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Natural gas has been considered as an alternative fuel for a heavy duty diesel engine with its lower pollutant and carbon dioxide emissions than its counterpart. However, due to the high auto-ignition temperature of methane, this alternate fuel has been mainly used in spark-ignited engine with relatively lower compression ratio, losing full potential of achieving high efficiency. To overcome these limitations, high-pressure direct injection of the natural gas in a compression ignition engine has been proposed, and there have been several attempts to understand physical behaviors and ignition of methane jet. In this study, auto-ignition characteristics of high-pressure methane jet were investigated both through the experiment and the multi-zone modeling to suggest the applicability to such engine.

This paper presents a stability monitoring algorithm with a combined slip tire model for maximized cornering speed of high-speed autonomous driving. It is crucial to utilize the maximum tire force with maintaining a grip driving condition in cornering situations. The model-free cruise controller has been designed to track the desired acceleration. The lateral motion has been regulated by the sliding mode controller formulated with the center of percussion. The controllers are suitable for minimizing the behavior errors. However, the high-level algorithm is necessary to check whether the intended motion is inside of the limit boundaries. In extreme diving conditions, the maximum tire force is limited by physical constraints. A combined slip tire model has been applied to monitor vehicle stability. In previous studies, vehicle stability was evaluated only by vehicle acceleration.

This paper describes a driving control algorithm based on skid steering for a Robotic Vehicle with Articulated Suspension (RVAS). The driving control algorithm consists of four parts; speed controller for tracking of the desired speeds, yaw rate controller which computes a yaw moment input to track desired yaw rates, longitudinal tire force distribution which determines an optimal desired longitudinal tire force and wheel torque controller which determines a wheel torque command at each wheel to keep slip ratio at each wheel below a limit value as well as track the desired tire force. Longitudinal and vertical tire force estimators are designed for optimal tire force distribution and wheel slip control. The dynamic model of RVAS for simulation study is validated using vehicle test data.

This paper proposes a rear-wheel steering control method that can modify and improve the vehicle lateral response without tire model and parameter. The proposed control algorithm is a combination of steady-state and transient control. The steady state control input is designed to modify steady-state yaw rate response of the vehicle, i.e. understeer gradient of the vehicle. The transient control input is a feedback control to improve the transient response when the vehicle lateral behavior builds up. The control algorithm has been investigated via computer simulations. Compared to classical control methods, the proposed algorithm shows good vehicle lateral response such as small overshoot and fast response. Specifically, the proposed algorithm can alleviate stair-shaped response of the lateral acceleration.

Validation of a vehicle simulation model of the Chevrolet Volt 2016 was conducted. The Chevrolet Volt 2016 is equipped with the new “Voltec” extended-range propulsion system introduced into the market in 2016. The second generation Volt powertrain system operates in five modes, including two electric vehicle modes and three extended-range modes. Model development and validation were conducted using the test data performed on the chassis dynamometer set in a thermal chamber of Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Powertrain Research Facility. First, the components of the vehicle, such as the engine, motor, battery, wheels, and chassis, were modeled, including thermal aspects based on the test data. For example, engine efficiency changes dependent on the coolant temperature, or chassis heating or air-conditioning operations according to the ambient and cabin temperature, were applied.

This paper presents an Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) based side slip angle estimation method to estimate side slip angle under various road conditions for vehicle stability control. Knowledge of the side slip angle is essential enhancing vehicle handling and stability. For the estimation of the side slip angles in previous researches, prior knowledge of tire parameters and road conditions have been employed, and sometimes additional sensors have been needed. These prior knowledge and additional sensors, however, necessitates many efforts and make an application of the estimation algorithm difficult. In this paper, side slip angle has been estimated using on-board vehicle sensors such as yaw rate and lateral acceleration sensors. The proposed estimation algorithm integrates the estimates from multiple Kalman filters based on the multiple models with different parameter set.

A module based IPS (Intelligent Power Switch) evaluation system is proposed in this paper. As the IPS is gradually replacing the conventional relay and fuses, the stability and reliability of power system depends more on these IPS. The proposed IPS evaluation system outperforms the conventional manual evaluation in terms of speed and efficiency. This paper will introduce the structure of hardware and software of the IPS evaluation system. The system is placed between the module and cable connector to evaluate the module in an operating car without changing the cables. The control and signal processing is carried out by personal computer which is connected to the evaluation system by USB (Universal Serial Bus). The load resistance can be switch from actual load to arbitrary value using relay circuitry and DC electric load controlled by GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus). CAN (Controller Area Network) circuits were added to control the IPS mounted inside the module.

This paper describes the ground system model and algorithm for a ground level simulation tool. First, the modeling of an automotive ground system will be discussed and the algorithm for a simulation tool will be explained. We divided the model into a ground tree and a ground body. The ground tree model consists of resistance formed by the wires that connect the load to ground point with various structures and the ground body model consists of resistance between ground points in the car body. The wires with large current, such as engine ground cable, was modeled in detail by dividing the resistance into wire, bolt, and clamping resistance, in order to simulate the effect of increased contact resistance after durability test. The algorithm of the ground level simulation tool was designed to adjust the currents of the alternator, battery, and ground points in order to evaluate the various driving and load conditions.

Two-mode hybrid architectures with three planetary gear sets and four clutches will bring both flexibility and complexity to energy management of powertrains. In order to take full advantage of the increased degrees of freedom, highly delicate operation strategies are needed. We develop transmission efficiency models for power-split modes, and present a mode shift strategy assuming no battery power. When battery load leveling is additionally considered, the respective optimal operation set for each mode can be obtained and compared to yield a mode shift algorithm for general hybrid operation situations. The investigation of the strategies shows how frequently each mode is used, and verifies the effectiveness of fixed gear operations. We check the validity of the strategies by applying the algorithm to dynamic optimization and by predicting how it works during an actual driving simulation.

This paper presents a closed-loop evaluation of the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) systems using a vehicle simulator. Human driver-VSC interactions have been investigated under realistic operating conditions in the laboratory. Braking control inputs for vehicle stability enhancement have been directly derived from the sliding control law based on vehicle planar motion equations with differential braking. A driving simulator which consists of a three-dimensional vehicle dynamic model, interface between human driver and vehicle simulator, three-dimensional animation program and a visual display has been validated using actual vehicle driving test data. Real-time human-in-the loop simulation results in realistic driving situations have shown that the proposed controller reduces driving effort and enhances vehicle stability.

Characteristics of syngas combustion at various reforming ratios were studied numerically. The syngas was formed by the partial oxidation of methane to mainly hydrogen and carbon monoxide and cooled to ambient temperature. Stiochiometric and lean premixed flames of the mixtures of methane and the syngas were compared at the atmospheric temperature and pressure conditions. The adiabatic flame temperature decreased with the reforming ratio. The laminar burning velocity, however, increased with the reforming ratio. For stretched flames in a counterflow, the high temperature region was broadened with the reforming ratio. The maximum flame temperature decreased with the reforming ratio for the stoichiometric case, but increased for the lean case except for the region of very low stretch rate. The extinction stretch rate increased with the reforming ratio, implying that the syngas assisted flame is more resistance to turbulence level.

Exterior shape of automobile can be represented by shape function through this study so that aerodynamic shape parameters can be easily controlled and changed. Also ordinary geometric information can be extracted easily from shape function model by simple calculations. It is possible to predict the aerodynamic performance of functional virtual car models which are transformed continually by developing automated program in initial design stage that includes all of above process. Innovative vehicle design process with exterior design guide will be proposed for stylist, engineer and packaging department in order to achieve low aerodynamic drag and high fuel efficiency targets.

The technical feasibility of applying anaerobic digestion for reduction and stabilization of the organic fraction of solid wastes generated during space missions was investigated. This process has the advantages of not requiring oxygen or high temperature and pressure while producing methane, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and compost as valuable products. High-solids leachbed anaerobic digestion employed here involves a solid-phase fermentation with leachate recycle between new and old reactors for inoculation, wetting, and removal of volatile organic acids during startup. After anaerobic conversion is complete, the compost bed may be used for biofiltration and plant growth medium. The nutrient-rich leachate may also be used as a vehicle for nutrient recycle. Physical properties of representative waste feedstocks were determined to evaluate their space requirements and hydraulic leachability in the selected digester design.

This paper presents a Unified Chassis Control (UCC) strategy to improve vehicle stability and maneuverability by integrating Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Active Front Steering (AFS). The UCC architecture consists of two parts: an estimator and a controller. The estimator is designed to estimate longitudinal and lateral tire forces and the controller is designed in two stages, namely, an upper level controller and a lower level controller. The upper level controller, provides the desired yaw moment for vehicle lateral stability by adopting a sliding control method. The lower level controller, provides the integration method of the AFS and ESC strategies for the desired yaw moment and is designed by optimal tire force coordination.

As speed of ground vehicle increases, there are increased concerns on the aerodynamic drag reduction of ground vehicle. Recently, synthetic jet is emerging as a promising active flow control technology for aerodynamic drag reduction. In this paper, we performed an experimental parametric study on synthetic jet for aerodynamic drag reduction of Ahmed model. Synthetic jet array is constructed by twelve synthetic jet actuators, and installed on two kinds of Ahmed models, of which slant angles are 25° and 35°. The jets are emanated between the roof and the rear slant surface. Jet angle, momentum coefficient, and driving frequency are changed to assess the effect of synthetic jet array on aerodynamic drag. To quantify the effect of synthetic jet, the aerodynamic drag and rear surface pressure are measured and analyzed. From the result, the effect of synthetic jet actuation on aerodynamic drag differs according to the slant angle of the body.

A series of experiments and computational analysis were carried out on the flow around a bluff body. Some non-streamlined ground vehicles, buildings and pipelines near to the ground could encounter very dangerous situations because of the unsteady wind loading caused by the periodic vortex shedding behind the bluff body. A two-dimensional bluff body model was used to simulate flow in the wake region. Spectral analysis of the velocity profiles in the underbody region was also used to examine the influence of the underbody flow in the wake region. By using a flow visualization technique, the critical gap height and the separation line on the ground were investigated for various gap heights and boundary layer thicknesses. Additionally, the 2-D Incompressible Navier-Stokes equation with an ε - SST (Strain Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model was used for comparison with experimental results.

The goal of this study is to develop an actively translating rear diffuser device to reduce the aerodynamic drag experienced by passenger cars. The feature of this device is hidden under the rear bumper ordinarily not to ruin the external design of the car and slips out backward under the high-speed driving condition. By this study, a movable arc-shaped semi-diffuser device is designed to maintain the streamlined automobile rear underbody configuration. It's installed under the rear bumper of a passenger car. Seven types of rear diffuser devices whose positions, slid out lengths and widths are differing with the basic shape installed in the rear bumper section of a passenger car and performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses under rotating wheel and moving ground conditions. The main purpose of this study is that explains the aerodynamic drag reduction mechanism of a passenger car via an actively translating rear diffuser device at a high speed driving condition.

This paper presents the research related to the self-driving system that has been actively carried out recently. Previous studies have been limited to ensure the path following performance in linear and steady state-alike handling region with small lateral acceleration. However, in the high speed driving, the vehicle cornering response is extended to nonlinear region where tire grips are saturated. This requires a technology to create the driving path for minimum time maneuvering while grasping the tire grip limits of the vehicle in real time. The entire controller consists of three stages-hierarchy: The target motion is determined in the supervisor phase, and the target force to follow the target behavior is calculated in the upper stage controller. Finally, the lower stage controller calculates the actuator phase control input corresponding to the target force.