Experimental Study of Speed Range for a Hybrid Electric Powertrain System

Authors

  • Allen Bob Claudius
  • Shaun Sebastian
  • David Sudeep Raj
  • Christopher Campos
  • Praise Tom

Abstract

In a hybrid drive train initial loads are taken by a motor and after a certain speed internal combustion engine starts working in tandem with the motor to provide load sharing. This transit in power from motor to engine has to be achieved in such a way that there are no vibrations experienced by the passengers and no damage is sustained by either power source or any auxiliary components. In an Internal Combustion Engine there will be an optimum specific fuel consumption range for a particular load and Engine Speed. When the engine is operating in this optimum range of specific fuel consumption, switching from a brushless DC motor to an internal combustion engine will result in a better fuel consumption rate. This paper discusses the specific fuel consumption characteristics in an internal combustion engine to determine the optimum speed range in a hybrid electric system. A four cylinder four stroke 65 hp petrol engine coupled to a hydraulic dynamometer was used to determine engine performance to understand the characteristic curve of fuel consumption at various loads from 4 kg - 8 Kg. The experimental results show a decline in specific fuel consumption characteristic curve for the speed range of 1500-2000 rpm. An interpolation model can be applied to understand the speed range for various loads. The transit in power from a brushless DC motor to an internal combustion engine during the above mentioned speed range is more viable and fuel efficient. The scope of this research extends to the transition from IC to hybrid and electric vehicle segments in current scenario of evolution in the automotive industry.

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Published

2020-03-27

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Section

Articles