Darrell L. Robinette

Contact

dlrobine@mtu.edu
906-487-2764
MEEM 1020A

Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
SAE-GM Autodrive Challenge II Co-advisor
Area Director, Design/Dynamic Systems

PhD, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Biography

Darrell joined the MEEM department in August of 2016 after nine years at General Motors working in the Powertrain division. Engineering roles included powertrain noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), powertrain controls, calibration, development and validation and new electrification product engineering. Darrell holds 15 granted US patents in powertrain and driveline engineering from his time at GM.

In returning to Michigan Tech, Darrell’s objectives are to educate and train engineering students for careers in propulsion system engineering through courses and research in mobility systems electrification, propulsion system integration and connected and automated vehicle controls and optimization for energy consumption.

Darrell’s funded research projects from industry and federal agencies include:

General Motors - Torque Converter and Automatic Transmission dynamic testing and simulation
Ford Motor Company - Torque Converter and Driveline transient NVH
Dept. of Energy - Various, connected and automated vehicle optimization, heavy duty off-road electrification
ARPA-E - NEXTCAR I and II programs for connected and automated vehicles

Areas of Expertise

Electrification of Mobility Systems
Connected and Automated Vehicles
Automatic Transmissions
Torque Converter and Clutch Dynamics

Research Interests

Powertrain and propulsion system electrification
Connected and Automated Vehicle optimal control for energy
Multi-speed transmission powerflow synthesis
Drivetrain dynamics and NVH
Torque converters and clutch systems

Publications

De Jesus Rivera, E., Robinette, Darrell, Blough, Jason R., Anderson, Carl L., Frait, S., "Systematic CFD Parameter Approach to Improve Torque Converter Simulation," SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars – Mechanical Systems, Vol. 12, No. 2, Apr 2019, pp. 99-109. DOI:10.4271/06-12-02-0008.
Barik, Biswajit, Bhat, Pradeep K., Oncken, Joseph, Chen, Bo, Orlando, Joshua, Robinette, Darrell, "Optimal Velocity Prediction for Fuel Economy Improvement of Connected Vehicles," IET Intelligent Transport Systems, Vol. 12, No. 10, Dec 2018, pp. 1329 – 1335. DOI:10.1049/iet-its.2018.5110
Robinette, D. and Singh, T., "Internal Combustion Engine - Automatic Transmission Matching for Next Generation Power Transfer Technology Development in Automotive Applications," SAE Int. J. Engines 9(3):2016, doi:10.4271/2016-01-1099.
Robinette, D. and Wehrwein, D., "Automatic Transmission Gear Ratio Optimization and Monte Carlo Simulation of Fuel Consumption with Parasitic Loss Uncertainty," SAE Int. J. Commer. Veh. 8(1):2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-1145.
Robinette, D., Gibson, G., Szpara, D., and Tehansky, E., "Performance Characterization of Automatic Transmission Upshifts with Reduced Shift Times," SAE Int. J. Engines 8(3):2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-1086.
Robinette, D., "A Two Degree of Freedom, Lumped Inertia Model for Automatic Transmission Clutch-to-Clutch Shift Dynamics," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars - Mech. Syst. 7(3), 2014.
Robinette, D., "A DFSS Approach to Determine Automatic Transmission Gearing Content for Powertrain-Vehicle System Integration," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars - Mech. Syst. 7(3), 2014.
Robinette, D., "Performance Characterization of a Triple Input Clutch, Layshaft Automatic Transmission Using Energy Analysis," SAE Int. J. Engines 6(4):1984-1994, 2013.
Robinette, D., Anderson, C. and Blough, J., “Development of a Dimensionless Model for Predicting Onset of Cavitation in Torque Converters”, New Advances in Vehicular Technology and Automotive Engineering, InTech, ISBN 979-953-307-838-9, July 2012.
Robinette, D., Grimmer, M., and Beikmann, R., "Dynamic Torque Characteristics of the Hydrodynamic Torque Converter," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars – Mech. Syst. 4(2):1023-1032, 2011.
Robinette, D. and Powell, M., "Optimizing 12 Volt Start - Stop for Conventional Powertrains," SAE Int. J. Engines 4(1):850-860, 2011.
Robinette, D., Grimmer, M., Horgan, J., Kennell, J. et al., "Torque Converter Clutch Optimization: Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing Noise and Vibration," SAE Int. J. Engines 4(1):94-105, 2011.
Robinette, D., Beikmann, R., Piorkowski, P., and Powell, M., "Characterizing the Onset of Manual Transmission Gear Rattle Part I: Experimental Results," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars - Mech. Syst. 2(1):1352-1364, 2009.
Robinette, D., Beikmann, R., Piorkowski, P., and Powell, M., "Characterizing the Onset of Manual Transmission Gear Rattle Part II: Analytical Results," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars - Mech. Syst. 2(1):1365-1376, 2009.
Robinette, D., Schweitzer, J., Maddock D., Anderson, C., Blough, J., and Johnson, M., “Predicting the Onset of Cavitation in Automotive Torque Converters Part I: Designs with Geometric Similitude,” International Journal of Rotating Machinery, Vol. 2008.
Robinette, D., Schweitzer, J., Maddock D., Anderson, C., Blough, J., and Johnson, M., “Predicting the Onset of Cavitation in Automotive Torque Converters Part II: A Generalized Model”, International Journal of Rotating Machinery, Vol. 2008.
Robinette, D., Anderson, C., Blough, J., Johnson, M., Maddock D. and Schweitzer, J., “Characterizing the Effect of Torque Converter Design Parameters on the Onset of Cavitation at Stall”, SAE Transactions J. of Passeng. Cars – Mech. Syst., Vol 116:1735-1746, 2007.

Conference Proceedings

Robinette, D. and Blough, J. “Transient Heat Transfer and Energy Balance Model for Hydrodynamic Torque Converters While Operating at Extreme Speed Ratios”, ISROMAC 16, Honolulu, HI, April 2016.
Robinette, D. and Skrzycke, T., "A Dual Clutch Torque Converter for Dual Input Shaft Transmissions," SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-0232, 2013.
Robinette, D., Grimmer, M., and Beikmann, R., "Determining Physical Properties for Rotating Components Using a Free-Free Torsional FRF Technique," SAE Technical Paper 2011-01-1663, 2011.

Presentations

Robinette, D. “Next Generation RWD Transmission With Integrated Electrification,” 10th Car Training Institute (CTI) Symposium – Automatic Transmissions, HEV and EV Drives, Novi, MI, May 2016.
Robinette, D. and Wehrwein, D., “Automatic Transmission Technology Selection Using Energy Analysis,” 9th Car Training Institute (CTI) Symposium – Automatic Transmissions, HEV and EV Drives, Novi, MI, May 2015.
Robinette, D. and Wehrwein, D., “Utilizing Energy Analysis Methods to Select Transmission Technologies and Optimize Powertrain-Vehicle System Fuel Consumption,” 2014 SAE Int. Transmission and AWD Symposium, Plymouth, MI, October 2014.
Robinette, D., Schweitzer, J., Maddock D., Anderson, C., Blough, J., and Johnson, M., “Development of a Model to Predict the Onset of Cavitation in Automotive Torque Converters,” 2nd Car Training Institute (CTI) Transmission Symposium, Novi, MI, May 2008.

Patents

Triple Input Clutch Transmission, General Motors Company – Patent Granted July 5, 2016, US 9382975 B2
Transmission Clutch Control Using Lumped Inertia Modeling, General Motors Company – Patent Granted March 10, 2015, US 8977457 B2
Mechanism to Reduce Powertrain Rigid Body Motion During Start/Stop, General Motors Company – Patent Granted December 16, 2014, US 8910607 B2
Multiple Gear Ratio Starter Motor, General Motors Company – Patent Granted September 9, 2014, US 8826878 B2
Nine Speed Dual Clutch Transmission, General Motors Company – Patent Granted March 11, 2014, US 8668616 B2
Torque Transmission Assembly with Clutches, General Motors Company – Patent Granted January 21, 2014, US 8631918 B2
Torque Splitting Torque Converter Assembly, General Motors Company – Patent Granted January 14, 2014, US 8628441 B2
Variable Ratio Powersplit Hybrid Transmission, General Motors Company – Patent Granted November 19, 2013, US 8585521 B2
Multi-Speed Hybrid Powertrain with Series and Parallel Operating Modes, General Motors Company – Patent Granted September 10, 2013, US 8532858 B1
Variable Ratio Power-split Hybrid Transmission, General Motors Company – Patent Granted July 16, 2013, US 8485930 B2
Single Mode Compound Powersplit Hybrid Drive Unit, General Motors Company – Patent Granted Nov 27, 2012, US 8317648 B2
Multi-stage Propeller Shaft Damper for Variable Cylinder Engines, General Motors Company Patent – Patent Granted Sept 4, 2012, US 8256562 B2