Vehicular Systems

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Vehicular Systems
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Definition

• Vehicular Systems are a collection of separate
  systems that allow the machine to move through
  its environment safely and efficiently.

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Components of a Vehicular System

• Propulsion Systems
• Guidance Systems
• Control Systems
• Suspension Systems
• Structural Systems
• Support Systems

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Propulsion Systems

• Definition - The component of a vehicular system
  that produces the power needed to move a vehicle.
• Two types
• Engine - Device that converts heat energy into
  mechanical energy.
• Motor - Produces mechanical energy by converting
  electrical energy.

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Engines

• Piston Engines - An engine that produces heat by
  compressing and igniting a mixture of air and
  fuel.
• Jet Engine - An engine that uses spinning
  turbines to compress air
• Rocket Engines - An engine that produces thrust
  by expelling hot gases from a rear nozzle.

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Motors

• Motors use either direct electricity or energy
  stored in batteries.
• Ex. Golf Carts, Bumper cars, light rail trains,
  and electric cars.

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Guidance Systems

• Definition - System that provides the information
  required to make a vehicle follow a particular
  path or perform a certain task.
• Ex. Street signs, road maps, radio detecting and
  ranging screens (Radar), airport runway lights.

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Guidance Systems

• Navigation - the act of guiding a vehicle.
  Usually referring to a ship or airplane.
• Must know location, direction and speed.
• Compass was the first device to determine
  direction.
• GPS Systems of today can determine location,
  direction and speed.

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Control Systems

• Used to control a vehicles direction and speed
• Steering wheels, flight sticks and pedals, hand
  controllers are all control systems.
• Different vehicles have different abilities
  regarding the number of directions in which they
  can be controlled

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Control Systems

• Degree of Freedom - The number of changes in
  direction a vehicle is allowed. (Forward/Reverse,
  Right/Left, Up/Down)
• Ex. Train - 1 degree of freedom
• Helicopter - 3 degrees of freedom

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Suspension Systems

• Definition - The vehicle system that supports or
  suspends the vehicle in or on its given
  environment, providing a method to smooth the
  ride for passengers and cargo.
• Ex. Cars and trucks use tires, springs and shocks
  to provide a comfortable ride.

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Other Suspension systems

• Trains use trucks or bogies that are positioned
  at the front and rear of the railroad car.
• Magnetic Levitation vehicles are suspended from a
  guide way by a magnetic field.

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Structural Systems

• The part of the vehicle that holds other
  vehicular systems and the loads they will carry.
• Protects passengers from the environment or
  hazards of travel.
• Ex. Rain, Hail, Heat or Cold, Accidents

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Structural Systems

• Made up of a frame and body.
• Usually made of steel or other metal alloys
• Plastics and composite materials have also been
  used to save weight and enhance appearance.

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Support Systems

• Definition The external operations and
  facilities that maintain transportation systems.
• Ex. Roadways, Airports, Harbors, Maintenance,
  Rest stops, etc.
• Support systems include all the parts of society
  devoted to sustaining transportation technology
  and the ability of people to use it.