A large amount of vibration energy is dissipated in the secondary suspension systems of railway freight wagons, which can be harvested as renewable power supplies to serve more smart devices for ...onboard applications. This paper explores the vibration energy harvesting potential of freight wagons and deals with the systematic design issues of energy-regenerative shock absorbers (ERSAs). By considering the ERSA force interaction and realistic track irregularity, a vehicle-track coupled model is established to predict a more accurate vibration response. The parameter sensibility analysis reveals that the operation speed, vehicle load, and track irregularity are the most critical factors that can significantly affect the power generation performance. In addition, vibration energy harvesting potential assessment is conducted on American, German, and Chinese track spectrums and several field-measured freight lines, indicating an average power potential ranging from 33 to 960 W per absorber with a full-loaded freight wagon running at 90 km/h. Finally, a systematic design approach for ERSAs is proposed based on the prior feasibility assessment, a hybrid Grey Wolf Optimization and Particle Swarm Optimization (GWO-PSO) algorithm, and the vehicle-ERSA coupled model. The digital twin of an ERSA has been established and validated by a series of experimental tests. Taking the average power as the objective and setting the suspension vibration velocity, maximum generator rotation velocity, and maximum ERSA force as constraints, the optimized ERSA exhibits an output power of 63 W and 20.22% shock absorption on the secondary suspension. Meanwhile, the GWO-PSO has demonstrated an enhanced exploration ability than the conventional GWO in dealing with the constrained optimization problem of the ERSA design.
The article presents the issues of a container train loading at the land intermodal terminal. This issue was considered from the point of view of the distance covered by the loading devices and the ...duration of loading works, which was influenced by the arrangement of containers on the storage yard and the configuration of pins on the wagons. The conducted research was dictated by the small number of publications on loading an intermodal train, especially from the point of view of pin configuration on wagons. The vast majority of the literature is devoted in this field to marine intermodal terminals, which operating characteristics are different from inland terminals. The importance of this problem resulting from the growing turnover of containers transported by rail transport was also pointed out. The systematic increase of this type of transport and the depletion of the intermodal services' operating capability makes it necessary to improve the train loading process. For the purposes of the research, the issues of containers of various sizes loading onto wagons planning with various pin configurations were presented. A literature review was carried out in the field of train loading methods and strategies. A mathematical model was developed for the decision situation under consideration. The equations defining the most important elements of the considered problem were presented in the general form. This model was implemented in the FlexSim simulation environment. The constructed simulation model was used to develop 12 variants of the approach to an intermodal train loading. The train loading tests were performed both for the random arrangement of containers on the storage yard and for the random arrangement of pins on the wagons. The obtained results made it possible to determine how the knowledge of the arrangement of pins on the wagons influences the planning of train loading and increases the efficiency of loading devices.
Significant developments in longitudinal train simulation and an overview of the approaches to train models and modelling vehicle force inputs are firstly presented. The most important modelling ...task, that of the wagon connection, consisting of energy absorption devices such as draft gears and buffers, draw gear stiffness, coupler slack and structural stiffness is then presented. Detailed attention is given to the modelling approaches for friction wedge damped and polymer draft gears. A significant issue in longitudinal train dynamics is the modelling and calculation of the input forces - the co-dimensional problem. The need to push traction performances higher has led to research and improvement in the accuracy of traction modelling which is discussed. A co-simulation method that combines longitudinal train simulation, locomotive traction control and locomotive vehicle dynamics is presented. The modelling of other forces, braking propulsion resistance, curve drag and grade forces are also discussed. As extensions to conventional longitudinal train dynamics, lateral forces and coupler impacts are examined in regards to interaction with wagon lateral and vertical dynamics. Various applications of longitudinal train dynamics are then presented. As an alternative to the tradition single wagon mass approach to longitudinal train dynamics, an example incorporating fully detailed wagon dynamics is presented for a crash analysis problem. Further applications of starting traction, air braking, distributed power, energy analysis and tippler operation are also presented.
This paper focuses on the research on regression rate of hybrid rocket motor with single-port wagon wheel fuel grain. Both experiment and numerical investigations are carried out to study the ...three-dimension regression rate of hybrid rocket motor on several characteristic points. A laboratory 500 N-class firing test of hybrid rocket motor with single-port wagon wheel fuel grain has been conducted on the standard ground experimental system. The 98% hydrogen peroxide oxidizer and hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene based fuel are adopted as propellants. The digital image processing of three-dimension regression rate is carried out, and a post-processing software has been developed to calculate the time-averaged three-dimension distribution of regression rate after the firing test. Three-dimensional numerical simulations with gaseous combustion considered are carried out to study the axial distribution of regression rate. The results of digital image processing manifest that the average regression rates of the middle position of wagon wheel spokes is higher than those in the slot of wagon wheel. A good agreement exists between the calculated regression rate from numerical simulation and the experimental results conducted by computed tomography scanning. The comparison results show that the digital image processing is potentially an effective tool for investigating and predicting the three-dimension regression rate of hybrid rocket motor with single-port wagon wheel fuel grain.
•Firing test of HRM with single-port wagon wheel fuel grain has been carried out.•The method of CT scanning digital image processing and software are developed.•Three-dimension regression rates of HRM are characterized by simulation and test.•A good agreement exists between regression rates from simulation and CT scanning.
The main objective of this article is to describe the experimental way of verifying the ability of a tank wagon to deal with longitudinal forces in opposite track curves. In the methodology part, the ...measured and assessed quantities are described as well as the testing equipment. Next, the trainset composition used during the measurement is presented. Finally, measured results are presented and compared to the limit values given by UIC leaflet. These results show good quality of design solution of parts of the vehicle and vehicle as a whole.
In the article the parameters of the structural strength of the flat wagon of articulated type made from round pipes has been determined. The model of the strength of the bearing structure of a flat ...wagon of an articulated type from round pipes is present. The calculation is based on the finite element method implemented in the CosmosWorks programming environment. Isoparametric tetrahedra were used when constructed the finite-element model of the bearing structure. The strength parameters of the bearing structure of a flat wagon of an articulated type from round pipes were determined.
The article is focused on verification of noise characteristics of a prototype tank wagon Zans 95 m3 during operation. In the first part, the problematics of noise created by railway vehicles is ...described. The testing requirements were defined for the test of the tank wagon. The proper measurement setup was selected for weighted equivalent acoustic pressure level observation. Based on the TSI requirements, the measurement stand was assembled on the testing track, repeated measurements were performed, and the results were compared to the limit value related to wagon category.
Over the past 20 years, undergraduate railway engineering education has been on the rise in Brazil. However, a long period without investments in the sector led to the absence of up-to-date material ...in Portuguese to back up the teaching of specific courses in the program. To help bring the program up to speed, this work presents the development of a wagon design support tool, based on the principles of the design methodology process. The proposed tool combines data from the national railway sector with classic tools such as functional modeling and the morphological matrix. As the result, an instrument that directs the student to a more realistic solution for the design possibilities is presented to support wagon design. One of the observed benefits is the focus shift from the search to the analysis of the technical possibilities arising from using the working principles presented.
The article covers information from the field of static strength tests of freight wagons, in this case the static strength test was performed on a Zans 95 m3 tank wagon. The introduction of the ...article contains the division and significance of freight wagon tests. Various types of test load in static tests which affect the vehicle structure are also mentioned. Subsequently, the test requirements are written together with the technical parameters of the tested wagon. The next chapter deals with measured quantities and the instruments used for measurement, as well as a schematic sketch of the location of some sensors. The final chapter contains a description of the individual tests, where the procedure of loading, stay, unloading and reading of values for all static tests examined within the article are given. In the conclusion, verbal opinion is added to the summary of measurement results and the wagon construction is evaluated in terms of meeting the required strength conditions. The article contains graphs and tables from the outputs of some measurements.