A Novel Design of a Metacarpal/MetatarsaI-Phalangeal Total Joint Replacement

Arthritis, most notably rheumatoid arthritis, can destroy the surfaces of the bones; the ideal solution for this is T JR （total joint replacement）, which would restore joint functionality, maintain correct aesthetics and eradicate pain for the patient. Current metacarpophalangeal TJR do not provide the normal biomechanical range of motion and functionality. The proposed design attempts to correct this through the use of design geometry and functional anatomy. Numerical analysis is used in conjunction with computational solid modeling to compare a one-piece silicone implant with the proposed T JR. Peak stresses during flexion for the proposed design did not exceed 1.2 MPa, where as soft implants approach 100 MPa to 1,000 MPa for peak stress values. The proposed design, due to high stress tolerances with low deformation, along with functionality and biomechanics, seems to be an appropriate replacement for one-piece silicone implant.     

叶片开缝对离心压缩机叶轮内部流场影响的数值研究

通过数值实验,以某个NASA半开式叶轮数据为例,对半开式无间隙叶轮、半开式有间隙叶轮、闭式叶轮和闭式开缝叶轮进行了详细的流场分析和对比,并与该半开式叶轮的实验结果进行分析比较,结果符合良好,证明计算结果可靠。     

Unsteady flow simulations in a three-lobe positive displacement blower

To improve the performance of the positive displacement blower, it is imperative to understand the detailed internal flow characteristics or enable a visualization of flow status. However, the existing two-dimensional unsteady, three-dimensional steady or quasi-unsteady numerical simulation and theoretical analysis cannot provide the detailed flow information, which is unfavorable to improve the performance of positive displacement blower. Therefore, the unsteady flow characteristics in a three-lobe positive displacement blower are numerically investigated by solving the three-dimensional, unsteady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled with RNG k-e turbulent model. In the numerical simulation, the dynamic mesh technique and overset mesh updating method are adopted. Due to the air being compressed in the process of the rotors rotating, the variation of the temperature field in the positive displacement blower is considered. By comparing the experimental measurements and the numerical results on the variation of flow rate with the outlet pressure, the maximum relative error of the flow rate is less than 2.15% even at the maximum outlet pressure condition, which means that the calculation model and numerical computational method used are effective. The numerical results show that in the intake region, the fluctuations of the inlet flow are greatly affected by the direction of the velocity vectors. In the exhaust region, the temperature changes significantly, which leads to the increase of the airflow pulsation. Through analysis on the velocity, pressure and temperature fields obtained from the numerical simulations, three-dimensional unsteady flow characteristics in the positive displacement blower are revealed. The studied results will provide useful reference for improving the performance and empirical correction in the design of the positive displacement blower.     

Shop-Floor Controller Based on RT-Middleware Technology

Nowadays the flexible configuration of manufacturing cells becomes to an important requirement especially at small and medium sized companies. This method can make the production fast and effective at small series or frequent manufacturing changes. The shop-floor control method, presented in this paper, offers a solution for the facing problem of fast and easy reconfiguration. The hardware of the controller designed modular with software components for online configuration. This solution allows sensor integration on different levels for every part of the manufacturing cell. With unified programming language and the machine specific controllers （post-processing） the cells can be defined easily by different types of human-machine interaction. The shop-floor control architecture is implemented and validated on an Adept SCARA （selective compliance assembly robot arm） robot. The robot is driven by standalone, low-level, interchangeable, software and hardware components.     

Investigation of Cutting Force by End Milling Operation

In this work, the cutting forces by end milling operation are analyzed. Therefore, the main parameters of cutting force as cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut also are investigated in our case. The cutting force is modelled and analyzed into mathematical Wolfram simulations in order to compare the results and in the same time achieve the best solutions. Theoretical results are carried out by using the regression method that required fulfilling the critter by Fisher. The number of experiment, measurements and results of cutting force are presented in 2D as well as 3D. In order to verify the accuracy of the 2D diagram, the results for our case is used both two way such as experimental and theoretical method as well as results are compared. In other hands, these results indicate directly that the optimized parameters are capable of machining the workpiece. The obtained measurement results are compared with theoretical methods in Wolfram software.     

Proof of Concept MFD Optimization of the Aftbody Geometry of Axisymmetric Slender Body Based on Wave Drag Considerations

A comprehensive, universally valid, elegant and yet simple method to design slender axisymmetric body of minimum wave drag in transonic and supersonic flows is developed. Computational aerodynamics is also used as a tool for numerical experiments in gaining physical understanding of the drag mechanism due to the geometry of the aftbody, such as the correlation between wave drag and wave distribution of the aftbody geometry. The method utilizes MFD （modified feasible direction） based optimization program, along with the linear slender body aerodynamics, for its elegance and generic optimization convenience. The efforts are focused on inviscid flow. A practical method of reducing the wave drag of a given body is developed for both bodies with pointed end and with base area, using shock wave generator at a particular location on the aftbody. The results show that the MFD optimization program can be effectively utilized in an aerodynamic optimization problem.     

Identification Method of Dynamic Coefficients of Fluid Film Bearings for HDD Spindle Motors

Fluid film bearings are widely used as support elements of rotating shaft for HDD （hard disk drive） spindle motors. Recently, the opportunity for the HDD spindle motors exposed to external vibration has been increasing because the HDDs are used for various information related equipments such as mobile PCs, car navigation systems. Hence, the rotating shaft has a possibility to come in contact with the bearing and it causes wear or seizure to the bearing surface. In order to avoid the problems, it is extremely important to enhance the dynamic characteristics of the fluid film bearings for spindles. However, verification from both theory and experiment of dynamic characteristics such as spring coefficients and damping coefficients is rare and few. In this paper, the bearing vibration characteristics when the HDD spindle is oscillated are investigated theoretically and experimentally. And then the identification method ofoil film coefficients of fluid film bearing spindles is described.     

Stabilizing Mechanism and Running Behavior of Couplers on Heavy Haul Trains

Published studies in regard to coupler systems have been mainly focused on the manufacturing process or coupler strength issues. With the ever increasing of tonnage and length of heavy haul trains, lateral in-train forces generated by longitudinal in-train forces and coupler rotations have become a more and more significant safety issue for heavy haul train operations. Derailments caused by excessive lateral in-train forces are frequently reported. This article studies two typical coupler systems used on heavy haul locomotives. Their structures and stabilizing mechanism are analyzed before the corresponding models are developed. Coupler systems models are featured by two distinct stabilizing mechanism models and draft gear models with hysteresis considered. A model set which consists of four locomotives and three coupler systems is developed to study the rotational behavior of different coupler systems and their implications for locomotive dynamics. Simulated results indicate that when the locomotives are equipped with the type B coupler system, locomotives can meet the dynamics standard on tangent tracks; while the dynamics performance on curved tracks is very poor. The maximum longitudinal in-train force for locomotives equipped with the type B coupler system is 2000 kN. Simulations revealed a distinct trend for the type A coupler system. Locomotive dynamics are poorer for the type A case when locomotives are running on tangent tracks, while the dynamics are better for the type A case when locomotives are running on curved tracks. Theoretical studies and simulations carried out in this article suggest that a combination of the two types of stabilizing mechanism can result in a good design which can significantly decrease the relevant derailments.     

Development of a Stabilized Pan/Tilt Platform and the State of the Art

In the context of this paper, a small scale, medium precision, stabilized pan/tilt platform is developed as a prototype, which is used to compare various stabilization algorithms experimentally. The overall performance of the system depends on rigid body dynamics, structural dynamics, servo control loops, stabilization control algorithm, sensor fusion algorithm and sensory feedback such as from the IMU （inertial measurement unit）. In the case that the response bandwidth of the overall system is high enough, the same hardware can also achieve active vibration isolation. All of these design aspects are investigated in the paper via numerical models and with their experimental verification.     

The Influence of Modulated Slotted Synthetic Jet on the Bypass of Hump

This paper deals with the influence of phase modulated synthetic jet on the aerodynamics of the hump in a closed test section Of the Eiffel-type wind tunnel. Three experimental methods of measurement techniques of this phenomenon were used： the pressure profile using the Kiel total pressure probe, the velocity profile using the CTA （constant temperature anemometry） probe and the visualization of the flow field using the hot film and the thermo camera, The experimental results with and without the influence of the synthetic jet were compared, as well the impact of the phase shift of the neighbouring synthetic jets. As a reference case, the flow around the hump without the influence of the synthetic jet was selected. The results of the measurement are presented in figures and compared.     

Effects of Sedentarism and Treadmill Training in Mechanical Properties of Muscles of Ovariectomized Rats with High-Fat Diet

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of physical training in the maintenance of muscle strength in rats with HFD （high-fat diet） after OVX （ovariectomy）. Eighty Wistar rats are at eight weeks of age and weight 200 g which divided into 8 groups （n = 10） and treated for 12 weeks： GA： OVX ＋ ND （normal diet）, GB： OVX ＋ ND ＋ training, GC： sham ＋ ND, GD： sham ＋ ND ＋ training, GE： OVX ＋ HFD, GF： OVX ＋ HFD ＋ training, GG： sham ＋ HFD and GH： sham ＋ HFD ＋ training. HFD consists of standard ration for rats with addition of 30% lipids. In training groups, physical training five training/week was conducted on a treadmill with adaptation period of three weeks up to 18 m/s for one hour, training were performed for 12 weeks. The sedentary animals remained in individual box. To analyze the effects of training and diet, tensile strength tests of the gastrocnemius muscles were conducted： the speed of 0.1 mm/min. Analysis of variance was performed to compare groups. The mean （SD） obtained for the maximum load （N） were： GA 57.77 （6.89）, GB 62.74 （5.07）, GC 49.45 （6.06）, GD 59.42 （5.26） and GE 55.58 （4.72）, GF 62.50 （4.56）, GG 58.35 （4.54） and GH 56.67 （5.87）, respectively. There were no differences for maximum load between surgeries （p = 0.004） and between treatments （p = 0.000）. Differences were found also for the relationship surgery diet treatment （p = 0.007）. For the variable stiffness （N/mm）, there were not statistically significant differences： GA 5.03 （0.72）, GB 5.08 （1.09）, GC 5.17 （0.53）, GD 5.35 （0.80）, GE 5.52 （1.20）, GF 5.36 （1.07）, GG 4.83 （1.03） and GH 5.40 （0.73）. For the toughness （N/mm）, there were differences between treatments （p = 0.010） and the ratio diet treatment （p = 0.024）： GA 455.00 （107.21）, GB 541.96 （126.80）, GC 394.97 （84.67）, GD 566.90 （157.07）; GE 424.63 （113.03）, GF 478.07 （106.03）; GG 517.44 （98.65?     

Investigation of the Mechanical Behavior of a Thin Composite Stiffened Skin with a Combined Joint

Many joint models available to predict secondary bending moments in the structure have a stiffness mismatch, while this type of structure widely used in aircraft. To determine how to represent a structure with a stiffness mismatch in a combined joint （bonded/riveted）, a non-linear finite element analysis was performed. The detailed validation of this analysis identified the composite stiffened skin as the most suitable model in three dimensions. The use of this model for validating the secondary bending moment to calculate the behavior of the stiffener edge is straightforward and reliable. Experiments were performed to determine the distribution of the load in a combined joint under a tensile load that creates a secondary bending moment in a structure with a stiffness mismatch. The influence of related joint design considerations on the load transferred by the joint were examined through a finite element parameter analysis. The results are compared to determine best approach to predict the mechanical behavior at the edge of the stiffener. A close agreement between the finite element analysis and experimental results was obtained. Test observations using a C-scan compared well with the predictions of the onset of crack growth.     

Finite Element Analysis of the Dynamic Behaviour of Transmission Line Conductors Using MATLAB

The dynamic behaviour of power line cables have been a source of interest to researchers ever since the phenomenon was first noticed in the 1920s. Conductor oscillation is mostly caused by the dynamic forces of nature such as wind loading. This imposes a periodic force on the conductors which is highly undesirable. It is therefore important for engineers to account for the possible effect of the wind loading when designing the power line. Investigations have shown that modeling the exact dynamic behaviour of a conductor is very difficult. Based on this fact, getting the exact analytical solution to conductor vibration is difficult, which is almost impossible, hence the numerical approximation becomes an option. This paper presents the developed finite element method used to analyse the dynamic behaviour of transmission line conductors. The developed FEM （finite element method） is implemented on MATLAB. The numerical analysis using MATLAB that is presented in this paper is used to simulate the response of the conductor when subjected to external loading in the time domain. The simulation is used to analyse the transverse vibration of the conductor. The formulation of the stiffness matrix and load vector is done and the results obtained are used to evaluate the conductor＇s internal energy dissipation. This finite element solution is compared with the results documented in literature. This numerical simulation is also used to investigate the effects of varying the axial tension on energy dissipation within the strands. Hence, this evolved in physically appropriate energy characterization process that can be used to evaluate the conductor self-damping with respect to line contact.     

Preliminary Study on the Seizure Trend of a MOM-THP with Self-directed Balls

This work continues the approach of one of our topics relating to a MOM-THP （metal on metal-total hip prostheses） with self-directed movement balls. Experiments revealed a certain seizure in some strain conditions. Laboratory trials for balls/plane Hertzian contacts have been restarted in order to determine seizure behaviour depending on the roughness of the flat area. The trials have been carried out in BSF （body simulated fluid） lubrication conditions, much closer to the real operating conditions up against the initial tests with distilled water. Seizure burdens to different loadings and contact surfaces roughness influence over the seizure burden have been determined. Even though the minimum value of the wear must be the same with the minimum value of the surfaces roughness, given the experimental conditions, it came out from the trials results on wear that the lowest level of wear is acquired at a certain value of roughness, not at the lowest level of roughness.     

Composite with Recyclable Loads for the Manufacture of Blocks to Build Popular Houses

The science space in a state school in Natal city was built using a composite consisting of gypsum, EPS （expanded polystyrene）, shredded tire, cement and water. Mechanical and thermal resistances were evaluated. Inside the blocks, three types of fillings （EPS plates, aluminum cans and 500 mL bottles of mineral water） were placed in order to obtain a walls with higher thermal resistance, but also to give it an ecologically correct order, considering that both the tire and the EPS occupy a large space in landfills and require years to be degraded when released into the environment. Compression tests were conducted according to the rules. The experiments demonstrated that the temperature difference between the internal and external surfaces on the walls reached levels above 12.0 ℃. It was also demonstrated that the proposed composite has adequate mechanical strength to be used for sealing walls. The proposed use of the composite can contribute to reduce the significant housing deficit of Brazil, producing popular houses at low cost and with little time to work.     

Dynamic Detection of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Damage by Finite Element Model Updating

The present work consists of dynamic detection of damages in reinforced concrete bridges by using a MMUM （mathematical model updating method） from incomplete test data. A well suited finite element model of a repaired bridge is carried out. The diagnosis enables us to locate and detect the damage in a reinforced concrete bridge. Thus, developments of analytical predictions have been checked by modal testing techniques. Besides, the FTCS （finite time centered space） scheme is developed to solve the set of equations which can easily handle finite element matrices of a bridge model. It is shown in this study that the method is applied to detect damages as well as existing cracks in real time of a repaired bridge. To check the efficiency of the method, the repaired bridge of OuedOumazer in Algeria has been selected. It is proven that identification methods have been able to detect the exact location of damage areas to be corrected avoiding the inaccuracy from the finite element model for the mass, stiffness and loading.     

Analysis of Unbalances Forces Using Methods of Identification and Finite Elements

The study of damage in rotating machineries is of fundamental interest in the fields of machine and structure design. A rotating system, supported by bearings and under some dynamic conditions, can generate a variety of problems that are encountered in many different types of rotating machines. One of these problems is the unbalance due to non-homogeneous mass distribution along the shaft. One of the techniques which are widespread today is the identification of parameters and excitation forces that may well followed by monitoring the evolution and change of possible variations of these parameters. Although several methods for the identification of unbalance excitation force are available in the literature, none of them can be considered unrestricted to be applied for all rotating systems. In this study, two methodologies to identify unknown excitations, such as unbalance, have been proposed. This project refers to the analysis of unbalanced forces from displacement parameters and speed by using methods of identification by Fourier series and Legendre polynomials together with the finite element method, state observers in reasons of the problem of absence of signs of rotational displacement, bandpass filter were used to noise suppression of the data collected from the experimental part, Quasi-Newton method to minimize a function in which the bearing stiffness and its damping are unknowns, and also the experimental verification of the methodology, using for this system owned by a rotary mechanical vibrations of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Faculty of Engineering, campus of llha Solteira.     

Temperature Distribution and Scuffing of Tapered Roller Bearing

In the field of aerospace, high-speed trains and automobile, etc, analysis of temperature filed and scuffing failure of tapered roller bearings are more important than ever, and the scuffing failure of elements of such rolling bearings under heavy load and high speed still cannot be effectively predicted yet. A simplified model of tapered roller bearings consisted of one inner raceway, one outer raceway and a tapered roller was established, in which the interaction of several heat sources is ignored. The contact mechanics model, temperature model and model of scuffing failure are synthesized, and the corresponding computer programs are developed to analyze the effects of bearings parameters, different material and operational conditions on thermal performance of bearings, and temperature distribution and the possibility of surface scuffing are obtained. The results show that load, speed, thermal conductivity and tapered roller materials influence temperature rise and scuffing failure of bearings. Ceramic material of tapered roller results in the decrease of scuffing possibility of bearings to a high extent than the conventional rolling bearing steel. Compared with bulk temperature, flash temperature on the surfaces of bearing elements has a little influence on maximum temperature rise of bearing elements. For the rolling bearings operated under high speed and heavy load, this paper proposes a method which can accurately calculate the possibility of scuffing failure of rolling bearings.     

A Proposal of Deciding Fatigue Strength in Bending Fatigue Test

Generally, the fatigue crack is initiated and then it is propagated toward the welding direction and the thickness direction. Finally, the joints lose the resistance to the external force. At present, as there is no deciding method of the fatigue strength （fatigue life）, this paper proposed it from the result obtained by bending test for fillet welded joints. Judging initiation of the fatigue crack from the measured value of strain gages, there was a possibility that the fatigue crack occurred at both sides of fillet welded joints. However, this was a different result from that of macrograph of cross section. On the other hand, the results obtained by FSM （field signature method） coincided with the result of macrograph of cross section. For the initial state, potential difference obtained by the electrostatic analysis based on FEM （finite element method） and that by FSM was accurately coincided. After confirming validity of the crack model for analysis, the crack model was specified by reproducing the propagating process of crack accurately through trial and error. It was concluded that the state which could not resist to the external force was regarded as fatigue strength based on equivalent stress obtained by elastic stress analysis for specified crack model. From the experimental result, it was proposed that 90% of repetition number corresponding to the state which could not resist to the external force （at the finish of the test） was regarded as fatigue strength （fatigue life） in consideration of safety and as the first approximation.