Combined electric applications in transport

Maximizing the efficiency in transport vehicles will be a necessity. This may be realized by introducing a power electronic conversion between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the wheels. Hence the ICE may be used at its maximal efficiency point. One still can choose the kind of fuel: liquid or gas hydrocarbons, hydrogen, alcohol. The ICE delivers electrical power by means of a high efficiency generator and rectifier Further on one can recover electrical energy from the exhaust thermal power by means of a bottom cycle. A solution is to use an organic rankine cycle for this. The motion itself is done by high efficiency converters and permanent magnet motors. One can reduce gear losses while using direct drive wheel motors. In ships one can also optimise the propeller and the number of propellers

Light and ultralight electric vehicles

Today electrical vehicles are again considered seriously. However, one is not yet used to their performance. An overview is given in what one can expect from electric vehicles, ranging from electric bicycles to the electrical SUV. Special attention is given to the possibility of ultralight electric cars and the elbev concept, “Ecologic Low Budget Electric Vehicle”. Together with high efficiency power plants, a CO2 emissions of about 10gr/km could be obtained

Designing power inductors: practical solutions

An overview of losses and thermal aspects if power inductors is given. Most of the time core losses are given only for sine square wave, but users use it in square waves. Also bulk currents affect losses in larger inductors. Usually the transverse field is dominant for eddy current losses in conductors. Some heat drain improvements are proposed. Large power inductors could benefit of rectangular coil formers on demand

Pressure equalisation as design strategy for watertightness

Due to rising energy prices and a higher ecological awareness there is a growing attention for energy efficiency and sustainability in building construction. New concepts and techniques for well insulated and airtight buildings require adapted construction methods for weathertightness. This research project aims at developing design guidelines for new building envelope systems concerning weathertightness. Most building envelope systems rely on pressure moderation to achieve a good weathertightness. By separating the airtightness plane from the water shedding surface a drained cavity can be pressure moderated to limit the amount of water that enters the construction. A better understanding of those phenomena makes way for more rapid evolution in energy efficient and sustainable building envelope design