DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

ADJUSTABLE POWER ABSORBER

Design of an Engine Dynamometer for GreenSpeed Research

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

The team from left to right: Dave Schenker, Matt Parker, Phil Rodman, Dustin Kier, Clint Robertson

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
User-uploaded Content
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
User-uploaded Content
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

This website details the adventures of the Adjustable Power Absorber (APA) team, enrolled in Senior Design II(ME483) for the Spring 2015 semester at Boise State University.

 

The team members are:

 

Clint Robertson

Dave Schenker 

Dustin Kier

Matt Parker

Phil Rodman

 

They all chose this project due to their interest in the application of engineering principles to at least one of the following:

-A high performance automotive project

-How this project will contribute to the development of renewable energy technology

-Sounded challenging

 

Greenspeed Research (GsR) is a nonprofit that uses motorsports as a foundation to stimulate interest in the STEM disciplines and renewable energy sources. Having a foundation in motorsports, it is necessary to test and tune motors before going to the track and to optimize them for new fuels and emissions. Currently GsR outsources the testing to a shop that owns a chassis dynamometer. Testing in this manner involves frequent assembly and disassembly of vehicles, as well as transporting to and from the testing shop when it would be easier to test the engine outside the vehicle at GsR's shop. Having their own engine dynamometer would also reduce the outsource costs and allow them to tune and make adjustments to the engine during testing.

 

Although there are several products currently on the market that can be purchased, GsR has very unique needs and an extremely limited budget. GsR is seeking a tool that can be used and stored in the limited space of their shop, and is also mobile enough to operate at remote locations. Being a nonprofit makes the budget extremely tight, in the vicinity of $1000. Since inexpensive engine dynos easily exceed $100,000 we will rely heavily on GsR contributors for material, parts, and labor. 

 

After market research, a water brake type engine dynomometer was chosen as the desirable product due to GsR space constraints. The final product should be compact, portable and useable in remote locations, and it will fit the budget limitations of GsR. 

 

The water brake engine dyno allows for many unique design considerations. We have determined the most effective rotor design through emperical methods and performed scale testing for verification.  The results of these tests have determined the shape of the brake, which has determined a large portion of the support system.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.