6th February 2006 - Link Engineering Company Announces “Dual-by-Wire” Technology for Brake Testing

Link Engineering announced on the 1st of February 2006 that it has developed a new product, Dual-by-Wire™, for brake test dynamometers.  Dual-ended dynamometers are used to simulate the combined performance of front and rear brakes on a vehicle.  Such dynamometers can provide highly accurate representations of vehicle performance.  Until now, dual-ended testing required a large twin station dynamometer with a rigid shaft connecting the stations.

This new technology provides dual-ended brake testing with nothing but electronic connections between dynamometers. It enables two single-ended dynamometers to be connected electronically to create a twin dynamometer. There is no longer a need for a shaft connection between the dynamometers.  This development multiplies the effectiveness of existing dynamometers and provides increased flexibility in lab design.

“One can now run front/rear brake tests with nearly any two dynamometers running ProLink software,” reports Jim Thompson, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing.  “This permits much greater freedom in the placement and usage of dynamometers.”

This new technology incorporates ProLink software for inertia simulation and digital speed control to achieve the tight speed correlation between dynamometers which is necessary for successful dual mode testing.  In order for the dynamometers to work together, there still must be sufficient physical and simulated inertia on the dynamometers to represent the vehicle under test, but this new technology allows much more testing flexibility.  In a matter of minutes, you can go from independent single ended testing to a dual ended test program on the same dynamometers.

“As the largest provider of twin brake dynamometers, we are focused on providing more value and greater convenience to our customers,” said Roy Link, President.  “We consider Dual-by-Wire™ to be a major step forward in the use of computer technology for brake testing.”

The ProLink software package enables a computer on one of the dynamometers to have overall control over both machines and to collect test data.  The second machine’s computer works to match the commands of the master computer.  The brake systems can be combined to simulate actual vehicle arrangement or can be operated independently.  It is believed that this new technology will add much more capability to brake testing laboratories.

LINK ENGINEERING COMPANY has been in operation since 1935 with offices around the globe.  LINK designs, develops, manufactures, installs, and operates a wide array of test systems for the automotive, truck, railroad and aerospace industries. They have provided test systems for brakes, transmissions, clutches, axles, driveline components, steering systems, springs, tires, wheels, and a variety of other components. LINK also provides testing services to a global customer base.

For more information visit www.linkeng.com or LINK ENGINEERING on ifriction.com

Source: Link Engineering Press Release