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A production hybrid-electric vehicle with gasoline internal combustion engine (ICE) has been modified to operate on hydrogen fuel and to demonstrate an advanced metal hydride fuel storage system. Fuel economy, range, performance, and emissions of the modified vehicle are similar to levels achieved with current fuel cell vehicles. This project was conceived and executed by Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. All vehicle modifications, engine and chassis dynamometer tests, and road tests were performed by Quantum Technologies, Inc. at their Lake Forest, CA facility. Project activities and test results are chronicled in this paper.

This paper describes the development of an analytical tool for the design automation of the temperature blend door mechanism in an automotive HVAC system. The function of the blend door is to control the temperature of the air blown into the cabin interior by regulating the mix of air passing through the heater core. The objective in the design process is to achieve a prescribed function of temperature with respect to control position at the instrument panel. The control effort to effect the desired temperature change is also another important consideration for customer satisfaction. The current design process is empirical in nature and relies on laboratory and vehicle testing with prototypes. The process is also iterative in nature and may continue until the end of the overall design cycle of the complete air handling subsystem. A parametric feature-based computer model, described subsequently in detail, allows for virtual prototyping of the blend door control mechanism.