Browse Topic: Engine cooling systems

Items (3,516)
The performance and longevity of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) are critically dependent on effective thermal management. As internal heat generation during charge and discharge cycles can lead to uneven temperature distribution, exceeding optimal operating limits (25 - 40°C) can significantly degrade battery performance and lifespan. This study presents a performance evaluation of a novel liquid-based Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) featuring a dual-directional coolant channel configuration designed to enhance thermal uniformity and heat dissipation. The proposed configuration combines horizontal and vertical coolant passages in an indirect cooling layout to address the limitations of conventional serpentine-type channels. A comprehensive thermal analysis was carried out under realistic loading conditions using three coolant types: water, ethylene glycol- based G48, and graphene-enhanced water nanofluids. These were evaluated for thermal
Selvan, Arul MozhiPeriyasamy, MuthukumarR, ThiruppathiPrasad S, HariRaghav, RBoddu, Sriram Pydi Aditya
Maximizing vehicle uptime and reducing maintenance costs are critical objectives in modern automotive systems, making efficient resource utilization a top priority. One of the key factors is engine oil life or degradation, which directly affects the engine performance, longevity, and overall vehicle efficiency/fuel economy. Most vehicles tracks engine oil life solely on a fixed mileage interval while few uses dedicated sensor, which is costly and requires service and maintenance. As the engine oil degrades, it reduces Oil Total Acid Number (TAN) increases while Oil Total Base Number (TBN) decreases. It is recommended that maximum usable life of the engine oil is up to the crossover point between oil TAN and TBN (as the engine oil degrades). Vehicle driving pattern governs the occurrence of crossover points with respect to vehicle mileage. Based on this fundamental concept, an XG-Boost machine-learning algorithm is trained using vehicle Controller Area Network (CAN) channels and varying
Dusane, MangeshTade, VilasIqbal, Shoaib
The inclusion of the cabin in HVAC simulations gained more importance with the introduction of BEV’s. Thermal management and efficiency being in the forefront, exploration for the possible opportunities to reduce the energy consumption for meeting the comfort of passengers gained importance. The energy consumed by the Electric coolant or air heaters for heating the cabin at extreme cold ambient temperatures to deliver similar comfort to that of an ICE version is 2 to 3 times that of the energy required for cooling the cabin in a high ambient condition. Even during the sizing of HVAC system, if traditional method of ambient or fresh air conditions is considered for calculating the requirements, the result is we would require a product which will have unrealistic performance demand. Hence to explore different possibilities for studying the system, usage of recirculation air was considered as one of the options. This paper talks about the approach followed in creating the cabin model in
Veerla, EswarSubramanian, Karthik
This paper presents an innovative in-lab accelerated testing approach for chassis-mounted components, with a particular focus on the cooling module of commercial vehicles. The proposed method simulates real-time data acquired from field operations and replicates all critical chassis modes, including torsion. Additionally, real-time coolant circulation at specified pressure and temperature maintenance are feasible during durability testing, enhancing the realism of the test environment. The cooling modules, comprising the radiator, intercooler, and charge air cooler (CAC), often experience failures due to various multi-axial inputs and chassis modes. This paper introduces an innovative methodology for replicating field conditions in the lab, utilizing seven servo-hydraulic actuators to simulate multi-axial inputs. The accuracy of in-lab simulation for the acceleration levels at input and response locations of the cooling module exceeds 90%. This makes it a preferred choice for test
V Dhage, YogeshSatale, Sunil
In last two decades, Farm customer expectation on cabin comfort has been increased multifold. To provide the best-in-class customer experience in terms of comfort without adding cost and weight is bigger challenge for all NVH Engineers. It is evident from literature survey that cabin tractors with better comfort is well accepted by customers in US and European Market. Apart from engine excitation, customer has become more sensitive to customer-actuated-accessory noises due to overall reduction in cabin noise in last 2 decades. This paper presents the study conducted on HVAC blower noise in 30HP cabin tractor. Tactile vibrations and cabin noise is not acceptable when AC is switched on due to low frequency modulating nature in frequency range of ~65Hz and 130Hz. The investigation is carried out systematically considering each component of Source-Path-Receiver model. HVAC blower unit as source is diagnosed in detail to understand root cause. Strong dominance of first order of blower been
K, SomasundaramChavan, Amit
The present work demonstrates a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) based methodology that couples a Finite Volume Method (FVM) and Finite Element Method (FEM) based tools to estimate air guide deformation, thereby predicting accurate aerothermal performance. The method starts with a digital assembly step where the assembly shape and the induced stress due to assembly is predicted. A full vehicle Aerodynamic simulation is performed to extract the surface pressure on the air guide which is then used to estimate the extent of deformation of the air guides. Based on the extent a subsequent Aerodynamic simulation may be carried out to predict thermal efficiency. Comparison against pressure data and deflection data extracted from the wind tunnel experiments of vehicles has shown reasonable match demonstrating the accuracy and usefulness of the method.
Gadasu, RavishastriChoudhury, SatyajitUmesh, Acharya VaibhavKumar, SaravananYenugu, SrinivasaZander, DanielBeesetti, SivaHattarke, Mallikarjun
Air suction in a naturally aspirated engine is a crucial influencing parameter to dictate the specific fuel consumption and emissions. For a multi-cylinder engine, a turbocharger can well address this issue. However, due to the lack of availability of continuous exhaust energy pulses, in a single or two-cylinder engine, the usage of turbocharger is not recommended. A supercharger solution comes handy in this regard for a single or two-cylinder engine. In this exercise, we explore the possibility of the usage of a positive displacement type supercharger, to enhance the air flow rate of a single cylinder, naturally aspirated, diesel engine for genset application, operating at 1500 rpm. The supercharger parametric 3D CAD model has been prepared in Creo, with three design parameters i.e. (a) Generating radius, (b) depth of blower and (c) clearance between lobes & lobe and casing. The optimum roots blower design is expected to fulfil the target boost pressure, power consumption and
Satre, Santosh DadasahebMukherjee, NaliniRajput, SurendraNene, Devendra
The Indian farmers choice of agriculture tractor brand is driven by the ease of operation and fuel efficiency. However, the customer preference for operator comfort is driving many tractor OEMs for improvement in noise and vibration at the operator location. Also, the compliance to CMVR regulation for noise at operator ear location and vibration at operator touch point location are mandatory for all the tractors in India. NVH refinement development of the tractor plays a critical role in achieving the regulated noise level and improved tactile vibration In presented work, the airborne sources such as exhaust tail pipe, intake snorkel and cooling fan are quantified by at tractor level through elimination method. The detailed engine level testing in engine noise test cell (hemi anechoic chamber) is carried out to estimate the contribution of engine components to overall noise. The outcome of Noise source identification (NSI) has revealed silencer, timing gear cover and oil sump to be
Gaikwad, Atul AnnasahebHarishchandra Walke, NageshYadav, Prasad SBankar, Harshal
In the era of Software Defined Vehicles, the complexity and requirements of automotive systems have increased knowingly. EV Thermal management systems have become more complicated while having multiple functions and control strategies within software frameworks. This shift creates new challenges like increased development efforts and long lead time in creating an efficient thermal management system for Electric Vehicles (EV’s) due to battery charging and discharging cycles. For solving these challenges in the early stages of development makes it even more challenging due to the unavailability of key components such as fully developed ECU hardware, High voltage battery pack and the motor. To address this, a novel framework has been designed that combines virtual simulation with physical emulation at the same time, enabling the testing and validation of thermal control strategies without fully matured system and the ECU hardware. The framework uses the Speedgoat QNX machine as the
Chothave, AbhijeetS, BharathanS, AnanthGangwar, AdarshKhan, ParvejGummadi, GopakishoreKumar, Dipesh
In current scenario, demand for alternate energy is increasing due to depletion of fossil fuels and countries working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen being a cleaner fuel, many OEMs across the world started to work on various strategies like hydrogen combustion engine and fuel cell. Passenger vehicles like buses are at the lookout for fuel cell technology at faster rate than other commercial vehicles. In fuel cell vehicles, cooling system design is critical & complex since it includes fuel cell cooling, Power electronics cooling & battery cooling. In this paper, cooling system design of a Fuel cell electric bus for inter-city application is demonstrated. Radiators and Fans are designed considering overall heat rejection and Coolant inlet temperature requirements of components. Cooling system circuit and pump is decided to meet the coolant flow rate targets. Flow simulation and thermal simulation done with the help of simulation models built using software KULI to predict
M S, VigneshKiran, Nalavadath
With the increasing tonnage of electric heavy commercial vehicles, there is a growing demand for higher power and torque-rated traction motors. As motor ratings increase, efficient cooling of the EV powertrain system becomes critical to maintaining optimal performance. Higher heat loads from traction motors and inverters pose significant challenges, necessitating an innovative cooling strategy to enhance system efficiency, sustainability, and reliability. Battery-electric heavy commercial vehicles face substantial cooling challenges due to the high-pressure drop characteristics of conventional traction system cooling architectures. These limitations restrict coolant flow through key powertrain components and the radiator, reducing heat dissipation efficiency and constraining the operating ambient temperature range. Inefficient cooling also leads to increased energy consumption, impacting the overall sustainability of electric mobility solutions. This paper presents a novel approach of
Dixit, SameerPatil, BhushanGhosh, Sandeep
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) necessitate highly efficient thermal management strategies, as cabin heating directly consumes energy from the finite traction battery, potentially reducing driving range significantly. Early-stage design evaluations of warmup performance commonly rely on one-dimensional (1D) simulations due to their computational speed and efficiency. The accuracy and predictive capability of these models are critically dependent on how well they represent blower operation and account for temperature-induced variations in air density. This fidelity is essential because engineers depend on warmup simulations to set HVAC targets that will deliver real-world comfort and defrost performance within stringent range constraints. Earlier, warmup simulations employed a Constant Mass Flow (CMF) approach, which simplifies computations by assuming a fixed air density at a standard reference temperature. However, this approach contrasts with real-world blower behavior, where
Subramanian, Karthik
Turbochargers play a crucial role in modern engines by increasing power output and fuel efficiency through intake air compression, thereby improving volumetric efficiency by allowing more air mass into the combustion chamber. However, this process also raises the intake air temperature, which can reduce charge density, lead to detonation, and create emissions challenges—such as smoke limits in diesel engines and knock in gasoline spark-ignited (GSL) engines. To mitigate this, intercoolers are used to cool the compressed air. Due to packaging constraints, intercoolers are typically long and boxy, limiting their effectiveness, especially at low vehicle speeds where ram air flow is minimal. This study investigates the use of auxiliary fans to enhance intercooler performance. Two methodologies were adopted: 1D simulation using GT-Suite and experimental testing on a vehicle under different fan configurations—no fan, single fan, and dual fans (positioned near the intercooler inlet and outlet
Patra, SomnathHibare, NikhilGanesan, ThanigaivelGharte, Jignesh Rajendra
This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of modifying a 1.2L naturally aspirated (NA) engine to enable flex-fuel compatibility, targeting optimal performance with ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. Ethanol is being increasingly promoted due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide an additional source of income for farmers. As per the road map for Ethanol blending released by Govt. of India, there has been continuous increase in blending of ethanol in gasoline. An initial target of 20% ethanol blending in gasoline by April 2025 has already been achieved. This work is in alignment with the broader push for development of flex-fuel vehicles, which necessitates engine adaptations capable of operating on varying ethanol blends. The primary objective was to upgrade the engine, which can give optimum performance with both lower range of ethanol blends starting from E20 as per IS 17021:2018 standard till higher blends of up to E100 as per IS 17821:2022
Tyagarajan, SethuramalingamPise, ChetanKavekar, PratapAgarwal, Nishant Kumar
This study focuses on enhancing energy efficiency in electric vehicle (EV) thermal management systems through the development and optimization of control logic. A full vehicle thermal management system (VTMS) was modeled using GT-Suite software, incorporating subsystems such as the high voltage battery (HVB), Electric powertrain (EPT), and an 8-zone cabin. Thermal models were validated with experimental data to ensure accurate representation of key dynamics, including coolant to cell heat transfer, cell-to-ambient heat dissipation, and internal heat generation. Control strategies were devised for Active Grille Shutter (AGS) and radiator fan operations, targeting both cabin cooling and EPT thermal regulation. Energy consumption was optimized by balancing aerodynamic drag, fan power, and compressor power across various driving conditions. A novel series cooling logic was also developed to improve HVB thermal management during mild ambient conditions. Simulation results demonstrate
Chothave, AbhijeetKumar, DipeshGummadi, GopakishoreKhan, ParvejThiyagarajan, RajeshPandey, RishabhS, AnanthAnugu, AnilMulamalla, SarveshwarGangwar, Adarsh
The performance and longevity of Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles are significantly influenced by the cell temperature. Hence, efficient thermal management techniques are essential for battery packs. Simulation based optimization approaches improves the efficiency of the battery pack thermal management during the early stage of product development. In this paper, a simulation-based methodology has been introduced to increase the heat transfer from/to coolant via cooling plate as well as to reduce the heat transfer from/to the external environment. The heat transfer coefficient between cooling plate and coolant needs to be enhanced to achieve efficient heat transfer through cooling plate, without exceeding the coolant pressure drop the target limit. A one-dimensional simulation methodology described in this work analyzed numerous design of experiments for coolant layout without performing CAD iteration loops and optimized the cooling channel width, height and number of channels to
U, ReghunathP S, Shebin
This paper presents Nexifi11D, a simulation-driven, real-time Digital Twin framework that models and demonstrates eleven critical dimensions of a futuristic manufacturing ecosystem. Developed using Unity for 3D simulation, Python for orchestration and AI inference, Prometheus for real-time metric capture, and Grafana for dynamic visualization, the system functions both as a live testbed and a scalable industrial prototype. To handle the complexity of real-world manufacturing data, the current model uses simulation to emulate dynamic shopfloor scenarios; however, it is architected for direct integration with physical assets via industry-standard edge protocols such as MQTT, OPC UA, and RESTful APIs. This enables seamless bi-directional data flow between the factory floor and the digital environment. Nexifi11D implements 3D spatial modeling of multi-type motor flow across machines and conveyors; 4D machine state transitions (idle, processing, waiting, downtime); 5D operational cost
Kumar, RahulSingh, Randhir
Passenger cars are subjected to extensive conditions ranging from driving through wet roads, water puddles, icy roads, and rain. This can affect the performance of different parts over time, one such aspect is the vehicle corrosion, whose impact is felt on a wide spectrum from aesthetics to safety due to loss of material. The general condition for corrosion mainly requires electrolyte to be present on the metal surface, which is transported through self-soiling and foreign soiling. Vehicle soiling is an important aspect for vehicle design. Amongst the many aspects of vehicle soiling, one important aspect is the prediction of water accumulation that enables prediction of corrosion sensitive regions in the vehicle. Power train components like Engine, transmission and corresponding wiring harness are at highest risk of water-wetting, As the vehicle drives through the water puddle the components are not just wet by the direct inflow of water but also by water being splashed by moving
Shukrey, SarthakPattankar, RohanYenugu, Srinivasa
In automotive applications a power electronic converter is used for energy conversion between battery and electrical machine. For high performance drives a lightweight design is demanded. Additionally, a higher efficiency of the inverter results in lower cooling requirements but is often achieved by increasing component weight. Hence, thermal modeling of the components and their interactions is essential to determine the best compromise between weight, efficiency and cooling requirements. In traction inverters the DC-link capacitors, power modules, high voltage electrical connections and low voltage devices dissipate power. In this paper the focus is on the thermal modeling of the DC-link capacitor, power modules and high voltage electrical connections and their system, as the performance of the inverter is defined by these components. The thermal models are derived based on physical properties and geometries. First, the DC-link capacitor thermal model is presented and considers the
Blaschke, Wolfgang MaximilianMengoni, LeonardPflüger, RobinKulzer, André Casal
One of the most important components of an electric vehicle is the drive motor. Induction motors are often used for this purpose. During operation of these motors, power loss occurs, especially at high speeds. This power loss corresponds, among other things, to the sum of winding losses, iron core losses and mechanical losses. The power losses generate heat, which causes the temperature in the rotor and stator to rise. The increase in temperature of the components inside the motor can lead to premature wear and fatigue failure. To prevent overheating, the motors are air- or water-cooled. Water cooling can be achieved, for example, by means of jacket cooling. Here, the heat generated is dissipated directly by forced convection. However, the cooling jacket makes it difficult to determine the temperature inside the motor. Determining these temperatures is necessary to protect the motor from premature fatigue. The temperatures inside the motor during operation are of particular interest
Schamberger, StephanieReuss, Hans-Christian
Engine is the prime mover of an automobile. Tractor is also equipped with engine of higher capacity to meet the power requirement. Apart from powering the wheels, engine also runs different accessories such as water pump, alternator, AC pump, Oil pump and so on. The power from the engine is transferred to accessories via chain drive or belt drive through the crankshaft pulley. During field testing, in one of the tractors, engine pulley mounting bolt failure was reported. The failure resulted in immediate seizure of the engine making the tractor standstill in the field. The root cause of the failure was unknown. Hence, there was a need to develop a component or subsystem level test methodology to address the issue quickly. In the current scope, an attempt was made to develop a subsystem level laboratory test methodology to simulate the failure mode and to validate the design modifications in an accelerated manner. The failure mode was simulated in lab and different design iterations
Chakraborty, Abhirup
This study presents a methodology to develop a new 25kWh battery pack for off-highway application. Initially an enclosure space is extracted from tractor model maintaining minimum space with adjacent components. Based on available space, various combination of cell form factors and different cell chemistries are evaluated considering operating ambient temperature range (-20 to 45 deg C) and charge/discharge rate 1C. Cylindrical NMC type cell with indirect cooling system fulfils all our technical requirements. However, complete battery pack thermal simulation is carried out for ensuring battery pack safety and limited deterioration with different discharge rate and wider temperature range. The battery pack model contains multiple cells, bricks, and modules with numerous coolant pipes and flow channels. Cell characterization experimental data is used for estimating cell thermal capacity and IR behavior. Battery pack model is tested with different Charge/discharge rates. Five
Nain, AjayLamba, Shamsherjayagopal, Sdhir, Anish
In the evolving landscape of energy efficiency and sustainability, understanding machine behavior in real-world operating conditions is essential. This solution introduces a data-driven Energy Management Dashboard designed to analyze and report critical machine parameters by leveraging LFI (Leverage Fleet Intelligence) and LFI Data (Local Field Intelligence Data). The tool serves as a robust solution for engineering and operations teams to gain actionable insights into machine performance and exposure. By tracking key parameters—such as engine fan speed, coolant temperature, and machine speed—across a fleet of machines (with support for over 1100 unique signals), the solution enables real-time monitoring and historical analysis. It helps identify when parameters go outside their specified limits and assesses the resulting impact on overall machine performance. The core functionality includes: Monitoring machine operating conditions under real field environments. Correlating parameter
Nandre, RatnapratikJoshi, Aaditya
Agricultural tractors require self-cleaning and cooling technology, especially in hot and dusty environments. This study introduces a novel reversible fan system designed which is incorporating a manually operated lever-type connection mechanism as an alternative to conventional pneumatic systems. Traditional reversible fans often rely on pneumatic actuators for blade rotation control, which can introduce complexity, maintenance challenges, and energy inefficiency. The proposed design replaces pneumatic components with a mechanically optimized lever linkage system, enabling users to manually reverse the fan’s airflow direction with minimal effort. This innovation enhances operational simplicity, reduces dependency on compressed air systems, and low costs as compared to conventional type reversible fan. The lever mechanism, engineered for ergonomic usability, ensures rapid switching between sucker and pusher modes, optimizing the fan’s utility in applications such as dust removal
Debbarma, RespectParwal, MahendraBaghel, Anand
Traditionally, off-highway vehicles like tractors and construction machinery have relied on hydraulic, viscous, or fixed fans to meet the cooling demands of diesel engines. These fans draw power from the engine, impacting fuel consumption and contributing to noise levels that affect operator comfort. Recently, the adoption of electric fans in off-highway applications has increased due to their energy efficiency, lower noise, and flexible design. Electric fans can cool various components, such as radiators and condensers, and can be positioned for optimal performance. They are easily selected from established supplier catalogs based on application requirements like machine voltage, fan size, and type. This study explores various fan arrangements, including pusher and puller types, and multiple electrical fan banking based on cooler zones to improve cooling system performance without changing cooler size or specifications. A mathematical flow model was developed for both setups: the
Durairaj, RenganathanDewangan, NitinAnand, KetanBhujbale, Sagar
Vibration testing is an essential component of automotive product development, ensuring that components such as engines, transmissions, and electronic systems perform reliably under various operating conditions. The adoption of electronics in the automotive industry, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, marked a shift in vibration testing approaches, moving from primarily low-frequency tests to methods that could address high-frequency vibrations as well. This evolution highlights the need for effective vibration fixture designs that can simulate real-world conditions, enabling manufacturers to detect potential weaknesses before products are integrated into vehicles. A key aspect of vibration testing is the identification of resonant frequencies within components. The coupled mass-spring-damper system, for example, can exhibit multiple resonances characterized by a Bode Diagram, where the Q factor technique is utilized to assess damping levels. Accurate vibration analysis can be
Shinde, PramodkumarShah, Viren
To ensure the effective operation of engine cooling systems in agricultural tractors, several critical parameters must be considered, including grille opening area and location, grille resistance, front-end blockage, fan speed, and coolant flow rate. While grille design has been moderately explored for highway vehicles, research specific to grille configuration in agricultural tractors remains limited. This study investigates the influence of grille location, grille resistance (modeled using porous inertial and viscous resistance coefficients) front-end blockage, fan speed, and coolant flow rate on radiator top tank temperature (TTT) using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The analysis is conducted in two phases: first, the effects of grille opening area and location, grille resistance, and front-end blockage are evaluated under fixed fan speed and coolant flow rate; second, an orthogonal array design of experiments is employed to rank the influence of grille opening area, fan speed
Subramani, SridharanBaskar, SubramaniyanGopinathan, Nagarajan
This study investigates the failure mechanisms of a press-fitted AISI 304L pulley, which is used to drive an engine coolant variable water pump in automotive applications. The analysis focuses on the peculiar loading scheme of the pulley resulting from the innovative water pump design which combines high mean stress from press fitting with cyclic stress from rotating bending loads that exceed the material's yield point. This is coupled with the cyclic material behavior of AISI 304L which exhibits a strong cyclic hardening. This combination significantly influences the stress distribution and fatigue life of the component under cyclic loads combined with material plasticity, ultimately leading to fatigue failure at the pulley-shaft mating surface. Assembly endurance tests were conducted on a specialized test bench, allowing control of pulley bending load. A comprehensive failure analysis, including visual inspection, metallurgical examination, and finite element analysis (FEA) was
Franceschini, AlessandroSquarcini, RaffaeleRybicki, Gilles
The water pump is the crucial component of the engine cooling system. It is usually designed considering as rated conditions the ones evaluated when the engine delivers its maximum power. This results in an overdesign of the pump, considering that almost never the engine delivers the maximum power, in usual operation. At these conditions, in fact, flow rate and pressure delivered reach the maximum values, which are not needed to cool the engine in most probable operating conditions. In fact, considering the real operating conditions during a typical driving mission or a homologation cycle, the mechanical power is far away from the maximum datum, as well as the cooling flow rate and pressure delivered by the pump. To a so unbalanced design for the pump corresponds a low efficiency of it, being the technology oriented to use a centrifugal type, whose efficiency is quite dependent on speed of revolution and flow rate delivered. Hence, modifying the design point of the pump causes a
Di Battista, DavideDeriszadeh, AliDi Prospero, FedericoDi Giovine, GiammarcoDi Bartolomeo, MarcoFatigati, FabioCipollone, Roberto
Water injection in diesel engines is a well-known method of lowering combustion temperatures and thus reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. In this study, the influence of water injection in hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) operation on NOx formation, particulate emissions and ignition delay is analyzed in comparison to diesel operation on a John Deere JD4045 tractor engine. Both the fuel (HVO) and the water injection system were designed as ‘drop-in’ solutions that enable rapid implementation to reduce emissions, even in existing vehicle fleets. The standard engine control unit of the JD4045 engine was therefore used for the tests. A single water nozzle was installed downstream the charge air cooler to integrate a water injection system. The three operating points of interest were: (1) low speed and high load without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), (2) high EGR rates at low speed and medium load and (3) the engine's ‘sweet spot’ regarding the emission-tradeoff at high speed and
Fuhrmeister, JonasMayer, SebastianGünthner, Michael
Modern mobility solutions increasingly rely on HVAC systems due to growing transport demands, traffic congestion, and harsh environmental conditions. These systems, comprising a compressor, evaporator, condenser, and thermal expansion valve, require adequate airflow for optimal performance. Insufficient airflow, caused by factors like undersized ducts, improper fan settings, clogged filters, or high static pressures from duct restrictions, significantly hinders cooling capacity. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive model for passenger vehicle AC system performance under controlled environmental conditions. Discrepancies between predicted and desired performance will trigger a structured problem-solving process involving iterative testing, root cause analysis, and the development of corrective measures. The improvements will be focused on the vehicle-level HVAC design, adhering to customer specifications. This research will also establish an experimental validation
Meena, Avadhesh KumarAgarwal, RoopakSharma, KamalKishore, Kamal
Internal combustion (IC) engines experience several parasitic losses at the vehicle level, including those from cooling fans, hydraulic pumps, air compressors, and alternators. These losses limit the available output power for various applications. By replacing a conventional mechanical or hydraulic fan—typically driven by the engine crankshaft or hydraulic motor—with an electrically operated fan, engine frictional losses (fan drag) can be reduced, resulting in a gain in power. The fuel conserved due to the absence of fan drag contributes to usable power for applications. Mechanical fans operate at a fixed drive ratio that is directly proportional to engine speed, while hydraulic fans rely on a hydraulic motor, drawing power from the engine's alternator. In contrast, electric fans can run at constant speeds, independent of engine RPM, providing higher airflow at maximum torque speeds, which mechanical fans cannot achieve. The cooling performance of the engine remains uncompromised, as
Dewangan, NitinKattula, NitinKamal, Ankit
A cold start occurs when the engine is cranked after being off for a long time, enough for its temperature to drop down to the cold ambient levels. Cold start in an engine is a critical phase as it is characterized by elevated emissions. During a cold start, exhaust components such as catalytic converter do not operate in its optimal temperature zone leading to reduced efficiency in emission control. New regulations for engine emissions are becoming stringent for this condition, hence it is important to accurately determine cold start condition in an engine to optimize the emissions control strategy. Accurate engine off time calculation plays a crucial role in cold start detection, emissions control and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) decision making. This engine off time if greater than 6 hours indicates one of the conditions to confirm a cold start. Other conditions such as Ambient temperature and coolant temperature along with the engine off time confirms a cold start. This paper
MUTHA, MAYURESHTalawadekar, PradnyaKale, Upendra
Noise generated by a vehicle’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system can significantly affect passenger comfort and the overall driving experience. One of the main causes of this noise is resonance, which happens when the operating speed of rotating parts, such as fans or compressors, matches the natural frequency of the ducts or housing. This leads to unwanted noise inside the cabin. A Campbell diagram provides a systematic approach to identifying and analyzing resonance issues. By plotting natural frequencies of system components against their operating speeds, Test engineers can determine the specific points where resonance occurs. Once these points are known, design changes can be made to avoid them—for example, adjusting the blower speed, modifying duct stiffness, or adding damping materials such as foam. In our study, resonance was observed in the HVAC duct at a specific blower speed on the Campbell diagram. To address this, we opted to optimize the duct design
Trivedi, ArpitaKumar, RaviMadaan, AshishShrivastava, Pawan
Single-zone cabin climate control systems have been standard for decades in passenger cars. Looking at the technology trend, which is transitioning from single-zone to multi-zone automatic control systems, it is now possible to provide zonal comfort tailored to the individual requirements of each passenger. In current single-zone climate control systems, maintaining the cabin temperature as stated by the passenger has been straightforward and can be achieved with slight calibration efforts using the present set of parameters and sensors until now. In this work, a multi-zone climate system highlighting the importance of individual calibration parameters in improving cabin comfort when transitioning from a single-zone to a multi-zone climate control system is proposed. As multi-zone climate systems are based on passenger set temperature requests for individual zonal comfort, appropriate controller fine-tuning is challenging when an input is taken from various sensed parameters, including
Varma, MohitSwarnkar, Sumit KumarBHOSALE, KRISHNAPatil, PrashantSardesai, Suresh
India, being one of the largest automotive markets has considered various policies affecting fuel efficiency to curb vehicle carbon emissions. In a typical light-duty vehicle (LDV), around 20% of the fuel's energy is used to power the wheels and overcome aerodynamic drag resistance. Aerodynamic drag resistance, influenced by the projected surface area, cooling drag and velocity refers to the resistive force encountered by the vehicle. Furthermore, cooling drag resistance is determined by the effective cooling system architecture and aerodynamic design of the front-end module (FEM), which has major impact on the vehicle's performance and ram curve. In the pursuit of enhancing cooling system architecture, this paper investigates thermal performance and structural integrity of using common fins for both the condenser and radiator to improve the inlet aerodynamic performance which lowers cooling fan power consumption. Preliminary results show a 12% notable reduction in motor power
K, MuthukrishnanVijayaraj, Jayanth MuraliN, AswinNarashimagounder, ThailappanMahobia, Tanmay
In automotive systems, efficient thermal management is essential for refining vehicle performance, enhancing passenger comfort, and reducing MAC Power Consumption. The performance of an air conditioning system is linked to the performance of its condenser, which in turn depends on critical parameters such as the opening area, radiator fan ability and shroud design sealing. The opening area decides the airflow rate through the condenser, directly affecting the heat exchange efficiency. A larger opening area typically allows for greater airflow, enhancing the condenser's ability to dissipate heat. The shroud, which guides the airflow through the condenser, plays a vital role in minimizing warm air recirculation. An optimally designed shroud can significantly improve the condenser's thermal performance by directing the airflow more effectively. Higher fan capacity can increase the airflow through the condenser, improving heat transfer rates. However, it is essential to balance fan
Nayak, Akashlingampelly, RajaprasadNeupane, ManojMittal, SachinKumar, MukeshUmbarkar, Shriganesh
High Performance Resistors (HPR), also known as brake resistors are used in zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) to dissipate excess electrical energy produced during regenerative braking, as heat energy. It is necessary to use a suitable cooling technique to release this heat energy into the atmosphere in a regulated manner. Currently in most of the ZEVs, liquid cooled HPR with its dedicated heat exchanger and other auxiliaries such as pump, surge tank, Coolant and coolant lines, is used which increases the cost, packaging space and assembly time. This paper presents air cooling as a substitute heat-exchanging technique for high-performance resistors which eliminates the need of auxiliaries mentioned above, resulting in space optimization and reduction in assembly time. An air cooled HPR, designed for this study consists of a heat exchanger, which accommodates a resistor wire within its tubes. The design was made to fit commercial vehicle use, specific to trucks, due to packaging constraints
Menariya, Pravin GaneshKumar, VishnuArhanth, MahimaUmesha, SathwikJagadish, Harshitha
Thermal management is critical for modern vehicles, particularly for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), where maintaining optimal temperature ranges directly influences thermal system efficiency and vehicle range. Accurate prediction of underhood airflow behavior is essential for effective thermal management and also to estimate overall energy consumption by cooling system, with air-side dynamics playing a pivotal role in heat transfer over the heat exchangers of cooling package. Simulation tools like GT-Suite are indispensable for this purpose, enabling engineers to evaluate complex thermal interactions without the cost and time constraints of extensive physical testing. While 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models offer detailed insights into flow characteristics, they are computationally expensive and time consuming. In contrast, 1D models provide faster simulation times, making them ideal for system-level analysis and iterative design processes. However, 1D models inherently lack
Mutyala k, AkhilPudota, PraveenFaseel, IhsanGole, PranaliBashir, Murad
Air filters are critical to vehicle Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, ensuring cabin air quality by trapping dust particles that accumulate over time. However, conventional clogging diagnostics—such as physics-based simulations, empirical models or manual inspection—are often too complex or impractical for in-vehicle deployment. To address this, we present a simple and practical diagnostic approach for real-time detection of cabin filter clogging by continuously monitoring the pressure drop across the filter–evaporator assembly at five blower speed settings. Baseline pressure drop values were established for a clean filter in a production-spec Passenger car and the clogged filter threshold was defined by a 10% reduction in airflow. This corresponded to calibrated pressure drop values of 83, 108, 169, 212 and 256 Pa for blower speeds 1 to 5, respectively. These thresholds were programmed into the vehicle’s climate control ECU. During operation, when the measured
Raj, RohitMohite, YashwantNaik, NiranjanGhate, Pravin
The design of motorcycle engine cooling systems is often hampered by a trade-off between computational efficiency and simulation accuracy, making optimized design iterative and costly. A streamlined, coupled 1D–3D methodology, validated across diverse engine configurations, is needed to address this challenge. This study develops and validates an iterative simulation framework to efficiently optimize cooling systems for various motorcycle engines. The 1D system model defines the performance targets, while 3D CFD analysis enables detailed component optimization (water jackets, radiator airflow); an iterative process ensures the target fulfillment. The 1D–3D coupling analysis methodology is applied to single-, two-, and four-cylinder engines. Results show that the coolant flow velocity within the water jackets are sufficient to ensure effective heat removal of engines and confirms the rational layout design of water jackets. The radiator inlet coolant temperature for the original design
Tan, LibinYuan, Yuejin
The latest electric vehicles (EVs) have advanced thermal management systems to regulate heat distribution across the vehicle, thereby improving the driving range. the author thinks that a key factor, which is influencing thermal performance during driving, is the effect of the driving-wind. However, EVs performance is evaluated by using a chassis dynamometer (CHDY), where it remains unclear whether the driving-wind specifications, which defined in the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), adequately replicate real-world conditions. This study investigates both internal combustion engine vehicles and several electrical vehicles to estimate the potential discrepancies in WLTP’s driving wind requirements. Specifically, the author modified the CHDY vehicle-cooling fan to more accurately simulate wind speed at the front and underside of the vehicle under real-world driving conditions, which drove at outside road. The author analyzed the impact of these modifications
Okui, Nobunori
Manufacturers of fans/propellers using hydraulically-actuated pitch control claim energy efficiency gains up to 75% over fixed-pitch solutions. Unfortunately, the added cost, weight, reliability and maintenance considerations of hydraulic solutions has limited the introduction of pitch control for small-to-medium fans and propellers leaving a large market unserved by the efficiency gains associated with changing the pitch of a blade when the blade shaft’s speed changes. Pilot Systems International and Cool Mechatronics are developing an electromagnetically controlled pitch (EMCP) fan/propeller that will produce a new pareto optimal in size, weight, power, cost and cooling (SWaP-C2). The technology will substantially improve the efficiency of military ground vehicle cooling fans which is typically the third greatest power draw (~20kW)1 in the entire vehicle and provide critical performance improvements during silent watch. It will be a key enabler for the electrification of aircraft.
McBain, Jordan
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