T. Nagarajan

Analysis of Journal Bearing with Double-Layer Porous Lubricant Film: Influence of Surface Porous Layer Configuration

This article presents an analysis of a long journal bearing with a double-layer porous lubricant film using couple stress and Newtonian fluids. The porous layer with infinite permeability analyzed in this study simulates the surface layer. The Brinkman model was utilized to model the flow in the porous region. The effects of couple stresses were analyzed based on Stokes microcontinuum theory. A double-layer porous lubricant film configuration, with a low-permeability porous layer on top of a high-permeability bearing adherent porous layer, improved the journal bearing performance characteristics. A surface porous layered lubricant film configuration increased the load-carrying capacity and reduced the coefficient of friction in a journal bearing.

Study on Wing Aspect Ratio on the Performance of a Gliding Robotic Fish

In this paper, the performance of a gliding robotic fish with different wing aspect ratio is investigated. The gliding robotic fish, developed by Michigan State University, has the energy efficient locomotion of an underwater glider and high maneuverability of a robotic fish. ANSYS Computational Fluid Dynamics turbulence model was used to determine lift and drag coefficients for various wing aspect ratios at different angle of attack. Subsequently, the corresponding glide angle and velocity were determined analytically based on its dynamic model. The simulation results compare well with published experimental data and shows that the drag and lift coefficients are inversely proportional to the wing aspect ratio. As such, a gliding robotic fish with a low wing aspect ratio is suitable for shallow waters only, due to the high lift forces generated for a given angle of attack, requiring greater energy to sustain the glide velocity and vice versa.

Analysis of Micropolar and Power Law Fluid–Lubricated Slider and Journal Bearing with Partial Slip–Partial Slip Texture Configuration

ABSTRACT An analysis of micropolar and power law fluid–lubricated partial slip–partial slip texture slider and journal bearings is presented. The nondimensional pressure and shear stress expressions for a partial slip texture configuration are analyzed using narrow groove theory. The parameters used in the analysis are nondimensional partial slip length, nondimensional partial slip–partial slip texture length, nondimensional depth of recess, ratio of land with slip to recess, nondimensional slip coefficient, coupling number; ratio of characteristic length to film gap, and power law index. A partial slip configuration with a higher slip coefficient yields an improvement in load capacity and reduction in coefficient of friction compared to a partial slip texture configuration for micropolar and power law shear thinning (pseudoplastic) fluid-lubricated slider and journal bearings.

Stability analysis of double porous and surface porous layer journal bearing

The linear stability analysis of double porous and surface porous layer journal bearing based on long and short bearing approximations is presented. The Brinkman model is employed in the porous region and the infinite permeability porous layer is simulated as surface layer. The coefficients of load, threshold speed and critical whirl frequency ratio are computed for double porous and surface porous layer configurations. The coefficients obtained using long and short bearing approximations yield same results. Higher threshold speed is obtained for double layer configurations of (i) high permeability bearing adsorbent porous layer topped with low permeability porous layer, and (ii) surface porous layer lubricant film.

Analysis of Two-Layered Film Journal Bearing with Partial Slip Surface

Based on the approach of two-layered film consisting of different Newtonian viscosities, the present study examines the effects of partial slip bearing configuration on load capacity and friction coefficient for journal bearing. Navier slip boundary conditions are used to analyze partial slip configuration. A modified Reynolds equation for a journal bearing with two-layered film on a partial slip surface is presented. The modified Reynolds equation is derived taking into consideration of magnitude of lubricant layers film thickness, viscosities and the extent of partial slip on the bearing surface. The Reynolds boundary conditions are used in the analysis to predict nondimensional load capacity and coefficient of friction. Partial slip of bearing surfaces has a potential to improve load carrying capacity and reduce coefficient of friction for two-layered film journal bearing.

Early Mobilization Using Heat Treated Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) for Rehabilitation Phases

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is a material with the ability to return to its original position, when being subjected to an appropriate thermo mechanical procedure. SMA find very wide applications in various facets of robotic and bio medical engineering. In this paper, review on ankle/foot diseases and the effective use of heat treated SMA was carried out. The manufacturing industry normally uses a range of between 200°C to 400°C to shape any biomedical product which has been used as the benchmark temperature throughout this research. The results suggested that annealing of 200°C produced the best suited for generating substantial displacement which can promote early rehabilitation of ankle/foot.

Inverse Kinematics - Stewart Platform Actuated by Shape Memory Alloy for Immobilization of Ankle-Foot Rehabilitation

In this paper, the analyses results on the behavior of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) in Medical application were carried out. SMA materials are known by their aptitude to recover its original form when undergone suitable thermal changes. SMA is widely used in robotics, automotive, aerospace and it can be a potential application in biomedical engineering due to its low cost, high corrosion resistance and can be easily integrated with human applications. Stewart platform with two different upper platform diameters of 150 mm and 300 mm were designed, fabricated and used as experimental test-rig. Inverse kinematic calculations were carried out to identify a maximum deflection of Stewart platform that can promote continuous passive motion (CPM). The 150 mm base diameter Stewart platform is found to be the suited for generating substantial displacement between ankle and foot. The mechanical changes induced by the heat could be used as a property in manufacturing of rehabilitation device for foot and ankle.

Analysis of Porous Layered Journal Bearing Lubricated with Ferrofluid

This paper presents an analysis of porous layered long journal bearing lubricated with ferrofluid using displaced infinitely long wire magnetic field model. The ferrofluid flow in the porous region is analyzed using modified Brinkman model. Nondimensional pressure and shear stress expressions are derived using Reynolds boundary conditions. Nondimensional load capacity and coefficient of friction are evaluated under the influence of permeability of porous media, porous layer thickness, lubricant layer thickness, magnetic field intensity and distance ratio parameter. A porous layered journal bearing lubricated with ferrofluid increases the load carrying capacity and reduces the coefficient of friction.

Contour Optimization of an Inductor using Taguchi Method

The parameters and its influence on the winding design of an inductor was investigated, using Taguchis method, with the aim of selecting an optimum set of parameters. An experimental design was use to determine the optimal combination of parameters corresponding to various contour designs that would result in minimum fall out ratio and minimum machine error processing. An orthogonal array factorial run was employed to determine an optimal set of parameters and to determine the influence of parameters such as wind start post, finishing angle, winding width and winding pitch on the performance. Based on the results from the analysis, it is concluded that the winding width is the most significant parameter related to fall out ratio. Additionally, the parameter winding width will define the optimum contour design in terms of geometry of design shape.

Analysis of partially textured slider and journal bearing

The partial texturing of bearing surfaces with different shapes of textures and at different locations is an effective approach to improve the performance of bearings. The present study examines the effects of texture configuration on improvement in load capacity and reduction in friction coefficient for slider and journal bearing. This work presents nondimensional pressure expressions for the partially textured slider and journal bearing. The nondimensional pressure expressions are derived taking into consideration of texture geometry and extent of partial texture on the bearing surface. The Reynolds boundary conditions are used in the analysis to predict nondimensional load capacity and coefficient of friction. Even for nominally parallel surfaces, partial texturing of bearing surfaces has a potential to generate load carrying capacity and reduce coefficient of friction.