Fuel Saving Intelligence - Low Fuel Consumption Components and Their Benefits Running Together in an Integrated System

Improvement of vehicular systems targeting fuel consumption has been a major concern in automotive industry and lower levels can be achieved improving combustion condition, increasing engine efficiency, or controlling overall energy losses. The aim of this paper is to present the application of several components and technologies that contribute to fuel saving - and, as consequence, also lower emissions - evaluating the benefits of each component individually and in crossed-applications. Focus is given on energy losses reduction - such as thermal, idling, mechanical and kinetics. A case study was done applying some products with selected technologies performing a low fuel consumption system in a demo car, and comparing the results in specific testing cycles - such as FTP75 - to a baseline without these changes. Alternatively, comparative measurements performed in an intense urban traffic testing cycle were done. Stand alone results for each component and also its contribution applied in the system were measured, considering that the total benefit is not the algebraic sum of each one. The evaluated technologies and products are included in different subsystems in the vehicle managed by a hardware and software central module: High efficiency generators, energy recovery system, start-stop, electronic controlled high efficiency engine cooling module.