A vehicle propulsion model, based on physical and electromechanical principles, was evaluated with the estimated parameters in order to specify components for the conversion of a General Motors EV 1 electric vehicle to a hybrid vehicle in series configuration. The model was used with characteristic driving schedules to estimate the vehicle energy demand and on-board electrical storage requirements for specific driving situations, including urban, highway, aggressive, highperformance acceleration and cruising, and hill climbing. The component selection for conversion included the addition of a 16.5 kW (peak) generator set consisting of a gasoline-driven engine and a three-phase alternator configured for constant-power charging and 360 V maximum d.c. potential after rectification. The electrical storage system consisted of 144 series-connected ultracapacitor cells, creating a bank with 388 V peak potential and 20.94 F overall capacity. The 103 kW (peak) traction motor was controlled using a vector control capable electric drive. Thus modified, the vehicle was tested experimentally to determine the electrical power use during constant-speed driving as well as during acceleration. The data obtained from these experimental trials were used to modify and refine the propulsion model to allow more accurate driving energy demand simulation. Additionally, the generator set was tested at various running speeds and power production levels to determine its fuel consumption and consequently the overall vehicle efficiency. This study has demonstrated several of the advantages of the series hybrid vehicle architecture and additionally illustrates the utility of ultracapacitors in the energy- and power-intense role of vehicular electrical energy storage. The vehicle, which is designed strictly to maximize the fuel efficiency by appropriate sizing of the primary (steady) and secondary (peak) energy sources, is capable of achieving a very high fuel economy for various driving schedules. Should the overall energy efficiency (rather than the electric-only driving range) be the main consideration in a hybrid vehicle's design, ultracapacitors may effectively supplant batteries for on-board electrical storage in the hybrid powertrain. Considerations for future work include an investigation into engine speed control to maintain the peak fuel efficiency for dynamic, rather than single-point, power demand as encountered by a variable driving style. Additionally, a control system capable of incorporating engine shut-off to eliminate fuel use during idling would probably boost the fuel economy results significantly.


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    Title :

    Design and testing of a series hybrid vehicle with an ultracapacitor energy buffer


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2012


    Size :

    12 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 3 Tabellen, 35 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English