Automotive Powertrains

This course introduces the basics of energy storage systems for EDV. It will cover battery basics, ultracapacitors, flywheels, and hybrid energy storage concepts. Battery management, battery charging, and battery safety will be covered. Finally, the requirements of EDV and renewable energy application examples will be explained. Lead acid, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion batteries will be covered. Other energy storage systems such as super conducting magnetic, hydraulic, compressed air, and integrated (hybrid) energy storage systems, will be discussed as well. (3 credits)

Study of automotive sensory requirements; types of sensors; available sensors and future needs. Study of functions and types of actuators in automotive systems. Dynamic models of sensors and actuators. Integrated smart sensors and actuators. Term project. (3 credits)

To introduce fundamental concepts and the electrical aspects of HEV, including the design, control, modeling, battery and other energy storage devices, and electric propulsion systems. It covers vehicle dynamics, energy sources, electric propulsion systems, regenerative braking, parallel and series HEV design, practical design considerations, and specifications of hybrid vehicles. (3 credits)

This course covers fundamental thermo-fluid principles and advanced topics in thermal management of conventional and electric drive vehicles (EDVs). The topics include: principles of energy conservation, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics; vehicle thermal management system and components; electrification of vehicle thermal management system; EDV thermal management; battery thermal management in EDVs; and waste energy recovery. (3 credits)

Topics in vehicle powertrain kinematics and dynamics, engine output characteristics, vehicle road load analysis, engine-transmission matching, design and analysis of gears and gear systems, planetary gear trains, design of powertrain components, clutch design and analysis, transmission design and analysis, torque and ratio analysis of automatic transmissions. (3 credits)

Simulation of vehicle performance; dynamics in gear shifting; engine balance, fuel economy, and performance related to powertrains; powertrain arrangements, manual and automatic transmissions, automotive axles, four-wheel-drive systems; design and manufacturing of gearing systems. (3 credits)

This course focuses on the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) characteristics of Electric Vehicles (EV), Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (HEV), and Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PHEV). Topics include principles of mechanical vibration and acoustics, driveline induced noise/vibration from both conventional internal combustion engine and electrical motor/generator, cooling fan noise, regenerative braking system and electrical accessory noise. The potential countermeasures for typical noise/vibration sources will be presented. The course consists of classroom lectures and experimental laboratory sessions. The laboratory sessions will provide the student with hands-on experience on noise/vibration measurements and analyses. The student will be required to carry out a course project on NVH related subject of electrified vehicles. (3 credits)

Comparison of several forms of internal combustion engines including Otto and Diesel type piston engines; performance parameters and testing; thermodynamic cycles and fuel-air cycles; combustion in SI and Diesel engines; charge formation and handling; ignition; elements of exhaust emissions. (3 credits)

Fuel flow and air flow measurements and techniques; engine maps; fuel and ignition control and control strategies; combustion and burn rate considerations in engine design; intake and exhaust systems; emissions and control strategies; emission test procedures. (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of engine exhaust emissions, including their formation mechanisms and abatement techniques. The students will be familiarized with the present emission control technologies and future challenges. The topics covered include: engine emissions and air pollution, review of emission regulations, catalyst fundamentals, catalyst-based engine after treatment techniques for gasoline, diesel, and lean-burn engines, discussion of coldstart emission control and breakthrough catalytic technologies. (3 credits)