Adaptive Diesel Engine Control

Nanohmics is developing technologies to improve overall Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) fuel efficiency by idle reduction and waste energy harvesting. Direct mechanical drive of the air compressor for example introduces constant parasitic losses that could be eliminated by driving the compressor electrically on-demand. Providing an electric-drive capability to the MTVR engine air compressor and HVAC compressor means these standby systems can be powered by on-board batteries, a more efficient auxiliary power unit, or shore power allowing the engine to shut down and reduce idle fuel consumption. Also during transient operation energy is lost in deceleration and braking to pumping friction and brake heat. Providing a means of dynamically harvesting energy of the driveline and turbocharger could allow this energy to be reused. The engine turbocharger coupled to an electric motor-generator could harvest energy during deceleration which could be re-introduced to minimize turbo-lag on acceleration, providing more boost pressure with lower turbine backpressure resulting in higher engine efficiency. These approaches to improving efficiency will be analyzed, tested, and evaluated, with the most favorable approaches implemented on a Caterpillar C12 engine, and in the Phase II Option, an MTVR vehicle.