Climatic Center for Innovation and Research - TCCI

CLIMATIC CENTER FOR INNOVATION & RESEARCH (CCIR)

Powering Sustainable Mobility

The Climatic Center for Innovation & Research (CCIR)
Provides a controlled, repeatable environment to design and validate thermal and vehicle systems under real-world conditions, offering a public-facing resource that accelerates development and helps bring road-ready technologies to market faster.

Capabilities

The Climatic Center offers a state-of-the-art, public-facing environment to design and validate next-generation thermal solutions under precise, real-world conditions. Equipped with an EPA-certified dynamometer, the Climatic Center can accurately and repeatedly simulate real-world driving conditions—across light- to heavy-duty applications—providing precise insights into performance and durability.

Climatic Chamber Specifications

Overall Dimensions

L 90 ft x W 27 ft x H 23.5 ft
(Vehicle Side ~ L 65 ft × W 27 ft x H 18 ft)
(Vehicle Door – 14 ft x 14 ft)

Temperature Range

-22°F to 131°F with vehicle heat load of 100kw and max frontal airflow of 100,000 CFM
23°F to 131° F with vehicle heat load of 200 kw and full system frontal airflow

Humidity Range

20% to 90% RH

Front End Airflow

50 mph with largest nozzle size, nozzle is retractable on wheels; w/nozzle insert 20 ft2, 100 mph

Solar Simulation

Total IR Array dimensions 24 ft x 12 ft
(total 30 kw based on (240) 125 W bulbs)
Center 14 ft x 6 ft (two controlled zones)
Left and right wings 3 ft x 14 ft (two controlled zones)
Front and back wings 5 ft x 6 ft (one controlled zone)

EPA - Certified Dynometer

3 axle (600 hp front, two 800 hp rear)

Climatic Chamber Specifications

Overall Dimensions

L 90 ft x W 27 ft x H 23.5 ft
(Vehicle Side ~ L 65 ft × W 27 ft x H 18 ft)
(Vehicle Door – 14 ft x 14 ft)

Temperature Range

-22°F to 131°F with vehicle heat load of 100kw and max frontal airflow of 100,000 CFM
23°F to 131° F with vehicle heat load of 200 kw and full system frontal airflow

Humidity Range

20% to 90% RH

Front End Airflow

50 mph with largest nozzle size, nozzle is retractable on wheels; w/nozzle insert 20 ft2, 100 mph

Solar Simulation

Total IR Array dimensions 24 ft x 12 ft
(total 30 kw based on (240) 125 W bulbs)
Center 14 ft x 6 ft (two controlled zones)
Left and right wings 3 ft x 14 ft (two controlled zones)
Front and back wings 5 ft x 6 ft (one controlled zone)

EPA - Certified Dynometer

3 axle (600 hp front, two 800 hp rear)

Floorplan

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Belt Driven Durability Wing

This capability supports validation of traditional mechanical compressor systems across internal combustion and hybrid platforms.

Testing focuses on parasitic load, efficiency optimization, and durability under high-stress commercial applications.

Outcome for OEMs: Optimized fuel efficiency and extended lifecycle performance.

(Qty 8) Durability stands with water to refrigerant heat exchangers
PLC controlled durability profiles
Used to verify compressor robustness across various operating conditions

Liquid Slugging

Liquid slugging simulations stress compressors under abnormal refrigerant conditions to evaluate structural resilience and mechanical integrity.

These tests replicate transient conditions that can occur in real-world operation.

Outcome for OEMs: Reduced catastrophic failure risk and improved field reliability.

Ransco Wing

The Ransco Wing supports customer-specific integration testing and application-driven validation.

Flexible configurations allow OEM teams to simulate unique operating environments and system architectures.

Outcome for OEMs: Customized validation without compromising scalability.

LV Test Area

The Low Voltage Testing Area validates 12V and 24V components across a wide range of automotive and industrial applications. This capability supports transient voltage simulation, performance validation, and standards-based testing using over 3,700 preprogrammed automotive and industry test sequences, with the ability to develop and execute custom protocols for emerging requirements.

Outcome for OEMs: Confidence in component reliability and compliance through repeatable, standards-aligned testing that accelerates validation of low voltage systems across vehicle platforms.

See Specifications:

Supports testing of 12V and 24V components across automotive and industrial applications
Enables transient voltage simulation for real-world electrical conditions
Includes 3,700+ preprogrammed automotive and industry standard test sequences
Custom test sequence development for new and evolving requirements

Electronics Lab

The Electronics Lab provides dedicated space for testing, diagnostics, and repair of electrical components and systems, supporting rapid issue identification and resolution across all stages of development. Integrated with CCIR’s broader testing capabilities, the lab enables real-time troubleshooting, validation, and refinement of components to ensure system performance and reliability.

Outcome for OEMs: Faster problem resolution and reduced downtime through on-site diagnostics and repair, keeping development timelines on track and minimizing disruption to testing programs.

Electric Compressor Testing

The Electric Compressor Testing supports development, integration, and validation of high-voltage and low-voltage electric compressor systems across commercial and specialty vehicle platforms. This environment enables OEM engineering teams to validate performance, efficiency, controls integration, and durability under application-specific duty cycles before vehicle deployment. By combining component testing with system-level simulation, customers gain earlier visibility into trade-offs that impact range, efficiency, NVH, and
lifecycle reliability.

Outcome for OEMs: Reduced integration risk, fewer late-stage design changes, faster production readiness.

(Qty 8) Durability stands with water to refrigerant heat exchangers
PLC controlled durability profiles
Evaporator and expansion valves tuned to the specific capacity needs of electric compressors
Power supplies and communication added to operate electric compressors
Used to verify compressor robustness across various operating conditions

System Level Testing

System Level Testing validates complete thermal architectures — compressors, controls, refrigerant systems, and vehicle integration — under controlled and repeatable conditions.
Rather than evaluating isolated components, this capability ensures that full-system performance margins hold under real-world load conditions and drive cycles.

Outcome for OEMs: Greater confidence in deployment, improved system optimization, and reduced field validation risk.

System Components, heat exchangers or full HVAC Systems can be installed and airflow, air temperature and humidity can be controlled from:

Condenser Loop:
Air Volume 0 to 6500 cfm
Relative Humidity: 15 – 90%
Air Temperature Range -4.0 deg F to above 140 deg F.

Evaporator Loops:
Air Temperature Range: -40 deg F to 150 deg F
Relative Humidity: 15 – 90%
Air Volume: 0 – 600 CFM each loop

Noise Testing

This area evaluates acoustic performance under operational conditions, including load variation and system transitions. By measuring sound levels, harmonic behavior, and vibration characteristics, OEM teams can optimize NVH performance without sacrificing efficiency or durability.

Outcome for OEMs: Improved vehicle comfort, compliance, and brand-level performance differentiation.

Semi-anechoic chamber
PLC controlled durability profiles
Motor for powering belt-driven compressors and external power supply for electric compressors
External refrigerant system to operate compressor under load
Background noise level of 55dB(A) (not very loud)
Dual microphones and tri-axial accelerometers

Motor Dyno

The Chassis Dyno is a high-precision testing system designed to simulate and measure the performance of ICE and electric vehicle powertrains under a variety of load and speed conditions. Capable of simulating up to 800 hp per axle, this 3 axle dynamometer is ideal for testing everything from small cars to class 8 trucks, ensuring OEMs can validate motor performance, efficiency, and power train cooling. With an EPA-certified dynamometer, it offers unmatched accuracy and reliability for real-world performance simulation.

Outcome for OEMs:
Efficient vehicle level validation across a broad range of applications, supporting performance optimization, energy efficiency, and system integration for ICE and next-gen electric vehicles.

Standard & Large Calorimeters

These calorimeters provide precision measurement of thermal capacity and efficiency across a wide range of compressor sizes and configurations. The Standard Calorimeter supports component-level validation, while the Large Calorimeter accommodates high-capacity systems and application-specific configurations.

Outcome for OEMs: Verified capacity performance aligned with real operating conditions and program specifications.

Fully automated operation with programmed testing profiles
Capable of Functional Mapping of Variable compressors
Precise capacity measurement with <5.0% balance
Capacity up to 50,000 BTU/h

Tear Down Lab

The Tear Down Lab supports detailed post-test analysis to evaluate material wear, structural integrity, and failure modes. Data gathered from teardown inspections informs continuous improvement, durability enhancements, and warranty risk mitigation.

Outcome for OEMs: Root-cause visibility and data-backed durability validation.

Thermal Shock Testing

Thermal Shock testing subjects systems to rapid temperature transitions to evaluate material integrity, sealing performance, and functional stability under extreme conditions. By cycling components between hot and cold environments in seconds, this capability replicates the stress of real-world operating extremes across global climates and aggressive duty cycles, helping identify failure points early in the development process.

Outcome for OEMs: Validated durability and performance stability across extreme temperature transitions, reducing risk of field failure in global operating environments.

See Specifications:

Temperature range: approximately -65°C to +200°C
Interior volume: 4 cu. ft. 110 Liters
Interior dimensions: 25.5″ x 14.5″ x 18″ / 650 x 370 x 460 mm
Transition time between zones: typically ≤10 seconds for accelerated stress testing
Independent hot and cold chambers for consistent, repeatable cycling conditions
Programmable thermal cycling profiles for custom test sequences and validation standards
Uniform temperature distribution to ensure accurate and repeatable results
Designed for high-cycle durability testing to evaluate material fatigue, sealing integrity, and component reliability
Supports testing of electronic, mechanical, and system-level components

Air Compressor Test Area

This area validates air brake compressor systems under simulated load conditions representative of commercial
vehicle operation. Testing evaluates output stability, durability, and compliance performance across variable duty cycles.

Outcome for OEMs: Proven safety performance and long-term operational reliability.

EC Compressor Performance and Durability Room

The Electric Compressor Performance and Durability Room is equipped with IPETRONIK compressor durability stands designed to evaluate the performance, efficiency, and durability of electric compressors under controlled and repeatable conditions. These systems simulate real-world thermal and operating environments, enabling detailed analysis of compressor behavior across varying speeds, loads, and duty cycles.

Outcome for OEMs: Validated compressor performance and system efficiency that enables optimized thermal management, improved energy utilization, and confident integration into vehicle platforms.

See Specifications:

Compressor speed testing capability typically ranging up to ~12,000 RPM+
Refrigerant flow, pressure, and temperature measurement for full system performance analysis
Power consumption and efficiency mapping to support energy optimization and vehicle range targets
Enables transient and steady-state testing to replicate real-world duty cycles
Compatible with modern refrigerants and evolving thermal management system requirements
High-resolution data acquisition for key metrics including flow rate, suction/discharge pressure, temperature, and electrical input

Control Room

The Control Room serves as the centralized data and monitoring hub for all test operations. Engineers capture real-time diagnostics, analyze system response, and manage environmental parameters to ensure test precision and repeatability.

Outcome for OEMs: Data-backed decision-making with full test traceability.

Climatic Chamber

The Climatic Chamber simulates extreme ambient environments and integrates with an EPA-certified
dynamometer to replicate real-world drive cycles. This capability enables full vehicle and system testing across sub-zero and high-heat conditions, validating performance, durability, and regulatory readiness.

Outcome for OEMs: Reduced field trial dependency and accelerated time-to-market.

Temperature Range:

-22F – 131F with vehicle heat load of 100kw and max frontal airflow of 100,000CFM
23F – 131F with vehicle heat load of 200kw and full system frontal airflow

Humidity Range:

20% – 90% RH

Front End Airflow:

50mph with largest nozzle size, nozzle is retractable on wheels; w/nozzle insert 20ft², 100mph

Solar Simulation:

Total IR Array Dimensions: 24ft x 12ft (total 30kw based on (240) 125 W bulbs)

EPA-Certified Dynamometer:

3Axle (600 hp front, two 800 hp rear)

Prep Bays

The Prep Bay supports system configuration, instrumentation integration, and pre-test setup.

All systems are calibrated and validated prior to formal testing to ensure data accuracy and repeatability.

Outcome for OEMs: Reliable, controlled, and efficient validation workflows.

2x 6-Station EC Durability Wing

Programmable durability benches simulate extended lifecycle conditions under customer-specific duty cycles. These accelerated tests replicate years of operational wear within compressed timelines.

Outcome for OEMs: Warranty risk reduction and lifecycle performance assurance.

See Specifications

(Qty 2x 6-Station) Durability stands with water to refrigerant heat exchangers
PLC controlled durability profiles
Used to verify compressor robustness across various operating conditions

Natural Refrigerant & R290 System Testing

This section supports validation of low-GWP and natural refrigerant systems, including R290, under controlled and application-specific conditions.

Testing evaluates performance, safety parameters, and regulatory readiness across evolving global refrigerant standards.

Outcome for OEMs: Future-ready platform compliance and reduced regulatory transition risk.

Thermal / Vibration Test Area

This area combines thermal cycling and vibration testing to replicate high-stress operational environments. Components are evaluated under simultaneous thermal and mechanical load conditions representative of commercial vehicle use.

Outcome for OEMs: Long-term durability validation under combined stress scenarios.

Vibration:

80.1kN force Sine Random
3 inch peak to peak stroke capable
High Velocity – 80 in/s Sine
135 in/s Shock
Shaker, Amplifier and Field Supply are all Air-Cooled

Thermal:

Temperature Range (Min – Max)
°C -70 to 150 (°F -94 to 302)
Temperature Transitions With70Kg lbs. of aluminum equivalent load and no live load.
From 125°C to -40°C at 5°C/mi. Average
From -40°C to 125°C at 5°C/mi. Average
Humidity Range
10 to 95%rh
Interior Dimensions
1219mm W x 1016mm D x 956mm H

Accelerated Product Development

With state-of-the-art testing environments, partners can drastically reduce their product development cycles. Our facilities offer the ability to meet evolving design needs, ensuring faster time-to-market.

Customized Testing

We offer our partners the exclusive opportunity to customize testing scenarios that replicate exact operating environments their products may face in the field. This not only enhances the realism of the tests, but also provides data that is critical for optimizing designs before they hit the market.

Compliance and Validation

We support our partners on their journey to zero emissions by ensuring that all products not only comply with stringent environmental regulations but contribute to the advancement of sustainable mobility. By partnering with TCCI, companies can confidently claim compliance and performance, paving the way for greener, cleaner technologies.

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