Armfield Engineering Education

CAPTURE FLUID MACHINES

FM63 Propeller Turbine- Preliminary information

The FM63 is a self contained, small scale propeller turbine unit. This fixed blade, axial flow turbine may be considered as the prototype form of a propeller turbine, itself a forerunner of the Kaplan turbine.

The inclusion of angled inlet guide vanes and the design of the runner blades utilise both impulse and reaction effects. It can be demonstrated that this type of machine works most efficiently where high flows at relatively low heads are available.

Ordering Specification

• Self contained, small scale hydropower unit designed to demonstrate the operating principles of a propeller turbine.
• 75 litre water reservoir.
• Circulating pump which produces 14m head at 4.4 litres/second.
• Loaded by a magnetic brake unit which is controlled direct from the PC
• Links to a PC via a USB interface.
• Electronic sensors monitor process variables.
• Supplied with full education software package including comprehensive results processing and help facilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Determining the characteristics of a propeller turbine, including the relationships of volume flow rate, head, torque produced, power output and efficiency to rotational speed.

Description

The FM63 consists of a framework base which houses a large water reservoir and a circulating pump. A stainless steel top supports the turbine itself and a dynamometer assembly The propeller itself is housed in a clear acrylic pipe to allow maximum visibility of the workings.

The unit incorporates a paddle wheel type flow meter and a pressure sensor to measure the inlet condition of the water. The dynamometer module incorporates a magnetic type brake which applies load to the turbine. The level of braking is controlled directly from the software. A load cell measures the braking force, and hence the power, and an optical sensor measures the rotational speed of the turbine.

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

Maximum Power: 55W
Maximum Speed: 8500rpm
Maximum Torque: 0.60Nm

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 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 FM Turbine Demonstration Unit interfaces to the computer via 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

Requirements

Electrical Supply:

Single phase electrical supply:
FM63-A 220V-240V/50Hz/13A
FM63-B 120V/60Hz/25A

Shipping Specification

Volume: 1.40m³
Gross Weight: 160Kg

Overall Dimensions

Height: Awaiting data
Length: Awaiting data
Width: Awaiting data

Extended 2 year Warranty on all Armfield Products

DATA SHEET

PRODUCT CATEGORY:
Engineering Education