Hybrid vehicle assessment. Phase 1: Petroleum savings analysis

The results of a comprehensive analysis of near term electric hybrid vehicles are presented, with emphasis on their potential to save significant amounts of petroleum on a national scale in the 1990s. Performance requirements and expected annual usage patterns of these vehicles are first modeled. The projected U.S. fleet composition is estimated, and conceptual hybrid vehicle designs are conceived and analyzed for petroleum use when driven in the expected annual patterns. These petroleum consumption estimates are then compared to similar estimates for projected 1990 conventional vehicles having the same performance and driven in the same patterns. Results are presented in the form of three utility functions and comparisons of sevral conceptual designs are made. The Hybrid Vehicle (HV) design and assessment techniques are discussed and a general method is explained for selecting the optimum energy management strategy for any vehicle mission battery combination. Conclusions and recommendations are presented, and development recommendations are identified

Tribological And Dynamical Study Of An Automotive Transmission System

The transmission system is critical for automotive and heavy duty equipment due to its prominent role in the powertrain system, which is often challenged with degraded torque capacity and harsh dynamic response. Simulation-guided design can provide appropriate guidelines to resolve these problems with virtual analyses. In current study, the tribological and dynamical study of an automatic transmission is performed at two levels: a wet clutch and powertrain. In this dissertation, tribological study is performed for a wet clutch based on the thermohydrodynamic (THD) analysis that takes the following factors into account. • The groove effect (depth, area, and pattern) is investigated for lubrication analysis; • The elastic-plastic asperity contact model is used to predict the contact pressure; • The heat transfer during the entire cycle of engagement from slip to lock to detachment is covered; • The engagement time and the temperature profile are predicted for torque and thermal analysis. With large engagement cycles, the friction lining of a wet clutch is worn off due to the material degradation at high load/temperature condition. By relating the wear behavior with the mechanism of thermal degradation and thermomechanical degradation, a physics-based wear model is proposed for the first time to analyze the wear process in a wet clutch. The predicted wear rate falls within nearly 95% confidence interval of the test results. Discrepancies of simulation are primarily due to limited availability of input data and model assumptions. Therefore, an uncertainty quantification analysis of the wear model is performed using the Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, a comprehensive parametric analysis of the clutch wear is considered with various factors, including groove design (waffle pattern shows the minimum wear), material properties and operational configurations (rotational speed plays the most influential role). The dynamics of transmission directly affects the performance of the powertrain. The coupling effects of the key transmission components are examined. Of particular interests are the stick-slip behavior of the wet clutch and backlash of the gear train. Through simulation of the powertrain, the main source and the pattern of vibration propagation in the driveline are examined. Major vibration is observed during inappropriate clutch engagement

Hazards Analysis and Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) of Four Concept Vehicle Propulsion Systems

The primary objective of this research effort is to identify failure modes and hazards associated with the concept vehicles and to perform functional hazard analyses (FHA) and failure modes and effects criticality analyses (FMECA) for each. Boeing also created a Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) for each of the concept vehicles, as the FTA contains the connectivity between systems and is an accepted, top-down method to analyze the safety of an air-vehicle. Conceptual design of notional powertrain configuration for each of four (4) NASA RVLT (Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology) Concept Vehicles were developed in as much detail as was necessary to support the reliability and safety analysis for this project. Functional block diagrams from each of the conceptual powertrain configurations were created and used to order the FHA, FMECA, and FTA. Hazards were identified and the severity of each were categorized in the FHA for use in a follow-up FMECA. The FTA took inputs from the FMECA and the functional block diagrams to develop the connectivity and develop a quantitative architecture that could be used to perform sensitivity studies, as related to vehicle safety.Guidelines for reliability targets for both the air vehicle and the operation in the UAM (Urban Air Mobility) mission are discussed. An industry literature search was performed in order to assess gaps in existing government regulations and industry specifications. The industry literature search led to air-vehicle and operational reliability discussions, as related to Distributed Electric/Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (DE/HEP) system operating in the UAM role. A discussion of results and recommendations for future work is also provided

A comprehensive study of key Electric Vehicle (EV) components, technologies, challenges, impacts, and future direction of development

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EV), including Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), are becoming more commonplace in the transportation sector in recent times. As the present trend suggests, this mode of transport is likely to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the near future. Each of the main EV components has a number of technologies that are currently in use or can become prominent in the future. EVs can cause significant impacts on the environment, power system, and other related sectors. The present power system could face huge instabilities with enough EV penetration, but with proper management and coordination, EVs can be turned into a major contributor to the successful implementation of the smart grid concept. There are possibilities of immense environmental benefits as well, as the EVs can extensively reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation sector. However, there are some major obstacles for EVs to overcome before totally replacing ICE vehicles. This paper is focused on reviewing all the useful data available on EV configurations, battery energy sources, electrical machines, charging techniques, optimization techniques, impacts, trends, and possible directions of future developments. Its objective is to provide an overall picture of the current EV technology and ways of future development to assist in future researches in this sector

Friction Characteristic Prediction within a Carbon-Carbon Race Clutch

Clutches are devices for disengaging the connection between the driveshafts and power units, and hence transferring rotational energy. Two inertias travelling with different angular velocities are brought to the same speed by engaging the clutch. The dissipation of energy during the operation results in a rise in temperature. When considering the parameters which contribute to the effectiveness of clutches, the properties of carbon fibre reinforced carbon (known as carbon-carbon) composites are considered to be superior to any other candidate materials available. The cost of devices made from such materials has precluded their use in “everyday” applications and limited them to “high end” motor sport use such as Formula 1. This work considers the frictional properties of carbon-carbon composites in race clutch applications when combined with launch control systems, and how by improving the modelling of the co-efficient of friction of the material would lead to improved race starts. The work investigates the causes of frictional instability and how to promote more consistent coefficient of friction values through both bedding analysis and mathematical modelling. Physical testing was undertaken using a clutch dynamometer to explore the effects of temperature, input speed and clamp loads upon the friction coefficient. Using infra-red sensors, a novel method was developed for the direct measurement of surface temperature of the plates. Banding of the clutches was also investigated. Materials testing was undertaken on the carbon-carbon clutch material to characterise its properties for thermal expansion, emissivity, specific heat and thermal conduction and this was novel in its contribution to the access of this data to the wider research community. The influence of carbon structure, physical, thermal, mechanical and chemical properties, as well as friction films, on the performance of carbon-carbon friction materials were modelled using MATLAB®. This was novel in the incorporation of surface behaviours into the full model. This model was then used to replicate clutch dynamometer data and predict coefficient of friction values. Results gave good predictions, with small errors in comparison with experimental data

Conceptual design study of an improved gas turbine powertrain

The conceptual design for an improved gas turbine (IGT) powertrain and vehicle was investigated. Cycle parameters, rotor systems, and component technology were reviewed and a dual rotor gas turbine concept was selected and optimized for best vehicle fuel economy. The engine had a two stage centrifugal compressor with a design pressure ratio of 5.28, two axial turbine stages with advanced high temperature alloy integral wheels, variable power turbine nozzle for turbine temperature and output torque control, catalytic combustor, and annular ceramic recuperator. The engine was rated at 54.81 kW, using water injection on hot days to maintain vehicle acceleration. The estimated vehicle fuel economy was 11.9 km/l in the combined driving cycle, 43 percent over the 1976 compact automobile. The estimated IGT production vehicle selling price was 10 percent over the comparable piston engine vehicle, but the improved fuel economy and reduced maintenance and repair resulted in a 9 percent reduction in life cycle cost

New trends in electrical vehicle powertrains

The electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle play a fundamental role in the forthcoming new paradigms of mobility and energy models. The electrification of the transport sector would lead to advantages in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but would also be a great opportunity for the introduction of renewable sources in the electricity sector. The chapters in this book show a diversity of current and new developments in the electrification of the transport sector seen from the electric vehicle point of view: first, the related technologies with design, control and supervision, second, the powertrain electric motor efficiency and reliability and, third, the deployment issues regarding renewable sources integration and charging facilities. This is precisely the purpose of this book, that is, to contribute to the literature about current research and development activities related to new trends in electric vehicle power trains.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

New advances in vehicular technology and automotive engineering

An automobile was seen as a simple accessory of luxury in the early years of the past century. Therefore, it was an expensive asset which none of the common citizen could afford. It was necessary to pass a long period and waiting for Henry Ford to establish the first plants with the series fabrication. This new industrial paradigm makes easy to the common American to acquire an automobile, either for running away or for working purposes. Since that date, the automotive research grown exponentially to the levels observed in the actuality. Now, the automobiles are indispensable goods; saying with other words, the automobile is a first necessity article in a wide number of aspects of living: for workers to allow them to move from their homes into their workplaces, for transportation of students, for allowing the domestic women in their home tasks, for ambulances to carry people with decease to the hospitals, for transportation of materials, and so on, the list don’t ends. The new goal pursued by the automotive industry is to provide electric vehicles at low cost and with high reliability. This commitment is justified by the oil’s peak extraction on 50s of this century and also by the necessity to reduce the emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere, as well as to reduce the needs of this even more valuable natural resource. In order to achieve this task and to improve the regular cars based on oil, the automotive industry is even more concerned on doing applied research on technology and on fundamental research of new materials. The most important idea to retain from the previous introduction is to clarify the minds of the potential readers for the direct and indirect penetration of the vehicles and the vehicular industry in the today’s life. In this sequence of ideas, this book tries not only to fill a gap by presenting fresh subjects related to the vehicular technology and to the automotive engineering but to provide guidelines for future research. This book account with valuable contributions from worldwide experts of automotive’s field. The amount and type of contributions were judiciously selected to cover a broad range of research. The reader can found the most recent and cutting-edge sources of information divided in four major groups: electronics (power, communications, optics, batteries, alternators and sensors), mechanics (suspension control, torque converters, deformation analysis, structural monitoring), materials (nanotechnology, nanocomposites, lubrificants, biodegradable, composites, structural monitoring) and manufacturing (supply chains). We are sure that you will enjoy this book and will profit with the technical and scientific contents. To finish, we are thankful to all of those who contributed to this book and who made it possible.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Visual performance maps for expanded human choice based on duty/demand cycles in hybrid vehicle’s Multi-speed hub Drive Wheels

The Multi-speed hub Drive Wheel (MDW) for four-independent drive wheels of future electric vehicles has recently been designed by the Robotics Research Group at the University of Texas at Austin. The MDW is equipped with four distinct speeds (two electrical and two mechanical) with the aim of improving efficiency and enhancing the drivability features of the vehicle, such as acceleration and braking on the driver’s command. The MDW will have different unsprung weights in the wheels depending on a range of suggested rated power levels such as 16, 20, 24, 32, up to a maximum of 40 hp, which would then become basic choices for the customer. The overall objective of the research is to analytically develop a framework for maximizing human vehicle choice by means of visualizing human performance needs/requirements so that customer demands can be met at the time of purchase for an open architecture hybrid electric vehicle which would then be assembled on demand. In addition, based on the customer’s individual duty/demand cycle, a vehicle can then be tailored to meet the particular customer priorities such as cost and efficiency, or on the other end of the spectrum, one who is an aggressive driver. This leads to expanded human choice for future electric vehicles. To meet human needs, the appropriate MDW will be software customized to suit the customer’s demand cycle. Satisfying human needs implies responding directly to human commands / objectives over the life history of the vehicle. The decision framework developed in this study is based on detailed human needs structured by performance maps to visually guide the customer in terms of purchase / operation / maintenance / refreshment decisions. This framework augments the MDW design procedure to maximize operational efficiency and drivability for unique customer requirements. The customer-oriented duty cycle analysis based on an individual’s measured demand cycle is proposed to structure the MDW specification in terms of ten purchase criteria. Also, a comparison of two speed regimes in the MDW and Protean’s single speed in-wheel model is made and discussed in terms of efficiency. The analytical result shows that a remarkable efficiency improvement in terms of loss reduction of 1.9x for urban and 1.8x for highway duty cycles is feasible. In addition, another loss reduction of 1.2x is expected by using the reconfigurable power/electronic controllers. The present study looked at the effect of the unsprung mass on acceleration, braking, and cornering maneuvers under various road conditions (i.e., dry asphalt, wet asphalt, snowy or icy road) which was evaluated and compared based on the implementation of a nonlinear 14 DOF full-vehicle model based on ride (7 DOF), handling (3 DOF), tire (4 DOF), slip ratio, slip angle, and the tire magic formula. Based on the 14 DOF full-vehicle model, visual performance maps are generated in terms of ten operational criteria to assist the customer to visualize the vehicle’s expected performance.Mechanical Engineerin

NASA SBIR abstracts of 1991 phase 1 projects

The objectives of 301 projects placed under contract by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are described. These projects were selected competitively from among proposals submitted to NASA in response to the 1991 SBIR Program Solicitation. The basic document consists of edited, non-proprietary abstracts of the winning proposals submitted by small businesses. The abstracts are presented under the 15 technical topics within which Phase 1 proposals were solicited. Each project was assigned a sequential identifying number from 001 to 301, in order of its appearance in the body of the report. Appendixes to provide additional information about the SBIR program and permit cross-reference of the 1991 Phase 1 projects by company name, location by state, principal investigator, NASA Field Center responsible for management of each project, and NASA contract number are included