The following paper describes research on the influence of hydraulic accumulator parameters on the efficiency of energy recovery for a simulation model of a wheel loader using the results of experimental research. A design solution for the energy recovery system for the loader attachment was presented, which allows for the recovery of the potential energy of the boom, bucket, and load. The presented simulation model was developed based on a real object. The necessary operating parameters were determined using experimental tests. The study used the co-simulation method of mechanical and hydraulic models in order to more accurately reflect the actual behavior of the research object. The validated simulation model was extended with the developed energy recovery module based on a hydraulic accumulator. The results of the conducted tests have indicated the influence of hydraulic accumulator parameters on the efficiency of energy recovery and potential directions for further research.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of spare parts is going to become more and more common. In the case of hydraulic solutions, there are also some applications of AM technology related to topological optimization, anti-cavitation improvements, etc. An examination of all available research results shows that authors are using specialized tools and machines to properly prepare AM spare parts. The main aim of this paper is to analyze the influence of quick repair of the damaged slipper-retainer from an axial piston pump by using an AM spare part. Hence, it was prepared with a 100-h test campaign of the AM spare part, which covers the time between damage and supply of the new pump. The material of the slipper-retainer has been identified and replaced by another material—available as a powder for AM, with similar properties as the original. The obtained spare part had been subjected to sandblasting only to simulate extremely rough conditions, directly after the AM process and an analysis of the influence of the high surface roughness of AM part on wear measurements. The whole test campaign has been divided into nine stages. After each stage, microscopic measurements of the pump parts’ surface roughness were made. To determine roughness with proper measurements, a microscopical investigation was conducted. The final results revealed that it is possible to replace parts in hydraulic pumps with the use of AM. The whole test campaign caused a significant increase in the surface roughness of the pump’s original parts, which was worked with the AM spare slipper-retainer: (1) from Ra = 0.54 µm to Ra = 3.84 µm in the case of two tested pistons; (2) from Ra = 0.33 µm to Ra = 1.98 µm in the case of the slipper-retainer. Despite significant increases in the surface roughness of the pump’s parts, the whole test campaign has been successfully finished without any damages to the other important parts of the whole hydraulic test rig.

Additive Manufacturing is going to become more and more common way of manufacturing. The numerous benefits like saving material and energy, lower cost of prototyping and optimization, opportunity of consolidate an assembly into a single part make Additive Manufacturing an area of interests to hydraulic manufacturers and researchers. This article presents typical usage of Additive Manufacturing in hydraulic systems, like manifolds, hydraulic components parts and actuators. (c) 2022 Agnieszka Klimek, Adam Bartnicki. Peer-review under responsibility of the Kaunas University of Technology, Panevezys Faculty of Technologies and Business.

The paper contains the results of the 100-hour test campaign of the Additive Manufactured (AM) spare part (retainer – slipper) dedicated for an exact axial piston pump. The material of the retainer-slipper has been identified by using energy dispersive spectroscopy and replaced by other – with similar material properties as the original one. The obtained spare part had been subjected to only one postprocessing type (sandblasting) to analyze the influence of the rough part after the AM process. The whole test campaign has been divided into stages, where after each stage microscopic measurements have been made. During microscopical investigation roughness and geometrical measurements were conducted. The results revealed that it is possible to replace parts in hydraulic pumps with the use of AM. 100-hour test campaign caused about 500% increase in the surface roughness of the pump’s original part which was cooperated with the AM spare retainer-slipper, without any damages to the test system.

The continuous development of drive systems of modern machines and devices results in an increase in the demand for qualified engineers in the operation and maintenance of these drives. The article presents a range of hydraulic, didactic workstations dedicated to practical education in the field of hydrostatic drive systems

This paper discusses the proposal of use of a hydraulic amplifier as a drive system's supporting element-for example, the drive of work equipment in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) is powered by electricity. Such a solution can provide very high forces on actuators of UGV (cutters, spreaders, hydraulic wrenches, and chisels) with relatively low electricity demand. The experimental tests of the amplifier in laboratory conditions for various power supply and load configurations of the amplifier are presented. The obtained test results allowed to estimate its usefulness in the solutions proposed above and to determine the further path of detailed research for selected electrical system solutions equipped with hydraulic amplifiers.

This paper aims at presenting selected high pressure hydraulic tools and machines and describing the ways of receiving high pressure in hydrostatic drive systems.

The article presents the problems associated with the commercialization of intellectual goods created at a university. It also shows the role of the centers for the technology transfer and the special purpose vehicles in the processes of direct and indirect commercialization. The publication indicates a basic barriers accompanying the commercialization processes, resulting both from the reality of the university's functioning and the expectations of entrepreneurs and investors.

In this article a remotely controlled laboratory station is presented. Didactic problem related to the lack of laboratory re-sources is described. The usage of mechatronic station for online education is proposed (its construction and technological process) and the safety function for the station is suggested in order to ensure safety. (c) 2018

The continuous development of drive systems of modern machines and devices results in an increase in the demand for qualified engineers in the operation and maintenance of these drives. The article presents a laboratory of hydronics for mobile robots` drives at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the Military of Technology and its educational activities for students and engineering staff.

This paper contains concepts of lightweight unmanned ground vehicle adapted to transport cargoes. It was assumed that platform should be able to moving in urbanized area. This type of area doesn't require developed low MMP indicators of the platform. It was assumed that the platform should be built from universally and commercial available elements. The drive system of the platform is the high efficiency hydrostatic drive system. The platform include active slip control which increasing the mobility on low adhesion coefficient areas. (C) 2016 A. Bartnicki, S. Konopka, T. Muszynski, K. Spadlo. Peer- review under responsibility of the Kaunas University of Technology, Panevezys Faculty of Technologies and Business

Neutralization hazardous materials still creates many problems. For this purpose is often used an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) engineer robot manipulator equipped with hydraulic drive system and intuitive control system. Application of intuitive control systems mainly improves the accuracy of performing tasks by copying and tracking the movements of the operator's hand. However, it wasn't found any information about influence of this kind of manipulator's structures on the effector's accuracy using intuitive control systems. Taking this into consideration the research of two kinematic structures of this manipulators (serial and serial-to-parallel) were performed. On their basis has been achieved an improvement in control accuracy for serial-to-parallel structure. The simulation studies included investigation of nonlinearities and dynamics of an electrohydraulic proportional valve as a hydraulic control element of manipulator hydraulic drive system.

More often Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) support or replace human in dangerous tasks performing. Usually this operations are realizing in hard conditions in rough terrain. UGVs effectively use determines its ability to obstacle negotiating, to reach high adhesion force, drawbar pull and extra longitudinal and lateral stability of UGV. Variety missions determining of use in UGVs reconfigurable and control suspension system. It is able to meet this requirement thanks to use hydropneumatic components in them suspension system. However currently it is very hard to developed characteristic of such a suspension systems. In literature there is no clear guidelines for suspension systems of teleoperated UGVs. This paper presents results of hydropneumatic suspension system research on heavy UGV.

The first idea to replace the human factor in danger zone with unmanned robotized vehicles that was defined and implemented at Military University of Technology has been presented in this article. The concept of implementation of components of the remote control system to transform the main battle tank T-72 into Unmanned Ground Vehicle to perform mine clearance tasks and cross-bedding the river has been described. Some results of research of the system have been presented.

One of the most important elements contributing to the success of battle operations is the manoeuvring of forces and equipment, which applies to both sub-divisions directly participating in hostilities and logistic sub-divisions securing all actions on the battlefield. Therefore, ensuring the negotiability of the terrain is becoming one of the key tasks that rest primarily on engineering sub-divisions. This issue should be considered in two aspects: firstly the introduction of a reliable system for determining the load bearing capacity of the ground surface will make it possible to lay out routes bypassing impassable sections, and secondly, when impassable sections are encountered, the equipping of engineering sub-divisions with appropriate equipment that will allow such sections to be negotiated. This problem is particularly important in the face of ongoing peacekeeping missions abroad, where there is no reliable information on the state of roads and wilderness areas, and the plotting of maps of the terrain in real time does not seem possible. In addition, the dynamics of the combat operations conducted may significantly change the previous state of an area's negotiability. This paper presents a selected method for assessing the load bearing capacity of ground surface and shows other methods used by armies throughout the world, also showing a solution involving a track way system for the purpose of ensuring the uninterrupted movement of vehicles on soft ground terrain.

Contemporary battlefield is more and more demanding environment after all for soldiers but also for their equipment and machines that assist them. Looking at the last Lessons Learned experience we can conclude that the most dangerous threats met during last asymmetric warfare were Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Therefore, the main focus is being done to equip UGVs with efficient engineering equipment that allows operating very quickly in very dangerous environment being exposed to health risks and loss of human life, within more and more sophisticated engineering support missions with special regard just to EOD/IED missions. The concept of such an engineering robot design is described in this paper. The EOD/IED mission support engineer robot, the attachments of the EOD/IED mission support engineer robot, removal of car bombs by means of the robot’s attachments, the EOD/IED mission support engineer robot’s ability to overcome terrain obstacles, the mission support engineer robot’s remote control panel are presented in the paper. Technological and Operational Problems Connected with UGV Application for Future Military Operations was held in Rzeszow, Poland on 20-22nd April 2015.

This paper presents analysis concerning the development of a propulsion system for a vehicle intended to transport biomass from wetland areas. The first section contains issues associated with the load-bearing capacity of the ground. Results of studies of the ground's load-bearing capacity in future work areas are presented. The next step shows the design of a caterpillar drive system and its impact on the ground. The final stage discusses the design of a hydrostatic transmission system.