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Projects
Computer-Controlled Experimental VehiclesProf David CebonMany of the projects listed below relate to Computer Controlled Experimental- Vehicles. The CVDC owns a Volvo FH12 tractor unit which can be coupled to a General Trailer tanker-trailer or a FM-Engineering modified box-trailer with active steering (picture). The suspension has been heavily modified and large amounts of instrumentation and computer equipment have been installed.
Active Steering of Articulated and Long Combination VehiclesAndrew Odhams and Richard RoebuckBy steering all axles of an articulated vehicle a number of benefits can be achieved, including swept path reduction, tyre wear improvement and reduced rearward amplification during transients. Excellent progress has been made using simulations and testing on an experimental articulated vehicle. Current work includes investigating benefits on long combination vehicles.
Investigation of ABS Strategies of Articulated VehiclesJonathan Miller and Frank KienhoferCurrent heavy vehicle ABS uses an inefficient heuristic control approach, which works on cycles of predicting and superseding the limits of tyre-road adhesion, and then reducing brake pressure to allow the wheel to rotate again. An alternative approach to ABS is wheel slip control, which optimizes tyre slip continuously during braking, thereby maximizing deceleration while maintaining vehicle maneuverability. The goal of this research project is to develop a practical wheel slip control system suitable for commercial use on articulated vehicles. The investigation includes studies of novel methods of actuation, advanced controller designs, and integrated parameter estimation algorithms. More information on this project ...
Regenerative Braking for Urban Delivery VehiclesWill MidgleyThe aims of this project are to investigate the possibilities for regenerative braking in urban delivery vehicles; and develop a simulation that will allow the modelling of different driving cycles. This regenerative braking will help recover energy from each braking event, and use this stored energy to accelerate the vehicle. Recuperating energy in this way should increase the fuel economy of the delivery vehicle over a standard urban drive cycle, and also help to reduce brake wear. It is intended that a regenerative braking prototype will be installed on the CVDC trailer and tested to validate this model.
Roll Stability Control by Active Steering of Articulated VehiclesAndrew Odhams and Richard RoebuckThe aim is to increase the roll stability of articulated vehicles at high speed. A control algorithm has been designed to improve the roll stability and reduce the risk of rollover of a tractor semi-trailer by using active semi-trailer steering to modify trailer path tracking within an acceptable range. In order to implement this controller on a real vehicle, a model-based state estimator is used to obtain the vehicle parameters, including mass, tyre cornering stiffness, yaw/roll moment of inertia and centre of gravity height. The controller is currently being tested on the Computer-Controlled Experimental Vehicle.
Recently completed projectsContinuously Variable DampersRichard RoebuckBy varying the damping level of the vehicle dampers a number of benefits can be achieved. Principally, an improved ride and a reduction in road damage are possible. Suitable dampers have been obtained and will be fitted to the Computer-Controlled Experimental Vehicle. More information on this project ...
Active Roll Control of Heavy VehiclesArnaud MiegeThe active roll control project aims to improve vehicle stability by rolling the vehicle towards the inside of the corner. The hardware to achieve this has been fitted to the Consortium's Computer-Controlled Experimental Vehicle and the control architecture has been designed. More information on this project ...
Miege, Cebon, "Active Roll Control of an Experimental Articulated Vehicle", submitted to IMechE.
Semi-Active Roll Control of Heavy VehiclesEdwin StoneSemi-active roll control allows the vehicle to be either very stiff in roll or very soft in roll. The former allows for good cornering performance, the latter for good ride performance. The power consumption of a semi-active system is very low. More information on this project ...
Safety and Control ArchitectureBen JeppesenWith increasing levels of active control in modern vehicles, it is necessary to ensure designs are failsafe and that faults can be detected and identified. Design work ranges from independent shut-down electronics to online simulations of the vehicle dynamics. These ideas are being developed and tested using the Consortium's Computer-Controlled Experimental Vehicle.
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March 2006 | ||||
