Welcome to this presentation of the Four Quadrant Dynamometer / Power Supply.
As the technologies for electromechanical devices are more refined than ever along with
a growing interest for renewable energy over the last years, LabVolt team has decided that
the time had come to present a brand new multipurpose dynamometer doubled with a versatile Power supply.
We proudly present you the Four Quadrant Dynamometer
Power Supply, model 8960-20. Packed with more than 20 functions from
Constant-Torque Prime mover to variable frequency and amplitude Power sources, the 8960-20 is
an unmatched ally when it comes to teaching electromechanical and renewable energy.
The front panel features a function selection button, a start/stop button and a command knob
to adjust the desired parameter. It also features two analog outputs for speed and
torque measurement along with shaft encoder outputs, a thermistor input for temperature
measurement and an external analog command input. As you may have notice, the 8960-20
is also equipped with a USB port, allowing the connection of a computer for outstanding
capabilities. But first, let's talk about the basics:
Since this module can be used as a dynamometer or as a power supply, characteristics related
to both modes will be discussed in this video. Rated up to 500 Watts, 150 Volts and 5 amps,
the Power supply mode provides you positive and negative voltage and current sources along
with AC Power sources and a Lead Acid Battery Charger. It displays precise measurements
of voltage, current and electrical power. Do you need a dynamometer? The 8960-20 contains
a permanent magnet DC motor/generator speeding up to 2500 rpm with a magnetic torque of up
to 3 Newton-meter. Its mechanical power can go as high as 350 watts, close to one half
horse power. Using this mode, you can find functions such as constant speed and constant-torque
prime mover in clockwise and counterclockwise direction along with a 2-quadrant constant
torque brake to apply a mechanical charge on a motor. With all these functions reunited,
true Four-Quadrant operation can quickly be demonstrated.
In dynamometer mode, the front screen displays the speed, torque, and mechanical power in
real time, measured at the shaft of the machine under test.
An internal compensation function automatically compensates for the losses due to friction
in the bearings, belt and windage assuring accurate torque measurements.
Both power supply and dynamometer modes can supply and sink power from an electrical or
mechanical source, which in this case, automatically returns the excess power to the electrical
grid at a unity power factor. You heard it right! The 8960-20 helps energy conservation
by returning mechanical or electrical energy it receives to the ac power network, automatically
and at all time, making it a true green appliance. So far, all the functions we have talked about
are accessible using the 8960-20 in stand-alone mode. Is it enough for you? Well it isn't
for us. To add various optional functions to your 8960-20 and extend its capabilities,
we have added a USB port which allows the user to perform complex function using our
free LVDAC software. We call this mode computer-based mode.
Bringing the 8960-20 the modern age, the computer-based mode allows the user to completely control
every function we already saw and much more directly from the computer. Using Lab-Volt's
free LVDAC software, you can record all these parameters into a data table with a single
click. In fact, using LVDAC's easy to learn control window, the computer-based mode unlocks
access to new functions such as speed sweeps; an automated function that steps the speed
of the prime mover over time. This is a perfect function to draw a fast speed vs torque curve
of a motor. It also features nothing less than five variations of Nickel Metal Hydride
Battery Chargers with a Battery discharger ideal to study various charging techniques.
Do you want more? We have something left! Paired with the processor of a computer, the
8960-20 is able to faithfully reproduce the operational characteristics of a small wind
turbine, a hydraulic generator and solar panels. Using the transfer functions of a real wind
turbine, students can emulate, with great precision, the true behavior of a wind turbine
under various wind speed and air density conditions from the comfort of a classroom. Coupled with
the wind turbine generator and controller module, model 8216, this function is capable
of covering the entire process of energy generation from wind power.
In Power supply mode, the solar panel emulator offers the opportunity to connect parallel
and series combinations of solar panel of various sizes. While controlling the solar
irradiance, students can study the behavior of photovoltaic cells under a desired solar
condition and quickly collect realistic data without bulky an expensive specific light
sources. Don't forget that a hydraulic turbine emulator is also available, that MatLab and
LabView can be used with the 8960-20 and that emulators and functions are still in development
for the near future. Combining power supply, prime mover, dynamometer,
metering and emulator properties, the 8960-20 is a state-of-the-art multipurpose device
you will keep referring to whether it is to charge batteries, run some stress test on
a newly acquired motor or accurately emulate the process of energy generation from wind,
solar, or hydraulic power.