Power train design and dynamics
Research and development in this area includes the layout and design of new internal-combustion engines, their component parts and assemblies using modern CAD tools. State-of-the-art computational and experimental methods based on FEM and MBS are used to solve structural analysis, heat conduction, dynamics, electromagnetism, electrodynamics, vibration, fatigue life, etc.
Dynamic simulations are performed in the frequency or time domain, depending on the problem under investigation. In the time domain, modally reduced bodies, various rheological models of non-metallic materials, tribological models of bearings, etc. can be included. In addition to internal-combustion engines, dynamic simulations are also performed for electric motor/generator for drive systems of transport means, or their combinations with an internal-combustion engine in hybrid power units. Computational simulations are often carried out in conjunction with extensive experiments.
Experience and knowledge in this area are also supported by long-term and successful partnerships with power train manufacturers, cooperation with software developers for the automotive industry and international university cooperation.
Although the largest volume of research belongs to vehicle power train, attention is also paid to aviation applications. The goal of research and development is modern power train with high efficiency and durability, low weight and low noise and vibration levels. Knowledge gained through research in this area is immediately used in teaching.
Contact
Projects
Božek Vehicle Engineering National Center of Competence (BOVENAC)
Josef Bozek National Center of Competence for Surface Vehicles
Main products
The new ICE for newly industrialized markets
Internal-combustion engine concept for a hybrid power unit
Crankshaft of an engine-generator
Piston assembly of an engine-generator
Balancing unit of a special three-cylinder engine
Crankshaft of an aircraft twin-cylinder engine
Torsional damper of a special three-cylinder engine
Topics of doctoral theses
Dynamics of hybrid power units with a cylinder deactivation system
Crank train with high mechanical efficiency
Selected publications
FRIDRICHOVÁ, Kateřina; DRÁPAL, Lubomír; RAFFAI, Peter; BÖHM, Michael. Comparative study of engine dynamics for rolling and selective cylinder deactivation. Energy. Online. Vol. 303 (2024), published 15 September 2024, p. 1–12. ISSN 1873-6785. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131946. [viewed 2027-07-31].
FRIDRICHOVÁ, Kateřina; DRÁPAL, Lubomír; VOPAŘIL, Jan; DLUGOŠ, Jozef. Overview of the potential and limitations of cylinder deactivation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Online. Vol. 146 (2021), iss. 8, p. 1–15. ISSN: 1364-0321. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111196. [viewed 2027-07-31].
DRÁPAL, Lubomír; NOVOTNÝ, Pavel. Torsional vibration analysis of crank train with low friction losses. Journal of Vibroengineering. Online. Vol. 19 (2017), iss. 8, p. 5691–5701. ISSN 1392-8716. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21595/jve.2017.17876. [viewed 2027-07-31].
ŠKODA AUTO. Klikový hřídel spalovacího motoru a způsob výroby klikového hřídele. Inventors: KUBÍČEK, Jiří; DRÁPAL, Lubomír; SLOVÁK, Marek; BRANKOV, Ivaylo. 12 April 2019. Appl.: 23. June 2021. Int. Cl.: F16C3/10, F16C3/14, F16C3/22, B21D51/16, B21D13/02. CZ Patent Specification 308882B6. Available from: https://isdv.upv.cz/doc/FullFiles/Patents/FullDocuments/308/308882.pdf. [viewed 2027-07-31].
ŠKODA AUTO. Klikový hřídel spalovacího motoru a způsob výroby klikového hřídele. Inventors: KUBÍČEK, Jiří; DRÁPAL, Lubomír; SLOVÁK, Marek; BRANKOV, Ivaylo. 12 April 2019. Appl.: 23. June 2021. Int. Cl.: F16C3/10, F16C3/14, F16C3/22, B21D51/16, B21D13/02. CZ Patent Specification 308883B6. Available from: https://isdv.upv.cz/doc/FullFiles/Patents/FullDocuments/308/308883.pdf. [viewed 2027-07-31].
R&D partners
Examples of R&D results
Hybrid power train with a cylinder deactivation system
Advantageous synergy of cylinder deactivation system and electric motor/generator – reduction of vibration and fuel consumption
Selective and rolling cylinder deactivation
Thermodynamic simulations
Electromagnetic simulations
Crank train dynamics involving a belt drive and an electric motor/generator
Fatigue life
Evaluation of experiments, etc.
Four-cylinder engine with high mechanical efficiency
Laser welded crankshaft
Crank train layout, design, structural analysis, fatigue life and dynamics
Friction losses
Hybrid-mounted crankshaft to engine block
Parametric studies
Analysis of internal moments of inertial effects
Torsional damper design and simulations
Evaluation of experiments, etc.
Three-cylinder engine with a new cylinder unit
Market research
Crank train layout, design, structural analysis, fatigue life and dynamics
Friction losses
Parametric studied, connection the engine to the dynamometer
Crank train balancing
Valve train
Thermodynamic simulations
Drawing documentation
Evaluation of experiments, etc.
Twin-cylinder range extender engine
Market research
Layout, design, structural analysis and dynamics
Crank train balancing
Valve train
Thermodynamic simulations
Drawing documentation
Evaluation of experiments, etc.
Three-cylinder engine with uneven firing intervals
Uneven firing intervals due to engine acoustics
Crank train layout, design and dynamics
Crank train balancing and parametric studies
Torsional damper design and simulations
Evaluation of experiments
Inverted aircraft four-cylinder engine
Design and technology upgrade
Crank train, valve train
Design, dynamics and fatigue life
Thermodynamic simulations
Cylinder head
Evaluation of experiments
Two-stroke aircraft engine with opposed pistons
rank train and gear train – design, dynamics, fatigue life
Design and structural analysis of piston rings
Revision and upgrade of the engine design
Two-stroke aeromodelling engine
F3D class of Radio Control pylon racing
Crank train design and balancing
Parametric studies
Design and dynamics of a glow plug
Tractor three-cylinder engine
Crank train balancing (for heavy terrain operation)
Crank train dynamic simulations and fatigue life
Racing personal watercraft engine
Thermodynamic simulations
Crank train design and balancing
Crankshaft fatigue life
