Brian Joseph Robert

Computational methods for the optimisation and design of electromechanical vehicle systems

The development of advanced electromechanical vehicle systems requires the consideration of multiple physical processes including electromagnetics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and structural mechanics. Accordingly, this paper presents a suite of simulation, optimisation, and design strategies that may be applied to the research and development of modern electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. These computational methods are illustrated through three examples that involve electric motors and electronic systems. Two and three-dimensional topology optimisation studies, parametric geometry sweeps, and multi-scale models are shown to inform unique designs prior to the fabrication and testing of advanced prototypes. It is expected that such computational techniques will have a significant impact on the development of highly efficient future ground transportation systems.

External short circuit fault diagnosis for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, a diagnostic method for identifying an external short circuit (ESC) fault for a lithium-ion battery is developed based upon active characterization experiments and online validation. The proposed method examines three criteria: voltage variation, current variation and temperature change rate. These criteria can be used to identify the fault independent of the battery state of charge (SoC) when an ESC fault occurs. Experimental results are presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed diagnostic method.

Multiple cell lithium-ion battery system electric fault online diagnostics

This paper introduces an integrated online electrical safety diagnostic algorithm for lithium-ion battery systems, which includes the detection of over charge, over discharge, external short circuit and internal short circuit faults. Experiments were conducted for each fault and the safety criteria, presented by a combination of voltage, current and temperature, were built according to empirical results. Based on the criteria, an integrated electrical fault diagnostic algorithm is proposed. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is effective and robust at detecting and distinguishing electric faults for multiple cell battery arrangements online.