Powertrains Drive Future Engine Design

Powertrains Drive Future Engine Design Powertrains Drive Future Engine Design Powertrains Drive the Future of Engine DesignPersonal transportationmotorcycles, cars, trucks, and busesis going through an unprecedented transformation. At no other point in the long history of the internal combustion engine (ICE) has the industry experienced such unrelenting pressure to change. Whether driven by legislation around safety, emissions, fuel consumption, or congestion, or by customer expectations for better performance, features, and quality, demands on engine planers have never been greater.As a result, engine designers are heading back to the drawing board to re-evaluate engine design and what engines need to accomplish to satisfy current market trends. The industry is now experiencing a renaissance in powertrain design, providing solutions for battery electric vehicles, plug-in electric hybrids, and dedicated hybrids, as well as continued improvements in the ICE.Promising ResearchOne of th e most interesting trends is the use of homogenous-charge compression ignition (HCCI), which delivers diesel-like efficiencies in a gasoline engine. This and other improvements in combustion system design enable better fuel consumption, improved performance, cleaner engine-out emissions, and reduced need for expensive, bulky catalytic technology.University of Wisconsin-Madison student hybrid vehicle gets ready for U.S. Department of Energys Advanced Vehicle Competition. Image Engr.wisc.eduIn parallel with this work, much research pertaining to biofuels as alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel is being carried out, says Brian Price, an adjunct professor with the Department of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Big strides are being made in improving combustion efficiency and making biofuels from non-food crops, such as grasses and algae.Another trend that is gaining momentum is the design of dedicated, down-sized engines for hybrid powertrains.Hybrid power trains can have a variety of degrees of hybridization, says Price. This is basically the balance between how much vehicle performance comes from a battery versus a conventional engine source. Depending on the type of powertrain configuration and power control strategy selected, the powertrain may operate on battery only, engine only, or a combination of battery and engine. The ideal configuration for each customer depends on that persons individual driving needs.Optimizing EnginesPrice is leading several research projects that model hybrid battery/engine sizing scenarios for major manufacturers, including car, bus, and truck companies. He believes that hybrids will be the main new powertrain configurations for the next 30-40 years.For the first time, engine size is being reduced as the industry re-evaluates what is needed in an engine, says Price. This is made possible by variable systems, such as cylinder de-activation, variable valve timing, stop/start technology, and greater use of pressure-charging (turbochargers and superchargers).In the future, one size will not fit all when it comes to powertrain configurations. Customers will need to think mora carefully about the type of driving they do and select an appropriately configured product, to realize the full benefits of optimized engines.The continued refinement of technologies has also made engines more mechanically and electronically complex, which adds cost.Powertrains of the future will involve more sensors for increasingly sophisticated control systems, variable devices, power-enhancing technologies such as turbocharging, and inevitably some form of battery, says Price. The business-case assessment of viable product configurations, involving the use of new business models for plug-in charging, maintenance contracts, and end-of-life disposal, will need to be thought through very carefully and considered as a complete system.Future DemandWith more sophisticated powertrains in the future, and increasing requirements regarding long-term emissions compliance and end-of-life disposal (already legislated in Europe and Japan), manufacturers will need to think carefully about support services for maintenance, rescue services, financing, etc. Because most forms of powertrains in the future will have some degree of electrification, well-developed networks of chargers will be critical for supporting battery electric vehicles.I have a Ph.D. student who is just completing his thesis in this area, says Price. He has developed mathematical models that map out an idealized network of electric charge-points, which provide maximum coverage with minimal investment in infrastructure.Even with the rise of electrification in powertrain configurations and electronic controls, there will still be vital roles for mechanical engineers in optimizing engines for high reliability, high efficiency, and low cost of operation.As a mechanical engineer who has been doing engine and gearbox design for over 30 year s, Ive never know a more exciting time to be a mechanical engineer in this industry, says Price, who indicates that mechanical engineers must be more prepared to think about creative solutions and utilize the latest in material and manufacturing advances.Engineers who want some guidance in this direction should consider programs like UW-Madisons Master of Engineering in Engine Systems program, a distance program for working professional engineers.Coursework like this will truly prepare engines architects for the future, says Price. They will be able to rethink their own approach to the design and development of engines and expand their specialist skills to cover a broader sortiment of aspects in developing the next generation of powertrain solutions.Mark Crawford is an independent writer.Big strides are being made in improving combustion efficiency and making biofuels from non-food crops, such as grasses and algae.Brian Price, adjunct professor, Department of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

What does it feel like to be fired from Google

What does it feel like to be fired from GoogleWhat does it feel like to be fired from GoogleI feel qualified to answer this question because I was fired from Google this April, after five years working there.I experienced a burnout about a year before that my productivity dropped x5 times approximately (that is from five commits per week to one commit on average, on the saatkorn project in the same environment). So I needed to change something, and I changed teams transferring to semantic search (RefX team).That was a mistake search is the biggest and most complex product at Google, and semantic search (the thing that gives you a direct answer to the query instead of links) is one of the brainiest teams around. With burnout my performance leid only failed to recover - it went further downhill.At that point my relationship with the manager and director started to deteriorate too they got a new guy on the team but couldnt get much done from me. My managers first instinct was to enfor ce some discipline make me sit in front of the computer essentially, monitor when I come and go, which naturally made things even worse.In private discussions I was asked why dont I leave by myself, to which I answered that Im happy with my Google salary. If Google is not happy with my performance - feel free to fire me, but Im not going to jump myself.Performance Improvement PlanIn March I was put on PIP (Performance Improvement Plan). Its a formal agreement that I should produce certain output in two months. After a week it was quite obvious to me that I wont make it. Again I had a talk with HR and director, and was actually threatened to be fired with Gross Misconduct (without benefits and waiting period). Apparently my manager and director decided that I was somehow gaming the system and just milk the company while not making any effort to do my job.In the end they didnt wait for PIP to run through and gave me a termination notice in another week. I returned my Google hardware and badge, and my manager walked me out of the building - all in 10 minutes or so. My Google employee account was revoked at the same time. We went to a nearby cafe with him, and he even paid for a drink though ??As was stated by my contract I had a one-month notice period. So I was formally employed and received salary for another month, although I didnt and couldnt work during it. Google also produced a stellar reference letter for future employers, without mentioning any of this.When burnout hitsOverall it felt unpleasant, as is natural in burnout. I think the nasty attitude from manager and director was unnecessary it sucks when superiors dont trust you, treating me as a liar without saying it explicitly. The team didnt know anything about the process though, and was generally great and supportive - probably the smartest people I ever worked with.I have fully recovered since then - changing the teams didnt help, but changing the company did.This column first appeared atQuora.

Doing this 1-minute change could literally save your life

Doing this 1-minute change could literally save your lifeDoing this 1-minute change could literally save your lifeDaylight saving timeofficially ended and while your phones and computers automatically fell back one hour later, you still have to check your ovens,microwaves, and most importantly, your smoke detectors - at least according to safety experts.The two times a year we change our clocks also serve as a valuable reminder to change the batteries in ourfire alarms. Only 57% of Americans have followed best practice and done so in the past six months, according to a survey of more 1,000 people conducted byServiceMaster Restore.When you go around your house this week, youll want to replace the batteries in each detector, advises disaster restoration expert Peter Duncanson. zugabe Doing it now will also prevent the purposefully annoying chirping reminder later on.Lift, twist, or remove the cover. (In some cases, the whole alarm will come off from a base.)Replace the battery with a brand-new one. Most machines use9-volt batteries.Close and snap the detector back into place.Press the test button to make sure its working. You should hear a beep or chirp sound.Also keep an eye out for the date of manufacture stamped on the device.Smoke detectors lose their efficacy after 10 years and require replacingjust like carbon monoxide alarms. Upgrade to thenewer lithium battery smoke detectorsand you wont have to worry about replacing the batteries at all for up to a decade.To keep your home as safe as possible, use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound. At a minimum, make sure you have smoke alarms installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home (including the basement), theNational Fire Protection Associationrecommends.Monitoring your houses safety measures is now more important than ever.The average time to escape a home fire hasgone from 17 minutes to just three minutes or lessin the past few deca des due to the increased use of synthetics in furniture and home construction, according to safety organization UL.And withThanksgivingonly three weeks away, dont forget to inspect your fire extinguisher for any signs of corrosion, missing pull-pins, and/or changes in the pressure gauge. Its always a good idea to have a working one on hand - especially when your brother-in-law attempts to deep-fry theturkey.This article firstappeared on ShondaLand.