P16315: SPX data acquisition

Problem Definition

Table of Contents

1 Problem Definition Documents
2 Team Vision for Problem Definition Phase
3 Project Summary
4 Use Cases
5 Project Goals and Key Deliverables
6 Customer Requirements
7 Engineering Requirements (Metrics & Specifications)
8 Constraints
9 House of Quality
10 Design Review Materials
11 Plans for Next Phase
12 Stakeholders

Problem Definition Documents

Team Vision for Problem Definition Phase

During the Problem Definition Phase, our team hoped to come out with a greater understanding of the problem statement provided by SPX, as well as the processes required to complete a project effectively. By reviewing customer requirements, discussing engineering requirements, setting constraints, and outlining a house of quality, every member of our team has had the chance to become more knowledgeable about the task at hand. Through the creation of an Action Item list, Project Plan, and a concise list of Deliverables, we have also learned how to effectively manage a project to completion. As we move into the next phase, we hope to use the knowledge gained and specifications developed during this primary phase to push us closer to delivering a working strain data acquisition system to SPX.

Project Summary

In order to produce impellers operable under several different operating conditions, it is important to take into consideration the strain that is seen within the impeller at each and every one of these operating conditions. These different operating conditions include changes in both rotational speed of the impeller, and environmental conditions. Impellers must be tested in as realistic of conditions as possible, including realistic fluid viscosities and temperatures, so any test setup must be able to replicate this environment in a lab setting. Current methods of strain measurement at SPX are non-existent, as their testing only supports rotational speed and torque measurements. A new setup should be able to make the same measurements as this legacy setup, but integrated with modern data acquisition systems and gauges for the measurement of impeller strain.

The goal of this project is to make use of modern strain gauges and data acquisition devices to measure impeller strain during operation. Impellers may vary in size from 8-40” in diameter, and will be tested in several fluids of different viscosities. The test setup created must be able to support the varying impeller size and fluid viscosity, and produce data that is equivalent to SPX’s previously recorded and confirmed strain data. To ensure the setup is functioning correctly, all tests will be confirmed using a small-scale test setup before transferring the gauge system over to a full sized impeller. All data transmission must be wireless, as well as documented research performed on several strain gauges and telemetry systems in order to pick the correct setup for the provided parameters and requirements. After a prototype is created, a full installation guide as well as operating procedure will be handed over to SPX so they may successfully complete strain tests on impellers without our assistance.

Link to 1-page project summary or project charter