Variable Geometry Cooling Intakes for Passenger Vehicles. Cars reject engine heat via air forced through the grille, radiator and engine bay. The associated "cooling drag" increases total aerodynamic drag by 10-15% hence increasing fuel consumption. The highest heat load that needs to be rejected by the engine determines the quantity of cooling air, resulting in systems that are over designed for typical driving. This research provides a strategy of adjusting the cooling airflow to match the ....Variable Geometry Cooling Intakes for Passenger Vehicles. Cars reject engine heat via air forced through the grille, radiator and engine bay. The associated "cooling drag" increases total aerodynamic drag by 10-15% hence increasing fuel consumption. The highest heat load that needs to be rejected by the engine determines the quantity of cooling air, resulting in systems that are over designed for typical driving. This research provides a strategy of adjusting the cooling airflow to match the engine requirements (via variable geometry intakes that can be under the control of the engine management computer) offering substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.Read moreRead less
Optimal Topological Design of 3D Continuum Structures for Crashworthiness. There is a widespread need throughout the Australian transport, defence and construction industries for high performance energy absorption devices. Data from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau show that in 2002 there were 1,715 people killed in 1,525 crashes in Australia. The proposed research will develop advanced techniques for improving crashworthiness of vehicles, roadside barriers and other energy absorption devi ....Optimal Topological Design of 3D Continuum Structures for Crashworthiness. There is a widespread need throughout the Australian transport, defence and construction industries for high performance energy absorption devices. Data from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau show that in 2002 there were 1,715 people killed in 1,525 crashes in Australia. The proposed research will develop advanced techniques for improving crashworthiness of vehicles, roadside barriers and other energy absorption devices. This will lead to significant reductions in injury to people and damage to structures caused by impact; and thus substantial savings for the nation from the enormous costs associated with the fatalities, injuries and structural damages. Read moreRead less
A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infra ....A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance. This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infrastructure in Australia need regular paint stripping and repainting. Australia will gain significant economic and health benefits from commercialising the advanced technologies developed by this project, and become a world leader in developing autonomous systems for infrastructure maintenance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560673
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,178.00
Summary
Scanning 3D laser vibrometer for non-contact in-plane and out-of-plane vibration measurement. The requested 3D scanning laser vibrometer is intended for the characterisation of 3D vibration of small and large, simple and complex structures, for the purpose of understanding the vibratory behaviour as a precursor to optimising noise and vibration control strategies. It has application to small items for which the use of contact sensors is impossible or impractical, as well as large structures for ....Scanning 3D laser vibrometer for non-contact in-plane and out-of-plane vibration measurement. The requested 3D scanning laser vibrometer is intended for the characterisation of 3D vibration of small and large, simple and complex structures, for the purpose of understanding the vibratory behaviour as a precursor to optimising noise and vibration control strategies. It has application to small items for which the use of contact sensors is impossible or impractical, as well as large structures for which the vibration fields can be complex and a 3D scanning capability is essential. Examples include micro-positioning actuators, piezo-electric motors, live cell response, disk brakes, aircraft and vehicles. Outcomes include the enhancement of existing research projects, allowing a greater understanding of the noise and vibration phenomena.Read moreRead less
Prediction and control of fluid-structure interactions. Fluid-flows create a pressure that can deform the surface of a structure or cause it to vibrate; an extreme example is the fluttering of a flag. Flow-induced vibration of the external panels of vehicles causes damage, noise and can adversely affect performance. This project will develop a wholly new approach for the analysis of these interactions. The versatility and completeness of the approach permits a step-change in the design of panels ....Prediction and control of fluid-structure interactions. Fluid-flows create a pressure that can deform the surface of a structure or cause it to vibrate; an extreme example is the fluttering of a flag. Flow-induced vibration of the external panels of vehicles causes damage, noise and can adversely affect performance. This project will develop a wholly new approach for the analysis of these interactions. The versatility and completeness of the approach permits a step-change in the design of panels, reducing material and manufacturing costs without compromise to safety and performance - an immense benefit for the myriad engineered products or structures that feature flow over a deformable surface. Read moreRead less
Taming turbulence: Hydrodynamic stability and flow-structure interaction using grid-free computation. Turbulence is characterized as seemingly disordered fluctuations that impede the progress of an object through a fluid by creating increased frictional or drag forces. Using a new type of fluid-flow simulation, this project will generate advanced understanding of turbulence in the flow over the surface of a vehicle, be it a ship, car, aircraft or within a pipe, with the technological objective o ....Taming turbulence: Hydrodynamic stability and flow-structure interaction using grid-free computation. Turbulence is characterized as seemingly disordered fluctuations that impede the progress of an object through a fluid by creating increased frictional or drag forces. Using a new type of fluid-flow simulation, this project will generate advanced understanding of turbulence in the flow over the surface of a vehicle, be it a ship, car, aircraft or within a pipe, with the technological objective of reducing drag by adhering a compliant skin to the surface. While the correct choice of compliance relies upon understanding very complex flow-structure dynamics, the resulting technology is simple, robust and has low capital and maintenance costs. Clearly, drag reduction reduces fuel costs and lower fuel consumption is environmentally beneficial. Read moreRead less
Electromagnetically Interconnected Suspension for Electrified Vehicles . This project aims to develop an innovative, electromagnetically interconnected suspension system to enhance vehicle ride comfort, stability and handling dynamics, and thus safety of electrified vehicles. Specifically, the project integrates a set of novel electromagnetic shock absorbers to form an effective electrical network so as to realise an electromagnetically interconnected suspension system. Advanced integrated con ....Electromagnetically Interconnected Suspension for Electrified Vehicles . This project aims to develop an innovative, electromagnetically interconnected suspension system to enhance vehicle ride comfort, stability and handling dynamics, and thus safety of electrified vehicles. Specifically, the project integrates a set of novel electromagnetic shock absorbers to form an effective electrical network so as to realise an electromagnetically interconnected suspension system. Advanced integrated control techniques can then be applied to improve vehicle performance and dynamics in three planes. The project will assist the rapid development of transportation electrification. The outcomes from this project will lead to tangible improvements in vehicle comfort and safety.Read moreRead less
An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstr ....An experimental and theoretical programme of research to resolve major obstruction-to-flow problems in bins and stockpiles. Many of Australia's industries rely on the efficient storage and handling of bulk solids materials such as minerals, chemicals, food-stuffs, agricultural products and pharmeceuticals. Often the handling processes are inefficient to the extent of affecting the economics of the industry. Here we propose two projects addressing those inefficiences resulting from stable obstructions, such as "rat-holes", and those experimental arising from the unusual flow characteristics of fine powders. The major objectives are to use experimental and advanced mathematical modelling techniques, to produce reliable design models which minimise the occurrence of stable obstructions and provide reliable methods for increasing fine powder flow rates.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a ....Mathematical modelling of two-phase industrial granular flows. In many industrial processes involving flowing granular materials, the effect of air pressure can be significant. Such examples include pneumatic conveying, lock hoppers and air-impact moulding. The effect of pressurised air on a granular material can either compact it, or can cause sudden large flows. To model such complex phenomena, the frictional effects between the air and the solid granules must be accurately incorporated into a two-phase continuum mechanical model for granular materials. This proposal will develop advanced mathematical models and computational procedures to predict complex two-phase granular flows for industrial problems.Read moreRead less
Advanced IC engine diagnostics. The techniques to be developed will greatly improve the reliability of diesel engines, many of which are used in the mining and transport industries, extremely important to Australia's economy, and often remotely located. Not only will unforeseen costly breakdowns be minimized, but also the cost of excessive maintenance operations. This Australian developed technology will gain prestige from association with the internationally recognised company LMS International ....Advanced IC engine diagnostics. The techniques to be developed will greatly improve the reliability of diesel engines, many of which are used in the mining and transport industries, extremely important to Australia's economy, and often remotely located. Not only will unforeseen costly breakdowns be minimized, but also the cost of excessive maintenance operations. This Australian developed technology will gain prestige from association with the internationally recognised company LMS International, who supply test and simulation systems to most of the world's leading manufacturers of vehicles, aircraft etc.Read moreRead less