Armfield Engineering Education

CAPTURE FLUID MACHINES

FM6X Turbine Service Unit- issue 1

The FM6X Turbine Service unit provides a water supply which is required to operate the FM60, FM61 and FM62 turbine demonstrations. The service unit consists of a stainless steel base on which is mounted a water reservoir, a compact three-phase pump and an electronic flow meter. The pump is controlled direct from the computer using the speed controller inside the IFD7 interface unit (an essential accessory).

The FM6X range of optional Demonstration Units:

Impulse Turbine FM60
Reaction Turbine FM61
Pelton Turbine FM62

Ordering Specification

• A bench top service unit which provides a suitable water supply for testing a range of different turbines.
• Clear acrylic reservoir which holds up to 28 litres.
• Peripheral type pump providing up to 20 litres per minute or up to 30m head (not simultaneously).
• Paddle wheel type flow meter.
• Magnetic type dynamometer controlled from software.
• Software control of both pump and brake allows remote operation of the equipment over an internet.
• Links to a suitable computer via a USB interface device which does not require internal access to the computer. Also allows interfacing to other software packages.
•Supplied with full education software package including comprehensive results processing and help facilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

FM6X plus accessory
1. Determining the turbine characteristics of the selected turbine, including the relationships of volume flow rate, head, torque produced, power output and efficiency to rotational speed. (FM60/FM61/FM62).

2. Comparison of nozzle and throttling control of an Impulse Turbine (FM60).

3. Comparison of throttle control and spear valve control of the speed of a Pelton Turbine (FM62).

4. Determination of characteristic performance curves for a peripheral pump, including constant speed head/flow and efficiency curves. (FM64).

Description

The turbine under test is connected to the dynamometer by a toothed drive belt. Load is applied to the turbine using a magnetic brake controlled directly from the computer. The outer casing of the brake is restrained from rotating by a lever arm which is connected to a load cell, which allows the braking force and hence the torque produced to be directly measured. The dynamometer unit also incorporates an optical sensor which measures the rotational speed of the turbine.

 

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

Reservoir Capacity: 28 litres
Maximum Flow Rate: 20 litres/min
Maximum Head: 30 m

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 FM Turbine Demonstration Unit interfaces to the computer via the FM6X and 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:
FM6X-A 230V/50Hz
FM6X-G 220V/60Hz

Shipping Specification

Volume: 1.10m³
Gross Weight: 100Kg

Overall Dimensions

Height: 0.73m
Width: 0.80m
Depth: 0.51m

Extended 2 year Warranty on all Armfield Products

DATA SHEET

PRODUCT CATEGORY:
Engineering Education