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Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Introduction
The torque arm is connected to the dyno housing and a weighing scale is positioned so
that it measures the force exerted by the dyno housing in attempting to rotate. The torque
is the force indicated by the scales multiplied by the length of the torque arm measured
from the center of the dynamometer.
Dynamometer Uses
Emission Testing
Emission testing measures the emissions and power of a motor when it is on the road.
The results of the testing are compared to chassis tests. A dynamometer for this purpose
is portable and placed on the vehicle with devices for measuring emissions, performance,
and driving. The data is downloaded to a chassis dynamometer to produce the loads that
were seen on the road test. Required real time compensations include grades, wind,
temperature, and altitude.
Motor Testing
Motor testing using a dynamometer takes place in a controlled setting. The vehicle to be
tested is placed on roller beds, which provide the driving force to the wheels, with the
motor’s torque being the primary source of power. Data recording and collecting devices
are attached to the vehicle that establishes a controlled, accurate, and precise set of
readings about the motor. The nature of the setting allows for control of the amount of
force that can be distributed using a variety of methods as well as the speed.
Measurements are taken at static power at a constant velocity.
Medical Testing
In the medical field, practitioners need to know the muscle strength of a patient to
determine mobility and the ability for self-care. Hand held dynamometers provide data
regarding a patient's ability to hold a standard position. The testing includes a length
tension of a muscle, which is the relationship between maximum tension versus the
length of the muscle. For the best results, the muscle is tested in its maximum length
tension position.
Towing Dynamometer
A towing dynamometer is a mechanized trailer that is towed behind a vehicle. It uses an
eddy current absorber connected to an axle system to absorb energy. Measurements are
taken by a load cell on the drawbar of the trailer. A towing dynamometer is used to
determine a vehicle’s performance and develop any adjustments that may be necessary.
Electric Motor Testing
The testing of electric motors using a dynamometer is very similar to tests performed on
other motors. A dynamometer provides data regarding the torque, force, power, and
rotation of an electric motor. Dynamometers do full and variable testing to determine the
optimum performance of an electric motor.
One form of electric motor testing involves the application of water flow that is
proportional to the load, which creates resistance in the motor. The acceleration and
deceleration of the water flow allows the dynamometer to adsorb the power generated by
the motor.
Dynamometer Types
Absorption Dynamometers
Absorption dynamometers create torque by placing constraints on a turning shaft through
mechanical or fluid friction or electromagnetic induction. The torque inducing
components are arranged in pairs such that the effects of a transverse load is avoided.
Absorption dynamometers are very accurate and are used where continuous transmission
of the load is required.
The purpose of absorption dynamometers is to measure and absorb power. Eddy current,
hydraulic, and Prony dynamometers use the power absorption principles as their means
of measurement.
Chassis Dynamometers
Chassis dynamometers are torque measuring devices that measure what is produced by
the movement of a vehicle's wheels. They are available in fixed configurations or
portable units. The purpose of chassis dynamometers is to simulate road conditions,
including all the forces that attack a vehicle during operation. The test includes
accelerating, braking, and decelerating the test vehicle to get the necessary data. There
are several designs of chassis dynamometers designed to test several driving conditions
and challenges for vehicles.
Driving Dynamometer
A driving dynamometer is used to determine what type of a motor is necessary to operate
an engine or electric motor. The components of a driving dynamometer include a motor
with measuring meters and monitors that are attached to the device to be measured. The
readings from the monitoring equipment supply information regarding how much power,
force, and speed are being used.
Engine Dynamometer
The process of using an engine dynamometer is slightly more complicated than the use of
other dynamometers. The size, weight, and performance of the engine are the
determining factors related to selecting a proper dynamometer. Unlike chassis
dynamometers, engine dynamometers test and tune engines.
Engine dynamometers produce a great deal of information and require a computer
interface to record and display what is ascertained by the dynamometer. The main
dividing factor between the different types of engine dynamometers is whether the engine
is for street use or heavy duty use, such as race cars or trucks since there is a great deal of
variance in torque between the two classes of engines.
Fluid Dynamometers
Fluid dynamometers use the same process as water brake dynamometers but use water or
oil to spin the crankshaft. As with water brake dynamometers, the heat caused by the
turning of the impellers produces heat that is read by the dynamometer. Gears that are
connected to the shaft of the dynamometer send the recorded data to a device that
measures the force.
Hydraulic Dynamometer
A hydraulic dynamometer has semicircular vanes placed in a rotor and stator. Water
flows in a toroidal vortex around the vanes and creates a torque reaction in the
dynamometer casing that is resisted by the dynamometer and measured by a load cell.
The construction of a hydraulic dynamometer is similar to a fluid flywheel that measures
the frictional force between impeller vanes and a moving fluid.
Prony Brake Dynamometer
A Prony brake dynamometer is the simplest form of dynamometer that Prony developed
at the beginning of the first industrial revolution. It is made up of brake blocks that press
against a rotating wheel attached to the motor. The braking blocks create friction force to
slow the velocity of the wheel. The purpose of a Prony brake dynamometer is to measure
braking power.
Rope Brake Dynamometer
A rope brake dynamometer is another method for measuring the power of an engine and
includes a rope that is wound around a drum that is attached to the output shaft. One side
of the rope is connected to a spring balance, with the other side attached to a loading
device.
In a rope brake dynamometer, power is absorbed between the rope and the drum. The
amount of friction produced by the interaction of the rope and drum necessitates some
form of cooling mechanism. The mechanics of a rope brake dynamometer can be easily
made, but the device does not provide accurate data due to the changes in the friction
coefficient.
Universal Dynamometers
A universal dynamometer is different from an absorption dynamometer in that it can
measure absorption and drive of the device being monitored. As the dynamometer
absorbs the force and power, it drives the engine to measure friction and pump loss, to
name a few factors.
Sweep Test
The sweep test accelerates the engine at a constant steady rate, such as 100 rpms per
second. Its purpose is to simulate as closely as possible actual driving conditions. The key
to the success of the sweep test is precise control of the acceleration such that it remains
constant and consistent. The dynamometer control system is responsible for the reliability
of the acceleration rate.
Types of Sweep Tests:
Inertia Sweep Test
The inertia sweep test is as close as possible to actual driving conditions. Though the test
does not provide the same type of data that can be acquired during driving, it does come
very close. The purpose of the test is to measure the inertial resistance of an engine.
Transient Test
The transient test was developed to examine various driving patterns that a vehicle will
encounter during its use. The testing procedure is designed to include throttle movements,
speed changes, and other engine patterns.
Variations in the transient test include cold starts that are immediately followed by hot
starts. The test’s main purpose is to measure emissions as outlined in Federal Test
Procedure (FTP) documentation. Under FTP guidance, the load factor during the test
should be 20% to 25% of the maximum engine power.
Reading Results
In the majority of cases, the first place an analyst looks when reading data from a
dynamometer is at peak power. Though this is an essential statistic, it is more important
to examine the average power that covers a useful rpm range. The provided readings of
the useful range are the minimum rpms of an engine at wide open throttle.