Browsing by Author "Sany Izan Ihsan"

Comprehensive comparison on quarter-car, half-car and full-car models were conducted to analyze the effect of using semiactive control policies, namely skyhook, groundhook and hybrid controls, in improving ride quality of passenger vehicle. Sprung mass acceleration, suspension deflection and tire deflection responses were analyzed for measurements of ride quality, rattle-space and road holding. Three different analyses were conducted on each model; frequency-domain transfer function analysis, time-domain transient state and steady state analysis. Results shows that hybrid control policy gives significant improvements in most responses while at the same time it does not compromise road holding ability of vehicle. Further quantitative comparison of responses on all three models shows that quarter-car model is unable to accurately represent responses in full-car model. Half-car model gives reasonable representation of full-car model in some states. RMS analysis conducted on a H-car 2-DOF system shows good agreement to the previous work on Q-car 2-DOF. This book should benefit researchers working in the area of semiactive control of vehicle suspension system

Solar energy has become an increasingly important component in the global shift toward renewable energy. However, conventional solar energy systems that depend only on chemical batteries often face limitations such as high cost, energy degradation, and short operational lifespan, particularly in elevation-based applications. The objective was to design and optimize a hybrid energy storage system by integrating solar PV, battery, and gravity-based storage, and to evaluate its performance under real operating conditions. The goal was to optimize the design using a 50-Watt Solar PV, an 18Ah SLA Battery, and a Water Gravity Energy Storage Tank. The method included three steps and used five data loggers: a flow meter, a pyranometer, and three-watt meters. First, a fully charged SLA Battery was tested at various tank heights (from 1.5m to 3.5m) every 15 minutes. Then, the 50-Watt Solar PV was tested directly at a height of 3 meters. Lastly, the Solar Hybrid Gravity System with Battery Energy Storage was monitored over seven days at a 3-meter height. Energy use was measured through the SLA Battery, Solar PV, and a 22-Watt Water Pump at different tank heights to see improvements in efficiency and battery life. The results showed a 600% improvement in battery performance at 80% Depth of Discharge (DOD), proving the battery's potential as a reliable backup power source and extending its lifespan. The SLA Battery had a 22.1% energy loss during charging and discharging at 5% DOD, while the 22-Watt Water Pump achieved a flow rate of 11.0 L/min at peak solar irradiance of 900 W/m², with a maximum motor power of 24.32 Watts. A minimum of 300 W/m² solar irradiance was needed for the pump to run efficiently. In conclusion, the energy efficiency of the solar hybrid gravity system was optimized, reducing reliance on the battery and extending its lifespan, making it a sustainable solution for elevation applications. This system can be applied in water pumping, agricultural irrigation, and elevator systems in off-grid or rural areas, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy storage alternative.

Although flat plate solar collectors are widely used, the effects of multiple glazing layers and varying glazing thicknesses on their thermal performance remain poorly understood. This study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) through ANSYS Fluent to determine the optimal glazing configuration that maximizes solar energy absorption while minimizing heat loss. The analysis is conducted in two stages: first by varying the number of glazing layers, and then by adjusting glazing thickness, focusing on absorber plate temperature, top heat loss coefficient, and useful heat gain. The configurations studied for the number of glazing layers are 1, 2, 3 and 4 layers. The parameters such as the area of the collector, the gap spacing between the absorber, glazing and successive glazing, and the boundary condition of each components of collectors are maintained consistently throughout the study. The configuration with 2 glazing layers yields the highest temperature absorber plate, while having the second highest top heat loss coefficient and rate of useful heat gain among the configurations studied. The configuration with 2 glazing layers is selected for further study of glazing thickness. The configurations studied for glazing thickness are 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. The 4 mm glazing thickness for the two-glazing-layer solar collector configuration yields the highest absorber plate temperature, matching the temperature observed in the two-glazing-layer configuration from the glazing number study, as both used the same 4 mm glazing thickness. The configuration of collectors with double glazing with 4 mm glazing thickness can be considered the most balanced configuration that allows for efficient thermal performance, in term of solar radiation transmittance between glazing and heat retention within the air gap. This highlights the importance of a well-balanced configuration in the flat plate solar collector’s glazing, where a high absorber plate temperature can be achieved through trade-offs between thermal retention and energy output.