Southwest Research Institute will evaluate seven new engines for the Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Benchmarking program, focusing particularly on the engine performance and fuel consumption associated with new exhaust emissions control technology. Manufacturers developed this new control technology, which uses the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel now available nationwide, to meet 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions regulations. […]

From the Fall/Winter 2005-2006 Vehicle Systems Newsletter of the Argonne National Laboratory
The versatile Mobile Automotive Technology Testbed (MATT) serves as a unique hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform for advanced powertrain technology evaluation in an emulated vehicle environment.  Developed by Argonne’s CTR, the flexible chassis testbed allows researchers to easily replace advanced components or change the architecture of […]

CircleTrack.Com has an interesting article on the track testing for a new NASCAR engine. The engine may be destined for the Grand National West and Busch East series.

At this year’s SAE World Congress, MTS introduced some new features that the company claims will help companies speed drivetrain testing and accelerate product development. They include a series of permanent-magnet dynamometers for passenger vehicle testing. These dynamometers offer the low inertia, high dynamic and controllability required for studies such as traction control, efficiency […]

Atlas MBD is a model-based development environment for automated powertrain testing and calibration. This environment includes tools for specific testing functions, including test automation, model-based mapping and optimization, and distributed I/O. A related tool, Helios IPM, provides Web-based, test lab monitoring capabilities.
Atlas MBD provides integrates the powertrain test bed system and the optimization system. The […]

Three SAE test standards were either revised or reaffirmed in December 2005:

J1621 DEC2005 (Reaffirmed) Engine Retarder Dynamometer Test and Capability Rating Procedure. Issued by the Truck And Bus Engine And Vehicle Performance Subcommittee, this Recommended Practice specifies:

a basis for net engine retarder power rating;
reference inlet air test conditions;
a method for correcting observed engine retarder power […]

Vehicle Research and Development (VRD) recently introduced an all new heavy duty engine test cooling unit. The unit is designed for use in testing heavy truck, agricultural, and construction equipment.

The engine cooling unit uses a pressure vessel tank as its structural base, giving customers the ability to store the engine coolant right inside the […]

A&D Technology (formerly MTS Powertrain) has released ADAPT 4.7, an enhanced version of its data acquisition and control software for powertrain testing. Featuring support for faster, more powerful processors, and new and enhanced instrument interfaces, version 4.7 will streamline test definition and execution, increasing users’ confidence in test results and accelerating the powertrain testing process.
ADAPT […]

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.; Stanford University; and Physical Science Inc. (PSI) have developed the world’s first system to measure in-cylinder gas temperatures and analyze the combustion in ‘real-time’ during engine operation. The new technology is expected to contribute towards developing future generation engines with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The system uses a semiconductor laser […]

SAE is currently seeking volunteers for the Driveline Standards Committee. The committee’s goal is to identify the needs, and develop, collect, and disseminate technical information relate to vehicle and equipment drivelines, including test procedures and techniques. Those interested in volunteering should e-mail Patrick Kurzeja or Cindy Reese.