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With the revolutionary advances in computing power and software technology, the future trend of integrating design and CFD analysis software package to realize an automated design optimization has been explored in this study. The integrated process of UG, ICEMCFD, and FLUENT was accomplished using iSIGHT for vehicle Aero/Thermal applications. Process integration, CFD solution strategy, optimization algorithm and the practicality for real world problem of this process have been studied, and will be discussed in this paper. As an example of this application, the results of an underhood thermal design will be presented. The advantage of systematical and rapid design exploration is demonstrated by using this integrated process. It also shows the great potential of computer based design automation in vehicle Aero/Thermal development.

A flow and heat transfer model of an engine lubrication system has been developed in order to predict sump oil temperature and study heat transfer mechanisms within the lubricating oil circuit. The objective was to develop the capability of simulating all the energy transfers between the oil and the combustion process, the engine coolant, and the engine bay air. The model developed in this study simulates a V8 spark ignited engine. Included in this simulation is a bearing model for friction heat generation, a combustion heat input model, and component models for each key heat transfer site in the lubricating oil circuit. The model predicts sump oil temperatures under different engine operating conditions and simulation results were compared to test data with good agreement. The sensitivity of oil temperature to engine speed, engine load, coolant temperature, piston friction, bearing heat energy generation, piston design, water jacket depth, and oil flow rate(s) was studied.