Home

Institute video

Department

Officers & Staff

Innovation

International Relations

Placement

Research

Centers

CE&O

In Media

IInvenTiv2026

Faculty details

Prof.Ajit Kumar

Designation: Assistant Professor

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Email: ajit[at]iitism[dot]ac[dot]in

Contact Number: 9471192264

Office Number: +91-326-223-7707018493

Personal Page: Under Construction

About Me: With over thirteen years of academic and research experience, Prof. Kumar specializes in the operations, maintenance, and design of mining machinery, as well as fluid power systems. Before joining academia, Prof. Kumar gained hands-on industry experience as an Assistant Manager at the Milupara Underground Coal Mine, MIEL, Raigarh. During his tenure, he worked extensively with underground mining equipment such as mine pumps, haulage systems, and Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) machines. He played a pivotal role in the implementation of the Underground Man Riding System at the site, contributing to the planning and installation of sump areas, pump systems, and haulage track layouts. Prof. Kumar’s research is centered on developing energy-efficient solutions for off-road vehicles used in mining operations. One of his notable projects involves the use of a hydraulic accumulator as a Power Assist Unit (PAU) to optimize steering operations in LHD machines. His work has been supported by research grants from several prestigious agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST-CRG), Government of India; Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL); Coal India Limited (CIL); Ministry of Coal; and the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). He is the In-charge of the Power Hydraulics and Pneumatics Laboratory at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and actively engages in both academic instruction and research in the field of fluid power and control. He has also developed and launched an online SWAYAM-NPTEL course titled “Industrial Hydraulics and Automation,” aimed at enhancing learning and outreach in this domain. Prof. Kumar also serves as the Faculty In-Charge of Innovation and Skill Development under the Office of the Dean (IIE) and has held various administrative positions within the institute. Prof. Kumar has authored over 70 research papers published in reputed peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. His innovative work in fluid power technology has led to the securing of one design patent and three utility patents. In recognition of his significant contributions to both research and teaching, he has received numerous national and international awards.

Research Interest: Fluid Power Systems And Control, Machine Design, Construction Equipment Design & Selection, Mining Machinery: Design, Selection, and Maintenance

Curriculum
Vitae
Publications

Teaching

Teaching Engagements with International Students

  • Executive Training Program (Afghanistan):
    Conducted both theory and practical sessions during the Training Program on Maintenance of Mining Equipment for Afghan executives.

  • Undergraduate (B.E.) Afghan Students (2014–2015):

    • Delivered additional theory and practical classes beyond the regular curriculum.

    • Provided specialized academic support during regular semesters through targeted extra sessions.

Innovations in the Teaching-Learning Process

  • Organized specialized doubt-clearing classes for Afghan undergraduate students (2014–2015).

  • Incorporated case studies based on real industrial challenges into conventional classroom teaching.

  • Enhanced student confidence by encouraging short student presentations on classroom topics, especially aimed at supporting academically weaker students.

Courses Taught (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)

Theory Courses:

  • Engineering Mechanics

  • Engineering Graphics

  • Strength of Materials

  • Engineering Fluid Mechanics

  • Dynamics of Machines

  • Theory of Machines

  • Hydraulics & Pneumatics

  • Mining Machinery

  • Mineral Processing Equipment

  • Advanced Design of Machine Elements

  • Design of Fluid Power Systems

  • Mining Machinery Design

  • Underground Mining Equipment

  • Underground Loading and Transport Machines

Laboratory Courses:

  • Mining Machinery Lab

  • Fluid Mechanics Lab

  • Strength of Materials Lab

  • Dynamics of Machines Lab

  • Hydraulics & Pneumatics Lab

  • Fluid Power Systems Lab

Development of New Laboratory Experiments

Introduced new experiments for B.Tech and M.Tech students in Mining Machinery Engineering:

Mining Machinery Lab

  • Determination of screw conveyor capacity (VI B.Tech)

  • White metal socketing onto wire ropes (VI B.Tech)

  • Breaking strength analysis of steel wire ropes (II M.Tech)

Fluid Power Systems Lab

  • Design and analysis of a hydraulic system with accumulator (IV B.Tech & I M.Tech)

Laboratory Responsibilities

Lab In-Charge:

  • Power Hydraulics and Pneumatics Lab

  • Material Handling Lab

 

Academics

PhD (Mechanical Engineering)

  

2020

Dissertation Title: Performance Analysis of Articulated Hydraulic Steering System and Cable Reeling Drum Drive of Underground Mining Equipment Using Accumulator.

Research Objective: The primary aim of this research was to conduct a comprehensive performance and dynamic behaviour analysis of the steering hydraulic system and the Cable Reel Drum (CRD) drive mechanism of an LHD machine. The following key research objectives were accomplished:

  • Analyzed the performance behaviour of the Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS) system used in LHD machines and developed its load-dependent dynamic model.
  • Investigated the dynamic response of an open-loop hydraulic motor drive used for the CRD mechanism, incorporating a Priority Flow Divider (PFD) valve.
  • Developed energy-efficient speed control methodologies for the CRD drive by integrating a dedicated prime mover, aiming to reduce energy losses and improve drive efficiency.
  • Compared the dynamic performance of the CRD drive under constant and variable load conditions, employing two different speed control strategies.
  • Studied the impact of accumulator decay characteristics on critical response parameters within the hydraulic systems to assess system performance over time.
  • Constructed time-domain mathematical models and simulation frameworks for both hydraulic systems using the MATLAB/Simulink® environment.
  • Designed and implemented a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation system using LabVIEW to control and validate test rig operations in real-time conditions.
  • Explored the theoretical and practical feasibility of an integrated HPS and CRD drive system for its potential implementation in LHD machines, considering system reliability, efficiency, and operational compatibility.
     

M. Tech (Mining Machinery Engineering)

  

2012

Dissertation Title: Performance Analysis of a Hydraulic System Using Accumulator.

Research Objective: The primary objective of this research was to design and develop an energy-efficient hydraulic system by leveraging the functionality of a hydraulic accumulator. The specific goals achieved during the course of the thesis work include:

  • Optimized the sizing of the hydraulic accumulator to effectively reduce pressure and speed fluctuations in the system.
  • Analyzed key performance parameters influencing system dynamics, including the amplitude of pressure waves, speed variation of the hydraulic motor, and the influence of the spacing between multiple hydraulic accumulators.
  • Investigated the correlation between pressure wave pulsations and critical design/configuration parameters of the hydraulic system.
  • Developed a detailed dynamic simulation model using the Method of Characteristics, and simulated system performance through DSH (Dynamic Simulation of Hydraulics) software.
     

B. Tech (Mechanical Engineering)

  

2010

Dissertation Title: Study of Hydro Power Plant and Construction of Working Model

Research Objective: Designed and developed a functional working model of a Hydro Power Plant, capable of generating 3 volts of electrical output, with the turbine operating at a speed of 250–300 RPM.

Position

Awards and Honors

  1. Awarded Young Faculty Award 2020 for outstanding contribution to the field of teaching & research by Centre for Education Growth and Research (CEGR) during the Jharkhand Education Summit held on 22.10.2020.
  2. Awarded I2OR-Bright Researcher Award 2018 by The International Institute of Organized Research for remarkable contribution in the field of fluid power technology & control and design of machine elements.
  3. Awarded IEI Jharkhand Engineering Excellence Awards (Teaching & Research Area) by Jharkhand State Centre of The Institution of Engineers (India) on 10.11.2018 during the 58th AGM of IEI, JSC.
  4. Awarded Er. M. P. Baya National Award – 2018 by The Institution of Engineers (India), Udaipur Local Centre for the year 2018 for outstanding contribution to Technology Advancement in the field of Mechanical Engineering. The award was given on 15.09.2018 at the premises of the Institution of Engineers (India), Udaipur Local Centre.
  5. Awarded Young Researcher-Republic Day Achievers’ Award 2017 hosted by IIR Group on 18.01.2018 at LICET Auditorium, Chennai. The award was given by the Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University of Science & Technology. The award recognizes his outstanding best practices and contributions in the field of education and research.
  6. Awarded Best Research Paper Award (Engineers’ Day Awards – 2017) for the year 2017 for the papers published in the last two years in peer-reviewed journals by the Jharkhand State Centre of The Institution of Engineers (India). The award was given on 15.09.2017 at Engineer Bhawan, Ranchi, at the 50th Engineers’ Day Celebration.

Publications

Projects & Activities

Guidance

Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved || Designed & Developed by - WEBSTEP TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED