Meriam Offers Custom Measurement Solution for Automotive Engine Testing

Technology Update: Meriam Offers Custom Measurement Solution for Automotive Engine Testing

When it comes to test and measurement in the automotive industry, total confidence in test results is essential. However, even within a seemingly complete and perfect measurement system, one can find room for improvement.

That's what a major automotive engine manufacturer in the United Kingdom discovered when Meriam's Application Engineering team evaluated their data acquisition system.

The Problem
Data Acquisition (DAQ) Systems help automotive engine manufacturers' products comply with safety regulations and, ultimately, helps the manufacturer to get the most out of existing, though limited resources. Utilization of flexible and comprehensive DAQ systems ensures that the system can perform the widest possible range of tests. However, accuracy is of paramount importance.

This particular manufacturer's test engineers recognized the need for improved flexibility and accuracy of results. They sought the assistance of Meriam Process Technologies' Application Engineering Team to specifically address the need for a new solution for their engine test cells' flow measurement.

The only stipulation: the new solution needed to allow for continued use of the existing data acquisition system while improving measured accuracy and test cell results.

After evaluating the application, Meriam engineers recognized that, in the existing set up, individual measurements of differential pressure (DP) had to be run through a flow calculation program before processing. They also recognized that space was at a premium in the test cells.

To remedy these issues, the Meriam solution had to streamline the necessary instruments and mounting, reduce the number of vendors needed for the project and improve test data collected. What they delivered was a single-source solution and, more importantly, after the sale, Meriam delivered what few could, the promise of highly skilled technical support.

The Custom Solution
Meriam's Application Engineers were able to design a direct mount DP Transmitter for the Laminar Flow Element needed for the flow measurement. This conserved valuable test cell space, reduced installation time and improved the professional look of the test cell.

Now it was time for Meriam's Calibration Lab to shine. Meriam's Calibration Lab provided a custom calibration curve to fit the needs of the existing data acquisition system. This eliminated the need to retool the DAQ and saved additional costs relative to the previous solution.

The calibration provided by Meriam included the flow calibration and the transmitter calibration in one flow rate versus voltage output. This curve was programmed into the test cell computer to streamline processing and improve overall accuracy.

Why Meriam?
Many years of experience in the field of measurement technology and, in particular, the automotive industry, make Meriam the logical partner for automotive test engineers.

Meriam Process Technologies, a division of Berkshire Hathaway’s Scott Fetzer Company, is a leading supplier of process monitoring, calibration and communication instrumentation and software. For more information, please contact Meriam Process Technologies, 10920 Madison Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44102. Telephone: (216) 281-1100. FAX: (216) 281-0228. E-mail: meriam@meriam.com.