Thread: Automatic Shutters

I would use linear actuators or air rams and employ Ray to build a control system...

Pneumatic rams may be a viable option. Thinking along the lines of tapping into the inlet manifold between Turbo and head with a suitable sized nipple, hose coupling to a pair of fairly short large diameter rams. shutters very close to balanced and held closed with a spring. Motor starts and spools turbo, positive pressure in manifold extends rams to open shutters. Motor stops, manifold pressure drops to atmospheric pressure, spring overrides rams and closes shutters. No control system required

Does your intended load actually need somewhere near 125KVA as a backup. For a light load significantly below capacity, the excess motor power capacity and oversize alternator will be hard on fuel consumption and may glaze the bores in the engine. Much less of an issue if the unit is fairly close to the demand and working under a fairly constant load.

Originally Posted by wbleeker

When I install my new backup generator system i want to put Automatic opening shutters in each end of the building to allow heaps of ventilation when it is
running, as we have a very harsh climate here I thought the idea of solenoid operated or linear actuator operated might be the way to go? Has anyone had experience
with this sort of thing? I have a design in mind for the shutters but have no idea how to make them open when the engine starts or close when it shuts down. For those who didn't see my recent
post about the generator, I have a 125kva generator powered by a 6 Cylinder Volvo Penta Diesel we are building a shed 3.6 by 6m to house it in and the shutters would go in the end walls
the gen set is 2.1 by 900 by about 1.2 high and weighs 2 tonnes so it is a large scale project that is worthy of a fair bit of engineering to get it set up right.
Will

I have some pain understanding why you need shutters at all. Can't you house this generator outdoors just under a sort of gazebo, with fresh air all around it?

Or is it because you are in a cold climate yet need the generator constantly heated at 60C so it can start up and instantly deliver full load in an eyeblink when power fails? How is this generator cooled? Air or water? If aircooled, all you may need are gravity shutting baffles that open by the cooling air suction airflow and have the hot exhaust air ducted outside.

Malb yes the load is quite high so we shouldn't have any problem there, the motor is naturally aspirated so no turbo
CBA Robertson has many different weather extremes we can have four seasons in one day! But the fog is the worst! You
can't leave anything outside for long will take all the other comments on board.
Will

Hi bleeker, I would go for a pair of linear actuators made by Linak.

They will also sell you a control box with a hand held pendant.

I reckon this will be your cheapest option.

Ken

Hi Guys,

I remember a few years back a similar generator setup for emergency power. It was housed underground in what was effectively a large cellar. The engine as I recall was water cooled and had a very large water tank at ground level along with the fuel tank. The exhaust was a large lagged pipe that disappeared through one wall and out vertically up the outside of the building. The intake was a big rectangular duct that went through a side wall. Also up an outside wall to the roof.

I also recall the manual starting arrangement since I was one of the designated engineers that had to go and start the engine if the electric start failed. Winding up a three quarter ton flywheel was not fun at all. Fortunately that only happened every few months, at the service interval. Apart from the monthly testing, I don't recall the generator ever having to start up because of a power failure.

A possible solution?

I recently discovered there are made for greenhouses, automatic window openers that are heat-operated.
They are available in Europe and I suppose elsewhere. Cheap on ebay.
I bought a German made one, haven't tried it yet, but they are popular and have been around a long time I think.
The main component is a wax-filled cylinder.

Jordan

a Belimo (or other) damper actuator will do it ..come in 240v or 12v

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/1816...pid=107&chn=ps

the above is just one of many of the belimo's

with linkages to each louvre like this

http://www.engineeredairtreatment.co...efire-dampers/

(I know the link is to the UK but all this stuff is all readily available is Aus.)

the dampers can be made to suit any size.
you can get a sheet metal shop who does airconditioning ducting to manufacture and who can supply the components for self fabrication

the damper actuator can be operated by almost any means..signal from genny or temperature controlled..humidity if you like...