A New Generation of AC Dynamometers for Future Automotive Engine Testing

For more than ten years AC-Dynamometers have successfully broken into the field of combustion engine and powertrain testing. Robust design and low maintenance requirements of the dynamometer were the profits, control quality at very low speeds the disadvantage compared to the used DC- systems.

The strong demand of the automotive industries in concentrating and optimizing their test cell capacities lead the request to steady state and dynamic testing as well as engine and powertrain testing in one dynamometer system.

New technologies in the field of electrical power electronics along with powerful microprocessors and an optimized AC-modelling enabled a dynamometer system that combines high steady state accuracies with high control dynamics. A mechanical optimized design with regard to lowest inertia and highest torque together with an intelligent vehicle and driver simulation control system fulfils these needs to an high extend.