July 18th, 2011 – Advanced Vehicle Research Center (AVRC) and CyberMetrix complete EV Test Platform
The AVRC in Danville Virginia and its senior collaboration partner, CyberMetrix in Columbus, Indiana have completed the construction of an Electric Vehicle (EV) research platform, supported by funding from the Department of Energy. The rolling laboratory for rapid application testing (codenamed LabRAT) will be utilized for analysis and testing of multiple combinations of electric vehicle (EV) drive train systems and components, including energy storage systems. The platform will be used to advance the EV industry by substantially reducing cost and time to develop and test new EV drive-train and energy storage system designs; constructed to allow for rapid installation and replacement of vehicle battery packs, drive motors, and motor control units.
“The combined expertise of the AVRC/CyberMetrix engineering team brought unique talent and capabilities to this program” said Dick Dell, the Executive Director of AVRC. “CyberMetrix is an industry leader in the field of test system development and AVRC has extensive experience in electric and hybrid vehicle development” Mr. Dell added. Work was done by AVRC at their engineering center in the Cyber Park in Danville, Virginia. AVRC was responsible for project design, fabrication, test development and component sourcing while CyberMetrix designed the data collection software and testing tools. The project was led by Dr. Yimin Gao, Chief Scientist at the AVRC and co-author of the authoritative textbook- “Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles”.
The test platform will incorporate multiple data sensors to monitor and record power source voltage levels, state of charge, energy drain & recovery, charging load and motor performance utilizing a wide range of electric and hybrid vehicle drive trains. During final testing over the coming months, from July to October, AVRC is offering validation testing, for a limited number of clients, with regard to new motor and/or energy storage system designs. There is no charge for this service except the donation of the motor and/or energy storage system that was required for the testing. Additional parts needed to adapt the client’s product for the testing will be fabricated for the client at cost. Those that are interested in this time-sensitive opportunity can contact AVRC at labrat@avrc.com
About AVRC: a private corporation that promotes alternative fuel research and related technology commercialization. Focused on transportation energy research, development and commercialization, the AVRC built a 16,000 square foot engineering center in the Cyberpark in Danville, Virginia in 2009. The building includes a research lab where current Department of Energy research is conducted. Other research activities are done in one of several large (1,600 square foot) bays capable of housing vehicles from passenger cars to busses. The building contains facilities for fabrication, including cutting and welding. The AVRC’s mission is to provide a modern automotive testing facility for use in the design, development, testing and certification of advanced vehicle technologies, sub-systems and components. Website: www.avrc.com
About CyberMetrix: CyberMetrix, Inc. is a technology company that provides modular test cells, components and advanced, configurable testing and validation solutions for research, development and manufacturing facilities. CyberMetrix staff includes leaders in the fields of controls, systems architecture, engine simulation, diesel cycle analysis, performance optimization, test process improvement, and industrial facility planning, design and construction management. CyberMetrix is headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. Website: www.cybermetrix.com/
For additional information or questions about this press release please contact: Dick Dell, Executive Director, AVRC at 919-602-5105, or email rddell@avrc.com - AVRC will be at booth 122 at the Plug-in 2011 Conference.
For a video of LabRAT running on a dynamometer, click here.
