Real life: Power take-off torque monitoring – accurate, fast and simple

The aim: Precisely and quickly monitor power take-off torque on a wave eEnergy converter

Challenge

As part of a project funded by Wave Energy Scotland, 4c Engineering needed to test various configurations of the SeaPower Platform, a Wave Energy Converter (WEC), to determine the effects on power capture.   To do this they needed a reliable and accurate way of measuring power take-off (PTO) torque, forces, positions and pressures of the waves on the SeaPower Platform.

Why? Establishing the most efficient design with the highest wave power generation, will make it a more cost-efficient form of wave energy.

The SeaPower Platform extracts energy from deep water ocean waves by reacting to long prevailing wavelengths in high resource sites.

Solution – Accurate DTD-P Parallel Shaft Reaction Torque Transducer

“We chose the DTD-P torque transducer for its high accuracy and compact size which we needed for tank testing the SeaPower Platform,” explains Andy Hall, Director at 4c Engineering.

Designed for In-Line Static or Semi-Rotary Torque Measurement

Capacities: 0-10Nm to 0-10kNm

High Accuracy – Ideal for Calibration, Development and Testing Applications

Accuracy: <±0.15% / Full Scale Output

Customised Capacities, Shaft and Configuration Options Available

IP67 Waterproof and IP68 Fully Submersible Versions Available

Complete Torque Monitoring System

Applied Measurements Ltd provided 4c Engineering with a DTD-P 100Nm parallel shaft torque

sensor fitted with an ICA4H miniature load cell amplifier, calibrated to UKAS traceable standards and sealed to IP68 to allow complete submersion.  This complete torque measuring system enabled their engineers to reliably and accurately monitor the torque applied by the WEC as it responded to waves in the test tank.

Save on Installation Time

The DTD-P torque transducer has keyed parallel shaft connections for in-line static or semi-rotary torque measurement in capacities from 0-10Nm up to 0-10kNm (custom capacities readily available).  This version was fitted with a flying lead, however versions with an integral bayonet lock military connector are also available which promise simple and easy connection.

Guaranteed High Accuracy

The DTD-P torque transducer is highly accurate to better than ±0.15% (typically ±0.05%) of the full-scale output, making it ideal for this high precision development and testing application.  Additional applications include the testing of electrical motors, hydraulic pumps, automotive transmissions, steering systems and aircraft actuators.

Need a Specific Design?

The DTD-P torque transducer can be customised with bespoke shaft, configuration options and capacities (to 50kNm+) specific to your application.  For 4c Engineering we customised the design of the DTD-P torque transducer to IP68 submersible for continuous use underwater to 1m, which was essential for use in the wave test tank.

High Stability, Fast Response, ICA4H Miniature Load Cell Amplifier

“The high speed, reliability and clean output of the ICA4H miniature amplifier enabled the data to be analysed immediately after each test.” says Andy Hall of 4c Engineering.

Very Compact 19mm Diameter

Low Current Consumption

High Speed 1kHz Bandwidth (max.)

4-20mA (3-wire) Output (10 to 30Vdc supply)

Very Compact

To deliver a conditioned load cell output signal we supplied the DTD-P torque transducer with an ICA4H high-performance miniature load cell amplifier.  The ICA miniature load cell amplifiers are very compact at only 19mm in diameter allowing them to fit inside the body of most load cells.  In this application the ICA4H was supplied in a gel-filled IP68 immersion protected compact enclosure (see image above) along with 10 metres of cable making it suitable for this underwater application.

With High-Speed Response

The engineers at 4c Engineering needed to have a quick and reliable way to process the power take-off torque data from the tests, to determine the power capture and effects of the control settings before running the next test.  The ICA4H miniature load cell amplifier was chosen not only for its high stability and compact size but also for its 1000Hz fast response.

What Do I Do Now?

4c Engineering successfully monitored the power take-off torque using our complete torque monitoring system.  If you too have a torque measurement application that needs accurate, precise and reliable results, contact our technical sales team using the quick enquiry form on the right or email us on info@appmeas.co.uk.