Advances in Thermal Engineering: Simplified Models for Vehicle Aerothermal Management

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at PSA Peugeot Citroen in Velizy Villacoublay, France, have made significant strides in the field of thermal engineering, particularly in the assessment of automobiles' aerothermal management. The team's study focuses on the architectural arrangements of electrical and mechanical components in the underhood compartment, evaluating their impact on the aerothermal environment. The research aims to develop simplified models that can serve as baselines for early design stages, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of aerothermal studies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study concentrated on the assessment of automobiles' aerothermal management, specifically the impact of electrical and mechanical components on the underhood compartment's aerothermal behavior.
  • The research team developed two geometrical models: a simple and an advanced model, based on the impact orders of the components in the underhood compartment.
  • The structurally simplified model was utilized in experiments and can be used in both numerical and experimental analyses.
  • The study aimed to develop aerothermal baseline models that can be used in the early stages of design, reducing the complexity and cost of aerothermal studies.
  • The researchers classified the components in the underhood compartment according to their aerothermal orders of impact.
  • The aerothermal studies involved analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches.
  • The simplified vehicle model was designed and implemented as an underhood compartment model.

Statistics:

  • The study was published in the Applied Thermal Engineering journal, Volume 73, Issue 1, in 2014.
  • The research team included M. Khaled, M. Ramadan, H. El-Hage, A. Elmarakbi, F. Harambat, and H. Peerhossaini.
  • The study was conducted at PSA Peugeot Citroen, Velizy A Center, F-78943 Velizy Villacoublay, France.
  • The keywords for this study include: France, Europe, Velizy Villacoublay, Thermal Engineering.

Sources:

  • "Review of underhood aerothermal management: Towards vehicle simplified models." Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014;73(1):842-858.
  • Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Applied Thermal Engineering - www.elsevier.com/wps/product/cws_home/630)
  • M. Khaled, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Velizy A Center, F-78943 Velizy Villacoublay, France (additional information)