Proven Vibration Testing of Hybrid- Vehicle Batteries

Hybrid power technology development is ramping up globally. In today‘s ultra-competitive automotive industry, these technologies of the future demand vibration test solutions that can efficiently perform highly accelerated lifetime testing (HALT), even on large and fully operational assemblies.

The LDS Vibration Test System delivered to an Automotive OEM is an excellent example of a high-performing and versatile system that can easily be adapted to several test demands on large, heavy payloads in multiple axes. For example, accelerated durability tests simulating the whole lifetime of a car where continuous testing for several days at very high vibration levels and extreme temperature conditions are required.

The system is currently used for hybrid vehicle pre-production qualification and functional test of complete battery assemblies designed to be mounted underneath a car. The weight of a battery unit can exceed 250kg.

Typically, tests are performed continuously over several days in a climatic chamber with temperature cycled over a very large temperature range. The system is able to deliver a continuous vibration level of several g’s with a kurtosis level up to 7.

Quick change from vertical to horizontal test – 20 minutes compared to 4 hours with traditional solutions. The head expander and assembly airlifts 13cm from the armature via airbags between the head expander guidance frame and the shaker base. It is then a simple job to move the test specimen and rotate the shaker over and fix it to the slip-table. The normal procedure would be to remove all head expander and frame bolts, then completely remove the entire head expander and guidance assembly and rebuild to the new configuration.

This system's benefis include: the ability to accelerate the test sufficiently, due to the controller’s kurtosis control and manage heavy off-centre loads. The large size of the expander head and the slip table easily accommodate large battery units. The system can also be quickly converted for testing little objects, by using a smaller expander and slip table.

For more about volt battery testing, visit YouTube to watch a video on volt battery vibration testing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W31Hkh2jv00


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About Brüel & Kjær
Brüel & Kjær is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of sound and vibration solutions for use in a wide range of applications including: environmental noise measurements, building acoustics, vibration measurements and quality control for use in the automotive, aerospace and consumer industries, as well as by local authorities.

We design and manufacturer sound level meters, microphones and accelerometers, conditioning amplifiers, calibrators, noise and vibration analysers and software. To see our full range and for more information, please visit www.bksv.co.uk or contact our sales team: telephone +44 (0) 1763 255 780 or email: ukinfo@bksv.com

Brüel & Kjær also runs a variety of training courses throughout the year, from basic introductions on noise and it’s effects to more specialised classes teaching customers how to get the most out of their equipment. To see our full training course calendar, visit: http://www.bksv.co.uk/Courses/Training%20Courses.aspx

Free, online training courses - conducted by our expert engineers - run throughout the year too. For registration details and the latest planned web training sessions, visit: http://www.bksv.co.uk/Courses/Web%20Courses.aspx

Brüel & Kjær has two UK-based laboratories which are UKAS accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. Brüel & Kjær can provide traceable or accredited calibration for sound level meters, microphones, calibrators, artificial ears, conditioning amplifiers and accelerometers. To book a service or for more information, please contact our service department on +44 (0) 1763 255 780 or visit: http://www.bksv.co.uk/ServiceCalibration/CalibrationService.aspx

Brüel & Kjær has 1150 employees, with sales offices in 55 countries. Brüel & Kjær is a subsidiary of UK-based Spectris plc (www.spectris.com) which has annual sales of £787m and employs around 6,000 people worldwide in its 13 business units.

For additional information please contact:
Heather Wilkins
Marketing Coordinator
Bruel & Kjaer UK Ltd
Telephone: 01763 255 780
Web: www.bksv.co.uk
Email: heather.wilkins@bksv.com