Academic research peer-review journal. Editor-in-Chief: Valery Kaminsky, Ph.D., Professor Indexing: SCOPUS, Russian Science Citation Index, Google Scholar, Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, Dimensions, Crossref. ISSN: 0321-4443 (Print)
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An innovative approach to the study of the effect of alternative fuels on the vibration activity of internal combustion engines
BACKGROUND: The use of ammonia (NH3) as a diesel fuel additive is of great interest for addressing environmental and operational challenges, such as reducing harmful emissions and improving engine efficiency. However, the influence of ammonia on vibration parameters of diesel engines is still understudied, thus requiring detailed research. AIM: This study aims to analyze the influence of ammonia (NH3) as a diesel fuel additive on vibration parameters of a diesel engine using an artificial neural network (ANN) designed to predict these parameters. METHODS: The study employs modeling methods based on neural networks. TensorFlow and Keras frameworks were used to develop and train the neural network. Parameters of the engine (engine bore, speed, compression ratio, etc.) and fuel mixtures containing 5%, 10%, and 15% NH3 were used as inputs. The model's accuracy was assessed based on experimental data. RESULTS: The developed ANN showed high vibration prediction accuracy (up to 98.67%). Experimental data showed that increased ammonia additive ratio in the fuel mixture results in increased engine vibration. The highest vibration amplitude was 11.67 m/s² at 15% NH3. The results indicate potential risks of lower engine performance when using ammonia, despite its environmental advantages. CONCLUSION: The study showed that ammonia additives in diesel fuel increase engine vibration, which could affect its reliability and durability. Despite the high accuracy of neural network predictions, the observed increase in vibration requires further investigation. Additional research is required to ensure the safe use of NH3 as a fuel additive by focusing on optimal mixture proportions and the influence of other factors, such as pressure and temperature.
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Non-destructive inspection of the state of a helical cylindrical compression spring
BACKGROUND: When springs are used, they undergo “compression-decompression” cyclic loading, resulting in a gradual decrease in elastic properties and performance, formation of microcracks, and the springs destruction. Moreover, if these are the springs of the valve mechanism of the internal combustion engine, then they are subject to heating, which intensifies the processes of loss of elasticity and destruction. In practice, spring control often comes down to its external inspection, assessment of geometric parameters and dynamic testing. The latter requires expensive equipment and a long period for the test itself. AIM: Improvement of the non-destructive inspection method for determining the state of a coil spring using a new technical solution at the level of patentability. METHODS: The presence of microcracks and their growth during cyclic loading leads to a change in the microshape of the cross-section of the spring coil, which affects the electrical properties, in particular, its electrical resistance. Therefore, assessing the performance of a spring comes down to determining the number and volume of microcracks. Measuring the microgeometry of the spring can be achieved using a highly sensitive microohmmeter with a division value of at least 10-6 Ohms. In the working coils of the spring, especially on the “inner fiber of the coils” [1], the greatest tangential stresses arise during its operation. Consequently, the inner fiber of the working coils of the spring is more susceptible to the formation of microcracks. RESULTS: To implement the proposed non-destructive inspection of the state of a helical coil spring, a device, including a microohmmeter and a mechanical type power structure for its tension and compression, is required. The tension and compression of the spring is monitored using a dynamometer. The terminals from the microohmmeter for measuring resistance are fixed on the spring coils under test. Determining the resistance value of a new spring and subsequent monitoring during operation will make it possible to identify a faulty element at an earlier stage and to determine the feasibility of restoring the spring. CONCLUSION: The proposed technical solution simplifies monitoring the state of the entire spring without destroying it, reduces the time for monitoring its state as a whole, and reduces the energy intensity of this process.
Electric heaters with the effect of self-regulation of fuel system temperature in diesel engines
BACKGROUND: Diesel internal combustion engines (ICE) are massively used as powerunits of automotive and tractor machinery, as they have high energy efficiency and reliability. It is very important to provide the fastest possible start-up for internal combustion engines and stable idling operation at ambient temperatures in the range from -40 to 0 °C, especially in the winter period of operation. One of the approaches connected with improvement of conditions of starting a diesel engine in cold season is application of electric heating system, including the use of heater materials based on composites with positive temperature resistance coefficient that allows adapting the heating system to minimum power consumption. Development of the design of the electric heating system for diesel engine fuel filters, the control system and the algorithm of its operation is a relevant technical task. AIM: Development of electro-heating polymer composites (EHPC) containing multilayer carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) for diesel engine fuel filters. METHODS: An elastic organosilicon compound was used as a polymer matrix, and MCNTs synthesized by ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic radiation (UHF method) by exposure to a mixture of ferrocene and graphite in a 1:1 ratio were used as an electrically conductive dispersed filler. The surface morphology of MCNTs was studied with a scanning electronic microscope at 5 kV. The temperature field was studied using the “Testo-875-1” thermal imager with an optical lens of 32 × 23°. RESULTS: The technical solution for heating the fuel filter of diesel engine by means of heating elements ensuring direct control and stabilization of the temperature mode in the process of diesel fuel thermoregulation is considered. Polarization of polymer matrix and tunneling of elementary charge in MCNTs lie in the basis of the process of electric heating of composite material at the electric current. Programmable parameters of the microcontroller were used for thermoregulation in the process of electric heating and sustaining the given temperature mode, which makes it possible to eliminate the decrease in the heating rate of EHPCs and to increase their energy efficiency in a wide range of temperatures of operation of the fuel supply equipment of an internal combustion engine. To form the software for the EHPCs control system, 5 operation modes including start-up, idling and modes under load (25, 50, 75% of the nominal value of the full load of the internal combustion engine) were used. CONCLUSION: The practical value of the study lies in the possibility of using the proposed electric heaters for controlled heating of fuel with a given temperature, which reduces the load on the battery and significantly expands the potential capabilities of electric heating technologies for automotive and tractor machinery.
Temporal similarity of the mechanization level and crop yield in Eritrea
BACKGROUND: The dynamics of agricultural production have gradually moved toward mechanization and maximizing efficiency. Understanding the relationship between mechanization and crop yield is crucial to improve productivity. AIM: This study assesses the temporal pattern similarity between crop yield and the level of mechanization (LOM) and examines how LOM influences crop productivity over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with interaction terms for trend analysis and dynamic time warping (DTW) for pattern similarity. Descriptive statistics (standard deviation, mean, minimum, and maximum) and error metrics (MAE and RMSE) were used to assess the DTW distance performance between sequences. RESULTS: The OLS analysis showed almost parallel trend lines (slopes 0.038% and 0.053%). The DTW analysis showed significant temporal alignment, with a 44.4% perfect match and a similarity score of 34 (34 optimal paths across 28 dataset pairs). Performance evaluation metrics—standard deviation, mean, minimum, and maximum—were 7.56 × 10−3, 1.08 × 10−2, 1.42 × 10−5, and 3.22 × 10−2, respectively. MAE and RMSE values were 6.33 × 10−3 and 7.56 × 10−3, respectively. Based on these values, average similarity, consistency, alignment quality, and error metrics were used to assess the level of similarity. These values indicate high similarity and consistency (based on the low mean DTW distances, standard deviation, and error metrics), despite occasional poor alignment. CONCLUSION: The temporal similarity between LOM and crop yield showed that variations in LOM significantly impacted cereal crop yields. Agricultural productivity could benefit from mechanization through the use of contemporary technologies, improved supportive policies, and the integration of sustainable practices.
Study of resistance of components of the electric starter system of automotive and tractor engines aimed to selection of their optimal ratios
BACKGROUND: Regardless design advance of any vehicle or tractor, it cannot be ready for operation unless its power unit (mainly powerful diesel engine) is started by rotating the crankshaft with a rotation velocity no less than the minimal starting rotation velocity and overcoming rotation resistance. For this purpose, various starter systems, mostly electric starters, are used. Ensuring the working process of the electric starter system (ESS) of automotive and tractor engines, particular laws relate parameters and indicators of a battery, a starter circuit and a starter with each other. This paper covers the study of the main structural parameter: internal resistance of the ESS components, which affects on selection of nominal parameters of a battery and a starter. AIM: Analysis of parameters and indicators of a battery and a starter in the conditions of low temperature engine start, having a significant influence of their internal resistance, ratio of which affects on weight, size and economic indicators of the main components of the electric starter system. METHODS: This study is a part of the whole methodology of design of electric starter systems of automotive and tractor internal combustion engines, based on the synthesis of fundamental laws of electromagnetic induction; the second Kirchhoff’s law and the scaling theory using the system of relative values. RESULTS: Considering the fact that expensive strategic materials, such as lead and copper, which resources are limited in the world, are used in manufacturing of batteries and starters, the right selection of their parameters during the design process allows minimizing weight, size and cost of the ESS components. For solving this problem, the graphical method of defining of resistance ratio between a battery and a starter in the ESS using the Gibbs triangle system, which is significantly easier and clearly evident for performing calculations, is proposed in the paper. CONCLUSION: The problem of analytical definition of main parameters of the electric starter system of automotive and tractor engines in the worldwide experience of automotive and tractor engineering is still unsolved due to absence of mathematical apparatus of recalculation of the starter parameters at the working point to the nominal conditions. The algorithm of solving this problem in the part of definition of main structural parameters, which are resistance of a battery and a starter at their combined operation in this system, to minimize lead and copper consumption during their manufacturing is given in this paper.
Model of the ripper tooth deepening based on the example of the motion of a straight stamp
BACKGROUND: The purpose of industrial loosening is to destroy a single ground layer and it is used on hard (frozen or rocky) grounds. The fundamental difference between industrial loosening and agricultural loosening is the presence of forced deepening. The process of deepening the ripper into the ground is very important, and largely determines the efficiency of operation of the entire unit. During the process of forced deepening, the ripper performs a combined motion in the horizontal and vertical directions. Currently, there is a lot of experimental data on the process of deepening the working tool, but there is no adequate mathematical model. AIM: Development of a mathematical model for deepening a ripper into the ground using the example of the motion of a straight stamp. METHODS: At the initial stage of deepening the stamp into the ground, a linear dependence between vertical deformation and force is assumed. The inverse problem of dynamics was solved in the paper. The equation for the motion path of a working tool in the ground was found based on the known vertical force and horizontal motion of the tractor. RESULTS: A mathematical model of the motion of a straight stamp under the vertical force during horizontal motion of the tractor has been developed. The two models describe the process of deepening a stamp in the ground. For the horizontal motion within the width of the stamp, the motion is described by a linear equation with separable variables. In case of the horizontal motion greater than the width of the stamp, the motion is described by a differential equation with a retarded argument. CONCLUSION: Dimensionless variables made it possible to reduce the equation of the working tool path to a single form, regardless of the size of the stamp and the type of ground. The developed mathematical model can be used as a basis for describing the process of deepening any working tool into the ground.
Calculation of normal tire stiffness for tractors and agricultural machinery based on the loaded wheel radius
BACKGROUND: To preserve the physical properties of soils, manufacturers of agricultural machinery use tools to reduce the pressure of the chassis supporting elements on the ground. One of them is reducing tire stiffness. The normal (radial) stiffness of a tire determines its ability to deform and the geometric parameters of the contact patch, which determine the pressure on the soil. The values of the normal tire stiffness during design modeling of the motion of tractors or agricultural machinery are calculated using existing universal experimental dependencies that are not specialized for tractors and agricultural machinery. AIM: Development of a method for calculating the normal tire stiffness for tractors and agricultural machinery based on the loaded wheel radius. METHODS: Calculations of the normal stiffness of the tires with a given free radius at normalized tire pressure and vertical load for tractors and agricultural machinery were carried out according to the new proposed method using the loaded radius. The used software products are Excel, MatLab, Curve Expert Professional. RESULTS: A method has been developed for calculating the normal (radial) stiffness of an agricultural tire of a given free radius at a given load and internal pressure, based on the use of the loaded wheel radius. Using the obtained method, the stiffness of 93 tires for tractors and agricultural machinery was calculated. The maximum error in calculating the stiffness of agricultural tires using the proposed method was 20% for radial and diagonal tires and the average error was 6% for radial tires and 10% for bias tires. CONCLUSION: A method for calculating the normal stiffness for agricultural tires using the loaded wheel radius has been developed and implemented. The method can be used in design modeling of the motion of a tractor or an agricultural machine.
Improvement of threshers for threshing and separation of grain legumes
BACKGROUND: Based on the analysis and systematization of scientific research and advanced experience in the field of development and application of machines and technologies, the emphasis is placed on solving the relevant problem — increasing the efficiency and quality of operation of threshing and separating devices (TSD) of stationary threshers and mobile combine harvesters for harvesting grain legumes and other crops, using innovative machines and technologies. Particular attention is paid to overcoming the problems associated with non-compliance with agrotechnical, economic and other requirements, as well as insufficient quality indicators demonstrated by serial models of machinery. The new mechanization system ensures more efficient production of crop products according to the calculated technical and economic indicators. AIM: Determination of optimal design solutions and technological parameters that ensure minimal grain losses and maximum productivity of grain legumes threshing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on an extensive array of scientific data and progressive experience in the field of development and application of machinery and technologies in crop production, in particular, in seed production, an attempt was made to study and identify existing problems, as well as to determine the strategy for improving the quality of products compared to current requirements. The key research tool is the analysis and systematization of existing achievements in the field of improving machine technologies in seed production. RESULTS: The analysis of the obtained data and arguments in favor of the conclusions made demonstrate that the most promising devices are threshing machines, the operating principle of which is based on a combination of the impact of the working bodies and grinding with the use of elastic elements, which allows minimizing mechanical damage to seeds during threshing and separation. That means to increasing the efficiency of grain separating for the intended purpose. CONCLUSION: This paper contains study and evaluation of the efficiency of threshing devices used in threshing machines designed specifically for harvesting including grain legumes. Various types of threshing machines, their design features and impact on the quality of threshing are considered. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of factors affecting grain damage during threshing, as well as ways to reduce this damage. The results of the study can be used to improve the design of threshing machines, grain legume combine harvesters and to increase the efficiency of harvesting.
Ensuring reliability of hydraulic systems of road construction machines
BACKGROUND: Modern construction and agricultural machines have a hydraulic system that controls the working equipment. The reliability and long service life of the hydraulic system determines the reliability of the entire machine as a whole. Main of reasons for the failure of hydraulic systems are contamination of the working fluid with wear products of the internal surfaces of hydraulic machines, external contaminants, and changes in the properties of the working fluid. The filters currently used cannot always clean the working fluid during machine operation. The degree of cleaning of the working fluid depends not only on the fineness of filtration, but also on the features of the circulation of the working fluid circulation. Currently, insufficient attention is paid to the design of hydraulic systems, in particular to the mutual arrangement of individual elements of hydraulic systems. AIM: Increasing the reliability of the hydraulic drive of construction and agricultural machines by assessing and preventing the possibility of forming incomplete circulation of the working fluid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study object is a hydraulic system in which a hydraulic cylinder is installed. To evaluate the circulation of the working fluid in the hydraulic lines of the hydraulic system during the operation of the hydraulic cylinder operation, a hydraulic cylinder with a piston diameter of 100 mm, high-pressure hoses with an internal diameter of 8 mm and a length of 0.7 m to 8 m were used. A filter was provided in the hydraulic system for cleaning the working fluid, which was installed on the drain line. The assessment was made using the calculation method. RESULTS: It was found that the quality of cleaning the working fluid of hydraulic systems when using hydraulic cylinders in them is affected by the ratio of the volumes in the piston and rod cavities to the volumes in the hydraulic lines that link these cavities with the distributor. It is proposed to use the distance coefficient to check the possibility of complete cleaning of the working fluid. Several technical solutions are proposed to eliminate the formation of zones in which complete circulation of the working fluid does not occur. CONCLUSION: The reliability of hydraulic systems of construction and agricultural machines can be increased by improving the circulation of the working fluid. To do this, when designing hydraulic systems, it is necessary to take into account in advance the features of the circulation of the working fluid from hydraulic motors to distributors.
Ensuring the operationality of connecting rod bearings of the KAMAZ–740 automotive diesel engines
BACKGROUND: Unacceptable shape changing of the liners, which have been studied quite fully with regard to influence of changing the geometric parameters on their technical condition, but the factors causing such a process are not fully described, is a special one among the causes of operational failures of connecting rod bearings of automotive diesel engines crankshafts. AIM: Improving the reliability of automotive engines by eliminating the shape changing of crankshaft connecting rod bearing liners in operation. METHODS: This paper summarizes the results of studies of the performance of connecting rod bearings of the KAMAZ–740.10 automotive diesel engines under bench test conditions using original methods. The results are obtained from ongoing exploratory research work using original proprietary methods using laboratory equipment of the manufacturer and test objects, modified and prepared to obtain data under standard and limiting conditions. Decrease in protrusion and straightening, which determine the stressed state of the liner in a bed, and deflection along the generatrix, which violates the cylindricity of the bearing and reduces the actual clearance in the bearing, acting simultaneously as a single process are the study object. RESULTS: The paper presents the results of comprehensive studies of factors contributing to the development of deformations of connecting rod bearings under the influence of a stressed state in a steel base, taking into account various temperature conditions and conditions for supplying oil to connecting rod bearings. It has been found that stresses in the steel base of the liners are formed during their manufacture, during stamping and pouring, to which the stresses from installation and temperature gradients in the bed during diesel operation are then summed up. The ongoing process of stress relaxation in the steel base when the stress is excessive causes the decrease in the performance of the liners. The liners change their initial stress state and geometric parameters (protrusion and straightening), and relaxation takes place within 180–200 running hours of engine operation at nominal mode, after which the intensity of the change approaches zero. Data on significant temperature gradients of the steel base of the liner in the bed were obtained: the temperature difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the liner can reach from 60 °C to 80 °C, and between the liner and the connecting rod – from 50 °C to 70 °C, which causes the formation of additional compressive stresses and associated shape changes of liners. Deformations lead to shape changes of the working surface and to a violation of the oil layer, as well as to direct contact of the liner with the neck due to deflection sampling, gripping of surfaces and turning of the inserts. CONCLUSION: The new results obtained on the process of decreasing the performance of connecting rod bearings due to shape changes make it possible to optimize the design and operational parameters of crankshaft bearings and lubrication systems of automotive diesel engines. Examples of innovative design solutions for connecting rod bearings with high resistance to deformation are given.
The results of studies on the durability and sustainability of the repair kit of the diesel engine fuel system in interaction with vegetable oils
BACKGROUND: Natural vegetable oil has long been considered as an alternative type of bioadditives to diesel fuel. Currently, little research has been conducted on the reliability of repair kits of fuel fine filter (FFF) in contact with natural vegetable oils. The paper discusses the study of the reliability of repair kits (rubber technical products) of a diesel engine FFF, which were aged for 6 months in commercial diesel fuel, rapeseed and soybean oils. AIM: Defining the durability and sustainability of the repair kit of the fine fuel filter of the YaMZ 236, 238, 240 diesel engines, which were aged for 6 months in commercial diesel fuel, rapeseed and soybean oils. METHODS: The application of the repair kit of a diesel engine FFF in commercial diesel fuel, rapeseed and soybean oils is considered. The necessity of conducting research on the durability and sustainability of repair kits in vegetable oils is justified. The obtained research results were studied, the elastic-strength properties of the repair kit of the fine fuel filter for the fuel system of the YaMZ 236, 238, 240 diesel engines aged for 6 months in vegetable oils (rapeseed, soybean oil) and diesel fuel were determined with the results of a new sample. The authors conducted research using the RKM 20.2 universal testing machine, verification certificate no. C-DUP/29-09-2023/283528415 dated 09/29/2023. The tests were conducted at JSC “NEW REGISTER” testing center, Elektrostal, Moscow region. RESULTS: The studies of the durability and sustainability of the repair kit (rubber technical products) of the FFF of the YaMZ 236, 238, 240 diesel engines fuel system have shown that the commercial diesel fuel impacts on the repair kit during six months and destroys it because of the additives contained in the commercial diesel fuel leading to oxidation and decrease in the service life of the repair kits [9, 10]. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study, this is explained by the fact that the commercial diesel fuel contains additives, which lead to the concurrent oxidation process of the FFF repair kit in the commercial diesel fuel and leads to a decrease in the service life of repair kits.
Influence of cutter tool wear on the efficiency of the road cutter
BACKGROUND: Road cutters are widely used for removing the top layers of asphalt concrete pavements. The cutting elements of a road cutter are subject to uneven wear. This kind of wear mostly develops in different ways on the entire set of cutting elements located along the entire width of the milling drum. AIM: Defining the cutting resistance forces that occur when milling asphalt concrete pavements with road cutters, taking into account different types of wear of cutting elements. The experimental data obtained make it possible to conduct a comparative analysis of the forces acting on worn cutting elements in comparison with a new cutting element. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The worn cutting elements selected for the study are divided into the following types: correct wear; excessive wear; uneven wear of the cutter body and the tip; deformation of the washer and the fixing sleeve. Experimental studies were conducted on samples of asphalt concrete pavement with a nominal mineral aggregate size of 16.0 mm. This material is widely used for roads with normal traffic conditions. Experimental studies were conducted with a pendulum bench. RESULTS: It is noted that improper wear of the cutting element can lead to an increase in cutting resistance forces by more than three times compared to the forces that arise on a new cutting element. The analysis made it possible to identify the most unfavorable types of wear of the cutting elements of road cutters. The data obtained will make it possible to predict changes in loads on the working body of road milling machines during operation. This, in turn, allows developing more advanced designs of road milling equipment. CONCLUSION: For the machines being developed, it becomes possible to provide the necessary safety margin for the elements of the milling drum and to justify the power reserve of its drive. The obtained data also make it possible to choose the replacement interval for cutting elements during the operation of milling equipment reasonably. These measures together will lead to an increase in the specific productivity of the equipment and will improve the quality of the milled surface. The achieved results also make it possible to make changes in the existing mathematical models and the calculation methods of milling machines, taking into account the wear factor of cutting elements.
Determination of tractive resistance of a wide-level chain harrow for soil mulching
BACKGROUND: One of the prerequisites for implementation of the mini-till and the no-till technologies is accumulation of mulch layer. Chain harrows show high efficiency in soil mulching, but the working bodies used on them are not fully capable of providing sufficient depth of cultivation, as well as crushing and mixing of crop residues with soil. Taking into account the high prospectivity of the mini-till and the no-till technologies, the research aimed at improving machines for soil mulching and chain harrows in particular is relevant. AIM: Development of the wide-level chain harrow and the working body ensuring intensification of soil mulching processes, theoretical and experimental evaluation of traction resistance of the machine. METHODS: Based on methods of agricultural mechanics, the research of traction resistance value of the harrow with the improved chain working body has been carried out. The laboratory-field experiment on estimation of traction resistance value of the wide-level chain harrow was carried out. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of drawbacks of the default working body of the V.I. Dvurechensky’s chain harrow, it was proposed to move the ripper tooth to the fixing plate located in the center of the link. This technical solution is designed to provide better burial of the teeth in the soil, as well as the intensity of shredding of plant residues. It is theoretically and experimentally found that the value of traction resistance of the improved chain working body depends on the weight and the main design parameters of ripper teeth: length, tooth sharpening angle and cross-sectional diameter. The conducted laboratory-field experiments helped to find that at changing the working velocity of the machine from 15 to 21 km/h, the value of traction resistance increases from 26.2 to 32.3 kN, respectively, with the value of tractor slip not more than 3.0%. Based on the analysis of the obtained values of traction resistance and agrotechnical indicators of operation, the reasonable velocity of the machine is determined and should be 18 km / h. CONCLUSION: The value of traction resistance of the chain harrow with the improved working organ has been experimentally determined, which allows recommending a tractor of a reasonable traction class. The efficient technological mode has been revealed.