Dynamic Refinement and Energy Efficiency of Hybrid Powertrains (WS12)

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Full Project Detail
Hybrid powertrains will gradually assume a dominant role from mid-2020’s, leading to full electrification a decade or so later. The next few decades would witness challenging times for powertrain and propulsion systems in terms of system efficiency and dynamic refinement. Electrification and hybridisation of powertrain systems is pursued intensely to improve air quality and reduce adverse emissions. For this, various hybrid powertrain architectures are suggested. However, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) issues will be one of the residing issues regardless of powertrain architecture.
This interdisciplinary PhD project aims at developing a numerical methodology to better understand the NVH attributes in electrified and hybrid powertrains and predict the main NVH sources. The methodology would be multi-physics and multi-scale in nature, incorporating flexible multi-body dynamics, contact mechanics and tribology. The correlation between the numerical simulation and powertrain NVH will be investigated through a series of experimental studies using different techniques such as Laser Vibrometry at the industrial partner premises. The project is in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover, one of the pioneers in developing hybrid-electric powertrains.

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree (MEng or MSc) and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Numerical analysis, Use of Computational tools, Powertrain engineering, Multibody dynamics, Hybrid technologies.