DESCRIPTION:
The Model 64 EFA Test Stand measures Effective Flow Area in Sq. Inches
of Turbine Engine Parts from 0.5 to 50 Sq. inches at 5-20 inches
water gauge for smaller parts and 5-10 inches water gauge for larger
parts.
The
system consists of an Airflow generation unit, ASME Reference Plenum,
Part Test Plenum and a Data Acquisition system.
Airflow Generation Unit
This unit consists of turbine blower, a 10-30 Hp motor with
belt drive and a variable speed digital motor controller or an
autotransformer Operated Vacuum Motor for smaller applications
ASME Reference Plenum
The ASME Reference Plenum is connected to the Airflow
Generator Unit in a pressure or vacuum configuration. This unit takes pressure and temperature measurement for the
ASME reference nozzle. The plenum is insulated for better repeatability, it contains a
radial temperature and pressure measuring array.
An ASME reference Nozzle is mounted to this plenum from the
Part Test Plenum side. The
Nozzle is reversible for pressure or vacuum measurement.
Part Test Plenum
The Part Test Plenum connects to the ASME Reference Plenum.
A unknown part and fixture can be connected to this plenum for
measurement. It has several
concentric rings for fixtures of various sizes.
The swivel clamps mounted on the faceplate are very handy for
quick mounting.
This plenum is also insulated for better repeatability, it
also contains a radial temperature and two pressure measuring arrays.
Data Acquisition Unit
The
Data Acquisition Unit includes the large blue NEMA rated cabinet
containing Data Acquisition modules.
The
Industrial Computer uses a passive PCI backplane and comes with an
Ethernet controller for networkability.
Operator CRT display is flat LCD color display.
A new and accurate way to do production
measurements on an EFA stand.
Previous EFA machines used external calibration
devices and to be taken off during testing and put back on occasionally
for machine checks. The
longer time expended after calibration, the less accurate you might be.
Also, there are no annoying reference blowers running all day
long.
With the Model 64, that is all gone.
Now, a calibration device is mounted full-time in the back of the
unit, the air goes through both the part and the calibration device so
mass flow rate is always known. Digital Signal processing is performed on the measurements to
get the best accuracy and repeatability possible and production speed.
Other machines have been built to do measurements
like this before but they were built for the laboratory.
This machine brings the lab to the production floor and is
hardened for that environment.
The Model 64 Repeats itself: See
it for yourself, the photograph below has a clipping from two test
reports on a PT6 Part #3010262, measured on the 27th of January and on
the 3rd of February. First day average: 14.741, Second day
average: 14.736 Didn't have to flow orifice plates, no reference
blower to setup. Just install the ASME nozzle, install the part
and click 'test part'.
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