Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
FLUID INJECTOR TESTING SYSTEM
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present technology relates to testing systems for testing fluid
injectors.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fluid injectors, such as oil injectors, are used in various
applications for injecting a
fluid towards a targeted area. For instance, in some cases, an engine can be
lubricated by an
oil injector that injects oil into a chamber.
[0003] For purposes of quality control, such fluid injectors are often
tested during
production in order to ensure their accuracy such that, in use, the area
targeted by the injector
will receive an adequate amount of fluid. To that end, injectors are typically
tested by
injecting fluid towards a target and visually gauging if the fluid has hit the
intended target.
However, due to its visual nature, such a testing process cannot accurately
ascertain the
proportion of fluid hitting the intended target.
[0004] There is therefore a desire for a fluid injector testing system that
can overcome at
least in part this drawback.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least
some of the
inconveniences present in the prior art.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided
an injector
testing system including a testing rig. The testing rig includes a receptacle
defining an inner
chamber. The receptacle has an inlet for receiving fluid to be injected by an
injector to be
tested, a target outlet for receiving at least a portion of fluid to be
injected through the inlet,
and a runoff outlet for receiving fluid to be injected by the injector that
misses the target
outlet. The inlet, the target outlet and the runoff outlet open into the inner
chamber. The
target outlet is across from the inlet. The testing rig also includes an
injector mounting
structure configured for mounting the injector to be tested outside of the
receptacle. The
injector testing system also includes at least one fluid-quantity measuring
device fluidly
connected to at least one of the target outlet and the runoff outlet. The at
least one fluid-
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quantity measuring device is configured to measure a quantity of fluid having
flowed thereto
from the at least one of the target outlet and the runoff outlet. The injector
testing system also
includes a testing controller in communication with the at least one fluid-
quantity measuring
device. The testing controller is configured to receive signals from the at
least one fluid-
quantity measuring device representative of (i) a first quantity of fluid
having flowed to the at
least one fluid-quantity measuring device via the target outlet, and (ii) a
second quantity of
fluid having flowed to the at least one fluid-quantity measuring device via
one of the runoff
outlet and both of the runoff outlet and the target outlet. The testing
controller is also
configured to, based on the first and second quantities, determine a
proportion of fluid that
has been injected into the target outlet of the receptacle.
[0007] In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one
of the runoff
outlet and both of the runoff outlet and the target outlet is the runoff
outlet.
[0008] In some implementations of the present technology, the at least one
fluid-quantity
measuring device includes: a first fluid-quantity measuring device fluidly
connected to the
target outlet and configured to measure the first quantity of fluid; and a
second fluid-quantity
measuring device fluidly connected to the runoff outlet and configured to
measure the second
quantity of fluid.
[0009] In some implementations of the present technology, the first fluid-
quantity
measuring device is a first scale configured to measure a first weight of
fluid collected in the
first scale. The first quantity is the first weight. The second fluid-quantity
measuring device is
a second scale configured to measure a second weight of fluid collected in the
second scale.
The second quantity is the second weight.
[0010] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system
includes a table including a plurality of fluid collectors for collecting
fluid flowing out of the
receptacle. A first one of the fluid collectors fluidly communicates with the
target outlet and
is fluidly connected to the first scale such as to funnel fluid from the
target outlet to the first
scale. A second one of the fluid collectors fluidly communicates with the
runoff outlet and is
fluidly connected to the second scale such as to funnel fluid from the runoff
outlet to the
second scale.
[0011] In some implementations of the present technology, the testing rig
is adjustably
mounted to the table such as to align and fluidly communicate (i) the first
scale to the target
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outlet via the first one of the fluid collectors, and (ii) the second scale to
the runoff outlet via
the second one of the fluid collectors.
[0012] In some implementations of the present technology, the table has a
plurality of
guiding recesses. The testing rig includes platform. The receptacle and the
injector mounting
structure are mounted to the platform. The testing rig is adjustably mounted
to the table via a
plurality of clamps that slidingly engage the guiding recesses of the table
and are clamped to
the platform of the testing rig.
[0013] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes a tank for containing fluid and a pump configured to pump fluid from
the tank to the
injector to be tested.
[0014] In some implementations of the present technology, the table has an
inlet
connection. The pump is configured to be fluidly connected to the injector to
be tested via the
inlet connection of the table.
[0015] In some implementations of the present technology, the runoff outlet
of the
receptacle is located vertically below the target outlet at a lowest point of
the inner chamber
such that fluid that misses the target outlet flows by gravity to the runoff
outlet.
[0016] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes a pump selectively fluidly connected to the first and second scales
for purging fluid
from the first and second scales. The testing controller is in communication
with the pump
and being configured to control the pump to selectively purge the first and
second scales.
[0017] In some implementations of the present technology, the testing
controller controls
the pump to stop purging the first scale when fluid contained in the first
scale weighs less
than a first weight threshold that is equal to or less than 5% of the first
weight. The testing
controller controls the pump to stop purging the second scale when fluid
contained in the
second scale weighs less than a second weight threshold that is equal to or
less than 5% of the
second weight.
[0018] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes a compressor adapted for selectively supplying compressed air into
the injector to be
tested to clear the injector of fluid.
=
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[0019] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes a user interface in communication with the testing controller. The
user interface is
configured to communicate to a user one or more of the first quantity, the
second quantity
and the proportion of fluid.
[0020] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes: a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of fluid to be
supplied to the
injector to be tested; a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature
of fluid to be
supplied to the injector to be tested; and a flow rate sensor configured to
sense a flow rate of
fluid to be supplied to the injector to be tested. The user interface is
configured to display the
pressure, the temperature and the flow rate.
[0021] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes a cover for selectively enclosing the testing rig and a fluid mist
collector mounted to
the cover for extracting fluid mist.
[0022] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing system also
includes: a tank for containing fluid; a pump configured to pump fluid from
the first and
second scales to the tank; a first valve fluidly connected between the first
one of the fluid
collectors and the first scale to selectively direct flow of fluid from the
first one of the fluid
collectors toward the tank or the first scale; a second valve fluidly
connected between the
second one of the fluid collectors and the second scale to selectively direct
flow of fluid from
the second one of the fluid collectors toward the tank or the second scale; a
third valve fluidly
connected between the first scale and the pump to selectively block flow of
fluid out of the
first scale to the pump; and a fourth valve fluidly connected between the
second scale and the
pump to selectively block flow of fluid out of the second scale to the pump.
[0023] In some implementations of the present technology, the testing rig
is a first testing
rig, the injector testing system includes a second testing rig. The second
testing rig includes a
second receptacle defining a second inner chamber. The second receptacle has a
second inlet
for receiving fluid to be injected by a second injector to be tested, a second
target outlet for
receiving at least a portion of fluid to be injected through the second inlet,
and a second
runoff outlet for receiving fluid to be injected by the injector that misses
the second target
outlet. The second inlet, the second target outlet and the second runoff
outlet open into the
second inner chamber. The second target outlet is across from the second
inlet. The second
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testing rig also includes a second injector mounting structure configured for
mounting the
second injector to be tested outside of the second receptacle. The at least
one fluid-quantity
measuring device includes a third scale fluidly connected to the second target
outlet and
configured to measure a third weight of fluid collected in the third scale,
and a fourth scale
fluidly connected to the second runoff outlet and configured to measure a
fourth weight of
fluid collected in the fourth scale. A third one of the fluid collectors
fluidly communicates
with the second target outlet and is fluidly connected to the third scale such
as to funnel fluid
from the second target outlet to the third scale. A fourth one of the fluid
collectors fluidly
communicates with the second runoff outlet and is fluidly connected to the
fourth scale such
as to funnel fluid from the second runoff outlet to the fourth scale.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is
provided a method
of testing an injector. The method includes positioning the injector to inject
fluid towards an
inlet and a target outlet of a receptacle. The inlet and target outlet fluidly
communicate with
an inner chamber of the receptacle. The target outlet is across from the
inlet. The method also
includes injecting fluid via the injector toward the target outlet via the
inlet of the receptacle,
measuring a first quantity of fluid passing through the target outlet, and
measuring a second
quantity of fluid that is one of (i) fluid that misses the target outlet and
passes through a
runoff outlet of the receptacle, and (ii) both fluid passing through the
target outlet and fluid
that misses the target outlet and passes through the runoff outlet of the
receptacle. The
method also includes, based on the first and second quantities, determining a
proportion of
fluid that has been injected into the target outlet of the receptacle.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is
provided an injector
testing rig for testing an injector. The injector testing rig includes a
receptacle defining an
inner chamber. The receptacle has an inlet for receiving fluid to be injected
by the injector, a
target outlet for receiving at least a portion of fluid to be injected through
the inlet, and a
runoff outlet for receiving fluid to be injected by the injector that misses
the target outlet. The
target outlet is located across from the inlet. The runoff outlet is disposed
vertically below the
target outlet.
[0026] In some implementations of the present technology, the injector
testing rig also
includes an injector mounting structure configured for mounting the injector
to be tested
outside of the receptacle.
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[0027] In some implementations of the present technology, the runoff
outlet is disposed
at a lowest point of the inner chamber.
[0028] Implementations of the present technology each have at least one
of the above-
mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It
should be
understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from
attempting to
attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may
satisfy other objects
not specifically recited herein.
[0029] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of
implementations
of the present technology will become apparent from the following description,
the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as
other aspects and
further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which
is to be used in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
[0031] Figure 1 is a top, left, perspective view of an injector testing
system according to
the present technology;
[0032] Figure 2 is a top, left, perspective view of a table and a testing
rig of the injector
testing system of Fig. 1;
[0033] Figure 3A is a central cross-sectional view of a receptacle of the
testing rig;
[0034] Figure 3B is a central cross-sectional view of an alternative
implementation of the
receptacle;
[0035] Figure 4 is a top, left, perspective view of the table of Fig. 2;
[0036] Figure 5 is a bottom, left, perspective view of the table of Fig.
2;
[0037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the table and
testing rig of Fig. 2;
[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the table and a
clamp slidingly
engaged therewith;
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[0039] Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the injector testing
system of Fig. 1;
[0040] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a fluid-quantity measuring
coupling of the injector
testing system of Fig. 8;
[0041] Figure 10 is a schematic view of an alternative implementation of
the injector
testing system of Fig. 8;
[0042] Figure 11 shows an exemplary user interface of the injector
testing system;
[0043] Figure 12 is a top, right side perspective view of an alternative
implementation of
the testing rig; and
[0044] Figure 13 is a central cross-sectional view of a receptacle of the
testing rig of Fig.
12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] An injector testing system 10, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is
configured for testing a
fluid injector 18 (Fig. 2) such as to evaluate the accuracy of its fluid
injection. In this
example, the injector 18 is an oil injector used to inject oil in an engine
(e.g., for lubrication
of components thereof). However, it is contemplated that the injector 18 may
inject fluids
other than oil in other examples (e.g., water). Moreover, it should be
understood that the
injector 18 could have a construction other than the one illustrated.
[0046] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the injector testing system 10
comprises a bench
11 having a table 12 to which a testing rig 14 is mounted. As best seen in
Fig. 2, the testing
rig 14 includes a receptacle 16 into which the injector 18 injects fluid, an
injector mounting
structure 19 for mounting the injector 18 outside of the receptacle 16, and a
platform 25 onto
which the receptacle 16 and the injector mounting structure 19 are affixed.
[0047] A cover 15 is provided for selectively enclosing the testing rig
14 such as to
prevent the propagation of fluid into the ambient environment of the injector
testing system
10. The cover 15 has a window 17 to allow a user to visualize the testing rig
14 therethrough.
In addition, a fluid mist collector 65 (schematically illustrated in Figs. 1
and 7) is mounted to
the cover 15 for extracting fluid mist that is produced by the injection of
fluid by the injector
18.
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[0048] As shown in Fig. 8, the injector testing system 10 also comprises
a tank 70 for
containing fluid and a pump 80 for pumping fluid from the tank 70 to the
injector 18 to be
tested. In addition, a compressor 90 is adapted for selectively supplying
compressed air into
the injector 18 to be tested to clear the injector 18 of fluid.
[0049] With reference to Fig. 2, in this implementation, the injector
mounting structure 19
includes a main support 21 and two secondary supports 22. Each of the supports
21, 22 is
configured to support the injector 18 to be tested. Notably, the injector 18
is mounted to the
supports 22 by a securing member 46 which is fastened to a respective one of
the supports 22
and to the injector 18. As will be described further below, the main support
21 defines a
conduit (not shown) through which fluid can be supplied to the injector 18.
[0050] The receptacle 16 is used to define a target for the injector 18
to inject fluid
therein, and to separate fluid that reaches the target from fluid that misses
the target. To that
end, as shown in Fig. 3, the receptacle 16 defines an inner chamber 30 and has
an inlet 32 and
a pair of outlets 34, 36 that open into the inner chamber 30. In this
implementation, the inner
chamber 30 is generally cylindrical with a generally hemispherical lower
portion. However, it
is contemplated that the inner chamber 30 could have any other suitable shape
in other
implementations. The receptacle 16 has a cover 23 for closing the top end of
the inner
chamber 30. In this implementation, the cover 23 is fastened to the lower
portion of the
receptacle 16. It is contemplated that the cover 23 could be made integrally
with the
remainder of the receptacle 16.
[0051] The inlet 32 receives fluid injected by the injector 18 from
outside of the receptacle
16. The outlet 34, which is across from the inlet 32, is targeted by the
injection of fluid by the
injector 18. That is, the injector 18 is positioned, via the injector mounting
structure 19, to
target the injection of fluid into the outlet 34. The outlet 34 may thus be
referred to as a
"target outlet" in that it is the outlet of the receptacle 16 that is targeted
by the injector 18
during testing such that the target outlet 34 receives at least a potion of
fluid to be injected
through the inlet 32. The outlet 36 is disposed vertically below the target
outlet 34, at a
lowest point of the inner chamber 30. As such, fluid injected by the injector
18 that misses
the target outlet 34 hits a wall of the inner chamber 30 and flows by gravity
to the outlet 36.
The outlet 36 may thus be referred to as a "runoff outlet" in that it is the
outlet of the
receptacle 16 through which a runoff portion of fluid that missed the target
outlet 34 flows
out of the receptacle 16. As can be seen in Fig. 3, in this implementation,
the inlet 32 and the
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target outlet 34 are coaxial and the runoff outlet 36 is perpendicular to both
the inlet 32 and
the target outlet 34. Moreover, the target outlet 34 is sized and positioned
relative to the
injector 18 to match the intended operation conditions of the injector 18.
[0052] In an alternative implementation, as shown in Fig. 3B, the inlet
32 is defined by a
conical projection 68 of the receptacle 16. The conical projection 68 extends
outwardly on an
outer side 20 of the receptacle 16. A narrow end of the conical projection 68
is located
outwardly (i.e., furthest from the target outlet 34) such that, in use, the
inlet 32 is closer to the
injector 18. As such, the conical projection 68 shortens a distance between
the inlet 32 and
the injector 18 to facilitate entry of fluid injected by the injector 18 into
the inlet 32. In this
example, the conical projection 68 is made integrally with a remainder of the
receptacle 16. It
is contemplated that, in other examples, the conical projection 68 could be
made as a separate
component that is attached to the receptacle 16.
[0053] In this implementation, the target outlet 34 opens up to an outer
side 13 of the
receptacle 16 while the inlet 32 opens up to the opposite outer side 20 of the
receptacle 16. A
tube 24 (Figs. 2 and 6) is connected to the target outlet 34 on one end and to
a passage 67
(Fig. 6) of the platform 25 on an opposite end. As shown in Fig. 3, the
receptacle 16 has a
counterbored pocket 37 for fitting the tube 24. The passage 67 extends from an
upper side to
a lower side of the platform 25. The tube 24 thus fluidly connects the target
outlet 34 to the
passage 67 of the platform 25.
[0054] Moreover, in this implementation, the runoff outlet 36 opens up to
an underside of
the receptacle 16 (Fig. 6). A passage 44 of the platform 25 is fluidly
connected to the runoff
outlet 36. The passage 44 extends from the upper side to the lower side of the
platform 25.
[0055] With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the table 12 is configured to
receive the flow of
fluid from the receptacle 16 and direct it onwards to other components of the
testing system
10. To that end, the table 12 comprises a base member 48 and a plurality of
fluid collectors
28, 38 mounted thereto, including four primary fluid collectors 28 and four
secondary fluid
collectors 38. It is contemplated that more or less fluid collectors 28, 38
could be used. The
fluid collectors 28, 38 are configured for collecting fluid flowing out of the
receptacle 16. As
will be explained in more detail below, the testing rig 14 is adjustably
mounted to the table 12
such as to align and fluidly communicate the target outlet 34 with one of the
primary fluid
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collectors 28 and to align and fluidly communicate the runoff outlet 36 with
one of the
secondary fluid collectors 38.
[0056] The primary and secondary fluid collectors 28, 38 are
substantially similar to one
another. As shown in Fig. 6, both the primary and secondary fluid collectors
28, 38 are
funnel-shaped and have respective conduits 31, 41 for directing the fluid
collected therein
towards one or more fluid-quantity measuring devices, as will be described in
more detail
below. A respective concavity 72, 74 defining the funnel shape of the fluid
collectors 28, 38
faces upwards towards the testing rig 14 while the conduits 31, 41 extend
downwards below
the base member 48. As the primary fluid collectors 28 are expected to receive
a greater flow
of fluid than the secondary fluid collectors 38 (as they are fluidly connected
to the target
outlet 34), some dimensions thereof may be greater than those of the secondary
fluid
collectors 38. For instance, in this implementation, the conduits 31 of the
primary fluid
collectors 28 have a greater cross-sectional area than the conduits 41 of the
secondary fluid
collectors 38.
[0057] The fluid collectors 28, 38 are disposed in respective openings of
the base member
48 that extend from an upper side 43 to a lower side 45 of the base member 48.
As shown in
Fig. 6, respective annular shoulders 56, 58 of the fluid collectors 28, 38 are
received in a
corresponding annular pocket of each opening of the base member 48 to retain
the fluid
collectors 28, 38 onto the base member 48. A sealing member 57 (e.g., an 0-
ring) is disposed
between an outer periphery of each of the fluid collectors 28, 38 and a
respective wall of the
openings of the base member 48 in order to prevent or otherwise minimize the
flow of fluid
between the base member 48 and the fluid collectors 28, 38.
[0058] The table 12 also comprises an inlet connection 40 for feeding
fluid to the platform
which is then directed to the injector 18. To that end, the pump 80 is fluidly
connected to
25 the injector 18 via the inlet connection 40 (Fig. 4). Notably, a fluid
line connects to an
underside of the inlet connection 40 (below the base member 48) to fluidly
communicate the
pump 80 with the inlet connection 40. The platform 25 connects to an upper
side of the inlet
connection 40 (above the base member 48) via an inlet (not shown) of the
platform 25. The
inlet of the platform 25 is fluidly connected to the conduit defined by the
main support 21
.. which is in turn fluidly connected to the injector 18 via an inlet thereof.
As such, in use, fluid
is supplied by the pump 80 through the inlet 40, into the platform 25, then
into the conduit of
the main support 21 and into the injector 18.
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[0059] As mentioned above, the testing rig 14 is adjustably mounted to
the table 12. To
that end, the base member 48 of the table 12 comprises a plurality of guiding
recesses 26
(Fig. 4) provided on the upper side 43 of the base member 48 and configured to
engage a
plurality of clamps 33 that are clamped to the platform 25. In this
implementation, the table
12 includes four guiding recesses 26, two of which extend longitudinally along
the base
member 48 while the other two 26 extend transversely (in this case
perpendicularly) thereto.
In other words, the guiding recesses 26 includes two longitudinally-extending
guiding
recesses 26 and two laterally-extending guiding recesses 26. As shown in Fig.
7, the guiding
recesses 26 have a dovetail-shaped cross-sectional section.
[0060] Each clamp 33 includes a base 35 and an upper jaw 37 connected
thereto via a
fastener 42. The base 35 has a projection 45 on an underside of the base 35
for engaging a
corresponding one of the guiding recesses 26. Notably, the projection 45 has a
matching
cross-sectional shape as the guiding recesses 26 (i.e., a dovetail shape in
this example) and is
sized such as to slidingly engage the guiding recesses 26. The number of
clamps 33 provided
is equal to the number of guiding recesses 26 (i.e. four in this case) such
that each guiding
recess 26 is engaged by a corresponding one of the clamps 33.
[0061] The clamps 33 are clamped to the platform 25 by compressing the
platform 25
between the upper jaw 37 and the base member 48 of the table 12. To that end,
each clamp 33
has a handle 39 for rotating the fastener 42 such as to screw the fastener 42
into the base 35
and force the upper jaw 37 closer to the base 35. The handle 39 is rotated in
an opposite
direction to loosen the grip of the upper jaw 37 on the platform 25.
[0062] The injector testing system 10 comprises a plurality of fluid-
quantity measuring
devices 60, 62 configured for measuring a quantity of fluid having flowed
thereto. The
plurality of fluid-quantity measuring devices 60, 62 includes primary fluid-
quantity
measuring devices 60 and secondary fluid-quantity measuring devices 62 which
are fluidly
connected to corresponding ones of the primary and secondary fluid collectors
28, 38
respectively. Thus, the testing rig 14 is adjustably mounted to the table 12
in order to fluidly
communicate one of the primary fluid-quantity measuring devices 60 with the
target outlet 34
via the corresponding primary fluid collector 28, and to fluidly communicate
one of the
secondary fluid-quantity measuring devices 62 with the runoff outlet 36 via
the
corresponding secondary fluid collector 38. As such, in use, fluid is
funnelled by the primary
fluid collectors 28 from the target outlet 34 to the primary fluid-quantity
measuring devices
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60 and, similarly, fluid is funneled by the secondary fluid collectors 38 from
the runoff outlet
36 to the secondary fluid-quantity measuring devices 62. The fluid-quantity
measuring
devices 60, 62 are thus configured for measuring a quantity of fluid having
flowed thereto
from the receptacle 16 via the corresponding fluid collectors 28, 38.
[0063] The fluid-quantity measuring devices 60, 62 are positioned below the
table 12 (see
Fig. 1) such that each fluid-quantity measuring device 60, 62 is fluidly
connected to a
corresponding one of the conduits 31, 41 of the fluid collectors 28, 38.
[0064] When the testing rig 14 is mounted to the table 12, the passage 67
is aligned with
one of the primary fluid collectors 28 to be fluidly connected therewith, and
the passage 44 is
aligned with an adjacent one of the secondary fluid collectors 38 to be
fluidly connected
therewith. Thus, in use, when the injector 18 injects fluid into the
receptacle 16, fluid flows
from the target outlet 34 into the tube 24, into the passage 67, into the
aligned primary fluid
collector 28 and into a corresponding one of the primary fluid-quantity
measuring devices 60
that is fluidly connected to that primary fluid collector 28. Similarly, fluid
flows from the
runoff outlet 36 into the passage 44, then into the aligned secondary fluid
collector 38 and
into a corresponding one of the fluid-quantity measuring devices 62 that is
fluidly connected
to that secondary fluid collector 38. The two fluid-quantity measuring devices
60, 62 and the
two corresponding fluid collectors 28, 38 which, during testing, are fluidly
connected to the
target outlet 34 and the runoff outlet 36 of the receptacle 16 will be
referred to as "active" for
clarity. The active fluid-quantity measuring device 60 is thus operable to
measure a quantity
of fluid having flowed thereto via the target outlet 34 while the active fluid-
quantity
measuring device 62 is operable to measure a quantity of fluid having flowed
thereto via the
runoff outlet 36. In this implementation, the fluid-quantity measuring devices
60, 62 are thus
used in pairs, one of the primary fluid-quantity measuring devices 60 being
used for receiving
fluid from the target outlet 34 and an adjacent one of the secondary fluid-
quantity measuring
devices 62 being used for receiving fluid from the runoff outlet 36. Each such
pair of adjacent
ones of the primary and secondary measuring devices 60, 62 can thus be
referred to as a fluid
quantifying unit 63 (Fig. 8).
[0065] In this implementation, the fluid-quantity measuring devices 60,
62 are scales 60,
62 configured to measure a weight of fluid collected therein. Moreover, in
this
implementation, the primary scales 60 have a greater volume capacity than the
secondary
scales 62 since the primary scales 60 are expected to contain a greater
quantity of fluid than
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the secondary scales 62. In alternative implementations, the primary and
secondary scales 60,
62 may be identical to one another. Furthermore, it is contemplated that fluid
quantity
measuring devices 60, 62 may be any other suitable type of fluid-quantity
measuring device
in alternative implementations (e.g., flow meters).
[0066] The functionality of the injector testing system 10 is controlled by
a testing
controller 55 which controls various components of the testing system 10.
Notably, as shown
in Fig. 8, the testing controller 55 is in communication with, amongst others,
the scales 60, 62
of each fluid quantifying unit 63, the pump 80 and the compressor 90. As will
be described
below, the testing controller 55 is also in communication with a number of
valves for
controlling flow of fluid through the components of the testing system 10 and
a number of
sensors for sensing parameters related to fluid that is to be pumped to the
injector 18.
[0067] Notably, the injector testing system 10 includes a plurality of
valves for controlling
the flow to and from the scales 60, 62 of each fluid quantifying unit 63. For
example, Fig. 9
shows the configuration of a given one of the fluid quantifying units 63. The
fluid quantifying
unit 63 includes valves 50, 52 fluidly connected between the primary scale 60
and a
corresponding one of the primary fluid collectors 28, and between the
secondary scale 62 and
a corresponding one of the secondary fluid collectors 38. The valve 50 is
controlled by the
testing controller 55 to selectively direct flow of fluid from the primary
fluid collector 28
toward the tank 70 (in a position T of the valve 50) or the primary scale 60
(in a position S of
the valve 50). Similarly, the valve 52 is controlled by the testing controller
55 to selectively
direct flow of fluid from the secondary fluid collector 38 toward the tank 70
(in the position T
of the valve 52) or the secondary scale 62 (in the position S of the valve
52). In addition, the
fluid quantifying unit 63 includes valves 54, 56 respectively fluidly
connected between the
primary scale 60 and a pump 85, and between the secondary scale 62 and the
pump 85. The
pump 85 is fluidly connected to the tank 70 and is configured to pump fluid
from the scales
60, 62 to the tank 70. The valve 54 is controlled by the testing controller 55
to selectively
block flow of fluid out of the primary scale 60 to the pump 85. Similarly, the
valve 56 is
controlled by the testing controller 55 to selectively block flow of fluid out
of the secondary
scale 62 to the pump 85.
[0068] It should be understood that each of the fluid quantifying units 63
is configured in
the same manner as that described above with respect to Fig. 9.
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[0069] The testing controller 55 is also in communication with a valve 93
(Fig. 8) for
selectively fluidly connecting the injector 18 with one of the pump 80 (to
supply fluid to the
injector 18) and the compressor 90 (to supply compressed air to the injector
18). Another
valve 82, in communication with the testing controller 55, selectively blocks
fluid flow from
the pump 80 to the injector 18. Another valve 86, in communication with the
testing
controller 55, fluidly connects the pump 80 with the fluid quantifying units
63 (via a fluid
line 83), bypassing the testing rig 14. The testing controller 55 can control
the valve 86 to
fluidly connect the pump 80 to the scales 60, 62, through the fluid line 83,
during a warm-up
process in which fluid contained in the testing system 10 is being heated to a
target
temperature. Thus, during such a warm-up process, prior to initiating a test
of the injector 18,
fluid bypasses the testing rig 14 and rather gets circulated to the scales 60,
62 and returned to
the pump 80.
[0070] A drain 95 (Fig. 8) is provided to selectively fluidly connect the
testing rig 14 with
the tank 70. The drain 95 may be controlled by the testing controller 55
and/or manually by
the user.
[0071] As mentioned above, the injector testing system 10 comprises
sensors for sensing
parameters related to fluid circulating in the testing system 10. More
particularly, as shown in
Fig. 8, the testing system 10 comprises a pressure sensor PS, a temperature TS
and a flow rate
sensor QS respectively configured to sense a pressure, a temperature and a
flow rate of fluid
to be supplied to the injector 18. These parameters may be useful to track as
they can affect
the behavior of fluid supplied to the injector 18. In this implementation, the
sensors PS, TS,
QS are operatively connected between the pump 80 and the injector 18.
[0072] The testing controller 55 has a processor 115 for carrying out
executable code, and
a non-transitory memory module 117 that stores the executable code in a non-
transitory
medium (not shown) included in the memory module 117. The processor 115
includes one or
more processors for performing processing operations that implement
functionality of the
testing controller 55. The processor 115 may be a general-purpose processor or
may be a
specific-purpose processor comprising one or more preprogrammed hardware or
firmware
elements (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically
erasable
programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.) or other related elements.
The non-
transitory medium of the memory module 117 may be a semiconductor memory
(e.g., read-
only memory (ROM) and/or random-access memory (RAM)), a magnetic storage
medium,
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an optical storage medium, and/or any other suitable type of memory. While the
testing
controller 55 is represented as being one entity in this implementation, it is
understood that
the testing controller 55 could comprise separate entities for controlling
components
separately.
[0073] The testing controller 55 implements a testing process in order to
test the injector
18. The user first installs the injector 18 to be tested onto the testing rig
14 such as to position
the injector 18 to inject fluid towards the inlet 32 and the target outlet 34
of the receptacle 16
as described above. The user then initiates the testing process implemented by
the testing
controller 55. For example, the user may push a button used to initiate the
testing process.
[0074] The testing process begins by locking the cover 15 in its closed
position (i.e., when
the cover 15 encloses the testing rig 14). To that end, a lock (not shown)
controlled by the
testing controller 55 is provided which secures the cover 15 in its locked
position. A magnetic
sensor (not shown) is installed on the bench 11 to interact with a magnet (not
shown) on the
cover 15 which is positioned to interact with the magneticsensor when the
cover 15 is in its
.. closed position. The magnetic sensor sends a signal to the testing
controller 55 when the
magnet is detected, indicating that the cover 15 is in the closed position and
can therefore be
locked.
[0075] The testing process then ensures that the scales 60, 62 are clear
of fluid. To that
end, the valves 50, 52 are switched to their position T such as to fluidly
communicate the
tank 70 with the fluid collectors 28, 38. Next, the valves 54, 56 are opened
to fluidly
communicate the scales 60, 62 with the pump 85. The pump 85 is then activated
to purge
fluid from the scales 60, 62 into the tank 70. More specifically, the scales
60, 62 are purged
until fluid contained in each of the scales 60, 62 weighs less than a weight
threshold
particular to each scale 60, 62. In the present implementation, the weight
threshold of each
scale is equal to 5% of the weight previously measured by that particular
scale 60, 62. It is
contemplated that the weight threshold of each scale 60, 62 may be more or
less than 5% of
the weight previously measured by that particular scale 60, 62 in other
implementations. The
valves 56 are then closed to block communication between the secondary scales
62 and the
pump 85. The pump 85 is then turned off, and the valves 54 are closed to block
communication between the primary scales 60 and the pump 85. This part of the
testing
process ensures that the scales 60, 62 are acceptably clear of fluid.
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[0076] Next, the testing controller 55 resets the scales 60, 62. That is,
the testing controller
55 zeroes the scales 60, 62 such that, even if the scales 60, 62 contain a
small amount of
fluid, the scales 60, 62 measure 0 as the weight of fluid contained therein,
if any.
[0077] The testing controller 55 then causes the injector 18 to inject
fluid into the
receptacle 16 via the inlet 32. To that end, the testing controller 55
controls the valves 82, 93
to fluidly communicate the pump 80 with the injector 18. The pump 80 then
pumps fluid
from the tank 70 to the injector 18 which consequently injects fluid into the
inner chamber 30
of the receptacle 16 via the inlet 32.
[0078] In parallel, the testing controller 55 switches the valves 50, 52
to their position S
.. such as to fluidly communicate the scales 60, 62 with the active fluid
collectors 28, 38,
allowing fluid from the target outlet 34 and the runoff outlet 36 to flow to
the active scales
60, 62. A timer is simultaneously started by the testing controller 55. The
valves 50, 52 are
switched to their position T once the timer reaches a predetermined amount of
time (e.g., 60
seconds) deemed to be sufficient for a majority of fluid to have flowed to the
active scales 60,
62 from the target and runoff outlets 34, 36. The active scales 60, 62
continuously measure
the weight of the fluid contained therein. Once the weights measured by the
active scales 60,
62 have stabilized, the active primary scale 60 sends a signal to the testing
controller 55
representative of a primary weight W1 of fluid having flowed to the active
primary scale 60
via the target outlet 34, and the active secondary scale 62 sends a signal to
the testing
controller 55 representative of a secondary weight W2 of fluid having flowed
to the active
secondary scale 62 via the runoff outlet 36.
[0079] Based on the weights W 1, W2, the testing controller 55 can then
determine a
proportion of fluid PT that has been injected into the target outlet 34 of the
receptacle 16. In
this implementation, the testing controller 55 divides the primary weight W1
by a sum of the
primary weight W1 and the secondary weight W2 to obtain the proportion of
fluid PT (i.e. PT
= W1/(W1+W2)). As will be described further below, the proportion of fluid PT
may then be
communicated to the user via a user interface of the injector testing system
10. Furthermore,
in this implementation, the testing controller 55 also compares the proportion
of fluid PT with
a predetermined minimum allowable proportion and determines if the proportion
of fluid PT
is allowable. That is, if the proportion of fluid PT is greater than or equal
to the
predetermined minimum allowable proportion, the testing controller 55
determines that the
proportion of fluid PT is allowable and therefore that the injector 18
performed adequately. In
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this example, the predetermined minimum allowable proportion is 95% (i.e.,
W1/(W 1+W2) >
0.95).
[0080] It is understood that, in alternative implementations in which the
scales 60, 62 are
other types of fluid-quantity measuring devices, the signals received by the
controller 55 from
the fluid-quantity measuring devices 60, 62 are representative of a first
quantity of fluid
having flowed to the fluid-quantity measuring device 60 via the target outlet
34 and a second
quantity of fluid having flowed to the fluid-quantity measuring device 62 via
the runoff outlet
36. The proportion of fluid PT can be similarly determined by dividing the
first quantity of
fluid by the sum of the first quantity of fluid and the second quantity of
fluid.
[0081] In order to clear the scales 60, 62 of fluid, next, the valves 54,
56 are opened and
the pump 85 is activated to purge fluid from the scales 60, 62 and pump it
into the tank 70.
The testing controller 55 controls the pump to stop purging the scales 60, 62
until fluid
contained in each of the scales 60, 62 weighs less than the weight threshold
particular to each
scale 60, 62 that is equal to or less than 5% of the weight previously
measured by that
particular scale 60, 62 (i.e., 5% of the weights W 1, W2). In alternative
implementations, the
weight threshold may be more than 5%. The valves 54, 56 are then closed to
block flow of
fluid out of the scales 60, 62.
[0082] A purge cycle is then implemented by the testing controller 55 to
purge the injector
18 from fluid accumulated therein. First, the valve 82 is closed to block the
flow of fluid from
the pump 80 to the injector 18. Circulation of fluid between the tank 70 and
the pump 80 is
maintained. The valve 93 is then switched such as to fluidly communicate the
compressor 90
with the injector 18, causing compressed air to flow into the injector 18,
thus clearing the
injector 18 of fluid. The valve 93 is maintained in this position for a
predetermined amount of
time that varies in accordance with the injector 18 being tested. The fluid
mist collector 65 is
then activated for a set amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds) to clear fluid mist
enclosed within the
cover 15. The cover 15 is then unlocked to allow opening thereof and
subsequent removal of
the injector 18.
[0083] As shown in Fig. 10, in an alternative implementation, the
injector testing system
10 could having a single active scale 60 instead of two (or other fluid-
quantity measuring
device). That is, fluid from the target outlet 34 is funneled to the active
scale 60 and fluid
from the runoff outlet 36 is funneled to the same active scale 60. In this
alternative
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implementation, the configuration of the fluid collectors 28, 38 is identical
to that described
above, with the active primary fluid collector 28 fluidly connected to the
target outlet 34 and
the active secondary collector 38 fluidly connected to the runoff outlet 36.
However, the
testing system 10 includes tanks 75 fluidly connected between respective ones
of the scales
60 and corresponding secondary fluid collectors 38. The tanks 75 have a
smaller volume than
the tanks 70. Valves 58, in communication with the testing controller 55,
selectively fluidly
connect the scales 60 and the tanks 75. The valves 58 are configured to
selectively block flow
of fluid out of the tanks 75.
[0084] The testing process implemented by the testing controller 55 for the
implementation of Fig. 10 will now be described. As with the previously
described
implementation, the testing process begins with ensuring that the active scale
60 is clear of
fluid. To that end, the valves 50, 52 are switched to their position T such as
to fluidly
communicate the tank 70 with the fluid collectors 28, 38. The valves 58 are
opened for a
given amount of time to allow any fluid contained in the tanks 75 to flow to
the scales 60.
Next, the valves 54 are opened to fluidly communicate the scales 60 with the
pump 85. The
pump 85 is then activated to purge fluid from the scales 60 into the tank 70.
The scales 60 are
purged until fluid contained in each of the scales 60 weighs less than a
weight threshold
particular to each scale 60. In the present implementation, the weight
threshold of each scale
60 is equal to 5% of the weight previously measured by that particular scale
60. The weight
threshold of each scale 60 may be more or less than 5% of the weight
previously measured by
that particular scale 60 in other implementations. The valves 54 are then
closed to block
communication between the scales 60 and the pump 85. The valves 58 are closed
to block
communication between the tanks 75 and the scales 60. The pump 85 is then
turned off.
[0085] Next, the testing controller 55 resets the scales 60. That is, the
testing controller 55
zeroes the scales 60 such that, even if the scales 60 contain a small amount
of fluid, the scales
60 measure 0 as the weight of fluid contained therein, if any.
[0086] The testing controller 55 then causes the injector 18 to inject
fluid into the
receptacle 16 via the inlet 32. To that end, the testing controller 55
controls the valves 82, 93
to fluidly communicate the pump 80 with the injector 18. The pump 80 then
pumps fluid
from the tank 70 to the injector 18 which consequently injects fluid into the
inner chamber 30
of the receptacle 16 via the inlet 32.
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[0087] The testing controller 55 then switches the valves 50 to their
position S such as to
fluidly communicate the scales 60 with the primary fluid collectors 28,
allowing fluid from
the target outlet 34 to flow to the active scale 60. At the same time, the
testing controller 55
switches the valves 52 to their position S such as to fluidly communicate the
tanks 75 with
.. the secondary fluid collectors 38, allowing fluid from the runoff outlet 36
to flow to a given
one of the tanks 75 (i.e., the "active" tank 75). A timer is simultaneously
started by the testing
controller 55. The valves 50, 52 are then switched to their position T once
the timer reaches a
predetermined amount of time (e.g., 60 seconds) deemed to be sufficient for a
majority or an
entirety of fluid to have flowed to the active scale 60 and the active tank 75
from the target
.. and runoff outlets 34, 36 respectively. Once the weight measured by the
active scale 60 has
stabilized, the active scale 60 sends a signal to the testing controller 55
representative of the
primary weight W1 of fluid having flowed to the active primary scale 60 via
the target outlet
34.
[0088] Next, the valves 58 are opened such that fluid contained in the
active tank 75 flows
to the active scale 60, adding itself to fluid that had flowed to the active
scale 60 via the target
outlet 34. A timer is simultaneously started by the testing controller 55. The
valves 58 are
closed once the timer reaches a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 60
seconds) deemed to
be sufficient for a majority or an entirety of fluid to have flowed to the
active scale 60 from
the active tank 75. The valves 58 are then closed. Once the weight measured by
the active
scale 60 has stabilized, the active scale 60 sends a signal to the testing
controller 55
representative of a weight of fluid having flowed to the active scale 60 via
both the target
outlet 34 and the runoff outlet 36 (i.e., a sum of fluid having flowed to the
active scale 60 via
the target outlet 34 and fluid having flowed to the active scale 60 via the
runoff outlet 36).
The proportion of fluid PT that has been injected into the target outlet 34 of
the receptacle 16
can be determined in a manner similar to that described above with reference
to Fig. 9.
[0089] Alternatively, rather than mixing fluid from the target outlet 34
and the runoff
outlet 36 in the active scale 60 to measure the total weight, the active scale
60 can be purged
of fluid after measuring the primary weight W1. For instance, in such an
example, after
measuring the primary weight W 1, the valves 54 are opened and the pump 85 is
activated to
pump fluid from the active scale 60 into the tank 70. Once fluid contained in
each of the
scales 60 weighs less than the weight threshold particular to each scale 60,
the pump 85 is
turned off. The valves 54 are then closed.
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[0090] Subsequently, the valves 58 are opened such that fluid contained
in the active tank
75 flows to the active scale 60. A timer is simultaneously started by the
testing controller 55.
The valves 58 are closed once the timer reaches a predetermined amount of time
(e.g., 60
seconds) deemed to be sufficient for a majority or an entirety of fluid to
have flowed to the
active scale 60 from the active tank 75. The valves 58 are then closed. Once
the weight
measured by the active scale 60 has stabilized, the active scale 60 sends a
signal to the testing
controller 55 representative of the secondary weight W2 of fluid having flowed
to the active
scale 60 via the runoff outlet 36. The proportion of fluid PT that has been
injected into the
target outlet 34 of the receptacle 16 can be determined in a manner similar to
that described
above with reference to Fig. 9.
[0091] The purge cycle described above is then implemented by the testing
controller 55
to purge the injector 18 from fluid accumulated therein.
[0092] In an alternative implementation, multiple injectors 18 can be tested
simultaneously. For example, two, three or more testing rigs 12 can be mounted
to the table
12 and fluidly connected to a respective one of the fluid quantifying units
63. As such, a
corresponding proportion of fluid PT for each simultaneously-tested injector
18 can be
determined during a single testing process. In such an implementation, each
platform 25 can
be simultaneously fluidly connected to the inlet 40 of the table 12 to provide
fluid to the
respective injector 18 mounted to each testing rig 14. For example, an adapter
may be
provided on the inlet 40 for splitting the flow of fluid to as many testing
rigs 14 as desired.
Alternatively, the table 12 may include multiple inlets 40, one for each
testing rig 14.
[0093] With reference to Fig. 11, the injector testing system 10
comprises a user interface
100 in communication with the testing controller 55. In this implementation,
the user
interface 100 is provided as part of the bench 11 such that the user at the
bench 11 has access
to the user interface 100. The user interface 100 is configured to permit
control of the injector
testing system 10 by the user and to communicate to the user information
pertaining to the
operation of the injector testing system 10. For instance, in this
implementation, the user
interface 100 displays a weight (or other quantity) 102 measured by the
primary scale 60 of
each of the fluid quantifying units 63 (i.e., the primary weight W1), and a
total weight (or
other quantity) 104 which is a sum of the weights measured by the primary and
secondary
scales 60, 62 of each of the fluid-quantifying units 63 (i.e., W1+W2). The
user interface 100
also displays, at 106, the proportion of fluid PT corresponding to each of the
fluid-
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quantifying units 63. In this implementation, a single injector 18 is tested
at a time and
therefore the user interface 100 only displays the proportion of fluid PT for
one of the fluid-
quantifying units 63. In some implementations, the user interface 100 could
display a weight
(or other quantity) measured by the secondary scale 62 of each of the fluid
quantifying units
63 (i.e., the secondary weight W2). As such, the user interface 100 can
display one or more of
the primary weight W 1, the secondary weight W2, the total weight W1+W2, and
the
proportion of fluid PT.
[0094] In this implementation, the user interface 100 is configured to
indicate to the user if
the proportion of fluid PT for each of fluid quantifying units 63 has been
determined to be
allowable. For instance, in this example, a checkmark is displayed next to the
proportion of
fluid PT if it is determined to be allowable and an X mark is displayed next
to the proportion
of fluid PT if it is determined not to be allowable. Any other visual
representation may be
used to indicate the allowability of the proportion of fluid PT in other
implementations. For
instance, the proportion of fluid PT may be indicated in green when the
proportion of fluid
PT is allowable and red if it is not allowable.
[0095] In addition, in this implementation, the user interface 100
displays, at 108, the
pressure measured by the pressure sensor PS and, at 110, the temperature
measured by the
temperature sensor TS. The user interface 100 also displays an input pressure
109 and an
input temperature 111 to which fluid supplied to the injector 18 is set. A
timer 112 is also
displayed by the user interface 100 for example to time the different steps of
the testing
process. Moreover, the user interface 100 displays a part number 114
corresponding to the
injector 18 being tested and a rig number 116 corresponding to the type of
testing rig 14
mounted on the table 14. The part number 114 and rig number 116 are entered by
the user via
an input device (e.g., a keyboard) connected to the testing controller 55
before testing the
injector 18.
[0096] In this implementation, the user interface 100 comprises a graphic
display unit 105
such as a screen for displaying the information pertaining to the operation of
the injection
testing system 10. It is contemplated that, in other implementations, the
information may be
displayed on any other suitable type of graphic display unit (e.g., dials).
[0097] The graphic display unit 105 is a touch-screen display such that the
user can affect
commands by touching the graphic display unit 105. For example, the touch-
screen display
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105 includes a start button 122 and a stop button 124 to start and stop
operation of the
different components of the injector testing system 10. The touch-screen
display also includes
a cycle start button 118 to start the testing process implemented by the
testing controller 55,
and a cycle stop button 120 to stop the testing process and start the purge
cycle described
above.
[0098] It is contemplated that, in alternative implementations, the user
interface 100 may
be part of a standalone device that is physically separate from the bench 11.
For instance, in
some implementations, the user interface 100 may be part of a device that is
wirelessly
connected to the testing controller 55 such as to exchange information with
the testing
controller 55. For example, the user interface 100 may be part of a cell phone
(e.g., a smart
phone), a tablet, a personal computer (e.g., a laptop, a desktop computer), a
personal digital
assistant or any other such device. The wireless link between the device and
the testing
controller 55 may be established via Internet, Bluetooth , or any other
suitable wireless
protocol.
[0099] In an alternative implementation, the user interface 100 comprises a
control panel
mounted to the bench 11 for displaying the data described above and providing
controls for
the user to control operation of the testing controller 55. The control panel
includes dials,
gauges or any other physical components for communicating the data described
above (e.g.,
the weight W 1, the weight W2, the proportion of fluid PT, the total weight W
1+W2, etc.) to
the user. Moreover, a light signal may indicate to the user if the determined
proportion of
fluid PT for each fluid quantifying unit 63 is allowable or not (e.g., a green
light if allowable,
a red light if not allowable). Furthermore, the control panel includes
physical switches or
buttons that are turned ON or OFF by the user to control operation of the
testing controller
55.
[00100] Figs. 12 and 13 show the testing rig 14 in accordance with an
alternative
implementation. In this alternative implementation, the platform 25 functions
as the injector
mounting structure and has an inlet 27 for supplying fluid to the injector 18
to be tested. That
is, the testing rig 14 does not have the injector mounting structure 19
previously described.
Rather, the injector 18 is mounted directly to the platform 25 via a securing
member 92
which is fastened to the platform 25 and to the injector 18. Moreover, a
receptacle 16' of the
testing rig 14 defines a conduit 47 connected to the inner chamber 30 via the
target outlet 34.
The conduit 47 is connected to an outlet 39 that is in turn connected to a
conduit (not shown)
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of the platform 25. As such, in this alternative implementation, the testing
rig 14 does not
include the tube 24 connecting the receptacle to the platform. Rather, the
platform 25 is
directly connected to the receptacle 16'.
[00101] Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations
of the
present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The
foregoing description
is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present
technology is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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