A team of 10 from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) worked together to develop an off-road vehicle to compete in the 2013 SAE Baja competition. We chose a hydrostatic transmission drivetrain (uses fluid to transfer power from the engine to the wheels) as an innovative and challenging aspect of the project. Around 98% of all competitors use a gearbox mechanical transmission, so we were off the beaten path with our approach. Fluid Power Institute, Poclain Hydraulics, and Dr. Matthew J. Schaefer advised this project.
My focuses were on the hydrostatic drivetrain and treasurer, which my contributions helped fund the $26,000 project. MSOE did not offer Fluid power engineering. We arranged educational courses with experts in the field and self teach the material.
I worked personally with Tim Kerrigan of the Fluid Power Institute on this project and my German engineering bachelor thesis. The hydrostatic drivetrain of the Baja vehicle was the focus of my thesis.
Presentations of the project included:
- SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) A-6: Aerospace, Actuation, Control and Fluid Power Systems conference in Milwaukee, WI (2013). I presented with teammate Dominic Ridolfi.
- IFPE (International Fluid Power Exposition) in Las Vegas, NV (2014). I presented and submitted a research paper.
Here is the Design Poster for the MSOE design show.
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