Actuated Traverse Systems Basic Configuration.
All Rotadata actuated traverse systems are basically configured as shown in the diagram opposite and consist of
the following parts.
- A probe, which may, or may not, be provided by Rotadata Limited.
- An actuator having a radial, tangential or circumferential slide and if necessary a yaw module.
- 19-way cables connecting the actuator to the controller.
- A positional controller, which can be manually operated or connected to a host computer configured with Rotadata RTRAV software in order to control the movements of the probe automatically.
Various additional devices (not shown in the diagram opposite), such as auto-yaw pressure transducers, probe seal assemblies and touch modules, are available to enable a comprehensive probe traversing system to be configured and operated safely in an engine or test rig gas path.
As a complementary service to the supply of actuated traverse systems Rotadata limited has over 25 years experience in the design and manufacture of a variety of aerodynamic probes each constructed to meet your particular gas flow data acquisition requirements.
The installation and cooling of all our probe traversing actuators, during operation, is fundamental to the satisfactory and safe operation of the equipment in service.
Rotadata has considerable experience in the installation and cooling of our actuators for a variety of applications including aero engines, gas turbines and compressors and engine development test rigs, and these design and supply services are available to all our customers should they be required.
Installation and Application.
As well as supplying probes and actuated traverse systems Rotadata Limited also provides an extensive turnkey service for the design, supply, installation and putting to work of complete test and development rigs incorporating actuated traverse systems (see above example) together with other products supplied by Rotadata including instrumentation, rakes and probes, telemetry systems, tip gap measurement systems and optical pyrometer systems. Our rig work is not confined to the aero space and allied industries industry as our expertise can be equally well applied to the power and industrial sectors.
The Combi Controller
To ensure maximum flexibility and cost effectiveness a standard microprocessor based electronic controller is
available and is suitable for all Rotadata actuators.
Operating from the normal 120/240V, 50/60Hz electrical power supply it consists of a number of circuit modules all mounted in a single 19-inch instrument rack, three units high. The controller is small enough therefore, to be easily installed in most test cells. Attractive bench top cabinets are available for installations with more space, or where portability is an important requirement, or where a standard instrument rack is not available.
The controller carries all the controls necessary for manual operation of the probe in two axes of movement, while two digital indicators show the position of the probe in relation to a known datum.
Radial movement is indicated on a 5-digit indicator with a resolution to 0.01 mm (or 0.001 inches depending on the units specified at the time of ordering); yaw movement is indicated to a resolution of 0.1-degree on a four digit indicator. One set of controls is not used with single axis actuators.
