For vehicles whose duty cycle is dominated by start-stop operation, fuel consumption may be significantly improved by better management of the start-stop process. Pneumatic hybrid technology represents one technology pathway to realise this goal. Vehicle kinetic energy is converted to pneumatic energy by compressing air into air tank(s) during the braking. The recovered air is reused to supply an air starter, or supply energy to the air path in order to reduce turbo-lag. This research aims to explore the concept and control of a novel pneumatic hybrid powertrain for a city bus application to identify the potential for improvements in fuel economy and drivability. In order to support the investigation of energy management, system architecture and control methodologies, two kinds of simulation models are created. Backward-facing simulation models have been built using Simulink. Forward-facing models have been developed in the GT-POWER and Simulink co-simulation. After comparison, the fully controllable hybrid braking system is chosen to realize the regenerative braking function. A number of architectures for managing a rapid energy transfer into the powertrain to reduce turbo-lag have been investigated. A city bus energy control strategy has been proposed to realize the Stop-Start Function, Boost Function, and Regenerative Braking Function as well as the normal operations. An optimisation study is conducted to identify the relationships between operating parameters and respectively fuel consumption, performance and energy usage. In conclusion, pneumatic hybrid technology can improve the city bus fuel economy by at least 6% in a typical bus driving cycle, and reduce the engine brake torque response and vehicle acceleration. Based on the findings, it can be learned that the pneumatic hybrid technology offers a clear and low-cost alternative to the electric hybrid technology in improving fuel economy and vehicle drivability.

Os sistemas de ar condicionado automotivos sempre se utilizaram do conceito de operação do ciclo termodinâmico por compressão de vapor, sendo necessário para isso componentes básicos tais como fluído refrigerante, trocadores de calor e compressor. Apesar de diversas décadas de pesquisa e desenvolvimento desse sistema, algumas dificuldades ainda permanecem nos dias de hoje. Dessa forma, a investigação de outros mecanismos de refrigeração, que possam ser aplicados em sistemas automotivos de ar condicionado, é bem vinda. Uma dessas possibilidades é a aplicação dos tubos de vórtices, utilizados atualmente para fins industriais. Os tubos de vórtices são dispositivos que operam através da introdução de um fluxo de ar comprimido, sendo que ele possibilita a divisão deste fluxo em duas parcelas: um fluxo de alta temperatura e um fluxo de baixa temperatura. Tal dispositivo apresenta vantagens tais como a não necessidade da utilização de trocadores de calor e de fluídos refrigerantes. Desta forma, ele possibilita uma maior flexibilidade de posicionamento de saídas de ar em pontos do habitáculo do veículo os quais não são permitidos atualmente. A alimentação do tubo de vórtices se dá exclusivamente com fluxo de ar comprimido, que pode ser armazenado para consumo conforme necessidade. Adicionalmente, devido a esta característica, surge a possibilidade de executar o reaproveitamento de energia cinética, que no processo de frenagem é dissipada ao ambiente. O reaproveitamento energético pode ser efetuado através do redirecionamento dessa energia cinética para o compressor de ar. Baseado nessa possibilidade, foram inicialmente obtidos os dados de operação de um sistema de ar condicionado convencional, além do potencial de regeneração energética, sendo estes dados obtidos através de publicações técnicas e cálculos teóricos. Estabeleceu-se uma proposta de configuração dos componentes, assim como modos de operação do sistema. Posteriormente seguiu-se com uma pré-seleção dos componentes que influem diretamente na viabilidade do sistema. Os resultados mostraram a dificuldade de implementação dessa filosofia de sistema para veículos leves (automóveis de passeio), mostrando maior viabilidade para veículos comerciais de grande porte (tais como caminhões), principalmente aqueles dotados de sistema pneumático para a operação dos freios a ar e suspensão pneumática. / Automotive air conditioning systems have always utilized the thermodynamic vapor-compression cycle concept, with the necessity of some basic components as refrigerant fluid, heat exchangers and compressor. Although research and development of these systems have been made along many decades, some difficulties still remain nowadays. Then, the investigation of other mechanisms of refrigeration that could be applied to automotive air conditioning systems are welcome. One of these possibilities is the application of the Vortex Tubes, utilized nowadays for industrial applications. Vortex Tubes are devices that work with the introduction of an air compressed flow. These devices enable the division of the inlet flow in two flow fractions: one high and one low temperature flow. The application of these devices brings advantages, as an example no necessity of heat exchangers and refrigerant fluids. Then it enables a higher flexibility in the positioning of air outlets in some cabin position, that are not possible nowadays. The feeding of vortex tubes occurs only with compressed air flow, which can be stored for consumption when necessary. In addition, because of this characteristic, there is the possibility of the kinetic energy reutilizing, that is dissiped to the environment in the braking process currently. This possibility of energetic reutilizing can be made through the transfer of this kinetic energy to the air compressor. Based on this possibility, it was obtained data about the operation of a conventional air conditioning system, besides the energetic regeneration potential data. These data were obtained through technical publications and theoretical calculations. It was established a configuration proposal for the components, as well as the system operation modes. Later, it was made a first selection of the components that have direct influence in the system viability. The results showed the difficulties in the application of this philosophy for light vehicles (passenger cars) with more viability for commercial vehicles use (for example trucks), mainly those vehicles that are equiped with a pneumatic system to the air brakes and air suspension.

The project has been conducted in collaboration with the company Volvo Group Truck Technology and deals with the area of ​​brake development. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a simulation tool to perform rapid testing of the brake system.  The brake system is introduced, where an explanation of what the brake systems role is in the vehicle and which kinds of brakes can be found in commercial trucks. Different trucks depend on different braking systems, a truck doing long-hauls will have different braking needs than a worksite transporter. It is important to have a customizable tool to be able to cover the different truck braking systems.   Simulations cannot replicate reality perfectly; the results will always deviate from the actual value. There are countless of variables that can affect the braking torque, everything from mechanical efficiency to weather conditions. It is important to set limitations and boundaries for the tool.  Four different methods have been used to develop the simulation tool. MATLAB pulls information from component test data stored in Excel sheets, then inserts it into the block diagram calculations in Simulink where the model has been created using a data driven method with a physics base. The tool has also been validated compared to component performance data and old truck dynamometer tests.   The project presents how the development cost can be reduced by using the simulation tool instead of traditional testing. A simulation can be done in one minute, as opposed to the 14 days it takes to perform a physical test, this means that decisions can be taken quicker with minimal resource investments. The virtual vehicle customization is also presented, where the user can choose which specific components to test. Making the tool useful for different braking scenarios and different truck setups.

Práce se zabývá problematikou měření momentu u velmi vysokootáčkových strojů. Z důvodů vysokých rychlostí jsou tradiční metody měření momentu nepoužitelné, z tohoto důvodu je nutno vyvinout novou bezkontaktní metodu. Pro měření je zvolena metoda zatěžování vířivou brzdou, pro kterou je proveden analytický výpočet jejích vlastností pomocí Maxwellových rovnic a je vytvořen model vířivé brzdy v programu FEMM a Ansys/Maxwell 2D. Na závěr jsou výsledky simulací a výpočtů porovnány s měřením na prototypech brzdy.

The object of this work is design braking device with high repeatability and reproducibility that is used to analyse the measurement system. I developed this work in cooperation with TRW-DAS Dačice a.s. At the beginning, I made a search of the chassis system, testing of ball joints and steering. Furthermore, I made search of the MSA and the types of braking devices. The rest of the work is focused on the design and the thermal analysis of braking device. Then there are the actual test.

This thesis deals with braking effect of the truck’s engine. The theoretical part introduces the reader to the basic construction of trucks, describes most using engine and defines the factors having a significant effect on engine braking. In the practical part the reader is familiar with the technique used in making the measurement and description of the vehicle chosen for the implementation of measurement. The result of the practical part is the values obtained by measurement including their interpretation contained in the conclusion.

This master’s thesis deals with driving maneuvers at low coefficient of adhesion, especially in winter season. It includes a list of adhesion coefficients on many surfaces, published by various authors. Figures were through the use of statistical methods divided into normal and exceeding. There are described terms having impact on adhesion. For determination of adhesion was used tests like emergency braking, circle test and slalom. The major part contains specification of used vehicles, surfaces, weather conditions, measuring devices and realized tests. In addition to using accelerometer, there was a successful attempt to use timekeeping facilities to determine deceleration of vehicle. Acquired data were processed and compared to another publications.

The diploma thesis deals with a data analysis of the Formula Student race car. An attention is given for both, vehicle and driver. Processes of braking, turning and balance of car are analysed. Special attention is given to the dampers positions while driving and their settings. Dampers velocity histograms and ride frequencies graph are put together. Algorithms in MATLAB are suggested to reduce requested time for analysis. Scripts for displaying important channels are made. Analyzed data are used to create events which accelerate orientation in record and tell the most important information.

L'amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique est devenue aujourd'hui une nécessité dans tous les domaines techniques. La réduction de la consommation, et donc du bilan carbone, est placée parmi les priorités mondiales tel que le paquet énergie-climat 2020 de l'Union Européenne.Les systèmes ferroviaires font partie des plus grands consommateurs d'énergie. Des solutions électriques sont développées pour réduire les pertes dans ces systèmes, optimiser la consommation et donc réduire la facture énergétique globale. Étant donné la diversité de ces systèmes, deux catégories principales sont considérées. La première regroupe les lignes urbaines caractérisées par une électrification en mode DC et un trafic relativement dense. Dans ce cas, l'énergie de freinage brûlée dans les rhéostats des trains constitue une perte considérable. La solution proposée consiste à récupérer cette énergie à l'aide d'un DC micro-grid installé dans une station passager. Elle permettra une interaction avec son environnement non-ferroviaire comme par exemple réutiliser cette énergie pour charger des bus électriques hybrides stationnant à proximité. Ce micro-grid contient un premier convertisseur DC/DC qui récupère l’excès d'énergie de freinage d'un train et l'injecte dans un DC busbar. Un deuxième convertisseur DC/DC va ensuite la stocker dans un système de stockage hybride pour que le bus électrique puisse se charger une fois branché au DC busbar. Le micro-grid est relié au réseau par un onduleur réversible AC/DC de faible puissance. L'ensemble est géré localement par un système gestion de puissance. Une évaluation énergétique montre que cette solution est intéressante lorsqu’un investissement, station de charge, est nécessaire pour charger les bus. En plus, dans le cas du DC micro-grid, aucun contrat avec le fournisseur d’électricité n’est nécessaire. La stabilité du système est aussi étudiée et une commande de stabilisation, le backstepping, est appliquée. Ce nouveau concept d’une future station intelligente permettra au système ferroviaire de communiquer avec son environnement qui est en pleine évolution.La deuxième catégorie est constituée par les lignes régionales et les lignes à grandes vitesses fonctionnant en mode AC. Contrairement au cas précédent, l’excès d’énergie de freinage est renvoyé à travers les sous-stations d’alimentation. Par conséquence, une deuxième solution propose la réduction de la consommation totale par l’optimisation du profile de vitesse de chaque train et la synchronisation de la grille horaire. Ceci est réalisé à l’aide d’un algorithme d’évolution différentielle. Chaque profile de vitesse est découpé en zones auxquelles sont attribuées des paramètres de conduite. L'optimisation de ces derniers permet de générer un nouveau profile de conduite optimal. Les résultats montrent la possibilité de faire des économies d’énergie tout en respectant la ponctualité des trains. / Increasing energy efficiency is nowadays a requirement in all technical fields. The reduction of global consumption, thus carbon footprint, has become the world's priority, as for example, the climate and energy package of the European Union.Railways' share of energy consumption is one of the highest. Electrical solutions are developed in order to reduce these systems' losses, optimize their consumption and reduce global energy bill. Given their diversity, two main categories are considered in this study. The first one consists of urban lines that are characterized by a DC electrification and a relatively dense traffic. In this case, braking energy burned in trains' rheostats represents the main share of losses. The proposed solution is to recuperate this energy using a DC micro-grid implemented in a passengers' station. It allows an interaction with the non-railway electrical environment, for example, re-using this energy in charging electric hybrid buses parked nearby. The excess of braking energy is recuperated using a DC/DC converter and injected into a DC busbar. A second DC/DC converter will store it in a hybrid storage system. It will then serve to charge the buses connected to the DC busbar. The micro-grid is also connected to the grid using a low power AC/DC converter. A power management system ensures optimizing power flow between different components. An energy evaluation showed that this solution is a good Investment especially because no contract is needed with the energy provider. The system's stability is studied and a stabilizing command, the backstepping, is applied. This new smart station allows railways to communicate, energetically, with its evolving environment.The second category is suburban and high speed lines that are AC electrified. Contrarily to the previous case, braking energy is reinjected to the upper grid through substations. Therefore, a second solution is to reduce global energy consumption by optimizing trains' speed profiles and timetable's synchronization. It is done using a differential evolution algorithm. Each speed profile is divided into zones to which are associated driving parameters. The optimization of the latter allowed generating new optimal speed profiles and a less-consuming timetable. Simulation results showed that it is possible to make important energy savings while respecting train's punctuality.

<p> Continuous Casting (CC) is an essential process in the steel industry to transform molten steel into solid product. This process begins with primary cooling (PC) where the molten steel is cooled, and the initial solidification begins. It is important to monitor the process of PC as defects such as thinning of the shell in the mold can lead to breakouts. Key parameters in PC are the mold design, casting condition, and steel composition. In the research conducted, key parameters for PC are investigated to analyze the impact on flow formation and solidification. To optimize mold design, angular taper to the narrow face can be employed to accommodate for any shell shrinkage. Utilizing computational fluid dynamics, a range of mold taper is simulated per the developed solidification model with defined temperature-dependent material properties. When simulated without a taper, significant air gap formation in the corners of the mold is visible due to thermal shrinkage of the shell. This air gap decreases the cooling rate due to the shell’s lack of contact with the cooling mold wall. A parametric study of mold taper ranging from no taper to 3° as well as change in casting conditions, superheat and casting speed, are conducted to analyze the impact of taper with respect to the casting conditions. Per the conditions applied, angular taper between 1° and 2° resulted into reduction of undercooling and overcooling in the corner of the mold which is subjected to cooling from the broad face and narrow face of the cool mold wall. The turbulent flow in the mold region was found to drastically influences the quality of steel produced during continuous casting. The flow itself can lead to surface defects or slag entrainment based on the formation. A high surface wave due to turbulence of the injected melt lead to fluctuations and the instability compromised the quality of the steel produced as well as entrained the slag. To regulate the flow, electromagnetic forces can be applied in the mold, dampening the local turbulent flow. As the electrically conductive molten steel interacts with the induced magnetic field, it reduced the velocity of the steel jet released from the ports of the submerged entry nozzle. Per the simulation-based study conducted increasing the EMBr strength from 2975G to 4350G reduced the peak surface wave height by 59.47% and volume of flux rate of decrease by 4.25%. Additionally, increasing the SEN depth from 110 mm to 350 mm increased the average wave height by 19% and volume of flux rate of decrease by 2.6%. Lastly, increasing the mold width from 1.067 m to 1.50m increased average wave height by 8.71% and volume of flux rate of decrease by 0.9%. </p>