Evaluation of the Aerodynamics of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-duty Vehicles: a Comprehensive Wind Tunnel Study

Larose, Guy L.; Belluz, Leanna; Whittal, Ian; Belzile, Marc; Klomp, Ryan; Schmitt, Andreas

doi:10.4271/2016-01-1613

Cited by 16 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…Simulation System (GESS) composed of a centre belt, with an exposed 1 m × 5.7 m area, four wheel rollers and four chassis struts for ride height control. Upstream of the turntable are two plenae for a distributed suction system, calibrated to reduce the displacement thickness of the floor boundary layer to 4 mm at the leading edge of the turntable, without inducing flow angularity at the model [3]. Breathers on the floor and walls at the test section exit are vented to the tunnel surroundings to equalize the otherwise negative pressure in the test section with atmospheric pressure.…”

Section: Ground Effect Simulation-the Test Section Is Equipped With Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles Using Surface, Wake and Underbody Pressure Measurements to Complement Aerodynamic Drag Measurements

Souza¹,

Raeesi²,

Belzile³

et al. 2019

SAE Int. J. Adv. & Curr. Prac. in Mobility

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Amulti-year, multi-vehicle study was conducted to quantify the aerodynamic drag changes associated with drag reduction technologies for light-duty vehicles. Various technologies were evaluated through fullscale testing in a large low-blockage closed-circuit wind tunnel equipped with a rolling road, wheel rollers, boundary-layer suction and a system to generate roadrepresentative turbulent winds. The technologies investigated include active grille shutters, production and custom underbody treatments, air dams, wheel curtains, ride height control, side mirror removal and combinations of these. This paper focuses on mean surface-, wake-, and underbody-pressure measurements and their relation to aerodynamic drag. Surface pressures were measured at strategic locations on four sedans and two crossover SUVs. Wake total pressures were mapped using a rake of Pitot probes in two cross-flow planes at up to 0.4 vehicle lengths downstream of the same six vehicles in addition to a minivan and a pickup truck. A smaller rake was used to map underbody total pressures in one cross-flow plane downstream of the rear axle for three of these vehicles. The results link drag reduction due to various technologies with specific changes in vehicle surface, rear underbody and wake pressures, and provide a database for numerical studies. In particular, the results suggest that existing or idealized prototype technologies such as active grille shutters, sealing the external grille and ride height control reduce drag by redirecting incoming flow from the engine bay or underbody region to smoother surfaces above and around the vehicle. This mechanism can enhance the reduction in wheel drag due to reduced wheel exposure at lowered ride height. Sealing the external grille was found to redirect the flow more efficiently than closing the grille shutters, and resulted in greater drag reduction. Underbody treatments were also

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Section: Ground Effect Simulation-the Test Section Is Equipped With Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles Using Surface, Wake and Underbody Pressure Measurements to Complement Aerodynamic Drag Measurements

Souza¹,

Raeesi²,

Belzile³

et al. 2019

SAE Int. J. Adv. & Curr. Prac. in Mobility

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Efficiency Increase through Model Predictive Thermal Control of Electric Vehicle Powertrains

et al. 2022

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Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are currently enjoying rising sales figures. However, BEVs still have problems with customer acceptance, partly due to limited driving ranges. To improve the situation, this paper introduces a novel approach utilising temperature-dependent efficiencies using an economic model predictive control approach (MPC) in combination with an active grille shutter in order to accelerate the heating of the permanent magnet synchronous machine. The measurements of temperature-dependent component efficiencies on a powertrain test bench are presented and analysed in detail in the speed/torque range. Thermal models based on the lumped parameter thermal network approach were developed and validated as part of the system-level validation against a US06 wind tunnel measurement. After the build-up and implementation of the MPC, various simulations were conducted. For the investigations, three driving cycles were considered at component start temperatures of 20–80 °C. The results show that using the MPC with the grille shutter can save 0.69–2.02% energy at the HV level compared to the rule-based control with a shutter, of which up to 1.02% is due to temperature-dependent efficiencies. Comparing the MPC with the grille shutter to a vehicle without a shutter, savings of 2.8–4.2% were achieved, while up to 1.67% was achieved due to temperature effects in the powertrain.

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Research on Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management Based on 1D and 3D Coupling Simulation

et al. 2022

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In order to ensure the full heat dissipation of heat exchangers, the opening of the grille should be large, which increases the wind drag of the whole vehicle. Most of the research on the grille only focuses on its impact on the heat dissipation of the engine compartment; there is little research on its influence on the performance of the thermal management system, because it is difficult to solve the real-time data interaction of different dimensional models. So we established the 1D and 3D strong coupling model. The biggest difference from other 1D and 3D coupling models is that we can use the interfaces reserved by the two kinds of software to realize real-time data interaction, and simultaneously analyze the 1D thermal management performance and 3D flow field and temperature field of the engine components. The coupling model is used to study three heat balance conditions. The results show that the heat-sinking capability of the cooling system is the worst under the climbing condition; and the refrigeration capacity of the air-conditioning system is the worst under the idling condition. According to the heat balance results and evaluation index priorities, we determine the simulation process. In this article, first the upper grille is gradually closed; then the flow field, temperature field and evaluation indexes are studied through the strong coupling model to obtain the analysis results of the upper grille; then based on the results, the lower grille is gradually closed, and the analysis results of the lower grille are obtained in the same way. The final simulation results show that on the premise of ensuring the performances of engine cooling system and air conditioning refrigeration system, the air drag coefficient is reduced by 17.5 counts compared with the original vehicle.

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Evaluation of the Aerodynamics of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-duty Vehicles: a Comprehensive Wind Tunnel Study

Cited by 16 publications

References 5 publications

Investigation of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles Using Surface, Wake and Underbody Pressure Measurements to Complement Aerodynamic Drag Measurements

Investigation of Drag Reduction Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles Using Surface, Wake and Underbody Pressure Measurements to Complement Aerodynamic Drag Measurements

Efficiency Increase through Model Predictive Thermal Control of Electric Vehicle Powertrains

Research on Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management Based on 1D and 3D Coupling Simulation

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