Honda Plans to Improve Future Vehicle Aerodynamics and Acoustics with New Wind Tunnel in Ohio

Wind tunnel testing will play key role as Honda prepares for its own electrified future.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – March 21, 2022

2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid undergoing Aeroacoustic Testing

​

This morning, Honda opened its brand new $124 million wind tunnel facility, ushering in a new era of development testing capabilities for Honda and Acura products. The new Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO) facility, located at the independent Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC) in Central Ohio, is the world's most advanced wind tunnel, with three separate state-of-the art testing functions — aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, and racing — in one location.

Honda created the HALO facility to reinforce its commitment to developing fuel-efficient vehicles. One of the most advanced of its kind anywhere, the wind tunnel uses a unique interchangeable modular ground plane system capable of aerodynamic vehicle testing of production vehicles and race machines.

With a five-belt rolling road system designed for production vehicle development and a second single wide-belt system for testing both high-performance sports cars and purpose-built race vehicles, the tunnel can generate wind speeds of more than 190 mph.

HALO Main Fan

​

The wind tunnel can also enable a sophisticated acoustic test system for an aeroacoustic testing that utilizes a powerful system of acoustic arrays, made up of microphones and cameras, able to collect real-time data and precision measurement. This becomes even more important as an element of vehicle design as Honda moves toward its electrified future.

As Honda continues to move toward its electrified future, noise reduction becomes an even more important element in vehicle design. Absent engine and exhaust sounds, wind noise will be more noticeable inside the cabin of an electric vehicle. Using the acoustic test system, Honda engineers will be able to identify the precise locations of both interior and exterior noise issues more quickly than ever before.

The new wind tunnel, coupled with the company's advanced safety research center, provides Honda's R&D engineers with two world-class facilities in Ohio; both supporting the design and development of products built in America using domestic and globally sourced parts. This also is an opportunity for Honda engineers to build relationships with other companies interested in aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research and sustain the general aerodynamic community's testing needs.

Additionally, the wind tunnel's aerodynamic test capabilities will help increase the range and performance of the company's future full-electric vehicles, supporting Honda's efforts to continually advance its current position as America's most fuel efficient and lowest CO2 full-line automaker.

Acura TLX undergoing std. Aerodynamic Testing

​

The HALO wind tunnel is Honda's latest major investment in Ohio, where the company has been advancing its ability to develop and build products for over 40 years – now totaling $14 billion.

Wind Tunnel Investment - $124 million

Facility size

• 110,000 square feet
• 1/8-mile wind tunnel circuit

3/4 Open Test Section

• 3 meters x 5 meters x 15 meters

Test Capabilities

• Aerodynamic
• Aeroacoustic
• Motorsports/Racing

Less than one hour to change to acoustic mode

Variable Nozzle Area

• 25 square meters = 155 mph
• 18 square meters = 192 mph

Heat exchanger temperature range

• 50-122 degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining constant temperature

Fan Specifications

• Diameter: 8 meters
• Blades: 12 hollow carbon fiber fixed-pitch blades
• Max rpm ≈ 250 rpm at max air speed 310 kph
• Electric motor: 5-megawatt, 6700 HP

Max Wind Speed

• 192.63 mph

Acoustic Test System

• Acoustic environment: ˂ 57 dBA @140 kph (87 mph)
• Series of acoustic arrays: top, front, sides, and interior
• 502 external directional microphones and cameras
• 54 internal microphones (inside cabin for sound source detection)

Turntable

• Diameter: 12 meters
• 180-degree rotation (Most wind tunnels rotate only +/- 15 degrees)

Modular ground plane system

• Two 40-ton belt modules

5-belt: one belt under each vehicle tire and one larger belt under vehicle center

Wide belt: one large belt under vehicle
Max speed of 193 mph

Acoustic cover

• Module changeover takes approx. 4 hours

Balance (scale): Measures Aerodynamic Load

• Weight: 80 tons (160,000 lbs.)
• Dimensions: 45 feet long x 16 feet tall x 8 feet wide
• Stopping Position Accuracy = +/- 0.5mm
• Moving Path Accuracy = 1.0 mm
• Max Deflection Under Max Load = < 1.0 mm

Third-party Customer Workspace

• Four secure customer bays

 

Hi Edwin:

I was thinking the same thing. I have not had any decent news out of Honda in forever when this popped up. I almost let it go as a Honda forum post but you never know what people like to read and what they do not?

Wayne