Statistical Energy Analysis of a Fuel Cell Vehicle

In this paper the application of Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) to the sound package design for a fuel cell powered sedan is presented. Fuel cell vehicles represent a different challenge to a vehicle with a conventional powertrain. With the replacement of the internal combustion engine (ICE), a principal source of airborne and structure-borne powertrain noise, the expectation is that the cabin noise levels would be significantly reduced as the main noise sources would be road and wind noise. A fuel cell powertrain, however, has a number of mechanical sources on the body structure that will radiate airborne noise and may transmit significant structure-borne noise to the vehicle interior. With this alternative power train, much of the conventional wisdom on vehicle sound package developed from experience with ICE's must be reconsidered. Utilizing an SEA model, the paper discusses the unique problems encountered in designing a noise control package for a fuel cell-based vehicle, the packaging design issues related to space, weight and design restrictions, and presents some initial correlation results. It is concluded that an SEA model can be used to provide design recommendations on the high frequency NVH performance of the vehicle structure.