Formula Hybrid is a design and engineering challenge for undergraduate and graduate college and university students. Started at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the competition is a spinoff of the Formula SAE competition based on hybrid vehicle technology. They must design, build, and compete an open-wheel, single-seat race car. This car must conform to a formula which emphasizes drive train innovation and fuel efficiency in a high-performance application.
The contest are held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, New Hampshire. It was founded in 2006. In 2013, an all-electric category was added.
The Formula Hybrid student automotive design competition encourages the development of hybrid automotive drive trains with an emphasis on efficiency in a high-performance application. Improved efficiency in an automotive drive system can be used to increase fuel economy, performance, or both. Building on the Formula SAE program, Formula Hybrid adds an extra level of complexity: fuel efficiency.
Like Formula SAE events, the Hybrid competition includes an acceleration test, autocross and endurance events, as well as engineering and construction static events. Unlike Formula SAE, Formula Hybrid events put a greater emphasis on drive train innovation and fuel efficiency.
Formula SAE Hybrid rules
For the Formula Hybrid competition conducted in 2007 and 2008, the Formula SAE rules for each of these years were utilized for the construction of the car, with the addition of Hybrid specific rules specifying the type of fuel and the hybrid definitions. Also defined are details of a competitor car that might be in the developmental stage defined as ‘Hybrid-in-Progress’ car. A 'Hybrid-in-Progress' is an all-electric car, under the idea that next year the car will be upgraded to a full hybrid powertrain.
The difference noted in the rules state that a ‘hybrid’ Formula car must complete a 75-meter acceleration run in electric-only mode in less than 10 seconds. In terms of the engine capacities for the internal combustion engine, 250cc spark ignition engine or a 310cc diesel engine can be used.
Starting in 2009, the Formula Hybrid rules stood alone as a complete document, incorporating the necessary car construction and safety rules from the Formula SAE rulebook. One large change for 2009 was the fuel allotment. In 2007–2008, teams were given an allotment to cover the entire event. In 2009, this allotment was smaller, but was only applied to the endurance event. Teams were free to use as much fuel as needed for the other events, provided the car was filled by event officials.
Winners
Competition events
Acceleration runs
The acceleration is a test of the engines, motors, and vehicle weight; It is also a test of how efficiently the team achieve the coupling of the electrical and mechanical power-train systems. The acceleration runs are broken down to two different categories - the fully electric acceleration run and the unrestricted acceleration run. In the fully electric acceleration run the team are only allowed to utilize the power delivered by the electric system i.e., the accumulator pack (batteries or capacitors) and electric motor system. In unlimited acceleration, the teams are free to use any system (or combination of systems) they wish.
Autocross event
The autocross event involves an open loop circuit designed with chicanes, speed traps and slaloms. In 2007, the autocross competition was held in the parking lot next to the Turn 1 grandstands. In 2008 and 2009, the autocross competition was on a circuit built on the NASCAR oval track on turn 4. The competition event is designed to test the ability of the car to go around the circuit at maximum speed and drive around the tight bends and turns. The objective of the competition is to set the fastest time from the starting point and the ending point of the circuit. As with Formula SAE, the course is marked with orange traffic cones. Hitting a cone incurs a 2 sec penalty, while failure to follow the course results in a 20 sec penalty.
