Jasper Engines & Transmissions is incorporating automated data acquisition into its gas engine live-run testing program.
Jasper remanufactures drivetrain products.
According to Jasper, computer-assisted programs have been used in the past to monitor live-run testing, but operators needed to write down the correct numbers appearing on the gauges. This can lead to errors or missed data, according to Jacob Adams, corporate engineer.
“The operator prepares one engine for testing while another is being tested on the stand. This can lead to missing that critical engine temperature (145 deg. F) where we need to get our measurements. It only takes a couple degrees for the values to drastically change,” he said.
The test stands at the Jasper, IN, facility are being fitted with computers running a Jasper-written automated test program (using software from National Instruments). This conversion will eventually take place on live-run test stands at the Crawford County and Willow Springs, MO, facilities as well.
Once the operator has the test stand ready, the engine is started and run at 1,400 rpm, Jasper said. From the moment the engine starts, the automated data acquisition system monitors critical readings and takes a data snapshot once engine temperature reaches 145 deg. This can be from as little as five minutes for small 4-cylinder engines, to as long as 15 minutes for big-block V8s.
“The data acquisition program collects readings on oil temperature, oil pressure, water temperature, vacuum and correct rpm range,” said Adams. “Once the live-run test is complete, the engine is shut down and the system can acquire compression data.”
The automated data acquisition program can shut down an engine during a test should readings exceed pre-determined parameters.
