Phase Control Unit

Products

  • Air Cooled Series
  • Water Cooled Series

Vibration testing of very heavy and large payloads require the use of multiple shakers, operating in tandem, driving a single fixture or attachment. There are two ways to perform such test:

  • One vibration controller with a single output is used to control multiple systems. Output of the vibration controller is either directly feed into multiple systems or via a Phase Control Unit which allows the signal to remain in-phase (0°) or out-of-phase (180°) with each other. Even if multiple sensors are used for controlling, they are averaged into single feedback internally by the vibration controller to generate a single output.
  • One vibration controller with multiple output capability is used to control multiple systems. An independent output for each system is generated. Each system has its own sensor to provide feedback. Based on the feedback, amplitude and phase of the output to that system changes.

Many customers do not prefer the multiple output option since it can have delays during start-up and slower response times when compared to a single output system. Phase difference value needs to be derived between the control accelerometer for each system. Therefore, multiple control accelerometer cannot be allowed for an individual system as a single value of phase cannot be derived from multiple control accelerometers. Therefore, only one control accelerometer is allowed for each system which does not make sense as a MIMO system is used to address very large and heavy payloads which require the presence of multiple control accelerometer to achieve a uniform response. Further, with only one control accelerometer per system, the entire setup becomes prone to catastrophic failure if any of the control accelerometer gets damaged or deviates due to any issue whatsoever.

With increasing demand of such systems, Sdyn has developed a 4 Channel Phase Control Unit (PCU) which allow users to manage up to 4 systems with the following capabilities:

  • Real-time Protection: use of high bandwidth closed loop current sensors and a Cortex M7 processor allows the PCU to calculate phase and amplitude difference between active systems. User can adjust the allowable limit of phase with an accuracy of 0.1° and amplitude with an accuracy of 0.1% via Microsoft Windows based software application for this unit. The limits can be further programmed to either indicate that the limits have been exceeded or to trip all the active systems once the limits have been exceeded. Programming the limits to a value of 0 disables them.
  • Communication between system: using RS485 protocol, the PCU constantly communicates with all the active systems. It displays all operation and safety parameters of all active systems on a single screen and allows user to control the systems from the same interface.
  • Synchronization between systems: using the RS485 connection coupled with high speed Digital I/O, the PCU ensure that all active system start, stop, and increase their gain synchronously. In the event of an interlock being triggered while a test is running in any of the active system, said system will trigger the Digital I/O lines of the PCU, which will stop all active system simultaneously. Same method is also to stop all active systems when phase or amplitude limit is exceeded and the PCU is set to trip all the active systems.
  • Distribution of vibration controller output: the unit allows up to 2 connections per system, so it has 8 inputs and 4 outputs. User can select which input they want to use or if they want to use one connection for all the systems. This gives a lot of freedom and flexibility to the user. The adjustment is made via Microsoft Windows based software application for this unit.
  • Option to invert drive and current signal: for push-push operation, the drive output to all the systems in use needs to be in-phase and for push-pull operation, the drive output to all the systems in use needs to be 180°-out-of-phase between each other, depending on the configuration of the test setup. As a result, current sensor output is also 180°-out-of-phase in the same fashion as drive. This makes phase and amplitude difference calculations difficult. Therefore, option is provided to invert drive output, current sensor input, or both as per the test setup for each channel individually.
  • Status LED: an LED on the front panel of the PCU indicated the current status of the complete setup. Red indicates error, orange indicates reset, and green indicates online. Only the when the complete setup is online, protections become active and available.

Electrical Specifications

Drive Input Specification
Frequency Range
DC to 10 kHz
Voltage Range
±10 VPEAK
Coupling Type
AC Single Ended Voltage
Input Impedance
25 kΩ
Interface Connector
BNC
Drive Output Specification
Frequency Range

DC to 10 kHz………………………………..
Voltage Range
±10 VPEAK
Current Capability
20 mA
Interface Connector
BNC
Drive Channel Specification
Input to Output Amplitude Accuracy

0.001% ………………………………………………………………….
Input to Output Phase Accuracy
0.001°
Dynamic Range
> 150 dB
Channel to Channel Cross Talk
< -100 dB
RS485 Specification
Isolation Voltage

1500 VRMS ………………..
Interface Connector
DE-9
Current Sensor Specification
Power Supply Voltage Capability

±15 VDC ………………………………………………..
Power Supply Current Capability
100 mA
Frequency Range
DC to 10 kHz
Voltage Range
±10 VPEAK
Coupling Type
DC Single Ended Current
Input Impedance
10 Ω
Interface Connector
4 Pin Terminal Header
Digital I/O Specification

Input Type ………………………………………………..
Pulled up to +24 VDC Internally
Input Current
2.4 mA
Output Type
Potential Free Relay Contact
Output Relay Voltage Rating
125 VAC, 60 VDC
Output Relay Current Rating
1 A
Interface Connector
4 Pin Terminal Header
Connectivity Specification
Communication Protocol

IEEE 802.3 Ethernet …………….
Isolation Voltage
1500 VRMS
Interface Connector
RJ-45
Input Power

Voltage ……………………….
90 VAC to 260 VAC
Frequency
47 Hz to 63 Hz
Power
20 W

Mechanical Specifications

Dimensions …………………………………………………………………….
482 mm (L) by 280 mm (W) by 44 mm (H)
Weight
2.25 kg
Material
Aluminium
Colour
Black
Mounting
19” Rack Compatible

Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature….

5°C to 75°C
Storage Temperature
0°C to 75°C
Humidity
< 90% (non-condensing)
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