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This study relates the structural stiffness and kinetic energy of impact to the dynamic response of a belted vehicle occupant. Acceleration time histories of impact for structures with different stiffnesses were obtained by performing a finite element analysis using the LS-DYNA3D finite element program and a model representing a structural member made of AISI 4340 steel. For the human body dynamics analysis, the Articulated Total Body (ATB) computer program was used to perform six simulations of a 50 percentile male restrained by a 3-point seatbelt system for a co-linear -Gx impact.

After 14 years of testing my own electric/hybrid design and extensive studies of more than 50 hybrid systems used in the two hybrid challenge programs apparently the parallel hybrid can double the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine used alone The series hybrid is abandoned for this paper as it appears that the maximum MPG achieved was 40 Accomplishments of Ballard Technology's PEM Fuel Cell I believe signals the end of the IC engine early in the 21st century This paper presents a near term solution to the inefficient IC engine and will approach or exceed the 80 MPG goal of the super car program Ultra-lite construction, quick charge batteries and high tech electronics, integrated and matched to achieve maximum efficiency This paper also explores new power sources that will make a total electric drive system possible early in the 21st century

While hybrid-electric drivesystems have the potential to substantially improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance, the extent of the fuel savings is highly dependent on component optimization within the system. Effectively optimized components require the drivesystem designer to understand component trade-offs and to supply the component developers with sufficient information to optimize their designs. Without a systems approach to all levels of drivesystem design-and, clearly, of vehicle design as well-components will tend to either be substantially oversized and inefficient or provide compromised vehicle performance. Component specifications typically include power requirements, such as would be needed to provide adequate starting torque, gradability, acceleration, and braking.

In comparison to the state of knowledge of standard internal combustion vehicles, there is relatively little known on how to best implement component sub-systems and best integrate these systems together to create a hybrid electric vehicle.

In hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) design and operation, no parameter plays a more important role than efficiency. Unlike conventional vehicles, HEVs are generally energy and power limited by the battery bank and auxiliary power unit. As a result, the overall system efficiency in the conversion of chemical or stored energy into kinetic energy of the vehicle is the key parameter that drives the overall system design. We have undertaken a sensitivity analysis of HEVs to understand in detail the various factors and their respective weights that affect the overall system efficiency. Our goal is to identify the parameters that most significantly influence vehicle efficiency. The results of this study may be used as a guide to focus work on the areas of most benefit for HEVs as well as aiding in sizing vehicle components for maximum efficiency.

A project that retrofits a GM/Vehma electric G-Van with valve-regulated lead acid batteries and a natural gas power unit is described. The goal of the project is to develop a control strategy and system to minimize both the emissions and the costs of operation of the hybrid vehicle. The conceptual development of a control system for a light-duty fleet vehicle is presented. Control requirements of a series hybrid propulsion system are discussed based upon the analysis of factors affecting its operation. Specifically, the effects of the duty cycle are investigated in detail. A concept of a control system is introduced and modeled using MATLAB/Simulink software. The model input is validated by monitored trials of the vehicle. Various control strategy options are evaluated for typical operating conditions. The projected vehicle emission are estimated by simulation. The quantities of ground level emissions are presented for various urban routes in Vancouver.

The impact on electric vehicle range caused by the thermal load of the passenger compartment is examined in the context of Canadian winters. The thermal capacity of warm batteries after charging represents a low grade heat source that could substitute for the direct consumption of electric power for heating. In addition, an effective thermal management system can increase battery life by regulating differences in battery temperature during charge and discharge cycles. An active heat exchanger system using a low cost aluminum Roll-Bond® panel heat exchanger is examined to determine the feasibility of using the batteries' heat as a thermal source for a heat pump or direct source of heat for the passenger compartment.

A new suspension system based on the functional movement of the human knee joint has now been developed, utilizing torsion spring as restoring force. The main characteristics of this new suspension mechanism are the application of spring force to both the vertical and longitudinal directions, and the elimination of high energy loss hydraulic, and friction dampers from the suspension system. This suspension was successfully used in the 1995 Race Across America trans-continental bicycle race, completing the grueling trip with no mechanical trouble and with a significant reduction in physical damage and stress to the rider.

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to evaluate the concept of using remote emission sensing under controlled conditions to quickly identify clean vehicles (operating on gasoline, natural gas, or propane) and eliminate them from further testing in a mandatory vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance (I/M) program. The test procedure involves performing remote sensing measurements of light duty vehicle exhaust emissions as the vehicle is driven under controlled conditions in a prescribed manner past three remote sensing units. All vehicles in this project were then subjected to IM240 chassis dynamometer testing to determine the accuracy of the prescreen result. Third party quality control/quality assurance/auditing was employed to ensure data integrity and reliability. Data is presented illustrating the tradeoff of IM240 program effectiveness versus prescreen pass rate for the non-preconditioned and the preconditioned fleet applying US EPA Final IM240 Standards.

A two-stage Delphi study was conducted to collect information that would enable a technical and economic assessment of electric (EV) and hybrid electric (HEV) vehicles. The first-stage worldwide survey was completed in fall 1994 while the second-stage was completed by summer 1995. The paper reports results from the second round of the survey and the major differences between the two rounds. This second-stage international survey obtained information from 93 expert respondents from the automotive technology field. The second stage response provided the following key results. EVs will penetrate the market first followed by internal combustion engine powered HEVs while gas turbine and fuel cell powered HEVs will not have any significant penetration until after 2020. By 2020 EVs and internal combustion engine powered HEVs are projected to have approximately a 15% share of the new vehicle market.

In the continuing development of a hydrogen fueled IC engine optimized for application to a generator set or hybrid vehicle, experiments were performed at Sandia National Laboratories on two engine configurations. The intent is to maximize thermal efficiency while complying with strict emissions standards. The initial investigation was conducted utilizing a spark ignited 0.491 liter single cylinder Onan engine and has progressed to a spark ignited 0.850 liter modified for single cylinder operation Perkins engine. Both combustion chamber geometries were “pancake” and achieved a compression ratio of 14:1. The engines were operated under premixed conditions. The results demonstrate that both engines can comply with the California Air Resources Board's proposed Equivalent Zero Emission Vehicle standards for NOx during operation at an equivalence ratio of 0.4.

A Cummins C8.3 heavy-duty engine has been modified for operation on propane. The engine is spark ignited with a unique combustion chamber design to allow operation at lean mixtures to provide low emissions. The engine uses a dedicated microprocessor control system that provides ignition timing, fuel injection quantity and timing, and engine speed governing functions. The controller also uses adaptive learning to speed up its response. A special turbocharger with integral wastegate gives the required boost and control over its operating range. The engine produces 187 kW at 2100 rpm with low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The engine is demonstrated in a heavy-duty truck used for propane delivery. In order to fit a confined engine compartment, the new fuel system was designed to fit into the same envelope as the existing diesel engine.

The technical and economic feasibility of an electric postal delivery vehicle is demonstrated and reported in this paper. Vehicle operational data are collected in a deployment of six prototype electric Long-Life Vehicles (ELLV) at postal sites in Torrance, California and Merrifield, Virginia, beginning in April, 1995. Eight months of data have been collected and are analyzed Extensive design trade studies and analyses are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving the maximum cost effectiveness of the ELLV Operating costs of the ELLV are compared to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart.

Speed and torque control electronics for vehicular motor applications requires high performance-to-cost designs. This paper focuses on advanced motor control electronics that incorporate new motor control specific micro-processor architectures. The performance and design considerations of these new advanced products in an AC induction multiphase motor design are presented and are applicable for an electric vehicle's power steering, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), and propulsion systems.

A Quality Assurance Program for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversions that was developed in 1995 and subsequently put in place by the Fleet Services Department of BC Gas Utility Ltd in British Columbia, Canada has provided substantial improvement in the areas of emission performance overall vehicle driveability and user acceptance, as compared to previous conversion programs within the BC Gas fleet. This program, which is possibly the first of its kind for a North American Natural Gas Utility, ensures that all of the after-market CNG conversions meet and/or exceed the guidelines established by the Utility that pertain to equipment standardization, certification, emission standards and non-tampering of OEM configurations.

There are many benefits in monitoring the health of an internal combustion engine, whether it be a spark-ignition, compression-ignition, or gas turbine. These benefits include detecting faulty or failing engine sensors and detecting subtle problems which could, if left undetected, cause serious engine damage. While there are many benefits to monitoring engine health, the challenge becomes how to determine if an engine is healthy or not. Universal Process Modeling (UPM) is a new and unique multivariate modeling technique which can accurately determine the health of complex equipment such as an internal combustion engine. UPM is an inductive technique which uses a reference library of example data to describe how an engine normally operates. UPM calculates an overall “system” health and the health of each variable monitored. The healths are expressed in how many standard deviations they are away from their expected values.

Several researches are on line dealing with the so called ‘new generation two-stroke engine’. In almost all of these the charge control by means of fuel injection has been proposed to overcome the well known fuel and lube oil consumption and the likely unacceptable pollutant emissions. Direct injection in particular seems the method which guarantee the best results in avoiding the short circuiting of the fuel to the exhaust. This paper summarises the experimental research carried on in the Ancona University both on high pressure mechanical and low pressure electronic direct injection systems and overlights their relative benefits and problems. Furthermore a new system using the “water hammer” phenomenon is proposed as a mean of achieving rather high injection pressures maintaining the simple manufacturing and low cost proper characteristics of two-stroke engines.

In December 1995, the Province of British Columbia announced the introduction of more stringent automobile emissions standards for vehicles sold in the province commencing with the 1998 model year. The emissions standards are based on the model utilized by the State of California as outlined in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. In addition, the Federal Government of Canada has announced that the British Columbia standards may be adopted on a national basis. This announcement, coupled with other initiatives outlined by the Province of British Columbia in its Clean Air Strategy has provided the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) with the opportunity to develop an advanced training program on automobile emissions to ensure a knowledge base needed to meet the demands of implementation of enhanced inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs in the North America. This paper will discuss the outline of the proposed course.

The Province of BC requires all light duty vehicles in the lower mainland to pass or conditionally pass an emissions inspection as a condition of license and insurance renewal. Vehicles converted to natural gas and propane fail emissions tests at higher rates than comparable vehicles run on gasoline. Work is described to investigate the emissions performance of vehicles fitted with after-market conversions. FTP 75, Hot 505 and BC AirCare test cycles (total 74) were performed on a variety of vehicles (total 20) which were split between dual-fuel and mono-fuel using propane or natural gas along with gasoline. All but three vehicles were supplied by the manufacturer to run on gasoline with closed-loop air/fuel ratio feedback. The after market conversions consisted of both open-loop and closed-loop feedback systems for the gaseous fuel systems.