Search Results

This research is in regards to the development of an inexpensive anti-rollover system for use in the trailer axles of a heavy commercial truck. It includes the design and experimental results for a real-time rollover warning system to inform the driver prior to rollover or to initiate stability control algorithms in the vehicle. The developed system in this research uses suspension displacement, lateral acceleration, and wheel speed measurements. These are used to continuously update the calculation of centre of gravity (CG) height which is compared to the lateral acceleration to determine the proximity of rollover.

A high accuracy and low cost test protocol for the determination of the inertial characteristics of a high performance vehicle transmission is discussed. In particular, a range of NASCAR Sprint Cup race car transmission gear packages are tested and compared. The test results compare the inertial characteristics from the new CR2C transmission as developed by C&R Racing to the current standard four-speed manual version. The test protocol evaluates the inertial properties by suspending the input, output, and secondary shafts from a light weight hollow Ø1/4" x 16.58' long (Ø6.35 mm x 5.05 m) vertical torsion spring tube. An initial offset twist results in rotational cycling of the components at an easily measurable natural oscillatory period. The equations are developed for the application of the natural frequency measurements to the component inertia results.