Study of Performance Improvement of a Tracked Vehicle Engine with Hybrid Mode

Abstract

This study deals with the effects on power and torque of a tracked automotive diesel vehicle under parallel hybrid mode(Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric System). A methodology is developed to assess the performance of the hybrid vehicle. The tractive force requirement of the vehicle to achieve maximum speed (0 to 65 km/h in 61s) is simulated and validated with available data in literature. The simulation with different hybrid configurations such as Electric Motor (EM) before transmission (Mode 1) and EM after transmission (Mode 2) is carried out for assessment of better performance of the hybrid system. The Degree of Hybridization (DoH) for enhanced power and torque output is analysed with inputs of different Electric Motor (EM) ratings(22 kW and 50 kW power with 72.5 N-m and 167 N-m of torque respectively) and the base ICE’s power (221 kW) and torque (1030 N-m). The analysis indicates that Power and torque of the hybrid system (ICE and 50kW EM) is significantly improved to 290 kW and 1274 N-m. The Power & Torque of the hybrid system with 22kW and 50kW EM in Mode 2 configuration (5th gear with ratio 4.24 : 1) could be enhanced by 22% and 38% power output improvement (11% and 24% Torque improvement) with 17.3% and 32.3% DoH respectively.