Formula SAE Overview

The Formula SAE® competition is for SAE student members to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. The restrictions on the car frame and engine are limited so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students are challenged. The cars are built with a team effort over a period of about one year and are taken to the annual competition for judging and comparison with approximately 120 other vehicles from colleges and universities throughout the world. The end result is a great experience for young engineers in a meaningful engineering project as well as the opportunity of working in a dedicated team effort

Dynamometer Overview

A dynamometer, or "dyno" for short, is a device used to measure RPM and torque from which power produced by an engine or other rotating device can be calculated.

Project Goal

The purpose of this project is to provide the RIT Engine Laboratory with a modern DC engine dynamometer that can be used to test modern internal combustion engines. The basic purpose of a DC engine dynamometer is to analyze the performance of an internal combustion engine while acquiring a wide range of data from the engine.

Currently, the lab has a Ricardo variable compression test engine equipped with a 5 hp DC dynamometer. Although this equipment still has value for fuel testing and Otto/Diesel cycle analysis, it is not ideal for basic internal combustion engine studies. It is also not a good example of a real world application, with no vehicle to then use the engine on to examine the results of dynamometer testing. Furthermore the engine is delicate as it was built in 1967, and is not suitable for everyday use by students.

The project will consist of selecting a proper DC motor, adjoining the motor to an engine and implementing a data acquisition system to the engine. The DC motor will be selected to handle the output of a Honda CBR600 or an engine of similar power output. The connection between the two components will have to be engineered to dampen the shock caused by fluctuations in a 4 cylinder engine’s power strokes and reduce the RPM to a speed which the motor is designed for.

This project will be assisting the RIT Formula SAE team by replacing the current water-brake dynamometer currently in use. There are several advantages to a DC motor brake versus the water brake, with the main advantage being steady state operation. The water brake is essentially an impeller pump with adjustable inlet and outlet valves. By restricting either of these valves, a load is created by the impeller shearing the water inside the housing. The torque applied to the engine is dependant on engine speed when these valves are controlled manually.

On a higher power engine, a great deal of water storage is necessary to try and maintain this speed s well as a considerable amount of agility on the operator’s part. It is very difficult to tune any engine parameter for more than 20 seconds. A DC dynamometer can be fixed at a certain speed which allows the operator to load the engine from 0% to 100% at the same engine speed.

This project is a collaboration between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the RIT Formula SAE Racing Team. Matthew Zimmer and Fernando Fiore are senior members on the team and will be working with the team to utilize the knowledge and experience they have in this area. The RIT Formula SAE team will also be supporting the project by donating a running engine to be the dedicated test mule for laboratory instruction as well as miscellaneous supplies for engine management and hardware necessary for fuel-injection of the unit. With the department’s support, we can make a essential learning tool for the Mechanical Engineering Department and the growing Automotive Option as well as supporting the development needs of RIT Formula SAE to ensure future success in their collegiate design competition.