Automated
Optical Test System
The world’s largest “vortex flow control” tester and
manufacturer required the automation of their Hydro-BrakeŽ Flow Control
test rig, allowing the ability to provide several different test procedures
and be able to simulate a range of weather profiles. We provided a LabVIEW
software system, which was able to control the flow rate into the system,
to allow the simulation of various storm weather profiles by setting the
pump inverter frequency with respect to time. The system then monitored
the flow rates and water levels at several positions throughout the test
rig using continuous data acquisition across the profibus network. We
then created a simple to use, tailored user interface for the software,
which was able to plot the storm profiles from the acquired results and
evaluate the rigs flow over a V-notched weir, allowing the computer to
calculate an intelligent “flow steady-state diagnosis in real-time.
The test rig included:
- The creation
of a universal profibus LabVIEW Driver
- Use of
LabVIEW control through an OPC server
- A Moeller Pump inverter
- SMAR LD303
Pressure transducers (from Smar uk ltd)
- Endress and Hauser Flow Meters