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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3

The Effect of Fuel Consumption on Cylinder Temperatures and Performance of a Cowled Wright J-5 Engine

Given here are the results of tests made to determine the effect of fuel consumption on the cylinder temperatures and the performance of a cowled Wright J-5 engine. The results of these tests indicate that enriching the mixture by increasing the carburetor size results in a reduction in cylinder head and barrel temperatures. The cylinders shielded by the magnetos or the points on the cylinder that do not receive a free flow of cooling air increase most rapidly in temperature as the mixture is leaned. A free flow of air past the cylinders is essential for satisfactory operation on a lean mixture. The results of these tests show that the Wright J-5 engine can withstand severe temperatures for short periods of operation. The test results also show to what extent destructive temperatures may be avoided by enriching the mixture.

Schey, Oscar W↗

Computer program for prediction of fuel consumption statistical data for an upper stage three-axes stabilized on-off control system

A FORTRAN coded computer program and method to predict the reaction control fuel consumption statistics for a three axis stabilized rocket vehicle upper stage is described. A Monte Carlo approach is used which is more efficient by using closed form estimates of impulses. The effects of rocket motor thrust misalignment, static unbalance, aerodynamic disturbances, and deviations in trajectory, mass properties and control system characteristics are included. This routine can be applied to many types of on-off reaction controlled vehicles. The pseudorandom number generation and statistical analyses subroutines including the output histograms can be used for other Monte Carlo analyses problems.

Source record↗

Reduction of aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption for tractor-trailer vehicles

Wind-tunnel tests were performed on a scale model of a cab-over-engine tractor-trailer vehicle and several modifications of the model. Results from two of the model configurations were compared with full-scale drag data obtained from similar configurations during coast-down tests. Reductions in fuel consumption derived from these tests are presented in terms of fuel quantity and dollar savings per vehicle year, based on an annual driving distance of 160,900 km (100,000 mi.). The projected savings varied from 13,001 (3435) to 25,848 (6829) liters (gallons) per year which translated to economic savings from $3435 to about $6829 per vehicle year for an operating speed of 88.5 km/h (55 mph) and wind speeds near the national average of 15.3 km/h (9.5 mph). The estimated cumulative fuel savings for the entire U.S. fleet of cab-over-engine tractor, van-type trailer combinations ranged from 4.18 million kl (26.3 million bbl) per year for a low-drag configuration to approximately twice that amount for a more advanced configuration.

Muirhead, V. U.↗

Propeller charts for the determination of the rotational speed for the maximum ratio of the propulsive efficiency to the specific fuel consumption

A set of propeller operating efficiency charts, based on a coefficient from which the propeller rotational speed has been eliminated, is presented. These charts were prepared with data obtained from tests of full-size metal propellers in the NACA propeller-research tunnel. Working charts for nine propeller-body combinations are presented, including results from tests of dual-rotating propellers. These charts are to be used in the calculation of the range and the endurance of airplanes equipped with constant-speed propellers in which, for given flight conditions, it is desired to determine the propeller revolution speed that gives the maximum ratio of the propulsive efficiency to the specific fuel consumption. The coefficient on which the charts are based may be written in the form of a thrust coefficient or a thrust-power coefficient. A method of using the charts is outlined and sample computations for a typical airplane are included.

Biermann, David↗

Simple Diesel Train Fuel Consumption Model for Real-Time Train Applications

This paper introduces a simple diesel train energy consumption model that calculates the instantaneous energy consumption using vehicle operational input variables, including the instantaneous speed, acceleration, and roadway grade, which can be easily obtained from global positioning system (GPS) loggers. The model was tested against real-world data and produced an error of -1.33% for all data and errors ranging from -12.4% to +8.0% for energy consumption of four train datasets amounting to a total of 5854 km trips. The study also validated the proposed model with separate data that were collected between Valencia and Cuenca, Spain, which had a total length of 198 km and found that the model was accurate, yielding a relative error of -1.55% for the total energy consumption. These results show that the proposed model can be used by train operators, transportation planners, policy makers, and environmental engineers to evaluate the energy consumption effects of train operational projects and train simulation within intermodal transportation planning tools.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Trajectory Optimization Using Adjoint Method and Chebyshev Polynomial Approximation for Minimizing Fuel Consumption During Climb

This paper describes two methods of trajectory optimization to obtain an optimal trajectory of minimum-fuel- to-climb for an aircraft. The first method is based on the adjoint method, and the second method is based on a direct trajectory optimization method using a Chebyshev polynomial approximation and cubic spine approximation. The approximate optimal trajectory will be compared with the adjoint-based optimal trajectory which is considered as the true optimal solution of the trajectory optimization problem. The adjoint-based optimization problem leads to a singular optimal control solution which results in a bang-singular-bang optimal control.

Chebyshev Polynomial↗

Engine Operation in Flight for Minimum Fuel Consumption

Engine and airplane performance data have been gathered from various sources and analyzed to determine indications of the most economical methods of flight operation from a consideration of fuel expenditure. The analysis includes the influence of such facts as fuel-air ratio, engine speed, engine knock, altitude, cylinder cooling, spark timing, and limits of cruising brake mean effective pressure. The results indicate that the cheapest power is obtained with approximately correct mixture at low engine speed and highest permissible manifold pressure. If more power is desired, the methods of obtaining it are, in order of fuel economy: (a) increasing the engine speed and maintaining safe cylinder temperatures by cooling; (b) retarding the spark or cooling further to permit higher manifold pressure; and, (c) riching the mixture. The analysis further shows that the maximum time endurance of flight occurs at the air speed corresponding to minimum thrust horsepower required and with minimum practicable engine speed. Maximum mileage per pound of fuel is obtained at slightly higher air speed. The fuel-air ratio should be approximately the theoretically correct ratio in both cases. For an engine equipped with a geared supercharger, as in the example presented, and with knock as the limiting condition, a comparison of operation at sea level and at 6,000 feet shoes flight at altitude to be more economical on the basis of both range and endurance.

Reuter, George↗

Automotive fuel cell stack and system efficiency and fuel consumption based on vehicle testing on a chassis dynamometer at minus 18 °C to positive 35 °C temperatures

In this work we present an in-depth laboratory technology assessment of a 2016 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell (FC) vehicle based on chassis dynamometer testing. The 114.6 kW FC stack has a high dynamic response, which makes this powertrain a FC-dominant hybrid electric vehicle. The measured peak efficiency is 66.0% FC stack and 63.7% FC system with an idle hydrogen flow rate of 4.39 g/hr. The high FC system efficiencies at low loads match typical vehicle power spectrums, resulting in a high average vehicle efficiency of 62% compared to 45% and 23% for a hybrid electric vehicle and a conventional vehicle, respectively. An energy breakdown accounts for the FC stack losses, FC system losses, air compressor loads, and heater loads for different drive cycles and different thermal conditions. The cold-start North American city drive cycle (UDDS) energy consumption values are, respectively, 758, 581, 226, and 321 Wh/km at ambient conditions of -18 degrees C, -7 degrees C, -25 degrees C and 35 degrees C with 850 W/m 2 of solar loading. The FC system shutdown and startup processes at temperatures below the freezing point contribute to the increased hydrogen consumption. Additionally, the raw test data files are available for download, thus providing the research community with a public reference data on a modern production automotive FC system.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Aerodynamic design lowers truck fuel consumption

Energy-saving concepts in truck design are emerging from developing new shapes with improved aerodynamic flow properties that can reduce air-drag coefficient of conventional tractor-trailers without requiring severe design changes or compromising load-carrying capability. Improvements are expected to decrease somewhat with increased wind velocities and would be affected by factors such as terrain, driving techniques, and mechanical condition.

Steers, L.↗

Ultra High Bypass Ratio Engine Research for Reducing Noise, Emissions, and Fuel Consumption

A pictorial history of NASA development of advanced engine technologies for reducing environmental emissions and increasing performance from the 1970s to 2000s is presented. The goals of the Subsonic Fixed Wing Program portion of the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program are discussed, along with the areas of investigation currently being pursued by the Ultra High Bypass Partnership Element of the Subsonic Fixed Wing Program.

Hughes, Christopher E.↗