Hybrid Go-Cart test and optimisation

Previous students have hybridised a go-cart utilising an 8 kW electric drive with batteries and generator as shown in Figure below. A rolling road test bed for the vehicle has been built which allows the running of the cart in the laboratory. The cart and the test system are operational, but require modification and optimisation in order to achieve the top speed of 80 mph that the vehicle should be capable of running. Instrumentation in order to record the main parameters is a major part of this project and hence students should have an interest in electronics and data acquisition

Hybrid Energy Storage for Optimum Power Delivery

Energy storage devices, such as Batteries, Ultracapacitors and Flywheels, have different characteristics of efficiency, power density, energy density and half-life. Applications, including Hybrid Electric transport, Wind Power peak-lopping, and Solar Power back-up, demand improvements in these characteristics that can only be achieved by their combined use. The project examines advances in combining and controling these devices, and looks for an optimum as the individual technologies are further developed.

Hybrid Go-Cart test and optimisation

Test and optimisation of a hybrid Go-Cart Previous students have hybridised a go-cart utilising an 8 kW electric drive with batteries and generator as shown in Figure below. A rolling road test bed for the vehicle has been built which allows the running of the cart in the laboratory. The cart and the test system are operational, but require modification and optimisation in order to achieve the top speed of 80 mph that the vehicle should be capable of running. Instrumentation in order to record the main parameters is a major part of this project and hence students should have an interest in electronics and data acquisition

Mild Hybrid Power HGV - Novell Starter Motor/Coupling

Mild Hybrid vehicles used power trains with a limited degree of electrical assistance. This is designed to assist the engine during high torque applications e.g. acceleration to overtake a vehicle, and also to provide sole electrical propulsion for the vehicle at low speeds in congested, residential areas. A new type of power-train arrangement has been developed and a research project to build and test this powertrain is currently underway. This final year project aims at computationally modelling and consequently building of a non-contact start-up coupling bases on eddy current. The aim is to replace the current starter motor on a 170 kW diesel engine with a unit between the gearbox and flywheel. Students should have practical flair and an interest in engine technology.

Investigation into the Environmental Benefits of a Hybrid Delivery Van

Mild Hybrid vehicles use power trains with a limited degree of electrical assistance. This is designed to assist the engine during high torque applications e.g. acceleration to overtake a vehicle, but more over to propel the vehicle electrically only at low speeds in congested, residential areas. A new type of power-train arrangement has been developed and a research project to build and test this powertrain is currently underway. It is crucial to be able to demonstrate the potential benefits of the technology to both, the users of this type of vehicles as well as the policy-making bodies (i.e. Congestion charging) For this purpose this project is to identify typical user patterns of the vehicle by means of electronically tracking vehicle movement. For this a PGS base tracking system will be used, but to obtain better accuracy during acceleration phased additional accelerometers will have to be employed. Based on these drive cycles the fuel consumption and emissions of a vehicle using a hybrid power-train will investigate by means of computer simulation. Based on this data relative improvement can be demonstrated.

Variable Air-Gap Generator

The use of permanent magnet machines has become more widespread in recent years due to great increase in magnet strength. Car alternators are used to supply the electrical system of the vehicle with power. This power-demand is continually rising and a new generator needs to be developed in order to satisfy the demand. Permanent magnet machines generate a voltage linked to the rotational speed and this can create an excessively high voltage range. This technology can greatly reduce the voltage range of a generator and hence also has uses in wind power application, where the air speed changes constantly. There is a fully functioning test-rig available and the project aims at modelling and optimising the existing design as well as investigating design modification for the technical implementation of this machine.

Testing and Simulating of Hybrid Cart

Last year a DMT group built a fully functional hybrid go-cart. This vehicle is an ideal platform for hybrid traction research and the project proposed aims at instrumenting the cart and measuring its performance and power flow. In this process minor design alterations might be necessary both on the mechanical and the electrical side. These include the change of the batteries and controller as well as fitting the instrument panel. Besides this practical work an accurate computer model of the cart should be developed and the measurements compared to the results of the simulation. Parameters include:

Fuel flow

Battery voltage

Current flow

Engine Speed

This project is part of ongoing research work at the CASE section.

Design of a Hybrid Power Unit for a Light Rail Vehicle

Light rail vehicles are predominantly electrically powered via overhead wires as they operate in city areas. The need for the overhead wire infrastructure adds tremendously to the cost of line extension and thus holds back potential network extensions. A new research project has just started to develop a serial hybrid powertrain that will enable the vehicle to run on electrical power generated on board. Energy storage is provided by a flywheel system. As part of an international consortium, Imperial College has been assigned the task of developing a highly efficient prime mover unit based on state of the art diesel technology in conjunction with a permanent magnet generator. Student work on this project will be very closely linked with the research groups efforts and can have direct impact on the success of the project. Areas of work are:

Engine and prime-mover unit control system

Design of generator interfaces

Packing aspects of the engine/generator set

Simulation the vehicle performance

Given this wide range of tasks, students can focus on their particular areas of interest.

Wind power

Wind power is poised to be an important alternative power source in the future and research and development in this area is very active. This project aims at investigating the best technical advances to cope with the variable nature of the wind speed. The wider importance of wind power as a small-localised supply system should also be investigated as part of this project.

Distributed Power

Distributed power systems are thought to be the solution for localised high power demands as well as power supplies for remote areas. The current state of technology for the available different power supply systems (Diesel, GT, Fuel cell etc. ) need to be investigated and compared. Another important aspect is the utilisation of these systems for combined heat and power generation.

Mild Hybrid vehicles Applications

The third way in vehicle propulsion technology is thought to be a "mild hybrid" power train. This approach does not mean complete hybridisation of a vehicle but utilises just slightly increased electric propulsion. The development and implementation effort is greatly reduced - but is this the road ahead?

Alternative Vehicle Fuels - Is hydrogen the future?

Internal combustion engines can utilise many different fuels with little modification. This project aims at investigating the technical possibilities for alternative fuels and their use in passenger cars. The supply and storage infrastructure is a major problem and focus will need to be given to this problem.

Environmental Impact of "unnecessary" Engine Idling

Standing beside a queue before traffic lights can be a very smelly experience. Many continental countries require motorists to switch off engines at traffic lights and when stationary. This project investigates the experience of continental drivers and cities with practice with focus on the environmental impact in terms of emission solution but also increased wear within the engine and the effects on starter motor and battery.

Flywheel Technology - State of the art and performance comparison

Flywheels offer superior power density for vehicle application but at the same time offer considerable technical challenges. This project investigates the development especially in high speed flywheel technology and aims at presenting the current stage of the development process of these energy storage devices.

The state of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Development

Many different arrangements of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are currently under development or even commercially available (Toyota Prius). The aim of this project is to accumulate information about the HEV development and research projects around the world and map the different design principles and envisaged solutions of these systems. This will not only give an insight into the current world-wide research efforts but will show how different constraints and design philosophies influence the solutions for a common design goal.

Fuel Cells for Automotive Application

Fuel cells are thought to be one of the most promising future power-sources for both mobile and stationary application. The subject of this literature research project is to investigate the current state of research and development of this technology specifically for automotive applications.

CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission

CVT's have not been able to establish themselves in the vehicle market due low reliability and cost. Recent developments however have changed this and the new A6 3.0 will be available with highly efficient CVT. To investigate the current stage of CVT research and development and also the history of this machine is the aim of this project.

Diesel electric and hybrid power systems for rail applications

Many train tracks are not fitted with electric lines and diesel prime movers are employed. Research is underway to develop efficient diesel electric and/or hybrid powers systems for trains to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. These systems have the additional advantage that they drastically reduce the initial cost of a train-line, as no electric lines need to be built. The project aims at investigating the current state of development and research activities of this technology

Localised Power Generation in Developing Countries

Very often the only power source for a household in a developing country is a common car battery that powers small electrical appliances. Due to the high initial investment required no electricity grid is available and hence the power has either to be generated on site to charge the batteries or batteries have to be brought to a charge point. Several projects are underway looking at the design and local manufacture of small power generating equipment (e.g. wind mills) and this project looks at the feasibility of this work and possible technical solutions.