Tyre Pyro

[MountainRunner]

Hi Guys,

Another one of my projects is progressing so I thought I would put up some info for discussion. This is a three sensor tyre pyro for measuring the surface temperature accross the tyre tread as the car is racing. This is used to setup the camber, as you have live data at each corner and the straights of the race track. The problem with measuring the tyre temps in the pit lane is that most info is lost as the temp has equalised accross the tread.

For exmaple, look at QLD Raceway, turn 1 could be the most important on the outside left, but you have 5 other turns plus the pit straight by the time you measure the temps, so all data for turn 1 is lost. (I am not saying it is not also valuable to collect tyre temps in the pits as this gives other valuable data on tyre useage).

You need three sensors per tyre (possibly 4 if the tyre has a large deflection on the rim under heavy cornering loads) to measure the temperature movement on the tread. Plus its usually a good idea to measure surface temp as well for reference.

The unit I built has three sensors (see at the bottom of the pic) which go into the processor box that outputs serial data that goes to a laptop or my race logger. You would use one per corner of the car for a full setup.

Here is a pic of the prototype. I am hoping to test it on a car soon.

[Sydneykid]

There are now units available for under $US300 I saw them at SEMA. The main problem is they are an instantaneous display, no logging. So you have to point a video camera at them to record the data.

Cheers

Gary

[MountainRunner]

Yes I saw those units also, they are in the current issue of Racecar Engineering magazine. Its a pain they don't have logging as it takes away from the usefulness of them. It is like the in tyre pressure and temperature system you can get now with the mini transmitters in the valve stem. Again no logging. I will be attacking those in the near future as well so they log into my system.

Having said that, the $300US is still heaps cheaper then the individual sensors that you would usually buy at several hundred each. Especially if you do all 4 corners at 3 sensors a corner. But on the other hand, the $300US one would be difficult to use if you wanted to log all 4 tyres at once as you would have the 4 screens on the dash. You definately would have to video them then.