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
Wide Speed Range, Inverterless, Constant Current Mode Alternator. Increasing auxiliary electric power demands in cars due to proposed new features such as electromechanical valves and active suspension has created a pressing need for a higher power car alternator. There has also been a continuing need for improved alternators for small-scale renewable energy generation such as wind turbines. These applications require the lowest possible cost solution which meets the challenging technical spec ....Wide Speed Range, Inverterless, Constant Current Mode Alternator. Increasing auxiliary electric power demands in cars due to proposed new features such as electromechanical valves and active suspension has created a pressing need for a higher power car alternator. There has also been a continuing need for improved alternators for small-scale renewable energy generation such as wind turbines. These applications require the lowest possible cost solution which meets the challenging technical specifications. Present research in this area is focussed on expensive inverter-based methods. We propose a low-cost, "inverterless" alternator configuration based on a specially-designed interior permanent magnet machine operating in a new current source mode.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
Analysis and modeling of driving patterns for limited-range electric vehicles. The electrification of the personal transport sector seems to be only a matter of time. It is important to study and model the effects of this sector now, in order to recommend decision makers on issues like standardization and infrastructure planning. Understanding and being able to predict EV driving and charging patterns will allow us to provide planning assistance for:
· Effects of day-time dependent energy pri ....Analysis and modeling of driving patterns for limited-range electric vehicles. The electrification of the personal transport sector seems to be only a matter of time. It is important to study and model the effects of this sector now, in order to recommend decision makers on issues like standardization and infrastructure planning. Understanding and being able to predict EV driving and charging patterns will allow us to provide planning assistance for:
· Effects of day-time dependent energy pricing structure on EV charging behavior
· Optimal energy pricing to encourage off-peak charging
· Optimal number and location of EV charging stations
· Expected uptake of PHEV/EVs depending on petrol, electricity and conversion cost
· Expected additional energy demand for EVs and PHEVs with day-time energy usage pattern
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
Dynamic Modelling and Gear Shift Simulation of Powertrains with Dual Clutch Transmissions. The project will make a significant contribution to the development and commercialisation of dual clutch transmissions, which represent a breakthrough vehicle transmission technology. The acquired knowledge and advanced simulation tools will enable engineers to design superior vehicles with improved fuel efficiency and performance. The project will hence benefit the nation and community, resulting in:
1) ....Dynamic Modelling and Gear Shift Simulation of Powertrains with Dual Clutch Transmissions. The project will make a significant contribution to the development and commercialisation of dual clutch transmissions, which represent a breakthrough vehicle transmission technology. The acquired knowledge and advanced simulation tools will enable engineers to design superior vehicles with improved fuel efficiency and performance. The project will hence benefit the nation and community, resulting in:
1) powertrains with improved fuel efficiency, drivability and gear shift quality at the lowest production cost;
2) increased employment in the automotive sector benefiting from leading the world in applying the frontier technology to vehicles;
3) increased knowledge base on complex dynamic systems, well trained researchers and engineers.
Read moreRead less
Quantitative analysis of dynamic performance of vehicles with uncertain system parameters and road inputs. Ride comfort, road holding and stability of on-road vehicles are not only important quality indicators but major public health and safety issues. To accurately predict and prevent unsafe motions of a vehicle under all circumstances is still a major technological challenge. The research, which aims to develop a novel design theory, presents a significant step forward in tackling the challeng ....Quantitative analysis of dynamic performance of vehicles with uncertain system parameters and road inputs. Ride comfort, road holding and stability of on-road vehicles are not only important quality indicators but major public health and safety issues. To accurately predict and prevent unsafe motions of a vehicle under all circumstances is still a major technological challenge. The research, which aims to develop a novel design theory, presents a significant step forward in tackling the challenge in the quantitative performance analysis of vehicles with various uncertainties. The acquired knowledge will assist engineers in developing safer vehicles and also benefit the aeronautical, military and other transportation industries. The wider community would benefit by potentially reduced death rates and fatal injuries caused by car crashes.Read moreRead less
Demand Dependent Active Suspensions for Preventing Vehicle Rollover. Rollover crashes are a major public safety issue in Australia. Reliable and low cost anti-roll technology and the availability of required design methodology and simulation tools will greatly assist the automotive industry in improving vehicle safety and consequently enhance its competitiveness in the global marketplace. The knowledge acquired from this project would provide an essential theoretical basis for commercialising th ....Demand Dependent Active Suspensions for Preventing Vehicle Rollover. Rollover crashes are a major public safety issue in Australia. Reliable and low cost anti-roll technology and the availability of required design methodology and simulation tools will greatly assist the automotive industry in improving vehicle safety and consequently enhance its competitiveness in the global marketplace. The knowledge acquired from this project would provide an essential theoretical basis for commercialising the proposed suspensions and enhance the exports of Australian car component manufacturers. It would also benefit aeronautical, military and other industries. The wide community would benefit by potentially reduced death rates and fatal injuries caused by rollover crashes, and through increased employment in industry.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Characteristics of Kinetic Suspension Systems for Vehicle Applications. Suspension systems play a key role in vehicle dynamics and, in addition to providing ride comfort, can prevent or minimise fatal collisions by enhancing vehicle stability. This project aims to advance the theory and design of the kinetic suspension systems (KSS), which break the compromise between ride comfort and vehicle handling inherent in most existing systems. Industry Partner, Kinetic, has invented many novel K ....Dynamic Characteristics of Kinetic Suspension Systems for Vehicle Applications. Suspension systems play a key role in vehicle dynamics and, in addition to providing ride comfort, can prevent or minimise fatal collisions by enhancing vehicle stability. This project aims to advance the theory and design of the kinetic suspension systems (KSS), which break the compromise between ride comfort and vehicle handling inherent in most existing systems. Industry Partner, Kinetic, has invented many novel KSS and currently leads the world in the R&D of KSS technology. The gained ability in reliable analysis and virtual experimentation on the systems prior to prototyping and on-road tests enables the industry to rapidly commercialise the cutting-edge, safety-critical technology, thus bringing great benefits to society.Read moreRead less