Numerical analyses of a hydraulic hybrid powertrain system for a transit bus

Abstract

A dynamic programming optimization algorithm has been applied on a transit bus model in MATLAB in order to assess the fuel economy improvement potential by implementing a hydraulic hybrid powertrain system. The numerical model parameters have been calibrated using experimental data obtained on a Belgrade's public transport bus. This experiment also provided the representative driving cycle on which to conduct simulation analyses. Various functional parameters of a hydraulic hybrid system have been evaluated for obtaining the best possible fuel economy. Dynamic programming optimization runs have been completed for various hydraulic accumulator sizes, preload values and accumulator foam quantities. It has been shown that a fuel economy improvement of 28% can be achieved by implementing such a system.