A Prony brake used as a rotational load absorption unit, or dynamometer, to measure power output of a prime mover includes a cylindrical tube disposed within a sealed tank containing coolant water. Disposed within the cylindrical tube is a fixed stator shaft, which is attached to the center of a stator plate having its outer periphery disposed in closely spaced relation to the tube's inner surface, with the stator shaft further coupled to a hydraulic control system. Disposed within the stator plate's outer periphery are plural radially spaced pistons for applying a radially outward friction braking force to the inner surface of the rotating cylindrical tube. The stator shaft is provided with first and second ports and passageways for respectively transporting hydraulic control fluid and lubrication fluid. Also included is a supplemental cooling water supply wherein cooling water is circulated with the Prony brake by the rotating cylindrical tube.

Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector. Methods of manufacturing turbomachines having decoupled collectors are also disclosed.

A Prony brake used as a rotational load absorption unit, or dynamometer, to measure power output of a prime mover includes a cylindrical tube, or drum, disposed within a sealed tank containing coolant water. Disposed within the cylindrical tube in a sealed manner is a fixed stator shaft. The stator shaft is attached to the center of a generally circular, planar stator plate having its outer periphery disposed in closely spaced relation to the tube's inner surface, with the stator shaft further coupled to a hydraulic control system. Disposed within the stator plate's outer periphery are plural radially spaced pistons responsive to the hydraulic control system for applying a radially outward friction braking force to the inner surface of the rotating cylindrical tube. The stator shaft is provided with first and second ports and passageways for respectively transporting hydraulic control fluid and lubrication fluid. Also included is a supplemental cooling water supply wherein cooling water is circulated with the Prony brake by the rotating cylindrical tube.

The present disclosure provides a test system including a dynamometer to test downhole drilling tools. The system includes a torque load application tool, a thrust load application tool, and a side or radial load application tool to test downhole drilling tool.

The present disclosure provides a test system including a dynamometer to test downhole drilling tools. The system includes a torque load application tool, a thrust load application tool, and a side or radial load application tool to test downhole drilling tool.

Method to check the correct functioning of a tightening tool, such as an industrial screwdriver, placed on a test bench. Said bench includes a plurality of hydraulic brakes (F1-Fn), to which the instrument is associated, suitably controlled by a hydraulic circuit. Each brake is equipped with measurement transducers (TR) capable of measuring the torque exerted and the angle of rotation on this brake, connected to an electronic driver card (SP), which also controls the hydraulic circuit. The bench also includes an electronic processing unit (U) which communicates with the card and which includes an adequate driving program memorized on it capable of regulating the braking capacity of the brakes through the hydraulic circuit according to a predetermined braking torque/angle of rotation curve of the brakes. The method comprises the steps of acquiring one or more real tightening curves torque exerted/angle of rotation during one or more tightening performed for example with the tool to be tested, elaborating said real curve to make it compatible with the format of the curves that can be inserted in said test bench, supplying such one or more curves at the input to the test bench and in particular to one or more selected brakes (F1-Fn), performing a tightening with the tool on the selected brake.

Method to check the correct functioning of a tightening tool, such as an industrial screwdriver, placed on a test bench. Said bench includes a plurality of hydraulic brakes (F1-Fn), to which the instrument is associated, suitably controlled by a hydraulic circuit. Each brake is equipped with measurement transducers (TR) capable of measuring the torque exerted and the angle of rotation on this brake, connected to an electronic driver card (SP), which also controls the hydraulic circuit. The bench also includes an electronic processing unit (U) which communicates with the card and which includes an adequate driving program memorized on it capable of regulating the braking capacity of the brakes through the hydraulic circuit according to a predetermined braking torque/angle of rotation curve of the brakes. The method comprises the steps of acquiring one or more real tightening curves torque exerted/angle of rotation during one or more tightening performed for example with the tool to be tested, elaborating said real curve to make it compatible with the format of the curves that can be inserted in said test bench, supplying such one or more curves at the input to the test bench and in particular to one or more selected brakes (F1-Fn), performing a tightening with the tool on the selected brake.