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A brief history of the sunvisor is laid in chronological order as well as the design of passenger cars with relation to shape and aerodynamic characteristics. A description of the slope of the windshield and the subsequent flattening of the roof line is also described and illustrated. The changing role of the visor is given in detail and describes today's visor and it's function and features. As the vehicle shape changes, so too, the visor and it's mission, of necessity, must accommodate this natural evolution. The role of the visor is shifting from that of sun blocker and feature support, to that of safety component. Described herein are the materials and processes that will be the future visor. Also, the end of the sunvisor as we know it is mentioned and how that will be accomplished. The main thrust of tomorrow's visor is impact management and safety for the occupants.

This paper describes the current state of touch technology, the range of its applications, and its potential for use in the automotive industry. The implementation of touch input systems in automotive design is in its infancy, but the increasing use of sensor-intensive electronic control and diagnostic systems will necessitate streamlined presentation of diagnostic and safety information and the adaptation of the computer interface to accommodate a worldwide range of users, including users speaking different languages, unfamiliar with computers, and unsophisticated about automobiles. Touch input solves the problem of finding an easy, natural interface to a computer system. Current technology can meet high standards of performance, reliability and durability under harsh environmental conditions; touch systems are rapidly decreasing in cost; and new types of compact flat displays are under development.

Automobile emission is one of the major issues that have been disconcerting this world. Emissions from the automobile, caused by burning the fossil fuels pollutes the environment which after some point becomes irreversible process and destroys the habitat that we share with the other organisms. This paper discusses a unique way to reduce NOx emissions from light- and heavy-duty vehicles (as defined by EPA regulations) by making the roads move instead of vehicles using MEMS cell(s) and/or MEMS Technology and the vehicles can move whenever required. MEMS stands for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems and such systems are generally built on silicon substrate and by process of etching, oxidation and other underlying MEMS mechanism. US DOT (US Department of Transportation) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) can also use the concept solely to avoid national and state highway accidents.

The electrical power system is the vital lifeline to most of the control systems on modern automobiles. The demands on the system are highly complex, and a detailed understanding of the system behaviour is necessary both to the process of systems integration and to the economic design of a specific control system or actuator. The following general trends are observed:- Increased use of electrically actuated systems Increased use of electronic control Increasing requirements for high integrity power supplies for safety critical systems Increased average electrical power consumption (heating, actuation, control systems) Increased electrical demand at engine idle combined with reducing idling speeds Increased interest in higher voltage systems. Electrical system problems are a major cause of road-side breakdowns.

While visual map technologies have been present in Vehicle Head Units and Personal Navigation Devices for years, recent advances in Computer Graphics (CG) and Augmented Reality (AR) have opened many new possibilities for improving the consumer navigation experience. Augmented Reality technologies, in particular, are moving into the sphere of usefulness for navigation. In this panel we explore the real-world requirements for increasing the quality and effectiveness pf Visual Navigation, including a discussion of how AR can become a meaningful component.

This paper presents a graphic picture of the problems facing the aeronautics industry in the state of Texas. Following the national pattern of aerospace distribution of employment, the slowdown of contracts in this industry to firms employing approximately 80,000 people, has created a not too pleasant picture. While the situation appears to be stabilizing, diversification to other, allied, fields, such as ground transportation, with its air cushion vehicle systems, LIM-powered systems, etc., is called for. A plea has been made for engineers to apply their talents to other than aerospace production, and to develop new products and markets.

The Allison Model 250 small aircraft gas turbine engine is briefly described and the development and field experience highlights are discussed. Recent development effort is outlined on engine response time, sand and dust tolerance, cost reduction, performance growth, regeneration, and augmentation. Variations of the free-turbine engine for a wider variety of applications have been studied. Performance of the 250 engine in fixed-wing commercial aircraft is compared with that of existing piston engines.

The first industrial closed-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant started service in Switzerland in 1939 and demonstrated the utilization of coal as the fuel, and operation in a combined power and heat production mode, and these were viewed as attributes towards its deployment on a commercial scale. Introduction of further plants in Europe was delayed by two factors: (1) restricted business during the second world war, and (2) the subsequent use of aircraft-derived gas turbines burning oil and gas which were cheap and in plentiful supply. About 15 fossil-fired CCGT plants operated well in Europe (some of them into the 1980s), but both technical and economic factors limited further deployment. The CCGT capability to operate well at high pressure, and with perfect inert gases (e.g., helium) makes it an attractive prime mover for coupling with a nuclear heat source.

THIS paper describes the development and utilization of a new Ford free-piston power-plant, the model 519. Mr. Noren traces the development of the engine from the initial idea to the point where commercial utilization could be considered. Mr. Erwin describes one commercial use: in the Typhoon tractor. The ratio of size and weight to horsepower is favorable for farm tractors, being smaller and lighter than equivalent diesel engines. The performance of the tractor has been satisfactory thus far, operating smoothly and being practically vibration-free, with little noise. The advantages of the free-piston gasifier, as reported by the authors, are: flexibility, fuel economy, no need for auxiliary starting engine, economical manufacture of a wide range of engine sizes, adaptability to a wide range of fuels, and good torque characteristics.

The paper captures the recent events in relation with the Volkswagen (VW) Emissions Scandal and addresses the impact of this event on the future of power train development. The paper analyses the impact on the perspectives of the internal combustion engine, the battery based electric car and the hydrogen based technology. The operation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VW and the United States prosecutor, sparked by the action of the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is forcing the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) towards everything but rationale immediate transition to the battery based electric mobility. This transition voids the value of any improvement of the internal combustion engine (ICE), especially in the lean burn, compression ignition (CI) technology, and of a better hybridization of powertrains, both options that have much better short term perspectives than the battery based electric car.

The Fuzzy Inference System Translator (FIST) is a tool in the realization of standalone, fully-programmable, fuzzy logic micro-controllers for the regulation of advanced life support system temperature and humidity subsystems. Analog input signals may include chamber temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration and nutrient level. Analog output signals can be, for example, heater voltage and condensing heat-exchanger cold-water valve voltage, nutrient pump actuator voltage and grow-lamp actuator voltage. Features of the micro-controller described, include keypad entry of sensor calibration data and online modification of the photo-period, temperature, humidity and CO2 levels during full system operation. All system inputs and outputs can be selected for read-out on a liquid crystal display (LCD).

This paper discusses some of the objectives, results, and implications of GE's electric vehicle and component systems developments to date. The experimental vehicle is covered in detail. The vehicle's styling, construction, materials, power system, operating costs, and performance are discussed with some alternatives and attendant economic considerations. The paper also presents a brief discussion of the power system requirements, performance, and economics of several potential electric vehicles as well as a critique of the potential power sources presently announced as having promise for electric vehicle propulsion. The paper includes pictures, tables, and graphs describing the experimental vehicle and illustrating the points discussed relative to other potential vehicles, power systems, batteries, and fuel cells.

The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate how designing for maintainability in modern ultra high bypass ratio turbofan jet engines has significant cost advantages for both the airline operator and the engine manufacturer. It is also necessary to include in the process of designing for maintainability innovations which optimize the airline's ability to utilize engine assets in the most cost effective manner. Contemporary jet engine design evolved to the degree that major engine functional units could be disassembled without disturbing adjacent units to facilitate maintenance in the engine shop, the familiar modular maintenance concept. This was innovative when developed in the early 1970's but today's 80,000 pound thrust class engines require new initiatives.

The GIE S2A is a complex comprising a full-scale aeroacoustic wind tunnel, a 2/5-scale model wind tunnel, and supporting infrastructure. The entire facility is a joint project of Renault, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, and the national education and research establishment, CNAM. This paper provides an overview of the history, design features and philosophy, commissioning results, and key instrumentation for the full-scale aero-acoustic wind tunnel, known as the S2A 1/1.

The Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research Inc. (GLACIER) facility is located in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. This facility provides icing certification tests for large gas turbine engines, as well as performance, endurance and other gas turbine engine qualification testing. This globally unique outdoor engine test and certification facility was officially opened back in 2010. The prime purpose of this facility is for icing certification of aero gas turbines. As a generic engine test facility, it includes the infrastructure and test systems necessary for the installation of both current and future gas turbine engines. The GLACIER facility completed its commissioning in the winter of 2010/2011, and has now experienced five years of full icing seasons. Rolls-Royce and Pratt and Whitney have both successfully performed certification and engineering icing testing with 5 engines completing their icing certification.

A completely new in-line, 4 cylinder engine has been designed by Chevrolet for use in the 1982, FWD, J-Car vehicle line. This paper will describe several factors which influenced the engine design, specifically in the areas of vehicle packaging, performance and economy. In addition, individual component and overall system designs and component development programs will be described.

The GM 3500 HD is a new class 4 truck being introduced this fall. Complementing GM's successful introduction of the 11,000 lb and 12,000 lb cab/chassis in 1990, this truck will have a GVW rating of up to 15,000 lbs. The design and development of this truck began in late 1987 and utilized selected common parts from GM's light duty pickup truck and commercial forward control chassis. Several features unique to the class 4 market were incorporated for increased customer satisfaction. Among these are low loading heights, three cab/axle offerings, large brakes, increased cooling, and large frame sections with straight flat rails behind the cab. A description of the vehicle features and how the design evolved and developed will be detailed. In addition, significant performance criteria that were met or exceeded will be summarized to establish the high level of vehicle performance achieved.

Two new 4.3 liter engines with 90° V-6 configurations were developed for use in Chevrolet's 1985 light duty trucks and rear wheel drive passenger cars. The new engines were optimized from the standpoint of oil sealing, performance, and fuel economy. A four-barrel quadrajet carburetor mounted on an open inlet plenum is used for truck applications and a 1×2 throttle body injection system mounted on a similar open inlet plenum is used for passenger car applications. Both engines are designed for optimum engine breathing and cylinder charging, and each requires a specific engine/emission control system. These engines are configured for even firing, have swirl inlet ports, and fast burn combustion chambers. The results obtained through the extensive engineering development program met and/or exceeded the program goals for performance, oil and coolant sealing, and fuel economy.

This paper details the design and development of a new child restraint system recommended for children from 20-40 lb and under 40 in. The child is restrained in a seat by a five-belt harness system that utilizes a single quick-release buckle. The seat is restrained by the vehicle lap belts and a top anchor strap. It satisfactorily meets the standards of FMVSS 213 in static testing, and it reduces excursion of the child in front and side impact testing. The seat has padded forward-projecting walls at the side of the head. The seat retained its integrity during impact testing.

This paper describes the capabilities of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid-electric propulsion system developed for rear wheel drive. The PHEV system comprises a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder direct-injected gasoline engine with the new hybrid transmission [1], a new traction power inverter module, a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack, and on-board battery charger and 12V power converter module. The capability and features of the system components are described, and component performance and vehicle data are reported. The resulting propulsion system provides an excellent combination of electric-only driving, acceleration, and fuel economy.