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Abstract The transition of vehicle propulsion technologies away from conventional internal combustion engines toward more electrically dominant systems such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) poses new challenges for vehicle thermal management systems. Especially at low ambient temperatures, consumer demand for cabin comfort as well as legislatively imposed safety considerations significantly reduce the electric driving range because only electric energy can be used for heating during emissions-free driving modes. Recent developments to find energy efficient thermal management systems for electric and plug-in electric vehicles have led to the implementation of automotive heat pump systems. As an alternative approach to meet dynamic heating demands and safety regulations, these systems use heat at a low temperature level, for example the waste heat of electric drivetrain components, to heat the passenger compartment efficiently and therefore increase the electric driving range.

Abstract Investigation of vehicle resistant forces and power losses is of crucial importance owing to current state of energy consumption in transport sector. Meanwhile, considerable portion of resistant forces in a ground vehicle is traced back to tires. Pneumatic tires are known to be a source of energy dissipation as a consequence of their viscoelastic nature. The current study aims to provide a modification to tire resistance by considering the power loss in a tire due to longitudinal slip. The modified tire resistance is comprised of rolling resistance and a newly introduced resistance caused by tire slip, called slip resistance. The physical model is chosen for parameters sensitivity study since the tractive force is described in this model via tangible physical parameters, e.g. tire tangential stiffness, coefficient of friction, and contact patch length.

Abstract This article applies a new method for the evaluation and estimation of real-life energy consumption of two different thermal management systems based on driving behavior in the course of the day. Recent attempts to find energy-efficient thermal management systems for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have led to using secondary loop systems as an alternative approach for meeting dynamic heating and cooling demands and reducing refrigerant charge. However, the additional layer of thermal resistance, which influences the system’s transient behavior as well as passenger compartment comfort during cool-down or heat-up, makes it difficult to estimate the annual energy consumption. In this article, the overall energy consumption of a conventional and a secondary loop system is compared using a new method for describing actual customers’ driving behavior in the course of the day.

Abstract Making use of a specifically designed dynamical vehicle model, the authors here presented the results of an activity for the evaluation of energy consumption and CO2 emissions of buses for urban applications. Both conventional and innovative (series hybrid, and fully electric) vehicles were considered to obtain interesting comparative conclusions. The derived tool was used to simulate the dynamical behaviour of these vehicles on a number of kinematic profiles measured during real buses operation in different contexts, varying from really congested city centre routes to fast-lane operated services. It was so possible to evaluate the energetic performances of those buses on a Tank-to-Wheel (TTW) basis.

Abstract The development, analysis, and optimization of battery electric class-7 heavy-duty trucks equipped with multi-speed transmissions are discussed in this paper. The designs of five new traction motors-fractional-slot, concentrated winding machines-are proposed for use in heavy-duty electric trucks. The procedure for gear-ratio range selection is outlined and ranges of gear ratios for three-to six-speed transmission powertrains are calculated for each of the proposed electric traction motors. The simulation and gear-ratio optimization tasks for class-7 battery electric trucks are formulated. The energy consumption of the e-truck with the twenty possible powertrain combinations is minimized over the four driving cycles and the most efficient powertrain layouts that meet the performance criteria are recommended.

Abstract Power split in Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FCHEVs) has been controlled using different strategies ranging from rule-based to optimal control. Dynamic Programming (DP) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) are two common optimal control strategies used in optimization of the power split in FCHEVs with a trade-off between global optimality of the solution and online implementation of the controller. This is due to the fact that DP that offers the global optimal solution requires the pre-known knowledge of the driving condition for the whole drive cycle, which makes the real-time implementation of the strategy more challenging. In this paper, both control strategies are developed and tested on a FC/battery vehicle model, and the results are compared in terms of total energy consumption. In addition, the effects of the MPC prediction horizon length on the controller performance are studied.

Abstract Potassium titanate (KT) fibers/whiskers are used as a functional filler for partial replacement of asbestos in NAO friction materials (FMs). Based on little information reported in open literature; its exact role is not well defined since some papers claim it as the booster for resistance to fade (FR), or wear (WR) and sometimes as damper for friction fluctuations. Interestingly, KT fibers and whiskers (but not powder) are proved as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). However, hardly any efforts are reported on exploration of influence of KT powder and its optimum amount in NAO FMs (realistic composites) in the literature. Hence a series of five realistic multi-ingredient compositions in the form of brake-pads with similar parent composition but varying in the content of KT powder from 0 to 15 wt% (in the steps of 3) were developed. These composites were characterized for physical, mechanical, chemical and tribological performance.

Abstract Disc pad physical properties are believed to be important in controlling brake friction, wear and squeal. Thus these properties are carefully measured during and after manufacturing for quality assurance. For a given formulation, disc pad porosity is reported to affect friction, wear and squeal. This investigation was undertaken to find out how porosity changes affect pad natural frequencies, dynamic modulus, hardness and compressibility for a low-copper formulation and a copper-free formulation, both without underlayer, without scorching and without noise shims. Pad natural frequencies, modulus and hardness all continuously decrease with increasing porosity. When pad compressibility is measured by compressing several times as recommended and practiced, the pad surface hardness is found to increase while pad natural frequencies and modulus remain essentially unchanged.

Abstract From the fact that a propulsor consumes less power for a given thrust if the inlet air is slower, simulations are conducted for a propulsor imposed behind an airfoil as ideal boundary layer ingestion (BLI) propulsor to stand on the benefits of this configuration from the point of view of power and efficiency and to get a closer look on the mutual interaction between them. This interaction is quantified by the impact on three main sets of parameters, namely, power consumption, boundary layer properties, and airfoil performance. The position and size of the propulsor have great influence on the flow around the airfoil. Parametric studies are carried out to understand their influence. BLI propulsor directly affects the power saving and all of the pressure-dependent parameters, including lift and drag. For the present case, power saving reached 14.4% compared to the propeller working in freestream.

Abstract This study investigates methods to precisely control a coolant pump in an internal combustion engine. The goal of this research is to minimize power consumption while still meeting optimal performance, reliability and durability requirements for an engine at all engine-operating conditions. This investigation achieves reduced fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and improved powertrain performance. Secondary impacts include cleaner air for the earth, reduced operating costs for the owner, and compliance with US regulatory requirements. The study utilizes mathematical modeling of the cooling system using heat transfer, pump laws, and boiling analysis to set limits to the cooling system and predict performance changes.

Abstract An accurate and rapid thermal model of an axle-brake system is crucial to the design process of reliable braking systems. Proper thermal management is necessary to avoid damaging effects, such as brake fade, thermal cracking, and lubricating oil degradation. In order to understand the thermal effects inside of a lubricated braking system, it is common to use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to calculate the heat generation and rejection. However, this is a difficult and time-consuming process, especially when trying to optimize a braking system. This article uses the results from several CFD runs to train a Stacked Ensemble Model (SEM), which allows the use of machine learning (ML) to predict the systems’ temperature based on several input design parameters. The robustness of the SEM was evaluated using uncertainty quantification.

Abstract Catalytic converters, a primary component in most automotive emissions control systems, do not function well until they are heated substantially above ambient temperature. As the primary energy for catalyst heating comes from engine exhaust gases, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that have the potential for short and infrequent use of their onboard engine may have limited energy available for catalytic converter heating. This article presents a comparison of multiple hybrid supervisory control strategies to determine the ability to avoid engine cold starts during a blended charge-depleting propulsion mode. Full vehicle and catalytic converter simulations are performed in parallel with engine dynamometer testing in order to examine catalyst temperature variations during the course of the US06 City drive cycle. Emissions and energy consumption (E&EC) calculations are also performed to determine the effective number of engine starts during the drive cycle.

Abstract To gain a better understanding of the characteristics of corrugation, including the development and propagation of corrugation, and impact of vehicle and track dynamics, a computational model was established, taking into account the nonlinearity of vehicle-track coupling. The model assumes a fixed train speed of 300 km/h and accounts for vertical interaction force components and rail wear effect. Site measurements were used to validate the numerical model. Computational results show that (1) Wheel polygonalisation corresponding to excitation frequency of 545-572 Hz was mainly attributed to track irregularity and uneven stiffness of under-rail supports, which in turn leads to vibration modes of the bogie and axle system in the frequency range of 500-600 Hz, aggregating wheel wear. (2) The peak response frequency of rail of the non-ballasted track coincides with the excitation frequency of wheel-rail coupling; the resonance results in larger wear amplitude of the rail.

Mechanical and thermal properties of the rubber compounds of a tire play an important role in the overall performance of the tire when it is in contact with the terrain. Although there are many studies conducted on the properties of the rubber compounds of the tire to improve some of the tire characteristics, such as the wear of the tread, there are a limited number of studies that focused on the performance of the tire when it is in contact with ice. This study is a part of a more comprehensive project looking into the tire-ice performance and modeling. In this study, to understand the effect of different rubber compounds on the tire performance, three identical tires from the same company have been chosen. The tires’ only difference is the material properties of the rubber. Two approaches have been implemented in this study.

Abstract A dynamic model of a multi-unit air conditioning (AC) system in a generic bus was developed to investigate different control strategies on the system performance and the cabin comfort level. In this study, a part-load condition was considered, where adopting a proper strategy for governing a multi-unit system is important. Simulink and Simscape toolbox from MATLAB (R2019a) were used to build up the real-time model by integrating a cooling system with a cabin sub-model. The cooling system consists of two independently controlled units, based on a Vapor Compression Cycle (VCC). The cabin is modelled using a moisture air network and is coupled with the cooling system to exchange heat with the refrigerant through the evaporators. Moreover, the sensible and latent loads are incorporated into the cabin by a thermal network.

Abstract Off-highway equipment are subjected to diverse environmental conditions, severe duty cycles, and multiple simultaneous operations. Due to its continuous, high-power adverse operating conditions, equipment are exposed to high thermal loads, which result in the deterioration of its performance and efficiency. This article describes a model-based system simulation approach for thermal performance evaluation of a self-propelled off-highway vehicle. The objective of developing the simulation model including thermal fidelity is to quantify the impact of thermal loads on vehicular system/subsystems performance. This article also describes the use of simulation models for driving architectural design decisions and virtual test replication in all stages of product development.

Abstract Fan cooling system of an air-cooled diesel engine is optimized using 3D CFD numerical simulation approach. The main objective of this article is to increase engine fuel efficiency by reducing fan power consumption. It is achieved by optimizing airflow rates and flow distribution over the engine surfaces to keep the maximum temperature of engine oil and engine surfaces well within the lubrication and material limit, respectively, at the expense of lower fan power. Based on basic fan laws, a bigger fan consumes lesser power for the same airflow rate as compared to a smaller fan, provided both fans have similar efficiency. Flow analysis is also conducted with the engine head and block modeled as solid medium and fan cooling system as fluid domain. Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence (RANS) equations were solved to get the flow field inside the cooling system and on the engine liner fins. The Moving Reference Frame approach was used for simulating the rotation of a fan.

Abstract Addition of hydrogen to hydrocarbons in premixed turbulent combustion is of technological interest due to their increased reactivity, flame stability and extended lean extinction limits. However, such flames are a challenge to reaction modelling, especially as the strong preferential diffusion effects modify the physical processes, which are of importance even for highly turbulent high-pressure conditions. In the present work, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modelling is carried out to investigate pressure and hydrogen content on methane/hydrogen/air flames.

Abstract This article describes the application of Reinforcement Learning (RL) with an embedded heuristic algorithm to a multi-objective hybrid vehicle optimization. A multi-objective optimization problem (MOP) is defined as a minimization of total energy consumption and trip time resulting from optimal control of vehicle speed over a known route. First, a computationally efficient heuristic optimization algorithm is formulated to solve the MOP for multiple traffic scenarios. Then, the off-line integration of RL is applied to the heuristic optimization algorithm process and utilized to solve the MOP. Finally, the online optimization capability of the machine learning algorithm is discussed, as well as its extension to the vehicle routing problem and the hybrid electric vehicle. The specific scenario investigated is where a generic vehicle begins a trip on a one-lane highway. The length of the highway and the number of vehicles and traffic signals on the road are generic as well.

Abstract With highway vehicles using over 20% of the total energy consumption in the United States, making strides in improving their fuel economy will positively influence the nation’s environmental impact. One methodology to accomplish this outcome is by reducing vehicle weight. In this regard, since the internal combustion (IC) engine is a major contributor to the mass of an automobile, it is an ideal area to target. Prior efforts in this area include using alternative materials (e.g., aluminum or magnesium) to decrease weight. Here, additive manufacturing (AM) is an appealing option due to its freedom from typical manufacturing constraints and the ability to produce highly optimized designs using nonconventional powertrain materials (e.g., titanium). The use of AM has the potential to increase reliability, improve performance, decrease production cost, and possibly minimize the number of parts.