• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2016

A front-end loader (FEL) mounted on an agricultural tractor is one of the most commonly used implements to mechanize routine agricultural tasks. When the FEL is used with a loaded bucket, careful operation is required to maintain safety and avoid spillage when the tractor passes a bump because a change in the gravity center of the tractor due to varied loadings can affect the stability of the tractor. Use of a boom suspension system consisting of accumulators and orifice dampers can be instrumental in reducing pitching vibrations while increasing the handling performance of the FEL-mounted tractor. The objective of this research was to reduce bump shocks by adding an orifice and a flow control valve to the original hydraulic circuit composed solely of accumulators. A simulation study was performed using the SimulationX program to investigate the effects of an accumulator and an orifice-throttle damper on bump shocks. Results showed that the peak pressure on a boom cylinder and the vertical acceleration of a bucket were significantly affected by use of both an accumulator and an orifice damper. In a field test conducted with a 75-kW tractor, the peak pressure of the boom cylinder, and the root mean square (RMS) vertical acceleration of the bucket and seat were reduced by on average, 23.0, 42.2, and 44.9% respectively, as compared to those measured with the original accumulator system, showing that an improved design for the accumulator hydraulic circuit can reduce bump shocks. Further studies are needed to design a tractor suspension system that includes the effects of cabin suspension and tires as well as dynamic analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.260-266
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• 2009

Non-revenue water reduction(NRW) technologies are implemented to evaluate and manage leakages scientifically in water distribution systems under local governments. A development of quantitative leakage indicator by measuring minimum night flow, pressure control policy by installation of PRV(pressure reducing valve) and the establishment of leakage prevention schemes by residual life modeling of deteriorated water pipes are reviewed and studied. Estimation models of allowable leakage are developed by measuring and analyzing minimum night flow at residential and commercial area in Nonsan city, which is suggested from UK water industry and can improve an existing leakage indicator for the evaluation of non-revenue water. Also, pressure control method is applied and analyzed to Uti distribution area in Sacheon city in the operation aspect. As results, $466\;m^3/day$ of leakage can be reduced and it is expected that 113million won of annual cost can be saved. In the part of corrosion velocity and residual life assessment, non-linear prediction models of residual thickness are proposed by assessment of corrosion velocity based on exposure years, soil and water quality etc., since the deteriorated water pipe play a major role to increase leakage. It is expected that collection data and analyzing results can be applied effectively and positively to reduce non-revenue water by accumulating surveying data and verifying the results in the business field of water distribution systems under local governments.