Characterization of an Adjustable Centrifugal Continuously Variable Transmission for a Baja SAE Prototype.

Motivated by the continually growing challenge of the Baja SAE competition, the primary goal of the present study is to understand the behavior of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), manufactured by CVTech-IBC® for Baja SAE vehicles, and understand the way in which each element of the calibration kit (masses, drive pulley spring, and driven pulley spring) provided by the manufacturer affect this behavior. A characterization procedure for the particular engine-CVT couple employed is defined by establishing the variables to be studied and a test protocol. An ad-hoc dynamometer was designed and built, able to measure drive pulley's rpm, driven pulley's rpm, and torque on the output shaft. Then, Power versus Output rpm charts for each configuration is generated for each possible combination of the calibration kit elements. Finally describing how each of these elements changes the CVT behavior. A lap simulator for the different events combined with the measured drivetrain curves is devised to select the best configuration for overall performance in the competition.