Search Results (15)

The throughput of the pneumatic brake valve is a key parameter in ensuring fast and safe vehicle braking. The instantaneous value of this parameter determines the short response time of the system to an operator’s force. The scientific objective of this paper was to determine the throughput of brake valve tracts using numerical and experimental methods. These tracts are supposed to provide the tracking and acceleration function of the valve depending on the setting of the correction system. The first numerical method was based on polyhedral meshes using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Ansys Fluent software. The second research method—experimental tests on the author’s bench using the reservoir method—consisted of identifying throughputs based on pressure waveforms in the measurement tanks. The determined throughputs were averaged over the range of pressure differences tested and allowed the final calculation of the mass flow rate. The analysis of the obtained results showed an average discrepancy between the two research methods for both tracts, in which the flow in both directions was considered to be 9.43%, taking into account the use of a polyhedral numerical mesh ensuring high-quality results with an optimal simulation duration. The analysis of the pressure distribution inside the working chambers showed local areas of increased pressure and negative pressure resulting from the acceleration of the flow in narrow flow channels and the occurrence of the Venturi effect. Full article

Purpose: To assess the applicability of computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) in determining the flow parameters of inter-chamber nozzle openings in the differential section of a trailer air brake valve. Methodology: Numerical calculations were performed using SolidWorks Flow Simulation (SW-FS) and Ansys Fluent (A-F) with defined boundaries and initial conditions. The results were validated experimentally using the reservoir method and the lumped method for throughput identification. Results: CFD calculations determined the functional dependence of the mass flow rate on the nozzle diameter for a range of control nozzle bore diameters. The SW-FS 2024 and A-F 2023 software showed a mean difference of 4.66% in the total characteristics. The experimental validation resulted in differences of 6.31% (SW-FS) and 5.79% (A-F) compared to the CFD results. Theoretical contribution: This study fills a research gap in applying CFDs to brake valve performance analyses, providing a foundation for developing more complex numerical models to evaluate individual valve sections. Practical implications: The findings suggest that CFDs can be used to accurately determine the flow parameters of control nozzle orifices, with an average of a 6.05% difference from experimental tests. This approach can potentially streamline the design and optimization process for pneumatic brake valves. Full article

In the electronic brake system (EBS) of commercial vehicles, due to the compressibility of gas, it is difficult to achieve accurate control in the pneumatic pipeline. To address this issue, a vertical load estimator based on unscented particle filtering (UPF) was designed, which can estimate vertical load during the running of the vehicle. Then, the EBS dynamics model was established based on software, including a brake signal sensor, single-channel bridge control module, ABS solenoid valve, and dual-channel bridge control module. Finally, based on the characteristics of the EBS valve, the control algorithm of the valve was studied, and the algorithm was tested using a hardware-in-the-loop experiment. The experiment results showed that the designed algorithm could improve braking performance. Full article

This review examines compressed air receiver tanks (CARTs) for the improved energy efficiency of various pneumatic systems such as compressed air systems (CAS), compressed air energy storage systems (CAESs), pneumatic propulsion systems (PPSs), pneumatic drive systems (PDSs), pneumatic servo drives (PSDs), pneumatic brake systems (PBSs), and compressed air vehicles (CAVs). The basic formulas and energy efficiency indicators used in a CART calculation and selection are included. New scientific research by the authors on measurements based on tank methods, numerical solutions in the process of charging and discharging, the valve-to-tank-to-valve system and pneumatic propulsion system was presented. The numerical model of the valve-tank-valve system takes into account CART polytropic charging and discharging processes, the mass flow balance equation, and the sound (choked) and subsonic mass flow rate in the inlet and outlet valves. Future research directions to improve the energy efficiency of a CART charging and discharge are highlighted. The effective density of energy storage in CART was compared to that of other renewable energy sources and other fuels. Economic and environmental issues were also considered by adopting various energy performance indicators. The discussion also focused on the design concept and computational model of the hybrid tricycle bike (HTB) pneumatic propulsion system. Full article

The traditional electronic braking system (EBS) of a commercial vehicle has the problems of sluggish pressure response, large dynamic error and unsatisfactory braking effect during braking. First, a novel EBS system based on electronic pneumatic valves (EPV) module is designed, which integrated the control of each pneumatic valve. Secondly, the hardware of the EBS bottom controller and the air pressure closed-loop control are carried out. A kind of similar to PWM (SPWM) air pressure control method is proposed. By controlling the opening and closing time of the solenoid valves, the brake air pressure could be precisely regulated, and the dynamic response characteristics of the system are improved. Eventually, commercial vehicle air brake hardware in the loop (HIL) test platform based on LabVIEW and NI-PXI system is built to verify the effectiveness of the EBS dynamic response characteristics. The experimental results showed that the continuous control of EBS solenoid valves is realized by using the SPWM control method, and the fine dynamic response characteristics of EBS air pressure closed-loop control are ensured. Full article

In order to adapt the development of vehicle driving automation technology for driving conditions under different levels of automation and based on the independently invented LF automatic pressure regulating valve (LF-APRV) for electronically controlled pneumatic brake systems (ECPBS), the dynamic PWM coupling pressure regulation method is proposed. This method realizes pressure regulation by adjusting the duty cycle of the control signal of the LF-APRV at different stages in the pressure regulation cycle. A co-simulation model was established to verify the feasibility of the method, and a test system was built to verify the correctness of the co-simulation model. Through the test, the pressure regulation performance of dynamic PWM coupling pressure regulation method and conventional on/off pressure regulation method was compared. The results show that the new method can improve the stability of pressure regulation, although the response time increases; under the new method, the overshoot of the pressure rising from 0 to 0.5 MPa was reduced by 69%, and the overshoot of the pressure decreasing from 0.5 MPa to 0.2 MPa was basically 0. Finally, tests and simulations showed that the dynamic PWM coupling pressure regulation method can meet the continuous graded braking requirements of vehicles, and the pressure response has good tracking performance on the target pressure. Full article

To remedy the defects of conventional pneumatic ABS (anti-lock Braking system) controller testing equipment for commercial vehicles, such as low efficiency and difficult testing condition configurations, a workflow was proposed based on the unit integration test mode. The relationship among the operation logic of the ABS valves, test conditions, and wheel speed was derived through the simulation of a multi-condition configuration. Then, a wheel speed simulation model was set up by taking the test conditions as inputs, and it was implanted into an embedded control unit. Next, the hardware module and the underlying drivers as well as an application algorithm for the application layer were designed. A prototype of the EOL (end-of-line) test system was built. The test results show that the prototype can not only achieve a rapid test condition configuration and accurate fault location but that it can also meet the requirements for test efficiency. Full article

Based on the classification of automated driving by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and the working principle of the ECPBS (Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake system), the requirements and the control modes of the APRV (Automatic Pressure Regulating Valve) were concluded. Four structural configurations for APRV were proposed to meet the requirements of the ECPBS. To study the pressure regulating characteristics of the APRV of different structure configurations, a simulation model was established, and a test bench was built. Through experiments, the correctness and the reliability of the simulation model were verified. The pressure regulation characteristics of the APRV of different structure configurations under different control conditions were revealed, and the suitable levels in the SAE automated driving classifications for automatic pressure regulators of different structure configurations were determined; thus, the theoretical underpinning to improve driving safety and develop automated driving was provided. Full article

In contrast to the traditional pneumatic braking system, the electronic-controlled pneumatic braking system of commercial vehicles is a new system and can remedy the defects of the conventional braking system, such as long response time and low control accuracy. Additionally, it can adapt to the needs and development of autonomous driving. As the key pressure regulating component in electronic-controlled pneumatic braking system of commercial vehicles, automatic pressure regulating valves can quickly and accurately control the braking pressure in real time through an electronic control method. By aiming at improving driving comfort on the premise of ensuring braking security, this paper took the automatic pressure regulating valve as the research object and studied the pressure change rate during the braking process. First, the characteristics of the automatic pressure regulating valve and the concept of the pressure change rate were elaborated. Then, with the volume change of automatic pressure regulating valve in consideration, the mathematical model based on gas dynamics and the association model between pressure change rate and vehicle dynamic model was established in MATLAB/Simulink and analyzed. Next, through the experimental test of a sample product, the mathematical models have been verified. Finally, the key structure parameters affecting the pressure change rate of the automatic pressure regulating valve and the influence law have been identified; therefore, appropriate design advice and theoretical support have been provided to improve driving comfort. Full article

This paper presents a control-oriented Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV) model for commercial vehicle air brake systems with the electro-pneumatic proportional valve based on the nonlinear mathematical model, a set of discrete-time linearized models at different target pressures with the q-Markov Cover system identification method. The scheduled parameters for the LPV model were the brake chamber pressure, which was controlled by the electro-pneumatic proportional valve. On the basis of the LPV model, a family of Model Predictive Control (MPC) controllers with a Kalman filter was designed at each operation point. Then, the gain-scheduled MPC was designed over the entire operating range with the switched strategy, which was validated by experimental data. Furthermore, compared with the PID controller, the performance of the system was improved with a gain-scheduled MPC controller. Full article

This paper presents a control-oriented LPV (Linear Parameter-Varying) model for commercial vehicle air brake systems, where a pneumatic valve actuator is used to control the brake chamber pressure. To improve the brake system response time and reduce the vehicle stopping distance, the traditional treadle valves used in the air brake system are replaced by electro-pneumatic valves. Also, to develop the model-based brake control strategy, a nonlinear mathematical model is developed based on Newton’s second law, fluid dynamics of the orifice, force balance of spool, and solenoid dynamic characteristics. The brake chamber dynamics is also considered during the charging and discharging processes. The developed nonlinear model is calibrated based on both valve actuator geometry and test bench experimental results. It is proposed to model the nonlinear system in the LPV form so that gain-scheduling controllers can be developed. To obtain the LPV model, system identification is conducted using the calibrated nonlinear model to obtain a set of linearized models under different brake chamber pressure levels, and the resulting identified linear models are assembled to form the LPV model with brake chamber pressure as the varying parameters. A linear infinite-horizon continuous-time LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) controller was designed for the braking system based on the developed LPV model with the fixed parameter to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed LPV model. Full article

This study developed a mechatronics platform for a seven-mode vehicle-oriented powertrain system. The innovative “all-in-one” concept was used for flexibly arranging various power or energy sources to be combined for various hybrid powertrains. Hence, it significantly reduces the cost and human resources for evaluating new-type power systems or developed vehicle control strategies on the same experimental platform. In this study, three power sources were chosen for providing hybrid power. The first source is a 125 c.c. spark ignition (SI) engine, where a controllable throttle valve governs the output torque, while a fuel meter measures the consumed fuel. The second one is a 1.5kW hub motor, where a motor control unit (MCU) and a 48V lithium battery pack properly provide the required electric power. The third source is an air engine, where a 220V air compressor and other components provide the pneumatic power. For the experimental platform, a developed Matlab/Simulink package receives the measured signals and sends the control commands to actuators. Through the on/off state control of three controllable e-clutches, three single-source modes, three dual-source modes, and one three-source mode (3+3+1) can be conducted. A 1.1kW/24V magnetic powder brake emulates the road load. The results show that three dual-source modes and a three-source mode were successfully operated. The efficiencies, torques and speeds, mass flow rates, etc. have been measured and calculated. This platform is aimed for the research fields of green energies, advanced powertrains, and power flow management. Full article

A failure of the pneumatic ABS (anti-lock braking system) weakens the braking performance of commercial vehicles. It affects the driving safety of vehicles. There are four typical failure modes that include: the failure of the pilot inlet solenoid valve and pilot exhaust solenoid valve of the pressure regulator, the failure of the series dual-chamber brake valve, and the failure of the relay valve. In order to study the braking performance and the rule of vehicles under the failure modes of the pneumatic ABS, the co-simulation model of the pneumatic ABS of the commercial vehicle was established based on AMESim and Simulink softwares. The gas path subsystem of the pneumatic ABS and the vehicle model were built based on AMESim. The controller was established based on Simulink/Stateflow. The data were transmitted between the AMESim and Simulink software by using the data interface block. The co-simulation model was validated by tests. The results showed that the maximum error of the braking deceleration is 13.51%. The model can simulate the braking process of the vehicle well. Based on this, the four typical failure modes of the pneumatic ABS were simulated, and the influences of different failure modes on the braking ability were analyzed. The influence of failure ratio on braking distance in four modes was obtained. It can be seen from the simulation results that the failure of the pilot inlet solenoid valve and the pilot exhaust solenoid valve of the pressure regulator cause the wheel lock. The failure of the lower chamber of the brake valve and the failure of the relay valve have a great influence on the braking distance. Full article

To identify and diagnose the latent leakage faults of key pneumatic units in the Chinese standard Electric Multiple Units (EMU) braking system, a multi-source information fusion method based on Kalman filtering, sequential probability ratio test (SPRT), and support vector machine (SVM) is proposed. The relay valve is taken as an example for research. Firstly, Kalman’s state estimation function is used to obtain the innovation sequence, and the innovation sequence is input into the SPRT model to help recognize latent leakage faults of the relay valve. Using this method, the problem of the incomplete training set of the traditional SPRT method due to the change of the braking level and the vehicle load is solved. Secondly, the eight time-domain parameters of the relay valve input and the output pressure signal are extracted as fault characteristics, and then input to the support vector machine to realize the internal and external leakage fault diagnosis of the relay valve, which provides a reference for maintenance. Finally, this method is verified by the fault simulation data by quickly identifying latent leakage faults and diagnosing the internal and external leakage at a fault recognition rate of 100% by SVM under small sample conditions. Full article

This study aims to investigate the hysteresis characteristics of a pneumatic braking system for multi-axle heavy vehicles (MHVs). Hysteresis affects emergency braking performance severely. The fact that MHVs have a large size and complex structure leads to more nonlinear coupling property of the pneumatic braking system compared to normal two-axle vehicles. Thus, theoretical analysis and simulation are not enough when studying hysteresis. In this article, the hysteresis of a pneumatic brake system for an eight-axle vehicle in an emergency braking situation is studied based on a novel test bench. A servo drive device is applied to simulate the driver’s braking intensions normally expressed by opening or moving speed of the brake pedal. With a reasonable arrangement of sensors and the NI LabVIEW platform, both the delay time of eight loops and the response time of each subassembly in a single loop are detected in real time. The outcomes of the experiment show that the delay time of each loop gets longer with the increase of pedal opening, and a quadratic relationship exists between them. Based on this, the pressure transient in the system is fitted to a first-order plus time delay model. Besides, the response time of treadle valve and controlling pipeline accounts for more than 80% of the loop’s total delay time, indicating that these two subassemblies are the main contributors to the hysteresis effect. Full article