Visiting Researcher Seminar: Bobbie Frank, Lund University – Lund, Sweden / Volvo Construction Equipment – Eskilstuna, Sweden
All dates for this event occur in the past.
The transition towards autonomy, via automatic functions and operator assist systems, in working machines is ongoing and inevitable, due to the high potential in reducing the total cost of ownership. There are many challenges left to solve in automation of working machines solutions and much effort is put on automatic functions and human-machine interface. However as fossil fuel reduction and lower environmental impact continues to gain importance for both consumers and manufacturers of construction equipment, it becomes more critical to have fuel efficient algorithms also in operator assist systems, automatic functions and autonomous machines, and not only have a fuel efficient standard machine. Bobbie Frank’s research interest is in optimal control strategies for Diesel-Electric Hybrid construction machines, especially for real time application and fuel efficiency.
Evaluation of new construction machine concepts is usually done through simulation or calculation as a first step in the research and development process. Simulations are often based on measurements on conventional machine and rough control strategies are typically done by the simulation engineer, seldom involving someone with solid control engineering background.
The research contribution of Bobbie Frank lies in a concept evaluation and system optimization tool, based on the optimal control method dynamic programming for a complete wheel loader work cycle. This means that the most fuel-efficient way to operate any given wheel loader concept can be calculated, at any given productivity. Using the proposed method, concept evaluations between completely new machine concepts, and system optimization of any specific new machine concept, can be performed unbiased from control engineer experience and effort.
About Bobbie Frank:
Master degree in engineering physics from Lund University. Working at Volvo construction Equipment since 2007. Working with simulation, new machine concept evaluation, complete machine system design, component design, complete machine and subsystem control, operator deviation and customer understanding. Part time industrial PhD at Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation (IEA), Lund University since 2008, planned dissertation 2017.
Lunch will be served from noon-12:30 p.m.
Seminar begins at 12:30 p.m. at 930 Kinnear Rd, CAR Classroom