MEGGITT CONTROL SYSTEMS - PRODUCTION ACCEPTANCE (PAT) TEST RIG FOR INTER STAGE BLEED VALVES FOR PRATT & WHITNEY PW150 ENGINES
The (IBV) Inter stage Bleed Valve is located on the LP compressor and is open during starting to prevent stalls during low power transients and closes before cruise power is reached .
Our design brief was to produce a test rig to carry out semi-automated testing of two types of Inter stage Bleed Valves , tests included Proof Pressure, Leakage Tests , Dynamic Response, Power Failure modes and Hysteresis. Current tests were taking over 6 hours / unit this was successfully reduced by more than 50% by introducing an electronic control system , dedicated instrumentation and an automated high pressure pneumatic system operating up to 400psi and a 1000 slpm.
Tescom ER5000 series Electro-pneumatic Controllers were used in closed loop control , to accurately control the test pressures , this is a microprocessor based PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controller that provides precise algorithmic pressure control .
SmartTrak Flow Meters were used to measure the air flow to accuracies of +/-1% FS giving true digital performance with great flexibility
