Details
Introduction
The Test Equipment for Pump and Centrifugal Breather is engineered to meet the stringent demands of modern aerospace maintenance and R&D facilities. At its core, this rig offers dual functionality: performance testing—where it accurately characterizes pump flow curves, pressure limits, temperature stability, and cavitation thresholds—and preservation mode, which continuously circulates an anti-corrosive fluid to protect sensitive pump internals during extended storage or between overhaul cycles. The system’s modular design allows quick reconfiguration for various oil-unit pump sizes (from lightweight scavenge pumps up to high-capacity main pumps) and different centrifugal breather geometries, ensuring compatibility with virtually all OEM lubrication assemblies.
Beyond mere compliance testing, this equipment integrates advanced data-logging capabilities for long-term trending, enabling maintenance teams to predict wear patterns and schedule preventative service interventions. Its compact footprint and caster-mounted subframes further facilitate installation in confined engine shop floors, while a user-friendly touchscreen interface guides technicians through setup, testing, and preservation sequences without extensive training.
Key Features
▹ Flexible Multi-Motor Drive: Hot-swappable 3.7, 2.2, 30 kW motors with torque sensors for precise load feedback.
▹ Precision Thermal Management: Closed-loop heating/cooling holds fluid ±0.5 °C; rapid ramp via plate exchanger & chiller.
▹ Superior Contamination Control: Duplex 16 μm filters (β≥200) with switch-over and optional 5 μm coalescer for ultra-clean fluid.
▹ Dual-Tank Preservation System: Supply, Service, Preservation tanks with sensors, agitators, and auto fluid top-up.
▹ Robust Structural Design: Cast-iron base with vibration mounts and leveling feet ensures alignment and protection.
▹ Automated Control & Safety Suite: PLC-driven test sequences, PDF reports, plus over-pressure & over-temperature interlocks.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter / Component |
Specification |
Notes |
| Working Fluid |
Turbonycoil 321 |
Fully synthetic, high-oxidation stability, aerospace grade |
| Density (20 °C) |
875 kg/m³ |
Ensures consistent hydrodynamic behavior |
| Viscosity (50 °C) |
8 cSt |
Matches typical aero-lubrication requirements |
| Flash Point |
145 °C |
Exceeds safety margins for high-temperature circuits |
| Operating Temperature Range |
65 °C to 80 °C |
Programmable in 0.1 °C increments |
| Maximum Working Pressure |
6 kgf/cm² (≈600 kPa) |
Adjustable via programmable pressure regulator |
| Filtration Rating |
16 µm (standard), optional 5 µm coalescer |
Duplex switching for zero-downtime operation |
| Electrical Supply |
3-phase, 415 V ±10%, 50 Hz ±1 Hz |
Integrated soft-starter to reduce inrush currents |
| Motors |
3.7 kW, 2.2 kW, 30 kW |
IP 55 protection, TEFC design |
| Frame & Bed |
Cast-iron, vibration-damped |
Overall dimensions: 2.5 m × 1.2 m × 1.5 m (L × W × H) |
| Instrumentation |
PLC, touchscreen HMI, data-logger, SCADA-ready |
OPC-UA compatible for factory integration |
| Safety Features |
Relief valves, thermal cutoffs, E-stop buttons |
Compliant with ISO 13849 and EN 60204 |
Operational Modes
Performance Testing Mode
▹ Setup: Operator selects pump type from on-screen library; system auto-configures motor and sensor calibration.
▹ Execution: Programmable ramp-up/down profiles control motor speed, while flow meters and pressure transducers capture dynamic characteristics.
▹ Analysis: Built-in algorithms detect cavitation onset, measure slip for gear pumps, and compute isentropic efficiency for centrifugal designs.
▹ Reporting: Generates customizable certificates including P–Q curves, power consumption profiles, and compliance checklists against OEM tolerances.
Preservation Mode
▹ Low-Flow Circulation: Fluid pumps at 2–5 LPM through component cavities to maintain protective oil film.
▹ Conditioning: Temperature is held at 40 °C to slow chemical degradation; continuous filtration removes particulate and water ingress.
▹ Scheduling: User-defined intervals (e.g., 4 hours per day) prevent stagnation without manual intervention.
▹ Alerts: SMS/email notifications for fluid top-up, filter change, or temperature excursions.
Applications
Aero-Engine MRO Facilities:
• Before an overhauled pump is reinstalled on an engine, this rig verifies that volumetric flow, pressure rise, and temperature stability meet or exceed OEM tolerances. By logging performance trends over successive rebuilds, maintenance teams can identify subtle wear patterns and optimize overhaul intervals, reducing unscheduled engine removals.
OEM Development Labs:
• Engineers use the test bench to evaluate novel pump geometries and bearing materials under controlled, repeatable conditions. High-resolution data—such as isentropic efficiency curves and cavitation thresholds—feeds directly into CFD and FEA models, accelerating design validation and shortening time-to-market for new lubrication system components.
Defense & Naval Support:
• Shipboard and ground-based hydraulic systems are subjected to extreme temperature swings, vibration, and shock. This equipment simulates those operational profiles, allowing reliability assessments of pumps and breathers for naval vessels, armored vehicles, and portable military generators, ensuring mission-critical readiness.
Research Institutions:
• Universities and independent labs investigate advanced tribological coatings, nanofluid additives, and alternative lubricants by precisely controlling test variables. The rig’s SCADA-ready data export enables multidisciplinary studies—ranging from materials science to environmental impact assessments of new fluid chemistries—under fully instrumented and safety-compliant conditions.
Construction & Materials
▹ Base & Frame: Cast-iron bedplate machined to ±0.02 mm flatness; welded mild-steel support channels coated with corrosion-resistant epoxy.
▹ Fluid Circuitry: 316 SS tubing rated to 100 bar; flanges and fittings per ASME B16.5; PTFE-lined sections available for specialty fluids.
▹ Reservoirs: 200 L capacity each; interior epoxy lining meets MIL-SPEC humidity and salt-spray requirements; level sensors with 4–20 mA outputs.
▹ Electrical & Controls Cabinet: IP 54 enclosure; Siemens PLC and HMI; CE-marked motor starters and safety relays; optional ATEX zone 2 certification.
Conclusion
The Neometrix Test Equipment for Pump and Centrifugal Breather represents the pinnacle of aero-lubrication test and preservation technology. Its combination of multi-motor flexibility, precision thermal and filtration management, and advanced automation makes it indispensable for any facility seeking to guarantee pump reliability and longevity. Whether validating new designs, certifying overhauled components, or safeguarding assemblies during storage, this rig delivers repeatable, high-fidelity results—backed by comprehensive data logging and seamless integration into modern shop-floor IT ecosystems. Investing in this system not only ensures compliance with the most demanding OEM and MIL-SPEC standards but also reduces downtime and lifecycle costs through predictive maintenance and proactive preservation.
