Hydraulic Dynamometer and Peripheral Systems

Abstract

Our sponsor has required the design and construction of a hydraulic dynamometer for use with a Ricardo Hydra single cylinder research engine. This test engine will be used to research the benefits of variable valve timing (VVT) and/or homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) technologies. The design and sizing of each engine peripheral system is also part of this project. The main goal of this project is to design the dynamometer and the peripheral systems to be modular so that they may be 1) transported with ease, if need be; and 2) easily adapted to any future changes to the engine test cell.