Measurement of Angular Valve Displacement in High Vibration Environments

During the Phase 1 effort Streamline Automation demonstrated that the use of a bushing assembly, when paired with the appropriate flexible shaft coupling, could significantly reduce the loads on the shaft of Angular Displacement Transducers (ADTs). These ADTs are currently used as position indicators for quarter turn valves in the ASTF at AEDC. The ADTs are subjected to high vibrational loads due to high flow rates of air in the wind tunnel, and fail at unacceptably high rates. The Phase 2 effort will focus on designing and testing a bushing assembly suitable for permanent installation at the ASTF. This will require the installation of an instrumented prototype assembly on the non-drive end of one or more valves. Design change packages will be prepared for permanent installations. Approval for the design changes will be obtained from the cognizant AEDC oversight groups to allow permanent installation of the bushing assemblies. One of the significant advantages of the proposed approach is that it does not impact the ASTF instrumentation and control systems. This work will be supported by the Applied Controls Laboratory at the University of Alabama, and Curtiss-Wright Flow Control.