Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News

SwRI^® offers small engine design, testing and evaluation

San Antonio -- Aug. 15, 2003 -- Southwest Research Institute® has expanded its capabilities in engine design, testing and optimization of small spark-ignited and diesel engines, including those used in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and other utility vehicles. Additional services include emissions testing, durability testing, component analyses and other capabilities, from concept to production.

"Small engine manufacturers need leading-edge technology to meet increasing cost and performance demands along with strict emission requirements," says Brian Birch, a research engineer in the SwRI Engine and Vehicle Research Division.

"Along with our renowned emissions development and testing capabilities, we have the expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to help small engine manufacturers in the design, development and analysis of their products."

SwRI has added four dedicated small engine dynamometer test stands, and plans to double that number by the end of this year. Other test facilities include an eddy-current motorcycle chassis dynamometer, a full exhaust dilution tunnel, data acquisition and control systems, high-speed test cell computers, a high-speed combustion measurement system, engine dynamometers, an ATV chassis dynamometer, and a motorcycle teardown and inspection facility. In addition, SwRI has the expertise to perform combustion visualization, detailed airflow analysis, combustion bomb testing, and competitive engine and vehicle benchmarking. SwRI has also added design engineers with specific expertise in the design and procurement of low-cost, high-volume engine components for small engines.

As an independent, multidisciplinary research, development and testing organization, SwRI offers a non-biased, third-party perspective. The Engine and Vehicle Research Division has achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized quality standard, and ISO 14001, an environmental management system standard. The SwRI Automotive Products and Emissions Research Division is internationally known for its fuels, lubricants and emissions research activities and is certified to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.

For more information about SwRI small engine capabilities, log onto smallengines.swri.org or visit Booth No. 500 at the Small Engine Technology Conference and Exhibition to be held Sept. 15–18 in Madison, Wis.

For more information contact Maria Martinez, Communications Department, (210) 522-3305, Fax (210) 522-3547, PO Drawer 28510 San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.