Vibration isolation for parallel hydraulic hybrid vehicles

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nguyen, The M. | Elahinia, Mohammad H.

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, Dynamic and Smart Systems Laboratory, University of Toledo, 2801 W Bancroft, Toledo, OH 43606, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 419 530 8224; Fax: +1 419 530 8206; E-mail: mohammad.elahinia@utoledo.edu

Abstract: In recent decades, several types of hybrid vehicles have been developed in order to improve the fuel economy and to reduce the pollution. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have shown a significant improvement in fuel efficiency for small and medium-sized passenger vehicles and SUVs. HEV has several limitations when applied to heavy vehicles; one is that larger vehicles demand more power, which requires significantly larger battery capacities. As an alternative solution, hydraulic hybrid technology has been found effective for heavy duty vehicle because of its high power density. The mechanical batteries used in hydraulic hybrid vehicles (HHV) can be charged and discharged remarkably faster than chemical batteries. This feature is essential for heavy vehicle hybridization. One of the main problems that should be solved for the successful commercialization of HHV is the excessive noise and vibration involving with the hydraulic systems. This study focuses on using magnetorheological (MR) technology to reduce the noise and vibration transmissibility from the hydraulic system to the vehicle body. In order to study the noise and vibration of HHV, a hydraulic hybrid subsystem in parallel design is analyzed. This research shows that the MR elements play an important role in reducing the transmitted noise and vibration to the vehicle body. Additionally, locations and orientations of the isolation system also affect the efficiency of the noise and vibration mitigation. In simulations, a skyhook control algorithm is used to achieve the highest possible effectiveness of the MR isolation system.

Keywords: Hydraulic hybrid vehicles, noise and vibration, transmissibility, magnetorheological fluids

Journal: Shock and Vibration, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 193-204, 2008