Search results for "Automotive engineering"
showing 10 items of 483 documents
Simple method of estimating consumption of internal combustion engine for hybrid application
2012
This article presents two simple methods to evaluate the fuel consumption of internal combustion engines. Furthermore, it points out the link between piston volume, engine size and fuel consumption as it gives the possibility to visualize the chosen working points inside an internal combustion engine operation points map. This leads to the fact that this approach is a very helpful tool for the design of hybrid systems including internal combustion engines. The two presented methods, one very simple, one more elaborated, are interesting as first approach of internal combustion engine sizing and to evaluate the consumption of internal combustion engine. The results for six pure internal combu…
The impact of Kaizen Events on improving the performance of automotive components' first-tier suppliers
2009
Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of improving production indicators by implementing Kaizen Events. The teams are composed of both managers and operators with the aim of developing and/or implementing improvements in three to five days. Methodology - The empirical research will consists of the description of the results obtained in 11 industrial companies from the automotive components industry. In each company, we have followed up different interventions over a 9-12-month period. Findings - We shall present the initial situation, the activities carried out by the companies and the evolution of manufacturing performance approximately three months after the activi…
Implementation of the driver training curriculum in Spain – An analysis based on the Goals for Driver Education (GDE) framework
2014
Abstract The Goals for Driver Education (GDE) framework represents a conceptual outline of the goals to be satisfied in driver education (Hatakka et al., 2002). We aimed to analyze the implementation of the driver training curriculum in Spain, taking this framework as reference; the Spanish driving instructors was the target population from which to gather the information to be analyzed. For this purpose, we developed the DTCI (Driver Training Curriculum Implementation) scale as well as a number of questions concerning the driving instructors’ opinions about their own training as instructors, and they were included in a survey that provided information for a probabilistic sample of 676 driv…
Economic evaluation of PV system for EV charging stations: Comparison between matching maximum orientation and storage system employment
2016
This article addresses the problem of the choice of a generation system to be implemented to reduce the impact of charging electric vehicles at University. Based on the behaviour of the student population, it is identified the electrical load. Two possible solutions are evaluated in order to manage the peak load: an orientation of the panels in order to increase the power at defined time and the use of storage system. The main strength and weakness points of two systems are investigated by taking into account the Levelized Cost of Energy.
Capacity Upper Bound of Channel Assembling in Cognitive Radio Networks with Quasistationary Primary User Activities
2013
In cognitive radio networks (CRNs) with multiple channels, various channel-assembling (ChA) strategies may be applied to secondary users (SUs), resulting in different achieved capacity. However, there is no previous work on determining the capacity upper bound (UB) of ChA for SUs under given system configurations. In this paper, we derive the maximum capacity for CRNs with ChA through Markov chain modeling, considering that primary user (PU) activities are relatively static, compared with SU services. We first deduce a closed-form expression for the maximum capacity in a dynamic ChA strategy and then demonstrate that no other ChA strategy can provide higher capacity than that achieved by th…
Standard testing of photovoltaic modules for use in renewable energy education
2015
A photovoltaic laboratory exercise has been devised and used in the educational curriculum of the Renewable Energy Programme at the University of Jyväskylä. The purpose of the experimental tasks is to give students of renewable energy a good understanding of standard testing procedures used in industry for characterising photovoltaic modules and to provide practical skills in sizing simple photovoltaic installations. Herein the experimental set-up, basic theory and measurement procedure are described. The experimental apparatus is simple to assemble and uses both standard laboratory equipment and recycled components. From the experimental results, the tested PV cell had a maximum efficiency…
UAQ4 Levitating Train: Italian Maglev Transportation System
2014
This article illustrates the University of L'Aquila model 4 (UAQ4) Italian maglev train, a transportation system with zero motion resistance (except aerodynamic drag) and greatly reduced energy consumption, approaching zero at a low constant speed. The project is the result of more than 40 years of research in the field of nonconventional highspeed transportation systems. Its technological feasibility has been tested in the laboratory at the University of L'Aquila, Italy.
An NTC zone compliant knock onset prediction model for spark ignition engines
2015
Abstract Pollutant emissions reduction and energy saving policies increased the production of Spark Ignition (SI) engines operated with gaseous fuels. Natural Gas (NG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), thanks to their low cost and low environmental impact represent the best alternative. Bi-fuel engines, which may run either with gasoline or with gas (NG or LPG), widely spread in many countries thanks to their versatility, high efficiency and low pollutant emissions: gas fueled vehicles, as example, are allowed to run in many limited traffic zones. In the last years, supercharged SI engines fueled with either gasoline or gaseous fuel, spread in the market. Thermodynamic simulations, widely …
On-grid residential development with photovoltaic systems in Southern Norway
2013
The application of residential photovoltaic (PV) systems is increasing rapidly worldwide. In Southern Norway, a group of on-grid smart houses with embedded PV systems, solar thermal collectors, and geothermal heat pumps are under development at Skarpnes. In this paper, performance analysis based on simulations of an on-grid residential house with PV system located at Skarpnes is presented. This project is expected to demonstrate zero energy and zero emission housing in Norway. This paper discusses a theoretical study of home energy consumption with electricity production for a single house from a PV system, including simulations of irradiation conditions and tilt angles, and of the PV syste…
Rear-view mirror use, driver alertness and road type: An empirical study using EEG measures
2006
Abstract The use of rear-view mirrors has been suggested as a good behavioural indicator of driver alertness in traffic situations (Brookhuis, K. A., De Vries, G., & De Waard, D. (1991). The effects of mobile telephoning on driving performance. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 23 (4), 309–316). In general terms, drivers look in the mirrors to find information and adapt their driving to traffic variations. This paper aims to analyse the links between time variations in alertness—measured from EEG activity data—and the frequency of rear-view mirror use in a group of drivers, both on motorways and conventional roads. The results point to a direct relationship between alertness level and mirro…