SwRI Test and Evaluation Services: Drivetrain Design and Development testing capabilities: hardware-in-the-loop, real-time engine simulator; AWD testing and development; pump, converter, and transmission efficiency and durability testing and development

A wide range of drivetrain test and evaluation services have been performed at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) since 1990. These services are built from a very diverse testing portfolio, which includes work done for clients all over the world. The core of SwRI drivetrain testing is state-of-the-art efficiency measurement and product development support at both the component and system level.

Drivetrain Engineering Product Experience

	Drivetrain Design and Development Section of Southwest Research Institute

• Front & rear wheel drive automatics

• Continually variable transmissions (CVTs)

• Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs)

• Automated manual transaxles (AMTs)

• Manual transmissions

• Transfer cases

• Axles and differentials

• Hybrid systems

• Complete drivetrain systems

• Prop & half shafts

• Torque converters

• Clutches

• Pumps

• Bearings

• Seals

• Gears and chains

• Lubricants

• Hydraulic circuits

• Control modules & electrical components

Drivetrain Engineering Testing Capabilities

• State-of-the-art efficiency measurement

• Spin loss measurement

• Line pressure schedule development

• Temperature-controlled testing

• Hardware-in-the-loop real-time vehicle simulation

• Engine simulation with firing pulse/inertia replication

• Grade and hill profile simulation

• Component characterization and performance

• Durability testing

• Clutch capacity testing

• High speed limit testing

• Steady state and transient thermal analysis

• Shock, noise and vibration testing

• Automated manual shifting

• Fluid effects and lubrication

• Shift feel evaluation and investigation

• Transaxle torque steer

• Component to component variation analysis

• Transmission calibration

• Transmission instrumentation, benchmarking, and reverse engineering

• Diagnosis of production issues

Drivetrain Engineering Testing Example Data

4th gear efficiency.  CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

Spin loss max line.  CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

Transmission torque profile during cold engine start.  CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

Stall torque converter time to overheat graph. CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

Hardware-in-the-loop transmission testing. CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

Low cycle system lead distribution.  CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW.

For more information about test and evaluation services capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Doug Fussner at dfussner@swri.org or (210) 522-3972.