To measure component losses within a transmission, it is necessary to be able to test to speeds of 11,000 rpm. A test stand was fabricated with a 15- and 20-hp motor capable of speeds to 11,000 rpm. In line with each motor is a 0.25 percent accurate 100 in-lb rotary transformer. The motors and torque transducers are mounted on precision machined head stands that accommodate specially designed fixtures containing the transmission components. The configuration of the stand allows for high-speed operation of a component and high differential speeds across the component, along with the ability to operate the component with different input and output speed directions.

The stand is configured with a number of auxiliary systems that allow engineering experiments to be conducted with controlled pressures, flows and temperatures. Components that can be evaluated on the stand include:

Clutch packs
Drums/bands
Bearings
Bushings
Seals
Overrunning clutches

Of particular interest is the ability to evaluate drag associated with clutch pack geometries by evaluating the effects of friction material groove patterns, plate flatness, surface finish, friction material diameter, clutch pack clearance and dynamic clutch pack movement. The effect of AFT temperature on clutch pack drag can also be studied as the stand provides closed-loop PID temperature control through the range of -40 to 225 °F.

image of drawing of a test stand that was fabricated with a 15- and 20-hp motor capable of speeds to 11,000 rpm

A test stand was fabricated with a 15- and 20-hp motor capable of speeds to 11,000 rpm

For more information about our drivetrain engineering capabilities and past performance briefs, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Douglas Fussner at dfussner@swri.org or (210) 522-3972.

drivetrain.swri.org

Contact Information

Douglas Fussner

Drivetrain Design and Development

(210) 522-3972

dfussner@swri.org

drivetrain.swri.org

Related Terminology

transmission test
facility

transmission testing

automatic
transmissions

drivetrain database

drivetrain
engineering

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Southwest Research Institute^®(SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012