The hybrid-series technology applied to road vehicles is not very widespread. Relevant technical and economical factors presently make it more suited for applications on heavy means of transport running at low average speed, such as vehicles for local public transport service, or anyhow for application in specialized sectors, thus limiting the development of this technology. Numeric model and simulations are therefore very useful for choosing on component size, construction solutions and applicable service for the vehicles, reducing experimental costs as far as possible. A simulation model has been worked out to be used both as an instrument for examining existing systems and as a basic design tool, applicable for all versions of the standard model, to optimize component dimensions, performances, diagnostics and to evaluate energy conversion efficiency. The simulator characteristics are accurate performance, operational flexibility, results reliability, high operation speed, user-friendly learning and application. The results obtained from simulation processes on a local public transport hybrid vehicle were compared with experimental data taken from measurements on the "Altrobus", a hybrid vehicle closely reflected by the simulator. The comparison demonstrated the accuracy and the reliability of the model. Different control strategies of the hybrid energy chain have been tested on the simulator; the results show the possibility of relevant improvements on system performances and flexibility. For the covering abstract see ITRD E120462.
Abstract