Design and Process Engineering
· Designing, construction, calculation, technology of manufacturing, technical preparation of manufacturing including assembly and testing,
· Thermal and nuclear power plant devices such as steam and combustion turbines, steam generators, steam power plants and heating plants including nuclear power stations, industrial power engineering and their environmental aspects,
· Water turbines, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic pumps, piping systems, hydroelectric power plants, and pumping stations,
· Machinary and devices for chemical industry, food-stuff industry, and biotechnological treatment lines,
· Construction, modelling and theoretical studies of machines and devices for cutting, forming machines, industrial robots, and manipulators,
· Machine parts and mechanisms, methodology of designing machine elements and working mechanisms of general application with consideration of stochastic qualities of inputs, including the application of special types of machines and devices,
· Cars, vans and lorries, buses, trailers, semi-trailers, and motorcycles,
· Combustion engines for all types of vehicle drives, simulation of combustion engine thermomechanical systems, dynamics of driving gear, engine accessories, ecology,
· Machines and devices for in-plant handling of material and handling between operations, for the mining and transport of building materials, for passenger conveyance in buildings,
· Aerodynamic calculation and designing, flight mechanics, fatigue and durability of aircraft constructions, aeroelasticity of aircraft,
· Quality of machine industry production.

prof. Ing. Václav Píštěk, DrSc.

1. Advanced Approaches of Cranktrain Dynamics Solution

   The aim of the dissertation is research and development of suitable computational approaches for a solution of cranktrain dynamics with main focus on piston assembly dynamics. The methods are based on an application of virtual prototypes and they are specified as modular structure. The solution will be coordinated with a close cooperation of the final car manufacturer. Results verification of the calculation models will be carried out at the industry partner laboratories and in the laboratories of the Institute of Automotive Engineering. In the course of study is considered a long-term residency abroad (FEV, AVL, Ricardo, O-v-G Magdeburg or MAGNA Steyr).

   Supervisor: Novotný Pavel, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Computational Modelling of Powertrain Dynamics

   The aim of the dissertation is research and development of suitable computational approaches for a solution of powertrain dynamics with main focus powertrain components interactions. The methods are based on an application of virtual prototypes and they are specified as modular structure. The solution will be coordinated with a close cooperation of the final car manufacturer. Results verification of the calculation models will be carried out at the industry partner laboratories and in the laboratories of the Institute of Automotive Engineering. In the course of study is considered a long-term residency abroad (FEV, AVL, Ricardo, O-v-G Magdeburg or MAGNA Steyr).

   Supervisor: Novotný Pavel, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Flows of non-homogeneous materials in conveying troughs and slip ways

   Laboratory research of flows of non-homogeneous materials inclusive of creation theoretical models with the aim to optimize designs of conveying troughs and slip ways for non-homogeneous materials. Suitable corrections for applying theoretical physical descriptions and empirical descriptions in the technical practice.

   Supervisor: Malášek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Flows of non-homogeneous materials out of storage tanks

   Laboratory research of flows of non-homogeneous materials inclusive of creation theoretical models with the aim to optimize designs of bin gates of silos and tanks. Suitable corrections for applying theoretical physical descriptions and empirical descriptions in the technical practice.

   Supervisor: Malášek Jiří, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Model predictions of exhaust temperature at the outlet of the turbocharger

   The development of mathematical models for the prediction method of exhaust temperature at the outlet of the turbocharger on the basis of heat balance in consideration of the majority of losses (mechanical, thermal, ...) for the entire range of operating modes turbocharger. The simulation model will be calibrated based on experimental measurements of temperatures.

   Supervisor: Štětina Josef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Optimization of production logistics using the stable production concept

   One of the prerequisites for rationalization of the mass production of cars as well as cost reduction of final products is the optimization of production program stability. This can be accomplished by finding an optimum of two opposing production impacts. In terms of costs reduction, the optimal model represents production of one car version for as long period of time as possible (stability of the production program). Regarding production flexibility (prompt reaction on sale), various versions of a car type are being produced in one production flow. The aim of this work is carrying out an analysis of the production programme including its influence on stock control and concepts of material distribution to the production lines. The current level of reliability as well as continuity of supplying the production lines by material should be preserved. It is expected that some conceptual models, created in Plant Simulation and other tools (Ave Sim, Matlab), will be created, analysed and subsequently verified.

   Supervisor: Škopán Miroslav, doc. Ing., CSc.

7. Simulation of moving force effects on frames of mobile machines

   The paper would be about research of simulation and analysis of moving force effects on frames of transport and handling equipment. The work will be aimed at conception on simulation the moving loads effects acting on frames of mobile machines. Research will focus on identifying emerging burden especially for construction and forestry mobile equipment. In the experimental part will be selected mainly on verification of the proposed models.

   Supervisor: Škopán Miroslav, doc. Ing., CSc.

8. Torque vectoring differentials for commercial vehicles

   Commercial vehicles are operated with a large load range. Vehicles are operated as fully loaded as well as empty. This results in significant changes in vehicle handling. One way to partially eliminate this problem is to use torque vectoring differential and regulate the distribution of drive forces between the wheels. This solution is already being successfully used in passenger cars and SUV vehicles. This type of differential has not been used yet for heavy duty vehicles. The subject of the dissertation research is use of this type of differential in order to improve handling of commercial vehicles.

   Supervisor: Kaplan Zdeněk, doc. Ing., CSc.

9. Use of Active Aerodynamic System to Improve Vehicle Handling

   One of the fundamental aims of car manufacturers is to improve the active safety, as the number of car accidents has a wide-ranging impact on the society. Active aerodynamic systems are used to lower the vehicle’s drag force and improve its aerodynamic parameters at high speeds. The utilization of active aerodynamic systems as an element that adjusts its settings according to the actual situation during critical driving manoeuvres, however, hasn’t received a lot of attention to this time. The subject of doctoral thesis is the research and development in the area of active aerodynamic elements. It encompasses the use of numerical methods such as CFD, FEM and MBS and also the design and realisation of an experimental vehicle equipped with active aerodynamic features. Proposed activities will result in active aerodynamic elements being featured in the entire vehicle system, where they can utilize their potential to positively influence the vehicle driveability particularly at high speeds and help the other “Driver Assistance“ systems to prevent the occurrence of an accident. The evaluation of experimental vehicle’s function will be conducted in the laboratories of Institute of Automotive Engineering and computational models will be verified on specialized facilities of industry companies (wind tunnel, proving ground). During the studies, a long-term student placement in a foreign country is anticipated (e.g. FEV Aachen Germany, AVL Graz Austria, Ricardo Shoreham UK, O-v-G Magdeburg Germany or MAGNA Steyr Austria).

   Supervisor: Kaplan Zdeněk, doc. Ing., CSc.

10. Vehicle Ride Comfort

    Vehicle ride comfort is one of the fundamental parts of active safety. During contemporary vehicle development, the ride quality is still being assessed predominantly using subjective ratings. Car manufacturers, however, show ever higher interest in objectivization of ride comfort tests and also in obtaining simulation tools which would be able to determine quantities that define ride comfort already in early phases of vehicle development. The subject of doctoral thesis is therefore the development of advanced vehicle models based on FEM and MBS. The solution will make use of commercially available MBS and FEM software, while possible control elements of suspension systems can be designed in the Matlab Simulink software environment. Appropriate mathematical solutions which ensure the interconnection between subjective and objective evaluations of vehicle ride comfort and their solid correlation will be sought. Designated activities will lead to the fact that vehicles developed in the future will demonstrate desired functional properties already in the phases of first prototypes. This will significantly reduce both the expenses needed for complex technical experiments and the time elapsed between first conceptional designs and the final product. It will also provide the estimation of future subjective ratings of end users during the development phase. The evaluation of computational models will be conducted in the laboratories of Institute of Automotive Engineering. During the studies, a long-term student placement in a foreign country is anticipated (e.g. FEV Aachen Germany, AVL Graz Austria, Ricardo Shoreham UK, O-v-G Magdeburg Germany or MAGNA Steyr Austria).

    Supervisor: Kaplan Zdeněk, doc. Ing., CSc.