Design & analysis of a tensioner for a Belt-driven Integrated Starter-generator system of micro-hybrid vehicles

The thesis presents the design and analysis of a Twin Tensioner for a Belt-driven Integrated Starter-generator (B-ISG) system. The B-ISG is an emerging hybrid transmission closely resembling conventional serpentine belt drives. Models of the B-ISG system's geometric properties and dynamic and static states are derived and simulated. The objective is to reduce the magnitudes of static tension in the belt for the ISG-driving phase. A literature review of hybrid systems, serpentine belt drive modeling and automotive tensioners is included. A parametric study evaluates tensioner parameters with respect to their impact on static tensions. Design variables are selected from these for an optimization study. The optimization uses a genetic algorithm (GA) and a hybrid GA. Results of the optimization indicate the optimal system contains spans with static tensions that are significantly lower in magnitude than that of the original design. Implications of the research on future work are discussed in closing.