Author(s):
1. Jasna Glišović, Fakultet inženjerskih nauka Univerziteta u Kragujevcu, Serbia
2. Jovanka Lukic, Fakultet inženjerskih nauka Univerziteta u Kragujevcu, Serbia

Abstract:
The electrification of conventional vehicles, ranging from passenger vehicles and over-the-road trucks to ground vehicles such as agricultural tractors, construction equipment and military vehicles, can potentially offer improvements in fuel economy and emissions. Nearly all conventional vehicles are powered by a gasoline or diesel fueled internal combustion engine that converts the energy stored in the fuel to rotating power out of the engine. The power out of the engine’s rotating shaft is used to propel the vehicle and operate all of the vehicles auxiliaries either directly with belts, pulleys and gears or indirectly through electricity generated from a belted alternator. Although electric hybrids have one major advantage over hydraulics in smaller passenger cars - that being that batteries used for energy storage take up less space than accumulators do - hydraulics has power density and efficient energy storage on its side. And like electric, hydraulics provides regenerative braking, which reduces wear on brakes, so the system reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as maintenance costs. Internal combustion engines are relatively inefficient, typically converting only 25 to 35 percent of the input energy in the fuel to the output shaft to do useful work. Electric motors, on the other hand, are much more efficient in converting input electric energy to the rotating shaft to do useful work. Some electric propulsion systems have some of the highest efficiencies in the industry, ranging from 80 to 95 percent. The markets for small off-road vehicles are typically characterized by relatively high volumes, low power levels and commodity pricing. Large equipment - tractors, construction, mining and other specialty equipment are produced in relatively lower volumes, but they nevertheless represent a substantial opportunity due to higher power levels, substantial technical complexity and therefore substantially higher product content and euros value per vehicle. The military is particularly interested in the electrification of vehicles because the attributes that these vehicles possess offer exceptional potential for the military to achieve its long-term objectives of developing a highly mobile, lethal fighting force. Fuel economy improvements in military vehicles transfer into substantial savings in support infrastructure and transportation costs associated with transporting fuel to the battlefield.

Thematic field:
TRAFFIC MEANS

Opening paper:
Yes

Date of abstract submission:
15.02.2011.

Number of visits:
767

Conference:
11^th International Conference on Accomplishments in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering