Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The technical state of machines undergoes changes during their life cycle. The qualitative determination of the technical condition of components, assemblies and systems of engines requires not only the application of modern control methods that provide reliable results, but also the use of high-performance specialized diagnostic equipment for the timely detection of faults to increase the reliability and service life of machines.

The purpose of the study was to substantiate the architecture of an integrated system of vibroacoustic and thermal diagnostics, which would make it possible to assess the residual life of systems, assemblies and mechanisms of diesel engines in real time.

Methodology and research methods. The modern methods of collection and computer processing of signals from various types of sensors, as well as wavelet functions and digital image processing were used in the study.

Scientifi c novelty and results. Algorithms for calculating and processing the analytical ensemble (including scaleograms and histograms) of the data fl ow have been developed and used in an integrated system of complex diagnostics to identify defects in automotive engines and detect the moments of their origin.

Practical signifi cance. The proposed algorithms made it possible to diagnose malfunctions and calculate the residual resource of automotive engine units in real time, display the dynamics of signal changes on the display, process user requests and form a protocol for changing the diesel state picture during its operation.

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). Today, vegetable oils, in particular, rapeseed oil (RO) are widely used types of fuels for diesel engines. The main physicochemical properties of RO are somewhat similar to diesel fuel (DF). However, one can highlight a large fraction of the oxygen content in it, which affects the fuel combustion intensity in diesel cylinders. In this regard, the addition of rapeseed oil is very important to optimize the composition of mixed fuel (MF) for its use in diesel engines.

 The purpose of the study was optimizing the MF composition and obtaining experimental data of diesel engine effective performance by means of regression analysis.

Methodology and research methods. To optimize the MF composition studies were carried out to determine the relative fractions of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen in RO and MF, as well as bench tests of diesel fuel and MF with various RO additives operation, followed by the regression analysis of effective indicators.

Scientifi c novelty and results. The effective performance dependences of the diesel engine on the RO content in the MF have been determined. Basing on the obtained load characteristics of the diesel engine, it was concluded that an increase in the average effective pressure from 0.2 to 1.2 MPa, as well as in the share of RO in MF from 0 to 80%, would lead to an increase in the effective specifi c fuel consumption to 383–506 g/kW·h and the decrease in effective effi ciency by 14–28%. On the basis of the regression analysis the maximum values of the optimality criterion indicators D-optimum = 0.98–1.0 with the addition of RO to MF from 45 to 50% were determined.

Practical signifi cance. The value of the maximum permissible composition of MF, consisting of 50–55% of diesel fuel and 45–50% of RO and ensuring maximum compliance with the specifi ed conditions of optimality on the diesel engine under consideration has been obtained.

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). A promising direction for reducing a vehicle moving energy is the application of adaptive laws for controlling the power supplied to the propeller based on neural networks. To create a training array of the latter, a large set of experimental data is required, the collection of which, as a rule, is carried out by using research stands, such as the “Soil Channel”. But the fi eld studies require a lot of resources.

The purpose of the study was to create a wheel rolling mathematical model in the conditions of the stand, with the help of which it would be possible to organize the collection of needed statistical data on the wheel rolling modes by calculation them in an automatic mode.

Methodology and research methods. The paper describes the “Soil Channel” bench test, held by the Department of “Multipurpose tracked vehicles and mobile robots” of Bauman Moscow State Technical University. A list of the control and measuring systems components used in the process of its modernization in order to automate the collection of experimental data was considered. The “Soil Channel” stand mathematical model was presented which was based on the use of experimentally obtained dependences of the specifi c longitudinal thrust force on sliding and the specifi c longitudinal thrust force on the specifi c circumferential force.

Scientifi c novelty and results. The developed mathematical model has been verifi ed on the basis of the data obtained in the course of fi eld studies. Conclusions were made about the suitability of the developed mathematical model of wheel motion under the stand conditions for conducting virtual experiments.

Practical signifi cance. The data obtained by applying the developed mathematical model can be used to create a training array of a neural network to provide the implementation of adaptive laws for controlling the power supplied to the propeller.

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The development problems of sparsely populated and hard-to-reach regions of the Russian Federation, including the Arctic zone, are associated with the development of transport links. The use of vehicles with a combined chassis on an air cushion, which makes it possible to dramatically increase their cross-country ability, is justifi ed for such regions.

Purpose of the study. Manual operating the hovercraft landing gear is diffi cult. To create an automatic control system, it was proposed to use an electronically controlled hydraulic system. The aim of the study was to develop a control system for the hydraulic system characteristics and provide the vehicle optimal control.

Methodology and research methods. The hydraulic performance management strategy was to simultaneously explore and control the vehicle and was of a two-level structure. The fi rst level included a algorithm which set up the controller parameters for the known supporting surface properties. The second level included an adaptive algorithm to adjust the parameters of the hydraulic system to consider the unknown properties of the supporting surface of the moving vehicle.

Scientifi c novelty and results. The developed hydraulic system for the drive of the air cushion fans and the drive of the caterpillar propeller allowed to increase the height of overcoming irregularities while maintaining the values of vertical g-forces of the vehicle, and also to reduce power consumption by 10–20% when overcoming a typical range of irregularities.

Practical signifi cance. The results obtained have created a theoretical and practical foundation for a new generation of special-purpose vehicles, in particular, equipped with an air cushion chassis, which will allow the formation of an effective dynamics with the insuffi ciently defi ned number of environment impact parameters.

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The problem of environmental pollution has been especially acute in recent decades. Vehicle manufacturers are putting a lot of effort and money into developing alternative energy sources. One of these sources is the fuel cell.

The purpose of the study was a general analysis of the parameters of power units of passenger and freight vehicles that used fuel cells.

Methodology and research methods. Based on a virtual experiment a regression analysis to calculate the fuel cell required power was carried out depending on the load and conditions of vehicle movements.

Scientifi c novelty and results. Simulation modeling of various lithium-ion traction batteries as part of a combined power unit of a vehicle has been carried out. Simulation modeling was carried out in order to determine the energy balance of a combined power unit in the urban cycle, taking into account the variation in the parameters of the cycle load and energy consumption for the auxiliary systems of the electrobus.

The practical signifi cance of the analysis performed and the dependencies obtained lies in the fact that they can be used when selecting the power of fuel cells in the design of a large class passenger vehicle.

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). At present, there are no international standards for the passive safety of armored vehicles. This means that the developers themselves choose the conditions for conducting crash tests and the requirements for their results.

The purpose of the study was to conduct a brief expert analysis of the historical domestic experience in the fi eld of passive safety, as well as to analyze the applicability of the methods included in the requirements of the UN Regulation and Euro NCAP for the passive safety of the armored civil vehicles.

Methodology and research methods. The crash tests results of armored vehicles ZIS-110SO and ZiL-4105 were analyzed by experts. The analyses included the requirements of regulatory documents concerning the testing of vehicles for passive safety (UN Regulation, Euro NCAP).

Scientifi c novelty and results. It has been established that the armored vehicles ZIS-110SO and ZiL-4105 did not meet the UN Regulation No. 94. It was also found that not all of the UN Regulations and Euro NCAP standards could be applied to assess the passive safety of armored civil vehicles.

Practical signifi cance. In this work, load modes which could be taken as a test matrix basis for armored vehicles have been selected from the regulatory documents. In addition, the inexpediency of using some of the tests was substantiated.