PhD supervision
Interested in supervising students studying;
- Efficient fluid power systems, including digital switching valves
- Aircraft and automotive hydraulic systems
- Fluid-borne noise in hydraulic systems: measurement, analysis, active control
- Hydraulic component and system dynamic modelling
- Unsteady laminar and turbulent flow in pipes and hoses
Dr Nigel Johnston
BSc PhD
Profile
Nigel Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. He specialises in the areas of fluid-borne noise measurement and reduction in hydraulic fluid power systems, active noise control, numerical modelling of hydraulic components, unsteady turbulent flow, pipeline and hose dynamics.
Nigel Johnston studied the measurement and prediction of pressure ripple in hydraulic systems for his PhD. This work has since been used as the basis for an ISO Standard for the measurement of pump pressure ripple characteristics. He was appointed Lecturer in 1990 and Senior Lecturer in 2003.
He has supervised 13 PhD students to completion.
He regularly teaches on industrial fluid power courses in the UK, Europe and USA. He is Organiser and joint Editor for the Bath/ASME International Fluid Power and Motion Control Symposium.
Research
Nigel Johnston has over 25 years’ experience in hydraulic fluid power research and teaching. He obtained his PhD for research into fluid-borne noise characteristics of hydraulic systems. This work has since been used as the basis for an ISO Standard for the measurement of pump pressure ripple characteristics.
He has also been involved in research into: active noise control, cavitation, numerical modelling of fluid power components, unsteady turbulent flow, pipeline and hose dynamics, pump condition monitoring, vehicle steering dynamics and aircraft fuel systems. He has published about 70 refereed journal and conference papers and has collaborated with several companies including Delphi Steering Systems, General Motors, Airbus, John Deere, Sun Hydraulics, Parker Hannifin and BMW.
He is currently leading a large research project looking into efficient fluid power systems, funded by EPSRC with industrial collaboration. In most hydraulic fluid power systems, valves are used to throttle the flow and reduce the hydraulic pressure. This is a simple but extremely inefficient method as the excess energy is lost as heat, and it is common for more than 50% of the input power to be wasted in this way. Novel methods are being investigated for increasing the efficiency of hydraulic systems whilst maintaining performance, cost-effectiveness, reliability and low noise. The potential for improvement is huge. Reducing power consumption will contribute to the UK Government's commitment to cutting carbon dioxide emissions. However there are significant challenges.
Teaching units
- Modelling Techniques II
- Mechanical Vibrations and Noise
- Fluid Power
Publications
Book/s
Johnston, D. N. and Plummer, A., eds., 2008. Fluid Power and Motion Control (FPMC 2008). Bath, UK: Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control.
Johnston, D. N. and Plummer, A., eds., 2007. Power Transmission and Motion Control (PTMC 2007). Bath, UK: Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 2006. Power Transmission and Motion Control (PTMC 2006). Bath, UK: Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control.
Johnston, D. N., Burrows, C. R. and Edge, K. A., 2005. Power Transmission and Motion Control (PTMC 2005). John Wiley & Sons.
Burrows, C. R., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 2004. Power Transmission and Motion Control (PTMC 2004). London and Bury St Edmunds: Professional Engineering Publishing Ltd.
Book Sections
Johnston, N., 2011. Noise and vibration of fluid power systems. In: Totten, G. and De Negri, V., eds. Handbook of Hydraulic Fluid Technology.2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press.
Johnston, D. N., 2007. Hydraulic system noise prediction and control. In: Handbook of Noise and Vibration Control. USA: Wiley, pp. 946-955.
Articles
Pan, M., Johnston, N. and Hillis, A., 2013. Forthcoming. Active control of pressure pulsation in a switched inertance hydraulic system. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering
Johnston, N., 2012. The transmission line method for modelling laminar flow of liquid in pipelines. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 226 (5), pp. 586-597.
Johnston, D. N., 2011. Numerical modelling of unsteady turbulent flow in tubes, including the effects of roughness and large changes in Reynolds number. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 225 (8), pp. 1874-1885.
Johnston, D. N., 2011. Numerical modelling of unsteady turbulent flow in smooth-walled pipes. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 225 (7), pp. 1601-1615.
Branson, D. T., Wang, F. C., Johnston, D. N., Tilley, D. G., Bowen, C. R. and Keogh, P. S., 2011. Piezoelectrically actuated hydraulic valve design for high bandwidth and flow performance. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 225 (3), pp. 345-359.
Branson, D., Johnston, D. N., Tilley, D., Bowen, C. and Keogh, P., 2010. Piezoelectric Actuation in a High Bandwidth Valve. Ferroelectrics, 408 (1), pp. 32-40.
Johnston, D. N., Cone, K. M. and Way, T., 2010. Measured dynamic properties of flexible hoses. Journal of Vibration and Acoustics-Transactions of the Asme, 132 (2), 021011.
Bullock, A. K., Tilley, D. G., Johnston, D. N., Bowen, C. R. and Keogh, P. S., 2009. Non-linear friction in reciprocating hydraulic rod seals: Simulation and measurement. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 181 (1), 012009.
Pfeffer, P. E., Harrer, M. and Johnston, D. N., 2008. Interaction of vehicle and steering system regarding on-centre handling. Vehicle System Dynamics, 46 (5), pp. 413-428.
Johnston, D. N., 2006. Efficient methods for numerical modelling of laminar friction in fluid lines. Journal of Dynamic Systems Measurement and Control - Transactions of the ASME, 128 (4), pp. 829-834.
Johnston, D. N., 2006. A Time-Domain Model of Axial Wave Propagation in Liquid-Filled Flexible Hoses. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 220 (7), pp. 517-530.
Johnston, D. N., 2006. Prediction of fluid inertance in nonuniform passageways. Journal of Fluids Engineering - Transactions of the ASME, 128 (2), pp. 266-275.
Johnston, D. N., Edge, K. A. and Brunelli, M., 2002. Impedance and stability characteristics of a relief valve. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 216 (5), pp. 371-382.
Drew, J. E., Longmore, D. K. and Johnston, D. N., 1998. Theoretical analysis of pressure and flow ripple in flexible hoses containing tuners. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 212 (I6), pp. 405-422.
Drew, J. E., Longmore, D. K. and Johnston, D. N., 1997. Measurement of the longitudinal transmission characteristics of fluid-filled hoses. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 211 (3), pp. 219-228.
Taylor, S. E. M., Johnston, D. N. and Longmore, D. K., 1997. Modelling of transient flow in hydraulic pipelines. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 211 (6), pp. 447-456.
Johnston, D. N. and Drew, J. E., 1996. Measurement of positive displacement pump flow ripple and impedance. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 210 (1), pp. 65-74.
Stone, C. R., Leonard, H. J., Elliott, C., Newman, M. J., Charlton, S. J. and Johnston, D. N., 1996. Design and performance of a variable valve timing system on a highly turbocharged diesel engine - Experimental and predicted results. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 210 (3), p. 249.
Lau, K. K., Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1995. Impedance characteristics of hydraulic orifices. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 209, pp. 241-253.
Dickinson, A., Edge, K. and Johnston, D. N., 1993. Measurement and prediction of power steering vane pump fluidborne noise. SAE Transactions - Journal of Passenger Cars, 102 (6), pp. 1753-1761.
Sanada, K., Richards, C. W., Longmore, D. K. and Johnston, D. N., 1993. A finite Element Model of Hydraulic Pipelines Using an Optimized Interlacing Grid System. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 207 (I), pp. 213-222.
Vaughan, N. D., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1992. Numerical simulation of fluid flow in poppet valves. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 206, pp. 119-127.
Johnston, D. N., Edge, K. A. and Vaughan, N. D., 1991. Experimental investigation of the flow and force characteristics of hydraulic poppet and disc valves. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers , Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, 205, pp. 161-171.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1991. In-situ-measurement of the wavespeed and bulk modulus in hydraulic lines. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 205, pp. 191-197.
Johnston, D. N., 1991. Numerical Modelling of Reciprocating Pumps with Self Acting Valves. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 205, pp. 87-96.
Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1991. The impedance characteristics of fluid power components: relief valves and accumulators. Procedures of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 205, pp. 11-12.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1991. The impedance characteristics of fluid power components: restrictor and flow control. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 205, pp. 3-10.
Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1990. The secondary source method for the measurement of pump pressure ripple characteristics. Part 1 - description of method. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 204, pp. 33-40.
Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1990. The secondary source method for the measurement of pump pressure ripple characteristics. Part 2 - experimental results. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 204, pp. 41-46.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1989. Simulation of the pressure ripple characteristics of hydraulic circuits. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 203, pp. 119-127.
Conference or Workshop Items
Sell, N., Johnston, N. and Plummer, A., 2013. Control of a fast switching valve for digital hydraulics. In: Scandinavian International Conference on Fluid Power 2013, 2013-06-03 - 2013-06-05, Linköping.
Johnston, N., Kudzma, S., Plummer, A., Sell, N., Hillis, A. and Pan, M., 2012. A high flow fast switching valve for digital hydraulic systems. In: The Fifth Workshop on Digital Fluid Power, 2012-10-24 - 2012-10-25, Tampere.
Pan, M., Johnston, N. and Hillis, A., 2012. Active control of pressure pulsation in a switched inertance hydraulic system using a rectangular-wave reference signal. In: Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control, 2012-09-12 - 2012-09-14, Bath.
Henderson, J.-P., Plummer, A. and Johnston, N., 2012. Hybrid active-passive electro-hydrostatic vibration isolation for rotorcraft. In: Recent Advances in Aerospace Actuation Systems and Components, 2012-06-13 - 2012-06-14, Toulouse.
Wang, P., Kudzma, S., Johnston, N., Plummer, A. and Hillis, A., 2011. The Influence of Wave Effects on Digital Switching Valve Performance. In: The Fourth Workshop on Digital Fluid Power, 2011-09-21 - 2011-09-22, Linz.
Faulkner, J., Johnston, N. and Weber, S., 2011. Computer Modeling of a Pressure Relief Cartridge Valve. In: International Fluid Power Exposition, 2011-03-21 - 2011-03-25, Las Vegas.
Johnston, D. N. and Todd, C., 2010. Condition Monitoring of Aircraft Fuel Pumps using Pressure Ripple Measurements. In: Fluid Power and Motion Control, 2010-09-15 - 2010-09-17, Bath.
Zanetti Rocha, L., Johnston, D. N. and Gerges, S. N. Y., 2010. Flow ripple reduction in power steering hydraulic pumps. In: Fluid Power and Motion Control 2010, 2010-09-15 - 2010-09-17, Bath.
Johnston, D. N. and Pan, M., 2010. Use of Pipeline Wave Propagation Model for Measuring Unsteady Flowrate. In: Fluid Power and Motion Control, 2010-09-15 - 2010-09-17, Bath.
Johnston, D. N., 2010. A switched inertance device for efficient control of pressure and flow. In: Bath/ASME Conference of Fluid Power and Motion Control, 2009-10-12 - 2009-10-14, Hollywood, CA.
Wang, L. and Johnston, D. N., 2009. Narrow-band fluid borne noise attenuation using time-domain online control algorithms in a simple hydraulic system. In: 7th International Conference on Fluid Power Transmission and Control (ICFP 2009), 2009-04-07 - 2009-04-10, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou.
Wang, L. and Johnston, D. N., 2008. Adaptive attenuation of narrow band fluid borne noise in a simple hydraulic system. In: Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control 2008, 2008-09-10, Bath.
Yang, M., Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 2008. Condition monitoring and fault diagnosis for vane pumps using flow ripple measurement. In: Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control 2008, 2008-09-10, Bath.
Ouyang, X., Tilley, D., Keogh, P., Yang, H., Johnston, D. N., Bowen, C. and Hopkins, P., 2008. Piezoelectric actuators for screw-in cartridge valves. In: 2008 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, 2008-07-02 - 2008-07-05, Xi'an.
Branson, D. T., Wang, F. C., Johnston, D. N., Tilley, D. G., Bowen, C. R. and Keogh, P. S., 2008. Modeling for a High-Bandwidth High-Flow Valve Design Based on Horbiger Plate Operation. In: ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, 2008-01-01, Jacksonville, FL.
Ouyang, X., Yang, H., Jiang, H. and Johnston, D. N., 2008. Simulation of Piezoelectric high-speed digital valves. In: Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control 2008, 2008-09-10, Bath.
Johnston, D. N., 2007. Measurement of wave propagation characteristics of flexible hoses. In: ASME International Congress and Exposition, 2007-11-01, Seattle.
Pfeffer, P. E., Harrer, M. and Johnston, D. N., 2006. Modelling of a Hydraulic Steering System. In: FISITA, 2006-01-01, FISITA.
Boyd, L. J., Andrew, R. P., Collett, A. P. S., Johnston, D. N., Tilley, D. G. and Edge, K. A., 2006. Prediction of hydraulic inertance using acoustic measurements and CFD modelling. In: IMECE 2006, 2006-01-01, Chicago, Illinois.
Harrer, M., Pfeffer, P. E. and Johnston, D. N., 2006. Steering Feel - Objective Assessment of Passenger Cars - Analysis of Steering Feel and Vehicle Handling.
Soumelidis, M., Johnston, D. N., Edge, K. A. and Tilley, D. G., 2005. A Comparative Study of Modelling Techniques for Laminar Flow Transients in Hydraulic Pipelines. In: JFPS, 2005-01-01.
Pfeffer, P. E., Johnston, D. N. and Harrer, M., 2005. Energy consumption of electro-hydraulic power steering systems. In: SAE Congress, 2005-01-01, Detroit.
Johnston, D. N., 2004. Efficient methods for numerical modeling of laminar friction in fluid lines. In: ASME International Congress and Expo, 2004-11-01, Anaheim.
Burrows, C. R., Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 2004. Bath Workshop on Power Transmission and Motion Control, PTMC 2004. In: Bath Workshop on Power Transmission and Motion Control, 2004-01-01, Bath.
Brunelli, M., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 2003. Impedance characteristics of cartridge relief valve. In: 8th Scandinavian International Conference, 2003-01-01, Tampere.
Johnston, D. N., 2002. Prediction of hydraulic inductance. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 2006-11-05 - 2006-11-10, Chicago, IL..
Weber, S. T., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 2002. Mathematical modelling of a load control valve. In: 3 Iternationales Fluidtechnisches Kolloquium 2002, 2002-03-05 - 2002-03-06, Aachen.
Weber, S. T., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 2001. Flow visualisation of a load control valve. In: 7th Scandinavian International Conference on Fluid Power, 2001-05-30 - 2001-06-01, Linköping.
Weber, S. T., Johnston, D. N., Edge, K. A. and Burrows, C. R., 2000. Recent research into cartridge style hydraulic valves. In: PTMC 2000, 2000-01-01, Bath.
Johnston, D. N., 1999. Generation and transmission of fluid-borne noise. In: IMechE Seminar on Environmental Impact of Fluid Power Systems, 1999-01-01, London.
Jones, B. L., Johnston, D. N. and Longmore, D. K., 1998. Simulation of Suction Flow Ripple in Power Steering Pumps. In: SAE International Off-Highway Congress and Exposition, 1998-09-14 - 1998-09-16, Milwaukee.
Taylor, S. E. M., Johnston, D. N. and Longmore, D. K., 1997. Experimental validation of pipeline models for laminar and turbulent transient flow. In: International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 1997-11-01, Dallas, TX.
Longmore, D. K., Johnston, D. N. and Drew, J. E., 1997. Measurement of the dynamic properties of hose walls required for modelling fluid-borne noise. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 2006-11-05 - 2006-11-10, Chicago, IL..
Jones, B. L., Johnston, D. N. and Longmore, D. K., 1997. Sources of noise in power steering systems. In: IMechE seminar on Land Transport Hydraulics, 1997-01-01, Bath.
Drew, J. E., Longmore, D. K. and Johnston, D. N., 1995. The Systematic Design Of Low Noise Power Steering Systems. In: 4th Scandinavian Fluid Power Conference, 1995-01-01, Tampere.
Johnston, D. N. and Longmore, D. K., 1994. Rating of pump fluid-borne noise. In: ASME International Congress & Exposition, 1994-11-01, Chicago.
Lau, K. K., Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1994. Measurement of the transfer matrix characteristics of hydraulic filters and silencers. In: Bath International Fluid Power Workshop, 1994-09-01.
Drew, J. E., Longmore, D. K. and Johnston, D. N., 1994. The noise characteristics of power steering systems. In: Vehicle NVH and Refinement, Birmingham, 1994-05-01, Birmingham.
Johnston, D. N., Longmore, D. K. and Drew, J. E., 1994. A technique for the measurement of the transfer matrix characteristics of two-port hydraulic components. In: ASME International Congress & Exposition, 1994-11-01, Chicago.
Lau, K. K., Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1994. Fluid borne noise characteristics of hydraulic filters and silencers. In: Innovations in Fluid Power: 7th Bath International Fluid Power Workshop., 1994-01-01, Bath, UK..
Mathieson, M. F., Charlton, S. J., Johnston, D. N., Horrocks, R. and Watts, M., 1993. A hydraulic tappet with variable timing properties. In: SAE International Congress & Exposition, 1993-01-01, Detroit.
Johnston, D. N., Edge, K. A., Vaughan, N. D. and Raggett, M., 1993. Experimental and computational study of pumping dynamics and valve operation in a reciprocating pump. In: ASME WAM, 1993-01-01, New Orleans, LA.
Sanada, K., Richards, C. W., Longmore, D. K., Johnston, D. N. and Burrows, C. R., 1993. Practical requirements for modelling the dynamics of hydraulic pipelines. In: 2nd JHPS International Symposium on Fluid Power, 1993-09-01, Japan.
Vaughan, N. D., Johnston, D. N. and Burnell, L. R., 1992. The use of computational fluid dynamics in hydraulic valve design. In: Bath International Fluid Power Workshop, 1994-09-01.
Charlton, S. J., Johnston, D. N., Pennington, G. J., Murden, B. F. and Reeves, D., 1991. A hydraulic cam follower with variable timing properties. In: IMechE Seminar on Variable Geometry Engines, 1991-06-01, London.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1991. A test method for measurement of pump fluid-borne noise characteristics. In: International Off-Highway and Powerplant Congress and Exposition, 1991-09-09 - 1991-09-12, Milwaukee, WI.
Vaughan, N. D., Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1991. Numerical-Simulation of Fluid-Flow in Poppet Valves. In: Eurotech Direct 91 : Thermofluids Engineering, 1991-01-01, Birmingham.
Johnston, D. N. and Edge, K. A., 1991. Test method for measurement of pump fluid-borne noise characteristics. In: Off-highway Powerplant Congress and Exposition, 1991-01-01, Milwaukee, WI.
Darling, J., Tilley, D. G., Johnston, D. N. and Mu, C., 1991. The use of acoustic emission for condition monitoring in high pressure hydraulic pumps. In: Eurotech 91, 1991-01-01.
Edge, K. A. and Johnston, D. N., 1986. New Method for Evaluating the Fluid Borne Noise Characteristics of Positive Displacement Pumps. In: 7th International Fluid Power Symposium, 1986-01-01, Bath, Engl.
