PROSPORTIF
Engineering Project History
Early projects included recreating special one off race cars using tradition methods but quickly moved to developing drive trains for ultra lightweight vehicles, designing specialist oil systems for high performance engines.
From our exposure with these projects the company was approached to build a development rig to test an electric motor that would be used alongside a combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle application. Research into motor losses and friction data were primary priorities from this test rig.
A major supplier of automotive moving parts commissioned a test rig to research the limits of plain bearings under pulsating loads at various speeds and limited lubrication. Speed, temperatures, load and lubrication data were logged.
Endurance testing of promising bearing configurations produced insightful data for the client to base further design decisions and direction.
Another vehicle supplier commissioned the manufacture of a research test rig to develop an electrical solenoid valve actuator for an internal combustion engine. The rig had variable speed, variable coolant temperature, variable oil feed parameters with laser measurement for dynamic valve lift data logging to measure baseline mechanical valve characteristics against the development of a solenoid actuator.
A research rig was built and run to develop a new theory for the actuation of diesel fuel injectors. In cylinder peak pressures were simulated and recorded, along with imagery of spray pattern v time.
Using our early experience with light vehicles and electric hybrid propulsion we started developing an ultra light weight fully electric 3 wheeled vehicle for extreme terrain aimed at the pleasure, sporting and agricultural sectors. Development started and has taken an early unforeseen turn into the competitive world of motorcycle trials.
As a proving ground there can be no tougher test than the British Championship Sidecar trials series, and we are delighted to report that the electric powered machine finished 3rd overall against the established combustion machines. Development continues.