Virtually Connected Hybrid Vehicle: X-in-the-loop hybrid powertrain simulation

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship to assist in the development of an Virtually Connected Hybrid Vehicle. This will comprise both physical and simulated system components working together to achieve full system testing. The position is for a three-year research programme.
The studentship is supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) via the Digital Engineering & Test Centre (DETC) spoke, hosted by Loughborough University within their London campus. The PhD will be supervised by academics from the Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre, part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. The PVRC has recently been announced as the APC spoke for Engine Systems efficiency and are also collaborators in the DE&T spoke.
This is a highly collaborative project with PhD students from other partner universities working with DETC. The PhD student will be based at Bath but will travel to DETC and other universities as needed to progress the project.
Aims
Despite the big steps that the automotive sector has taken in the last decade towards advanced technology, a lot of solutions and components are still physically tested. That involves expensive, time-consuming and ad-hoc solutions.

Focussing on hybrid vehicle systems, one of the toughest challenges is testing them dynamically and when connected to the other HEV componentry. This is due to the cost and complexity of physically connecting the engine, traction-motor(s), power-electronics, and energy-storage device (usually a battery or flywheel), to the transmission and road-load.

Whilst some of these sub-systems can be simulated, for early and mid-stage testing, they must at some point be tested as connected hardware. The later this phase can be in a development program, the lower the overall testing cost will be. Also, the hybrid-vehicle controls must be exercised with the real hardware to flush out any undesired interactions between the sub-system controllers, and to enable smooth and safe operation over all possible operating conditions.

Currently, Virtual Testing is estimated to account for 5% of the total testing. It has been predicted that within 15 years this value would grow 10 times, balancing the amount of physical testing

The aim of the VCHV project is to reduce the time-consuming physical testing (in particular, the waiting time of the shipping and assembly of the components, and physical testing time) by means of collecting the data from each of the test rigs located in the spokes facilities and virtually running the complete system test within the DETC building.

Applicants should be of outstanding quality and exceptionally motivated, and should have
1. A First Class or Upper Second Honours degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in Automotive/Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline;
2. A background in internal combustion engines, transmission systems and vehicle powertrain systems
3. Ideally practical experience of working in an automotive powertrain sector, for example a placement year or graduate experience

The PhD will be supervised by Dr Sam Akehurst ([Email Address Removed]), Dr Richard Burke ([Email Address Removed]) and Prof Chris Brace ([Email Address Removed]) of the Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre at the University of Bath (www.pvrc.co.uk)