The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids
Hydrostatic transmissions (HT) are widely applied to heavy-duty mobile applications because of the advantages of layout flexibility, power to weight ratio, and ease of control. Though applications of fluid power in light-duty vehicles face challenges, including the unavailability of off-the-shelf co...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/305 |
| _version_ | 1811262456654200832 |
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| author | Gianluca Marinaro Zhuangying Xu Zhengpu Chen Chenxi Li Yizhou Mao Andrea Vacca |
| author_facet | Gianluca Marinaro Zhuangying Xu Zhengpu Chen Chenxi Li Yizhou Mao Andrea Vacca |
| author_sort | Gianluca Marinaro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrostatic transmissions (HT) are widely applied to heavy-duty mobile applications because of the advantages of layout flexibility, power to weight ratio, and ease of control. Though applications of fluid power in light-duty vehicles face challenges, including the unavailability of off-the-shelf components suitable to the power scale, there are potential advantages for HTs in human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles, the most important one being the energy-saving advantage achievable through regenerative braking in a hybrid HT. This paper describes an innovative design for a hydraulic hybrid bicycle, i.e., the PurdueTracer. The PurdueTracer is an energy-efficient human-powered hydraulic bicycle with flexible operation and software aids. An open-circuit hydraulic hybrid transmission allows PurdueTracer to operate in four modes: Pedaling, Charging, Boost, and Regeneration, to satisfy users’ need for different riding occasions. An aluminum chassis that also functions as a system reservoir was customized for the PurdueTracer to optimize the durability, riding comfort, and space for components. The selection of the hydraulic components was performed by creating a model of the bicycle in AMESim simulation software and conducting a numerical optimization based on the model. The electronic system equipped users with informative feedback showing the bicycle performance, intuitive execution of functions, and comprehensive guidance for operation. This paper describes the design approach and the main results of the PurdueTracer, which also won the 2017 National Fluid Power Association Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge. This championship serves to prove the excellence of this vehicle in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, durability, and novelty. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:25:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0880225f67e344b1b317f67138b93ec9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:25:48Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-0880225f67e344b1b317f67138b93ec92022-12-22T03:19:29ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732018-01-0111230510.3390/en11020305en11020305The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software AidsGianluca Marinaro0Zhuangying Xu1Zhengpu Chen2Chenxi Li3Yizhou Mao4Andrea Vacca5Department of Industrial Engineering, University Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalySchool of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USADepartment of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USADepartment of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USASchool of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USASchool of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USAHydrostatic transmissions (HT) are widely applied to heavy-duty mobile applications because of the advantages of layout flexibility, power to weight ratio, and ease of control. Though applications of fluid power in light-duty vehicles face challenges, including the unavailability of off-the-shelf components suitable to the power scale, there are potential advantages for HTs in human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles, the most important one being the energy-saving advantage achievable through regenerative braking in a hybrid HT. This paper describes an innovative design for a hydraulic hybrid bicycle, i.e., the PurdueTracer. The PurdueTracer is an energy-efficient human-powered hydraulic bicycle with flexible operation and software aids. An open-circuit hydraulic hybrid transmission allows PurdueTracer to operate in four modes: Pedaling, Charging, Boost, and Regeneration, to satisfy users’ need for different riding occasions. An aluminum chassis that also functions as a system reservoir was customized for the PurdueTracer to optimize the durability, riding comfort, and space for components. The selection of the hydraulic components was performed by creating a model of the bicycle in AMESim simulation software and conducting a numerical optimization based on the model. The electronic system equipped users with informative feedback showing the bicycle performance, intuitive execution of functions, and comprehensive guidance for operation. This paper describes the design approach and the main results of the PurdueTracer, which also won the 2017 National Fluid Power Association Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge. This championship serves to prove the excellence of this vehicle in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, durability, and novelty.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/305hydrostatic transmissionhydraulic hybridlight-duty systemenergy recoverysoftware interfacecomputer-aided monitoringInternet of Things |
| spellingShingle | Gianluca Marinaro Zhuangying Xu Zhengpu Chen Chenxi Li Yizhou Mao Andrea Vacca The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids Energies hydrostatic transmission hydraulic hybrid light-duty system energy recovery software interface computer-aided monitoring Internet of Things |
| title | The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids |
| title_full | The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids |
| title_fullStr | The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids |
| title_full_unstemmed | The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids |
| title_short | The PurdueTracer: An Energy-Efficient Human-Powered Hydraulic Bicycle with Flexible Operation and Software Aids |
| title_sort | purduetracer an energy efficient human powered hydraulic bicycle with flexible operation and software aids |
| topic | hydrostatic transmission hydraulic hybrid light-duty system energy recovery software interface computer-aided monitoring Internet of Things |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/305 |
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