| Howard University EcoCAR Reinventing America |
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| Written by Kamau Wright |
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Howard University’s EcoCAR team, also known as the Green Bison, is one of seventeen collegiate teams across North America participating in the challenge. In addition to this being the Green Bison's first time in the competition, Howard University also has the distinction of being the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to participate in the challenge. The team is being advised by Dr. Grant Warner, Dr. Jason Ganley and Dr. James Hammonds, all faculty members at Howard University's College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science (CEACS). The team is comprised of three sub-groups: Mechanical (Packaging), Electrical, and Controls/Modeling. The Mechanical group is charged with using Computer-Aided Drawings (CAD) to design, analyze and integrate components into the production vehicle. NX (Unigraphics) is the software being used to address these deliverables, along with traditional mechanical design theories and methods. The Electrical group will be charged with defining the electrical requirements of the hybrid system within the vehicle. The Controls/Modeling group is currently working on how best the PHEV should interpret and execute the signals inputted to the vehicle by the driver (e.g. acceleration or torque requests). This will be addressed by utilizing software and equipment donations from Mathworks, dSpace, and Vector.
HU EcoCAR: Small Footprint, Big ImpactThe Green Bison are one of six teams in the competition developing a Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). This design is not meant to replace fuel, but to reduce fuel consumption by using it more efficiently. The PHEV will accomplish this with the use of electric motors to assist the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). The defining components of the Green Bison’ PHEV are its Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) and Energy Storage System (ESS, see figure 3). The EVT, or two-mode transmission, contains two electric motors that either serve as generators or dispensers of power (see figure 4). The Green Bison are utilizing GM’s Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP) to produce the vehicle for initial testing in May of 2010, and final testing in 2011.
Schematic of Main Components of PHEV
Currently, the Green Bison are in the second year of the competition. This year will see the Bison finalizing virtual designs put forth in the first year. These virtual designs will also be made practical this year when the production vehicle is delivered to campus. This academic year will culminate in May 2010 when the Bison travel to Yuma, Arizona to compare their vehicle with those of the other teams in areas such as: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fuel-efficiency, and ride quality.
Power Flow (Electrical and Mechanical) through PHEV System
Students of the Green Bison team will greatly benefit from participation in the EcoCAR Competition. It offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real-world engineering techniques. It also offers experience in non-technical areas such as outreach and public relations. It opens students up to new knowledge in terms of software and research documents. Most importantly, participants will learn the true meaning of the word TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More
Team Members at the 2009 Fall Workshop in Boston
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EcoCAR: The Next Challenge is a three-year collegiate advanced vehicle-technology engineering competition.