A versatile regenerative engine test set with comprehensive controls and instrumentation. When used with one of IMPACT’s optional single-cylinder engines (rated up to 10 kW), it safely and effectively enables study and demonstrations of the features and characteristics of the engine. In addition, optional ancillaries are available to extend the range of study, demonstrations and investigations even further.

The equipment is fully compatible with IMPACT’s Versatile Data AcquisitionSystem (VDAS®, available separately). Using VDAS® enables accurate real-time data capture, monitoring and display, calculation and charting of all relevant parameters on a computer (PC available separately) making tests quick and reliable.

The main components of the system are:

• A heavy fabricated floor-mounting bed
• An instrument console with instrument frame
• A fuel tank support frame that supports the fuel tank and optional fuel gauge

The bed is held on anti-vibration mounts. It includes a robust trunnion-mounted d.c. machine. An electronic load cell connected to the machine measures the driving torque of the test engine. The engines (available separately) are supplied pre-mounted on a sturdy precision base plate. When the engine is initially mounted onto the testbed or exchanged with an alternative engine, dowels and slots locate the engine quickly, accurately and reliably.

Each engine includes a colour-coded fuel tank with self-sealing couplings. The couplings ensure the engines can be connected and disconnected quickly and efficiently with minimum loss or spillage of fuel. For convenience and safety, the fuel tank can be removed for filling or for storage in a fuel locker when not in use. Removing the fuel tank also prevents unauthorised use of the equipment.

The control console has an electrical cabinet which houses a four-quadrant drive to start and load the engine. The motor can also be used to drive the engine while the fuel and ignition are off, so students can establish frictional losses. The control console includes an air-box and orifice plate to enable students to measure air flow. The instrumentation and display units are mounted on a sturdy frame, which is part of the control console. The control console also includes a convenient work top for use as a writing desk, or for positioning other equipment such as a computer.

EXHAUST GAS CALORIMETER

An exhaust gas calorimeter for use with IMPACT’s Regenerative Engine Test Set (TD300) and IMPACT’s Small Engine Test Set (TD200). The equipment measures the heat content of exhaust gases and enables students to determine the energy lost to exhaust in the energy balance for single-cylinder, four-stroke petrol (TD301) and diesel (TD302) engines. The engines are separately available.

The main components of the Exhaust Gas Calorimeter are:

• Gas-to-water shell and multi-tube heat exchanger
• Control valve
• Instrumentation unit

The heat exchanger is mounted on a sturdy base plate. Exhaust gases from the test engine mounted on the test set flow through the tubes. A jacket of constantly flowing cooling water surrounds the tubes, and the heat content of the gases is assessed by measuring the cooling water flow rate and the inlet and outlet temperatures.

A hand-operated valve, which mounts on the control console of the test set, controls the flow of cooling water through the heat-exchanger jacket. Thermocouples measure the temperature of gas and water at the inlet and outlet. A turbine flow meter measures the flow rate. For safety, the heat exchanger also includes a pressure-relief valve in case insufficient cooling water is flowing. The instrumentation consists of a digital, four-channel temperature and flow display unit. This unit mounts on the instrumentation rail of the test set console frame and allows easy and accurate display and monitoring of data. In addition, the Exhaust Gas Calorimeter is fully compatible with IMPACT’s Versatile Data Acquisition System (VDAS® available separately).

VDAS® enables accurate real-time data capture, monitoring and display, calculation and charting of all relevant parameters on a computer, making tests quick and reliable.

4 STROKE PETROL ENGINE

High-quality, cost-effective four-stroke, single-cylinder petrol engine for use with IMPACT’s Regenerative Engine Test Set (TD300).
Adapted specially for education to enable effective laboratory testing and demonstrations, the engine includes an exhaust thermocouple, a half-coupling to link to the test set dynamometer and all essential hoses and fittings. In addition, each engine includes a colour-coded fuel tank with self-sealing couplings. The couplings ensure the engine can be connected and disconnected quickly and efficiently with minimum loss or spillage of fuel. For convenience and safety, the fuel tank can be removed for filling or for storage in a fuel locker when not in use. Removing the fuel tank also prevents unauthorised use of the equipment.

The engine has a modified cylinder head and crank. These allow use with the Cylinder Head Pressure Transducer (ECA101 available separately) and the Crank Angle Encoder (ECA102 available separately). These can then connect to the Engine Cycle Analyser (ECA100 available separately) to extend the range of experiments possible. The engine is mounted on a sturdy precision bed plate. The bed plate has dowels and slots which align and locate it accurately with the dynamometer. This minimises the time spent replacing one engine with another.

If a mains power failure or emergency stop occurs, interlocking relays on the engine immediately cut the ignition. In addition, to prevent transmission of accidentally ignited flames or explosions, the air inlet includes a flame arrestor.

4 STROKE DIESEL ENGINE

High-quality, cost-effective four-stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine for use with IMPACT’s Regenerative Engine Test Set (TD300). Adapted specially for education to enable effective laboratory testing and demonstrations, the engine includes an exhaust thermocouple, a halfcoupling to link to the test bed dynamometer, and all essential hoses and fittings. In addition, each engine includes a colour-coded fuel tank with self-sealing couplings.

The couplings ensure the engine can be connected and disconnected quickly and efficiently with minimum loss or spillage of fuel. For convenience and safety, the fuel tank can be removed for filling or for storage in a fuel locker when not in use. Removing the fuel tank also prevents unauthorised use of the equipment.

The engine has a modified cylinder head and crank. These allow use with the Cylinder Head Pressure Transducer (ECA101 available separately) and the Crank Angle Encoder (ECA102 available separately). These can then connect to the Engine Cycle Analyser (ECA100 available separately) to extend the range of experiments possible. The engine is mounted on a sturdy precision bed plate. The bed plate has dowels and slots which align and locate it accurately with the dynamometer test set. This minimises the time spent replacing one engine with another. If a mains power failure or emergency stop occurs, interlocking relays on the engine immediately cut the fuel supply. In addition, to prevent transmission of accidentally ignited flames or explosions, the air inlet includes a flame arrestor.

The Automatic Volumetric Fuel Gauge consists of a:

• precision fuel gauge with sensors;

• digital read-out (display) unit which shows fuel consumption and allows data to be transferred to a suitable PC (not supplied) via the IMPACT data acquisition system (VDAS®).

The gauge mounts on the instrumentation frame of the test set and connects between the fuel tank and the engine under test. Fuel enters the fuel gauge from the fuel tank. A solenoid valve automatically shuts off the fuel supply from the tank so that the engine draws the fuel from the fuel gauge. Sensors on the fuel gauge record the time taken to consume a set volume of fuel, and the display unit automatically calculates the fuel consumption. The solenoid valve then opens and the fuel gauge refills. The unit can be set to continuously cycle in this manner or cycle once only.

All connections are made using self-sealing couplings. The couplings ensure the fuel gauge can be connected and disconnected quickly and efficiently with minimum loss or spillage of fuel. Suitable for use with petrol or diesel.