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As the market for electric vehicles grows, so does the demand for appropriate charging infrastructure. The availability of sufficient charging points is essential to increase public acceptance of electric vehicles and to avoid the so-called “charging anxiety”. However, the charging stations currently installed may not be able to meet the full charging demand, especially in areas where there is a general lack of grid infrastructure, or where the fluctuating nature of charging demand requires flexible, high-power charging solutions that do not require expensive grid extensions. In such cases, the use of mobile charging stations provides a good opportunity to complement the existing charging network. This paper presents a prototype of a mobile charging solution that is being developed as part of an ongoing research project, and discusses different use cases.

By building on mature internal combustion engine (ICE) hardware combined with dedicated hydrogen (H2) technology, the H2-ICE has excellent potential to accelerate CO2 reduction. H2-ICE concepts can therefore contribute to realizing the climate targets in an acceptable timeframe. In the landscape of H2-ICE combustion concepts, High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI™) is an attractive option considering its high thermal efficiency, wide load range and its applicability to on-road as well as off-road heavy-duty equipment. Still, H2-HPDI is characterized by diffusion combustion, giving rise to significant NOx emissions. In this paper, the potential of H2-HPDI toward compliance with future emissions legislation is explored on a 1.8L single-cylinder research engine. With tests on multiple load-speed points, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) was shown to be an effective measure for reducing engine-out NOx, although at the cost of a few efficiency points.

Fossil fuels such as natural gas used in engines still play the most important role worldwide despite such measures as the German energy transition which however is also exacerbating climate change as a result of carbon dioxide emissions. One way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions is the choice of energy sources and with it a more favourable chemical composition. Natural gas, for instance, which consist mainly of methane, has the highest hydrogen to carbon ratio of all hydrocarbons, which means that carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by up to 35% when replacing diesel with natural gas. Although natural gas engines show an overall low CO2 and pollutant emissions level, methane slip due to incomplete combustion occurs, causing methane emissions with a more than 20 higher global warming potential than CO2.

Ammonia has emerged as a promising carbon-free alternative fuel for internal combustion engines (ICE), particularly in large-bore engine applications. However, integrating ammonia into conventional engines presents challenges, prompting the exploration of innovative combustion strategies like dual-fuel combustion. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have emerged as a significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of ammonia in ICE. Various studies suggest that combining exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) with adjustments in inlet temperature and diesel injection timing can effectively mitigate nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions across diverse operating conditions in dual-fuel diesel engines.

Water management in PEMFC power generation systems is a key point to guarantee optimal performances and durability. It is known that a poor water management has a direct impact on PEMFC voltage, both in drying and flooding conditions: furthermore, water management entails phenomena from micro-scale, i.e., formation and water transport within membrane, to meso-scale, i.e., water capillary transport inside the GDL, up to the macro-scale, i.e., water droplet formation and removal from the GFC. Water transport mechanisms through the membrane are well known in literature, but typically a high computational burden is requested for their proper simulation. To deal with this issue, the authors have developed an analytical model for the water membrane content simulation as function of stack temperature and current density, for fast on-board monitoring and control purposes, with good fit with literature data.

In the dynamic landscape of battery development, the quest for improved energy storage and efficiency has become paramount. The contemporary energy transition, coupled with growing demands for electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and portable electronic devices, has underscored the critical role that batteries play in our modern world. To navigate this challenging terrain and harness the full potential of battery technology, a well-defined and comprehensive data strategy resp. knowledge management strategy are indispensable. Conversely, the imminent and rapid progression of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to have a substantial impact on the forthcoming landscape of work and the methodologies organizations employ for the management of their knowledge management (KM) procedures. Conventional KM endeavors encompass a spectrum of activities such as the creation, transmission, retention, and evaluation of an enterprise’s knowledge over the entire knowledge lifecycle.

Quantum computing and its applications are emerging rapidly, driving excitement and extensive interest across all industry sectors, from finance to pharmaceuticals. The automotive industry is no different. Quantum computing can bring significant advantages to the way we commute, whether through the development of new materials and catalysts using quantum chemistry or improved route optimization. Quantum computing may be as important as the invention of driverless vehicles. Emergence of Quantum Computing Technologies in Automotive Applications: Opportunities and Future Use Cases attempts to explain quantum technology and its various advantages for the automotive industry. While many of the applications presented are still nascent, they may become mainstream in a decade or so. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.

Dual-fuel engines powered by renewable fuels provide a potential solution for reducing the carbon footprint and emissions of transportation, contributing to the goal of achieving sustainable mobility. The investigation presented in the following uses a dual-fuel engine concept running on biogas (referred to as CNG in this paper) and the e-fuel polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether (OME). The current study focuses on the effects of exhaust gas rebreathing and external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on emissions and brake thermal efficiency (BTE). A four-cylinder heavy-duty engine converted to dual-fuel operation was used to conduct the engine tests at a load point of 1600 min-1 and 9.8 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). The respective shares of high reactivity fuel (HRF, here: OME) and low reactivity fuel (LRF, here: CNG) were varied, as were the external and internal EGR rates and their combinations.

A numerical investigation of a six-stroke direct injection compression ignition engine operation in a low temperature combustion (LTC) regime is presented. The fuel employed is a gasoline-like oxygenated fuel consisting of 90% isobutanol and 10% diethyl ether (DEE) by volume to match the reactivity of conventional gasoline with octane number 87. The computational simulations of the in-cylinder processes were performed using a high-fidelity multidimensional in-house 3D CFD code (MTU-MRNT) with improved spray-sub models and CHEMKIN library. The combustion chemistry was described using a two-component (isobutanol and DEE) fuel model whose oxidation pathways were given by a reaction mechanism with 177 species and 796 reactions.

Focused on the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) used in electric, this paper proposes an online insulation testing method based on voltage injection under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. The effect of constant humidity and temperature on the insulation performance has been also studied. Firstly, the high-voltage insulation structure and principle of PMSM are analyzed, while an electrical insulation testing method considered constant humidity and temperature is proposed. Finally, a temperature and humidity experimental cycling test is carried out on a certain prototype PMSM, taking heat conduction and radiation models, water vapor, and partial discharge into account. The results show that the electrical insulation performance of the motor under constant humidity and temperature operation environment exhibits a decreasing trend. This study can provide theoretical and practical references for the reliable durability design of PMSM.

Energy management of battery electric vehicle (BEV) is a very important and complex multi-system optimisation problem. The thermal energy management of a BEV plays a crucial role in consistent efficiency and performance of vehicle in all weather conditions. But in order to manage the thermal management, it requires a significant number of temperature sensors throughout the car including high voltage batteries, thus increasing the cost, complexity and weight of the car. Virtual sensors can replace physical sensors with a data-driven, physical relation-driven or machine learning-based prediction approach. This paper presents a framework for the development of a neural network virtual sensor using a thermal system hardware-in-the-loop test rig as the target system. The various neural network topologies, including RNN, LSTM, GRU, and CNN, are evaluated to determine the most effective approach.

Ultra-Downsizing (UD) was introduced as an even higher level of downsizing for Internal Combustion Engines ICEs, see [2] SAE 2015-01-1252. The introduction of Ultra Downsizing (UD) aims to enhance the power, efficiency, and sustainability of ICEs while maintaining the thermal and mechanical strain within acceptable limits. The following approaches are utilized: 1 True Atkinson Cycles are implemented utilizing an asymmetrical crank mechanism called Variable Compression and Stroke Ratios (VCSR). This mechanism allows for extended expansion stroke and continuous adjustment of the Volumetric Compression Ratio (VCR). 2 Unrestricted two or more stage high-pressure turbocharging and intensive intercooling: This setup enables more complete filling of the cylinder and reduces the compression work on the piston, resulting in higher specific power and efficiency. 3 The new Load Control (LC) approach is based to continuous VCR adjustment.

Given the spread of natural gas engines in low-term toward decarbonization and the growing interest in gaseous mixtures as well as the use of hydrogen in Heavy-Duty (HD) engines, appropriate strategies are needed to maximize thermal efficiency and achieve near-zero emissions from these propulsor systems. In this context, some phenomena related to real-world driving operations, such as engine cut-off or misfire, can lead to inadequate control of the Air-to-Fuel ratio, key factor for Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) efficiency. Goal of the present research activity is to investigate the performance of a bio-methane-fueled HD engine and its Aftertreatment System (ATS), consisting of a Three-Way Catalyst, at different Air-to-Fuel ratio. An experimental test bench characterization, in different operating conditions of the engine workplan, was carried out to evaluate the catalyst reactivity to a defined pattern of the Air-to-Fuel ratio.

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a proven strategy for the reduction of NOX emissions in spark ignited (SI) engines and compression ignition engines, especially in lean burn conditions where the increase of thermal efficiency is obtained. The dilution level of the mixture with EGR is in a conventional SI engine limited by the increase of combustion instability (CoV IMEP). A possible method to extend the EGR dilution level and ensure stable combustion is the implementation of an active pre-chamber combustion system. The pre-chamber spark ignited (PCSI) engine enables fast and stable combustion of lean mixtures in the main chamber by utilizing high ignition energy of multiple flame jets penetrating from the pre-chamber to the main chamber. In this paper, as an initial research step, a numerical analysis is performed by employing the 0D/1D simulation model, validated with the initial experimental and 3D-CFD results.

The widely accepted best practice for spark-ignition combustion is the four-valve pent-roof chamber using a central sparkplug and incorporating tumble flow during the intake event. The bulk tumble flow readily breaks up during the compression stroke to fine-scale turbulent kinetic energy desired for rapid, robust combustion. The natural gas engines used in medium- and heavy-truck applications would benefit from a similar, high-tumble pent-roof combustion chamber. However, these engines are invariably derived from their higher-volume diesel counterparts, and the production volumes are insufficient to justify the amount of modification required to incorporate a pent-roof system. The objective of this multi-dimensional computational study was to develop a combustion chamber addressing the objectives of a pent-roof chamber while maintaining the flat firedeck and vertical valve orientation of the diesel engine.

The hybrid system's thermal strategy is centered around controlling the cooling of the motor, inverter, DCDC and evaporator. In this electric drive circuit system, the water temperature sensor is positioned at the radiator outlet rather than within it. Consequently, when determining the required air volume for radiator cooling and water demand for sub-components of the electric drive circuit, an estimation of the inlet water temperature becomes necessary. This estimation relies on a heat transfer formula that converts heat released by circuit sub-components into their contribution to temperature rise within the circuit plus the outlet temperature from the previous round through the radiator to determine inlet water temperature. The inverter's heat transfer power depends on voltage and current levels. Adjusting motor torque leads to rapid changes in current flow while maintaining a low speed for optimal flow rate through the electric drive pump.

Exhaust gas recirculation technology is one of the main methods to reduce engine emissions. The pressure of the intake pipe of turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine is high, and it is difficult to realize EGR technology. The application of Venturi tube can easily solve this problem. In this paper, the working principle of guide-injection Venturi tube is introduced, the EGR system and structure of a turbocharged diesel engine using the guide-injection Venturi tube are studied. According to the working principle of EGR system of turbocharged diesel engine, the model of guide-injection Venturi tube is established, the calculation grid is divided, and it is carried out by using Computational Fluid Dynamics method that the three-dimensional numerical simulation of the internal flow of Venturi tube under different EGR rates injection.

This paper is part of a broader research project aiming at studying, designing, and prototyping a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine to achieve fast market implementation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable costs. The ability to provide a fast market implementation is linked to the fact that the technological solution would exploit the existing production chain of internal combustion engines. Regarding the technological point of view, the hydrogen engine will be a monofuel engine re-designed based on a diesel-powered engine. The redesign involves specific modifications to critical subsystems, including combustion systems, injection, ignition, exhaust gas recirculation, and exhaust gas aftertreatment. Notably, adaptations include the customization of the cylinder head for controlled ignition, optimization of camshaft profiles, and evaluation of the intake system.

Hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines (ICEs) offer a zero-carbon fuel option for many applications. As part of the global effort to study hydrogen ICEs Ricardo has developed single-cylinder and multi-cylinder heavy-duty engines. The engines are representative of a 13 litre Euro VI heavy-duty production application converted to run on hydrogen fuel with limited changes. The engine is fitted with direct hydrogen injectors which enable flexible injection strategies and reduce hydrogen in the intake system. Steady-state testing was carried out over an array of speed and load points covering a typical heavy-duty drive-cycle area. Engine test results are presented and analysed in this paper. The combustion system can run to values exceeding lambda 5 and 40% exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can be tolerated.

In order to achieve seamless mode switching control for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the event of battery failure, we propose a motor voltage-controlled mode switching method that eliminates power interruptions. This approach is based on an analysis of the dual-motor hybrid configuration's mode switching. We analyze the overall vehicle operation when the high-voltage battery occurs in different hybrid modes. To ensure that the vehicle can still function like a conventional car under such circumstances, we introduce a novel "voltage control" mode. In this mode, instead of operating in its traditional torque control manner, the P1 motor adopts a voltage control strategy. The P1 controller's variable becomes "voltage," and VCU sends the motor's working mode switching request and PCM finishes the mode transition. During system operation, the P1 motor promptly responds to these target voltages to maintain bus voltage within a normal range.