Power analysis and simulation of a vehicle under combined loads

This paper presents an analytical model of fuel consumption (AMFC) to coordinate the driving power and manage the overall fuel consumption for an internal combustion engine vehicle. The model calculates the different loads applied on the vehicle including road-slope, road-friction, wind-drag, accessories, and mechanical losses. Also, it solves the combustion equation of the engine under different working conditions including various fuel compositions, excess airs and air inlet temperatures. Then it determines the contribution of each load to signify the energy distribution and power flows of the vehicle. Unlike the conventional models in which the vehicle speed needs to be given as an input, the developed model can predict the vehicle speed and acceleration under different working conditions by allowing the speed to vary within a predefined range only. Furthermore, the model indicates the ways to minimises the vehicles' fuel consumption under various driving conditions. The results show that the model has the potential to assist in the vehicle energy management.

An intelligent energy management model for a parallel hybrid vehicle under combined loads

To exploit the benefits offered by parallel HEVs, an intelligent energy management model is developed and evaluated in this paper. Despite most existing works, the developed model incorporates combined wind/drag, slope, rolling, and accessories loads to minimise the fuel consumption under varying driving conditions. A slope prediction unit is also employed. The engine and the electric motor can output power simultaneously under a heavy-load or a slopped road condition. Two simulation were conducted namely slopped-windy-prediction and slopped-windy-prediction-hybrid. The results indicate that the vehicle speed and acceleration is smoother where the hybrid component was included. The average fuel consumption for the first and second simulations were 7.94 and 7.46 liter/100 km, respectively.

Intelligent energy management in hybrid electric vehicles

The modelling and simulation approach is employed to develop an intelligent energy management system for hybrid electric vehicles. The aim is to optimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions. An analysis of the role of drivetrain, energy management control strategy and the associated impacts on the fuel consumption with combined wind/drag, slope, rolling, and accessories loads are included.

A social justice scrutiny of the seating service experiences: what can we learn?

The paper presents the social justice findings from a study into the Australian  (wheelchair) seating service experience. As this study explored the insider's perspective, three participants' examples are shared (in the presentation) to demonstrate the benefits accorded to equality, equity and equal opportunity and the injustices experienced when denied;
- Brian* (pseudonym) a young Australian whose two accessories for his power chair changed his life.
- Donna* whose adult son was provided a heavy standard manual wheelchair instead of the power chair requested.
- Vince* a young self-employed businessman whose newly provided robust power chair is crimping his productivity.

The Tablet PC: A Complete Teaching Studio

The Tablet PC is a flexible teaching tool. It can be used to increase the lecturer’s productivity in note taking and in assignment marking. It can be used in the lecture room with increased interaction. With a few minor accessories it can be used to record all aspects of a lecture or presentation. It can also be used to record short topic segments that can be used as references or summaries by students. Containing the abilities of both a tablet device with multi touch, a pen interface for accurate drawing and handwriting and with the power of a full PC, it is a complete teaching studio.