<p>The objective of this thesis is to implement a basic, yet realistic, ESC system into the VTI simulator environment. This system is then validated to assure that it is working properly and provides a realistic behavior.</p><p>The implemented ESC system is used in a study, where the ESC system could be turned on and off, to evaluate the benefits of an ESC system after a side impact. This study shows that an ESC system may aid the driver in such a critical situation when the driver is unaware that a side impact will occur. With the ESC system active no driver lost control while with the system inactive there were five drivers that lost control, but deviations in initial speed give statistical difficulties, thus more tests are needed. In the case where the driver knows that an impact will occur the ESC system showed to stabilize the automobile faster and it is shown that an expected improvement in stabilization time is between 40 to 62 percent. It was also seen during this part of the scenario that 2 percent loss of control occurred with an active ESC system and 45 percent without.</p>

Many devices are available on the market for the evaluation and rehabilitation of patients suffering from muscular disorders. Most of them are small, low-cost, passive devices based on the use of springs and resistive elements and exhibit very limited (or even not any) evaluation capabilities; extended muscular force evaluation is only possible on stationary, expensive, multi-purpose devices, available only in hospitals, which offer many exercise modes (e.g. isokinetic mode) that are not available on other devices. The objective of this thesis is to make the functionalities currently only implemented on bulky multi-purpose devices available at a lower cost and in a portable fashion, enabling their use by a large number of independent practitioners and patients, even at home (tele-medecine applications). In order to achieve this goal, a portable rehabilitation device, using a magneto-rheological fluid brake as actuator, has been designed. This particular technology was selected for its high level of compactness, simple mechanical design, high controllability, smooth and safe operation. The first part of this thesis is devoted to the design of MR-fluid brakes and their experimental validation. The second part is dedicated to the design of the rehabilitation device and the comparison of its performances with a commercial multi-purpose device (CYBEX).

The heat dissipation and thermal performance of ventilated brake discs strongly depends on the aerodynamic characteristics of the air flow through the rotor passages. In this thesis, the thermal convection is analyzed using an analytical method, and the velocity distribution, temperature contours and Nusselt number are determined. Then numerical models for different rotors, pillar post rotors and vane rotors are generated and numerical simulations are conducted to determine the desired parameters. To analyze more realistic vane and pillar post rotor models, commercial CFD software packages, Fluent and Gambit, are used to simulate the heat flux rate, air flow rate, velocity distributions, temperature contours, and pressure distributions inside the rotors. Furthermore, sensitivity studies have been performed, to determine the effects of a different number of vanes or pillar posts, inner and outer radii and various angles of vanes. To automate the tedious and repetitive design process of the disc rotor, a design synthesis framework, iSIGHT, is used to integrate the geometrical modeling using GAMBIT and numerical simulations based on FLUENT. Through this integrated design synthesis process, the disc rotor geometrical optimization is performed using design of experiment studies. / UOIT

The heat flux produced from the friction between a disc and pad system leads to a high temperature which causes thermal stresses in the disc and after a number of repeated braking cycles, cracks might be initiated. The finite element analysis (FEA) is performed to determine the temperatures profile in the disc and to analyze the stresses for the repeated braking, which could be used to calculate the fatigue life of a disc.Sequentially coupled approach is used for thermo-mechanical problem and the problem is divided into two parts, heat analysis and thermal stress analysis. The heat analysis is obtained by including frictional heat and adopting an Eulerian approach. The heat analysis is conducted by using Abaqus and the toolbox developed by Niclas Strömberg. The thermal stress analysis, which is the main focus of this thesis, is followed using Abaqus. The plasticity theory as background for stress analysis is discussed in detail. The rate independent elasto-plastic plasticity is used in the stress analysis. Temperature independent material properties are considered throughout the thesis work.Isotropic, kinematic and combined hardening models are analyzed for simple 2D academic models for different types of cyclic loads. A benchmark disc and pad model, which is less complicated than the real disc-pad model, is also studied. The linear kinematic hardening model with rate independent elastic-plastic plasticity is used for benchmark and real disc-pad model. The results of the benchmark model and the real model are observed to be similar in terms of plasticity theory.

Hybrid electric vehicle technology has become a preferred method for the automotive industry to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption of their vehicles. Hybrid electric vehicles accomplish these reductions through the use of multiple propulsion systems, namely an electric motor and internal combustion engine, which allow the elimination of idling, operation of the internal combustion engine in a more efficient manner and the use of regenerative braking. However, the added cost of the hybrid electric system has hindered the sales of these vehicles. A more cost effective design of an electro-hydraulic braking system is presented. The system electro-mechanically controlled the boost force created by the brake booster independently of the driver braking force and with adequate time response. The system allowed for the blending of the mechanical and regenerative braking torques in a manner transparent to the driver and allowed for regenerative braking to be conducted efficiently. A systematic design process was followed, with emphasis placed on demonstrating conceptual design feasibility and preliminary design functionality using virtual and physical prototyping. The virtual and physical prototypes were then used in combination as a powerful tool to validate and develop the system. The role of prototyping in the design process is presented and discussed. Through the experiences gained by the author during the design process, it is recommended that students create physical prototypes to enhance their educational experience. These experiences are evident throughout the thesis presented.

The objective of this thesis is to implement a basic, yet realistic, ESC system into the VTI simulator environment. This system is then validated to assure that it is working properly and provides a realistic behavior. The implemented ESC system is used in a study, where the ESC system could be turned on and off, to evaluate the benefits of an ESC system after a side impact. This study shows that an ESC system may aid the driver in such a critical situation when the driver is unaware that a side impact will occur. With the ESC system active no driver lost control while with the system inactive there were five drivers that lost control, but deviations in initial speed give statistical difficulties, thus more tests are needed. In the case where the driver knows that an impact will occur the ESC system showed to stabilize the automobile faster and it is shown that an expected improvement in stabilization time is between 40 to 62 percent. It was also seen during this part of the scenario that 2 percent loss of control occurred with an active ESC system and 45 percent without.

Hybrid electric vehicle technology has become a preferred method for the automotive industry to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption of their vehicles. Hybrid electric vehicles accomplish these reductions through the use of multiple propulsion systems, namely an electric motor and internal combustion engine, which allow the elimination of idling, operation of the internal combustion engine in a more efficient manner and the use of regenerative braking. However, the added cost of the hybrid electric system has hindered the sales of these vehicles. A more cost effective design of an electro-hydraulic braking system is presented. The system electro-mechanically controlled the boost force created by the brake booster independently of the driver braking force and with adequate time response. The system allowed for the blending of the mechanical and regenerative braking torques in a manner transparent to the driver and allowed for regenerative braking to be conducted efficiently. A systematic design process was followed, with emphasis placed on demonstrating conceptual design feasibility and preliminary design functionality using virtual and physical prototyping. The virtual and physical prototypes were then used in combination as a powerful tool to validate and develop the system. The role of prototyping in the design process is presented and discussed. Through the experiences gained by the author during the design process, it is recommended that students create physical prototypes to enhance their educational experience. These experiences are evident throughout the thesis presented.

This thesis considers the effect of compression ratio on the performance of a direct injection diesel engine. One aspect of engine performance is considered in great detail, namely the combustion performance at increased clearance volume. This aspect was of particular interest because variable compression ratio (VCR) systems normally operate by varying the clearance volume. The investigation relied upon results obtained both from experimental and computer simulating models. The experimental tests were carried out using a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine, under simulated turbocharged conditions at a reduced compression ratio. A number of one-dimensional computer models were developed; these simulate the induction and compression strokes, and the fuel spray trajectories in the presence of air swirl. The major objectives of the investigation were: to assess the benefits of VCR in terms of improvements in output power and fuel economy; to assess the effects on combustion of increased clearance volume, and investigate methods for ameliorating resulting problems; develop computational models which could aid understanding of the combustion process under varying clearance volume conditions. It was concluded that at the reduced compression ratio of 12.9:1 (compared to the standard value of 17.4:1 for the naturally-aspirated engine), brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) could be increased by more than 50%, and the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) could be reduced by more than 20%. These improvements were achieved without the maximum cylinder pressure or engine temperatures exceeding the highest values for the standard engine. Combustion performance deteriorated markedly, but certain modifications to the injection system proved successful in ameliorating the problems. These included: increase in the number of injector nozzle holes from 3 to 4, increase in injection rate by about 28%, advancing injection timing by about 6°CA. In addition, operation with weaker air fuel ratio, in the range of 30 to 40:1 reduced smoke emissions and improved BSFC. Use of intercooling under VCR conditions provided only modest gains in performance. The NO emission was found to be insensitive to engine operating conditions (fixed compression ratio of 12.9:1), as long as the peak cylinder pressure was maintained constant. Engine test results were used in order to assess the accuracy of four published correlations for predicting ignition delay. The best prediction of ignition delay with these correlations deviated by up to 50% from the measured values. The computer simulation models provided useful insights into the fuel distribution within the engine cylinder. It also became possible to quantify the interaction between the swirling air and the fuel sprays, using two parameters: the crosswind and impingement velocities of the fuel spray when it impinges on the piston-bowl walls. Tentative trends were identified which showed that high crosswind velocity coincided with lower smoke emissions and lower BSFC.

Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti stabdžių skysčio eksploatacinių rodiklių kitimą automobiliuose su senu ir automobiliuose su naujai užpiltu stabdžių skysčiu, atsižvelgiant į Lietuvos sąlygas ir automobilių eksploatavimą. Tyrimai atlikti su keturiais automobiliais, dviejuose automobiliuose skystis buvo nežinomas, o likusiuose pakeistas nauju. Atsižvelgiant į eksploatacijos ir oro sąlygas, bei automobilių amžių, gavome tokius teiginius.Aplinkos temperatūrai nukritus žemiau 0 °C, vandens kiekis stabdžių skystyje didėja, o skysčio virimo temperatūra mažėja.Nustatyta, didesnis vandens kiekis susikaupė tokioje automobilio sistemoje, kuri buvo eksploatuojama mažiau.Galima teigti, kad automobilis, kuris yra tankiau stabdomas, dėl įkaitusios sistemos, stabdžių skystyje susidaręs vanduo palaipsniui garuoja.Galima teigti, kad oro temperatūrai esant apie + 20 °C, vandens kiekis stabdžių sistemose pradeda garuoti, arba išlieka nekitęs ir būna mažesnis.Remiantis surinktais duomenimis ne visus pokyčius galime paremti tiksliomis išvadomis, todėl būtų tikslinga tęsti matavimus įvertinant faktorius. / The purpose - to set the brake fluid dynamics performance indicators with the old cars, and cars with the newly brewed brake fluid, according to Lithuanian conditions and vehicle. Investigations were carried out with four cars, two cars liquid was unknown, and the remaining replacement. Given the operational and weather conditions, and car's age, received such claims. Ambient temperature falls below 0°C, water brake fluid increases and the boiling point of the liquid drop. Found greater amount of water accumulated in a car system, which has been operated less. It can be said that the car, which is densely stopped for hot systems, brake fluid resulting from water gradually evaporates. It can be argued that the air temperature of +20 °C, water starts to evaporate, brake systems, and remains unchanged is lower. Based on data collected at all the changes we can support precise conclusions, it would be appropriate to continue the measurements evaluating factors.

Brake squeal is a common noise problem encountered in the automotive industry. Higherfriction coefficients and weight reduction recently led to higher vibration levels in the audiblefrequency range. This quality issue becomes economic due to penalties imposed to the brakesupplier although no robust design method exists. The industrial practice thus relies on costlyprototyping and adjustment phases. The evolution of computational power allows computationof large mechanical assemblies, but non-linear time simulations generally remain out of reach.In this context, the thesis objective is to provide numerical tools for squeal resolution at earlydesign stages.Parameterized reduction methods are developed, using system real modes as Rayleigh-Ritzvectors, and allow very compact reduced models with exact real modes. The proposed ComponentMode Tuning method uses the components free/free modes as explicit degrees of freedom.This allows very quick sensitivity computation and reanalyzes of an assembly as function oflocal component-wise parameters. Non-linear time simulations are made possible through twoingredients. A modified non-linear implicit Newmark scheme and a fixed Jacobian are adaptedfor contact vibrations. The brake is reduced keeping a superelement with exact real modes anda local non-linear finite element model in the vicinity of the pad/disc interaction.A set of design tools is illustrated for a full industrial brake model. First, instant stabilitycomputations and complex mode trajectories are studied. Modal interactions and non-linearphenomena inside the limit cycles are thus well understood. Time/frequency correlations areperformed using transient modal identification and space-time decomposition. A time domainmodal damping model is also shown to be very useful. The modification of a critical componentfor squeal resolution is finally tested and validated.