Search Results (12)

Water has the disadvantages of low viscosity, poor lubrication, and easy leakage, which leads to many problems in water hydraulic flow control valves, such as low working pressure and large flow fluctuations. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel digital flow control valve. The valve uses a linear stepper motor as the driving device. Compared to proportional electromagnets, the thrust and stroke of the linear stepper motor are larger, making the valve more suitable for high-pressure working conditions. Simultaneously, the valve innovatively incorporates a set of pilot valve spool strings at the front end of the pilot valve damping hole. Through controlling the two pilot valves to regulate the pressure difference before and after the damping hole, the flow passing through the pilot valve is maintained stable, thereby making the pressure of the upper chamber of the master valve spool more stable. In comparison to a single pilot valve structure, this design ensures a more stable main valve core position and reduces flow fluctuation. A mathematical and simulation model of the valve has been established, confirming the performance advantages of the new structure. The impact of structural parameters (such as valve core diameter, spring stiffness, and diameter of damping hole) on the stability of flow regulation has been investigated. A genetic algorithm has been employed to optimize the key parameters that influence valve flow stability, resulting in the identification of optimal parameters. The simulation results indicate that the optimized parameters lead to a reduction of approximately 45% in the maximum overshoot oscillation amplitude of the valve flow regulation. A prototype of the new flow control valve was developed, and a test system was established for conducting tests. The test results also confirmed the performance advantages of the valve and the accuracy of the optimal design. Full article

Model-based fault diagnosis serves as a powerful technique for addressing fault detection and isolation issues in control systems. However, diagnosing faults in closed-loop control systems is more challenging due to their inherent robustness. This paper aims to detect and isolate actuator and sensor faults in the cascade electro-hydraulic control system of a turbofan engine. Based on the fault characteristics, we design a robust unknown perturbation decoupling residual generator and an optimal fault observer specifically for the inner and outer control loops to detect potential faults. To locate the faults, we analyze the steady-state propagation laws of actuator and sensor faults within the loops using the final value theorem. Based on this, we establish the minimal-dimensional fault influence distribution matrix specific to the cascade turbofan engine control system. Subsequently, we construct the normalized residual vectors and monitor its vector angles against each row of the fault influence distribution matrix to isolate faults. Experiments conducted on an electro-hydraulic test bench demonstrate that our proposed method can accurately locate four typical faults of actuators and sensors within the cascade electro-hydraulic control system. This study enriches the existing fault isolation methods for complex dynamic systems and lays the foundation for guiding component repair and maintenance. Full article

Most energy-saving testing methods for plunger pumps use hydraulic motors. The loading test of coal mine emulsion pumps generally uses an overflow valve as the loading unit, which is characterized by high energy consumption. The coal mine emulsion pump uses emulsion as the transmission medium, and the viscosity and lubricity of the emulsion are much lower than those of hydraulic oil, which creates great difficulties in the development of high water-based hydraulic products. The nominal flow rate of the emulsion motor is much smaller than that of the emulsion pump, and there is no mature and reliable water-based flow control valve. Based on the above reasons, traditional energy-saving testing methods cannot be utilized for the testing process of emulsion pumps. The loading test of emulsion pumps generally uses an overflow valve as the loading unit, and during the testing process, all electrical energy is converted into internal energy, resulting in very high energy consumption. This article proposes an energy-saving testing system for emulsion pumps based on multiple emulsion motors in parallel. In order to solve the flow regulation problem of each parallel branch, a flow-intelligent control algorithm is proposed that utilizes the pressure difference flow characteristics of digital relief valves combined with artificial neural network predictive control. Firstly, the feasibility of the proposed system and method is theoretically verified through the analysis of the mathematical model of the digital relief valve. Secondly, further verification is carried out by establishing simulation and testing platforms. The simulation results show that the energy recovery efficiency of the system exceeds 53%. The experimental results show that the proposed testing system has a pressure control error of less than 1%, a flow control error of about 5%, and a maximum overshoot of about 9 L/min relative to the steady-state flow rate. The control accuracy and system stability are high. Full article

This paper aims at the characteristics of nonlinear, time-varying and parameter coupling in a hydraulic servo system. An intelligent control method is designed that uses self-learning without a model or prior knowledge, in order to achieve certain control effects. The control quantity can be obtained at the current moment through the continuous iteration of a strategy–value network, and the online self-tuning of parameters can be realized. Taking the hydraulic servo system as the experimental object, a twin delayed deep deterministic (TD3) policy gradient was used to reinforce the learning of the system. Additionally, the parameter setting was compared using a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) and a linear–quadratic–Gaussian (LQG) based on linear quadratic Gaussian objective function. To compile the reinforcement learning algorithm and deploy it to the test platform controller for testing, we used the Speedgoat prototype target machine as the controller to build the fast prototype control test platform. MATLAB/Coder and compute unified device architecture (CUDA) were used to generate an S-function. The results show that, compared with other parameter tuning methods, the proposed algorithm can effectively optimize the controller parameters and improve the dynamic response of the system when tracking signals. Full article

The flow and dispersion characteristics of the fire extinguishing agent in the pipings and the concentration distribution in the nacelle are essential for optimizing the aircraft fire extinguishing system. In the present work, we developed a three-dimensional CFD model to simulate the transport and dispersion of the agent in piping and nacelle. The results show that the length and structure of the pipings near the nozzles affect the concentration, pressure, flow rate, and flow distribution of the extinguishing agent. The smaller the bend of the pipings near the nozzles and the angle of connection with the main piping, the less time it takes for the agent to reach the nozzles and the more mass flow rate of the agent is injected, which is more conducive to extinguishing fire rapidly. External ventilation and the blockage of the nacelle’s ribs and other components impact the concentration distribution of the fire extinguishing agent in the nacelle. The agent is mainly concentrated in the middle and rear areas of the engine nacelle. Agent concentration tests were carried out in the simulated engine nacelle. The experimental result is similar to the simulation result, which verifies the feasibility of the simulation method. The simulation method can be used to increase the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to meet the safety requirements by changing the outside ventilation and increasing the filling amount of fire extinguishing agent, so as to achieve the optimization of the fire extinguishing system. Full article

This paper studies hydraulic cylinder position adjustment controlled by an on–off valve. The aim of this paper is to develop a method of position control for a hydraulic cylinder based on input and output pressure under the mutual coupling feedback of the load and flow, especially in multi-actuator coupling control scenarios. This method can solve the problem of position evaluation and hydraulic cylinder tracking in relation to position detection without a displacement sensor and provide the possibility of automatic adjustment of hydraulic support in the process of intelligent mining. First of all, according to the flow continuity equation and Navier–Stokes equation, a flow model with inlet and outlet pressure is derived. Secondly, the effectiveness of the flow resistance characteristic curve of differential valve is verified by experimental and theoretical analysis. Finally, through experimental verification, when the system pressure is larger than 10 MPa, the error between the actual experimental data and the data calculated by the fitting algorithm is within 5%, which is consistent with the derived formula and proves the validity of the simulation model. Full article

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) has the advantages of high energy density, low self-discharge rate, long cycle life, fast charging rate and low maintenance costs. It is one of the most widely used chemical energy storage devices at present. However, the safety of LIB is the main factor that restricts its commercial scalable application, specifically in hazardous environments such as underground coal mines. When a LIB is operating under mechanical and electrical abuse such as extrusion, impact, overcharge and overheating, it will trigger thermal runaway and subsequently cause fire or even an explosion. According to the relevant requirements in IEC60079, the explosion-proof protection of LIB can be adapted to the working environment of high dust and explosive gas environments such as in the mining face of coal production. This paper presents an overview of the LIB-relevant technology, thermal runaway, safety and applications in the general mining industry with implications to establish a theoretical and technical basis for the application of high-capacity LIBs in the industry. These then promote intelligent, safe and efficient production not only for the coal mine industry but also for non-coal applications. Full article

Pneumoconiosis in miners is considered a global problem. Improving the performance of individual protective materials can effectively reduce the incidence of pneumoconiosis. In this study, the blend membrane of sodium dodecyl sulfate and polyvinylidene fluoride with a dual structure was prepared using electrospinning techniques, and the morphological structure, fiber diameter, and filtration performance of the nanofiber membranes were optimized by adjusting the PVDF concentration and SDS content. The results show that the incorporation of SDS enabled the nanofiber membranes to show tree-like and beaded fibers. Compared with the original PVDF membrane, the small content of tree-like fibers and beaded fibers can improve the filtration efficiency and reduce the resistance of the fiber membrane. The prepared nanofiber membrane has excellent comprehensive filtration performance, and the quality factor is 0.042 pa⁻¹ when the concentration of PVDF is 10 wt% and the addition of SDS is 0.1 wt%. Furthermore, after high-temperature treatment, the membrane could still maintain good filtration performance. The PVDF/SDS blend nanofiber membrane has outstanding filtration efficiency and good thermal stability and can fully meet the personal protection of miners in underground high-temperature operation environments. Full article

This paper studies the precise position control of the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic support. The aim of this paper is to develop a method of hydraulic cylinder position control based on pressure and flow coupling, which takes the coupling feedback of load and flow into account, especially in the scene of cooperative control under the condition of multiple actuators and variable load. This method solves the problems of slow movement and sliding effect of hydraulic support in the traditional time-dependent hydraulic position control, as well as better realizes the intelligent and unmanned development of the fully mechanized mining face. First, based on the flow continuity equation and Newton Euler dynamic equation, the flow and stroke control model with the input and output pressure of hydraulic cylinder is established. Then, the effectiveness and correctness of the control model are verified by the comparison between the hydraulic system simulation software, AMESim, and the experiment. Finally, a test system is built. When the system pressure is large than 10 MPa, the error between the data determined by the fitting algorithm and the actual detection data is within 5%, which verifies the effectiveness of the theory and simulation model. Full article

A three-dimensional model for the simulation of concentration polarisation in a full-scale spiral wound reverse osmosis (RO) membrane element was developed. The model considered the coupled effect of complex spacer geometry, pressure drop and membrane filtration. The simulated results showed that, at a salt concentration of 10,000 mg/L and feed pressure of 10.91 bar, permeate flux decreased from 27.6 L/(m² h) (LMH) at the module inlet to 24.1 LMH at the module outlet as a result of salt accumulation in the absence of a feed spacer. In contrast, the presence of the spacer increased pressure loss along the membranes, and its presence created vortices and enhanced fluid velocity at the boundary layer and led to a minor decrease in flux to 26.5 LMH at the outlet. This paper underpins the importance of the feed spacer’s role in mitigating concentration polarisation in full-scale spiral wound modules. The model can be used by both the industry and by academia for improved understanding and accurate presentation of mass transfer phenomena of full-scale RO modules by different commercial manufacturers that cannot be achieved by experimental characterization of the mass transfer coefficient or by CFD modelling of simplified 2D flow channels. Full article

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an economically important crop because of its high nutritional value. However, the absence of a sequenced avocado reference genome has hindered investigations of secondary metabolism. For next-generation high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, we obtained 365,615,152 and 348,623,402 clean reads as well as 109.13 and 104.10 Gb of sequencing data for avocado mesocarp and seed, respectively, during five developmental stages. High-quality reads were assembled into 100,837 unigenes with an average length of 847.40 bp (N50 = 1725 bp). Additionally, 16,903 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, 17 of which were related to carotenoid biosynthesis. The expression levels of most of these 17 DEGs were higher in the mesocarp than in the seed during five developmental stages. In this study, the avocado mesocarp and seed transcriptome were also sequenced using single-molecule long-read sequencing to acquired 25.79 and 17.67 Gb clean data, respectively. We identified 233,014 and 238,219 consensus isoforms in avocado mesocarp and seed, respectively. Furthermore, 104 and 59 isoforms were found to correspond to the putative 11 carotenoid biosynthetic-related genes in the avocado mesocarp and seed, respectively. The isoform numbers of 10 out of the putative 11 genes involved in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway were higher in the mesocarp than those in the seed. Besides, alpha- and beta-carotene contents in the avocado mesocarp and seed during five developmental stages were also measured, and they were higher in the mesocarp than in the seed, which validated the results of transcriptome profiling. Gene expression changes and the associated variations in gene dosage could influence carotenoid biosynthesis. These results will help to further elucidate carotenoid biosynthesis in avocado. Full article

Neutral polymer bonding agent (NPBA) is one of the most promising polymeric materials, widely used in nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellant as bonding agent. The structure and dynamics of NPBA under different conditions of temperatures and sample processing are comprehensively investigated by solid state NMR (SSNMR). The results indicate that both the main chain and side chain of NPBA are quite rigid below its glass transition temperature (T_g). In contrast, above the T_g, the main chain remains relatively immobilized, while the side chains become highly flexible, which presumably weakens the interaction between bonding agent and the binder or oxidant fillers and in turn destabilizes the high modulus layer formed around the oxidant fillers. In addition, no obvious variation is found for the microstructure of NPBA upon aging treatment or soaking with acetone. These experimental results provide useful insights for understanding the structural properties of NPBA and its interaction with other constituents of solid composite propellants under different processing and working conditions. Full article