Evaluating the engine’s efficiency after converting an internal
combustion engine into an advanced high-performance Serial/Parallel hybrid powertrain

Eng. Vajidullah Molvizadah

Graduate student in Industrial Technology

Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

California State University, Fresno

Fresno, California, United States of America

vajidullah@mail.fresnostate.edu

Dr. Athanasios "Alex" Alexandrou

Professor and Project Supervisor

Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

California State University, Fresno

Fresno, California, United States of America

aalexandrou@csufresno.edu

Evaluating the engine’s efficiency after converting an internal
combustion engine into an advanced high-performance Serial/Parallel hybrid powertrain

Authors and Affiliations

Vajidullah Molvizadah

Student project

vajidullah@mail.fresnostate.edu

Abstract

This project will explore the theory and application of converting a traditional 4-stroke Otto cycle internal combustion engine into an advanced high-performance Serial / Parallel hybrid powertrain. A commercial off-the-shelf Permanent Magnet electric motor will be coupled directly to the front of the engine. This design will allow the electric motor to act as an electric supercharger to aid in vehicle acceleration during high loads, charge the HV (High Voltage) battery under deceleration (battery regen) and will provide advanced "Stop - Start" technology that will conserve fuel while the vehicle is at rest (stoplights). Along with mechanical knowledge, this project will also require electrical knowledge - safe practices around High-voltage (300v) battery packs, deep understanding of "Serial" and "Parallel" battery module orientation and their effect of voltage and amperage flow, high amperage connection requirements, low-voltage circuit wiring to monitor electricity usage.

The innovative part about this project is that we are attempting to make a 600+ horsepower "Prius" engine using parts from eBay and the local automotive dismantling yard. Outside of multi-million-dollar hyper cars such as the McLaren "P1", Ferrari "LaFerrari", Koenigsegg "Regera" this type of hybrid powertrain has never been attempted.

 Primary components for the system:

• Air-cooled, 150kW three-phase PM brushless synchronous motor and matching motor controller from Danfoss ("UQM-Danfoss PPHD 250(+) Motor & Controller". EV Source, 2022).
• Battery pack consists of 84 Panasonic lithium ion “prismatic” cells totaling 7.6kW/h (Energy.Gov, 2022).
• 5.3 Liter "LM7" V8 engine from a 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 - engine is a Gen3 small block and part of the legendary "LS" engine family
• First of its kind Motor / Engine coupler mounting system
• Orion BMS based charge control and monitoring system
• Raspberry Pi (RPi) can be used as an engine / motor system monitor via CANbus

Biography

Eng. Vajidullah Molvizadah is currently an international graduate student in Industrial Technology at California State University, Fresno with ongoing project of converting a gasoline engine into a hybrid. Furthermore, I got my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, hence, I choose Hybrid-Miata project, I know it is a lengthy project but something worth trying.

Dr. Athanasios "Alex" Alexandrou is a Professor at Industrial Technology department at California State University, Fresno with courses taught in Fundamentals of Citrus Processing Lines (IT 105), Industrial Process Control Systems II (IT 133), Automated Systems II (IT 156), Technical Topics in Industrial Technology (IT 191T), Cooperative Education in Industrial Technology (IT 194I), and Senior Seminar (IT 196).