Performance Enhancement of Power-Cycle Hydro- Mechanical Transmission with Accumulator

Abstract

Abstract In this study, a new power-cycling hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission system (PCHMCVT) with energy recovery using an accumulator is proposed. The simulation of the basic characteristics of PCHMCVT is done using Simulink/Simscape and these characteristics have been validated with previous studies. The model is then used to examine the effect of adding energy recovery using an accumulator on the output power and the efficiency. The system is simulated on a driving cycle and the output velocity is investigated. The hydro-mechanical transmission system works in two modes of operation to improve the driving range. The effect of the accumulator is investigated in both of these modes. A comparison between the performance of the system with and without an accumulator is made to show the effect of the accumulator on the system and energy recovery. The results indicate that the energy recovery system can be utilized in both the driving and braking of the vehicle. The addition of an accumulator has improved the efficiency of the system by 8.1% and the power consumption of the engine has been reduced by 20.8%.