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As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fill a wider and wider variety of civic, scientific, and military roles—analysts predict that the UAV market will be the most dynamic growth sector of the decade in terms of the world aerospace industry. As a result, UAV research and development will contribute to a major portion of spending in the next decades—with a significant emphasis on propulsion technologies. This book will cover several UAV propulsion technologies, ranging from modification of conservative designs to assessing the potential of unconventional arrangements. Each chapter provides a glimpse of how researchers are leveraging different fuel types, powerplants, and system architectures in the pursuit of powerful, efficient, and robust UAV propulsion.

Aviation propulsion development continues to rely upon fossil fuels for the vast majority of commercial and military applications. Until these fuels are depleted or abandoned, burning them will continue to jeopardize air quality and provoke increased regulation. With those challenges in mind, research and development of more efficient and electric propulsion systems will expand. Fuel-cell technology is but one example that addresses such emission and resource challenges, and others, including negligible acoustic emissions and the potential to leverage current infrastructure models. For now, these technologies are consigned to smaller aircraft applications, but are expected to mature toward use in larger aircraft. Additionally, measures such as electric/conventional hybrid configurations will ultimately increase efficiencies and knowledge of electric systems while minimizing industrial costs.

Development of higher-voltage electrical systems in vehicles has been slowly progressing over the past few decades. However, tightening vehicle efficiency and emissions regulations and increasing demand for onboard electrical power means that higher voltages, in the form of supplemental 48 V subsystems, may soon be nearing production as the most cost-effective way to meet regulations. The displacement of high-wattage loads to more efficient 48 V networks is expected to be the next step in the development of a new generation of mild hybrid vehicles. In addition to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, 48 V systems could potentially save costs on new electrical features and help better address the emerging needs of future drivers. Challenges to 48 V system implementation remain, leading to discussions by experts from leading car makers and suppliers on the need for an international 48 V standard. Initial steps toward a proposed standard have already been taken.

“Spotlight on Design: Insight” features an in-depth look at the latest technology breakthroughs impacting mobility. Viewers are virtually taken to labs and research centers to learn how design engineers are enhancing product performance/reliability, reducing cost, improving quality, safety or environmental impact, and achieving regulatory compliance. As global concerns about the negative consequences of greenhouse gases on the environment increase, regulatory agencies around the world are taking serious steps to address the issue of tailpipe emissions In the episode “Fuel Efficiency: Fuel Economy Testing” (12:05), engineers at the EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory demonstrate how different vehicles are tested for emissions, and AVL’s technical team shows how accurate tailpipe emissions can be measured and reported.

“Spotlight on Design” features video interviews and case study segments, focusing on the latest technology breakthroughs. Viewers are virtually taken to labs and research centers to learn how design engineers are enhancing product performance/reliability, reducing cost, improving quality, safety or environmental impact, and achieving regulatory compliance. In the episode “Diagnostics and Prognostics: Proactive Maintenance and Failure Prevention” (21:04), Delphi engineers explain how they leverage the growing number of sensors and computing power in vehicles to diagnose and proactively solve emerging mechanical or electronic problems, before a breakdown occurs. This video also looks at the next generation of automotive telematics, with HEM Data demonstrating how in-vehicle data acquisition is used to monitor the inner workings of vehicles.

“Spotlight on Design” features video interviews and case study segments, focusing on the latest technology breakthroughs. Viewers are virtually taken to labs and research centers to learn how design engineers are enhancing product performance/reliability, reducing cost, improving quality, safety or environmental impact, and achieving regulatory compliance. Fuel efficiency, or simply put, how to get more mileage out of the same amount of fuel has become one of the main goals to be achieved by new automotive technologies in the future, thanks in part to new government regulations. In the episode “Fuel Efficiency: Racing toward CAFE 2025” (21:24) AVL engineers show simulation and testing being used to design more fuel efficient vehicles, including the equipment that actually analyzes fuel economy.

The pace of replacement of petroleum-based fuels as the primary fuel supply for transportation may still be a point of debate. However, the need to find a viable replacement fuel or group of fuels is no longer a major point of debate. The panel will outline what has changed on the journey during the past few years and what the future holds. Viewpoints from government, the military, fuel suppliers and academia will be presented.

This compendium presents the most complete design and engineering story available anywhere about this groundbreaking new vehicle. It also introduces you to the engineering team and how they made the world’s first production extended-range electric vehicle a reality. Combining articles from SAE International’s Vehicle Electrification and Automotive Engineering International magazines, new SAE technical papers, and all-new content, this full-color book is the only one of its kind that lifts the veil on how the GM team and key supplier partners met the difficult engineering challenges faced in developing the Volt. Topics include the Volt’s systems, components, and model-based design; a behind-the-wheel look at a Volt prototype; and how the Volt’s engineering team used OnStar to collect test drive data from preproduction Volt vehicles.

A key topic of many technical discussions has been the development of alternative fuels to power the compression ignition engine. Reasons for this include the desire to reduce the dependency on petroleum-based fuel and, at the same time, to reduce the particulate matter (PM) and NOx emissions. Also, there has been interest generated in the diesel engine because of the reduction in greenhouse gases that has been proposed during the 2008-2012 time frame in Europe and the regulations that affect diesel engines in the United States.

The 53 technical papers in this book show the improvements and design techniques that researchers have applied to performance and racing engines. They provide an insight into what the engineers consider to be the top improvements needed to advance engine technology; and cover subjects such as: 1) Direct injection; 2) Valve spring advancements; 3) Turbocharging; 4) Variable valve control; 5) Combustion evaluation; and 5) New racing engines.

This report reviews concepts behind fuel cell technology, describes the improvements and vehicles that have been developed since 2001 as the technology has been refined, and examines the issue of what fuel should be used and the necessary refueling infrastructure. Chapters include: The Fuel Cell Vehicles The Race Is On Refueling Infrastructure The Future and more

This report profiles the development and unlimited potential of electric steering technology--an innovation expected to fundamentally change the way automobiles are designed, produced, and marketed. Electric Steering offers information on how this revolutionary steering system evolved, and the effects its implementation will have on America's largest manufacturing industry. Chapters include: Steering Basics Electronic Steering The Market Drivers The Future and more

This comprehensive report closely examines automakers' multibillion-dollar development of fuel cell technology and its potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. With the likelihood that fuel cells will be used in mass-produced vehicles as early as 2003 - nearly a decade earlier than previous estimates - the fuel cell powered vehicle is expected to make up about 7% of the total market share by 2011. This report is the most current and complete source of information on this innovative technology.