The Road Ahead

[Excerpt] Growing competition, the economy, and the automakers’ financial difficulties have lead to great uncertainty for the industry. In the midst of these troubled times, worldwide pressure is on for the automotive industry to develop fuel efficient vehicles with advanced technologies. A combination of regulations and consumers will ultimately decide the replacement of the more than century-old internal combustion engine, and how soon it will happen. Without a doubt, it is certainly a turning point in the history of the automobile. For the near-term, a combination of technologies will be developed and offered, including hybrids, biofuel engines, plug-ins, hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced diesel engines. Whether one technology will become dominant, remains to be seen

In-Cylinder Pressure-Based Control of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion

[ES] La actual crisis climática ha instado a la comunidad investigadora y a los fabricantes a brindar soluciones para hacer que el sector del transporte sea más sostenible. De entre las diversas tecnologías propuestas, la combustión a baja temperatura ha sido objeto de una extensa investigación. La combustión premezclada dual-fuel es uno de los conceptos que abordan el compromiso de NOx-hollín en motores de encendido por compresión manteniendo alta eficiencia térmica. Esta combustión hace uso de dos combustibles con diferentes reactividades para mejorar la controlabilidad de este modo de combustión en un amplio rango de funcionamiento. De manera similar a todos los modos de combustión premezclados, esta combustión es sensible a las condiciones de operación y suele estar sujeta a variabilidad cíclica con gradientes de presión significativos. En consecuencia, se requieren estrategias de control avanzadas para garantizar un funcionamiento seguro y preciso del motor. El control en bucle cerrado es una herramienta eficaz para abordar los desafíos que plantea la combustión premezclada dual-fuel. En este tipo de control, para mantener el funcionamiento deseado, las acciones de control se adaptan y corrigen a partir de una retroalimentación con las señales de salida del motor. Esta tesis presenta estrategias de control basadas en la medición de la señal de presión en el cilindro, aplicadas a motores de combustión premezclada dual-fuel. En ella se resuelven diversos aspectos del funcionamiento del motor mediante el diseño de controladores dedicados, haciéndose especial énfasis en analizar e implementar estas soluciones a los diferentes niveles de estratificación de mezcla considerados en estos motores (es decir, totalmente, altamente y parcialmente premezclada). Inicialmente, se diseñan estrategias de control basadas en el procesamiento de la señal de presión en el cilindro y se seleccionan acciones proporcionales-integrales para asegurar el rendimiento deseado del motor sin exceder las limitaciones mecánicas del motor. También se evalúa la técnica extremum seeking para realizar una supervisión de una combustión eficiente y la reducción de emisiones de NOx. Luego se analiza la resonancia de la presión en el cilindro y se implementa un controlador similar a aquel usado para el control de knock para garantizar el funcionamiento seguro del motor. Finalmente, se utilizan modelos matemáticos para diseñar un modelo orientado a control y un observador que tiene como objetivo combinar las señales medidas en el motor para mejorar las capacidades de predicción y diagnóstico en dicha configuración de motor. Los resultados de este trabajo destacan la importancia de considerar el control en bucle cerrado para abordar las limitaciones encontradas en los modos de combustión premezclada. En particular, el uso de la medición de presión en el cilindro muestra la relevancia y el potencial de esta señal para desarrollar estrategias de control complejas y precisas.[CA] L'actual crisi climàtica ha instat a la comunitat investigadora i als fabricants a brindar solucions per a fer que el sector del transport siga més sostenible. D'entre les diverses tecnologies proposades, la combustió a baixa temperatura ha sigut objecte d'una extensa investigació. La combustió premesclada dual-fuel és un dels conceptes que aborden el compromís de NOx-sutge en motors d'encesa per compressió mantenint alta eficiència tèrmica. Aquesta combustió fa ús de dos combustibles amb diferents reactivitats per a millorar la controlabilitat d'aquest tipus de combustió en un ampli rang de funcionament. De manera similar a tots els tipus de combustió premesclada, aquesta combustió és sensible a les condicions d'operació i sol estar subjecta a variabilitat cíclica amb gradients de pressió significatius. En conseqüència, es requereixen estratègies de control avançades per a garantir un funcionament segur i precís del motor. El control en bucle tancat és una eina eficaç per a abordar els desafiaments que planteja la combustió premesclada dual-fuel. En aquesta mena de control, per a mantindre el funcionament desitjat, les accions de control s'adapten i corregeixen a partir d'una retroalimentació amb els senyals d'eixida del motor. Aquesta tesi presenta estratègies de control basades en el mesurament del senyal de pressió en el cilindre, aplicades a motors de combustió premesclada dual-fuel. En ella es resolen diversos aspectes del funcionament del motor mitjançant el disseny de controladors dedicats, fent-se especial èmfasi a analitzar i implementar aquestes solucions als diferents nivells d'estratificació de mescla considerats en aquests motors (és a dir, totalment, altament i parcialment premesclada). Inicialment, es dissenyen estratègies de control basades en el processament del senyal de pressió en el cilindre i se seleccionen accions proporcionals-integrals per a assegurar el rendiment desitjat del motor sense excedir les limitacions mecàniques del motor. També s'avalua la tècnica extremum seeking per a realitzar una supervisió d'una combustió eficient i la reducció d'emissions de NOx. Després s'analitza la ressonància de la pressió en el cilindre i s'implementa un controlador similar a aquell usat per al control de knock per a garantir el funcionament segur del motor. Finalment, s'utilitzen models matemàtics per a dissenyar un model orientat a control i un observador que té com a objectiu combinar els senyals mesurats en el motor per a millorar les capacitats de predicció i diagnòstic en aquesta configuració de motor. Els resultats d'aquest treball destaquen la importància de considerar el control en bucle tancat per a abordar les limitacions trobades en la combustió premesclada. En particular, l'ús del mesurament de pressió en el cilindre mostra la rellevància i el potencial d'aquest senyal per a desenvolupar estratègies de control complexes i precises.[EN] The current climate crisis has urged the research community and manufacturers to provide solutions to make the transportation sector cleaner. Among the various technologies proposed, low temperature combustion has undergone extensive investigation. Premixed dual-fuel combustion is one of the concepts addressing the NOx-soot trade-off in compression ignited engines, while maintaining high thermal efficiency. This combustion makes use of two fuels with different reactivities in order to improve the controllability of this combustion mode over a wide range of operation. Similarly to all premixed combustion modes, this combustion is nevertheless sensitive to the operating conditions and traditionally exhibits cycle-to-cycle variability with significant pressure gradients. Consequently, advanced control strategies to ensure a safe and accurate operation of the engine are required. Feedback control is a powerful approach to address the challenges raised by the premixed dual-fuel combustion. By measuring the output signals from the engine, strategies can be developed to adapt and correct the control actions to maintain the desired operation. This thesis presents control strategies, based on the in-cylinder pressure signal measurement, applied to premixed dual-fuel combustion engines. Various objectives were addressed by designing dedicated controllers, where a special emphasis was made towards analyzing and implementing these solutions to the different levels of mixture stratification considered in these engines (i.e., fully, highly and partially premixed). At first, feedback control strategies based on the in-cylinder pressure signal processing were designed. Proportional-integral actions were selected to ensure the desired engine performance without exceeding the mechanical constraints of the engine. Extremum seeking was evaluated to track efficient combustion phasing and NOx emissions reduction. The in-cylinder pressure resonance was then analyzed and a knock-like controller was implemented to ensure safe operation of the engine. Finally, mathematical models were used to design a control-oriented model and a state observer that aimed to leverage the signals measured in the engine to improve the prediction and diagnostic capabilities in such engine configuration. The results from this work highlighted the importance of considering feedback control to address the limitations encountered in premixed combustion modes. Particularly, the use of the in-cylinder pressure measurement showed the relevance and potential of this signal to develop complex and accurate control strategies.This thesis was financially supported by the Programa Operativo del Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) de la Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020 through grant ACIF/2018/141.Barbier, ARS. (2022). In-Cylinder Pressure-Based Control of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/18327

Automotive Supply Chain Auswertung mit herkömmlichem Modell und integriertem Modell

ABSTRACT: Increasing competition due to market globalization, product diversity and technological breakthroughs stimulates independent automotive companies to collaborate in a supply chain that allows them to gain mutual benefits. Especially the events of the past years have shell-shocked even the most ardent industry participants – a crisis and the following hard recovery. Not only the critical challenges in implementing process lean with low cost and high quality, also critical to success is the ability to efficiently meet stricter emissions and fuel economy standards escalating in most jurisdictions. With all the factors working beneath the waves, supply chain management becomes the core source of a company’s competitive advantages and even the trump of the entire automotive industry’s success. A proper supply chain strategy provides financial returns and other key factors superior to the old concepts which brought profits before but no longer up to date now. Correctly design and effectively evaluate the supply chains, and improve the supply chain structure dynamically over time, are the key methods for an automotive company to survive and succeed in the volatile and critical automobile industrial environment. In this research work, based on the real case study in the automotive door system supply, different supply chain scenarios are designed and corresponding performance evaluations are made by applying different methods, namely the conventional model and the integrated model with their corresponding algorithms. With conventional model, the evaluation is done from different aspects, where the chosen perspectives such as costs, flexibility, stability, and reliability are assessed respectively for the multi-stage international supply chains. The data applied in this model comes from real-case door module supply, and the evaluation results helps in the decision making in localization process of that certain project. To be able to evaluate more complicated supply chain scenarios in a more accurate and efficient way, an integrated model is designed for the comprehensive performance evaluation. Based on the fuzzy theory, a MDFIE (Multilevel Dynamic Fuzzy Integrated Evaluation) algorithm is developed to assess the automotive supply chain performance. With the real case of vehicle door system supply, a detailed index system is designed based on a profound understanding of the automotive door supply chain. And with this new method, supply chain scenarios with different outsource degree and integration degree are evaluated and analyzed, a positive solution of deeper integration and downstream task shifting in the automotive supply structure is concluded in the end. In addition to the use in this research work, the integrated model, especially the index system can be flexibly adjusted for other automotive supply chains under their special interest and requirements. And with the MDFIE algorithm or other possible methods, the model can also be further developed into user-friendly software or system for the normal application. This software development is suggested for the further research. Based on the researches done in this work, a new tier structure is proposed as well. A mega system supplier which is defined as the new Tier 0,5 and other outsourced service companies which are playing as the half tiers (tier 1,5/ 2,5…) are discussed in this work. With all the theoretical researches and practical investigations, this new structure which occupies the niche positions of supply chain is supposed to be benefiting the entire automotive supply chain in many critical aspects, like the long lasting over capacity problem and the coming E-mobility trend. Some other suggestions like the application of RFID technology are also proposed for increasing the productivity and strengthen the information flow along supply chain. In general, improving the entire automotive supply chain performance, is the ultimate goal of supply chain management, which means balancing all participators’ maximum profits and offering the highest market service level. The realization of the proposals and concepts, is also supposed to be studied in the further research.ZUSAMENFASSUNG: Die strengeren Emissions- und Kraftstoffverbrauchstandards effizient zu erfüllen, spielt neben der kritischen Herausforderungen bei der Umsetzung „Lean Prozess“ mit niedrigen Kosten und hoher Qualität für den Erfolg auch eine entscheidende Rolle. Der zunehmende Wettbewerb infolge der Globalisierung der Märkte, der Produktvielfalt und technologischer Durchbrüche stimuliert die Zusammenarbeit von unabhängiger Automobileunternehmen. Insbesondre in den letzten Jahren wurden die Teilnehmer aus dem Industriebranche von der Krise und dessen nachstehender Erholung schockiert. Mit allen Faktoren unter den Wellen bleibt das Supply-Chain-Management die Hauptquelle für die Wettbewerbsvorteile eines Unternehmens und überhaupt der Trumpf des Erfolgs in der gesamten Automobilindustrie. Eine richtige Supply Chain-Strategie bietet finanzielle Erträge und andere wichtige Faktoren, die besser als die alten Konzepte sind. Richtiges Design und gewissenhaftes Abschätzen des Supply Chains, und im Laufe der Zeit die Supply-Chain-Struktur dynamisch zu Verbessern sind die Schlüssel-Methoden für ein Automobilunternehmen, um in dem unberechenbaren und kritischen Automobilindustrieumfeld zu überleben und erfolgreich zu bleiben. Diese Arbeit basiert auf der realen Fallstudien der Türsystemlieferung in der Automobilindustrie. Verschiedene Supply Chain Szenarien werden entworfen und die entsprechenden Leistungen werden durch Anwendung unterschiedlicher Methoden bewertet, und zwar das herkömmlichen Modell und das integrierte Modell mit den entsprechenden Algorithmen. Beim herkömmlichen Modell wird unter verschiedenen Aspekten bewertet, wobei die gewählten Perspektiven wie Kosten, Flexibilität, Stabilität und Zuverlässigkeit jeweils für die mehrstufigen internationalen Lieferketten bewertet werden. Die genommenen Daten in diesem Modell stammen aus den Fällen von Türmodul - Auslieferung. Die Bewertungsergebnisse sind beim Entscheidungstreffen im Lokalisierungsprozess des gewissen Projektes hilfreich. Um die komplizierter Supply Chain Szenarien in einer genaueren und effizienteren Methode bewerten zu können, wird ein integriertes Modell für die umfassenden Leistungsbewertung gebaut. Auf der Basis von Fuzzy-Theorie, wird ein MDFIE (Multilevel Dynamische Fuzzy Integrierte Evaluation) Algorithmus entwickelt. Anhand der realen Auslieferungsfälle im Fahrzeugtürensystem wird ein detailliertes Index-System ausgelegt, welches auf einem tiefen Verständnis der Automotive Supply Chain basiert. Mit dieser neuen Methode werden Supply-Chain-Szenarien durch unterschiedliche Outsourcengrade und Integrationsgrade ausgewertet und analysiert. Eine positive Lösung von der vertiefen Integration und von der nachgeordneten Aufgabenumlagerung in der Automobilzuliefer-Struktur wird am Ende kristallisiert. Zusätzlich zu dem Einsatz in dieser Arbeit kann das integrierte Modell, vor allem das Index-System flexibel für andere Wertschöpfungsketten ihrer besonderen Interessen und Bedürfnissen entsprechend angepasst werden. Und mit dem MDFIE Algorithmus oder andere mögliche Methoden kann das Modell auch in einer benutzerfreundlichen Software oder System für die normale Anwendung integriert und entwickelt werden. Diese Software-Entwicklung wird für die weitere Forschung vorgeschlagen. Basierend auf den Untersuchungen in dieser Arbeit wird eine neue Stufenstruktur auch vorgeschlagen. Ein Mega-Systemzulieferer, die sogenannt neues Tier 0,5 ist, und ausgelagerter Service-Unternehmen, die als Hälfte Tiers (Tier 1,5 / 2,5 ...) definiert werden, sind in dieser Arbeit diskutiert. Mit theoretischen und praktischen Forschungen soll diese neue Struktur, deren Nische Positionen der Supply Chain beschäftigt sind, zu Gunsten der gesamten automobilen Wertschöpfungskette in vielen kritischen Aspekten bringen, z.B. das Überkapazitätsproblem und der kommende E-Mobilität Trend. Einige andere Vorschläge wie die Anwendung der RFID-Technologie zur Steigerung der Produktivität und zur Stärkung der Informationsfluss entlang der Lieferkette wird auch gemacht. Das ultimative Ziel des Supply-Chain- Managemenes ist die allgemeine Verbesserung der gesamten automobilen Wertschöpfungskettenleistung, die die maximale Gewinne von allen Teilnehmern zur Balancierung und den höchsten Market-Service-Level bedeutet. Die Realisierung der Vorschläge und Konzepte soll auch in der weiteren Forschung untersucht werden

THIESEL 2020.Thermo-and Fluid Dynamic Processes in Direct Injection Engines.8th-11th September

'The THIESEL 2020 Conference on Thermo-and Fluid Dynamic Processes in Direct Injection Engines planned in Valencia (Spain) for 8th to 11th September 2020 has been successfully held in a virtual format, due to the COVID19 pandemic. In spite of the very tough environmental demands, combustion engines will probably remain the main propulsion system in transport for the next 20 to 50 years, at least for as long as alternative solutions cannot provide the flexibility expected by customers of the 21st century. But it needs to adapt to the new times, and so research in combustion engines is nowadays mostly focused on the new challenges posed by hybridization and downsizing. The topics presented in the papers of the conference include traditional ones, such as Injection & Sprays, Combustion, but also Alternative Fuels, as well as papers dedicated specifically to CO2 Reduction and Emissions Abatement.Papers stem from the Academic Research sector as well as from the IndustryXandra Marcelle, M.; Desantes Fernández, JM. (2020). THIESEL 2020.Thermo-and Fluid Dynamic Processes in Direct Injection Engines.8th-11th September. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/150759EDITORIA

Semi-Physical Real-Time Models with State and Parameter Estimation for Diesel Engines

Increasing requirements for the reduction of fuel consumption (CO2) and emissions require a precise electronic management of combustion engines. Engine-related measures to meet these requirements lead to an increase in variability and system complexity. To cope with increasing system complexity, model-based development methodology has proven effective. In this context, virtual development with real-time models plays an increasingly important role. The corresponding models can either be derived theoretically on the basis of known physical laws (white-box models) or obtained experimentally on the test bench by mathematically modeling the measured input and output behavior (black-box models). Both types of modeling have their advantages and disadvantages. A semi-physical modeling methodology is presented that combines the advantages of theoretical and experimental modeling and overcomes their disadvantages. The goal is to find suitable, simplified equation structures and to determine their unknown parameters experimentally by real-time capable, recursive parameter estimation methods. This leads to physically interpretable real-time models that are able to adapt their parameters according to the current engine operating behavior and thus offer good transferability to other engines. The semi-physical modeling methodology is applied to the air system and combustion of a common rail diesel engine with a variable exhaust gas turbocharger and high- and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The focus lies on the derivation of semi-physical real-time model for the combustion and its underlying processes inside the cylinder. A semi-physical model approach for modeling the dynamics of combustion chamber processes is developed and combined with state and parameter estimation methods. This model approach enables crank angle-resolved calculation of the in-cylinder gas states and the determination of the characteristic combustion components of diesel combustion (premixed, diffusive combustion and burn-out). The technical implementation is realized close to the pressure indication system of the engine test bench, enabling a crankshaft-resolved model adaptation based on measured in-cylinder pressure. Model identification is performed using combined state and parameter estimation in steady-state engine operation. Model parameters are estimated perpetually for each duty cycle and converge to a constant value within 30-60 engine duty cycles. Final estimation results are stored as functions of engine operating point using experimental modeling. In this way, semi-physical real-time models are created directly online during the measurement. The treated method is considered as an extension of the functionality of conventional pressure indication systems. Furthermore, the derived semi-physical models are used for real-time engine simulation in the context of hardware-in-the-loop testing of ECUs. The research project (Project No. 1231) was financially and advisory supported by the Research Association for Combustion Engines (FVV) e.V. (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

The organized corn husking contests: conduits of industrial culture in the rural Midwest, 1922-1941

The organized corn husking contests of the 1920s and 1930s facilitated the spread of scientific farming methods and contributed to farmers\u27 increased reliance on scientists, technicians, and agribusiness suppliers. The efforts of agricultural leaders, bolstered by the enthusiastic boosterism of midwestern towns, made the corn husking contests annual composite snapshots of the growing industrialism in agriculture and rural life through this period of time. The associational relationships developed through participation in the corn husking contests encouraged rural residents to adopt the values, beliefs, methods, and technology of industrial culture;The groups that organized and sponsored the corn husking contests and the rural people who participated in them are the main focus of this study: the midwestern farm journal editors, agricultural extension agents, agricultural college scientists and the staff of experiment stations, manufacturers of agricultural machines, members of Chambers of Commerce and other civic groups of small midwestern towns, and individual farmers. Corn culture was the glue that held these groups together. Each group had a unique interest in the corn husking contests and was able to realize this interest because of the diversity of activities involved in planning, preparing, advertising, and holding the contests. In spite of their individual motivations, these contest sponsors shared a common, industrialized, vision of Midwestern agriculture, a vision based on organizational association, efficient methods of production, and the application of modern science and technology