TRaC-Cape Commissions a Slosh Test Rig
15 August 2008
Understanding the physical impact on a vessel from the sloshing effects of the liquid contained within it can be quite a challenge. It is an unusual test requirement, which falls outside the remit of conventional environmental testing and conventional test equipment. However, TRaC-Cape has established an expertise in this area, demonstrated most recently by the completion of a climatic slosh test on an aerospace fuel tank.
With a requirement to simulate a sloshing effect on a 1,200L, fuel-filled tank which would result in an oscillating component weighing in excess of 1,000kg at elevated temperature, Cape designed, built and commissioned a bespoke test rig – before carrying out extensive product testing at its Warwick test laboratory.
Key features and considerations of the rig design included:
- Mounting frame and oscillating cradle
- Servo-controlled hydraulic actuation/oscillation mechanism
- Bespoke control system and complex control algorithms to ensure smooth oscillation according to a 30° sinusoidal motion at a frequency of 16 oscillations per minute
- Custom-built thermal chamber and temperature conditioning and control equipment
TRaC-Cape’s expertise in unusual and unique test requirements is underpinned by over 25 years' experience in designing and building bespoke test solutions, particularly related to hydraulic and pneumatic fatigue.
