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48 ORBIT Vol .28 No.1 2008

NEW PRODUCTSHOWCASE

any customers are familiar with our

rotor kit (see sidebar article). We now

provide a similar machinery simulator

designed specifically for reciprocating

compressors.

The RCK-1 is a single-cylinder, single-stage, dual-action

compressor that simulates the mechanical function

of an industrial reciprocating compressor. The RCK-1

incorporates transducers that measure Crank Frame

Velocity, Crosshead Acceleration, Rod Position, Crank

and Head End Cylinder Pressure, Gas and Valve

temperature for both Suction and Discharge, along

with Single-Event and Multi-Event Timing for precise

measurement of crank rotation.

The RCK-1 can simulate common reciprocating

compressor faults such as valve and piston ring

leaks, and mechanical drive train wear in the form

of connecting rod bearing clearance. The kit equips

New RCK-1 Recip SimulatorDoes for reciprocating compressors what ourfamous rotor kit does for rotating machines

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Vol .28 No.1 2008 ORBIT 49

NEW PRODUCTSHOWCASE

The Bently Nevada Rotor Kit

The original Bently Nevada RK-1 rotorkit was introduced in 1964 as a way to

simulate common rotor malfunctions such

as rubs and imbalance. It allowed our

salesforce to physically demonstrate the

operation of proximity probes on rotating

machinery, helping customers understand

how probes work, the kinds of information

they can provide, and the kinds ofmalfunctions they can detect. Today, we

are on our 4th generation of rotor kits

with the RK-4, and use has broadened far

beyond the original intended audience of

our own salesforce to include research

laboratories and customer facilities such

as training centers and rotating machinery

departments.

1977 datasheet for a Bently Nevada rotor kit.

SIDEBAR ARTICLE

each head with a pair of bypass blocks (patent pending)

that allow the inducement of small valve leaks at any

of the suction or discharge valves. The leak can then be

detected directly via analysis of the Pressure vs. Volume

characteristics, or indirectly via analysis of the Gas and

Valve temperature outputs.

When used in conjunction with a 3500 series

monitoring system and System 1* software, the kit is

a valuable training tool for demonstrating operation

of our reciprocating compressor machinery manage-

ment solution.

Like our original rotor kit, the RCK-1 was originally

envisioned as a tool for our salespeople and our own

customer training teams. However, like our rotor kit,our new RCK-1 recip kit is available directly to

customers as well, and will be of par ticular interest

to research labs and training facilities dealing with

reciprocating compressors.

Fully functional RCK-1 Recip Simulators will be available

for demonstrations at our Minden, Nevada headquarters

as well as our eight regional Customer Application

Centers around the world. For additional information,

contact your nearest GE salesperson specializing in

Bently Nevada* Asset Condition Monitoring productsand services.

* denotes the trademarks or registered trademarks of Bently Nevada,

LLC, a General Electric company.