Dynamometer - How Dynamometers Are Used For Engine Testing

How Dynamometers Are Used For Engine Testing

Dynamometers are useful in the development and refinement of modern engine technology. The concept is to use a dyno to measure and compare power transfer at different points on a vehicle, thus allowing the engine or drivetrain to be modified to get more efficient power transfer. For example, if an engine dyno shows that a particular engine achieves 400 N·m (300 lb·ft) of torque, and a chassis dynamo shows only 350 N·m (260 lbf·ft), one would know to look to the drivetrain for the major improvements. Dynamometers are typically very expensive pieces of equipment, and so are normally only used in certain fields that rely on them for a particular purpose.