This paper presents Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as an optimization tool in tuning Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller's gain of a multi-joints Lower Limb Exoskeleton (LLE) for gait rehabilitation. The interest in wearable post-stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation devices such as LLE has been increasing due to the demand for assistive technologies for paralyze patients and to meet the concerns in the increasing number of ageing society. The dynamic of three degree of freedom LLE was determined using Euler-Lagrange equation, and PID parameters were initially tuned using the Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) method. The paper compares different ANN-based algorithms in tuning PID controller's gain for LLE applications. The method compared and evaluated with other methods and dynamic systems in the literature. ANN-based algorithms, Gradient Descent, Levenberg-Marquardt, and Scaled Conjugate Gradient, are utilized for PID tuning of each joint in the LLE model. The result shows faster convergence and improves step response characteristics for each controlled joint model. The overshoot values found to be 0.3126%, 0.6335%, and 0.2619% compared to the ZN method with 10.5582%, 15.1643%, and 11.8511% for hip, knee, and ankle joints, respectively. It can be ascertained that the PID controlled of LLE has been optimally tuned significantly by different ANN methods, which reduced its steady-state errors.

This paper presents the evaluation of frequency-based approach predicted spring using acceleration signals that were collected from various road conditions. Random loadings in the forms of acceleration are nominal and more flexible for vehicle components fatigue assessment. In this analysis, the strain time history of the spring and acceleration signals of the suspension strut was measured from three different road conditions. The acceleration signals were then transformed into power spectra density (PSD). PSD cycle counter, like Lalanne, Dirlik, and narrow band approach, was applied to obtain equivalent load cycles. The stress response was obtained through having the equivalent load cycles with a spring modal frequency response function (FRF) and different stress criterion, like absolute maximum principal and critical plane approaches. Then, the stress response was used to predict the spring fatigue life using stress-life (S-N) approach. The results revealed that the harshest road condition was the rural road where the spring with fatigue life of 4.47 × 10⁷ blocks to failure was obtained. The strain predicted fatigue life was used to validate the frequency-based predictions using a conservative approach. It was found that the Dirlik approach has shown the closest results to the strain life approach, which suggested that the Dirlik approach could be used for spring fatigue life prediction with the acceptable accuracy.

The suspension system is a key element in motor vehicles. Advancements in electronics and microprocessor technology have led to the realization of mechatronic suspensions. Since its introduction in some production motorcars in the 1980s, it has remained an area which sees active research and development, and this will likely continue for many years to come. With the aim of identifying current trends and future focus areas, this paper presents a review on the state-of-the-art of mechatronic suspensions. First, some commonly used classifications of mechatronic suspensions are presented. This is followed by a discussion on some of the actuating mechanisms used to provide control action. A survey is then reported on the many types of control approaches, including look-ahead preview, predictive, fuzzy logic, proportional-integral-derivative (PID), optimal, robust, adaptive, robust adaptive, and switching control. In conclusion, hydraulic actuators are most commonly used, but they impose high power requirements, limiting practical realizations of active suspensions. Electromagnetic actuators are seen to hold the promise of lower power requirements, and rigorous research and development should be conducted to make them commercially usable. Current focus on control methods that are robust to suspension parameter variations also seems to produce limited performance improvements, and future control approaches should be adaptive to the changeable driving conditions.

In order to investigate a potential use of concentrating solar power technologies and select an optimum site for these technologies, it is necessary to obtain information on the geographical distribution of monthly average daily solar irradiation over an area of interest. In this study, three different models (Paltridge, Daneshyar, and modified Daneshyar) for the estimation of solar irradiation were discussed, and it turns out that the best result belongs to modified daneshyar method. This modification was necessary in order to accommodate tropical climate condition. The modifications are made by the inclusion of altitude, monthly total number of cloudy days, and variation of Sun-Earth distance. Data were analyzed for one year starting from January till December 2009. The annual average daily solar radiation for Peninsular Malaysia, during one year, has been between 13.67 MJ·m−2·day−1 and 17.18 MJ·m−2·day−1. The highest solar irradiation was estimated as 19.28 MJ·m−2·day−1 in the month of January, while the lowest was 10.53 MJ·m−2·day−1 recorded in November. The northern region has the highest potential for solar energy application due to its high solar irradiation throughout the year.

This paper presents the evaluation of the automobile coil-spring strain-displacement relationship for strain signals generation and fatigue life predictions. The development of a strain and spring vertical displacement relationship is significant because measuring vehicle wheel displacements and forces are complex and costly. Hence, there is a need to estimate the strain data using alternative measurement, such as vibration signals. In this analysis, strain and acceleration data were collected from a vehicle that has travelled on different road conditions. Through the material elastic strain energy and spring potential energy relationship, a coil-spring parameterise strain-displacement relationship has been developed and evaluated using a scatter band and correlation approach. Using this proposed model, the strain time histories were obtained based on acceleration data. For fatigue life analysis, most of the predicted fatigue life was distributed in the acceptable range using the scatter band approach where the data correlated at coefficient of determination value (R²) of 0.8788. With a suitable correlation value, this analysis proposed an alternative strain generation method for suspension coil spring fatigue life prediction, which could significantly shorten the spring development time.

The electromagnetic braking using eddy current was studied, focused on two series of aluminium as the brake disc which are A16061 and A17075. This paper presents the comparison for both series in a few varied parameters related to eddy current braking such as air-gap, number of turns and brake disc thickness. Optical tachometer has been used along with PULSE analyzer to capture the speed (rpm) and time (s). The findings shows that the smaller the air-gap, the larger of electromagnet turns and the thicker disc thickness is, will generate higher braking torque to stop the rotational motion of disc brake and give great performance for eddy current braking. Thos parameters that been evaluated also addressed a potential on expanding this knowledge to develop an electromagnetic braking system to replace the conventional braking system.