Optimal energy management strategy for hybrid electric tracked vehicles

A Dynamic Programming (DP) technique is used to design an optimal power distribution energy management strategy between the diesel engine-generator and traction battery for a hybrid electric tracked vehicle. A mathematical model incorporating the vehicle's dynamics, driving schedule data from the field tests and powertrain is developed. A control strategy based on the passive power covering concept is initially designed. An optimal one is then designed through the DP approach and DP-based battery sizing is properly adopted. The performance of the new control strategy is tested through simulations. Significant fuel economy improvement is observed.