Contents of Journal of Mechanical Engineering 58, 2 (2007)


NALITOLELA, N. G., MSHANA, J. S.: Structural modelling and the application of response surface modelling for engine design optimisation 57 KELEMEN, M., KELEMENOVÁ, T.: Identification of friction forces in the in-pipe micromachine 71 FENIK, Š., STAREK, L.: Piezoceramic actuator and sensor for vibration control 85 Letter to the Editor SU, S., ERKAYA, S., UZMAY, I.: Transmission quality and kinematics of a new slider-crank mechanism 106


Abstracts



Structural modelling and the application of response surface modelling for engine design optimisation

NOEL G. NALITOLELA, JOHN S. MSHANA

Structural design optimisation of internal combustion engine is usually performed iteratively using finite element model and employing gradient-based methods. Finite element re-analysis, however, is computationally expensive. This paper presents an alternative procedure to model the engine performance parameters using response surface modelling methodology (RSM) as an efficient approach where re-analysis is required. The procedure involves finite element modelling of the engine structures to predict performance at only a few selected points in the design space, and use of response surface modelling approach to fit a model to the predicted performance parameters. Then instead of the finite element re-analysis, performance of the iterated design is obtained more efficiently using the response surface model. The effectiveness of the response surface model to predict performance of the iterated design is investigated on the crank train and block interaction parameters of a practical engine.


Identification of friction forces in the in-pipe micromachine

MICHAL KELEMEN, TATIANA KELEMENOVÁ

The paper concerns the in-pipe micromachine Karolina, locomotion of which is based on the inertial stepping principle. The aim of the micromachine is to inspect and to do other tasks inside the pipe. The paper describes the methods of friction forces identification. Several experimental results applicable at the analog machine assembling are specified here. The paper is a part of research grant GU VEGA 1/2188/05 Research of in-pipe machine locomotion principle in order to cable drawing into existing pipes and GU VEGA 1/4164/07 The research of the specific problems in area of distance measurement and measurement uncertainty balancing.


Piezoceramic actuator and sensor for vibration control

ŠTEFAN FENIK, LADISLAV STAREK

Application of piezoceramic elements as actuators and sensors in vibration control should be prepared with suitable mathematical background. Only correctly simplified model of smart structure is useful for further optimization and control design. In this paper authors present their contribution in the field of linear mathematical modelling of mechanical structures with implemented piezoceramic elements, including relations for calculation of actuator force, sensor voltage and capacitance with respect to boundary conditions. Theoretical conclusions are verified by FEM simulation of piezoceramic element attached to a surface of structure and some practical questions are discussed.


Transmission quality and kinematics of a new slider-crank mechanism

SÜKRÜ SU, SELÇUK ERKAYA, IBRAHIM UZMAY

In this study, kinematic analysis and transmission quality of a modified slider-crank mechanism are investigated. The new mechanism has a gear system and an additional eccentric link between connecting rod and crank pin as distinct from an original slider-crank mechanism. These modifications were performed with a view to ensure the effective usage of gas forces during the expansion stroke for obtaining the effective output torque. With the intending of comparing, kinematic analysis and transmission angle results of the new mechanism have been evaluated with respect to that of an original slider-crank mechanism with the same stroke and same rotation speed of the crankshaft.