Emission-robust operation of diesel HEV considering transient emissions

In this paper, we consider a method to create an engine emission simulation model for cycle and customer driving of a vehicle. The emission model results from an empiric approach, also taking into account the effects of engine dynamics on emissions. We analysed transient engine emissions in driving cycles and during representative customer driving profiles and created emission meta models. The analysis showed a significantly higher correlation in emissions when simulating realistic customer driving profiles using the created verified meta models (< 1 % model error) compared to static approaches, which are commonly used for vehicle simulation. Therefore, a transient modelling approach is conducted, which shows a great increase in accuracy in customer driving operation.     

A new formulation of the understeer coefficient to relate yaw torque and vehicle handling

The handling behaviour of vehicles is an important property for its relation to performance and safety. In 1970s, Pacejka did the groundwork for an objective analysis introducing the handling diagram and the understeer coefficient. In more recent years, the understeer concept is still mentioned but the handling is actively managed by direct yaw control (DYC). In this paper an accurate analysis of the vehicle handling is carried out, considering also the effect of drive forces. This analysis brings to a new formulation of the understeer coefficient, which is almost equivalent to the classical one, but it can be obtained by quasi-steady-state manoeuvres. In addition, it relates the vehicle yaw torque to the understeer coefficient, filling up the gap between the classical handling approach and DYC. A multibody model of a Formula SAE car is then used to perform quasi-steady-state simulations in order to verify the effectiveness of the new formulation. Some vehicle set-ups and wheel drive arrangements are simulated and the results are discussed. In particular, the handling behaviours of the rear wheel drive (RWD) and the front wheel drive (FWD) architectures are compared, finding an apparently surprising result: for the analysed vehicle the FWD is less understeering than for RWD. The relation between the yaw torque and the understeer coefficient allows to understand this behaviour and opens-up the possibility for different yaw control strategies.     

Evaluation of a vehicle directional control with a fractional order PD<Superscript>μ</Superscript> controller

In this paper, a novel controller, the fractional order PD^μ controller, is designed to improve the performance of the driver-vehicle system. First, fractional calculus and fractional order PI^λD^μ controller are introduced. A control algorithm for vehicle directional control using the fractional order PD^μ controller is then presented. Based on preview-follower theory, the on-line tuning method of the fractional order PD^μ controller is designed. By comparing simulated and experimental results, the validity and robustness of the proposed fractional order PD^μ controller in the closed loop system are verified. Finally, comprehensive evaluations are performed between the systems with the fractional order PD^μ controller and with an integer PD controller. The results demonstrate that the use of the fractional order controller leads to an improvement of the performance of the driver-vehicle system.     

Influence of long-wavelength track irregularities on the motion of a high-speed train

Vertical track irregularities over viaducts in high-speed rail systems could be possibly caused by concrete creep if pre-stressed concrete bridges are used. For bridge spans that are almost uniformly distributed, track irregularity exhibits a near-regular wave profile that excites car bodies as a high-speed train moves over the bridge system. A long-wavelength irregularity induces low-frequency excitation that may be close to the natural frequencies of the train suspension system, thereby causing significant vibration of the car body. This paper investigates the relationship between the levels of car vibration, bridge vibration, track irregularity, and the train speed. First, this study investigates the vibration levels of a high-speed train and bridge system using 3D finite-element (FE) transient dynamic analysis, before and after adjustment of vertical track irregularities by means of installing shimming plates under rail pads. The analysis models are validated by in situ measurements and on-board measurement. Parametric studies of car body vibration and bridge vibration under three different levels of track irregularity at five train speeds and over two bridge span lengths are conducted using the FE model. Finally, a discontinuous shimming pattern is proposed to avoid vehicle suspension resonance.     

Practical Frequency and Time Optimal Design of Passive Linear Vibration Isolation Mounts

Summary In this paper we examine a linear one-degree of freedom vibration isolator mount. The linearity of the system allows us to analyze its frequency and time response characteristics analytically. Optimal damping and stiffness values for the isolator are obtained by minimizing certain cost functions, which are the Root Mean Square (RMS) of the absolute acceleration and the relative displacement. These RMS cost functions are used to create a design chart for the isolator parameters. This is very useful particularly in the presence of physical constraints such as a limit in relative displacement. The time response of the system for a unit step input is also considered to gain an insight into the transient characteristics of the system. We obtain an optimal value for the damping ratio of the system in order to minimize the transmitted acceleration. Combining the frequency and time response analyses leads to an optimal value for the mount natural frequency and damping ratio satisfying both time and frequency domains. The results are verified numerically using measured acceleration as input.     

Uncertainty quantification of Delft catamaran resistance,sinkage and trim for variable Froude number and geometry using metamodels,quadrature and Karhunen–Loève expansion

A framework for assessing convergence and validation of non-intrusive uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods is studied and applied to a complex industrial problem in ship design, namely the high-speed Delft Catamaran advancing in calm water, with variable Froude number and geometry. Relationship between UQ studies and deterministic verification and validation is discussed. Computations are performed using high- (URANS) and low- (potential flow) fidelity simulations. Froude number has expected value and standard deviation equal to 0.5 and 0.05, respectively, on a truncated normal distribution. Geometric uncertainty is related to the research space of a simulation-based design optimization, and assessed through the Karhunen–Loève expansion (KLE). Monte Carlo method with Latin hypercube sampling (MC-LHS) is used to compute expected value, standard deviation, distribution and uncertainty intervals for resistance, sinkage and trim. MC-LHS with CFD is used as a benchmark for validating less costly UQ methods, including MC-LHS with metamodels and standard quadrature formulas. Gaussian quadrature is found the most efficient method; however, MC-LHS with metamodels is preferred since provides with confidence intervals and distributions in a straightforward way and at reasonably small computational cost. UQ results are compared to earlier deterministic single- and multi-objective optimization; reduced-dimensional KLE studies for geometric variability indicate that stochastic optimization would not be of great benefit for the present problem.     

Carbon flows in Baltic Sea food webs — a re-evaluation using a mass balance approach

The brackish Baltic Sea has been seen as particularly suitable for studies of food webs. Compared to fully marine ecosystems, it has low species diversity, which means fewer trophic linkages to analyse. The Baltic Sea is also one of the best-studied areas of the world, suggesting that most data requirements for food web models should be fulfilled. Nevertheless, the influence of physical and biological factors on trophic interactions and biogeochemical patterns varies spatially in the Baltic Sea, adding considerable complexity to food web studies. Food web structure and processes can be described and compared quantitatively between areas by estimating the flow of matter or energy through the organisms. Most such models have been based on carbon, though studies of complementary flows of other elements limiting production, such as nitrogen and phosphorus would be desirable. However, since ratios between carbon and other elements are used in calculating these flows, it is crucial, as a first step, to quantify the flows of carbon as accurately as possible.In this study, we used the EcopathII software (ver 3.1) to analyse models of carbon flow through the food webs in the three main areas of the Baltic Sea; the Baltic proper, Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay. A previously published study on carbon flow in the Baltic Sea [Elmgren, R. 1984. Trophic dynamics in the enclosed, brackish Baltic Sea. Rapp. P.-V. Reun. — Cons. Int. Explor. Mer. (183) 152–169.] was complemented with the data on respiration and flow to detritus [Wulff, F., Ulanowicz, R. 1989. A comparative anatomy of the Baltic Sea and Chesapeeake Bay ecosystems. In: F. Wulff, J.G. Field, K.H. Mann (Eds.), Flow Analysis of Marine Ecosystems: Theory and Practice. New York: Springer-Verlag.] in order to present complete mass balance models of carbon. The purpose of re-evaluating previous models with new analytic tools was to check how well their carbon flows balance, and to provide a basis for improved mass balance models using more recent data, including nutrients other than carbon.The resulting mass balance networks for the Baltic proper, Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay were shown to deviate from steady state. There was an organic carbon surplus of 45, 25 and 18 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ in the pelagic zones of the Baltic proper, Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay, respectively. The Ecopath network analysis confirmed that the overall carbon flow was highest in the Baltic proper, somewhat lower in the Bothnian Sea and much lower in the Bothnian Bay. The only clear differences in food web structure between the basins was that the average trophic level was lower for demersal fish in the Bothnian Sea and higher for macrofauna in the Bothnian Bay, compared to the other basins. The analysis showed weakness in our current understanding in Baltic Sea food webs and highlighted areas where improvements could be made with more recent data.     

Modeling isoexposure to transit users for market potential analysis

Transit operators face a difficult fiscal environment and an imperative to contribute to urban sustainability. Under these circumstances, operators must find innovative ways to make public transportation attractive to broader segments of the public, while simultaneously trying to raise revenue to reduce reliance on public subsidies. Development of commercial partnerships is seen as a promising way to achieve these goals. Previous research has examined the potential of using geodemographics to assist transit agencies in the task of identifying potential partners for developing mutually beneficial commercial agreements. In this paper we describe an approach to model isoexposure to transit users as a tool to assess market potential. The approach is based on the analysis of walking behavior of transit users, and specifically distance walked at the end of their transit trip. Spatial modeling is used to geographically project estimates of walking distance for a desired demographic profile at a specific transit facility. After expanding the estimates using sample weights, overlays of these estimates can be used to generate variations in exposure to transit travelers at different locations in space. The approach is demonstrated using the case of Metro users in Montreal, Canada. The case study demonstrates the use of isoexposure profiles as a novel approach to generate marketing intelligence. This should be of interest to transit agencies and businesses interested in developing partnerships.