Automotive
Research Laboratory
Department
of Mechanical Engineering
G01D
and 257 Fluor Daniel Engineering Innovation Building
Facilities:
The Automotive
Research Laboratory has over 300 sq ft of floor space supporting research on
internal combustion engines, automotive steering systems, and electro-hydraulic
systems. The Automotive Cells have the following equipment available to support
research: SuperFlow 901 engine dynamometer, International Dyno Corporation
Model 500 dynamometer, Electro-Mechanical Micro-Dyn 35 dynamometer, Interro
Systems emission gas analyzer, assorted engines (3.8L V6, 4.6L V8, Kohler
674cc, Briggs & Stratton 627cc, Two Stroke), scale thermal test stand,
Motec M48 development controller, production controllers, various Omega
sensors, and assorted engine sensors and actuators. The Steer-by-Wire Station
features a multi-functional rack and pinion steering system for
hardware-in-the-loop testing and driving simulator studies. The Hydraulics
Bench is equipped with a Bosch hydraulics pump, two Bosch servo-proportional
valves, a Moog servo-valve, assorted sensors, and hydraulic cylinders and motor
for chassis roll control investigations. To support this experimental
equipment, the laboratory has three high-end personal computer workstations and
a QNX real-time workstation used for data acquisition and control with
"servo-to-go" I/O board. The Matlab/Simulink software package with
Real Time Workshop and AMESim multi-domain modeling tools are available.
Two
and four stroke engines mounted on dynamometers for design, control, and
emissions studies
As needed, experiments may be performed in the Robotics &
Mechatronics Laboratory which features a variety of instrumentation, tools, and
similar data acquisition and control hardware/software. Research team members
can complete their experimental builds through the Department of Mechanical
Engineering Machine Shop with supporting technicians, the
Active
torsion bar hydraulic experimental system to minimize the vehicle’s body roll
angle
