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The alternative fuel jet propellant 8 (JP-8, NATO F-34) can be used as an auto-ignition source instead of diesel. Because it has a higher volatility than diesel, it provides a better air-fuel premixing condition than a conventional diesel engine, which can be attributed to a reduction in particulate matter (PM). In homogeneous charged compression ignition (HCCI) or dual-fuel premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion or reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI), nitrogen oxides (NOx) can also be reduced by supplying external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In this research, the diesel and JP-8 injection strategies under conventional condition and dual-fuel PCCI combustion with and without external EGR was conducted. Two tests of dual-fuel (JP-8 and propane) PCCI were conducted at a low engine speed and load (1,500 rpm/IMEP 0.55 MPa). The first test was performed by advancing the main injection timing from BTDC 5 to 35 CA to obtain the emissions characteristics.

In this work, the operating strategy for diesel injection methods and a way to control the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate under dual-fuel PCCI combustion with an appropriate ratio of low-reactivity fuel (propane) to achieve high combustion stability and low emissions is introduced. The standards of combustion stability were carbon monoxide (CO) emissions below 5,000 ppm and a CoV of the indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) below 5 %. Additionally, the NOx emissions was controlled to not exceed 50 ppm, which is the standard of conventional diesel combustion, and PM emissions was kept below 0.2 FSN, which is a tenth of the conventional diesel value without a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The operating condition was a low speed and load condition (1,500 rpm/ near gIMEP of 0.55 MPa).

Novel Diesel combustion concepts such as premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) and reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) promise lower NOx and PM emissions than those of conventional Diesel combustion. RCCI, which can be implemented using low-reactivity fuels such as gasoline or gases and high-reactivity fuels such as Diesel, has the potential to achieve extremely low emissions and improved thermal efficiency. However, to achieve RCCI combustion, a higher boost pressure than that of a conventional engine is required because a high EGR rate and a lean mixture are necessary to achieve a low combustion temperature. However, higher boost pressures can cause damage to intake systems. In this research, the addition of gaseous fuel to a CI engine is investigated to reduce engine emissions, mainly NOx and PM emissions, with the same IMEP level. Two different methods were evaluated.

More emissions are produced when Diesel engines operate in the transient state than in the steady state. This discrepancy is due to mismatching between the air-charging system and the fueling system. Moreover, the difference in the response time between the intake pressure and the exhaust pressure caused by turbo-lag leads to an excess supply of EGR. In this study, a model that can calculate the EGR rate of the intake gas was developed. In the model, temperatures of the air, the EGR gas and the mixture gas were measured with thermocouples which have a fast response. The EGR rate was calculated through the energy balance equation considering heat transfer. Moreover, the estimated EGR rate was applied to a closed-loop control system that receives feedback from 50 % of the mass fraction burned (MFB50) by a 2.2 L Diesel engine. When there is a difference between the target EGR rate and the estimated EGR rate, the target MFB50 can be modified.

As EURO-6 regulations will be enforced in 2014, the reduction of NOx emission while maintaining low PM emission levels becomes an important topic in current diesel engine research. EGR is the most effective way to reduce the NOx emission because EGR has a dilution and thermal effect as a means to reduce the oxygen concentration and combustion temperature. Although EGR is useful in reducing the NOx emission, it suffers from a higher level of CO and THC emissions, which indicates a low combustion efficiency and poor fuel consumption. Therefore, in this research, a close post injection strategy, which is implemented using main injection and post injection, is introduced to improve combustion efficiency and to reduce PM emission under a high EGR rate. In addition, a modified hardware configuration using a double-row nozzle and a two-staged piston bowl geometry is adapted to improve the effect of the close post injection.

In the past few years, the price of petroleum based fuels, especially vehicle fuels such as gasoline and diesel, have been increasing at a significant rate. Consequently, there is much more consumer interest related to reducing fuel consumption of conventional and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The “pulse and glide” (PnG) driving strategy is first applied to a conventional vehicle to quantify the fuel consumption benefits when compared to steady state speed (cruising) conditions over the same time and distance. Then an HEV is modeled and tested to investigate if a hybrid system can further reduce fuel consumption with the proposed strategy. Note that the HEV used in this study has the advantage that the engine can be automatically shut off below a certain speed (∼40 mph, 64 kph) at low loads, however a driver must shut off the engine manually in a conventional vehicle to apply this driving strategy.

The objective of this work is to provide a relatively simple battery energy storage and loss model that can be used for technology screening and design/sizing studies of hybrid electric vehicle powertrains. The model dynamic input requires only power demand from the battery terminals (either charging or discharging), and outputs internal battery losses, state-of-charge (SOC), and pack temperature. Measured data from a vehicle validates the model, which achieves reasonable accuracy for current levels up to 100 amps for the size battery tested. At higher current levels, the model tends to report a higher current than what is needed to create the same power level shown through the measured data. Therefore, this battery model is suitable for evaluating hybrid vehicle technology and energy use for part load drive cycles.

This paper describes the development of Mando's new continuously controlled semi-active suspension system. The goals for the new system are 1) enhanced control performance and functionality for customer satisfaction and added value, 2) optimal design of variable valve for compact size, light weight and fast response. Based on the system requirements established from benchmarking and market needs, design of variable dampers, an ECU, sensors and control algorithms is carried out. Skyhook control is applied with a better road detection algorithm by using vertical wheel G sensors. New “Comfort” mode biased toward smooth ride adds more value to the vehicle. Co-operation with ESP helps increase the vehicle stability. Well-defined design procedure and test methods for verification and validation are followed. Simulation study, rig and vehicle integration test prove that the design goals are met.

This paper presents the integrated chassis control (ICC) system under development at MANDO. By sharing the sensor and control information through the communication link among the existing 2 or more chassis subsystems, the integrated chassis control system improves vehicle performance and reduces cost for the sensors and related wiring. ICC consists of continuously variable damping control system(CDC), rear toe angle control system(AGCS) and electronic stability program (ESP). In ICC, the steering angle and yaw control information of ESP are delivered to the other systems through the CAN interface, and co-operative control strategy overrides each subsystem to improve the vehicle handling performance and stability. The effectiveness of both integrated chassis control systems are illustrated by a computer simulation and vehicle test on dry asphalt, snow road surface and so on.