Facilities include:

The Thermal Systems Lab

High-Speed Magnetic Bearing Test Stand

This test stand was custom designed to perform a wide range of experimental research in rotor-bearing dynamics, control and diagnostics. The configuration of the test rig (Fig. 5) provides ability for development and testing of different strategies for controlling rotor vibration, development of control-oriented modeling and design techniques for rotordynamical systems, and study of the new diagnostic techniques based on magnetic bearing actuation and support. The Magnetic Bearing Test Stand consists of:

• 2 radial magnetic bearings with sensors (12lbf)
• 1 thrust magnetic bearing (27lbf)
• 2 exciter bearings (1/2 of the magnetic bearing capacity)
• 3 different shaft sizes:
• 1/2" dia ´ 12"
• 1/2" dia ´ 25"
• 3/8" dia´ 25"
• brush type motor (15,000RPM, 48VDC)
• 3 movable balance disks: 1" thick and two 1/2" thick
• 4 touchdown bearings (deep groove ball bearings)
• 2 fully digital 5-axis controllers (one for motor and bearings, another one for exciters)

Bently Nevada Rotor Test Rig

The Bently Nevada Rotor Kit is a versatile and compact model of a rotating machine which enable to simulate several categories of lateral shaft vibration by duplicating vibration-producing phenomena found in large rotor-bearing systems, e.g., fluid-film bearing oil whirl/whip, loose rotating parts, mass unbalance, shaft bow, etc. Various vibration characteristics may be observed by changing:

• rotor speed
• shaft bow
• rotor stiffness
• amount and angle of unbalance
• rotor-bearing relationships

The test rig can also be used to study experimental identification techniques for rotor-bearing systems, and to verify the theoretical modeling predictions.

Rotordynamic Rub Facility

The unique test rig is used to study the high-speed, multi-plane (annular and/or point) rubbing phenomena in rotating machinery and its effect on the rotor dynamic behavior. The test rig include the following:

• 30in long 3/4" diameter shaft
• two high precision roller element bearings
• 12,000 RPM max speed
• Motor and speed controller (±2% accuracy on RPM, 110VAC 60Hz)
• 2 pair x-y probes (4 probes total)
• 2 annular rub generators (radial) with rub switch mechanisms
• 2 single point rub generators (radial)
• 2 automatic balancers
• 2 rotor mass wheels
• 2 bearing blocks holding Sorbothane washer
• perturbator device
• torque transducer

Stirling Laboratory Research Engine (SLRE)

The SLRE is designed and fabricated as:

• Horizontally-opposed, two piston, single-acting engine
• Split crankshaft drive mechanism
• Photo-electric sensor is used to sense top dead center and a shaft angle encoder is used to trigger data acquisition
• The engine can be electric motor-driven and, thus, can run as a cooler This facility was completely qualified via a research grant from the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) and utilized by CSU graduate students.

The Anechoic Chamber

The Instrumentaion and Measurements Lab

The Thermoforming Applications Engineering Laboratory (TAEL)

TAEL is a well-equipped center that is available for commercial testing and experimentation. The equipment available includes both production-style apparatus and high precision laboratory devices. With this, the customer may simulate production situations, then gauge the process with state-of-the-art metrology.

Equipment and Capabilities

• Single-station production thermoforming machine; MAAC Thermoforming Machine
• A variety of electric and gas-fired heaters
• High pressure gas delivery system
• Exhaust hood that is interlocked with the Combustion system and air makeup unit
• High quality infrared camera for thermal imaging
• Real time analysis capability for up to 32 signals (from thermocouples, the infrared camera, etc.) simultaneously
• Gas flow rate meter
• Electric voltage meter
• Electric current meter
• Gas emission analysis capability
• Spectral emissivity measurement
• Radiant heat characterization with a spectral radiometer
• Design of experiments setup and analysis assistance

CSU Basic Industrial Combustion Workshop

A One-Day Workshop On Combustion Basics 101
Partnership with: Dominion/EOG/HTN/NASA/ASGE

Agenda:

• 9:00 Arrive/Welcome
• 9:15 Class Session I (Introduction/Basics/Flame Shape, color, etc/Good Combustion Practice)
• 10:00 Break
• 10:15 Hands-On I
• 11:30 Lunch (Discussion/Feedback)
• 12:30 Class Session II (Available Heat/Good Combustion Results/Thermo & Heat Balance)
• 1:15 Hands-On II
• 2:15 Class Session III (Exercise/Review Hand-On II/Efficient Heating/Activity Summary)
• 3:15 Adjourn