Armfield Engineering Education
CAPTURE FLUID MACHINES
FM41 Axial Fan Demonstration Unit - issue 2
The axial fan produces gas flow by virtue of the momentum changes imparted across the rotary blades, parallel to the axis of rotation. Such fans are more suitable for higher flows at lower delivery pressures than their centrifugal counterparts.
Comparison of the performance characteristics
of the FM41 Axial Fan with those of the FM40 Centrifugal Fan thus provides
an instructional exercise
of valuable practical application.
Ordering Specification
• A small-scale axial fan demonstration unit, comprising of an inlet duct, the fan, an outlet duct and an adjustable aperture, all mounted on a stainless steel base.
• Equipped with electronic measurement sensors for fan head pressure, flow-rate (via orifice plate), fan speed and air temperature.
• Transparent ducts give visibility of the fan in operation.
• Capable of being linked to a PC (not supplied) via a dedicated interface console (an essential accessory).
• Supplied with software providing full instructions for setting up, operating, calibrating and performing the teaching exercises. Facilities for logging, processing and displaying data graphically.
• Full theoretical back-up together with a student questions and answers session.
INSTRUCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
• Measurement of inherent-speed machine performance in terms of static and total pressures, rotor speed and motor input power, as a function of inlet flow
• Measurement of overall efficiency and estimation of impeller power efficiency
• Measurement of performance at constant speeds
• Introduction to similarity laws for scale-up
• Comparison of student calculations with computer results
Description
An axial fan, mounted on a stainless steel plinth. Transparent air inlet and air outlet ducts allow the fan construction to be clearly observed. A manually operated adjustable aperture allows the air flow rate to be varied.
A calibrated orifice plate is used on the discharge to measure the air flow rate. Electronic sensors measure the pressure head developed across the fan, the pressure across the orifice plate (and hence the flow rate), the rotational speed of the fan and the air temperature. The fan speed is controlled by modulated dc supply, complete with current sensing to allow the power drawn by the fan to be measured.
An IFD7 is required to provide the conditioning electronics for the sensors and to allow their readings to be displayed on the computer software. Connections to the IFD7 are a single multi-way connector for the sensors and a power connector for the fan drive.
The equipment is provided with advanced education and data logging software. See the software section of this datasheet for further details.
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
Max Flow Rate: 38 l/s typical
Max Head: 0.06 KPa
Max fan speed 2700rpm
Motor Power rating 5W
SOFTWARE
Windows based software is supplied with the CAPTURE range of equipment offering a complete teaching package of coursework and laboratory investigation.
The familiar Windows environment allows the student to explore the principles of each machine quickly and easily, highlighting the difference between theoretical and practical measurements, thus providing a good understanding of the principles involved.
This software runs under Windows 98, 2000 or XP operating systems and has been designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use. Comprehensive ‘Help’ screens guide the student through both the theoretical background and the practical investigation of the machine under examination. Suggested laboratory investigations and further questions for the student to answer are included in the software, together with all the information required to set up and run the teaching exercises.
SOFTWARE CAPABILITIES
This software includes a range of functions and capabilities designed to make the operation of the equipment and processing of the results more straightforward, and also to enhance student understanding of the subjects being covered.
It includes:
> Diagrammatic representation of the equipment, complete with real time
display of the various sensor outputs
> Presentation screens, giving an
overview of the software, the equipment, the procedure and associated theory
> Detailed ‘Help’ facilities giving in depth guidance
> Automatic data logging of sensor values into a spreadsheet format
> Control over sampling intervals
> Student questions and answers, including a layered ‘Hint’
facility
> Processing of sampled values (this may be linked to the questions and
answers to ensure student understanding)
> Sophisticated graph plotting facilities of both measured and calculated
values, including comparisons taken under different conditions
> Export of data to Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheets
> Links to user defined word processor
> Calibration facility for sensors
> Real time bar graph display of sensor outputs
> Recent history graphical display
TECHNICAL DETAILS
The analogue output data is digitised and transferred to a computer using the standard USB (Universal Serial Bus). This allows any standard modern Windows computer to be used, including notebooks, and does not require any internal access to the computer.
The equipment is supplied complete with a USB lead for connection to the computer.
The FM41 interfaces to the computer using the IFD7 device and the USB port of the computer.
Also available is a software driver that allows the outputs to be read in other software programs, such as Labview.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
• Armfield IFD7 Interface Unit
• PC with spare USB port
Shipping Specification
Volume: 0.75m³
Gross Weight: 90kg
Overall Dimensions
Height: 0.945m
Length: 0.85m
Width: 0.45m
|
 |
|---|