- Nuclear Power Facility -

- Motor Operated Valve (MOV) Actuator -

- Automated Load Test System -

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Before and after performing off-line maintenance on MOV Actuators, nuclear facility staff must perform validation testing to detect degradation and ensure fitness for service.  This testing requires the application of torque loads to the actuator during motor rotation, for detailed evaluation of operational performance.

 

Rising Edge implemented a Beckhoff/TwinCAT based control system, with a LabVIEW based user interface. The control system applies electrical power to the valve motor and continually adjusts pneumatic brake pressure to achieve torque targets in the valve stem.  The user interface allows for detailed test customization, acquires test data for user evaluation and logging, manages databases and generates reports.

 

Electric Motor Control

• Selectable 3Φ / 75kVA output voltages ranging from 360V to 680V

• Selectable clockwise or counterclockwise phase rotation

• Customizable VFD ramping profile or across-the-line starting

• Digital metering for system input and output Electrical power circuits

• Real-time graphical display of motor RPM, voltage and current vs time

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Mechanical Load Control

• Customizable torque load ramp and dwell profiles, up to 4500 ft-lbs

• Automatic or manual torque control modes

• Manual thrust loading capability, up to 75,000 lbs

• Real-time graphical display of torque and thrust vs time

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Data Management

• Sensors sampled at 10kHz, allows for accurate PID control and quick response to trip conditions

• Critical test data logged to database at 100Hz

• Test configurations stored in database for reuse, saving time and reducing errors from repeated manual value entry

• Integrated database interface for access to historical test data

• Generation of CSV report files, allows data to be imported into third-party evaluation software

• Generation of PDF report files, includes graphical data for quick human evaluation of test results