It took just 14 weeks for Wyko to build this 17 tonne, 2,100 litre/min,
280bar hydraulic power pack for a seismic testing rig in Iran - by any
standards, an impressive time scale for such a large project
West Midlands based Wyko Industrial Services beat off some pretty stiff
national and international competition to build this big hydraulic power
pack, delivered recently to a customer in Iran where it will be used to
power a seismic test rig. The unit transfers hydraulic power to three 47
tonne cylinders, which together form a 25m2 table that is capable of
moving in three axes. The movement is sufficient to simulate localised,
near-surface earthquake conditions for the testing of structures and
foundations.
The 17 tonne power pack supplies 2,100 litres of oil per minute at 280bar
to the test rig cylinders. Oil is drawn from a substantial 10,000 litre
onboard reservoir by two 1,400 litre/min boost screw pumps, driven by a
pair of 37kW motors. Oil is then fed through large-bore pipe-work to a
series of six axial piston pumps powered by 190kW motors, three either
side of the tank.
A factor in the success of the project was the way that Wyko divisions
and suppliers such as Brook Crompton, Rexroth and Pall worked together.
Immediate access to the stocks of these companies not only speeded things
up but it also enabled Wyko to acquire exactly the components it needed
to make a first class job without having to worry about availability
issues. Wyko Fluid Power senior project engineer, Mark White takes up the
story.
The unit was delivered to the Middle East on time due to the fact that
many of the required skills of design, fabrication, hydraulic fitting and
testing are permanently on site here, avoiding reliance on outside
specialists. For example, the team at the Coventry Fluid Power Centre
took the original plans for the unit and considerably enhanced the
design, despite the time constraints. Also, the unit's pressure rating
required the large-bore pipe-work to be specially welded and fashioned in
a quite intricate design involving nearly one hundred welded joints.
The hydraulic power pack was completely built and tested to 300bar on
site before shipping. This alone required the purchasing and handling of
12,000 litres of ISO VG 32 mineral oil and the installation of an 800kVA
diesel driven generator.