Applications > Dual Range Jet Engine Test Stand

Interface low profile load cells can be supplied assembled in a stack configuration, using two load cells having different rates ranges. These stacks are ideally suited as compression thrust sensing elements in aircraft engine test stands which are designed to test many engines of widely different ratings, or to provide higher accuracy at the low end when an engine must be qualified over a broader range of thrust.

Industries / Test Applications:

• Engine manufacturers: Qualification and acceptance test.
• Commercial / Military aircraft users: Jet engine overhaul facilities

Load Cells:

1200 Series Low Profile Precision and 1100 Series Ultra Precision compression stacks work best in these applications, due to their short height design, low moment sensitivity and extreme stiffness. Typical stacks provide dual ranges of 1K/5K, 3K/12.5K, 5K/10K, 5K/25K 10K/25K, 12.5K/30K, 10K/50K, 16K/45K, 25K/60K, 40K/90K, 40K/125K pounds. The smaller load cell in each stack is overload protected to allow operation of the larger cell to its full capacity, without damaging the smaller cell.

In general, any combination of load cells can be stacked, as long as the ratio of their rated ranges allows for overload protection of the smaller cell. From 25K lbf up, overload protection is limited to three times the rated capacity.

Benefits:

• High stiffness (1 million to 12 million pounds per inch, depending on the range) improves accuracy in the flexure mount test stands.
• Impressive repeatability (0.01%FS for 1100 Series) insures the integrity of multiple test runs over the full load cell range.
• Large mass on the outside ring of the load cell and the solid base, reduce the effect of thermal gradients.
• Low Profile design provides high cancellation of moments and side loads.
• Multiple bridges (up to 4 per cell) allow separate measurement and control signals and provide for a backup channel in case of test equipment failures.