35
6.
Develop a concept for an intelligent, self-lubricating surface that would sense
when lubricant is needed and then secrete lubricant when necessary.
when lubricant is needed and then secrete lubricant when necessary.
No specific approach was identified, but the concept probably would require
embedded sensors and possibly MEMS-type pumps. Durability, reliability and
cost are obvious challenges.
embedded sensors and possibly MEMS-type pumps. Durability, reliability and
cost are obvious challenges.
7.
Develop more cost-effective methods for producing low-friction, wear-
resistant surfaces that would be practical for gears, bearings, and railroad
wheels and rails.
resistant surfaces that would be practical for gears, bearings, and railroad
wheels and rails.
A variety of approaches might be considered, including coatings, ion
implantation, laser glazing, and laser peening.
implantation, laser glazing, and laser peening.
8.
Develop a lubrication system that is compatible with engines made of light-
weight materials. The system must prevent or minimize wear, scuffing,
distortion, noise, and vibration, and should be free of sulfur and phosphorus.
weight materials. The system must prevent or minimize wear, scuffing,
distortion, noise, and vibration, and should be free of sulfur and phosphorus.
Current oil additive packages are designed for ferrous materials, and they contain
sulfur and phosphorus, which poison catalysts.
sulfur and phosphorus, which poison catalysts.
Three alternative approaches could be considered:
a.
Develop an oil additive package that is free of sulfur and phosphorus and is
compatible with lightweight materials.
compatible with lightweight materials.
b.
Develop new lightweight materials that are compatible with current lubricants.
c.
Develop an inexpensive means of modifying the surfaces of the light-weight
materials that would either eliminate the need for liquid lubrication or be
compatible with current and future lubricants.
materials that would either eliminate the need for liquid lubrication or be
compatible with current and future lubricants.
9.
Develop, for a Class 8 truck, a braking system that will last for 1 million
miles with little or no maintenance, be environmentally benign, and be
lighter than gray iron. The system must be able to stop a fully loaded truck
weighing about 80,000 lb quickly and controllably. Brake temperatures may
reach 600 to 700
miles with little or no maintenance, be environmentally benign, and be
lighter than gray iron. The system must be able to stop a fully loaded truck
weighing about 80,000 lb quickly and controllably. Brake temperatures may
reach 600 to 700
0
C.
Increasing engine power and the concomitant increase in cargo weight, along with
methods to reduce aerodynamic drag and engine drag, have greatly increased the
demands on braking systems. Current designs depend on significant amount
aerodynamic drag to help slow the truck. Currently available dry-brake materials
have reached their limit in terms of dissipating the tremendous amounts of kinetic
energy as heat without suffering excessive wear.
methods to reduce aerodynamic drag and engine drag, have greatly increased the
demands on braking systems. Current designs depend on significant amount
aerodynamic drag to help slow the truck. Currently available dry-brake materials
have reached their limit in terms of dissipating the tremendous amounts of kinetic
energy as heat without suffering excessive wear.
Three alternative approaches should be considered: