(Dr. Nader Sadegh, advisor)

"Optimization of Efficiency in a Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle"

Abstract

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV’s) offer additional flexibility to enhance the fuel economy and emissions of vehicles. The control strategy presented here optimizes the fuel consumption of a parallel configuration HEV. In order to determine the ideal operating point of the vehicle’s combustion engine and electric motor, the control strategy determines the optimal blending point between the two power sources of the vehicle that will meet the constraints among which is the power demand. The constrained optimization strategy requires an engine model and a model to estimate the power demand, and outputs the optimal values to the two power sources. A simulation will evaluate the proposed strategy.

The strategy was developed and was implemented in the form of Simulink blocs within a software that simulates the behavior of a HEV. After completion of the work, and if successful, the strategy will be eventually incorporated into the Georgia Tech Future Truck by a team member, as student Bruno Khan has established a contact with the team of the university.