Valeo's 13 Technical Papers at SAE 2001 World Congress Present Broad Array of Cutting-Edge Technologies

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 1 Valeo, a leading supplier of
innovative components, systems, and modules for cars and trucks, will present
13 technical papers at the SAE 2001 World Congress March 5 through 8 at Cobo
Center in downtown Detroit.  The technologies range from numerical simulation
to novel uses of composite materials, magnesium casting, mechatronic
sub-modules, six sigma methodology, and others.
    "We are proud to showcase the results of our commitment to research and
development," said Edward K. Planchon, Valeo Senior Group Vice President for
North America.  "The dedication of our engineering teams, such as those
presenting at the SAE 2001 World Congress, are the primary reason that Valeo
is a leader in cutting-edge technology for the automotive industry worldwide."
    Valeo will present multiple presentations on each of the four days.
Briefly described, they are as follows:

    March 5, 1 p.m., Room DO-06 A&B: Numerical Simulation of Wiper System
Aerodynamic Behavior: by S. Jallet, D. Maubray, S. Devos, J.L. Sortais,
F. Marmonier, and Thomas Dreher of Valeo Wiper Systems.  Valeo has invested in
the CFD Fluent software package since 1996.  This paper reports the means
implemented and the results obtained during several validation campaigns for
various configurations of wiper-blades placed on a flat glass.  Described is
the calculation method, which produces numerical results close to experimental
data.  The benefits due to the software improvements since 1997 are also
estimated.

    March 5, 2:30 p.m., Room D3-16/17/18: A Novel Use of a Composite Material
to Limit the Loads in Windshield Wiper Systems: by J. Penrod, H.C. Buchanan,
and Y. Dong of Valeo Wiper Systems.  Cab forward styling designs with highly
swept windshields require longer wiper arms and blades.  This paper explains
new technology that can yield greater reliability, wipe quality, cost
improvement, and mass reduction.

    March 6, 11 a.m., Room D2-11/12: Study, Simulation and Optimization of the
Induction Heating of a Magnesium Billet Cast by the Thixomag(C) Process: by
S. Suk and P. Vars of Valeo Wiper Systems and J. Collot of Ecole National
Superierur de Mines de Paris.  Numerical simulation is now used to determine
the optimum conditions and reduce the amount of time needed for process
development.  Developmental factors include heating step, heating time,
voltage, length, and number of phases.  This paper describes how simulation
results were found to agree with experimental data.

    March 6, 11 a.m., Room W2-69: Modeling of In-Vehicle Heat Transfers Using
Zonal Approach: by D.R. Arminas, K. El-Khoury, and D. Clodic of Ecole de Mines
de Paris and C. Petitjean - Valeo Climate Control.  Heat transfers in an
automotive car cabin are represented using a geometrical and physical
simplified model.  It uses a zonal approach based on the volume split up in
small volumes.  This demonstrates surface temperatures of the car cabin,
in-vehicle air temperature at different levels, and heating or cooling
capacity needed to reach an acceptable comfort level.

    March 6, 11:30 a.m., Room D2-11/12: Study of Mechanical Properties of Both
Magnesium Alloys AZ91 and AM50 Cast by the Thixomag(C) Process Influence of
Microstructure: by B. Lisiecki and S. Suk of Valeo Wiper Systems; and
J. Collot of Ecole National Superierur de Mines de Paris.  This paper presents
the results of tensile tests carried out on magnesium standard samples, which
are cast by the Thixomag(R) process from a semi-solid state.  The process uses
a lower temperature than conventional magnesium casting methods to provide
quality, safety, and environmental benefits.

    March 6, 4 p.m., Room DO-03 C&D: E-Modularization of Rear Closures - The
Integration of the New Generation of Electrical Systems: by P. Reilhac,
J.P. Eustache, J. Leleve, and P. Bayeux of Valeo Wiper, Lighting and Security
Systems.  The characteristics of future liftgates allow the design of specific
mechatronic sub-modules (E-modules(TM)) for rear vision, rear signaling, and
rear access.  This paper presents examples of e-modules that illustrate the
potential gains in ease of assembly, packaging optimization and network
integration.

    March 7, 10:30 a.m., Room D3-20/21: HID System - Function Integration: by
C. Cros of Valeo Lighting Systems.  This paper describes the functional
integration of the high intensity discharge (HID) exterior lighting system.

    March 7, 10:30 a.m., Room DO-05 A&B: Simulation of Aerodynamic Uplift
Consequences on Pressure Repartition - Application on an Innovative Wiper
Blade Design: by P. Billot, S. Jallet, and F. Marmonier of Valeo Wiper
Systems.  Poor windshield wiping at high vehicle speed is mainly due to lack
of pressure under the blade caused by aerodynamic lift.  This paper describes
a method using aerodynamic simulation results in a mechanical calculation.
The calculation's purpose is to determine the consequences of aerodynamic
uplift on pressure repartition under a wiper blade positioned on a car
windshield.  The results of an innovative wiper blade design are then compared
to a conventional blade.

    March 7, 11 a.m., Room W2-69: Thermal Analysis of Electric Motors in
Engine Cooling Fan Systems: by T. Hong, M. Rakotovao, M. Henner, S. Moreau,
and J. Savage of Valeo Motors & Actuators.  Simulation results show that vent
flow can have a major impact on motor cooling.  A well designed vent inlet,
outlet, and vent flow passage can significantly reduce the temperature of
crucial motor parts with little additional manufacturing cost.  Thermal study
of electric engine cooling motors uses 3D CFD and conjugate heat transfer
analysis to obtain complicated airflow fields and temperature distribution
inside the motor.

    March 7, 3:30 p.m., Room DO-01 A&B: Wear Indicator for Wiper Blades: by
F. Broszniowski of Valeo Wiper Systems.  In order to track rubber wiper wear
precisely and know when the blades should be changed, Valeo developed a wear
indicator.  Through time and external stresses, the black indicator turns to
green at mid-life of the blade, yellow at end of life.

    March 7, 4 p.m., Room DO-06 A&B: Development of an Accelerated Testing
Method for Wiper Systems: by Sandrine Lesterlin of Valeo Wiper Systems.
Accelerated testing methods have been developed for wiper systems to run the
product to failure in a minimized time period and reproduce the typical life
test failures.  The increased number of test specimens allowed statistical
treatment of the results and reliability calculations.

    March 8, 9 a.m., Room W2-69: Performance Prediction of a Laminate
Evaporator with Hydrocarbon Refrigerants as Working Fluids: by G. Mathur of
Valeo Climate Control.  Mathur is one of 4 organizers of the Thermal Systems
Management sessions.

    March 8, Room DO-06 (written only, no oral presentation): Six Sigma
Quality - PDCA Methodology: by G. Michael Smith-Valeo Automotive NA.  The PDCA
(Plan, Do, Check, Act) approach was applied to determine root cause of the
variation of a hydraulic valve.  The manufacturer was able to take existing
product to new levels of performance never before experienced or anticipated.

    Valeo is focused on the design, production, and sale of components,
integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks, and ranks among the
world's top automotive suppliers.  Valeo achieved sales in 2000 of 9.1 billion
euros.  Valeo has 170 plants, 41 research and development centers, 10
distribution centers and employs 75,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.  Of
these, there are 19 plants and six research and development centers in North
America employing 12,000 people.  For further information, see http://www.valeo.com .