This paper presents the first experimental and computational investigation into the aerodynamics of emergency response vehicles and focuses on reducing the additional drag that results from the customary practice of adding light-bars onto the vehicles' roofs. A series of wind tunnel experiments demonstrate the significant increase in drag that results from the light bars and show these can be minimized by reducing the flow separation caused by them. Simple potential improvements in the aerodynamic design of the light bars are investigated by combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Design of Experiments and metamodelling methods. An aerofoil-based roof design concept is shown to reduce the overall aerodynamic drag by up to 20% and an analysis of its effect on overall fuel consumption indicates that it offers a significant opportunity for improving the fuel economy and reducing emissions from emergency response vehicles. These benefits are now being realised by the UK's ambulance services.
Lightweight disc brake rotors have become a popular alternative to conventional grey cast iron (GCI). The thermal and tribological response of these brake rotors will differ during a braking operation. This may result in the generation of particulate wear debris with different characteristics, which can affect the environment and human health to different degrees. Studies have shown a relationship between adverse health effects and the characteristics of airborne particulate matter such as particle size, concentration and chemical composition. In this study, the particulate matter released from a novel lightweight disc brake rotor is compared to that released from the conventional grey cast iron rotor. The lightweight brake rotor was made of aluminium alloy (Al6082) and its rubbing surfaces were treated using the Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) process. The process produced hard, dense, wear-resistant and well-adhered alumina coatings of approximate thickness 50 microns. A novel test rig was developed based upon the existing Leeds full-scale disc brake dynamometer. An enclosure was constructed around the brake assembly and ducting was carefully designed to ensure the cleanliness of the intake air to the system. Both brake rotors were tested under drag-braking conditions of constant sliding speed and applied braking pressure. Three braking test conditions with hydraulic pressures of 5, 10 and 15 bar at a constant speed of 135 rpm were selected from initial brake dynamometer tests. Braking test parameters of rotor rubbing surface temperature and coefficient of friction were measured during the tests and their effect on the brake wear particle characteristics were investigated. To measure and collect airborne brake wear particles, the Dekati ELPI+ unit was utilised along with a custom-made probe. This probe was made of stainless steel and its geometry was tailored to comply with the isokinetic concept. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) system was utilised to investigate the morphology and chemical composition of the airborne brake wear particles collected by the Dekati unit. The initial comparison results showed that the PEO-treated lightweight aluminium alloy (PEO-Al) rotor has the potential not only to significantly reduce the unsprung mass of the vehicle but also reduce particulate matter emissions compared with the standard GCI rotor. The results also revealed that the percentage of iron contained in the PEO-Al debris was about threefold lower than that from the GCI rotor under all steady-state drag braking conditions studied which may have important health implications
Particle emissions generated by the braking systems of road vehicles represents a significant non-exhaust contributor. Fine particles such as these are transported through airborne routes. They are known to adversely affect human health and currently there are no policies in place to regulate them. Before this issue can be addressed, it is important to characterise brake wear debris which is the purpose of this study. A newly-developed test rig consisting of a closed but ventilated enclosure surrounds a brake dynamometer equipped with a cast iron rotor. A sampling probe was made in accordance with the isokinetic principles in order to withdraw a representative aerosol sample from the outlet duct. Measurements of real-time particulate numbers and mass distributions are recorded using a Dekati ELPI<sup>®</sup>+ unit and the brake materials were tested under drag-braking conditions. Prior to measurements, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to investigate the most suitable sampling points used in the experiments. Preliminary experimental results show that there is a noticeable increase in particle numbers, compared to background levels, with a corresponding change in the mass distribution; coarser particles become more prominent during these braking events. These results provide confidence in the performance of the test rig and its ability to measure airborne brake wear debris in order to compare emissions from various friction pairs.
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