Design and experimental analysis of a combined target fluidic and centrifungal pump system as a tachometer transducer

• Main Author: Uy, Lawrence K.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2004
• Subjects: Transducers; Centrifugal pumps; Engineering design; Fluidic devices; Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3250; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10088&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to design an alternative tachometer transducer using a combined target fluidic and centrifugal pump system. The design was based on the previous study done by Lua A., Zheng Z., 2003. Fluidics (2Fluid3 + 2Logic3) devices use fluids to perform functions of electrical or electronic systems. A target fluidic is a kind of fluidic device that produces jet or stream oscillation. It was first patented by Huang B.T. (1995), Flowmeter Having a Fluidic Oscillator, United States Patent No. 5,396,809. An apparatus comprising of a target fluidic and centrifugal pump system was constructed based on dimensions from Lua A. and Zheng Z. (2003) with input signal from the centrifugal pump whose speed is varied using a frequency inverter. The experimental setup involves different position of the target fluidics nozzle and target wall. The oscillating jet stream (output signal) produced by the target fluidic was recorded using a video camera and using a video analyzing and editing software the frequency of the jet oscillation was computed. The pump rotating frequency, as the input signal, was measured using a hand tachometer. Results show that the relationship between the input signal (pump speed) and output signal (jet oscillation frequency) is linear irregardless of the position of the nozzle and the target wall. And since the values measured are stable and unique at each point, the combined target fluidic and centrifugal pump system will indicate a measured value of the input speed based on the frequency of the oscillation of the jet stream.