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Clutch wear is dominantly manifested as the reduction of friction plate thickness. For dry dual clutch with position-controlled electromechanical actuators this affects the accuracy of normal force control because of the increased clutch clearance. In order to compensate for the wear, dry dual clutch is equipped with wear compensation mechanism. The paper presents results of experimental characterization and mathematical modeling of two clutch wear related effects. The first one is the decrease of clutch friction plate thickness (i.e. increase of clutch clearance) which is described using friction material wear rate experimentally characterized using a pin-on-disc type tribometer test rig. The second wear related effect, namely the influence of the clutch wear compensation mechanism activation at various stages of clutch wear on main clutch characteristics, was experimentally characterized using a clutch test rig which incorporates entire clutch with related bell housing.

Dual Clutch Transmissions with dry electromechanically actuated clutches have emerged on the market recently. In order to provide their favorable operation in terms of the clutch torque control, it is very important to have a good knowledge on the system behavior related to the actuator dynamics, the dry friction coefficient behavior, and the thermal dynamics. This paper describes two test rigs developed to support the research work on a dry dual clutch with a lever-based electromechanical actuation system. The first test rig (actuation system test rig) provides a basis for a comprehensive multi-step identification of the actuation system parameters and characterization of the overall system behavior. This test rig includes a modified dual clutch assembly including a built-in sensor for the purpose of direct normal force measurement.

Thermal expansion of a clutch pack with position-controlled actuation can affect the accuracy of clutch normal torque control, because it causes an increase of the clutch normal force for the given actuator position. The paper presents an experimental characterization and mathematical modeling of the dry dual clutch thermal expansion effects. The experimental data have been collected by using a clutch/transmission test rig. The acquired data point to two separate, mutually opposite thermal expansion effects. The first effect relates to increase of the clutch clearance with temperature growth, while the second one includes decrease of press plate and engagement bearing positions for a given clutch torque and a rising temperature (i.e. the clutch torque rises with temperature growth and a constant actuator position). In order to explain and describe these two effects, a geometry analysis of the clutch, focused on thermal expansion, is carried out.

Improvement of engine fuel efficiency through the use of low friction engine oils is a major task in engine lubrication research. This friction reduction can be achieved by improving the rheological characteristics and elastohydrodynamic (EHD) properties of engine oils, and by controlling boundary chemical interactions between oil-based additives and lubricated components in the engine. In order to achieve minimal frictional power loss under all lubrication regimes, engine tribological systems must be designed to effectively use advanced lubricant technology, material and surface modifications. This paper presents results of cooperative research addressing opportunities for minimizing friction through extension of hydrodynamic lubrication regime in lubricated components using various formulation approaches. A set of experimental oils has been evaluated using laboratory test rigs that simulate hydrodynamic, EHD, mixed and boundary lubrication.

A test cell was developed for evaluating a 6-speed automatic transmission. The target vehicle had an internal combustion 5.4L gasoline V8 engine. An electric dynamometer was used to closely simulate the engine characteristics. This included generating mean torque from the ECU engine map, with a transient capability of 10,000 rpm/second. Engine inertia was simulated with a transient capability of 20,000 rpm/second, and torque pulsation was simulated individually for each piston, with a transient capability of 50,000 rpm/second. Quantitative results are presented for the correlation between the engine driven and the dynamometer driven transmission performance over more than 60 test cycles. Concerns about using the virtual engine in validation testing are discussed, and related to the high frequency transient performance required from the electric dynamometer. Qualitative differences between the fueled engine and electric driven testing are presented.

This paper presents the progress of an ongoing vehicle micro corrosion environment study. The goal of the study is to develop an improved method for estimating vehicle corrosion based on the Total Vehicle Accelerated Corrosion Test at the Arizona Proving Ground (APG). Although the APG test greatly accelerates vehicle corrosion compared to the field, the “acceleration factor” varies considerably from site-to-site around the vehicle. This method accounts for the difference in corrosivity of various local corrosion environments from site-to-site at APG and in the field. Correlations of vehicle microenvironments with the macroenvironment (weather) and the occurrence of various environmental conditions at microenvironments are essential to the study. A comparison of results from APG versus field measurements generated using a cold rolled steel based corrosion sensor is presented.

The crush performance of lightweight composite automotive structures varies significantly between static and dynamic test conditions. This paper discusses the development of a new dynamic testing facility that can be used to characterize crash performance at high loads and constant speed. Previous research results from the Energy Management Working Group (EMWG) of the Automotive Composites Consortium (ACC) showed that the static crush resistance of composite tubes can be significantly greater than dynamic crush results at speeds greater than 2 m/s. The new testing facility will provide the unique capability to crush structures at high loads in the intermediate velocity range. A novel machine control system was designed and projections of the machine performance indicate its compliance with the desired test tolerances. The test machine will be part of a national user facility at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and will be available for use in the summer of 2002.

The Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Simulator was developed to evaluate the performance of vehicle emissions sampling and analytical systems. The simulator produces a representative tailpipe volume flow rate containing up to five emission constituents, injected via mass flow controllers (MFCs). Eliminating the variability of test results associated with the vehicle, driver, and dynamometer makes the simulator an ideal quality control tool for use in commissioning new test cells, checking data correlation between test cells, and evaluating overall system performance. Earlier vehicle emissions simulators being used in the industry were primarily for checking Constant Volume Samplers (CVSs) and Bag Benches but they did not have the ability to properly simulate tailpipe volume.

For future hydrogen fueled ground vehicle research, Ford Motor Company has installed the first hydrogen fueling station in North America with gaseous and cryogenic hydrogen and two dedicated hydrogen fueled engine laboratory dynamometer test cells. Hydrogen, as a fuel for internal combustion engines (ICE), requires unique approaches to assure safety and accuracy in an engine-testing lab because of hydrogen's molecular size, compressibility, and reactivity. Ford Scientific Research Lab has accumulated useful experiences during the P2000 hydrogen internal combustion engine and vehicle development program. This paper presents the safety measures used in the hydrogen lab, including gas leakage sensing and warning system, hydrogen flame detecting device, cell fresh air ventilation conventions, and hydrogen fueling and purging system.

A running loss test procedure has been developed which integrates a point-source collection method to measure fuel evaporative running loss from vehicles during their operation on the chassis dynamometer. The point-source method is part of a complete running loss test procedure which employs the combination of site-specific collection devices on the vehicle, and a sampling pump with sampling lines. Fugitive fuel vapor is drawn into these collectors which have been matched to characteristics of the vehicle and the test cell. The composite vapor sample is routed to a collection bag through an adaptation of the ordinary constant volume dilution system typically used for vehicle exhaust gas sampling. Analysis of the contents of such bags provides an accurate measure of the mass and species of running loss collected during each of three LA-4* driving cycles. Other running loss sampling methods were considered by the Auto-Oil Air Quality Improvement Research Program (AQIRP or Program).

Downhill tests are widely used as a method of evaluation, development and validation of braking efficiency, friction pair durability, braking balance, as well as fade characteristics and recovery of friction material properties. This test procedure is used for both: passenger vehicles and light & heavy commercial vehicles. The energy levels in the brake system are higher on commercial vehicles and the thermal characteristics much more critical. Added to the fact that such tests are conducted on public highways, it has an intrinsic security risk for both the vehicle tested and all others around. Until a few years ago, it was still feasible to conduct tests downhill on different routes keeping a high security level. Given an increasing traffic on highways, where the test is currently carried out, a need to create a similar downhill procedure (called Guaporé Mountain Test) within a Proving Ground under controlled conditions has been noticed.

In an effort to reduce the cost and time associated with bench level automotive electrical and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) validation tests, a survey was created to request advice from the test labs that perform this testing. The survey focuses particularly on the development of the test plan document and the preparation of the test setup. The survey was sent to a targeted group of individuals with experience in performing this type of testing. The invitees work at laboratories that represent the majority of labs in the world that are authorized to perform component electrical / EMC validation testing for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). There were a significant number of responses; it is possible that representatives from all of the invited laboratories responded. The survey results provide demographic information about the test labs and their participants.

Proving Ground cyclic testing was used to evaluate vehicles assembled with electrogalvanized and organic composite coated electrogalvanized steel. These same materials, along with several commonly available precoated steels, were also evaluated as hem flange assemblies on towed trailers at the Proving Ground. Testing was terminated as perforation of some of the assemblies occurred. Pitting depth was used to quantitatively evaluate metal loss.

Advances in avionics and display technology are significantly changing the cockpit environment in current transport aircraft. The MIT Aeronautical Systems Lab (ASL) has developed a part-task flight simulator specifically to study the effects of these new technologies on flight crew situational awareness and performance. The simulator is based on a commercially-available graphics workstation, and can be rapidly reconfigured to meet the varying demands of experimental studies. The simulator has been successfully used to evaluate graphical microburst alerting displays, electronic instrument approach plates, terrain awareness and alerting displays, and ATC routing amendment delivery through digital datalinks.

This paper describes the development of a Dynamic Door Component Test Methodology (DDCTM) for side impact simulation. A feasibility study of the methodology was conducted using a MADYMO computer model by taking parameters such as door pre-crush, door-to-SID (Side Impact Dummy) contact velocity and the deceleration profile into consideration. The prove-out tests of this methodology was carried out on a dynamic sled test facility. The DDCTM has been validated for various carlines. In addition, various existing dynamic component test methods are reviewed. In our approach, a pre-crushed door, mounted on a sled, strikes a stationary SID at a pre-determined velocity. A programmable hydraulic decelerator is used to decelerate the sled to simulate the barrier/door deceleration pulse during door-to-SID contact period. This test procedure provides excellent correlation of the SID responses between the component test and the full-scale vehicle test.

Through Frame and Suspension Tuning (FAST) you can identify suspension and frame Set-ups in the lab with out risk to the car or driver. For on track verification the number of Set-ups can be reduced from an unlimited number to 2 or 3 and then optimized on the track, rather than developed on the track. This method can be used with all forms of racing. It has been applied to Indy, GT, Winston Cup, and Trans Am cars. Through the use of a road simulator we are able to evaluate and improve the frame and suspension dynamics in a laboratory. This paper will focus on the first step in the tuning process, frame tuning. If the frame is not tuned for the input energy conditions it can become an uncontrolled suspension component. The first step is to identify the frame dynamic characteristics. Operational deform shapes are measured to identify local and global motion. The frames are modified to optimize the response for the type of race track.

Frequency domain testing has had limited use in the past for durability evaluations of automotive components. Recent advances and new perspectives now make it a viable option. Using frequency domain testing for components, test times can be greatly reduced, resulting in considerable savings of time, money, and resources. Quality can be built into the component, thus making real-time subsystem and full vehicle testing and development more meaningful. Time domain testing historically started with block cycle histogram tests. Improved capabilities of computers, controllers, math procedures, and algorithms have led to real time simulation in the laboratory. Real time simulation is a time domain technique for duplicating real world environments using computer controlled multi-axial load inputs. It contains all phase information as in the recorded proving ground data. However, normal equipment limitations prevent the operation at higher frequencies.

Friction and scuffing resistance characteristics of two piston alloy materials have been investigated by using a long-stroke reciprocating test rig. Tests were conducted under the same load, speed, and starved changing to dry lubrication conditions until the scuffing failure occurred, as indicated by a sudden change of the frictional force signal which was monitored continuously. Measured friction coefficient and scuffing threshold and life results were obtained, and the piston alloy with the better scuffing resistance capability has been identified. Surface texture of new and scuffed piston and cylinder bore specimen surfaces have been measured and characterized by a combination of amplitude and spacing parameters.

Vehicle interior noise due to powerplant radiation is a product of two factors, the noise level radiated by the powerplant and the effectiveness of the vehicle body and sound package in reducing this noise. Effective noise reduction strategies require that the appropriate target levels be set for these factors. This paper reviews studies performed at Ford to establish such targets and the theoretical basis of these studies. To set sound package targets engine noise simulators have been used to study the sound package noise reduction capabilities of various vehicles. These studies include the effect of noise source location on attenuation, the effect of powerplant location and dimensions, and the effect of interior microphone location. Engine noise targets are being established by testing powerplants in the hemi-anechoic dynamometer test cells of the new AEC Building. Studies include the effect of engine rpm, load, and microphone location.

Fatigue analysis using finite element models of a full vehicle body structure subjected to proving ground durability loads is a very complex task. The current paper presents an analytical procedure for fatigue life predictions of full body structures based on a time-domain approach. The paper addresses those situations where this kind of analysis is necessary. It also discusses the major factors (e.g., stress equivalencing procedure, cycle counting method, event lumping and load interactions) which affect fatigue life predictions in the procedure. A comparison study is conducted which explores the combination of these factors favorable for realistic fatigue life prediction. The concepts are demonstrated using a body system model of production size.