Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering - Volume 18, Issue 3, 2025

Machine learning (ML) methodologies have demonstrated efficacy in the determination of erosion rates and material removal. In this context, a novel Erosion Prediction Gaussian Process Regression Algorithm (EPGPRA) was developed to predict the volumetric erosion in thermal spray coatings.

In this patent, a novel EPGPRA based model was developed to predict the volumetric loss of 30Al2O3 and 20Cr2O3 reinforced Ni-based coatings deposited using a high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) process.

The objective of this patent is to develop a GPR model for the prediction of Ni-30Al2O3 and Ni-20Cr2O3 coatings.

Spraying powders were applied to the SS316L steel substrate in order to develop coatings. An erosion tester was used in order to investigate the wear resistance of HVOF-coated steel. The gathered experimental dataset is put to use in the construction of a powerful GPR model. The outcomes from GPR model were then measured against the values obtained from the experiments. To demonstrate the accuracy of the GPR model, the produced model is evaluated against various cutting-edge machine learning methods.

This innovation was successful in terms of developing a new GPR model for wear prediction. The discrepancy between the actual and expected values is the smallest for Matern 5/2 (M5/2) GPR in the validation set. It was also lesser as compared to Ensemble Boosted Trees, Support Vector Machine, Linear regression, and Fine Tree. In terms of MSE, MAE, RMSE, and R² the accuracy performance of the M5/2 GPR model was determined to be 9.8565×10^-5, 0.0048884, 0.009928, and 0.93 correspondingly. Ni-Chromia coating performed better than the Ni-Alumina.

As per this patent, a novel EPGPRA-based model was developed, which is the better machine learning technique for wear prediction of Ni-based HVOF coatings.

The aim of this study was to fabricate epoxy resin-based hybrid composites reinforced with biodegradable Millettia pinnata leaf powder in conjunction with glass sheets, boron nitride, and alumina for the production of printed circuit boards.

For this application, various thermal, physical, and electrical tests were conducted by the authors. The thermal test results showed that the alumina-based epoxy hybrid composite has more thermal stability than the neat epoxy. Moreover, upon adding BN/Alumina, the flame retarding properties of the epoxy hybrid composites improved. We also observed that with the increase in the content of BN and alumina, the thermal conductivity of the hybrid composite was enhanced. From the water absorption tests, the hybrid composite with 6 g BN showed the least amount of water consumption. Particularly, adding BN and leaf powder from 2 to 6 g gave better results for the decrease in water absorption, as compared to adding alumina in the epoxy-based hybrid composite.

Lastly, from the electric tests, we observed that with the increase in frequencies, the dielectric constant of the hybrid composite decreases. At a lower frequency range, the hybrid composite having 2 g of BN and Millettia pinnata leaf powder shows the lowest dielectric constant, whereas, at a higher frequency range, 2 g of alumina and Millettia pinnata leaf powder shows the lowest dielectric constant.

We predict that the results reported in this investigation will aid in accelerating the engineering applications of epoxy resin-based hybrid composite materials and help patent the material compositions for specific purposes.

During severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing, aluminum alloys exhibit moderate strength and ductility. Nevertheless, the materials' ductility, as determined by tensile testing, does not accurately represent their capacity for plastic deformation. After the tensile test, its material, aluminum alloy 5083, was observed to be super ductile.

The results of a more thorough plasticity analysis—applied for the first time to material following SPD processing—are presented in this paper. The aluminum alloy 5083 is examined in the patent both before and after equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). A highly effective aluminum alloy 5083 specimen preparation was suggested. Under heated temperatures, the process involves severe plastic deformation. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for micro-structural research in order to look at the distribution of second-phase particles and the evolution of grain structure. Furthermore, Vickers micro-hardness testing was utilized to assess the mechanical characteristics of the alloy after processing. The outcomes showed that after ECAP processing, there was a significant decrease in grain size and an increase in micro-hardness.

Additionally, the production of a finer microstructure with a more uniform distribution of strengthening precipitates was clarified by electron microscopy (SEM). The micro-structural evolution and mechanical behavior of aluminum alloy 5083 under ECAP are well-explained in this patent, which may lead to improved performance in structural applications. This method can be used to forecast fractures in plastic deformation processes and estimate the final plasticity of the materials for various stress-strain states after ECAP processing, as well as the mechanical properties discussed.

Due to its unique mechanical qualities, aluminum alloy 5083 shows great potential in a variety of structural applications. The effects of Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) on the hardness and microstructure of aluminum alloy 5083 were examined in this patent work.

This patent paper examines the mechanical and wear properties of aluminium-based cast composites, an exciting category of materials with many different uses. The study aspires to understand more about the effectiveness of these composites under various conditions and weights.

This patent investigation aims to identify the microstructural constituents that influence resistance to wear and mechanical strength. The outcomes will provide fascinating knowledge regarding possible applications of these composites in the field, notably manufacturing, aeroplanes, and shipping, whereby lightweight materials with superior strength and resistance to wear are extensively demanded. Whenever utilized, these reinforcements act like bearing structures that prevent cracks. Aluminium lacks the characteristics needed for a wide range of engineering applications.

As a result, it is critical to produce aluminium-based alloys with all of the combinational circuitry properties required to meet our relevant requirements. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) anatomical assessments of aluminium, silicon carbide, and iron. The current inquiry examines the implications of the particle stages on the microhardness, elastic modulus, and mechanical and wear features of aluminium as the base material and silicon carbide as a reinforcement material for composites. The sample’s microhardness and modulus of elasticity improve from 64 to 70 and 688 MPa to 719 MPa, correspondingly, when the weight percentage of silicon carbide (micro %15 and nano % 1, 2, 3, 4).

The various test results are examined in this investigation and made available for correlation with one another. The mechanical features and resistance to wear of aluminium matrix composites manufactured using several methods have been explored.

Artificial intelligence techniques are able to predict the erosion in various coatings. In recent times, the erosion of the coating was successfully predicted using artificial neural networks (ANN).

This patent aims to present the critical findings in the area of spray coatings used for the protection of hydroturbines. This critical review explores the surface erosion of numerous hydroturbine materials and coatings. Moreover, it covers the evolution of coating techniques used in different industries such as hydropower plants and materials handling industry.

The objective of this patent is to present the critical finding in the field of erosion wear in coatings utilizing an artificial neural networks (ANN) technique.

The effect of influencing factors on silt erosion was assessed. However, the evolution of various coating processes was explored comprehensively. Furthermore, the properties of various coatings, namely WC, Cr2C3, and Ni/Co coatings, were reported. A number of comparative analyses were carried out that can help in the selection of coatings on the basis of their mechanical as well as chemical properties. The applications of ANN in the spray industry were explained extensively.

The results show that the HVOF coating is the most widely used deposition method. HVOF is an appropriate technique for both ceramics and pure metals. Ceramics, as well as cermet, are deposited to enhance the wear and tear resistance of hydroturbine materials. As a result, the HVOF, laser cladding, D-Gun, and plasma spray technique are optimal in these circumstances. Coatings based on WC have been employed by several researchers to increase stainless steels' resistance to erosion and wear.

With the application of appropriate models and ML methods, it is expected that coatings with specific desired properties can be manufactured with fewer experiments. There is no surprise that WC-10Co-4Cr finds widespread usage in a variety of industrial contexts. Ni- and Co-based coatings show promise for use in tribological settings. Stellite is suggested by several researchers for high-erosion duty conditions in hydroturbines. Co-based coatings are more erosion resistant as compared to No-based coatings. Coatings formulated with chromium (Cr) are resistant to erosion and wear in harsh mining environments.

This paper highlights the representative patents related to the application of maskless electrochemical micromachining (EMM) using microtextured tools and developed cells under electrolysis conditions for the generation of high-quality complex patterns, i.e., cascade micropattern on stainless steel.

To acquire high accuracy level, the workpiece and tools are fixtured properly in the developed microtextured cell, and a developed vertical cross-flow system is utilized for the generation of a precise cascade micropattern. An electrochemical microtextured cell is designed and developed inexpensively for the fabrication of high-quality complex micropatterns. The eco-friendly combined electrolyte of NaNO3 and NaCl is employed for precise micro texturing.

The consequence of predominant input factors, i.e., IEG, voltage, and flow rate, are explored on machining rate, precision, depth, and surface finish during complex micro-texturing using developed microtextured cells. The complex microtextured tool is fixtured in tool holding device in a developed microtextured cell and fabricates nineteen precise complex micropatterns.

An effort has been made to find suitable input factors for the generation of precise complex micropatterns.

The fuel injector is one of the most essential parts in marine diesel engines. For MAN B&W two-stroke engines, the conventional fuel injector, due to the existence of sac volume, can result in problems such as increased emission and fuel consumption and shortened service life of combustion chamber components.

The MAN B&W marine engine slide-type fuel injector is a structural retrofit of conventional injectors, improving diesel engine combustion conditions, fuel efficiency, and emission reduction in hydrocarbon, NOx, smoke, and particulate matter by eliminating sac volume with patented technology.

This study employed a comparative analysis approach to evaluate the performance of conventional fuel injectors versus slide-type fuel injectors in MAN B&W two-stroke engines. Data collection involved practical experiences, onboard operations, and analysis of fuel efficiency, emission reduction, and combustion improvement. The structural differences and operational advantages of both injector types were examined to assess the environmental benefits and economic implications of adopting slide fuel injectors. Recommendations for the gradual replacement of conventional injectors with slide-type injectors were based on empirical data and industry best practices.

Slide fuel injectors obtain a reduction of about 75% of the HC emissions at all loads. The slide fuel injector significantly decreases the smoke emission level at low engine load, at 25% load. A reduction in PM of up to 50% has been confirmed, and slide fuel injectors can reduce NOx emission by approximately 15% on average.

Slide fuel injectors, with a granted patent, are commonly used in marine low-speed engines due to their advantages.

A hybrid power generating system, which is mostly meant for its reliable performance to meet the current energy demand, is a renowned renewable energy patent. To overcome issues like the inability to handle the blackout problem, avoidance of renewable factors, and frequency instability of the power grid, a Hybrid Power Generation System (HPGS) utilizing biomass and wind is proposed in this paper.

With the combination of controllers as well as inverters and blackout controllers, this work aims to maximize power with minimum cost. The DC-DC converter controlled by Renyi’s Quadratic Entropy-Based Neuro Proportional-Integral-Derivative (RQEB-NPID) and the inverter under the control of the Volt/VAR controller are utilized as a major contribution.

This, in turn reduces the frequency instability problem. Moreover, the renewable factor is considered for reducing the cost of energy using the Pythagorean Fuzzy-based Equilibrium Optimizer (PF-EO)-based inverter. Next, by utilizing the Attention-based Rectified Linear Unit-activated Artificial Neural Network (ARELU-ANN) controller, the blackout problem that interrupts the power supply to the load is eliminated with the highest accuracy of 7.69%.

The proposed ARELU-ANN attained the highest specificity and precision of 9.80% and 6.17%, respectively. Lastly, a comparative analysis is performed, which demonstrates that the proposed solution is optimum for supplying maximum energy at the least cost.

In response to the challenge of autonomous localization and navigation for mobile disinfection robots in unknown environments during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the existing patent technology of mobile robots, a localization and navigation approach combining the Cartographer-Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm, an improved A* algorithm, and the Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) has been proposed, enabling effective disinfection and prevention work.

First, a comprehensive analysis of two laser SLAM algorithm frameworks, Gmapping-SLAM and Cartographer-SLAM, was conducted, which determined the Cartographer algorithm as the optimal SLAM algorithm for the mobile disinfection robot due to its superior performance. Second, an improved A* algorithm was developed based on its principles and integrated with the DWA algorithm for optimal path planning.

Simulation and prototype experiments demonstrated that the proposed approach effectively solved the autonomous localization and navigation challenges faced by mobile disinfection robots in unknown environments, enabling successful disinfection and prevention tasks.

The proposed approach has the potential to lead to new patent applications in this field.

Wire electrical discharge machining (W-EDM) has proven to be an appropriate choice for machining hard-to-cut materials for obtaining difficult and complex geometries with excellent surface characteristics. This study contributes to the development of a patent related to W-EDM advancements.

The present work investigates the effect of different wires, viz. copper, brass, and Nb-coated brass, along with the investigations of W-EDM input factors, viz. pulse-on-duration (Ton), pulse-off-duration (Toff), and current on material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR). Taguchi’s L9 design has been employed to perform the trials.

The maximum MRR of 31.03 mm³/min has been obtained for Nb-coated brass as compared to copper and brass. SR was observed to be least using the brass with a value of 3.19 µm. However, the optimum SR value obtained using a Nb-coated brass was 4.87 µm. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for various wire materials revealed the machined surface topography.

The surface machined with Nb-coated wire shows fewer microcracks, pores, and globule sizes. As per this study, the current work can significantly benefit commercial applications.