The Ohio State University

GATE
Graduate Automotive Technology Education

The
goal of GATE is to train a future workforce of automotive engineering
professionals to overcome technology barriers preventing the
development and production of cost-effective, high-efficiency vehicles
for the U.S. market.
“GATE Centers of Excellence are an exciting opportunity to equip a new
generation of engineers and scientists with knowledge and skills in
advanced automotive technologies. The technologies developed will
benefit the industry as we work to create more efficient gas powered,
hybrid and even hydrogen powered vehicles.”
-Douglas L. Faulkner, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy

The goal of GATE is to train a future workforce of automotive
engineering professionals to overcome technology barriers preventing
the development and production of cost-effective, high-efficiency
vehicles for the U.S. market.

“GATE Centers of Excellence are an exciting opportunity to equip a
new generation of engineers and scientists with knowledge and skills in
advanced automotive technologies. The technologies developed will
benefit the industry as we work to create more efficient gas powered,
hybrid and even hydrogen powered vehicles.”

-Douglas L. Faulkner, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Faculty
Primary GATE faculty:

• Yann Guezennec, ME
• Giorgio Rizzoni, ME
• Gregory Washington, ME
• Steve Yurkovich, ECE

Program Requirements

• Selection of one of 6 Core Focus Areas leads to Graduate Specialization in Automotive Systems Engineering.
• Thesis option students are required to take one core sequence. It
  is expected that the thesis be on a topic related to automotive systems.
• Non-thesis option students (MS only) are required to take two core sequences.
• All students are required to regularly attend seminars on topics in automotive systems.

Courses

• Course #1: Energy Modeling of Hybrid-Electric Vehicle

Module 1: The Power Consumption Side of Vehicles

Loads and losses; Overall energy budget; Drive cycles; Component energy vs. overall cycle vehicle efficiency

Module 2: Conventional Vehicles, IC Engines and Transmissions

SI
and Diesel; Emissions characteristics; CVT; Coupling power generation
and consumption; Power source sizing; Energy constraints (drivability
and performance)
Module 3: Electro-Mechanical/Chemical Energy Conversion

E-M
Converters; Fuel cells; Hybrids: hybrid electric (HEV), mechanical
hybrids, degree of hybridization, series, parallel, mixed, charge
sustaining, charge-depleting
Module 4: On-Board Energy Storage
Fuels;
Batteries (lead-acid, Ni-Cd, Ni-Fe, Ni-Zn, Ni-MH, Li, etc.);
Charge/discharge characteristics; Ultra-capacitors; Mechanical
(flywheels, hydraulic accumulators)
Module 5: Energy Management of HEVs
Need for energy management strategy in HEVs; Equivalent consumption; Constraints (drivability and SoC); Minimum fuel problem

• Course #2: Modeling, Simulation and Control of Hybrid Vehicle

Module 1: Design Optimization of HEVs
Optimization problem for HEVs; Optimization criteria;
Hierarchy of optimization problems; Link between design and control
Module 2: Principles of Optimization
Formulation of optimization problems and constraints; Review of mathematical optimization methods.

Module 3: Energy Optimization in HEVs
Local vs. global; Instantaneous optimization of powertrain operating point; Dynamic programming; Emission constraints

Module 4 Review of Control Methods
Principles and Methodologies for Design; Control-Oriented Models for Major HEV Components; Optimal control

Module 5. Supervisory Control Schemes
Rule-based control; Adaptation and self-tuning; Supervisory control design for simplified HEV model

• The Project: Coupling of Courses #1 & #2
  (Matlab and Simulink intensive)
  Course #1 Project:

  Exercise simple vehicle model over driving cycles.

  1. Include engine and transmission models in vehicle model.
  2. Hybridize vehicle model.
  3. Include finite energy storage in vehicle model.
  4. Implement energy management strategy.

  Course #2 Project:

  1. Design optimization of a HEV architecture.
  2. Energy management – development of optimal algorithm.
  3. Control for drivability on vehicle model.
  4. Combining optimization and control on final model.

• Course #3: Fuel Cell Systems for Automotive Application

  Module 1: Fuel Cell Stacks
  Electrochemistry;
  Types; Technology; Analysis; Operation (temperature, pressure,
  humidity, gas composition, etc.); Energy analysis and efficiency
  Module 2: Fuel Cell Systems
  Stacks vs. Systems; System needs and configurations; energetics and system efficiency; Characteristics of complete systems
  Module 3: Fuels for Fuel Cell Systems
  Types;
  Production (reformers, electrolysers, etc.); On-board reforming and
  storage; Infrastructure issues; Well-to-wheel analysis
  Module 4: Automotive Applications of Fuel Cell Systems
  Requirements; Traction vs. APU fuel cell systems; “Hybridization” of automotive fuel cell systems; Automotive packaging
  Module 5: Modeling and Control
  Lumped vs.
  distributed; static vs. dynamic; stacks vs. systems; Case studies; Low
  level-control; Supervisory control (energy management)

Certificate Programs
Continuing Education for Industry:
Certificate in Powertrain Modeling and Control (CPMC)
Certificate in Advanced Propulsion Systems (CAPS)

• Intent: Provide focused material to industrial partners who are not interested in a degree
• Entirely by Distance Education
• Include 2-3 Graduate courses + Self-paced mini-courses
• Partners to date:
  • General Motors
  • Daimler Chrysler
  • Honda Research of America
  • Hyundai (also residence and project)

Facilities
The existing Center for Automotive Research facilities include 35,000
square feet of office and laboratory space with major research
equipment including engine, powertrain, and chassis dynamometers. Click
the "Facilities" link to learn more at CAR.