Search Results

Abstract In recent years, lean-burn gasoline Spark-Ignition (SI) engines have been a major subject of investigations. With this solution, in fact, it is possible to simultaneously reduce NOx raw emissions and fuel consumption due to decreased heat losses, higher thermodynamic efficiency, and enhanced knock resistance. However, the real applicability of this technique is strongly limited by the increase in cyclic variation and the occurrence of misfire, which are typical for the combustion of homogeneous lean air/fuel mixtures. The employment of a Pre-Chamber (PC), in which the combustion begins before proceeding in the main combustion chamber, has already shown the capability of significantly extending the lean-burn limit. In this work, the potential of an ultralean PC SI engine for a decisive improvement of the thermal efficiency is presented by means of numerical and experimental analyses.

Abstract In the United States (USA), transportation is the largest single source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing 27% of total GHGs emitted in 2020. Eighty-three percent of these came from road transport, and 57% from light-duty vehicles (LDVs). Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which still form the bulk of the United States (US) fleet, struggle to meet climate change targets. Despite increasingly stringent regulatory mechanisms and technology improvements, only three US states have been able to reduce their transport emissions to the target of below 1990 levels. Fifteen states have made some headway to within 10% of their 1990 baseline. Largely, however, it appears that current strategies are not generating effective results. Current climate-change mitigation measures in road transport tend to be predominantly technological.

Abstract This article presents an investigation of energy transfer, flame propagation, and emissions formation mechanisms in a four-cylinder, downsized and boosted, spark ignition engine fuelled by either directly injected compressed natural gas (DI CNG) or gasoline (GDI). Three different charge preparation strategies are examined for both fuels: stoichiometric engine operation without external dilution, stoichiometric operation with external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and lean burn. In this work, experiments and engine modelling are first used to analyze the energy transfer throughout the engine system. This analysis shows that an early start of fuel injection (SOI) improves fuel efficiency through lower unburned fuel energy at low loads with stoichiometric DI CNG operation.

Abstract The equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is an instantaneous optimization method implemented online for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to improve fuel economy. To fulfill the near-optimal performance of ECMS, equivalent factors (EFs) must be well tuned for different powertrains and driving cycles. This study proposes a hierarchical offline optimization framework which tunes the penalty value of state of charge (SOC) balance in the outer layer and optimizes EFs based on heuristic algorithms in the inner layer. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to evaluate three heuristic algorithms, including the genetic algorithm (GA), the nonlinear-inertia-decreasing particle swarm optimization algorithm (NLPSO), and the novel firefly algorithm (FA). The traversal optimization method (TOM) is chosen as the benchmark. Besides, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to reveal the impact of the penalty value on the battery SOC balance.

Abstract Electric power steering (EPS) systems have become the most advantageous steering system used in vehicles. They provide better fuel efficiency and a more compact design over traditional hydraulic power steering (HPS) systems. However, EPS systems are afflicted with unwanted noise and vibration that can undermine the safety of drivers. This article presents a mathematical framework for vibration analysis in a column-type EPS system. The steering column is modeled as a continuous clamped column. The equations of motion are derived using Hamilton’s principle, and explicit expressions are presented for the frequency and transmissibility equations. A three-degrees-of-freedom (3-DOF) dynamic model is also presented by an approximation of the stiffness, damping, and mass of the steering column. The results of the proposed analytical models are validated using ANSYS simulation.

Abstract This work presents a generalized methodology for the optimal thermal management of different powertrain devices. The methodology is based on the adoption of an electrically driven pump and on the development of a specifically designed controller algorithm. This is achieved following a Model Predictive Control approach and requires a generalized lumped-parameters model of the thermal exchange between the device walls and the coolant. The methodology is validated at a test rig, with reference to a four-cylinder spark-ignition engine. Results show that the proposed approach allows a reduction in fuel consumption of about 2-3% during the engine warm-up, a decrease in fuel consumption of about 1-2% during fully warmed operation, and an estimated fuel consumption reduction of about 2.5-3% in an NEDC. Finally, the investigation highlights that the proposed approach reduces the risk of after-boiling when the engine is rapidly switched off after a prolonged high-load operation.

Abstract Deep learning (DL)-based approaches enable unprecedented control paradigms for propulsion systems, utilizing recent advances in high-performance computing infrastructure connected to modern vehicles. These approaches can be employed to optimize diesel aftertreatment control systems targeting the reduction of emissions. The optimization of the Trapped Soot Load (TSL) reduction in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is such an example. As part of the diesel aftertreatment system, the DPF stores the soot particles resulting from the combustion process in the engine. Periodically, the stored soot is oxidized during a DPF regeneration event. The efficiency of such a regeneration influences the fuel economy, and potentially the service interval of the vehicle. The quality of a regeneration depends on the operating conditions of the DPF, the engine, and the ability to complete the regeneration event.

Abstract Turbocharging can provide a low cost means for increasing the power output and fuel economy of an internal combustion engine. Currently, turbocharging is common in multi-cylinder engines, but due to the inconsistent nature of intake air flow, it is not commonly used in single-cylinder engines. In this article, we propose a novel method for turbocharging single-cylinder, four-stroke engines. Our method adds an air capacitor-an additional volume in series with the intake manifold, between the turbocharger compressor and the engine intake-to buffer the output from the turbocharger compressor and deliver pressurized air during the intake stroke. We analyzed the theoretical feasibility of air capacitor-based turbocharging for a single-cylinder engine, focusing on fill time, optimal volume, density gain, and thermal effects due to adiabatic compression of the intake air.

Abstract An efficient vehicle thermal management is essential to fulfil the requirements of fuel consumption and passenger comfort. Therefore, the design and dimensioning of the cooling system is under high scrutiny in new vehicle architectures. With increasing electrification, no longer just the load peaks define the design frame but also the dynamics of thermal loading and recovery. Consequently, electrified vehicle architectures such as plug-in hybrid fuel cell vehicles demand for alternative approaches regarding the design of cooling systems and the definition of the decisive criteria. This article presents a new methodology for designing the cooling system related to its demands in customer operation. The recorded fleet data is first filtered for high load driving, using the so-called thermal load integral (LI) as a filter criterion.

Abstract Nowadays, the need for a more sustainable mobility is fostering powertrain electrification as a way of reducing the carbon footprint of conventional vehicles. On the other side, the presence of multiple energy sources significantly increases the powertrain complexity and requires the development of a suitable Energy Management System (EMS) whose performance can strongly affect the fuel economy potential of the vehicle. In such a framework, this article proposes a novel methodology to reverse engineer the control strategy of a test case P2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) through the analysis of experimental data acquired in a wide range of driving conditions. In particular, a combination of data obtained from On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD), Controller Area Network (CAN)-bus protocol, and additional sensors installed on the High Voltage (HV) electric net of the vehicle is used to point out any dependency of the EMS decisions on the powertrain main operating variables.

Abstract Two new misfire detection indexes for single-cylinder motorcycle engines—dubbed gap distance (GD) and gap slope (GS)—are proposed in this study. GD and GS quantify the change in engine angular acceleration using the tooth time measured by the crankshaft position sensor (CKPS). GD is defined as the product of the spacing distance I (the distance from the top dead center at the explosion stroke [TDC2] to the engine speed trend line parallel to the engine speed axis) and spacing distance II (the distance from the bottom dead center at the expansion stroke [BDC2] to the engine speed trend line parallel to the engine speed axis). GS is defined as the difference between the two slopes between the engine speed inclination line and the engine speed trend line. Here the engine speed trend line connects two engine speeds at the top dead center at the intake stroke (TDC1) of the current and subsequent cycles.

Abstract Technological advancements and growth in electric motors and battery packs enable vehicle propulsion electrifications, which minimize the need for fossil fuel consumption. The mobility shift to electric motors creates a demand for an efficient electric motor thermal management system that can accommodate heat dissipation needs with minimum power requirements and noise generation. This study proposes an intelligent hybrid cooling system that includes a gravity-aided passive cooling solution coupled with a smart supplementary liquid cooling system. The active cooling system contains a radiator, heat sink, variable frequency drive, alternating current (AC) fan, direct current (DC) pump, and real-time controller. A complete nonlinear mathematical model is developed using a lumped parameter approach to estimate the optimum fan and pump operations at each control interval.

Abstract Three-dimensional patterns representing crosshatched plateau-honed cylinder bores based on two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of measured surfaces were generated and used to calculate pressure flow, shear-driven flow, and shear stress factors. Later, the flow and shear stress factors obtained by numerical simulations for various surface patterns were used to calculate lubricant film thickness and friction force between piston ring and cylinder bore contact in typical diesel engine conditions using a mixed lubrication model. The effects of various crosshatch honing angles, such as 30°, 45°, and 60°, and texture heights on engine friction losses, wear, and oil consumption were discussed in detail. It is observed from numerical results that lower lubricant film thickness values are generated with higher honing angles, particularly in mixed lubrication regime where lubricant film thickness is close to the roughness level, mainly due to lower resistance to pressure flow.

Abstract The Formula SAE (FSAE) is an international engineering competition where a Formula style race car is designed and built by students from worldwide universities. According to FSAE regulation, an air restrictor with circular cross section of 20 mm for gasoline-fuelled and 19 mm for E-85-fuelled vehicles is to be incorporated between the throttle valve and engine inlet. The sole purpose of this regulation is to limit the airflow to the engine used. The only sequence allowed is throttle valve, restrictor and engine inlet. A new approach of combining ram theory and acoustic theory methods are investigated to increase the performance of the engine by designing an optimized intake runner for a particular engine speed range and an optimized plenum volume in this range. Engine performance characteristics such as brake power, brake torque and volumetric efficiency are taken into considerations.

Abstract The principal issue in choosing an energy management strategy (EMS) for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has been the way of determining the optimal share of electric energy in hybrid drive. In this article, a novel EMS is proposed that, along with maximum engine efficiency in the hybrid drive, can optimize the share of battery energy for the maximum efficiency of vehicle power train expanded with an imaginary power plant that, by delivering the electric energy to a grid, feeds the vehicle battery. It is proved that the expanded power train efficiency has the local maximum for a wide range of wheel power demand. The relation between the wheel power demand in hybrid drive, the share of battery energy, and the maximum efficiency of the expanded power train is conducted offline. Downloaded to the onboard control system, it enables the operation with the instantaneously optimal share of battery energy and the control system to operate with the low computational load.

Abstract Heavy-duty (HD) diesel engines are the primary propulsion systems in use within the transportation sector and are subjected to stringent oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emission regulations. The objective of this study is to develop a robust calibration technique to optimize HD diesel engine for performance and emissions to meet current and future emissions standards during certification and real-world operations. In recent years, California - Air Resources Board (C-ARB) has initiated many studies to assess the technology road maps to achieve Ultra-Low NOx emissions for HD diesel applications [1]. Subsequently, there is also a major push for the complex real-world driving emissions as the confirmatory and certification testing procedure in Europe and Asia through the UN-ECE and ISO standards.

Abstract Stratified lean combustion has proven to be a promising approach for further increasing the thermal efficiency of gasoline direct injection engines in low load conditions. In this work, a new injection strategy for stratified operation mode is introduced. A side and a central-mounted solenoid multi-hole injector are simultaneously operated in a single-cylinder engine. Thermodynamic investigations show that this concept leads to improved stability, faster combustion, reduced particle number emissions, and lower fuel consumption levels compared to using only one injector. Experiments at an optical engine and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations explain the improvements by a more compact mixture and reduced piston wetting with two injectors. Finally, the application of external EGR in combination with the above concept allows NOx emissions to be effectively kept at a low level while maintaining a stable operation.

Abstract Realizing the potential of the gasoline direct injection (GDI) concept lies in effectively stratifying the charge at different engine operating conditions. This is generally obtained by properly directing the air and fuel through carefully oriented intake port(s) and fuel spray and appropriately changing injection parameters. However, robust methods of charge stratification are essential to extend the lean operating range, particularly in small GDI engines. In this work, a novel piston shape was developed for a 200 cm3, single-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine to attain charge stratification. Stratification of charge is achieved even when the fuel was injected early in the intake stroke by a specially shaped wedge on the piston crown that produced twin vortices during compression and physically separated the charge into two sides in the combustion chamber.

Abstract Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) are increasingly gaining focus and usage for their ability to effectively reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In retrofit HEVs, additional electrical power components are retrofitted to the existing fuel-powered engine-based conventional vehicles which provide an easier and more economical means to transform them into HEVs. In this work, a novel control strategy is developed for the energy management of a retrofit mild parallel HEV where there is neither any control over the engine system nor direct sensing of engine variables. The energy management–based control strategies of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) are analyzed in the context of a retrofit HEV, and the ECMS cost function is integrated into the MPC framework, which is successfully implemented in a Model-In-the-Loop (MIL) platform by execution under suitable driving cycles.

Abstract Considering the biodiesel composition, blend percentage, and temperature as input variables in the models to predict biodiesel-diesel blends’ properties is imperative. However, there are no models available in the literature to predict the properties of biodiesel-diesel blends that consider all these variables. The accuracy of spray and combustion models for diesel engines depends on the accuracy at which the fuel properties are estimated. Thus, straightforward approaches to accurately predict the properties of biodiesel-diesel blends are required. A novel reference property-based approach is proposed in the present work to predict the biodiesel-diesel blends’ properties to address this research gap. Models available in the literature correlating the properties of interest to fuel temperature were modified by including a reference property measured at 293 K.