RotaBat
The Rotabat RF battery energised digital telemetry
system has been developed for bench and flight testing of civil
aero engines and is typically used on fan engines where no
opportunity is available to locate lead out cable struts across
the front of the engine. Measuring rotor integrity and blade
life parameters is an essential requirement in aero engine
development. The RotaBat RF system considerably shortens
test times and costs by collecting more data more quickly with
less stops for battery maintenance.
The RotaBat RF digital telemetry system includes a compact, battery powered, telemetry unit which is located inside the engine nose cone and then into the end of the aero engine rotor shaft mounted inside a carrier tube fitted to the engine. Fan and compressor sensor instrument wires are routed directly through the carrier tube to the telemetry unit carrier tube pcb.
An optional spring-loaded connector enables positive connection of the sensor instrument wires from the aero engine turbine rotor blades and discs to the telemetry unit. The transmitting antennae assembly is supported and aligned with the engine shaft axial centre line through the apex of the rotating engine nose cone. A non-metallic engine nose cone, supplied by the customer, is required to avoid radio signal interference during transmissions. The antennae assembly is detachable in one piece to allow quick access when replacing the telemetry unit battery pack.
The RotaBat RF system can be switched to stand-by mode when not transmitting in order to prolong battery working life. (i) In its standard configuration RotaBat RF is capable of transmitting 24 channels of dynamic strain and up to 120 temperature sensor signals simultaneously. (ii) In its standard multiplexed configuration RotaBat RF is capable of transmitting 24 x 3 = 72 channels of dynamic strain and 120 temperature sensor signals.
The specified dynamic strain frequency response for either unit configuration is in the range 10Hz to 12kHz.
Other customised RotaBat RF system configurations are available to enable the transmission of static strain and pressure transducer sensor signals as well as dynamic strain and thermocouple sensor signals. The customised systems are individually configured to suite customer specific signal transmission requirements. The rotational speed for the RotaBat telemetry unit is 10,000 revolutions per minute.
Rotadata is a full service company which offers a complete design, manufacture, installation and support service.
