Advanced Wear Simulator

Project Summary

In an effort to extend the lifespan of Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) systems and meet new energy efficiency targets, Trane Technologies and the University of St. Thomas are seeking to develop an advanced wear simulator capable of characterizing candidate materials for compressor bearing applications based on their performance in a rigorous wear testing process. The test apparatus must simulate HVAC operating conditions. By doing so, the apparatus will enable faster material selection, ultimately reducing the time to market for new products.

Design Goal

Current material characterization test methods are limited to low operating speeds and don’t reflect the operating conditions a compressor bearing experiences in an HVAC system. The custom designed test apparatus will enable Trane Technologies to conduct accelerated wear testing that mimics the wear a compressor bearing experiences while in operation.

Design Constraints

• Simulate the operating conditions of a Heating Ventilation and Cooling system.
• Simulate a sliding velocity between two materials at up to 100 m/s.
• Apply a force on the sample materials ranging from 4 to 10 Newtons.
• Collect and log temperature, force, and rotational speed data at a rate of no less than 100 samples per second.