Search Results

The implementation and development efforts of lean NOx trap catalysts for heavy-duty applications decreased a number of years ago. Most heavy-duty engine manufacturers realized that the system complexity as well as the durability of such a system does not allow large volume production without significant risk. The current consensus of the heavy-duty community is that for 2010 the SCR system will be the prime path to meet the 0.2 g/bHPhr NOx emission standard, although this is subject to adequate infrastructure investment and progress. As a low volume manufacturer, in order to comply with the 2007 heavy-duty phase-in emission standards, General Engine Products (a subsidiary of AM General LLC) integrated a NOx adsorber system on the Optimizer 6500 engine. This engine features split combustion chamber design, rotary fuel injection pump and operates with EGR.

Embedded software is a software system that permanently resides in a device whose operations it controls. Typically, embedded systems are housed on flash memory or ROM chip and may be found in systems like cellular phones, household and office appliances having digital interfaces, medical equipment, automotive components, avionics etc. The fundamental problem facing the design of embedded systems is heterogeneity. Multiple styles of algorithms (e.g. signal processing, communications, and controls) are implemented using a variety of technologies (e.g., digital signal processors, microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits, and real-time operating systems).Other challenges in automotive development are increasing requirements and therefore increasing size and complexity of the code, development and management of offshore / muti-site software development to reduce costs.

Refuse Trucks are used to pick up garbage from houses. These trucks have huge robotic arms connected to the frame which are operated by hydraulic mechanism operated by the driver sitting inside the cab of the truck. The operator of the truck controls the robotic arm using a lever. Once the truck is positioned aside the garbage can, the operator moves the robotic arm outwards, grabs hold of the garbage can, picks up the garbage can and dumps the garbage into the truck. During this operation, the frame articulates and moves due to the frame suspension causing the cab to move along with the frame. This operation is performed about 1000 times a day, 5days a week for 12 years which could result in some amount of damage to the cab over its life. Since the time rate of application of the forces during the Automatic Side Loading operation is small compared to the lowest flexible mode of the cab, modal amplification is considered unlikely.

The aim of the paper is to describe how Volvo Construction Equipment uses a virtual product development process to analyze potential risks, find root causes and optimize future product development. A model based method is used to analyze a potential risk in the design of Wheel Loader transmissions. The risk was recognized from failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), and a simulation model using AMESim modeling tool was developed to analyze the behavior of the new design. Together with test rig result, it is proved that the model based method gives a considerably accurate prediction of the system behavior. By using the model based approach, lead time for development process is reduced and important feedbacks from simulation model are obtained on early stage of the development. This paper further presents the use of the simulation model as a tool to predict the potential risks in the extreme operating conditions, which are difficult to test on the vehicle test bench.