The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the t ....The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the transport sector meeting medium term emissions targets. If successful not only will the project develop unique components, it will support heavy vehicle research and development that is so important to maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in Australia, especially in regional centres, such as Ballarat where Maxitrans has major headquarters. Read moreRead less
Compositional determination of liquefied petroleum gas: Improving engine cold start performance in multipoint LPG-injected engines. Unlike gasoline, the composition of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is subject to change depending on a variety of factors including reservoir location and local market pricing. During normal automotive multipoint injection engine operation, closed loop feedback from engine sensors allows the effects of the compositional variations to be overcome and the engine to ope ....Compositional determination of liquefied petroleum gas: Improving engine cold start performance in multipoint LPG-injected engines. Unlike gasoline, the composition of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is subject to change depending on a variety of factors including reservoir location and local market pricing. During normal automotive multipoint injection engine operation, closed loop feedback from engine sensors allows the effects of the compositional variations to be overcome and the engine to operate close to optimal levels. However during cold start, the feedback sensors are not operational, and engine performance may deteriorate due to unknown fuel composition - in the worst case the engine may not start at all. This project aims to develop unique methods of estimating the composition of LPG based on existing sensor information to improve performance during cold start.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354488
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Intelligent vehicles and road infrastructure (IVRI). The aims of the network are to integrate the activities of researchers and practitioners in the areas of vehicles and road infrastructure and through cross-disciplinary collaboration apply intelligent control systems to deliver mobility, which is safer for all users, reduces driver stress and environmental impact with increased local manufactured content and improved cost effectiveness. It is of great significance to provide a cohesive solutio ....Intelligent vehicles and road infrastructure (IVRI). The aims of the network are to integrate the activities of researchers and practitioners in the areas of vehicles and road infrastructure and through cross-disciplinary collaboration apply intelligent control systems to deliver mobility, which is safer for all users, reduces driver stress and environmental impact with increased local manufactured content and improved cost effectiveness. It is of great significance to provide a cohesive solution to the transport problem considering all modes, environmental impacts, and economical and social considerations. This project should lead to a report identifying Australia's capability in this sector and a roadmap for a future research network integrating university and industry based research.Read moreRead less
Networked control systems: harnessing an emerging technology. Drive-by-wire cars, fly-by-wire aircraft and sensor/actuator wireless networks in process and manufacturing industries are just a few examples of emerging networked control technologies that are currently reshaping our world. These technological advances have a vast potential to reduce the cost, weight and volume of engineered systems, simplify their maintenance and installation and their novel architectures and features may enable u ....Networked control systems: harnessing an emerging technology. Drive-by-wire cars, fly-by-wire aircraft and sensor/actuator wireless networks in process and manufacturing industries are just a few examples of emerging networked control technologies that are currently reshaping our world. These technological advances have a vast potential to reduce the cost, weight and volume of engineered systems, simplify their maintenance and installation and their novel architectures and features may enable us to address significant environmental and socio-economic challenges, such as an increased demand for energy and other limited resources. This project will develop a systematic design methodology for networked control systems that will be essential in ensuring that its full potential is exploited.Read moreRead less
Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. This project aims to quantify and understand how future, advanced passenger vehicles might perform when optimised for the direct injection (DI) of natural gas. Such production vehicles do not exist, largely because production DI systems for natural gas, spark ignition engines are not yet available. This project will examine both advanced conventional and hybrid vehi ....Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. Natural gas direct injection in advanced engines and powertrains. This project aims to quantify and understand how future, advanced passenger vehicles might perform when optimised for the direct injection (DI) of natural gas. Such production vehicles do not exist, largely because production DI systems for natural gas, spark ignition engines are not yet available. This project will examine both advanced conventional and hybrid vehicles using a suite of state-of-the-art experimental and numerical techniques. This project will quantify these vehicles’ environmental, technical and economic performance to determine whether DI natural gas, conventional and hybrid vehicles might reduce substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions whilst avoiding any consumer penalty. This research could contribute to global GHG abatement.Read moreRead less
Protecting Occupants in Vehicle Rollover Crashes. This project addresses a public health issue involving rollover crashes. It will help prevent 340 deaths, 6000 injuries and save $3.6 billion annually in Australia and many fold this number internationally. A dynamic rollover crashworthiness test protocol, that ensures efficient and economical vehicle rollover protection systems are designed and manufactured, will be provided to consumer and regulatory bodies to consider and implement. In additio ....Protecting Occupants in Vehicle Rollover Crashes. This project addresses a public health issue involving rollover crashes. It will help prevent 340 deaths, 6000 injuries and save $3.6 billion annually in Australia and many fold this number internationally. A dynamic rollover crashworthiness test protocol, that ensures efficient and economical vehicle rollover protection systems are designed and manufactured, will be provided to consumer and regulatory bodies to consider and implement. In addition, much needed Occupational Health & Safety information regarding vehicle rollover crashworthiness, which provide a safe work place environment for professional drivers and employees using vehicles, will be supplied to industry fleet managers, defence and emergency services.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347553
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,000.00
Summary
Smart Equipment for Remote Monitoring of Isolated and Mobile Infrastructure. The partners' research involves the collection and assessment of data to determine the condition, maintenance strategies and risk of failure of plant in diverse areas such as transport, cargo and packaging, mining and power. Recent advances in data processing, computing and telemetry mean that it is now possible to actually install small and rugged data acquisition equipment on remote infrastructure or mobile plant. T ....Smart Equipment for Remote Monitoring of Isolated and Mobile Infrastructure. The partners' research involves the collection and assessment of data to determine the condition, maintenance strategies and risk of failure of plant in diverse areas such as transport, cargo and packaging, mining and power. Recent advances in data processing, computing and telemetry mean that it is now possible to actually install small and rugged data acquisition equipment on remote infrastructure or mobile plant. This equipment can acquire, condition and process the signals and use wireless telemetry to transmit the data for remote assessment. The proposed infrastructure will enable the partners' research to be extended to these challenging applications.Read moreRead less
Variable Geometry Cooling Intakes for Passenger Vehicles. Cars reject engine heat via air forced through the grille, radiator and engine bay. The associated "cooling drag" increases total aerodynamic drag by 10-15% hence increasing fuel consumption. The highest heat load that needs to be rejected by the engine determines the quantity of cooling air, resulting in systems that are over designed for typical driving. This research provides a strategy of adjusting the cooling airflow to match the ....Variable Geometry Cooling Intakes for Passenger Vehicles. Cars reject engine heat via air forced through the grille, radiator and engine bay. The associated "cooling drag" increases total aerodynamic drag by 10-15% hence increasing fuel consumption. The highest heat load that needs to be rejected by the engine determines the quantity of cooling air, resulting in systems that are over designed for typical driving. This research provides a strategy of adjusting the cooling airflow to match the engine requirements (via variable geometry intakes that can be under the control of the engine management computer) offering substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0214172
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,000.00
Summary
Measuring highly resolved flow and sound in Australia's largest wind tunnel. Monash and RMIT Universities have developed an aero-acoustic facility of international standing to study flows around vehicles, buildings and structures. This is based around the largest wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, which provides a National facility crucial to the development of a competitive automotive industry. To achieve the next stage of research development, velocities and acoustic fields need to be mea ....Measuring highly resolved flow and sound in Australia's largest wind tunnel. Monash and RMIT Universities have developed an aero-acoustic facility of international standing to study flows around vehicles, buildings and structures. This is based around the largest wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, which provides a National facility crucial to the development of a competitive automotive industry. To achieve the next stage of research development, velocities and acoustic fields need to be measured with increased accuracy and spatial resolution than currently available. Given the physical scale of the facility, it is proposed to achieve this with an automated measurement system, which will also be integral to future research programs.Read moreRead less
Low emission road transportation: harnessing the potential of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies through online optimisation. This project will develop fundamental mathematical theory and use it to enable the best possible CO2 reduction capability in road vehicles. The cost of different technologies and fuels will then be compared to determine the most cost effective approaches to reduce road transport emissions.