Design and Performance Analysis of the Hydropneumatic Suspension System for a Novel Road-Rail Vehicle

Abstract

Road-rail vehicles built on traditional vehicle chassis can only switch operation modes at particular areas such as level crossings, thus limiting the working scope and efficiency of routine railway inspection and maintenance. This paper proposes a novel tracked chassis for the road-rail vehicle with a multi-cylinder hydropneumatic suspension system, which can better adapt to rough terrains and enhance the vehicle ride performance. Based on this hydropneumatic suspension design, the single-cylinder mathematical model is derived and validated by experimental data. An in-plane multi-body dynamics (MBD) model and road model are established, combined with the hydropneumatic suspension model, including the LuGre friction force. Virtual tests are conducted to investigate the effects of different initial gas volumes, varied diameters and damping pipe lengths on the ride performance. The results indicate that improper damping pipe diameter and charge gas volume will deteriorate the ride performance, which provides a useful reference for the optimization design and control of the hydropneumatic system.

Hydropneumatic suspension testing of a wheeled armoured personnel carrier

“…Therefore, in many papers, its value is arbitrarily assumed as the most appropriate representation of the operation of the suspension. This value is usually in the range 1.3 -1.35 [2,5,14].…”

“…It should be noted that its value varies significantly with system pressure and load [1,11,13]. The Stribeck and LuGre models are most commonly used to describe friction in hydraulic cylinder seals [14,17].…”

The Evolution of Vehicle Pneumatic Vibration Isolation: A Systematic Review

“…Innovation Summary [113] Patent Vibration damper and pneumatic suspension system A self-actuating pneumatic vibration damper with an air spring and a defned air chamber [114] Patent Pneumatic self-leveling suspension damper A damper with a pumping chamber that expands and contracts in response to normal road undulations to infate the air chamber [115,116] Article Dynamic analysis of the hydropneumatic front axle suspension of agriculture tractor A tractor front axle hydropneumatic suspension with single-acting cylinders and automatic level control [117] Patent Combination of the chassis frame and pneumatic suspension for vehicles Te invention is a simplifed chassis frame incorporating essential parts of the pneumatic suspension in the forming process [118] Patent Pneumatic suspension Te design involves an articulated component located on the air-spring cover near the air-spring bellows, which allows pivotal displacement when under pressure and forms a second air-spring loop that extends substantially in a radial direction [119] Article Adaptive sliding mode control-based nonlinear disturbance observer for active suspension with pneumatic spring An adaptive sliding mode controller based on nonlinear disturbance observer (NDOB) for improved passenger comfort and safety [120] Patent Suspension control valve arrangement for a pneumatic suspension system of a commercial vehicle Te design includes supply and delivery ports, an exhaust port, a service valve arrangement, and an operation control mechanism for switching the service valve arrangement modes [121] Article Design and performance analysis of the hydropneumatic suspension system for a novel road-rail vehicle A multicylinder hydropneumatic suspension system, modeled based on in-plane multibody dynamic and road models, to adapt to rough terrains and enhance the vehicle ride performance [122] Article Modeling and characteristics of hybrid coupling hydropneumatic suspension for a seven-axle vehicle Te system includes a hybrid coupling scheme of parallel connection and contralateral cross-linking based on the characteristics of high centroid position and low rollover threshold on hydropneumatic suspension (HPS) for a seven-axle elevated platform vehicle of traditional and new air suspension systems to compare their performance in reducing negative impacts on the road surface [128]. Additionally, some studies developed models to evaluate the efects of suspension systems on road surface friendliness and to analyze and evaluate the performance of air suspension systems with semiactive fuzzy control [129,130].…”

Design and Optimization of Hydropneumatic Suspension Simulation Test Bench with Electro-Hydraulic Proportional Control

“…It has the functions of balancing load, generating damping vibration, and improving vehicle attitude [3][4][5]. Hydropneumatic suspension can meet a variety of driving conditions and improve vehicle ride comfort and handling stability; hence, has been widely used in heavy vehicles that operate under varied road conditions [6][7][8]. The performances of hydropneumatic suspension are generally tested by simulation using a test bench.…”