TIAX works with the world's major OEMs, engine manufacturers, and suppliers developing novel technologies for all types of on- and off-road applications. Our engine work has led to innovative hardware, software, and test protocols, and our product development expertise, combined with in-house and external technology, has afforded clients rapid introduction of new products.
Advanced Engine Test Lab: Our $1.5 million engine-testing laboratory simulates driving under a variety of transient operating conditions with high accuracy and reproducibility. The laboratory was designed with flexibility in mind to rapidly adapt to client and project needs:
- Temperature Control: The lab is equipped to create extreme climate temperatures at engine operating modes that range from stop-and-go city travel to high-speed autobahn driving, with full authority over intake, coolant, and lubricant temperatures.
- Fuel and Engine Flexibility: Our lab is equipped to run a variety of liquid fuels, including gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, and fuel blends. We also have the capability to run gaseous fuels, including natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen. The combustion capabilities span traditional gasoline and diesel combustion to Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion and Low Temperature Combustion (LTC).
- Exhaust Emission Monitoring: The laboratory is equipped with the capability of simultaneously monitoring two channels of emmissions (for example, to monitor catalyst effectiveness). Smoke number is also a capability, along with fast response hydrocarbon measurement capabilities.
- Combustion Monitoring: The laboratory is equipped with the capability of simultaneously monitoring up to 12 channels of combustion data to monitor in real time cycle by cycle behavior of each individual engine cylinder.
- Rapid control Prototyping: Using rapid control prototyping equipment (dSPACE), novel control schemes may be rapidly implemented and tested to see the effect on fuel consumption, emissions, and end-user acceptability metrics.
Using our unique capabilities and tools, TIAX helps clients optimize engine design and operation to achieve the best possible combination of efficiency, emissions, power, and operating cost.