Switch-Mode Continuously Variable Transmission: Modeling and Optimization

Author(s):  
James D. Van de Ven ◽  
Michael A. Demetriou

Hybrid vehicles are an important step toward reducing global petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Flywheel energy storage in a hybrid vehicle combines high energy density and high power density, yet requires a highly efficient continuously variable transmission with a wide operating range. This paper presents a novel solution to coupling a high-speed flywheel to the drive train of a vehicle, the switch-mode continuously variable transmission (CVT). The switch-mode CVT, the mechanical analog of a boost converter from power electronics, utilizes a rapidly switching clutch to transmit energy from a flywheel to a spring, which applies a torque to the drive train. By varying the duty ratio of the clutch, the average output torque is controlled. This paper examines the feasibility of this concept by formulating a mathematical model of the switch-mode CVT, which is then placed in state-space form. The state-space formulation is leveraged to analyze the system stability and perform simple optimization of the switch time and damping rate of the spring over the first switching period. The results of this work are that a stable equilibrium does exist when the speed of the output shaft is zero, but the system will not reach and stay at a desired torque if this condition is not met, but requires continuous switching between the two states. An optimal switching time and damping ratio were found for the given parameters, where the lowest error occurred with low values of damping ratio. This work builds a foundation for future work in increasing the complexity of the model and the optimization method.

Author(s):  
Tyler D. Forbes ◽  
James D. Van de Ven

A hybrid drive train significantly improves energy efficiency of ground vehicles. While numerous auxiliary hybrid power sources have been researched, few are capable of the energy and power density of a flywheel coupled with a continuously variable mechanical transmission. The primary challenge of a flywheel hybrid system is a transmission capable of coupling a high speed flywheel to the drive train of the vehicle. A novel solution to this challenge is a switch-mode continuously variable transmission that utilizes a rapidly switching clutch to transmit power. This system, the mechanical analog of a DC-DC boost converter circuit, utilizes a flywheel, a high frequency clutch, an anti-reversing ratchet, and a spring to vary the output torque. The switch-mode continuously variable transmission is demonstrated through an idealized finite difference model, created from the dynamic system of equations. The model is used to demonstrate the system behavior in a passenger car subjected to road loads in various conditions. The output of the model demonstrates pulses in the output torque as a result of the rapidly switching clutch. This output ripple in is smoothed to an acceptable level by the torsion spring. From this preliminary analysis the on-off continuously variable transmission offers an efficient, energy dense, and power dense hybrid vehicle drive train alternative.


The main objective of the project was to design and fabricate a drive train for an intercollegiate competition called BAJA SAE. The motive to get into this project was to learn more about an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), studying about different parameter which would affect the drive train of the vehicle. All the possible options were considered while making the drive train. After discussions alternative options were taken neglected and the main option was chosen. It was decided that the transmission would be automatic, consist of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) couples with a two staged gearbox which is then couples with the half shaft. The whole system was tested thoroughly and it performed well


TAPPI Journal ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIKLAS BERGLIN ◽  
PER TOMANI ◽  
HASSAN SALMAN ◽  
SOLVIE HERSTAD SVÄRD ◽  
LARS-ERIK ÅMAND

Processes have been developed to produce a solid biofuel with high energy density and low ash content from kraft lignin precipitated from black liquor. Pilot-scale tests of the lignin biofuel were carried out with a 150 kW powder burner and a 12 MW circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. Lignin powder could be fired in a powder burner with good combustion performance after some trimming of the air flows to reduce swirl. Lignin dried to 10% moisture content was easy to feed smoothly and had less bridging tendencies in the feeding system than did wood/bark powder. In the CFB boiler, lignin was easily handled and cofired together with bark. Although the filter cake was broken into smaller pieces and fines, the combustion was not disturbed. When cofiring lignin with bark, the sulfur emission increased compared with bark firing only, but most of the sulfur was captured by calcium in the bark ash. Conventional sulfur capture also occurred with addition of limestone to the bed. The sulfur content in the lignin had a significantly positive effect on reducing the alkali chloride content in the deposits, thus reducing the high temperature corrosion risk.


1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. CHODOSH ◽  
E. KATSOULIS ◽  
M. ROSANSKY

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamin Zhang ◽  
Lina Chen ◽  
Chongyang Hao ◽  
Xiaowen Zheng ◽  
Yixuan Guo ◽  
...  

For the applications of aqueous Li-ion hybrid capacitors and Na-ion hybrid capacitors, potassium ions are pre-inserted into MnO<sub>2</sub> tunnel structure, the as-prepared K<sub>1.04</sub>Mn<sub>8</sub>O<sub>16</sub> materials consist of <a>nanoparticles</a> and nanorods were prepared by facile high-temperature solid-state reaction. <a></a>The as-prepared materials were well studied andthey show outstanding electrochemical behavior. We assembled hybrid supercapacitors with commercial activated carbon (YEC-8A) as anode and K<sub>1.04</sub>Mn<sub>8</sub>O<sub>16 </sub>as cathode. It has high energy densities and power densities. Li-ion capacitors reach a high energy density of 127.61 Wh kg<sup>-1 </sup>at the power density of 99.86 W kg<sup>-1</sup> and Na-ion capacitor obtains 170.96 Wh kg<sup>-1 </sup>at 133.79 W kg<sup>-1</sup>. In addition, the <a>hybrid supercapacitor</a>s demonstrate excellent cycling performance which maintain 97 % capacitance retention for Li-ion capacitor and 85 % for Na-ion capacitor after 10,000 cycles.


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