AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 45th
annual BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award has been presented to
engineers James Goodloe,
Roger Griffiths, Marcelo Martinelli and Robert Bell from Honda Performance Development
for the Honda Refueling Safety Interlock System. Designed to
prevent a race car from leaving the pit lane with the refueling
hose still attached, the system helps prevent fuel spills and
injuries to drivers and crew members. The system is required for
the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500.
The Honda Refueling Safety Interlock System uses LED
photoelectric sensors to detect a probe at the end of the refueling
hose. Once detected, the sensor sends a signal through the engine
control unit to the gearbox control unit, which selects and/or
holds the gearbox in neutral until the refueling hose has been
removed. Only then can the driver select first gear and safely
leave the pit. The software also advises the driver that the system
is activated via the dashboard display. Should a sensor fail during
a race, the system can be overridden, but not without detection by
IndyCar officials. Designed to withstand the harsh operating
environment at the IZOD IndyCar Series, the sensors have achieved
2,500 competition miles without failure.
Presented by engineers to engineers, the Louis Schwitzer Award recognizes individuals for
innovation and engineering excellence in the field of race car
design, specifically related to the annual Indianapolis 500. Presented by the Indiana
Section of SAE International, BorgWarner sponsors the prestigious
$10,000 award. The winners are also
honored at an awards banquet, and their names are immortalized on
the Schwitzer trophy on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
The award was initiated in 1967 to memorialize Louis Schwitzer, a true automotive pioneer who
had close ties to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) at its very
beginning a century ago. As a professional race car driver, he was
the winner of the first auto race at the IMS in 1909. As a pioneer
automotive engineer, he made his mark in the design of the "Marmon
Yellow Jacket" engine that powered the Marmon Wasp to win the first
Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
After working in the automotive industry for many years, Louis
founded the Schwitzer Corporation, which produced innovative
cooling fans, water pumps and turbochargers. The Schwitzer
Corporation joined BorgWarner in 1999. Throughout his career, Louis
enjoyed numerous technological accomplishments, supported higher
education, led the IMS technical committee for many years and
maintained a strong association with SAE.
About BorgWarner
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based
BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a product leader in highly
engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain
applications worldwide. The company operates manufacturing and
technical facilities in 59 locations in 19 countries. Customers
include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors,
Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA,
and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is:
http://www.borgwarner.com.
SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.