Avl North America, Inc.

Avl Test Systems, Inc.

Avl Zoellner Gmbh

Ken Barnes

Stephen P Gibson

Wolfgang Kopecky

Juergen Neugebauer

Peter Posch

Walter Orth

A wind turbine gearbox test cell includes a cradle and a base mounted to a first support structure. Load devices are interconnected between the cradle and base and are configured to input at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox through the cradle to a wind turbine gearbox under test. A controller is in communication with the load devices and is programmed to command the load devices to input the at least one of thrust, radial and yaw loads to the gearbox corresponding to a simulated wind turbine gearbox loading event. The test cell includes dynamometers and gearboxes that can be reconfigured based upon the particular wind turbine gearbox under test.

Wind turbine gearbox testing system

A powertrain test installation is disclosed that includes a polymer base, which is supported on a concrete slab, for example. A dynamometer is mounted on the polymer base. A frame is mounted to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain component to be coupled to the dynamometer. The powertrain test system is installed, for example, by providing a floor, which is a concrete slab, for example. The floor is cut to provide a gap between a support floor and an adjacent floor that is arranged about the support floor. A polymer base is arranged on the support floor interiorly of the gap so that the polymer base is isolated from the adjacent floor. A dynamometer is secured to the polymer base. A frame is secured to the polymer base and is configured to support a powertrain test component, such as an electric motor.

Polymer base for hybrid powertrain and NVH test installations

A mobile test unit for testing a powertrain component such as a transmission is used in a test cell. A test unit includes a movable, generally horizontal base plate, and a frame spaced from the base plate. A headstock is secured to the frame for supporting the transmission. An adjustable support, which is arranged on each of four corners of the frame in the example embodiment, interconnects the frame to the base plate. The adjustable supports are movable in a vertical direction, in one example, between multiple positions to achieve a desired orientation relative to the base plate. In particular, the orientation of the frame is adjusted to obtain a desired rotational and/or tilt angle that corresponds to a rotational and/or tilt angle of the transmission when installed into a vehicle. The transmission can be installed onto the test unit, and the test unit can be moved into and out of a test cell. The example test unit is capable of replicating the orientation of the transmission when installed in a vehicle to provide more representative test data. Furthermore, the adjustments to the test unit can be done outside of a test cell to increase the time during which the test cell can be utilized.

Transmission headstock for test stands

A chassis dynamometer for use with a test vehicle such as a snowmobile is provided. First and second spaced apart rolls support the test vehicle. A belt is arranged around the first and second rolls and rotationally couples the rolls to one another. The belt includes an outer surface on a test side of the belt for supporting the test vehicle. The belt reduces slipping of the track on the dynamometer. The belt receives inputs from the test vehicle. A processor quantifies the inputs from the test vehicle. A platform is arranged between the first and second rolls beneath the belt to maintain engagement of the track with the belt. The platform includes a load cell for detecting a longitudinal load imparted to the platform by the belt.

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Northville, MI, United States of America

Ken Barnes