Development of a State-of-the-Art Transient Test Facility for Powertrain R&D

To serve the increasing demand of the automotive industry for transient systems evaluation, the Powertrain Control Research Laboratory (PCRL) has developed a transient test facility which uses high-bandwidth hydraulic dynamometers for hardware-in-the-loop powertrain simulation and testing. Following building renovation in 2006, the research team assumed the task of reconfiguring the dynamometer laboratory into a state-of-the-art testing facility. This includes the relocation and design of support facilities for both single- and multi-cylinder engine transient test systems.

This paper introduces the applications of transient testing facilities and describes the unique challenges faced by the research team to achieve a versatile powertrain research environment with emphasis on accessibility and optimal space utilization, maintainability, and comprehensive documentation to aid future research endeavors. The conclusions reached serve as evaluations of the success of each implementation chosen, and also provide a comparative and informative reference for those involved in transient test facility development.