert, Murphy, Steven, Cross, Paul, Hansen, Craig
Exclusive first drive: Torotrak's V-Charge technology17AUTP02_112/1/2017
Being the first journalist to test drive the only example of a new piece of technology still in development always concentrates the mind. Doing so in wet and windy weather battering rural roads close to England's North Sea coast brings an added dimension to the experience. But that was how Torotrak demonstrated to Automotive Engineering the potential of its new, CVT-controlled V-Charge pressure charger-a mechanical, gearless, fully variable pressure charger driven by a conventional pulley. It allows compressor speed to vary independent of engine speed. It's designed to provide low-end torque and tackle the effects of turbo-lag on downsized gasoline engines. (See http://articles.sae.org/12401/; also SAE Technical Paper http://papers.sae.org/2015-01-1971/).
Birch, Stuart
Evaluation of Exhaust Heat Recovery System Effectiveness in Engine Friction Reduction and Fuel Economy Improvement2017-26-00301/10/2017
With the upcoming regulations for fuel economy and emissions, there is a significant interest among vehicle OEMs and fleet managers in developing computational methodologies to help understand the influence and interactions of various key parameters on Fuel Economy and carbon-di-oxide emissions. The analysis of the vehicle as a complete system enables designers to understand the local and global effects of various technologies that can be employed for fuel economy and emission improvement. In addition, there is a particular interest in not only quantifying the benefit over standard duty-cycles but also for real world driving conditions. Present study investigates impact of exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) on a typical 1.2L naturally aspirated gasoline engine passenger car representative of the India market. CSEG has developed a forward calculating Simulink model of the passenger car in order to calculate the engine loading, engine heat rejection and the exhaust energy being generated. Calibrated model was used to simulate Modified Indian Drive cycle (MIDC) drive cycle, and closely integrated with a transient underhood thermal model to evaluate the warm-up impact and the engine friction reduction due to the EHRS system. The approach can assist in the selection of appropriate powertrain to optimize fuel economy. Further, the tool and the methodology quantifies benefits in real world driving conditions and can help designers make educated investment decisions by determining, in advance, the cost/benefit and emission impact of the technologies.
Uppuluri, Sudhi, M Naiknaware, Ajay, R Khalane, Hemant
An Attempt for an Industry 4.0 Inspired Cloud-Supported Approach for Predictive Maintenance on the Example of Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (RFSSW)2016-01-21259/27/2016
This paper presents an approach to how existing production systems can benefit from Industry 4.0 driven concepts. This attempt is based on a communication gateway and a cloud-based system, that hosts all algorithms and models to calculate a prediction of the tool wear. As an example we will show the Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (RFSSW), a solid state joining technique, which is examined at the Institute of Production Engineering (LaFT) of the Helmut-Schmidt-University, University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, for years. RFSSW is a sub-section of friction welding, where a rotating tool that consists out of three parts is used to heat up material to a dough-like state. Since Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding produces a selective dot-shaped connection of overlapping materials, the production requirements are similar to riveting or resistance spot welding. In contrast to other bonding techniques, Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding can be integrated within the production process without major interferences or changes. At the LaFT we build a prototype from which we collected a big amount of data which we are now trying to analyze with methods that are known from the Industrie 4.0. For the Industry 4.0 idea, the production environment respectively the welding equipment acts like an Internet of things device, that publishes its data to the cloud and retrieves a calculated result.
Hameister, Henry
Practical Uses of Formal Methods in Development of Airborne Software2016-01-20449/20/2016
Over the past few decades, advanced methods have been developed for the analysis of digital systems using mathematical reasoning, i.e., formal logic. These methods are supported by sophisticated software tools that can be used to perform analysis far beyond what is practically achievable using “paper and pencil” analysis. In December 2011, RTCA published RTCA DO-178C [1] along with a set of technical supplements including RTCA DO-333 [2] which provides guidance on the use of formal methods towards the certification of airborne software. Such methods have the potential to reduce the cost of verification by using formal analysis instead of conventional test-based methods to produce a portion of the verification evidence required for certification. Formal methods can also be used to find problems earlier in the development process - for example, while the requirements are being developed rather than during system integration when the cost of re-working the requirements and design is much higher. This paper provides an introduction to the practical use of formal methods in the development and certification of airborne software. The paper includes an illustrative example of using formal methods motivated by experience with the application of formal methods to engine control software.
Joyce, Jeffrey J., Beecher, Scott, Fabre, Laurent, Rajagopalan, Ramesh
What are the Real Benefits of Applying Open Systems Architecture to Rotorcraft Mission Systems?F-0072-2016-114075/17/2016
Software Open Systems Architecture (OSA) was first implemented on rotorcraft platform mission systems over 15 years ago. Mission systems OSA, similar to many other larger scale digital ecosystems OSA, continue to evolve to meet changing business needs. The dynamic and evolving nature of mission systems OSA is found to be consistent with observations and analyses of other large scale digital ecosystems. While multiple published papers describe the desired benefits in applying an OSA approach, this exploratory paper extends previous work by defining an approach for assessing the relative and realized benefits of a given OSA. A new technique for conducting architecture relative openness analysis is presented and then applied to a mission systems OSA. The new analysis technique compares a production rotorcraft OSA to conceptually open and closed architectures with consideration of business drivers and software ecosystems. This paper describes realized OSA benefits that are quantified by performing Quality Attribute (QA) cost / benefit analyses on fielded / production OSA products. Practical results from the fielded OSA cost / benefit analyses are also applied to OSAs that are currently being developed to support future Army rotorcraft programs. By applying the described new architecture comparative analysis technique, insight into actual OSA benefits and ecosystem dynamics can be more clearly understood and strategy for realizing additional future potential OSA benefits can be established. It is ultimately shown that the real benefit of a given OSA depends on how well it meets continuously evolving business and broader ecosystem stakeholder needs.
Koontz, Ronald
Impact of Light-Weight Design on Manufacturing Cost - A Review of BMW i3 and Toyota Corolla Body Components2016-01-13394/5/2016
OEMs are investigating opportunities to reduce vehicle mass, driven by a need to meet upcoming CAFE targets, increase the range and reduce battery size of EVs. A number of lightweight materials including high strength steels, aluminum alloys, plastics and composites are now in production. To facilitate development of corporate R&D and commercialization plans for new materials, it is beneficial to understand the current manufacturing costs for production components, and their impact on piece price at different volumes. This paper investigates design and cost impact of light-weighting with respect to front door and floor assembly of Toyota Corolla and BMW i3. Toyota Corolla has a traditional steel body and is sold in high volumes while BMW i3 has relatively low annual sales and is primarily made of composite, aluminum and plastic parts. This study identifies good practices by BMW for both light-weighting and low / medium volume production where reduction in tooling costs become significant. Differences in design, manufacturing processes, production costs as well as cost of light-weighting ($/lb saved) between the Corolla and i3 subassemblies are discussed. The analysis was performed under ARPA-E funding and is based on review of component teardown data, identification of manufacturing and assembly processes. Ricardo developed a database and detailed analysis model to calculate cost to manufacture at various production volumes.
Bubna, Piyush, Wiseman, Marc
Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery at an Engine Test Facility2016-01-02354/5/2016
In this paper a combined energy recovery system is suggested for engine test facilities. System consists of two semi loops which are being active according to the temperature of the air feeded to the test cell. Winter and summer semi loops are introduced with the system requirements and equipments. Working principle of both semi-loops and components with the selection critera are explained. Also cost and benefit analysis is given in detail. It is evident that hot exhaust gases of the combustion processes is the main source that a large amount of energy wastes through it. Researchers confirm that more than 30% - 40% of fuel energy in the internal combustion engines wastes from the exhaust and just 12% -25% of the fuel energy converts to useful work. In the other hand, statistics show that producing numbers of the internal combustion engines growth very fast and the concern of decreasing the fossil fuels will be appeared. So, researchers are motivated to recover the heat from the waste sources in engines by using the applicable ways. Thermoelectric generators (TEG), Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Six stroke engines, Turbocharging, Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and exhaust heat exchangers (HEXs) are proposed technologies to recover waste heat in engines [1]. Although there are many studies revealing analysis of the systems for energy recovery from exhaust gas, a few of them are related with the heat recovery during engine testing cycles. The objective of this paper is to suggest a proper heat recovery system for engine test facilities.
Karagoz, Serenat, Karaer, Murat, Dasdemir, Nurettin Ali
Concept Analysis and Initial Results of Engine-Out NOx Estimator Suitable for on ECM Implementation2016-01-06114/5/2016
The interest for NOx estimators (also known as virtual sensors or inferential sensors) has increased over the recent years due to benefits attributed to cost and performance. NOx estimators are typically installed to improve On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) monitors or to lower bill of material costs by replacing physical NOx sensors. This paper presents initial development results of a virtual engine-out NOx estimator planned for the implementation on an ECM. The presented estimator consists of an airpath observer and a NOx combustion model. The role of the airpath observer is to provide input values for the NOx combustion model such as the states of the gas at the intake and exhaust manifolds. It contains a nonlinear mean-value model of the airpath suitably transformed for an efficient and robust implementation on an ECM. The airpath model uses available sensory information in the vehicle to correct predictions of the gas states. The NOx combustion model is a crank-angle resolved model of the incylinder processes, consisting of a pressure-heat release model, zone temperature model and NOx formation model. The NOx combustion model operates in open-loop mode and it is calibrated in offline mode using instrumentation grade in-cylinder pressure sensor. The presented work includes detailed description of the model, explanations of design of experiment, calibration procedure and available validation results.
Kihas, Dejan, Pachner, Daniel, Baramov, Lubomir, Uchanski, Michael, Naik, Priya, Khaled, Nassim
Experimental Investigation of Homogeneous Charge Induced Ignition (HCII) with Low-Pressure Injection to Reduce PM Emissions in a Heavy-Duty Engine2016-01-07754/5/2016
Homogeneous Charge Induced Ignition (HCII) combustion utilizes a port injection of high-volatile fuel to form a homogeneous charge and a direct injection of high ignitable fuel near the Top Dead Center (TDC) to trigger combustion. Compared to Conventional Diesel Combustion (CDC) with high injection pressures, HCII has the potential to achieve diesel-like thermal efficiency with significant reductions in NOx and PM emissions with relatively low-pressure injections, which would benefit the engine cost saving remarkably. In the first part of current investigation, experiments were conducted at medium load with single diesel injection strategy. HCII exhibited great potential of using low injection pressures to achieve low soot emissions. But the engine load for HCII was limited by high heat release rate. Thus, in the second and third part, experiments were performed at high and low load with double diesel injection strategy. At high load, HCII with relatively low injection pressures (600-1000 bar) could obtain the same level of soot emissions as CDC with relatively high injection pressures (1200-1400 bar). The soot reduction could be over 50%. The particle number-size distribution analyses of PM emissions illustrated that the accumulation mode particulates were significantly reduced in HCII. Compared to CDC, indicated thermal efficiency for HCII was improved about 1-2% at high engine load. In addition, HCII could achieve Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) when combined with EGR, especially at low load. NOx emissions for HCII increased slightly at medium and high load, but decreased considerably at load low.
Chang, Zhanteng, Yu, Chao, Zhang, Haiyan, Ren, Shuojin, Wang, Zhi, Wang, Boyuan, Wang, Jianxin
Reanalysis of Linear Dynamic Systems using Modified Combined Approximations with Frequency Shifts2016-01-13384/5/2016
Weight reduction is very important in automotive design because of stringent demand on fuel economy. Structural optimization of dynamic systems using finite element (FE) analysis plays an important role in reducing weight while simultaneously delivering a product that meets all functional requirements for durability, crash and NVH. With advancing computer technology, the demand for solving large FE models has grown. Optimization is however costly due to repeated full-order analyses. Reanalysis methods can be used in structural vibrations to reduce the analysis cost from repeated eigenvalue analyses for both deterministic and probabilistic problems. Several reanalysis techniques have been introduced over the years including Parametric Reduced Order Modeling (PROM), Combined Approximations (CA) and the Epsilon algorithm, among others. It has been shown that the Modified Combined Approximations (MCA) method - an improvement over CA - is the most efficient reanalysis technique for problems with a large number of degrees of freedom. This paper proposes an improvement of the MCA method using frequency shifts. Numerical examples are presented and results are compared with existing methods.
Mourelatos, Zissimos, Haider, Syed F.
Autonomous vehicles: IMPACT ON SOCIETY16MEIP03_013/1/2016
Self-driving technology offers plenty of promise, but not everything about autonomous vehicles will be a panacea. Other than emissions control, probably nothing is keeping auto-company leaders and engineers awake at night more than the challenges surrounding development of self-driving, or autonomous, vehicles. Increased competition among global competitors has practically recast this “good-to-have” functionality into a virtual necessity for the consumer. Moreover, the prospect of driverless vehicles also presents potential environmental and safety benefits that generate a positive regulatory push. Before delving into the intricacies of their societal impact, some basics outlining the four-stage evolution of autonomous vehicle (AV) development: Level 1 has just one function automated (e.g. the cruise control feature we find in many Indian cars today). Level 2 has multiple automated functions, e.g. adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Level 2 vehicles can follow another vehicle, automatically braking and accelerating in response to the leading vehicle's actions while maintaining a comfortable distance. The vehicle also can self-steer to remain in its driving lane.
DPA Countermeasures — Theory vs. PracticeTBMG-239612/1/2016
In today’s interconnected world, the information that we generate, store, transmit, and receive has become a valuable commodity. We have increasingly turned to cryptography as a tool to protect the confidentiality and integrity of this information, but we read almost daily about those protections being defeated. Skilled practitioners can often successfully mount attacks using only very modest resources to break unprotected devices. Attacks on FPGA bitstream encryption, as often reported in the open literature, represent significant examples of the DPA (Differential Power Analysis) threat for the aerospace and defense community.
Decomposition Technique for Remaining Useful Life PredictionTBMG-2300510/1/2015
Technology has been developed that provides a way to compute the remaining useful life (RUL) of a component or system. The estimation of the RUL of a degraded or faulty component is at the center of condition-based maintenance, and prognostics and health management. It gives operators a potent tool in decision-making by quantifying how much time is left until functionality is lost. This is especially important for aerospace systems, where unanticipated subsystem or component failure may lead to failure of the system as a whole, which in turn may adversely affect the safety of operation.
Scientific Balloons as Solar SailsTBMG-224127/1/2015
Existing scientific research balloons such as those launched from Wallops Flight Facility could be placed in near- Earth space where they would perform as solar sails, providing relatively inexpensive propulsion systems for interplanetary missions. The balloons would accelerate at rates comparable with the ion drive performance of the NASA Dawn spacecraft, so they would enable unprecedented low-cost access to interplanetary space.
Implementing the Hybrid Lean-Agile Manufacturing System Strategically in Automotive Sector2015-01-90835/1/2015
In order to strike a balance between cost and availability, the present study presents the strategic implementation of the hybrid lean-agile manufacturing system. The proposed implementation is based on literature review and statistical analysis. The study presents short term and long term proposed plans for implementing this newly developed system in a sustainable way. It shows how the strategic facet of the hybrid lean-agile manufacturing system addresses the key manufacturing competitive dimensions. The paper presents as well a cost-benefit analysis in comparison with the lean manufacturing system and agile manufacturing system based on the net present value. The study shows that the expectedly most efficient among the manufacturing systems is the Hybrid Lean-Agile Manufacturing System with normalized comparative improvement of about 58% and 42%, respectively. The study concludes through a statistical sample that about one third of the variation in successfully dealing with the sources of competitive advantage in automotive sector can be explained by adopting the strategic facet of the hybrid lean-agile manufacturing system. The study is limited to the automotive manufacturing sector. The paper would be of interest to the seekers for efficient manufacturing systems such as lean manufacturing practitioners and agile manufacturing practitioners.
Elmoselhy, Salah A.
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