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Tom Lish: What Is A Dynamometer and How Does It Work?

A dynamometer is a device that measures force, torque, or power. It can measure the power of an engine or motor by measuring torque and rotational speed. Dynamometers come in different types - absorption dynamometers are driven, while motoring or universal dynamometers can both drive and absorb power. Dynamometers are commonly used to test vehicle engines and emissions in controlled testing environments, and provide simulated road loading. They work by using water flow to create resistance against an engine, with the water accelerated into stator plates to absorb the engine's power. Dynamometer data acquisition systems precisely measure test data using pressure transducers and other sensors to evaluate engine performance under different conditions.

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49 views2 pages

Tom Lish: What Is A Dynamometer and How Does It Work?

A dynamometer is a device that measures force, torque, or power. It can measure the power of an engine or motor by measuring torque and rotational speed. Dynamometers come in different types - absorption dynamometers are driven, while motoring or universal dynamometers can both drive and absorb power. Dynamometers are commonly used to test vehicle engines and emissions in controlled testing environments, and provide simulated road loading. They work by using water flow to create resistance against an engine, with the water accelerated into stator plates to absorb the engine's power. Dynamometer data acquisition systems precisely measure test data using pressure transducers and other sensors to evaluate engine performance under different conditions.

Uploaded by

Tiago Avila
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Dynamometer and How Does it Work?

by Tom Lish
A dynamometer, or "dyno" for short, is a device for measuring force, moment of force (torque), or
power. For example, the power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be
calculated by simultaneously measuring torque and rotational speed (rpm).

A dynamometer can also be used to determine the torque and power required to operate a driven
machine such as a pump. In that case, a motoring or driving dynamometer is used. A
dynamometer that is designed to be driven is called an absorption or passive dynamometer. A
dynamometer that can either drive or absorb is called a universal or active dynamometer.

Applications for Dynamometers


In addition to being used to determine the torque or power characteristics of a machine under test
(MUT), dynamometers are employed in a number of other roles. In standard emissions testing
cycles such as those defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), dynamometers
are used to provide simulated road loading of either the engine (using an engine dynamometer) or
full powertrain (using a chassis dynamometer). In fact, beyond simple power and torque
measurements, dynamometers can be used as part of a testbed for a variety of engine
development activities such as the calibration of engine management controllers, detailed
investigations into combustion behavior and tribology.

In an engine dynamometer, water flow, proportional to the desired applied load, creates resistance to
the engine. A controlled water flow through the inlet manifold is directed at the center of the rotor in
each absorption section. This water is then expelled to the outer dynamometer body by centrifugal
force. As it is directed outward, the water is accelerated into pockets on the stationary stator plates
where it is decelerated. The continual acceleration and deceleration causes the dynamometer to
absorb the power produced by the engine. Through this transfer of energy the water is heated and
discharged.

Data Acquisition

An integral component of a dynamometer is its data acquisition system. The system is typically comprised of
two units, a Commander and Workstation, connected by an Ethernet cable. The Commander, a desktop
computer operated by Windows-based software, issues commands to the Workstation, a touch-screen
operated unit housed in a rugged industrial enclosure. The Workstation operates the precision load and
throttle control systems, collects the data, and sends it to the Commander to be processed, stored and
analyzed.

The Workstation's success, and therefore the data acquisition system's accuracy, depends on its ability to
correctly measure data in the dynamometer tests. Central to these measurements is the precision of its
pressure transducers, which measure airflow in the intake manifold, oil pressure and other fluid
pressures. The operator is interested in different pressures of fluids so having the capability of bringing in
different pressures while running the engine is very important.

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