Potential of Real-Time Cylinder Pressure Analysis by Using Field Programmable Gate Arrays

In this paper, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) was used to implement a real-time cylinder pressure analysis. The goal of the project was to improve the accuracy of calculated heat release and center of combustion calculations to enhance the precision of engine control functions. Compared to today’s real-time pressure analysis systems, several additional physical effects were taken into account for this objective. The wall heat transfer was calculated based on the approach published by Hohenberg. A chemical equilibrium with six substances was assumed for the mixture composition and a real-time calculation method was developed. Furthermore, a two-zone model was adapted and implemented for this realtime analysis. The validation of the results and the rating of the improvement in precision were based on GT-SUITE simulation results as an offline reference tool. Compared to state-of-the-art analysis systems, it was possible to reduce the average error of the center of combustion position from 1.6° to 0.5° crank angle (CA) by taking the investigated effects into account. Moreover, it was possible to significantly reduce the time required for the calculation from one complete combustion cycle to 0.2°CA at an engine speed of 3,000 rpm by using a continuous calculation method on the FPGA. This led to an additional improvement of the ability to control the engine, especially under highly dynamic operation conditions.     

Structural Optimization for Roof Crush Test Using an Enforced Displacement Method

A roof crush test has been utilized to reduce passengers’ injuries from a vehicle rollover. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 216 and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) perform actual vehicle tests and evaluate the vehicle’s ratings. Nonlinear dynamic response structural optimization can be employed not only for achievement of a high rating but also minimization of the weight. However, the technique needs a huge computation time and cost because many nonlinear dynamic response analyses are required in the time domain. A novel method is proposed for nonlinear dynamic response structural optimization regarding the roof crush test. The process of the proposed method repeats the analysis domain and the design domain until the convergence criteria are satisfied. In the analysis domain, the roof crush test is simulated using a high fidelity model of nonlinear dynamic finite element analysis. In the design domain, a low fidelity model of linear static response structural optimization is utilized with enforced displacements that come from the analysis domain. Correction factors are employed to compensate the differences between a nonlinear dynamic analysis response and a linear static analysis response with enforced displacement. A full-scale vehicle problem is optimized with a constraint on the rigid wall force from the analysis in the design domain.     

Selection of Actuator Combination in Integrated Chassis Control Using Taguchi Method

This paper presents a method to select the actuator combination in integrated chassis control using Taguchi method. Electronic stability control (ESC), active front and rear steering (AFS/ARS) are used as an actuator, which is needed to generate a control tire force. After computing the control yaw moment in the upper-level controller, it is distributed into the control tire forces, generated by ESC, AFS and ARS in the lower-level controller. In this paper, the weighted pseudo-inverse control allocation (WPCA) with variable weights is used to determine the control tire forces of each actuator. Taguchi method is adopted for sensitivity analysis on variable weights of WPCA in terms of the control performances such as the maneuverability and the lateral stability. For sensitivity analysis, simulation is performed on a vehicle simulation package, CarSim. From sensitivity analysis, the most effective actuator combination is selected.     

Mean Value WGT Diesel Engine Calibration Model for Effective Simulation Research

Recently, to improve vehicle fuel economy, as well as the performance of internal combustion engines, optimized system matching between a vehicle’s drivetrain and engine has become a very important technical issue. For this reason, the need for simulation research on engine and vehicle performance improvement has increased. But in general, since both engine simulation and vehicle simulation require initial engine calibration map input, a simple engine calibration method is required for the efficient configuration of various virtual engine calibration map setups. On this background, in this study, an example of waste gate turbocharger (WGT) cooled — exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) Diesel engine calibration using a test-based mean value engine model is presented as a suitable engine calibration map setting method. Also, the feasibility of an engine calibration model is confirmed through various engine tests. Using the simple model presented here, it is possible for diverse engine operating conditions and engine performance maps to be acquired.     

Sensitivity of the wheel–rail contact interactions and Dang Van Fatigue Index in the rail with respect to irregularities of the track geometry

This paper investigates the effects of the track geometry irregularities on the wheel–rail dynamic interactions and the rail fatigue initiation through the application of the Dang Van criterion, that supposes an elastic shakedown of the structure. The irregularities are modelled, using experimental data, as a stochastic field which is representative of the considered railway network. The tracks thus generated are introduced as the input of a railway dynamics software to characterise the stochastic contact patch and the parameters on which it depends: contact forces and wheelset–rail relative position. A variance-based global sensitivity analysis is performed on quantities of interest representative of the dynamic behaviour of the system, with respect to the stochastic geometry irregularities and for different curve radius classes and operating conditions. The estimation of the internal stresses and the fatigue index being more time-consuming than the dynamical simulations, the sensitivity analysis is performed through a metamodel, whose input parameters are the wheel–rail relative position and velocity. The coefficient of variation of the number of fatigue cycles, when the simulations are performed with random geometry irregularities, varies between 0.13 and 0.28. In a large radius curve, the most influent irregularity is the horizontal curvature, while, in a tight curve, the gauge becomes more important.     

Performance evaluation of the inside intersection median-turn lane markings on the mobility and safety performance of signalized intersections in the Philippines and Japan

Signalized intersections are one of the key elements that play a vital role at road networks. The efficiency and safety levels of intersections can affect the operational performance of the whole system. In general, turning traffic, especially median-turning, has always been considered as the most problematic movement in the operation of intersections. This becomes more critical with high turning demand where exclusive turning lanes (single or double) can be assigned to provide larger capacities for these movements and to reduce conflicts with through traffic. However, improper treatment of median-turn lanes could create cross-maneuvering behavior which may limit the expected increase in capacity and create safety issues. Median-turning lane markings are commonly provided at intersections in Japan to guide drivers while turning which is expected to reduce the conflicts among turning traffic. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, exclusive median-turn lanes are installed at intersections without proper treatment which may contribute to the low mobility and safety levels. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of inside intersection lane markings on the operation of median-turn lanes in terms of mobility and safety. The vehicle maneuver, speed and interactions between the turning traffic were utilized as essential components for the assessment. The empirical analysis shows that conflicting trajectories were present on double turn lanes without median-turn lane markings in the Philippines, which resulted to serious conflicts among the turning vehicles and negatively influenced the turning speed and saturation flow rate of the turn lanes. On the other hand, the turn lane markings in Japan, provided a positive impact to mobility and safety of the turning lanes. Moreover, it was also found that the geometric characteristics and traffic signal phasing scheme highly affects the capacity and safety condition of signalized intersections.     

Physical processes in wheel–rail contact and its implications on vehicle–track interaction

Friction within the wheel–rail contact highly influences all aspects of vehicle–track interaction. Models describing this frictional behaviour are of high relevance, for example, for reliable predictions on drive train dynamics. It has been shown by experiments, that the friction at a certain position on rail is not describable by only one number for the coefficient of friction. Beside the contact conditions (existence of liquids, solid third bodies, etc.) the vehicle speed, normal loading and contact geometry are further influencing factors. State-of-the-art models are not able to account for this sufficiently. Thus, an Extended-Creep-Force-Model was developed taking into account effects from third body layers. This model is able to describe all considered effects. In this way, a significant improvement of the prediction quality with respect to all aspects of vehicle–track interaction is expected.     

Multi-response optimization of diesel engine performance parameters using thumba biodiesel-diesel blends by applying the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis

This paper presents an experimental study that involves an application of the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis to determine the optimum factor level to obtain optimum multiple-performance characteristics of a diesel engine run with different low-percentage thumba biodiesel-diesel blends. Four factors, namely, low-percentage thumba biodiesel-diesel blend, compression ratio, nozzle opening pressure and injection timing were each considered at three levels. An L₉ orthogonal array was used to collect data for various engine performance- and emission-related responses under different engine loads. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and grey relational analysis were used for data analysis. The results of the study revealed that the combination of a blend consisting of 30% thumba biodiesel (B30), a compression ratio of 14, a nozzle opening pressure of 250 bar and an injection timing of 20° produces maximum multiple performance of a diesel engine with minimum multiple emissions from the engine.     

Multi-state control strategy of starting for a wet friction clutch via a fuzzy logic algorithm

Wet multi-plate friction clutches are used in automotive drivelines to transfer torque, change gears, and prevent motion by locking-up components in the transmission. The control strategy of starting is a crucial technology for the application of a wet multi-plate friction clutch in the automotive industry. In this paper, a multi-state fuzzy control strategy for starting is presented and applied to a continuously variably transmission (CVT) powertrain for the validation of this strategy. The operation of the clutch was divided into four states: parking, starting, riding and emergency. The starting state was investigated in detail. A fuzzy algorithm was employed to control the pressure of the hydraulic cylinder acting on the clutch. A distinguishing feature is that the pressure does not increase but decreases to implement smooth starting during the initial period of starting. The rapid-control prototype (RCP) of the wet friction clutch was developed to validate the new control strategy onboard a test vehicle. Based on the experimental results, the multi-state control strategy for a wet friction clutch is a viable candidate for engineering applications.     

Investigation into the development of a bus electrical cooling fan system

Manufacturers of commercial vehicles are facing a substantial increase of heat release into their cooling systems. The main sources for this increase are more stringent emissions leading to new combustion technologies and the increased power of these engines. The total increase in the cooling requirement may be up to 20% over the current level. At the same time, the noise levels must be decreased, and fuel economy has to improve. This forces manufacturers to consider new concepts and optimize the efficiency of the cooling system. A bus engine cooling fan system is one of the main means of vehicular fuel efficiency reduction. This is becoming a major factor in city noise, and the necessity of electromagnetic technical development is very great. This study features a highly effective BLDC motor for engine cooling fans with high effectiveness and low noise, which is most suitable for fan blade technical development and cooling fan performance evaluation technical development.