With a wealth of expertise in engine and vehicle thermal management, Ricardo can assist at any stage from concept design through prototype development to the start of production, independently or as part of a model year programme.
Ricardo offer support to all aspects of Vehicle Cooling Systems and HVAC development.
Efficient use of simulation techniques and practical development ensures an optimum balance between performance, cost and packaging with a minimum development time.
Ricardo maintains its technological lead in this area through:
- Close and liaison with customers suppliers ensuring cost effective solutions
- Integration of technology transfer with project activities
- High quality measurement tools for development, validation and trouble shooting
- Experimental results used to validate and improve analysis methods
- Continuous improvement through research and development
Typical examples of services delivered include:
Complete system modelling using Integrated Computer Techniques - Ricardo utilise a range of analysis tools to support the design and development process including Ricardo VECTIS (CFD), Ricardo WAVE, SIMULINK™ and FLOWMASTER™. VECTIS and FLOWMASTER™ can also be run in a coupled analysis for underhood thermal modelling.
Experimental Development and Validation - prototype vehicle build and instrumentation - one off or batch production, low intrusiveness instrumentation calibrated to ISO 9001, Campbell CR9000 data logging systems for 10 to 1000 channels.
Climatic Wind Tunnel/Test track - repeatable vehicle evaluation and development, computer simulations used to reduce utilisation of expensive facilities, transient cycles used to accurately represent validation test routes and testing at client's facility if required.
HVAC System Characterisation - rigs for noise, air flow and thermal performance characterisation, close coupling of computer simulation techniques to guide testing, subjective evaluations for passenger comfort.
Field Trials and Validation - validation of vehicle thermal performance in hot climate, hot trials in Europe, USA or Southern Hemisphere locations, cold trials in Northern USA or Scandinavia, can combine with calibration and/or HVAC or cooling development.