NEW PRODUCT

SHOWCASE

New RCK-1 Recip Simulator

Does for reciprocating compressors what our
famous rotor kit does for rotating machines

any customers are familiar with our

Velocity, Crosshead Acceleration, Rod Position, Crank

rotor kit (see sidebar article). We now

and Head End Cylinder Pressure, Gas and Valve

provide a similar machinery simulator

temperature for both Suction and Discharge, along

designed specifically for reciprocating

with Single-Event and Multi-Event Timing for precise

compressors.

measurement of crank rotation.

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

The RCK-1 can simulate common reciprocating

compressor that simulates the mechanical function

compressor faults such as valve and piston ring

of an industrial reciprocating compressor. The RCK-1

leaks, and mechanical drive train wear in the form

incorporates transducers that measure Crank Frame

of connecting rod bearing clearance. The kit equips

48 O R B IT Vo l.28 N o.1 2008

SIDEBAR ARTICLE

NEW PRODUCT
SHOWCASE

The Bently Nevada Rotor Kit

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 management 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,

The original Bently Nevada RK-1 rotor

kit 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 of
malfunctions 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.

our new RCK-1 recip kit is available directly to

customers as well, and will be of particular 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 products
and services.
* denotes the trademarks or registered trademarks of Bently Nevada,
LLC, a General Electric company.

1977 datasheet for a Bently Nevada rotor kit.

Vo l . 28 N o. 1 2008 ORBI T 49