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A Hybrid method that rigorously couples Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has been used to predict interior noise levels in a trimmed vehicle due to broadband structure-borne excitation from 200Hz to 1000Hz. This paper illustrates how the Hybrid FE-SEA technique was applied to successfully predict the car response by partitioning the full vehicle into stiff components described with FE and modally dense components described with SEA. Additionally, it is demonstrated how detailed local FE models can be used to improve SEA descriptions of car panels and couplings. The vibration response of the untrimmed body-in-white is validated against experiments. Next, the radiation efficiency and vibration response of bare and trimmed vehicle panels are compared against reference numerical results. Finally, interior noise levels in bare and trimmed configurations are predicted and results from a noise path contribution analysis are presented.

The Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) are standard methods in the automotive industry for the prediction of vibrational and acoustical response of vehicles. However, both methods are not capable of handling the so called “mid frequency problem”, where both short and long wavelength components are present in the same system. A Hybrid method has been recently proposed that rigorously couples SEA and FEM. In this work, the Hybrid FE-SEA method is used to predict interior noise levels in a trimmed full vehicle due to broadband structure-borne excitation from 200Hz to 1000Hz. The process includes the partitioning of the full vehicle into stiff components described with FE and modally dense components described with SEA. It is also demonstrated how detailed local FE models can be used to improve SEA descriptions of car panels and couplings.

It is critical to develop high performance three-way catalysts to meet increasing regulations around the world. It was found that a double-layered catalyst loaded with Pt and Rh suppresses Pt-Rh alloying, thereby improving catalytic performance. A double-layered catalyst has the effect of decreasing OSC performance, but this has been overcome by a newly developed Rh support and suppressed Pt grain growth. The developed catalyst is capable of lowering the amount of PGM required by approximately 40%.

The study of 10% ethanol blended gasoline (E10 gasoline) utilization has been conducted in the Japan Auto-Oil Program (JATOP). In order to clarify the impact of E10 gasoline on vehicle performances, exhaust emissions, evaporative emissions, driveability and material compatibility have been investigated by using domestic gasoline vehicles including mini motor vehicles which are particular to Japan. The test results reveal that E10 gasoline has no impact on exhaust emissions, engine startup time and acceleration period under the hot start condition, but a slight deterioration is observed in some test cases under the cold start condition using E10 gasolines with 50% distillation temperature (T50) level set to the upper limit of Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) K 2202. Regarding evaporative emissions, the tested vehicles shows no remarkable increase in the hot soak loss (HSL), diurnal breathing loss (DBL) and running loss (RL) testing with E10 gasolines.

It is very difficult to measure and analyze the internal flows of torque converters because of their complicated construction. In this report, an attempt is made to calculate the characteristics of torque converters by the combination of a one-dimensional flow theory and a finite difference calculation. From the computed results however, it is significant to note, that this experimental result is more useful as a rational design procedure than the pure angular momentum theory.

This paper presents a numerical model of the rotational and lateral dynamics of the piston (secondary motion) and piston slap in mixed lubrication. Piston dynamic behavior, frictional and impact forces are predicted as functions of crank angle. The model considers piston skirt surface waviness, roughness, skirt profile, thermal and mechanical deformations. The model considers partially-flooded skirt and calculates the pressure distributions and friction in the piston skirt region for both hydrodynamic and boundary lubrication. Model predictions are compared with measurements of piston position using gap sensors in a single-cylinder engine and the comparison between theory and measurement shows remarkable agreement.

Experiments were done to quantify the dynamic motion of the piston and oil-film during piston impact on the cylinder bore, commonly known as “piston slap.” Parameters measured include engine block vibration, piston-skirt to liner separation, oil-film thickness between the piston and liner, and other engine operating conditions. Experimental parametric studies were performed covering the following: engine operating parameters - spark timing, liner temperature, oil-film thickness, oil type, and engine speed; and engine design parameters - piston-skirt surface waviness, piston-skirt/cylinder-liner clearance, and wrist-pin offset. Two dynamic modes of piston-motion-induced vibration were observed, and effects of changes in engine operating and design parameters were investigated for both types of slap. It was evident that engine design parameters have stronger effects on piston slap intensity, with piston-skirt/liner clearance and wrist-pin offset being the dominant parameters.

An electrically regenerable diesel particulate filter particularly suitable for small (less than 4.0 liters) diesel engines has been developed. The cartridge consists of a unique tubular heater which is wrapped with ceramic fibers. Two or more of these cartridges with integral heaters are used in building a diesel particulate filter system. The features of this cartridge are described along with performance results. Performance and durability data are presented under both steady state and transient operating conditions. System design using these cartridges in a forklift truck application is presented in this paper. Performance and durability data of the system is discussed.

The instantaneous local heat flux was determined under knocking conditions in a square piston engine simulator to investigate the relationship for the phase and magnitude between the heat flux and the knock intensity. Two platinum thin film resistance thermometers recorded variations of the the cylinder wall surface temperature at different locations. The wall heat fluxes were then calculated from the measured temperature variations. Schlieren pictures of the combustion process showed the motion of the burned gas during knocking. Pressure oscillations of about 5 kHz occurred after autoignition. Oscillations of the heat flux were at the same frequency and in phase with the pressure oscillations. The maximum heat flux increased almost linearly with the maximum amplitude of the pressure oscillations for pressure oscillations greater than 0.5 MPa. The rate of increase is not uniform spatially.

Comparing with the previous Auto/Oil programs, the total plan and current status of the air quality modeling study in JCAP are presented. The total plan of air quality modeling study has the following characteristics: 1) Vehicle emission inventory program is developed by considering the original features of Japan. 2) Not only the urban air quality but also the road sides pollutants dispersion is evaluated. 3) The chemical reaction model for the secondary particulate formations is developed on the basis of the smog chamber experiments. 4) For the cost-effectiveness analysis of vehicle/fuel technologies, the output of the air quality modeling will be combined with the cost data of new vehicle emission reduction technologies As the first step, preliminary modeling studies are conducted to understand the overall tendency of the air quality change toward 2010 in Tokyo urban area.