1.

The Automotive Engineering department has four Technology Concepts-Investigation Teaching Laboratories each having a dedicated and comprehensive range of technology investigation rigs and diagnostic-experimentation trainer sets.

Laboratories include:

 - AE Heat Engine Testing & Emissions Laboratory [Rm. 053]

 - AE Systems Diagnostics Laboratory [Rm081]

- Automotive Technology Laboratory (Environmental Protection) [Rm. 083]

 - Automotive Components and Systems Laboratory [Rm. 282]

The aforementioned laboratories have equipment sets designed to support a wide range of ‘AE Systems’ project and diagnostics related work across all modules in the curriculum. 

AE electronics aspects and Auto Parts & Accessories applications are both  represented within these laboratories with having its' own separate and unique identity.

2.

Technology concepts / investigations are hierarchical in nature with the more advanced areas involving a high degree of sophistication. They are specially designed for AE students and form the core medium for the teaching & learning process regarding the AE, regular and advanced systems technology.

Specialist technician support is available to students engaged in technology related projects.

3.

The Light Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Test Cell is located within the AE Heat Engine and Emissions Laboratory and comprises of a Froude - Eddie Current ‘Engine Bed’ Dynamometer with a full suite of control, sensing and data collection equipment.

An air-conditioned control room is situated adjacent to the engine test bed enclosure with a viewing window to enable visual contact with the test rig.

A Go-Power ‘engine bed’ (water brake) dynamometer will be added to the test cell and its’ control room will be upgraded.

Exhaust extraction from the test cell ensures that exhaust products are properly released to the atmosphere (at high level) during testing.

A ‘laboratory standard’ Exhaust Gas Analyser and a Particulate Analyser are installed along with all necessary software and microcomputer software.

Any type of light vehicle engine may be tested in this cutting-edge facility.

4.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$16.61 million to build and equip this new centre at the HKIVE(LWL) campus. Architectural work started in July, 2005 and the building work is due to commence in early 2006.

5.

This centre was established in 2003 as a result of a request by the HKSAR Government to provide ‘emissions related’ vehicle data to the local vehicle repair industry.

The centre maintains a login service for its members who may also access the centre’s 'free' advisory and/or ‘income bearing’ consultancy support services.

The centre maintains an interesting and dynamic website containing many useful links for the use of students and teaching staff and the public alike.

The website may be viewed at http://aedatabase.vtc.edu.hk

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Miniature Solar Powered Vehicle with Sensors

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Variable Combustion Ratio Engine with pressure sensing / computer interface

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Dual fuel [Petrol & Liquid Petroleum Gas] Engine rig

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Combustion Chamber Flexible Fibre Scope

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Single Cylinder Crankshaft Balancing rig

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Multi Cylinder Crankshaft Balancing rig

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Engine Cooling System rig with Sensors

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Jet Engine mounted on Test Bed

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Electronic Fuel Injection Concepts / Diagnostics Trainer

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Fuel System Concepts / Diagnostics Trainer

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Ignition System Investigation / Diagnostics Rigs (Various)

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Dry Sump Lubrication rig

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Viscometer (Fuel Analysis)

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Flash Point rig (Fuel Analysis)

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Crank Angle to Piston Stroke Investigation rig

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Exhaust silencing media (various)

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Exhaust / After-treatment media (various)

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Torque Converter rig

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Simple Epicyclic Gear Train Investigation set

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Compound Epicyclic Gear Train Investigation set

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Mono-stable Multi-vibrator Circuit Trainer

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Oscilloscope Function Set

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A-stable Clock Circuits

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555 IC Timer Circuits

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Operational Amplifier

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Analogue-to-Digital Converter

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Digital-to-Analogue Converter

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Transistor (Amplifier)

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Thyrister Trainer

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Pre-heater Circuit (Auto-electronics)

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Hysteresis of an IC Trigger Set-up

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Transistor Characteristics Trainer

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Ignition Primary Circuit Drop Test rig

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Servo System using Operational Amplifier rig

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Schmitt Trigger using Operational Amplifier

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Three Step Water Indicator

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Square and Saw Tooth Wave Oscillators

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Miniature Wind Tunnel with aerodynamic models

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Dynamic Air Bag Concept rig

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Tensile / Compressive Test rig

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Ultra Sonic Flaw Detector / Crack Detection set

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Single Plate Clutch rig

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4-speed manual transmission rig

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5-speed manual transmission rig

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Hydraulic Braking System Concepts rig (with Vacuum assistance)

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Hydraulic Braking System Concepts rig (with Anti-skid Braking)

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Ackerman Steering Geometry Simulator rig

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Wheel Angle Set Rig (4-wheel)

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Front Axle (with steering system)

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Final Drive (Sun & Planet sets)

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Pneumatic Suspension Concepts rig

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Air conditioning & Ventilation Concepts / Diagnosis rig

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Wheel Balancer model

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Dynamic Fifth Wheel Concepts Model

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Cummins Diesel EFI Systems Concepts / Diagnostics Trainer

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Voith Auto Trans (Electronic) System Concepts Trainer

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Seat Belt Tensioner rig

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Glazing Systems Set-up

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Component Failure: Museum Boards (2)

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Technology Information System

3.

The Automotive Engineering Department maintains the following  'specialist feature' Centres:

- Automotive Electronics & Motorcycle Technology Centre [Rm. 273]

- Pneumatic Braking Systems Centre

- Liquid Petroleum Gas Licensed [R&D] Work Bay

These Centres contain the necessary resources to support less common areas for Practical Integrative Assignments (at all year / stage levels), Projects and certain special investigations elements of the AE curriculum.

These Centres are designed to be highly flexible in order to cope with the wide range of AE systems technology.

4.

A comprehensive range  Automotive Electronics is continually developed within the AE Electronics & Motorcycle Centre.

 This area of development is considered most important to the AE department due to the increasing presence of specialist / dedicated electronic sensing and control appearing across almost all systems of modern vehicles.

Engine management, system sensing and control and On-board Diagnostics (OBDI & II) are prime examples here.

5.

The Pneumatic Braking Systems Centre contains systems layouts commonly found on large vehicles in Hong Kong.

6.

The Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) licensed [R&D] Work Bay supports the 'LPG & Vehicle Systems' ACC Module as well as a wide range of related  advanced assignments across all courses.

This work bay is an important entity in that the HKSARG has replaced some 18,000 diesel taxis for ones which operate on gaseous fuels (LPG). Students therefore need to be taught up all associated ‘LPG’ technology and associated processes and should be capable of carrying-out basic R&D projects.

7.

 A transient chassis dynamometer has been acquired which is used for advanced ‘whole vehicle’ cyclical testing, especially in the areas of emissions testing and alternative fuels applications.

8.

A full range of equipment for Diesel Fuel Injection (DFI) overhaul and testing is available in the DFI Centre.

9.

Advanced vehicle body treatment and refinishing / customizing is carried-out in a purpose-designed centre.

A paint preparation room, paint-mixing and stirring machine support a full size car spraying enclosure to support student projects in the area of customizing and personalizing.

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Chassis Dynamometer (2)

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Engine Bed Dynamometers (2)

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Diesel Fuel Injection Equipment Centre with Calibration / Phasing Stands and a range of Injector Testing Equipment

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Heavy & Light Vehicle Ramp

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Various tools & test equipment (Exhaust Emissions)

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Computerized Roller Brake Tester (Dynamic brake testing / Analysis)

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LPG Work Bay (Licensed) with support media

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Engine Analyzers

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Diesel Smoke Meters (exhaust opacity)

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Exhaust Gas Analyzers (Petrol & LPG engines)

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Engine Diagnostics sets (all engines)

Laser Wheel Alignment System

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AE Electronics rigs

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AE Electronics units

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AE Electronics 'Sensing & Control' Diagnostics rigs

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Range of circuit boards with testers

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Automatic Transmission Tester / Diagnosis sets

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Pneumatic Braking Systems rigs for both 'rigid' and 'articulated' vehicles

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Automotive Electronics Testing sets / rigs

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Exhaust Analysers

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Particulate Analysers

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Paint Spraying Enclosure (whole car)

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Paint Mixing Centre

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Computerised & Manual Paint Mixing facilities

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Car Paint Spraying Enclosure

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Safety Equipment (Stands / Jacks etc)

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Renault Electric Vehicle (Zero Emission)

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Toyota Hybrid Vehicle (Mk I)

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Solar Powered Karts (Competition units)

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Range of Petrol Vehicles

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Range of LPG Vehicles

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Range of Diesel Vehicles

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Light Bus (LPG)

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Euro-II Chassis and Cab (with all components)

Eddy Chan,

Head, Department of Automotive Engineering.

Updated - November, 2008