To use the Rotational toolkit in IMAT, there are three simple steps. The first is to load the data. The second is to run the analysis and the last is to plot the results. The graphical user interface (GUI) to RTK allows for a straightforward way to work with data from rotating components.
The RTK application imports CSV, UNV, and ATI files which contain time, speed or tachometer data, and forcing data. These data files must contain appropriate data values for analysis. The specifications on the contents of the CSV file can be found in here. For further details on UNV and ATI files, please see the IMAT documentation.
If the data file contains multiple time or multiple speed/tach histories, the user is required to select the appropriate time and speed basis for the current analysis. The selections can be made on the load data tab by pressing on the respective menus. To select the speed basis, the user would have to select either speed or tachometer input (these options are enabled if the respective data type was found in the input data file). An example of this action is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2.Speed Basis selection
To run an analysis on the data that was loaded, navigate to the “Analysis” tab as shown in Figure 3. Most of the content visible in this tab is for managing the analysis results produced with application. At the bottom of the window is the same feedback window shown in the load tab. This section will display information of when an analysis completes.
The first step in running an analysis is to verify the speed and time basis displayed in the text area labeled in Figure 3 as item #2. Once this is verified, the next step is to press the “Run Analysis” button (shown as item#1 in Figure 3). When an analysis is complete, the table shown in the tab will display a unique data analysis “ID”, the basis from which the results were computed, and the original filename from which the data was read from. The “ID” name will be used in further tabs or windows produced from the RTK application.
If the analysis process fails, an error message is displayed. To troubleshoot the error, first examine that the data imported into RTK is not corrupted. Verify that the time and speed basis information is valid in the data files. For example, if the measured speed is in Hertz, it should never exceed the sampling rate which is calculated from the time data. If further assistance is needed, please email imat@ata-e.com.
To view the results, navigate to the “Plot Selection” tab as shown in Figure 4. There are three options to choose from in plotting the results. The first plot option is a contour plot of the data selected in the pulldown menus. The second plot option is a 3D waterfall plot. The third plot option, “Plot X-Y”, will bring up a new graphical user window that allows the user to select single or multiple items from all the results available. This third plot option will also allow the user to filter items from the results produced.
When plotting a contour or waterfall plot, the user interface will display the data result from the three selectable items in the tab. The “Function Set” name uniquely identifies the type of result one would like to look at. The “Data ID” is the nomenclature found in the data file to differentiate from the various data types. The “Run ID”, as described here, is the unique ID created to track various analysis results created during the use of the application. In viewing the contour and waterfall plots, these selectable items determine what data is plotted.
To view the contour plot of a result, select which result data to view and press the “Plot Contour” button shown as item#1 in Figure 4. To select a specific a result, use the mouse to select from the three parameters shown on the plot selection tab. The selections can be made by clicking on the pull down menus for “Function Set”, “Data ID”, and “Run ID”.
To view the waterfall plot of a result, select which result data to view and press the “Plot Waterfall” button shown as item #2 in Figure 4. To select a specific a result, use the mouse to select from the three parameters shown on the plot selection tab. The selections can be made by clicking on the pull down menus for “Function Set”, “Data ID”, and “Run ID”. Upon pressing the button, a new figure window will appear with a title based on the items selected.
To view the X-Y plots for all the result data, press the “Plot X-Y funcs” button shown as item #3 in Figure 4. Once this is done, a separate window will appear similar to the one shown in Figure 5. The primary function of the plot window is to allow for easy navigation of the result data. The window will allow for the user to directly select items or use a filter for selecting items to plot. The plot area provides a versatile area for user interaction. For further details, please see the documentation for uiplot (or type “help uiplot” in the MATLAB command window) provided with the IMAT package.
For the user convenience, the filter button, shown as item#1 in Figure 5, will bring up a secondary window to facilitate in filtering out the list of items shown in plot window. The user can select single or multiple items in the result data list and then press the plot button (shown as item#2 in Figure 5) to plot those items in the plot area.
Once the filter button is pressed, a secondary window, shown in Figure 6, will appear to show the various items which can be selected to filter the list. Once the list is filtered, the original complete listing can be found by selecting the appropriate item in the “Quick Filter” section (found next to the filter button).
Figure 6. Filter selection window
To create filters, first select the data parameter (item #1 Figure 6) from the drop down menu. Next either type in a text (can use a “*” for wildcard) or a select an item from a pull down menu (area shown as item #3 in Figure 6). Then click the “Add” button to add that filter into the list of items. Click the OK button when all the filters are created and a new list of items will be generated in the uiplot window which meets all the filter criteria.
In addition to plotting various result data, the user interface also allows to save specific analysis results into the MATLAB workspace. A random variable name will be created and will hold the result values from all the analysis runs.