Oil Balance 500

is a measuring system for the gravimetric determination of the oil consumption of oil-lubricated mechanical systems

The unit under test is separated from the original oil circuit (e.g. the combustion motor) and connected to the Oil Balance 500. In the course of this a determined amount of oil is led in a closed circuit through the consumer (UUT).

Due to the controllable pump speed and the heating in the oil supply line the pressure as well as the temperature of the oil at the inlet of the UUT can be adjusted and controlled.

The Oil Balance 500 pumps the conditioned lubricating oil to the UUT and thus, ensures its lubrication. The oil flows back into the storage tank of the Oil Balance 500 via the return line.

The weight of the tank is registered during a test run in such a way that the consumed quantity of oil which is missing in the tank can be depicted.

Performance features

Measuring principle: continuous, gravimetric weighing

Online measurement: yes

Lead time [min.]: min. 60 (depending on the operational point)

Dimensions (w x h x d) [mm]: 700 x 1200 x 700

Net weight (empty) [kg]: 150

Max. oil supply pressure [bar]: 6

Max. oil temperature [°C]: 150

Flow rate [l/min]: 0,5…4

Filling capacity [dmł] (oil at 20° C): 5.0 -6.0

Electric connection [V]: 400V ; 32A

Data transfer: CAN-Bus

Connection supply line: DN12 universal sealing cone, union nut M 22×1.5

Connection discharge line: 22 mm conically sealing screw-in connection

Measuring system for the continuous gravimetric measurement of exhaust turbo chargers and vehicle compressors.

After intensive research at the Hochschule Darmstadt and in cooperation with Parr Engineering & Prüfstandtechnik the measuring system is now ready for series production.

The Oil Balance 500 system can either be used as ‘stand-alone’ unit or integrated in every current test stand software. In both cases the data are transferred via a 4-wire CAN-Bus interface. The system can be used for all types of oil and it is operational within a very short time.

Measuring the oil consumption at the exhaust turbo charger (ATL)

In order to determine the oil consumption at the exhaust turbo charger (ATL) it is separated from the lubricating oil circuit of the combustion motor. Afterwards the charger is supplied with the necessary amount of lubricating oil by means of the Oil Balance 500.

Different engine operating points can be preset by means of the automation software which is connected to the Oil Balance 500.

The conditioning of the lubricating oil, that is, of the temperature, pressure, or flow rate is effected by the Oil Balance 500.

The vacuum in the return line of the Oil Balance 500 can also be adapted to the respective vacuum in the crankcase of the motor ensuring that the exhaust turbo charger is operated under identical conditions as on the engine.

Parr Engineering - Produkt - Oil Balance 500 - Measurement of oil consumption on turbocharger

Measuring the oil consumption at the vehicle compressor

For measuring the oil consumption at the vehicle compressor the unit under test is installed in a separate test stand, thereby the compressor being driven by an electric motor.

In order to guarantee a reproducible measurement for the oil consumption under real conditions a special simulation line has been developed by means of which the compressor is loaded as if being installed in a vehicle, that is, pressure and temperature values and switch on and switch off times are controlled according to the values existent in the vehicle.

Parr Engineering - Produkt - Oil Balance 500 - Measurement of oil consumption on the vehicle compressor

Fields of application Measuring conditions Handling and Visualization Measurement data collection

Fields of application

The innovative product ‘Oil Balance 500’ is a measuring system for the continuous, gravimetric measurement of the oil consumption of vehicle units. This innovative patent-pending measuring method is used with compressors and turbo chargers.

Two models have been developed, namely the Oil Balance 500 and the Oil Balance 500-Plus:

Technical features of the OIL BALANCE 500 series

Model	Internal air conditioning	Oil cooling	Measuring accuracy
Oil Balance 500	no	no	±0,3 g/h
Oil Balance 500-Plus	standard	standard	±0,3 g/h

Advantages

Time and cost saving
Time and cost saving for development work due to faster measurements
Measuring accuracy
High, reproducible measuring accuracy
Reliability
High reliability due to internal cooling and calibration with the Oil Balance 500-Plus system
Reduction of exhaust emission
The CO2, HC, and particulate emissions are reduced due to the reduction of the oil consumption

Measuring conditions

In order to achieve successful and reproducible measuring results the below mentioned conditions must be observed.

The ground on which the Oil Balance 500 system is to be placed must be at-grade. Further to this, the ground must be free from vibrations and shock which may influence the exact and sensitive weight recording. If necessary, a separate foundation must be provided in order to adhere to the required conditions.

Furthermore, the ambient temperature of the Oil Balance 500 must be within the range of 10°C to 30°C. It must be ensured that during a measuring cycle the ambient temperature remains constant within this temperature range.

A conditioned air mass flow must be fed to the Oil Balance 500 system via the specified connection. In the course of this the humidity and the temperature of the air mass flow must not vary during a test. The overall level plays a subordinate role and may range as follows: 0%＜rel. humidity＜50% or 15°C＜cond. temp.＜35°C.

The Oil Balance 500 system requires a certain lead time in order to get ready for operation. During this time the complete system including the oil lines, the unit components, and the unit under test are heated. The time varies according to the set temperatures and the ambient temperature. The system is ready for operation when all displayed temperatures are constant.

Handling and Visualization

The operation and visualization is effected by means of the customer’s automation system. For its operation the Oil Balance 500 has a CAN-Bus interfacxe (11-bit CAN protocol, physical layer high speed, cycle time and data format determined as k-matrix). All measured values can be transmitted to the automation system via this interface.

As option a separate user and visualization interface with measurement data collection can be offered. The nominal values for the pressure and the temperature can be adjusted by means of this user interface. The current operating state as well as some selected measuring values can also be displayed here. The user and visualization interface is connected with the control and regulating system of the Oil Balance 500 by means of a CAN network.

For the control and regulating system of the Oil Balance 500 the main switch must be actuated so that the unit switches to stand-by mode. Afterwards all functions can be activated via the offered user interface.

On activation of the start/stop button (figure 1: S1) the unit switches either to the operating mode or off. The same function can be activated by pressing the push-button on the front side of the unit.

The nominal temperature and pressure values upstream to the unit to be tested are set by means of the sliders (figure 1: SR). After a slider has been activated the nominal value can be finely adjusted by means of the keyboard keys of the automation unit.

The absolute value of the weight can be tared by means of the tare key (figure 1: T1).

It is possible to adjust the oil temperature from room temperature (20°) to max. oil temperature (150°C). The flow rate is from 0.5 to 4 l/min. The oil pressure (upstream pressure to UUT) is limited to max. 10bar.

Measurement data collection

The purchase of the user and visualization software also includes a system for the measurement data collection. This system allows to record the developing of the measured values. The diagrams of each measured variable and their combination with each other can be displayed with any resolution.

For a subsequent analysis all data which have been transmitted via the CAN BUS can be logged and displayed again during the analysis either in fast or slow motion.

In order to additionally provide a convenient presentation of the values in excel format all measured data are logged at a 1Hz pulse in a text file. This file can already be used during the measurement for the analysis of the measuring process. After the measurement the text file is available for the analysis.