Because of the constantly changing demands of customers and governments,
and the development of new technologies, numerous automotive engineers
are performing research on the improvement of power trains.
Some recent developments
are: Hybrid vehicles, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and
Automated Manual Transmissions (AMT).
If you would like to graduate
in the research field of Power Trains, you will be part of in-depth
research concerning CVT-technology, CVT-equipped power trains, hybrid
vehicles and automated manual transmissions. Master's projects can be
performed at an automotive company or at the university.
Research in the field of power trains is divided
in two streams:
Component
Research
This research stream focuses on the application of the latest technologies
and methods to characterize power train subsystems and subsequently
improve these systems.
Students who perform component
research are mainly concerned with the making and testing of innovative
designs, the development of motion control systems and application of
these technologies within prototype vehicles.
System
Research
The results of the component research stream have to be implemented
and validated by application in such a way that the vehicle is functioning
optimally.
Knowledge of interaction between
the several subsystems, the driver and influences from the surroundings
is required to come to an optimal performance. Students create new system-layouts
and perform simulations. When the design is fulfilling the requirements,
a prototype of the power train is built and implemented in a vehicle
or test-rig to analyse its performance.
"Testimonial
of a student from the field Power Trains”
