The tribological properties of plasma nitrided D2 steel using Laser Surface Texturing (LST) and dry lubrication were determined on pin-on-disc tribometer. Tests were conducted at room temperature with alumina pin (99.99% pure) and D2 steel plate High Carbon High Chromium Steel (HCHCr) with various laser textures such as dimple, asterisk and cross grooves, and graphite as a solid lubricant. The use of LST and graphite showed good tribological properties. Wear and friction reduced up to 90%.

The application of wear particle analysis and ferrography in particular is an effective means to identify and respond to the maintenance needs of bike engine. The wear particles contained in used lubricant oil samples are collected from the engine and gearbox of a Hero Honda Splendor bike. Ferrographic and elemental analyses have been employed to determine the general information about the vehicle performance. The analyzed information throws light on the physical condition of used oil, and the wear condition of the parts from gearbox and main engine.

The paper considers the design of dual mass dynamic vibration absorber. This design incorporates use of two concentrated masses, which are cantilevered from two rods. The adaptive vibration absorber can be used to reduce structural vibrations at multiple frequencies. Adaptive solution is achieved by moving masses along the length of rod either inside or outside, producing changing natural frequency for absorber device. The effects of different absorber parameters like length of rod, distance between two rods and mass dimensions on modal frequencies of absorber are also discussed. Analysis of dual mass absorber is done theoretically and using finite element analysis. Its effectiveness is checked on cantilever beam. Analytical and finite element models are described. The results showed that the absorber is effective in cantilever beam vibration reduction up to 95%.

The paper interprets the tribological behavior of 20% silicon carbide and various weight percentages of multiwall Carbon Vehicle overspeeding on highways is one of the major problems faced in the current scenario of Indian traffic. The issue of overspeeding not only damages the vehicle but also there is a chance of losing precious life. In real-life scenario, accidents are unavoidable. We can only have countermeasures to prevent them and avoid the fatalities involved. Safety impact guard is one of the real-time countermeasures, which reduces the impact when the vehicle is involved in high-speed impact. The paper proposes a design of a reusable safety impact damper with pressure relief valve. This design discusses the force of energy or impact that is dampened due to the action of the impact damper with the pressure relief valve. The aim of the paper is to reduce the fatalities by designing an impact damper which provides safety against the front and rear end collisions.

Thousands of people are killed every year in rollovers. The best way to prevent these deaths is to keep vehicles from rolling over in the first place. Electronic stability control is significantly reducing rollovers, especially fatal single-vehicle ones. When vehicles do roll, side curtain airbags help protect people inside, and belt use is essential. However, for these safety technologies to be most effective, the roof must be able to maintain the occupant survival space when it hits the ground during rollover. Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk that people will be injured by contact with the roof itself. Stronger roofs also can prevent occupants, especially those who are not using safety belts, from being ejected through windows, windshields or doors that have broken or opened because the roof has deformed. In this paper, the strength of the roof is determined by pushing a metal plate against one side of it at a slow but constant speed. The force applied relative to the vehicle's weight is known as the strength-to-weight ratio. This ratio varied as the test progressed. The peak strength-to-weight ratio recorded at any time before the roof is crushed 5 inches is the key measurement of roof strength.

Snap fit joints are widely used in industry for assembling different parts. Snap fits are the simplest, quickest and most effective joints, provided they are designed with the requisite dimensions and parameters. In the present study, many parameters affecting the assembly process of snap fit joints are studied. For this purpose, we have used the Design of Experiments (DoE) method, which has provided the statistical approach and led to a reliable and significant interpretation of different parameters of snap fit joint responsible for high installation force in the assembly process. The design modifications of snap fit joint have been carried out by identifying and establishing the relation between the parameters. The modified design of snap fit joint has ensured that the installation force of assembly process is within the human ergonomic limit.

The paper presents the methodology and case study for structural weight optimization of hinges and arms of ramp door assembly of a combat vehicle using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Weight reduction of hinges and arms of existing ramp door assembly is achieved by optimal material distribution using density method of topology optimization technique. The paper discusses topology optimization parameters to reduce the weight of the existing components without compromising required stiffness and strength requirements. Defining minimum compliance and mass as objective functions, the study highlights problem formulation by defining design and non-design volume for topology optimization using Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) technique. As an outcome, optimal material design of hinge and arm is achieved, which is converted into feasible lightweight design considering manufacturing constraints. These lightweight designs are validated for their structural strength using FEA. Existing and optimized designs are compared for weight, stiffness and strength parameters.

Lower control arm is used in front of independent suspension system. It is connected between subframe and knuckle. It holds the vehicle wheels in alignment and forms the unsprung mass of vehicle. High unsprung weight complicates steering control and traction control issues. The paper deals with the reduction of unsprung mass of vehicle by topology optimization of lower control arm. For the analysis, existing lower control arm of Mac-Pherson suspension system is selected. CAD modeling is done using CATIA software. ANSYS software is used for static structural analysis of existing model by applying the required loading and boundary conditions. On the basis of the stress developed, topology optimization is carried out by removing excess material from CAD model. Lower control arm is redesigned and analyzed for stress distribution and deformation. Total reduction of weight in the existing model is found to be 16.66%.

Nowadays, fluidized bed is a well-known clean technology. It is used for many applications in thermal and chemical industries such as combustion and incineration, boiler, carbonization and gasification, calcination and refineries. Coal is an old and widely used fuel in thermal power plants for generation of electricity. To reduce pollution and uniform temperature distribution across furnace, fluidized bed combustion is very effective. Physically, multiphase fluidization and coal combustion are very complex to understand analytically and experimentally. In this paper, different parameters like solid volume fraction, pressure drop and temperature distribution are analyzed with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique. The governing equation and different approaches used for multiphase fluidization and coal combustion are analyzed. The main objective of this study is to analyze fluidization behavior across Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) boiler where 2D industrial scale boiler geometry is used.

The paper optimizes the operating parameters using Jatropha methyl ester and its blend as a fuel in compression ignition engine. Orthogonal array L16 is selected for experiment with five operating parameters and four levels each. Operating parameters such as %blend, nozzle geometry, injection pressure, compression ratio and EGR rate are optimized. From this analysis, it is observed that the engine gives better performance for optimum combination of operating parameters and found to be for 100% load as: 10% and 40% blend, 3 hole and 5 hole nozzle geometry, 210 bar injection pressure, 15:1 and 16:1 compression ratio and 4% and 12% EGR rate. It is also concluded that with the usage of diesel fuel in this engine, vibration severity increases as compared Jatropha biodiesel and its blend as fuel. Also, it is found that acceleration (vibration) is mostly affected by injection pressure and nozzle geometry under full load condition. The experimental conformation test also revealed that regression analysis technique is suitable for optimization.

In this 21st century, scientific enterprise has a driving force known as safety value and care value for environment; researchers are striving to fulfill these values. Policies like the Montreal Protocol and the EU Directives incentivize this research. The feasibility of R1234yf is introduced in car air conditioner application. This is an experimental study on car air conditioning system with drop in substitute R1234yf for R134a. For the experimental study, a test rig was developed, in which actual car conditions were simulated. Performance parameters like work input to the compressor, coefficient of performance, refrigerating capacity and overall heat transfer coefficient were taken into consideration.