Performance of Ancillary Systems of 2014+ Le Mans LMP1-H Vehicles and Optimization 2015-01-1163

This study details the investigation into the hybridization of engine ancillary systems for 2014+ Le Mans LMP1-H vehicles. This was conducted in order to counteract the new strict fuel-limiting requirements governing the powertrain system employed in this type of vehicle. Dymola 1D vehicle simulation software was used to construct a rectilinear vehicle model with a map based 3.8L V8 engine and its associated ancillary systems, including oil pumps, water pump and fuel pump as well as a full kinetic energy recovery system (ERS). Appropriate validation strategy was implemented to validate the model. A validated model was used to study the difference in fuel consumption for the conventional ancillary drive off of the internal combustion engine in various situational tests and a hybrid-electric drive for driving engine ancillaries.

Investigation showed that the implementation of hybrid ancillaries in the Le Mans circuit would achieve a 40cc fuel savings per lap over the conventional ancillary system. As well as this, in a straight-line acceleration test, the hybrid ancillary-equipped vehicle model reached its maximum speed 1.1 seconds quicker than the conventional ancillary-equipped vehicle.

This paper presents the methodology followed for modelling a rectilinear vehicle system and the engine with complete ancillaries that can draw power directly from the engine or from the electric drive, the strategy implemented in the vehicle system for achieving optimum fuel economy benefit and the systematic approach followed in this work for validating the results.