Browse Topic: Reliability
ABSTRACT Value Engineering (VE) is an organized effort directed at analyzing the function of a product, service, or process to achieve the lowest total cost of effective ownership while meeting the customer’s needs. A comparison as to how VE is applied and to what extent is made between the automotive industry and the Government using the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS) as a standard. Both the automotive industry and the Government use common VE techniques to conduct VE studies. Both use VE to manage functionality to yield value to the customer. Neither the Government nor the automotive industry sacrifices the quality of the product or its reliability in the name of cost. Both the auto industry and the PEO employ a systematic team approach to analyze and improve the value of a product, facility design, system, or service. Applying systems engineering principles helps ensure successful execution of the PEO GCS VE program. The auto industry uses VE more widely
ABSTRACT The demand for mobile, secure communications has been and will continue to be a fundamental requirement for dismounted, urban and distributed operations in the field. It is imperative that soldiers on the front lines receive actionable information in a timely, secured and uninterrupted manner to increase force protection and effectiveness. In this paper, we describe a novel, high technical maturity (TRL 8+) communications link that offers the mounted and dismounted soldier secure, beyond line of sight, encrypted capability for weapons control and command & control of multiple platforms. An innovative spread spectrum waveform was designed from the ground up to deliver necessary functionality for reliable communications amongst multiple nodes with a data rate and range commensurate with battlefield scenarios
For many patients waiting for a donor heart, the only way to live a decent life is with the help of a pump attached directly to their heart. This pump requires about as much power as a TV, which it draws from an external battery via a seven-millimeter-thick cable. The system is handy and reliable, but it has one big flaw: despite medical treatment, the point at which the cable exits the abdomen can be breached by bacteria
As aerospace engineers push the boundaries of new frontiers, the need for advanced materials that can withstand the rigorous demands of these advanced applications is relentless. These materials go beyond functionality; it is about ensuring reliability in the skies, where failure is not an option. Fluorosilicone can help do exactly that. In the 1960s, the U.S. Air Force noticed that conventional silicone-based sealants, coatings, and other components degraded rapidly when exposed to fuels, de-icing fluids, and other hydrocarbon-based solvents. Dimethyl-based silicones are non-polar and easily absorb hydrocarbon-based solvents, which may result in material swelling, mechanical weakening, and ultimately, failure
Though modal analysis is a common tool to evaluate the dynamic properties of a structure, there are still many individual decisions to be made during the process which are often based on experience and make it difficult for occasional users to gain reliable and correct results. One of those experience-based choices is the correct number and placement of reference points. This decision is especially important, because it must be made right in the beginning of the process and a wrong choice is only noticeable by chance in the very end of the process. Picking the wrong reference points could result in incomplete modal analysis outcomes, as it might make certain modes undetectable, compounded by the user's lack of awareness about these missing modes. In the paper an innovative approach will be presented to choose the minimal number of mandatory reference points and their placement. While other approaches use results of numerical simulations or rely on a visual evaluation of measurement
In commercial aerospace, the application areas for motors are wide and varied, each with their own unique requirements. From electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis to business jets to long-haul commercial transport aircraft, DC motors must endure various environmental conditions like extreme temperatures, shock and vibration, atmospheric pressures and signal interference, to name just a few. These applications may also demand motors that provide a fast response, high power or torque density. In addition to these requirements, the aerospace industry perpetually calls for lightweight materials and smaller installation spaces. Taken together, it can be very difficult to specify and buy a reliable motor for mission-critical equipment. This article will present common commercial aerospace applications that pose performance and environmental challenges for DC motors along with a summary of the stringent aerospace industry standards that the motors must satisfy. It will also
General Motors (GM) is working towards a future world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. It’s “Ultium” platform has revolutionized electric vehicle drive units to provide versatile yet thrilling driving experience to the customers. Three variants of traction power inverter modules (TPIMs) including a dual channel inverter configuration are designed in collaboration with LG Magna e-Powertrain (LGM). These TPIMs are integrated with other power electronics components inside Integrated power electronics (IPE) to eliminate redundant high voltage connections and increase power density. The developed power module from LGM has used state-of-the art sintering technology and double-sided cooled structure to achieve industry leading performance and reliability. All the components are engineered with high level of integration skills to utilize across TPIM variants. Each component in the design is rigorously analyzed and tested from component to system levels to ensure high
This paper reviews the current situation in the development of accelerated testing of automotive engineering, consisting of the four following areas: 1. Field testing of the natural product. 2. Additional technology of separate testing in the laboratory on the basis of physical simulation of separate field conditions using corresponding methods and equipment separately and conducting: safety testing, special programs of testing using digital simulation, special testing with changing certain parameters of environment, corrosion testing, etc. Both of the traditional testing developments above can be found in many magazines, journals, conferences, presentations, and proceedings. 3. Testing on the basis of digital (computer) simulation of product and/or field conditions. This area of testing has been developed in the last dozen years. Many articles and presentations were published during this time. 4. Accelerated reliability and durability testing for obtaining during service-life of the
With 40 years of experience to its name, Sunview Patio Doors Ltd. (acquired by Novatech Group in 2021), has solved one of the industry’s top challenges: meeting customers’ increased demands for faster and better services, while providing an option for product customization. Its ability to adopt digital technology allowed the company to satisfy its customers and compete globally in the marketplace
UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Yu Zhang and his lab are leveraging tools to improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of power systems, and have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach for the smart control of microgrids for power restoration when outages occur
The process of manufacturing high-quality and reliable balloon catheters is critical to a number of advanced medical treatments for patients including balloon angioplasty, stent and drug delivery, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, atherectomy, renal denervation, and laser balloon angioplasty. These minimally invasive procedures have vastly improved quality of life, increased patient safety, decreased recovery times, and lowered treatment costs for patients around the globe
With the evolution of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the gap towards Autonomous Driving (AD) is continuously narrowing. This progress is made possible using digital maps as one of the critical sources along with other ADAS sensors. Correct map data is crucial for the proper functioning of ADAS functions. This demands the need to evaluate the correctness of the map data regularly and efficiently. This work proposes a framework to quantify the map data correctness systematically. The framework algorithmically detects error locations in a map database and then derives KPIs from these error locations. The framework helps to identify issues in the map data related to the internal data consistency or heuristic rules. The framework consists of process automation in Python and map database checks in SQL. The proposed framework defines validation methodology that achieves goals like: (1) KPIs for map data reliability (2) systematic error identification. The framework was evaluated
Light fidelity (LiFi) technology holds immense potential to revolutionize wireless communication networks by utilizing light bulbs for reliable and cost-effective interconnections. Integration of LiFi technology with advanced solutions is proposed to significantly enhance the passenger experience in autonomous buses. The reliability and performance limitations inherent in traditional radio frequency (RF) technologies are addressed, resulting in a consistent and reliable wireless connection for self-driving cars. The proposed solution incorporates key features such as a LiFi-powered real-time tracking and notification system, on-board assistance for seat location, and precise bus seat occupancy information gathering. Additionally, the paper aims to improve punctuality through a LiFi-powered passenger boarding system, facilitating the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles as a trusted and efficient mode of transportation. A thorough technical examination and a successful
While many consider electricity a basic human right, there are places where people have never had access to it. Among the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is global access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030. Recently, the U.N. reported that progress in global electrification had slowed due to the challenge of reaching those hardest to reach
Aerospace manufacturers know what it means to work with high stakes. Extremely tight tolerances, expensive materials and complicated processes define the industry. But few aerospace components are more critical - or more challenging - than the turbine discs that go into the hot side of jet engines. When machining these rotating components, everything must be correct, secure and reliable - not only to meet stringent surface integrity requirements, but also to avoid devastatingly expensive failures. A mistake that leads to a scrapped component can cost a manufacturer upward of $100,000, depending on when the mistake happened in the production process
This report presents several challenges that the U.S. Army will face in the transition to autonomous vehicles, challenges that are only magnified in the current acquisition environment with limited testing. Artificial intelligence algorithms introduce additional complexity, resulting in systems with a complex combination of human, machine, and autonomous controllers. Army DEVCOM Analysis Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Artificial intelligence (AI) has become prevalent in many fields in the modern world, ranging from vacuum cleaners to lawn mowers and commercial automobiles. These capabilities are continuing to evolve and become a part of more products and systems every day, with numerous potential benefits to humans. AI is of particular interest in autonomous vehicles (AVs), where the benefits include reduced cognitive workload, increased efficiency, and improved safety for human operators. Numerous investments from academia and industry have been made recently with the intent of
Fast, secure, and reliable systems are crucial in industries where time is money and efficiency is highly valued. One American steel mill experienced frequent downtime because of steel split retention rings falling off during operations, often resulting in chocks falling into the mill during roll changes. The process of reattaching the retention rings was slow and required multiple sets of hands to ensure a more secure fit
Achieving human-level dexterity during manipulation and grasping has been a long-standing goal in robotics. To accomplish this, having a reliable sense of tactile information and force is essential for robots. A recent study, published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, describes the L3 F-TOUCH sensor that enhances the force sensing capabilities of classic tactile sensors. The sensor is lightweight, low-cost, and wireless, making it an affordable option for retrofitting existing robot hands and graspers
Perkins announced an addition to its EU Stage V-compliant powertrain range with the 2806J-E18TAG1 ElectropaK. Perkins' new engine is an 18-liter unit intended for the electric power generation industry. The 2806J achieves ISO 8528-5 G2 status and reportedly provides excellent load acceptance in a wide range of electric power applications from a stationary prime source of power to a mobile unit serving the rental sector. “Reliable electric power is not an option, it's a fundamental need to keep operations running, whether that's for standby when the main power fails or to meet onsite prime power requirements,” said Jaz Gill, VP of global sales, marketing, service and parts. “Our engines are engineered and expertly crafted to provide reliable, stable and sustainable power for our customers, with the new 2806J being the latest in a long line of products that also deliver a low total cost of ownership
Partial discharge (PD) detection has been always a fundamental tool, potentially, for the design, quality control, commissioning, and reliability monitoring for the of insulation systems. The word “potentially” stems from the objective consideration of the intrinsic limitations suffered by the existing partial discharge, PD, measurement technologies, especially the need of experts to interpret results and the lack of clear correlation between PD-related quantities, and the condition-based maintenance approach. On the whole, a thorough revision of insulation systems design procedures and of the tools to evaluate aging and failure risk is needed, especially in components of electrical assets which are critical in terms of reliability, resilience, and safety. This paper focuses on critical asset components, such as ships, aircrafts, aerospace, and any type of vehicles, where the coming electrification is significantly increasing nominal voltage, power density and efficiency, and where
A novel method which has the potential for improving the U.S. Navy's ability to perform continuous assurance on autonomous and other cyberphysical systems. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA Autonomous systems are poised to provide transformative benefits to society. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions, enhance mobility for blind, disabled, and underage drivers, lower energy consumption and environmentally harmful emissions, and reduce population density in metropolitan regions. In civilian aviation, increasingly autonomous systems could mitigate two of the most costly features of human pilots: the cost associated with training and paying highly skilled operators, and the reduced efficiency incurred by flight time limitations and crew rest requirements. Additionally, autonomous air traffic management systems could reduce the cognitive burden on air traffic controllers by automating the monitoring and analysis of high
Sometimes an innovation comes along that changes the manufacturing landscape. Pro Spot International has created a unique Cobot Spot Welding solution. By bringing this new tool to the sheet metal fabrication market, the company aims to bring game-changing gains in productivity, reliability, traceability, and ergonomic safety to the manufacturing world
Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have introduced a method for robust flight navigation agents to master vision-based fly-to-target tasks in intricate, unfamiliar environments. The liquid neural networks, which can continuously adapt to new data inputs, showed prowess in making reliable decisions in unknown domains like forests, urban landscapes, and environments with added noise and occlusion
Linear motors have redefined what’s possible in motion control with faster, more precise, and more reliable performance compared to traditional, rotary motor-driven linear actuators. A linear motor’s unique property is that the load is moved without mechanical power transmission components. Instead, the linear force generated by the magnetic field of the motor coil is directly coupled to the load. This eliminates mechanical devices that convert rotary motion to linear, thus enhancing the system’s life, precision, speed, and overall performance
Direct drive motors have a long-standing history as a technology that has continually evolved and improved over several decades. Despite the perception that it has reached its limits, innovators such as ETEL continuously evolve and improve the performance and efficiency of their direct drive products
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