Valeo Completes State-of-the-Art Climatic Wind Tunnel in Germany
4 October 1999
Valeo Completes State-of-the-Art Climatic Wind Tunnel in Germany
PARIS--Oct. 1, 1999--Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH, a Division of Valeo's Climate Control Branch, has just completed refurbishment of a state-of-the-art climatic wind tunnel in Hockenheim, Germany, designed for testing vehicle thermal systems under wide-ranging climatic and operating conditions.To optimize systems performance and ensure complete thermal comfort for vehicle occupants, simulation runs the gamut from frigid arctic conditions to arid desert climates and humid tropical environments.
Wind tunnel temperatures range from -30(degree)C to 60(degree)C. Simulated sunlight provides a maximum solar load of up to 1,200 W/m(2). Relative humidity ranges from 15% to 90% and wind speeds from 0 to 150 kph. A high-speed wheel dynamometer and wind fan can simulate road speeds up to 150 kph for front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The 18-meter-long climatic wind tunnel, located in the heart of the German automotive industry, can accommodate cars, trucks and buses.
Michael Schwenzer, General Manager of Valeo Klimasysteme, says, "Testing can be designed to meet customers' specific needs. Highly qualified and experienced Valeo engineers and technicians are on hand at every phase, from planning to the evaluation and documentation of results. Sophisticated data-logging equipment records 200 individual data per second. With such rapidity, thoroughness and expertise, we're confident that we can help our customers launch the highest quality systems quickly and at less cost."
Valeo Klimasysteme invested more than 5 million DM in the climatic wind tunnel, which constitutes only a portion of the Division's 19 million DM investment in new research and development programs and facilities. A new technical center in Bad Rodach employs 250 engineers to design and test future Valeo climate control systems for German vehicle manufacturers.
Valeo Climate Control, of which Valeo Klimasysteme is a Division, is one of 10 Branches comprising the Valeo Group. Valeo is an independent, industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sales of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. The Group is among the top 10 automotive suppliers worldwide and estimates that total sales for 1999 will reach 7.5 billion euros. Valeo has 112 manufacturing facilities, 29 research and development centers and 10 distribution centers in 20 countries. Of the more than 50,000 Valeo employees worldwide, 5,700 work in Germany, where the Group has nine plants and four research and development centers.
For more information on the Group and its businesses, please consult our Web site: www.valeo.com