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Under city driving conditions, the powertrain represents one of the major vehicle exterior noise sources. Especially at idle and during full load acceleration, the oil pan contributes significantly to the overall powertrain sound emission. The engine oilpan can be a significant contributor to the powertrain radiated sound levels. Passive optimization measures, such as structural optimization and acoustic shielding, can be limited by e.g. light-weight design, package and thermal constraints. Therefore, the potential of the Active Structure Acoustic Control (ASAC) method for noise reduction was investigated within the EU-sponsored project InMAR. The method has proven to have significant noise reduction potential with respect to oil pan vibration induced noise. The paper reports on activities within the InMAR project with regard to a passenger car oil pan application of an ASAC system based on piezo-ceramic foil technology.

Based on NVH tests conducted on a heavy-duty turbocharged DI diesel engine, noise relevant differences between steady-state and transient operating condition were investigated. A vehicle drive-by test simulating the effects of vehicle mass and inertia was performed, followed by transient NVH measurements in a semi-anechoic test cell. Steady-state noise was exceeded by 5 dBA during transient operation due to broadband increase of noise excitation combined with structure resonance amplification. Transient noise results mainly from “harsher” combustion as a consequence of enlarged ignition delay indicated by significant increase in maximum cylinder pressure gradient. Variation of geartrain excitation and combustion excitation revealed that geartrain noise is of minor importance in this context.

The European as well as U.S. market share of modern Diesel engines has increased significantly in recent years, due to their excellent torque and performance behavior combined with low fuel consumption. The overall improved noise and vibration behavior of modern Diesel engines has also contributed to this trend. Despite overall improvements in Diesel engine noise and vibration, certain aspects of Diesel engines continue to present significant challenges. One such issue is the presence of Diesel knocking that is prevalent during cold start and warm-up conditions. This paper discusses a technique used to optimize the cold start noise behavior of modern Diesel engines. The methods used in this study are based on optimizing the engine calibration to improve the vehicle interior and exterior (engine) noise, even at low ambient temperatures.

At the present time, combustion process effects on vehicle interior noise can be evaluated only when vehicle and engine are physically available. This Paper deals with a new method for the prediction of combustion process induced vehicle interior noise. The method can be applied already in early combustion system development and allows a time and cost efficient calibration optimization of engine and vehicle. After establishing appropriate transfer weighting functions (engine) and structure transfer functions (vehicle), audible vehicle interior noise is generated based on appropriate cylinder pressure analysis. Combustion process effects on interior noise can be judged subjectively as well as objectively. Thus, combustion process development at the thermodynamic test bench is effectively supported to achieve an optimal compromise with respect to fuel consumption, exhaust emission and interior noise quality.