The TBRe team consists of 10 master's students and 30 third-year students from the University of Bath. Each student is responsible for different aspects of this project, which form the basis of their respective undergraduate theses. An additional 20-30 first- and second-year students are also involved. Microlease has supplied various equipment to support this project. A Keysight U5857A thermal imaging camera has been used to monitor temperature levels on the exterior of the battery pack in order to identify hot spots. This camera has also been used to investigate energy recovery in the brake calipers and is expected to be used in motor control testing procedures in the near future. A Keysight 34972A data acquisition unit (with integrated thermocouple junction reference) is also being used for vehicle diagnostics. This unit includes a pair of 34901A 20-channel multiplexer modules along with the BenchVue multifunction software package. This allows for the capture and subsequent analysis of data from a series of thermocouple-based sensors located at various points on the battery pack, ensuring the continued operational effectiveness of both the battery and the vehicle's powertrain. For the next stages of the project, Microlease will supply a Keysight N6705B DC power analyzer along with the corresponding software. This will enable a comprehensive study of the DC loads the vehicle experiences during races, allowing for maximum optimization of battery resources. The team is currently finalizing subsystem testing. System-level and road tests will begin this spring, ahead of the race in July.“This event is a unique opportunity for university students to gain hands-on, real-world experience by completing a full engineering project from the drawing board to final assembly,” says Glenn Howard, Sales Engineer at Microlease. “Through our collaboration with TBRe on their Formula Student electric car, we are helping to train the next generation of engineers.”.
“Microlease’s contribution has proven invaluable to the team over the past eight months,” explains Sean Thompson, a long-time member of TBRe. “In addition to the equipment they’ve supplied, their ongoing technical advice has been invaluable. With their help, we’ve been able to make improvements to our design that have resulted in a clear competitive advantage.”.
