Cross-sectional shape design and optimization of automotive body with stamping constraints

At conceptual design stage, automotive body is usually simplified as a frame structure, which consists of thinwalled beams (TWBs). Therefore, the most important issue is to determine the cross-sectional shape of TWBs under the requirement of mechanical properties. However, design engineers mostly depend on their experience or repeated modification to design the cross-sectional shape of TWBs. So this paper presents a rapidly cross-sectional shape design and optimization method to satisfy the demand of mechanical properties and meanwhile minimize the weight of TWB. Firstly, cross-sectional mechanics property formulations are summarized. Especially, the torsional rigidity formulation of three-cell cross section is derived for the first time in this paper. Secondly, the shape optimization model is created to minimize the weight of TWB and improve the mechanical properties, which is solved by genetic algorithm. Moreover, three stamping constraints, draft angle, chamfer radius and assembly, are introduced to promote the cross-sectional shape more practice. Lastly, numerical examples verify the effectiveness of the optimization model and show the application in structural modification of automotive frame.     

Experimental investigations on continuous regenerative anti-lock braking system of full electric vehicle

Functions of anti-lock braking for full electric vehicles (EV) with individually controlled wheel drive can be realized through conventional brake system actuating friction brakes and regenerative brake system actuating electric motors. To analyze advantages and limitations of both variants of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the presented study introduces results of experimental investigations obtained from proving ground tests of all-wheel drive EV. The brake performance is assessed for three different configurations: hydraulic ABS; regenerative ABS only on the front axle; blended hydraulic and regenerative ABS on the front axle and hydraulic ABS on the rear axle. The hydraulic ABS is based on a rule-based controller, and the continuous regenerative ABS uses the gain-scheduled proportional-integral direct slip control with feedforward and feedback control parts. The results of tests on low-friction road surface demonstrated that all the ABS configurations guarantee considerable reduction of the brake distance compared to the vehicle without ABS. In addition, braking manoeuvres with the regenerative ABS are characterized by accurate tracking of the reference wheel slip that results in less oscillatory time profile of the vehicle deceleration and, as consequence, in better driving comfort. The results of the presented experimental investigations can be used in the process of selection of ABS architecture for upcoming generations of full electric vehicles with individual wheel drive.     

Electrochemical battery model and its parameter estimator for use in a battery management system of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

This paper reports the development of a battery model and its parameter estimator that are readily applicable to automotive battery management systems (BMSs). Due to the parameter estimator, the battery model can maintain reliability over the wider and longer use of the battery. To this end, the electrochemical model is used, which can reflect the aging-induced physicochemical changes in the battery to the aging-relevant parameters within the model. To update the effective kinetic and transport parameters using a computationally light BMS, the parameter estimator is built based on a covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) that can function without the need for complex Jacobian matrix calculations. The existing CMA-ES implementation is modified primarily by region-based memory management such that it satisfies the memory constraints of the BMS. Among the several aging-relevant parameters, only the liquid-phase diffusivity of Li-ion is chosen to be estimated. This also facilitates integrating the parameter estimator into the BMS because a smaller number of parameter estimates yields the fewer number of iterations, thus, the greater computational efficiency of the parameter estimator. Consequently, the BMS-integrated parameter estimator enables the voltage to be predicted and the capacity retention to be estimated within 1 % error throughout the battery life-time.     

Modelling,simulation and evaluation of ground vibration caused by rail vehicles*

ABSTRACT

There is a great need to develop rail networks over long distances and within cities as more sustainable transport options. However, noise and vibration are seen as a negative environmental consequence. Compared with airborne noise, the related problem of ground vibration is much more complex. The properties of the ground vary significantly from one location to another. There is no common assessment criterion or measurement quantity and no equivalent to the noise maps. Ground-borne vibration is transmitted into buildings and perceived either as feelable whole-body vibration or as low frequency noise; it can also affect sensitive equipment but it is generally at a level that is too low to cause structural or cosmetic damage to buildings. A review is given of evaluation criteria for both feelable vibration and ground-borne noise, empirical and numerical prediction methods, the main vehicle and track parameters that can affect the vibration levels and a range of possible mitigation methods.     

Accurate INS position solution during GPS outages or degraded GPS

Temporary degraded GPS (DGPS) position loss, in circumstances such as an overhead bridge, can be alleviated by an inertial navigation system (INS) that uses onboard sensors, such as yaw and speed sensors, to determine vehicle position. This paper introduces a post-processing DGPS/INS integration approach based on using the INS solution during DGPS outages or periods of low accuracy DGPS position solutions. In this approach, the INS solution initialization is performed using the DGPS solution before DGPS position solution loss, and measurements from the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The final post-processed INS solution is a weighted average of the INS forward and backward solutions. This work constitutes two parts: the INS initialization methods for different degrees of freedom vehicle positioning models, and the developed weighting model necessary to combine the forward and the backward solutions. The former part is essential in obtaining acceptable INS initial states for both the stand-alone INS or any post-processing or real time INS/GPS integrated system. The latter part is based on the use of the complementary error behaviours of the backward and the forward solutions, and can be used as a survey method with acceptable position solutions accuracies. Applying the forward/backward INS combined solution method on real data shows that the resultant INS solution accuracy is 35 cm or less over a 1000 m road segment. This method is used to survey freeways interchange road segments where 50% of the surveyed distance has no DGPS solution or has a degraded DGPS solution. The average achieved accuracy over the whole freeways interchange is around 40 cm over a 23 km distance.     

Application of a thermodynamic model with a complex chemistry to a cycle resolved knock prediction on a spark ignition optical engine

A combination of experimental and numerical methodologies is proposed for the investigation of knocking in spark ignition engines to aid in better understanding the physical and chemical processes that occur and to exploit the capabilities of a developed computational tool. The latter consists of a thermo-fluid dynamics model, which is part of an advanced 1-D fluid dynamics code for the simulation of the entire engine, and a complex chemistry model, which can be embedded into the thermo-fluid dynamics model using the same integration algorithm for the conservation equations and the reacting species. Their mutual interaction in the energy balance will be considered. The experimental activity was carried out in the combustion chamber of an optically accessible, single-cylinder P.F.I. engine equipped with a commercial head. The experimental data consisted of optical measurements correlated to the combustion and auto-ignition processes within the cylinder. The optical measurements were based on 2-D digital imaging, UV visible natural emission spectroscopy and the chemiluminescence of radical species (OH and HCO). The engine parameters, the pressure signals of the related data and optical acquisition are compared on an individual cycle basis in the simulation by running the engine at a constant speed and varying the spark advance from normal combustion to heavy knock conditions.     

Reaction characteristics of the diesel oxidation catalyst of particulate matters from the diffusion flame of a oiler burner

The objective of this experimental study is to investigate the characteristics of the size distribution and the number concentration of PM (particulate matters) emitted from the diffusion flame of a boiler burner, which has the same type of combustion as a diesel engine. This study is performed to investigate the emission characteristics of nanoparticles generated from diffusion combustion in diesel fuel, and it considered fuel factors and the reaction characteristics of the nanoparticles on the DOC (Diesel oxidation catalyst). The factors examined in this experiment included the sulfur content in the fuel, the blend of the diesel fuel containing biodiesel and bio-ethanol, and the concentration of engine oil (0.1% and 1.0%) blended with diesel fuel. The particle size distribution of the nanoparticles exhausted from the boiler burner was measured by an SMPS (scanning mobility particle sizer). The number concentration of PM that were smaller than 70 nm in diameter greatly increased in the rear of the DOC when fuel containing 250 ppm of sulfur was used. The experiment also suggested that the particle number concentration in both the front and rear of the DOC was lower when ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) fuel blended with biodiesel and bio-ethanol, which are oxygenated fuels, was used than when only ULSD fuel was used. The higher the content of engine oil in the fuel, the higher the particle number concentration was in the front and rear of the catalyst. When the first dilution air temperature is increased from 30°C to 180°C, the nanoparticle number concentration dramatically dropped in the rear of the catalyst when fuel containing 250 ppm of sulfur was used, while the particle size distribution remained almost the same when the fuel with engine oil was used.     

Performance analysis according to the combination of energy storage system for fuel cell hybrid vehicle

The need for the unmanned ground combat vehicle (UGCV), which is used for the surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting during extremely dangerous condition on the battlefield, has steadily increased, and the transition from manned ground combat vehicles to unmanned ground combat vehicles is expected to reduce the loss of lives during battle. The UGCV needs many types of capabilities to achieve satisfactory performance. This paper focuses on the modeling and control of the power system of the UGCV, and proposes the fuel cell hybrid system (FCHS) for the power system of the UGCV. The fuel cell hybrid system has many advantages in stealth drive and the system efficiency. In addition, the FCHS is much quieter than the engine generator and generates much less heat. The benefits of the FCHS are advantageous for use in Army operations, which require ‘silent watch’ capability and the ability to operate without showing up on an enemy’s radar screen. The FCHS has a fuel cell and uses an energy storage system (ESS) as a power source. The ESS (e.g., batteries or ultracapacitors) helps the fuel cell supply power to the electric drive system and also recovers energy during deceleration. The ESS makes it possible to improve the efficiency and dynamic characteristic of the power system. In this paper, the FCHS is composed of different combinations of component models. The component sizes are chosen to satisfy performance requirements. In order to determine the power distribution between the fuel cell and the ESS, a power management strategy based on the required power and the SOC (state of charge) of the ESS is proposed. Batteries and ultracapacitor, components of the ESS, have different characteristics. Accordingly, varying the combination of ESS components can change the performance of the power system. The performance of the FCHS with respect to different combinations of ESS is analyzed using simulated results.     

Effect of engine exhaust gas modulation on the cold start emissions

This paper presents a computational investigation of the effect of engine exhaust gas modulations on the performance of an automotive catalytic converter during cold starts. The objective is to assess if the modulations can result in faster catalyst light-off conditions and thus reduce cold-start emissions. The study employs a single-channel based, one-dimensional, non-adiabatic model. The modulations are generated by forcing the variations in exhaust gases air-fuel ratio and gas compositions. The results show that the imposed modulations cause a significant departure in the catalyst behavior from its steady behavior, and modulations have both favorable and harmful effects on pollutant conversion during the cold-starts. The operating conditions and the modulating parameters have substantial influence on catalyst behavior.     

美国新泽西州马纳霍金海湾大桥的疲劳问题

美国新泽西州72号公路马纳霍金海湾大桥的上部结构由17跨连续及悬臂铆接钢板梁和横梁系统组成,其中包括5跨销钉一吊杆悬挂梁.由于桥梁的结构性能不足,20世纪90年代初对大桥进行了系统的修复工作.修复实施过程中,在很多部位发现了疲劳裂纹和桥面板混凝土剥落,疲劳裂纹主要为出现在横梁腹板的水平裂纹、横梁与主梁间托板连接角钢...