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Engine Test Bed Experimental Data Modelling and Optimisation

Summary of the impact

This research project, carried out at the University of Derby, was used to develop an engine performance monitoring system and a data optimisation method for engine management systems for Land Rover. The project delivered two pieces of software developed for data modelling and optimisation with respect to the engine test bed. This has significantly reduced the engine test time on the test bed by up to 30%, reduced the cost of each engine test and provided optimum engine operation parameters to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which has resulted in lower emissions and improved fuel economy. The project was started in 2000 and completed in 2008. However the outcomes of the research and developed software tools are still used by the Land Rover engine test group.

Submitting Institution

University of Derby

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Statistics
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Helping to create Ashwoods Lightfoot® and enable fleet managers to reduce the fuel costs and CO2 footprint from 2,500 vehicles

Summary of the impact

Economic impact

  • Design of a new and award winning product called Lightfoot® that gives reductions of at least 10% in fuel use and CO2 emissions.
  • The creation of a new business, Ashwoods Lightfoot® and three new jobs, with a sales value to date in excess of £625,000 and a subscription base of over £10,000 per month.
  • Economic performance of 200 vehicle fleets, including six major operators, has been improved by 2,500 installations of the system, saving over £83,000 per month in fuel costs.

Environmental impact

  • Saving an estimated 2,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Submitting Institution

University of Bath

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Civil Engineering
Psychology and Cognitive Sciences: Psychology

Reducing CO2 emissions and saving drivers’ fuel costs from the Ford fleet of vehicles

Summary of the impact

Impact on the environment

  • The adoption of cost effective CO2 reduction technologies across a range of Ford vehicles reduced CO2 emissions by an estimated 40,000 tonnes in 2012. This reduction applies pro rata for 2013 and becomes cumulative year on year.

Economic impact

  • Improvements to vehicle engines have saved over €25M in fuel costs to the owners of Ford vehicles in 2012.
  • Research has led to improvements that have been made to Ford products and processes; these improvements have been used to address upcoming legislation on CO2 in a cost effective manner. Future penalties of up to €0.5bn have been avoided by these improved products and processes.

Impact on practitioners

  • Improved monitoring processes, reducing variability in measurement of CO2 from vehicles within Ford by 50%, facilitating the adoption of a range of new fuel saving technologies, which helped to justify a $50M investment in the Ford UK facilities.

Submitting Institution

University of Bath

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Mathematical Sciences: Applied Mathematics
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Regenerative Engine Braking Device for Buses and Other Commercial Vehicles

Summary of the impact

Prof Zhao's development of an innovative hybrid engine RegenEBD was exploited by its industrial partner, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company (Yuchai), the largest bus engine manufacturer in China holding 80% of the domestic market. The first RegenEBD engine buses were operated in Yulin city, where Yuchai is based, in 2011. Yuchai confirmed that these buses have demonstrated notable fuel savings of 4.7-10% (1,100-2,200 litres of fuel saving), equivalent to 3.6-7.2 tonnes of carbon saving per vehicle per year. This led Yuchai to re-align their manufacturing strategies and development efforts for 3 years (2011-2013), investing significant resources to begin manufacturing and retrofitting of RegenEBD engines in 2014. They have employed over 30 new engineers to develop and manufacture RegenEBD and purchased equipment for RegenEBD engine testing and operations. Yuchai expects that hundreds of buses equipped with RegenEBD will be on the road by 2020.

Submitting Institution

Brunel University

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

AVERT Project (Adaptation of Vehicle Environmental performance by Remote sensing and Telematics ) a FORESIGHT Vehicle Programme

Summary of the impact

Implementing measures that can maintain, as well as improve air quality is a constant challenge faced by local authorities, especially in metropolitan cities. The AVERT, EPSRC/DTI link project, led by Samuel and Morrey of Oxford Brookes University, were tasked at identifying and proposing a new strategy to limit the amount of pollutants from vehicles dynamically using remote sensing and telematics. Firstly, it established the magnitude of real-world emission levels from modern passenger vehicles using a newly developed drive-cycle. Secondly, it demonstrated a broad framework and limitations for using existing on-board computer diagnostic systems (OBD) and remote sensing schemes for the identification of gross polluting vehicles. Finally, it provided a strategy for controlling the vehicle to meet air pollution requirements. The outcomes had direct impact on Government policy on "Cars of the Future", roadside emission monitoring, and the business strategies for both the Go-Ahead Group and Oxonica Ltd.

Submitting Institution

Oxford Brookes University

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Automotive Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

UOA09-12: Validating the design of the AJ133 engine

Summary of the impact

Improved measurement of fuel behaviour in automotive engines has contributed to the success of the AJ133 V8 engine, which powers over [text removed for publication] vehicles sold since 2009. The research, carried out at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), developed techniques to improve the understanding of combustion dynamics in engines and consequently enabled improvements to fuel consumption, emissions and engine reliability. Impacts include contributions to (1) JLR's improved engine design process and (2) improved fuel efficiency and thus lower emissions.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Physics

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

A 60% reduction in diesel use: the impact of optical diagnostics on dual-fuel engines

Summary of the impact

Loughborough University's (LU) research collaboration with The Hardstaff Group has resulted in a commercial Oil-Ignition-Gas-Injection system (OIGI®), which substitutes natural gas for Diesel oil in heavy goods vehicles. Using optical diagnostics OIGI® was redesigned, increasing average substitution rates from 45% to 60%. The economic impact for Hardstaff was a fuel saving of £406k per annum. The research allowed Hardstaff to create new business with Mercedes-Benz in the UK and Volvo in Sweden. OIGI® reduces CO2 by up to 15%, harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions by 30%. The research also demonstrated, for the first time, dual fuel technology in small, high-speed diesel engines, paving the way for its application in passenger cars.

Submitting Institution

Loughborough University

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Project HOTFIRE: Collaborative fundamental research leads to new, downsized, high fuel economy car engine

Summary of the impact

The HOTFIRE collaborative research project (2004-2008) into advanced engine combustion systems led directly to a new, high specific power output, high fuel economy, low CO2 emissions turbocharged `down-sized' three-cylinder engine that was demonstrated in the Opel Astra car in 2008. The valuable new knowledge, understanding and techniques gained in the HOTFIRE project has directly contributed to the successful delivery of a major engine family project for an ASEAN region OEM client of Lotus Engineering.

Submitting Institution

Loughborough University

Unit of Assessment

Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

Collaborative Strategic Partnership with BorgWarner Turbo Systems Ltd

Summary of the impact

University of Huddersfield research into engine technologies has resulted in a major new partnership with the UK arm of engineering multinational BorgWarner, leading to the company increasing R&D capabilities in the UK. This collaboration, funded partly by parent company BorgWarner US and partly by the government's Regional Growth Fund, involves multi-million-pound investment, as well as significant job creation and safeguarding. It was a key factor in the company securing a substantial contract with Jaguar Land Rover, whose decision was informed by the University's capacity to help BorgWarner further its R&D activities and upskill its workforce for the benefit of the UK automotive supply chain and the local and national economy.

Submitting Institution

University of Huddersfield

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Engineering: Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering

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