RatRace Desktop Analysis Software

User Guide
Preliminary Manual

User Guide
Type

FlowScanner, FlowStor, RatRace, Fisher, Fisher-Rosemount, and

Managing The Process Better are marks owned by Fisher Controls
International, Inc. or Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. All other marks
are the property of their respective owners.

Fisher Controls International, Inc. 1/97;

All Rights Reserved

PART NUMBER

January 1997

RatRace User Guide

While this information is presented in good faith and believed to be accurate, Fisher Controls does not guarantee satisfactory results from reliance upon such information. Nothing contained herein is to be construed as a warranty or guarantee, e pressed or implied, regarding the
performance, merchantability, fitness or any other matter with respect to the products, nor as a recommendation to use any product or process in
conflict with any patent. Fisher Controls reserves the right, without notice, to alter or improve the designs or specifications of the products described herein.

RatRace User Guide

Contents
Section

Title

Introduction

1.1
1.2
1.3

2
2.1
2.2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.2.4
2.2.4.1
2.2.4.2
2.2.5
2.2.6
2.3
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
2.3.4
2.3.5
2.3.6
2.3.7
2.3.8

3
3.1
3.1.1
3.1.1.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
3.2.6
3.3

Page

Scope of Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RatRace Software Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hardware Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Main Menu

Setting Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Defining Nametags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Filling in a New Nametag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Saving and Printing Nametags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Retrieving a Nametag File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using Drive G for Nametag Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Storing Nametags on Drive G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Recalling Nametags from Drive G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Erasing Valve Nametag from the Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Exiting the Nametag Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Setting Test Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Dynamic Scan Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Static Point Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Step Change Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Stepped Ramp Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Step Study Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Pressure Channel Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Auxiliary Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Storing a RUNTEST File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using a Mouse with RatRace

Mouse Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Possible Mouse Driver Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mouse Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Display Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Selecting Data Files with the Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Adding or Changing a Test Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Displaying a Graph with the Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Graph Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Normal Mode Hot Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Zooming and Cursor Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

RatRace User Guide

.3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
3.3.4
3.4
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3
3.4.4
3.4.5
3.4.6
3.4.7
3.4.8
3.4.9
3.4.10
3.4.11
3.4.12

4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.7.1
4.7.2
4.7.3
4.7.4
4.8
4.8.1
4.8.2
4.9
4.10
4.10.1
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16

Fast Zoom Windowall four cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Moving One Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Moving Two Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Cursor Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
FlowMouser Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Analyze Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PointMarks Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SetZoom Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
RePlot Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Reset Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Inverse Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Menus Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
DrawLine Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
DrawCircle Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AddText Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Print Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
HideTools Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Displaying and Analyzing Test Results

Quick Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Display Program Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Starting the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Choosing Test Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Overlaying Test Data on Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Returning to the MENU Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Printing Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Capturing Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Graph Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Zooming a Graph View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Marking Data Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Graph Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Possible Data Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Limiting Analysis Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Dynamic Scan Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Measurement vs. Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Miscellaneous Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Static Point Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Step Change Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Stepped Ramp Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Step Study Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Transferring Data to the Report Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Copying and Displaying from the Display Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

RatRace User Guide

4.16.1
4.16.2
4.16.3

5
5.1
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3

6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

Saving Data to a New Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Saving Data as an ASCII File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Compressing Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Quick Reports
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Retrieving Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Saving Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Printing Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Appendices
Appendix A: Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Appendix B: Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Appendix C: Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Appendix D: Related Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Glossary

Index

RatRace User Guide

1

Introduction

1.1

Scope of Manual
This manual describes: how to use the RatRace Desktop Analysis
Software to analyze test data collected using the FlowScanner Valve
Diagnostic System.

1.2

RatRace Software Description

The RatRace Desktop Analysis Software for use with the Fisher
FlowScanner Valve Diagnostic System is designed to allow some of
the FlowScanner support operations to be done on a PC compatible
desktop (or laptop) system. It allows preparation of data disks with
valve Nametag descriptions and test setups, and permits the display
and analysis of data taken with the FlowScanner and allows preparation of reports.
It goes beyond the standard software capabilities and allows up to
nine different tests to be overlaid on all graphs, and allows display of
data collected on the auxiliary input channels.
The Display portion of the program now supports mouse commands.
See the Display section for details

1.3

Hardware Specifications
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

RatRace User Guide

Note
The software package contains two programs: a sliding
stem application and a rotary valve application.
Although these programs vary in appearance, they are
similar in function, and the differences merely reflect
the operational differences between the two valve
styles. Because the two programs function so similarly,
this manual will try to cover both versions and only
mention one or the other programs when specific
differences are applicable to the discussion.

RatRace User Guide

2

The Main Menu

A main menu starts when either the SLIDAUX.BAT or ROTAUX.BAT
files are run. These files are placed in the 1APP directory of the
FlowScanner. The other portions of the FlowScanner programs are
selected from the main menu by moving a highlight bar with the keypad arrow keys.

FlowAux Main menu

The main menu screen selects the various FlowScanner programs:

StartLook ator Change a Valve Nametag
Identify the valve, actuator, accessories and plant site
SelectViewor Change a Test Setup
Select the test type and enter testing parameters
Display and Analyze Test Data
Review test results and manipulate the data as necessary
Prepare a Test Report
Display test data in report format
Format a Data Disk
Format a floppy diskette for data storage
Record Data Drive and Operating Defaults
Set default preferences for operation and data storage
The up and down arrow (cursor) keys will move the highlight bar to
the different choices, and pressing Enter will select the highlighted
choice. AltV will toggle video between color and monochrome, and
AltS will check space on a data disk. Notice that every menu item
and selection choice has one letter that is highlighted. Type that letter either by itself, or in combination with the Alt key, to make that
selection.

RatRace User Guide

2.1

Setting Defaults
When first using FlowScanner, the Operating Defaultsmust be set.
The Operating Defaults choice from the Main Menu lets you set the
default data drive, nametag file type (by Serial number or Tag number), whether or not to use a data RAM disk, whether or not to automatically save the test data upon test completion, whether or not to
automatically analyze and print the graphs, and what type of graphics printer to expect, and what engineering units to display. The Operating Defaultsscreen looks like this:

Operating Defaults Screen

The program drive is set automatically when the program is started.

Set the data drive to the letter for the 3-1/2 inch Floppy drive. (Typically A on FlowScanners)
Data is normally saved by TAG numberinstead of a Serial number,
but either can be used. If saved as a serial number only numeric
digits can be entered. (The actual disk file will be named by an encoded number, but the popup menus will show the serial number as
entered.) The F2 key will popup the menu to select either TAG or
SERIAL defaults. This determines where all programs will look for
the nametag files.
The Temporary Storage drive on a FlowScanner should be set to F
but on a desktop it is used only if a RAM disk has been created for
that purpose. This allows the programs to run slightly faster. To disable temporary storage set the RAM disk to X.
Does Not Apply to RatRace
The Auto Save Data and Auto Print Graphs are normally set to No.
If set to Yes, the data will be automatically saved after it is taken
and graphs will automatically be printed on analysis.

RatRace User Guide

Press the F2 key and pick the type of printer normally used to print
graphs. (This setting has no effect on text printing for reports.) This
setting can be overridden from the Printer menu in the Display and
Analyze program.
Select the units to use for pressures, linear travel, and force from the
three pop-up menus. (F2 recalls all menus when the cursor is on the
field location.) For pressures the possible choices are: psi, kPa,
kg/cm2 and bar
Displayed Travel Units can be set to inches or mm , and Displayed
Force Units can be set to pounds (LBS), Newtons (N), or
DecaNewtons (DN).
The video mode can be toggled between Color and Monochrome by
pressing AltV. The mode set when exiting the defaults screen will
be used by all programs.
After setting the defaults, Alt-X will save the default file and return to
the main menu.

2.2

Defining Nametags
The software needs to know details about the valve in order to analyze results. This information is entered as a valve nametag. The
information from the nametag file is read each time the test
data is selected, so corrections may be made to the nametag
after testing, and they will be used in subsequent analysis.
However, a nametag file must be saved for reference before a
test can be run on a valve.

Sliding Stem Valve Nametag Screen

10

RatRace User Guide

The nametag screen appearance and fields will differ slightly between the Rotary and Sliding Stem programs to reflect the operational differences between the two valve styles

Rotary Valve Nametag Screen

The units shown on the various fields will match the units selected in
the operating defaultsscreen. The file is always saved in US units,
but the display and printouts will match the default units.
The cursor should be flashing on the first character of the Plant
Site field.
Items marked on screen with an asterisk (*) are used in analysis, and must be filled in for the program to calculate results.

2.2.1

Filling in a New Nametag

The nametag is filled in three sections: The valve data, the actuator
data, and the accessory data. First fill in the Valve data. Move between sections by pressing the PgDn and PgUp keys.

Note
If there is a question as to what is required for a field,
pressing the F1 key will bring up a help screen
describing what is needed.

11

RatRace User Guide

F1 Help Screen for Body Style Field

The Plant site is a reference field (not required) for later identification
of the data.
Pressing Enter after an entry will move to the next field, or move between fields with the up and down cursor keys.
An identifying description can be entered in the Description field.
The TAG number is also used as the filename to store the nametag
data on the disk. The first 8 characters only are used for the filename, and illegal characters (spaces, periods, etc.) are replaced by
underscores in the file name. If possible, be consistent by using only
letters and numbers in the TAG # field. This is the only field required
to take test data
Enter the Serial Number in its field (the serial number field will only
accept numerical characters, no alphabetic characters allowed) If
the accessories also have serial numbers they can be reference in
the Comments fields (accessed by pressing AltC).
The Body Type field will pop up a menu list of Fisher body types.

Sliding Stem Body Type Pop-Up Menu

12

RatRace User Guide

Move through the list with the Up & Down arrow keys. Press Enter
when the desired choice is highlighted to enter it into the field. For
nonFisher types press the Esc key to exit the menu and type in an
entry.
Once an entry has been made the menu will not pop up automatically when returning to the field. It can be recalled by pressing the F2
key when the cursor is on the field. (This is true for all fields which
have popup menus.)
Next fill in the body size and class from the popup menus in the
next fields.
The trim fields can be filled with any text string, as this field is not
used for later calculations. They are typically used to describe the
the materials of construction, characteristics or special designs.
Select the flow direction, and indicate if flow tends to open or close
the valve.
On the Sliding Stem program, the field for BALANCED or UNBALANCED construction may be selected automatically if the body
type and size so indicate. If the software cant decide the construction a menu will be offered, otherwise the field is filled in and
skipped.
Select the port diameter, stem diameter, and packing type from the
next menus.
The Friction fields will normally be filled in by the software. (For the
EHD, the added friction for the piston rings is filled in after the line
pressure entries.)
Select the leak class and seat type from the menus. If the valve is
on Boiler Feedwater service, select the Feedwater leak class. This
will use the Feedwater tables from Fisher Catalog 14 to specify the
seat load.
Pressing F1 with the leak class menu visible will bring up a table of
standard leak classes for Fisher valves.

13

RatRace User Guide

Sliding Stem Leak Class Help Screen

Enter the specified inlet pressure and outlet pressure in the units selected.
The required seat load will then be calculated and filled in, based on
the previously entered data. See Section 3.1.
Enter the specified travel. Fractions entered will be converted to
decimal.
The stroking time fields are for reference if there is a customer requirement.
When the Valve section is complete, press PgDn to move to the Actuator section, and select the actuator type and size from the menus. Also select whether actuator air pressure opens or closes the
valve. These entries are used in determining seat load and friction.
Enter the specified benchset from the nameplate. This will be
compared to the measured bench set later.
The software will fill in the effective area for Fisher actuators on the
menu, if the Type and Size were selected from the pop-up menus.
For other types the effective area must be manually entered before
the valve is tested, as it is used in calculations.
Press PgDn again to move to the accessories fields and select the
I/P type and fill in the output range.
Select the I/P input type (use psig if no I/P is used).
Fill in the I/P resistance if the control current will be monitored
through the I/P voltage.
Select the positioner model (reference only).

14

RatRace User Guide

Specify whether the valve is in the Open or Closed position when
zero control signal is applied. This field overrides all other choices to
label the graphs.
Note any other accessories in the Other fields.
Enter longer comments (i.e., 2 lines or >50 characters) by pressing
AltC for a comment window.

2.2.2

Saving and Printing Nametags

Pressing F10 will save the completed nametag to the data disk under the TAG # as a filename (unless the operating default is set to
Serial Number). The tag can also be saved by accessing the File
menu (AltF); where existing nametag information can also be read
off the disk and displayed or changed. From here it can be saved as
either a nametag or serial number.
The nametag can be printed by pressing F6 or AltP. You will then
choose to print to the screen (for preview) or to the printer. Be sure
the printer is properly connected and turned on before trying to print.

2.2.3

Retrieving a Nametag File

Nametag files already stored on the data disk can be read back in
from the File menu, selected by (AltF). Select either Tag Number
or Serial Number from the menu (Field data is normally saved as a
Tag Number), and a list of nametags found on the disk under that file
type will appear. The Sliding Stem program will not show Rotary nametags and viceversa, and if you selected Tag Number files any
saved as Serial Numbers will not show on the list. Use the cursor
keys to select the file you want and press Enter to read the file and
display it on screen. You can make changes and save the file again,
and the changes will be reflected when you analyze data or print reports. If you want to set up another test for a valve already tested
you must read in the nametag before setting up the test.

2.2.4

Using the Drive G for Nametag Storage

If a data area of a hard drive or network drive has been defined as
drive G, it can be used to store a large group of Nametag files so
they can be retrieved for any valve whenever they are needed. The
software can currently access up to 500 sliding stem plus 500 rotary
valve nametags. There are some special procedures to make this
storage easier.

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2.2.4.1

Storing Nametags on Drive G

To store the tags only on drive G first set the Operating Defaultsoff
the Main Menu screen) to use drive G as the data drive while completing and saving the nametags. Once all the nametags are stored,
set the operating defaults back to the floppy drive as the data drive.
To fillin and store nametags on both a floppy disk and the hard
drive, leave the Data Drive set to the floppy drive and fill in the nametag. Pressing F10 saves it to the Floppy disk (as either a Tag
Number file or Serial Number file as set in the Defaults), and pressing F8 saves to G.
If there is a group of nametags on a floppy disk, use DOS to copy
files with the extension T@G, SER, RRG and SRR from the floppy
to drive G.

2.2.4.2

Recalling Nametags from Drive G

Nametags can be recalled from Drive G even when using the floppy
drive to store data. Start with a blank nametag and type either in the
tag number or serial numberunder which the tag is stored, leave the
cursor on that field and press F9 and the tag will be read in. (Pressing F9 causes the program to look for either the tag number or serial
number depending on which field has the cursor.) The File menu
also has a choice which will list the tags on the hard drive by either
Tag number or Serial number. If saving data to floppy disks, save
the nametag to the floppy after calling it up from drive G.

2.2.5

Erasing Valve Nametag from Screen

If a mistake is made in entering the nametag data, erase the data
from the screen and start again from scratch by pressing Alt-F

2.2.6

Exiting the Nametag Screen

Exit the nametag program by pressing AltX. From the exit menu
you can go directly to the Setup Test screen, go back to the main
menu or resume filling out the nametag..

2.3

Setting Up Test Parameters

The FlowScanner has been made flexible enough to run a variety of
tests, but normally only a few standard tests will be used. However,
before running a test the nameplate must be loaded into memory

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and the Setup screen completed, which passes the data to the Test
program.
The Setup Test screen looks much like the Nametag Screen:

Setup Test Screen for Sliding Stem

The current valve ID (TAG or SERIAL #) will be shown at the top left
window if a valve is in memory.
The Setup Number is used to save and recall standard setups. Use
a descriptive name like SCAN50 or SCAN100 for 50 and 100 second
dynamic scan setups.
Recall a standard setup from the program drive from the file menu
(AltF). Setups are stored on the hard drive so they will be available
for other data disks. If there are setup files on the disk the names
will be displayed across the top of the screen. Use the cursor (arrow) keys to highlight the desired setup and press Enter. That setup
will then be loaded into the setup screen.
Use the Description field to explain what the setup is for.
The Test Type field has a menu with 5 choices. It defaults to Dynamic scan. To select another press the F2 key while the cursor is
on the field. However, first we will cover how to set up a dynamic
scan test.

2.3.1

Dynamic Scan Test

The Dynamic Scan test ramps the current at a controlled rate between two defined output levels. Data is recorded during both upstroke and down stroke, and may be analyzed for a good indication
of valve condition. It is the normal FlowScanner test for valves.

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The Output type field defaults to milliampere. The Volts choice is for
010 volt E/P loops. (The software now also supports 10 to +10
E/P for control only, if the FlowScanner has a wiring modification to
support the negative voltage output.) If 1050 mA loops are used
select milliampere. Switching to the 50 mA range is automatic if output levels above 25 mA are selected.
The output function defaults to Control I/P instead of Monitor I/P.
(For controlling the valve from the control room while the system
monitors the I/P voltage.)
The command mode is the typical means of operation with the
FlowScanner. It allows the FlowScanner to command the current
signal to the valve and control the test that is being conducted. The
power for the instrument is provided by the FlowScanner.
Monitor mode allows the FlowScanner to sense the signal being sent
to the valve, but the movement of the valve is being done by the
control system. When the monitor mode is used, the resistance of
the I/P must be known in order for the current to be properly calculated. The system monitors the current signal and the valve is
moved by the operator of the control system. See section 8 for complete details.
Select the proper travel transducer from the menu (press F2). (This
can be changed in the Test program if required.)
The normal first test is to linearly ramp current from 4 to 20 mA to be
sure you test for seat load and travel under control room range. If
the control range is other than 420 use the actual controller limits.
Limits may now be set in 0.1 mA increments.
The appropriate scan time should be selected based on the actuator
size. Pressing F1 (Help) accesses a table giving the recommended
scan times for various actuator sizes. The pause time is equal to
approximately 50% of the selected scan rate. Thus, a 50 sec test
requires approximately 150 seconds to complete.

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The calibrated times may vary somewhat; but the analysis software
will display the actual elapsed time on the graphs.

2.3.2

Static Point Test

A Static Point Test duplicates a traditional lab deviation cycle test
for hysteresis plus dead band, pausing at several levels on the up
and down stroke to allow the valve to reach static conditions. Per
the SAMA requirements the test limits should be selected to avoid
hitting travel stops on the ends of travel. For example, a wellcalibrated 420 range valve would normally be tested at 4.2, 8, 12, 16
and 19.8 mA steps, with a ramp rate of 1 mA/sec and a pause time
of from 20 to 60 seconds. Large valves with graphite packing may
require longer pause times because a static condition must be repeated after each step change. If the pause time is too short, the
results will continue to improve as the pause time is increased.

2.3.3

Step Change Test

The Step Change test is used to check stroking speed and valve dynamic response. This test makes an instantaneous change in output between two levels while recording data on valve response.
Minimum pause time is about 20 seconds.

2.3.4

Stepped Ramp Tests

The Stepped Ramp performs a ramp up and down test as a series of
small steps. This may be used with steps down to 0.01 mA to test
for valve response and resolution. Normally select a starting output
level within the valves normal operating range (e.g., 12 mA), a number of steps to make up ((e.g., 20), a step size (e.g., 0.08), a pause
time at each step (e.g., 5 seconds), and the number of times to per-

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form the ramp (e.g., 2). No automatic analysis is done on the data
simply view the elapsed time graphs and compare input steps to output step response. This test is often used with the process variable
recorded on an auxiliary channel.

2.3.5

Step Study Test

The step study is used to check valve resolution and response quickly. A series of increasing small step sizes is defined (e.g., .08, .16,
.32, and .8 define 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 5% steps for a 420 mA loop)
to be run at different nominal loop output levels (e.g., 12 mA or
50%). A pause time is specified for each step (e.g., 10 seconds),
and the normal procedure is to mirror the steps; that is to step up,
back, and then down and back from the nominal output level. This
type of test can quickly show an approximate deadband for valves,
especially with the process variable recorded on an auxiliary channel.

2.3.6

Pressure Channel Assignments

Press PgDn to access the pressure channel assignment window.
For each pressure to be measured on the test assign a pressure
channel. Normally the Supply Pressure, Instrument (I/P), and Positioner Output pressures are assigned. (The Positioner Output pressure is used in analysis for the Actuator Pressure if another channel
isnt assigned to it.) Up to 6 channels can be assigned. Adding
channels slows the tests and increases the size of the data files, so
dont assign unneeded channels. For pressure return piston actuators assign the return pressure as well. The sixth pressure has a
blank name if another pressure is measured, describe it in this field
and assign a channel.

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2.3.7

Auxiliary Inputs
If the FlowScanner is running FlowAux to collect data, the Auxiliary
inputs can also be used to collect data simultaneously with the control signal, valve travel, and valve pressure channels. Filling in a description for one or more auxiliary inputs causes the Test program to
display and record information on the channels with a description.
These can be displayed by the FlowAux display program. This might
be used for recording line pressure, flow rate, or other variables.
If more than one auxiliary channel is measured the control signal and
travel data can be displayed simultaneously with either the valve
pressures or the auxiliary channel data. You select which to display
when reading the data for display; so you can alternately look at both
data sets.
If only one auxiliary channel is measured, and the 6th (user defined)
pressure channel is not used by the pressure scanner, the auxiliary
channel data is stored in its place and can be displayed with all the
rest of the valve data.
Enter other comments with AltC, print the setup information (AltP),
and save the setup file (F10 or AltF) as in the Nametag Menu.
Save the Setup file if it is needed for other tests the RUNTEST file
will pass the setup screen data to the Test program.

2.3.8

Storing a RUNTEST File

Exit the Setup Screen by pressing AltX. The exit menu will allow
you to exit to the Nametag program or go to the main menu. If the
setup file has been modified and not saved, a popup window will
ask if it should be saved. When exiting to the main menu a pop
up window will ask if this setup and nametag data should be
used for the next test. If the answer is Yes the information
will be ADDED to the RUNTEST file. All saved Setup and Nametag combinations will still be available from the TEST program, so
several different setups can be saved for later testing. If this window
does not pop up, it probably means there is no Nametag in memory,
and the test will not be setup to run.
Pressing Alt-F gives four menu options: 1) Retrieve Test Setup from
File, 2) Save Test Setup to File, 3) Erase Test Setup from Disk or 4)
Erase Test Setup from Screen.

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3
3.1

Using a Mouse with RatRace

Mouse Support
The RatRace Desktop Analysis program now supports a mouse for
easier user interface. When used on a VGA (640x480) monitor it is
also possible to switch to a FlowMouser Tools display which gives
pushbuttons for commands at the bottom of the screen, and adds
commands to draw lines (such as arrows), circles (to highlight interesting data), and add text notes anywhere on screen. These last
functions are much easier using a mouse for control, and thus are
not supported with keyboard equivalent commands. The normal
keyboard operation of the program is otherwise not affected by the
mouse support. If the system does not have a mouse installed it will
operate from the keyboard just as before.
The mouse is not supported in the Nametag, Report, and Main Menu
portions of the program for this release.

3.1.1

System Requirements
In addition to the normal system requirements for the software, the
mouse interface requires a Microsoftcompatible mouse and DOS
mouse driver program. The mouse driver program (commonly called
MOUSE.COM or MOUSE.SYS) must be loaded before running the
FlowAux software or the mouse will not be recognized. If FlowAux
does not find the mouse driver in memory when it starts, the mouse
commands will not be offered.

3.1.1.1

Possible Mouse Driver Problems

Note that not all systems running Microsoft Windows with a mouse
will necessarily have the DOS mouse driver program loaded, because Windows uses its own driver module for the mouse. Thus, if
the mouse works with Windows but is not found by FlowAux, it is
either not Microsoft compatible or the DOS mouse driver has not
been loaded. The mouse driver program is commonly called
MOUSE.COM and should be run before starting the FlowAux software. It is usually most convenient to have the mouse driver run
from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on system startup.
Not all generic mouse driver programs handle the VGA screen mode
switching well. The Display program can run in 3 different screen
modes: Text mode, 640x350 graphics mode, and with the FlowMouser Tools screen in 640x480 mode. The mouse driver program

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places the mouse cursor on screen and thus interacts with the video
driver. If the mouse driver conflicts with the video mode there may
be colored squares appearing as the mouse is moved, or a scrambling of small regions of colors. The driver for some mice also limits
the cursor movement to the values it detects on screen, and if the
FlowMouser tools mode is activated, it may not let the cursor move
into the tools area without first exiting to the menus and then reploting the graph.
No problems have been found when using Microsoft MOUSE.COM
mouse drivers.

3.2

Mouse Commands

3.2.1

Display Menus
When entering the Display program, the software checks to see if a
mouse is active. If the mouse driver is found, a rectangular mouse
pointer block appears on the screen which is moved with the mouse.
All the Display menus can be operated by moving the mouse and
clicking the buttons.
To access a menu from the top of the screen, first move the mouse
so the mouse pointer is on the name of the menu desired, then briefly click the left mouse button. The menu will open as if you had
pressed the Altkey commands.
To select an action from a menu move the mouse pointer over the
menu choices. The choice under the mouse pointer will be automatically highlighted. To choose the highlighted selection under the cursor simply click the left mouse button while the pointer is on the desired choice. For users familiar with Microsoft Windows, this action
should be familiar. To cancel a menu without selecting from it, move
the mouse pointer off the menu and click.

3.2.2

Selecting Data Files With the Mouse

After selecting the choice from the File menu, the list of files will be
shown on screen. If more than one page of choices exist, move between pages by clicking either directly under or over the list. When
the test desired is shown on the list, point to it with the mouse pointer and click the left mouse button to highlight it, then click again to
load it.

3.2.3

Adding or Changing a Test Comment

While a test is highlighted on the data selection window, its comment
shows up on the last line of the window. To add or change a com-

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ment on the highlighted test, click on the comment line and edit the
comment. If the highlight is moved to another test before reading in
and saving this test, the changes are lost.

3.2.4

Displaying a Graph With the Mouse

When the list of graphs appears on the screen moving the mouse
pointer over the list and clicking the left mouse button will move the
highlight bar to match the choice under the mouse pointer. To see a
graph just click the left mouse button again while it is on the highlighted choice.
To see page two or three of the graph choices click on the headings
above the list to turn pages. Unlike moving the cursor keys to page
two, when page two is first seen no channels are automatically selected for display. It is faster to select the channels desired with the
mouse than to turn off all the channels not wanted (as was done with
the cursors). To select a channel to graph on the Y axis, move the
mouse pointer to the far right of the highlight bar (where the Y indicators appear) and click the left mouse button. Do this to turn on all
the Y channel choices wanted, then point to the name of the channel
desired for the Y axis scale and click on the channel name.
For Page three of the graph choices select the Y channels in the
same way, and select an X channel by clicking just left of the Y column in the column where the X indicator appears.

3.2.5

Graph Controls
After the graph is plotted, the mouse pointer appears on screen.
(With some mouse drivers it wont show up until you start to move
the mouse.) On the graphics screens, it appears as a diagonal arrow.
The mouse is used both for clicking on hot areas of the graph to
activate commands, and for moving cursors and zooming in the plotting area on the screen. In the normal full graph view or 640x350
graph mode the hot areas are around the plotting area on title
boxes and axis legends. The commands are not shown on this
screen to keep the screen clean looking. The hot areas are easy to
learn, but with a VGA monitor (640x480 graphics) you can also
switch to the FlowMouser Tools screen and have button controls for
the same actions appear at the bottom of the screen.

3.2.6

Normal Mode Hot Buttons

The most common actions done on a graph are the analysis, zooming, moving cursors, marking data points, resetting from a zoom,

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printing to a printer, and escaping back to the graph menus. All
these actions can be done quickly with the mouse with the normal
full graph screen mode.
Zooming and cursor control (dragging the cursors) are done within
the plotting area. The other commands can be done by clicking the
left mouse button while pointing at special areas on the screen.
To analyze a graph point outside the Y axis at the corner where the
analysis should appear, click the left mouse button. Clicking there
again will erase the analysis, or clicking on another corner will move
the analysis to the new corner.
Returning to the menu page is done by clicking in the test name box
in the upper left corner of the screen.
To Print a graph click on the time display box in the upper right corner of the screen.
To circle the data points, click on the Y axis title near the center of
the Y axis. Clicking there again turns off the point circles.
To reset a graph back to the initial view click past the center of the
right Y axis near the edge of the screen.
Finally, with a VGA screen with 640x480 capability, clicking on the X
axis title near the center will switch to the high resolution mode and
show the FlowMouser tools at the bottom of the screen.

3.3

Zooming and Cursor Control

3.3.1

Fast Zoom Windowall four cursors

If the mouse pointer is aimed at a point on the graph away from any
cursor when the left mouse button is pressed, it sets both the TOP
and LEFT cursors to that location so it becomes the top left corner of
the zoom window. If the mouse is dragged down and to the right
while holding the left button down it drags the BOTTOM and RIGHT
cursors as it is moved to stretch the zoom window from small to
large. When the left mouse button is released, all cursors lock,
ready to replot the zoom window. The same operation can be performed by briefly clicking the left button to anchor the topleft corner,
then move the mouse down and to the right and click again to set the
lower right corner. (This is easier with trackballs and the porta
point pressuresensitive mouse.) To cancel, press the right mouse
button.

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To zoom in on the box on screen point the mouse pointer into the
outlined box and click the left mouse button. To cancel the zoom just
point outside the zoom outline box and click the left mouse button.
To reset to full view click to the rightcenter edge of the screen outside the right border as mentioned in the section above.

3.3.2

Moving One Cursor

If the mouse pointer is on a cursor when the left mouse button is
pressed and held, the mouse grabs that cursor and can move it
around the graph window. It cannot move it quite up to the opposite
cursor, since there must remain some window for zooming. When
the left mouse button is released it drops the cursor and the cursor
locks in position as if the INS key were pressed. Grab and move the
same or other cursors with the mouse. Like the zoom box, click on a
cursor to grab it, then move it to the desired location and click again
to lock it.

3.3.3

Moving Two Cursors

If the mouse pointer is on the intersection of two cursors when the
left mouse button is pressed both cursors can be moved at once,
moving that corner of the zoom window.

3.3.4

Cursor Blanking
When buttons are held down for dragging, the mouse pointer disappears and the cursors show the mouse position. When graphs are
printed the mouse pointer disappears so it doesnt show up on printouts.

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3.4

FlowMouser Tools
When using a VGA 640x480 video system, pressing the F1 key or
clicking at the bottom center of the X axis title switches views to
show the FlowMouser Tools along with the graph. By default the
SetZoom button is turned on at first so cursors can be moved to
zoom in on the graph without changing settings.

3.4.1

Analyze Button
To analyze a graph, click on the analyze button. The corner of the
button clicked on determines where the analysis will appear. Move
the analysis to another corner simply by clicking on that corner of the
button. (Unlike the previous versions of the Display program it is not
necessary to first erase the analysis text from the first location, and
replotting the graph without resetting it will cause analysis to show
up again.)

3.4.2

PointMarks Button
When this button is clicked, it turns on and replots the current screen
with each data point circled. This is most useful when zoomed in to
a small area of a graph. Click on the button again to turn it off, or
press the Reset button to reset the entire graph.

3.4.3

SetZoom Button
When this button is ON, the mouse can be used for zooming and
dragging cursors on the graph. It is ON unless one of the drawing
tools (Lines, Circles, AddText) is turned on instead.

3.4.4

RePlot Button
Clicking on this button redraws the graph without changing the settings.

3.4.5

Reset Button
Clicking on this button clears all zooms, analysis, lines, circles, and
text from the graph and shows it as it was first plotted.

3.4.6

Inverse Button
Clicking on this button Inverses the graph on screen. This is usefulwhen capturing graphs to the Microsoft Windows clipboard. It does
not affect printing directly from the graph program.

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3.4.7

Menus Button
Clicking on this button switches back to the Menus screen.

3.4.8

DrawLine Button
Clicking on this button turns off the SetZoom button and allows the
user to draw lines on the graph using the mouse. One use might be
to draw direction arrows for the plot. Drawing is done like zooming.
Point to where the line is to start, click the left mouse button; then
move the mouse to the ending point of the line (the line will stretch
on screen as the ending point is moved) and click again to anchor
that end. By joining lines, arrows can be made.

3.4.9

DrawCircle Button
This button works like the DrawLine button, but allows the drawing of
circles and ellipses to highlight areas on the graph. While dragging
the ending point of the circle, a dotted rectangle stretches on screen
to show the circle size and location.

3.4.10

AddText Button
This button works like the DrawLine button to locate text notes on
the screen. After clicking on this button point to where the text
should start and click the mouse button. Then type in the text (one
line at a time) and press Return. Pressing Esc instead of Return
cancels and erases the text.

3.4.11

Print Button
Clicking on the Print button sends the graph to the printer. The
FlowMouser Tools do not show up in the printout, so the graphs print
the same whether the tools are visible or not. While sending the
graph, the Print button stays highlighted, and it turns off after the
print is complete.

3.4.12

HideTools Button
Clicking on this button switches back to the normal fullgraph screen
without the tools, so the graph is larger. Lines, circles, text, and
analysis done with the tools will stay on the graph.

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4

Displaying and Analyzing Test Results

4.1

Quick Reference
The following is a list of keyboard shortcuts for performing commands
using the RatRace software.
AltF

opens File menu

AltS

opens FileSave menu

AltP

opens Printer menu to select printer driver

AltO opens Other menu

4.2

AltX

exits Display screen

F1

hides/unhides RatRace tool buttons

F2

exits graph; returns to Display menu

F3

automatic analysis with analysis area shaded

F4

automatic analysis with best fit line

F5

print graph half size (portrait layout)

F6

print graph full size (landscape layout)

F7

no usage

F8

no usage

F9

redraw graph and reset to original scale (removes any

added graphics)

F10

saves analysis data

Display Program Overview

The Display program reads the test data files and graphically displays the test results. These graphs can be analyzed and printed
directly to the printer. The program will analyze the graphs to numerically summarize the performance of the overall valve assembly, the
I/P transducer, the positioner, and the Actuator and Valve combination. These calculated results can be printed as part of the printed
graphs or can be saved to a Report file on the disk where the report
program can print a summary report with comments about the results included.

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4.3

Starting the Program

Select Display and Analyze Test Data from the main menu. Then
Press Alt-F and select the appropriate menu item to retrieve test results. When FlowAux finds test data it will present a list of test
names for selection, and the following screen will be seen with the
most current data highlighted.

Test Data Screen

Older versions of the FlowScanner software looked for the list of

tests in a file named FSTEST.DAT (or RSTEST.DAT for Rotary)
where all test files were listed. With this release the list comes from
looking for a DTA file for each test. If there is older data which did
not create DTA files those tests may not appear. The FileRetrieve
menu in the Display program has a choice for Select Test from
FSTEST file which will allow the reading of older data.

4.4

Choosing Test Data

Select the data to display with the Up and Down arrow keys. If the
data disk has more than 10 tests saved, page through the test list in
groups of 10 tests before selecting data. The most recent page of
tests is shown first. The Test comment for the highlighted test is
shown at the bottom of the test list window. Press Enter when the
correct test is highlighted.
If the test recorded data on the auxiliary inputs (A E) as additional
data files the screen will then prompt for whether to view the pressure scanner data or the auxiliary channel data with the control signal and travel: At this time, select which to view on graphs. Reload
the test data and view the other channels.

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The status blocks at the bottom of the screen will show that it is
reading data. When looking at standard valve test (not the auxiliary
channels) when the data is in memory the screen will change to look
like this:

The Setup summary on the left can be replaced with the keystroke
help screen by repeatedly pressing the PageUp key.
If the test data is for a Dynamic Scan, page one of the graphs menu
will be automatically shown. This page contains the graphs normally
analyzed for this test.
If the test data is for a Static Point, Step Change, Step Ramp, or
Step Study test the second page of available graphs will be presented with the overall valve plot selected.
If the auxiliary channel data was selected, the names given to the
auxiliary channels on the test setup will instead be shown on the
graph menu.

4.5

Overlaying Test Data on Graphs

A useful feature of the RatRace Desktop Analysis Software is the
ability to show graphs of valve data with additional data overlaid on
the same graph. Up to 10 tests can be shown on the same graph.
This feature allows easy comparison of performance before and after
repair, or to show performance changes with time and use, or to
compare a test valve with data from a similar valve. Overlaying
many similar valves can show the spread of response, and any valve
with significant variation will be obvious.
When overlaying data, one test is first selected normally, and it becomes the baseline test. All graph scales are set to this baseline

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data, so overlaid tests will plot to the same scale. (If valves are different sizes or actuator types, the overlaid data could extend off the
scale.)
After selecting the base data, the tests to overlay are selected.
Since all data being displayed is temporarily duplicated on the hard
disk, you can select tests from any number of data disks for simultaneous display.
Place the data disk containing the data to overlay in the floppy drive
and open the FileRetrieve menu (Alt-F). Since the first menu choice
(Select Tests to Display) will replace the data in memory instead of
overlaying, a new choice is shown at the bottom of the menu to overlay test data.
Highlight the Overlay choice and press <Enter>. When the tests
found on the disk are shown, select the data to overlay. Only the
same test types can be overlaid (i.e., step change data cannot be
overlaid on dynamic scan data). However, it is possible to overlay
dynamic scans of different speeds, which can demonstrate how different valves respond to signal speed changes.
Once the test data to overlay loads, the Help window will show a
summary of what baseline data and overlay data are loaded
Each test in the list is shown in the same color as the data will plot,
in the order the tests will be drawn on the graphs. When a key is
pressed, this screen will revert to the normal help screen, but it is
re-displayed each time you exit a graphics screen and can also be
accessed by pressing <PgDn> through all the help screens.
Continue to add tests to the overlay list, or display graphs and then
choose to add more overlay tests. However, if new baseline data is
added, the overlay data is removed and will have to be reloaded.
If the Display program is exited with overlay data loaded, the base
and overlay data will be reloaded for display automatically when restarting the Display program. Since the Sliding-Stem and Rotary
data is stored in different temporary directories, both will keep their
last data when switching back and forth between programs.
The same graph choices are available for overlaid data as for standard data. Select the graph to display and press <Enter>. Then the
data for the baseline test is read from the temporary file, the graph
window is shown and the baseline data is plotted. Then, the first
overlay data is read and scaled to the same window and is plotted in
the color for the first overlay. If additional overlays have been selected, they are read and graphed in different colors in sequence.

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Because each data set is read off the hard drive and scaled to the
window, there may be noticeable pauses on all but the fastest computers. The scaling uses floating point math, so the pauses will be
longer if no math coprocessor is installed in the system.
When the software is run as a DOS program under Windows, it is
useful to capture the overlaid graphs to the Windows clipboard by
pressing <Print Screen> and then toggling to Windows with Alt-Tab.
The graph can then be pasted into documents. To capture the graph
black-on-white instead of white-on-black, press Alt-I to inverse the
graph before capturing it.

4.6

Returning to the MENU Screen

While in the graphics screen pressing the ESC key, the F2 (MENU)
key, or AltX will return the graph menu and reset the graph parameters.

4.7

Printing Graphs
Graph printing to Epson, IBM, HP, or Diconix printers is provided. If
using a different printer than selected in the Main Menu Defaults it
can be changed from the Printer menu (AltP) from the Display
Menu screen. Then display the graph. Pressing F5 will print a 1/3 to
1/2 page graph on most of the printers; and pressing F6 will print a
full page graph on most of the printers. When printing, pressing ESC
will abort the printout, and other keys will be ignored.

4.7.1

Capturing Graphs
If the FlowScanner programs were started from Windows, simply
pressing the Print Screen key will copy the graph to the Windows
clipboard. However it would normally have a black background and
would not print well. So before capturing the graph inverse the
screen by pressing AltI. The graph will then capture with a white
background. After the graph is captured, switch to Windows by
pressing AltTAB, and run Windows Word Processing or Paint program. Insert the graph by pressing ShiftIns. Then switch back to
the FlowScanner graph and keep both applications running to add
multiple graphs to a report.

4.7.2

Graph Cursors
The graph cursors are moved with the keypad arrow keys. Pressing
an arrow key will grab the cursor which will move into the graph in

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the direction pressed. So pressing the left arrow key will move the
rightside cursor into the frame. The value showing the location of
the cursor will appear at the bottom right of the screen. (Bottom left
for the left border cursor.) The left and right keys will both be attached to the first cursor moved so it can be positioned back and
forth. Pressing the Insert key will freeze that cursor in position and
allow the opposite cursor to be selected. The Top and Bottom cursors are likewise moved by the up and down arrow keys, and display

their value just above the left and right cursor values. The Insert key
freezes all cursors in their positions, and will allow the display to
zoom into the frame enclosed by all four cursors. Pressing Ctrl-rt.
arrow or Ctrl-lft. arrow moves the cursors quickly to the right and left.
PageUp and PageDn move the cursors quickly from the top and bottom.

4.7.3

Zooming a Graph View

Zooming and resetting the display is done by pressing Enter or F9 to
replot the graph to the frozen cursor positions; so first locate all four
cursors, pressing Ins for each one; and then press Enter. The graph
borders will rescale to the zoomed limits; and all data points will be
reviewed, plotting only the portion that is within the border limits.

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AltF9 will reset the view to the original scale, as will returning to the
menu screen.

4.7.4

Marking Data Points

When zoomed in to a high magnification it is useful to check the data
point density, to see how many readings are being represented.
Pressing AltP will cause the data points to be circled when the
graph is replotted by pressing F9 or <Enter>. AltP again will
toggle the marks off the next time the view is re-plotted.

4.8

Graph Analysis

Note
Always start the analysis from the Full Graph View

Press Alt-F9 if the graph has been zoomed in. If the cursors have
been moved, many of the graphs will attempt to analyze the area
between the cursors, which will give incorrect results if not used
carefully.

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The Total Valve; I/P; Positioner; and Valve graphs have analysis routines defined. Between 10% and 90% of Travel for DEB,
Friction, Spring Rate and Bench Set and 2% of Travel for Seat
Load. Start the analysis by pressing F3 or F4. The program will try
to set the cursor limits appropriately, and will analyze between the
cursors. The numerical results of the analysis are shown on the top
right section of the graphics screen. This is the Total valve analysis:
The Total Travel number shows the distance the valve stroked during
the test. The Zero Travel and Full Travel numbers show the points
where the valve reached the limits of movement under the stroking
speed conditions. Because the valve may not have caught up with
the changing control signal, these limits may not match actual static
calibration results.
The Dynamic Error Band numbers indicate the combined Hysteresis,
Dead Band, and Slewing (Dynamic) Error for the valve under the
stroking speed conditions. Because the Slewing Error increases as
stroking speed increases the numbers will be higher than a static
deviation cycle test, and will increase as stroking speed increases.
Always use the same stroking speed when comparing like valves.
The Average value is given as most representative of the performance, and the Minimum and Maximum show the consistency over
the stroke.
The Linearity number is Independent Dynamic Linearity based on
best fit to the data.
Sometimes the graph covers numerical results. To avoid this, the
shift, Alt, and Ctrl keys pressed with the F4 key will locate the numerical printout in the other corners of the graph.

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4.8.1

Possible Data Errors

Analysis Errors
The analysis can give misleading results in some cases. The actuator is normally checked between 10% and 90% of the travel, to avoid
discrepancies often encountered in the pressure as the stem motion
starts. These effects show up as a bulge in the curve near the ends
of travel. If this bulge extends into the analyzed area the bench set
and friction calculations may be off. Judgment must be used to
decide if the bulge is really due to friction (possibly from galling) or to a restricted line between the positioner and actuator,
causing a high pressure reading that doesnt reflect the actuator pressure.
The analysis limits can be changed to avoid such effects by first toggling the analysis off (press F4 again), and then moving the cursor at
that end of the graph in past the curve discrepancy area. Then analyze again.
The bench set is determined by extending the nominal curve to the
travel limits based on the least squares data fit of the analysis area.
If one end point is offset due to a data problem the slope of the line
will be slightly wrong.

4.8.2

Limiting the Analysis Range

The software attempts to locate the correct range of the graph to
analyze, but strange data may be better analyzed by limiting the
analysis to a different range. If the left and right cursors are moved
in to the limits desired before analyzing, the results will be based on
the range between those limits:
The next three graphs listed on the first page of the graph menu
show additional information about the performance of the components of a valve assembly,

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4.9

Dynamic Scan Tests

I/P Plot

The I/P plot of a dynamic scan shows the calibration and performance of the I/P and may help isolate performance problems related
to the I/P or the Positioner. Since I/P performance depends on the
volume of air it must deliver, the performance generally looks worse
if no positioner is used (typically showing a wider separation between
the I/O and Down stroke). This is because the I/P must supply the
total volume needed by the actuator.
This graph plots the output pressure of the I/P as a function of the
control signal. This plot is typical of an I/P when used with a positioner.
Positioner Plot

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This plot is labeled Positioner to agree with a complete valve assembly, but actually shows the response of the valve to its pressure
signal whether or not a positioner is used. It plots valve travel as a
function of the pressure out of the I/P transducer. Because I/P
performance is usually quite good, this plot looks very similar to the
Total Valve plot, with slightly better numbers in the analysis:
Net Pressure Plot

One very useful plot from the Dynamic Scan test is the plot of Net
Actuator Pressure as a function of Travel. It may seem like the axes
are backwards on this graph, but it is used to solve for forces on the
valve, which are determined from the actuator pressures, so they are
plotted on the Y axis. For a spring and diaphragm valve the plot
analyzes like this: From this graph can be determined the average,
minimum, and maximum friction over the analyzed stroke. The
range indicates how consistent the friction is and wide variations
usually indicate valve problems. The spring rate is calculated and
can be compared to that specified for the actuator. The total travel is
repeated for reference. The bench set for the actuator does not include valve friction, so the analysis removes the friction to determine
the true bench set. As friction changes the bench set does not
change, although the friction does change the stroking range of the
valve. The seat load is found under the test conditions, and if the
service conditions are entered in the nametag the seat load under
service conditions is also calculated. This can be compared to the
required seat load from the nametag.

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Seat Load Calculation : Automatic and Manual
The net pressure vs. travel graph will automatically calculate the seat
load based on the pressure change between the end of the closing
stroke (which could be either end of the graph depending on whether
zero signal is open or closed) and the pressure at a point near where
the plug contacts the seat. It draws a small circle around the two
pressure points it uses. This works well for most valves and tests,
but sometimes test data is such that the user may feel the points it
automatically picks could be improved. The user can override the
automatic selection of pressures by moving the top and bottom cursors to the pressures that should have been selected before analyzing the graph. If either the top or bottom cursor is moved in from the
edge of the graph before analyzing, the seat load calculation will be
based on the pressure difference between the two cursors. Sometimes the ending pressure is directly at the bottom of the screen, and
the bottom cursor can be left in place, but it must be moved to the
lowest actual pressure if that is not the bottom screen position. The
top cursor will always have to be moved down.
Seat Condition
Although the Dynamic Scan test does not perform an actual leak
test, zooming in on the seating action shows how the plug wedges
into the seat ring and gives an indication of the trim condition.
The stair-step appearance of the plug moving into the seat is actually caused by the digital resolution of the travel sensor. If it had infinite resolution a smooth trace would be shown. New seats tend to
have a sharper break in the curve as the plug contacts the seat.
This profile degrades into a more gradual curve with wear.
However different types and sizes of valves will have different
profiles, and you should always compare any results to a similar type and size for reference.

4.10

Measurement vs. Time

Page down past the graph selections on the first page of the graph
menu, and the time graph choices will appear. This page of graphs
displays the recorded variables on the Y axis vs. elapsed time on the
X axis. Any combination of variables can be plotted, from 1 to all
measured variables. By default all recorded channels will be selected for the Y axis when this page of graphs is selected. When
multiple variables are plotted the traces are identified by letter symbols such as (i) for current or (an) for Actuator Net.

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Measurement vs Time Graph Showing Multiple Variables

On Dynamic Scan tests this screen is most often used to check the
crossover pressures of piston actuators. Plot the Actuator Stroke,
Actuator Return, and Net Pressure data at the same time: Check the
manufacturers specs for the positioner used. If the crossover pressures are too low the valve may have control problems that are not
otherwise obvious.
Toggling YAxis Selections
The variables selected to display on the Y axis can be changed by
toggling the Y selection on or off. Move the highlight bar to the variable you want to change and press the SPACE bar (or the letter Y).
This will toggle the Y selection on or off.
It is possible to toggle off the pressures and display only the signal
and the travel on the Y axis, to examine overall response and stroking time.
Displayed Y-Axis Scale
If a combination of pressures and either signal or travel is selected to
plot, the Y axis legend will call out the combination, and the scale will
show the pressure values.
If only pressures, or only nonpressure variables are plotted, the Y
axis legend and scale will match the location of the Highlight
bar on the graph menu.

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Stroking Time or Elapsed Time display
If the F3 or F4 key is pressed with an elapsed time graph on the
screen, the elapsed time between the cursor positions (left and right)
will be displayed on the screen. For stroking time evaluation run a
step change test, and plot the signal and travel vs. time. Zoom in on
the closing step as needed, and set the left cursor on the start of the
signal change, and the right cursor on the end of the travel change.
Then press the F4 key and the graph will show the stroking time.
Press F6 to print the graph.
Recording Stroking Time in a Text File
It is possible to record the analyzed stroking times in a text file for
use by other programs. After analyzing a signal & travel vs. time
graph for stroking time on both directions, return to the Graph menu
screen and press F10 to save.
The time difference on the left portion of the graph is recorded as
First Time = X.XXX Sec. and the time difference on the right side of
the plot is Second Time = X.XXX Sec.

4.10.1

Miscellaneous Graphs
Moving the selection cursor past the bottom of the elapsed time
graph choices brings up the third page of graph choicesthe miscellaneous graphs.
On this page of graphs any variable can be selected as the X axis
variable, and any combination of 1 or more variables can be selected
as the Y axis variables.
Select the X axis variable by moving the highlight bar to your choice
and pressing the letter X.
Select the Y axis variables by moving the highlight bar and pressing
Y (or SPACE).
As with the elapsed time graphs the highlight bar position determines
the Y axis legend and scale for plots, so leave the highlight bar on
the variable desired for the label.
With multiple plots only the horizontal axis can be zoomed.
Unless the graph plotted matches one defined on the first graph
page, no analysis is defined for these graphs.

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4.11

Static Point Test

When Static Point Test details are first read into memory, the Control
Signal and Travel choices on the elapsed time menu will be selected
automatically. Just press Enter to display the overall valve graph,
and analyze it by pressing F4:
This gives the static test results that compare to published specifications for valves. By toggling off the Travel selection and picking the
I/P output pressure the I/P performance can similarly be analyzed.
Then the positioner/valve performance can be analyzed by toggling
off the Control Signal plot, and toggling on the Travel plot to go with
the I/P output pressure.

4.12

Step Change Test

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The Step Change test is performed to determine the Stroking Speed
or Response Time of the valve assembly. The Display Program defaults to page 2 (Elapsed Time Display) in which both signal and
travel will be plotted for the analysis of this test. For precise results,
it is recommended that the area of interest (increasing or decreasing
signal) be zoomed-in on by moving the left and right cursors near
this region and then pressing the Enter key. The next step is to
move and lock the left cursor at the exact location in which you can
detect a signal change and the right cursor at the point of completed
travel. By pressing the analysis key (F3 or F4), the time between the
cursors is displayed. This is the elapsed time (stroking speed) it
takes the valve to respond to an abrupt signal change. Pressing F5
or F6 will provide a printed copy of the results.

4.13

Stepped Ramp Test

The Stepped Ramp test is performed to measure the response or

controllability of the process variable (i.e., pressure, flow, level, temperature, etc.) to the valves signal change and is expressed in percentage. The Display Program defaults to page 2 (Elapsed Time
Display) on which you plot the control signal and the process variable (normally measured on an auxiliary channel) are plotted. Because the input signal is stepped systematically in steps of equal
value and that the stepping direction is changed a minimum of three
times, the valves hysteresis and deadband can be captured. To
manually analyze this data (there is no auto analysis) simply count
the number of signal changes required to obtain an output (process
variable) change. Multiplying this number times the percent of
change per step equals the percent of response of the valve assem-

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bly. For example, if the test was performed at 0.5% step increments
(0.08 mA for a 4-20 mA signal range) and it took four of these steps
to achieve a change in process, you would call this 2% control.
Hence the process tolerance, in this example, could not be held any
closer than 2%.

4.14

Step Study Test

The Step Study test is performed to measure the response or controllability of the process variable (i.e., pressure flow, level temperature, etc.) to the valves signal change and is expressed in percentage. The Display Program defaults to page 2 (Elapsed Time
Display) on which you would plot the control signal and the process
variable (normally measured on an auxiliary channel). Because this
test systematically steps an input signal up and down at changing
increments, the total hysteresis and deadband of the assembly can
be captured. In this display, you look for what degree of signal
change is required for the output (process) to follow.
For example, if there is minimal to no change in output with a 1%
signal change, but the output mirrors the input with a 2% signal step,
classify this assembly would be classified as being between a 1%
and 2% device. There is no auto analysis of this test.

4.15

Transferring Data to the Report Module

The Quick Report is only defined for Dynamic Scan tests. For
Static Point, Step Change, Stepped Ramp and Step Study tests,

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the printed graph is the report. As each Dynamic Scan graph is
analyzed the calculated results are saved in memory from the most
recent analysis of that graph. This data can be written to a file for
transfer to the report program for summary printout with your added
comments.
Pressing F10 once from the graph menu will display a screen showing which graphs have been analyzed and which have not. Check to
see that the appropriate graphs have all been analyzed for the
construction of the test valve.
Pressing F10 again will store the results on the data disk where the
report program can read them later. The results are stored under a
TESTNAME.QRP file.
Exit the Display program back to the main menu.

4.16

Copying and Displaying from the Display Program

The Display program is also used as the way to copy test data from
one disk to another, to save data in ASCII format for use by other
analysis methods, and to store data files in compressed ZIP files
for archiving and uploading to the BBS system. The Display program FileSave menu lists these options to save data:

4.16.1

Saving Data to New Disk

This choice simply saves the test data in memory (ready to display)
to the data drive. It is used if the data was not saved in the Test program and it is desired to save it to a data disk, or to copy data from
one disk to another. To copy data, first read in the test to copy from
the original disk. Then insert the disk on which to put the test data
and select this choice. Read the help screen to verify this is what is
wanted and press F10 to save the data to the new disk.

4.16.2

Saving Data as an ASCII File

The FlowScanner does not use ASCII format for test data because it
is inefficient and takes up too much space. However data can be
exported in ASCII format for use in spreadsheets and other analysis
programs. To export data in ASCII first read in the data from the
original data disk. Then insert a new disk with enough free space
(each ASCII data file may be 500 kb) and select this choice from the
FileSave menu.

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4.16.3

Compressing Files
FlowScanner data is normally saved in multiple files in typed binary
format. Each test will take at least 5 data files, plus the nametag
data. As a result the files may take up to 100 kb disk space and several files must be transferred if you want to copy tests or send them
by modem. The FlowScanner can make use of the PKWare utilities
to compress a set of test files into a single file for transfer. To do this
the temporary storage drive (RAM DISK or TRAM directory) is used
to hold the test data while PKZIP does its work. Normally the data
should be stored in the FlowScanner format, but when it is necessary to transfer files, or archive groups of tests on a hard disk, you
can use these utilities to compress them.
To use these utilities the PC must have PKZIP.EXE and PKUNZIP.EXE stored on the disk in the DOS search path. (The DOS directory works well.) PKZIP is installed on all FlowScanners and is
also available on the FlowScanner BBS.
Like the other file saving formats, the test data to ZIP must first be
loaded into memory. There are three ZIP saving options:
Save as ZIP File by Test
This is the only option which can be read directly back into the display program. A single ZIP file with the extension, .ZPD (Zipped
Data) is created on the data drive holding all the test data in memory
(and the Nametag) under the filename TESTNAME.ZPD where
TESTNAME is the same datetime name created when the test was
done.
Save as ZIP file by TAG
This option first creates a ZPD file by TESTNAME, and then adds it
to a file named by the valve nametag as TAGNAME.ZPT where
TAGNAME is the first 8 digits of the TAG number from the nametag.
If you choose this option for several tests on the same valve, they
will all be added to the single TAGNAME.ZPT file. If there are tests
from more than one Nametag with the same first 8 digits, they will be
grouped in the same file. Once the tests are saved in this format,
extract the TESTNAME.ZPD files manually with PKZIP before the
Display program can read them back in.

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Save as ZIP file by Serial
This option first creates a ZPD file by TESTNAME, and then adds it
to a file named by the valve nametag as SERIAL#.ZPS where SERIAL# is the HEX value of the Serial number from the nametag. If
this option is selected for several tests on the same valve, they will
all be added to the single ZPS file. Once the tests are saved in this
format, extract the TESTNAME.ZPD files manually with PKZIP.

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5

Quick Reports

5.1

Overview
The Quick Report should include both the summary printout of the
analyzed data with added comments, and any appropriate prints of
graphs that were printed from the display program. Also, attach a
printout of the Nametag information, printed from that program. The
summary report reads in the analyzed data and the nametag data
and formats it in a table. Comments can be added next to any line
of the table explaining the significance of the numbers.

5.2

Procedures

5.2.1

Retrieving Data
Select the Report program from the main menu, being sure the data
disk is in the drive. From the initial screen select the File menu
(AltF) and select Retrieve Test results.
Then select the test name desired from the list at the top of the
screen, and press Enter to read in the data. The calculated data
from the Display program will appear in the Specified and Measured
Columns, with Comments section ready for input: If the Static End
Points were manually recorded when the test was run, those values
will appear in the Comments lines next to the Dynamic End Points:
Add to these static calibration notes, or add additional comments in
the report Comment fields.
The screen isnt long enough to show the entire report, so it is displayed in sections. The first part shown is the overall valve control.
The cursor will be on the first comment field. Enter a comment and
move the next field. Move between comments with the Up and
Down arrow keys. After filling in the comments on this first screen,
press the PgDn key to move to the second section Valve and Actuator Data.
Fill in the Comments on the Valve and Actuator combination as on
the previous screen, and PgDn will show the last section,
Positioner
Data and
I/P Transducer Data.
After filling in this screen of comments the first screen will reappear.
The PgUp and PgDn keys will allow paging through the completed
report for review.

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Pressing AltC will open a comment window where concluding comments can be added. They will print at the bottom of the report.

5.2.2

Saving Reports
The completed report, with comments, should now be saved to the
data disk by pressing F10 (or from the file menu). This will save it as
a FlowScanner report, formatted for use with either this Quick Report
or the formal report package. If the report is not saved before exiting
the report program, comments will be lost.
Because the report is saved to a FlowScanner report file, retrieving
the test results will again bring up the data without the comments.
To retrieve a report with comments, select the Get Saved FlowScanner Report from the File Menu.

5.2.3

Printing Reports
F6 or AltP will print the report; either to the screen for preview, or to
a printer, if attached. While the report is printed as TEXT and not in
graphics mode, the lines on the report are printed in the IBM extended character set. If the printer is not set up to use this character
set it will instead print whatever extended characters it has, which
may produce very strange looking characters in the report. Most
printers can be set to use the IBM or PCUS, or GRAPHICS
(instead of italics) character set, which will produce the lines as
shown on the screen.

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6

Appendices

6.1

Appendix A: Software Installation

The distribution disk contains the programs in selfextracting compressed format with an installation program to install them on your
hard disk. This creates a FLOWAUX directory with SLIDSTEM and
ROTARY subdirectories for the programs, TRAMS and TRAMR
directories for temporary storage of base data, and TEMPS and
TEMPR directories for temporary storage of other data. It will also
place SLIDAUX.BAT and ROTAUX.BAT files in either the 1APP directory (on FlowScanners) or the root directory (on Desktop PCs) to
start the programs.
FlowScanners copy the programs to a RAM disk to shut down the
hard disk to save battery power.
To install, place the distribution disk in the floppy drive, and run the
INSTALL.EXE program on the floppy disk. The install program will
check the hardware to see if it is a FlowScanner, and will ask where
you want to install the programs.

Starting the Programs from DOS and Windows

Starting from DOS
The ROTAUX.BAT and SLIDAUX.BATfiles created on the hard drive
will start either the Rotary or Sliding Stem programs.
Starting from Windows
Use the Windows DOS prompt or use the Program Manager (or other Windows shell, like Norton Desktop) to add a Rotary and Slidstem
icon to a program group. For the Rotary program select the \FLOWAUX\ROTARY sub directory as the starting directory and MAINROT.EXE as the program. For the Sliding Stem programs (SLIDSTEM) select the \FLOWAUX\SLIDSTEM directory and the
MAINFS.EXE as the program. The details of creating the program
group vary with the Windows shell used, so follow normal procedures for your shell. Then just click on the icon to start the programs. (Icon files are installed for the programs.)

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6.2

Appendix B: Trouble Shooting

Troubleshooting Overview
The FlowScanner is a complex assembly of computer hardware,
data acquisition and sensor hardware, computer operating software,
data acquisition software and analysis software. If a problem occurs,
it is first necessary to determine whether it is a hardware or software
problem, and which part of the hardware or software is involved.
This section will help you isolate the problem to a specific area.

Available Technical Support

Technical Support is available through the MRO Field Support Group
at the Fisher-Rosemount Technical Center, Marshalltown, IA 50158.
If your FlowScanner does not respond to the field troubleshooting
guide, please call one of the numbers below, for instructions on returning the unit.
MRO Group secretary: (515) 754-2227
MRO Group Administrator: (214) 548-3145
Fisher Main Office:(515) 754-3011
A Return of Material Authorization (RMA) number will be issued to
track the system. The return address is:
Fisher Controls Inc.
310 E. University Dr.
McKinney, TX 7506980004
Mark: Attn RMA #
The FlowScanner must be shipped in the original shipping case provided with the unit.

Symptoms and Possible Areas to Check

1. Will Not Access any files on Floppy Disk
Disk Defective or Not Formatted try disk in another PC.
Drive Type set wrong in SETUP should be 1.44 MB drive.
Loose cable to drive check both ends of ribbon and power cables.
Drive binding against top panel try loosening the 4 holddown
screws on the cover.
Defective Drive Replace with 1.44MB drive.

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2. Text Printouts have strange characters instead of lines and
boxes
Printer not set for IBM extended character set or IBM emulation.
3. Graphs dont print or print
garbage
Printer Type set incorrectly on operating defaults.
Bad printer cable.
Printer set for wrong emulation.
Did not wait for image to process On LaserJets (and Deskjets) the
image is preprocessed for about 30 seconds before printing starts.
Esc can abort before the printout starts.
4. Quick Report is missing data
Test Type not Dynamic Scan the Quick Report is only used for Dynamic Scan tests; other test types print graphs with analysis.
Graphs Not Analyzed First the QRP file is written using information
from the analysis of the basic 4 graphs.
5. Comments Missing from Quick Report File
FlowScanner Report not saved after entering comments (select off
file menu).
Retried QRP file instead of Old FlowScanner Report.
No room on disk for FlowScanner Report File.
6. Analysis incorrect,
fitline not drawn to data spread
Auto Analysis not finding range property, set analysis range manually
with cursors. Some data conditions can cause the software to analyze the curve beyond the linear region. Set the left and right cursors
to just inside the linear region before analyzing.
Nonlinear cam in the positioner. A nonlinear cam will not analyze
to a linear fit, so the zero and span numbers may be off, and of
course, linearity numbers will be high. Note the end points manually
on the printout.
7. Bench set calculation appears incorrect
Actual Travel different from nominal travel The Bench-Set is based
on the nominal travel entered on the Nametag. The analysis first fits
the midline curve to the data and then located the end of the curve
at the upper travel stop. An X is drawn on the FIT line at the point.
Then a X is drawn at the nominal travel point, and pressures at
these points are used for the bench set.

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Fit line extends into nonlinear area If a high friction area or pilot
spring area is included in the autoanalysis region the fit line can be
skewed. Move cursors to the ends of the linear region before analyzing.
Nametag mislabeled for OPEN position The bench set is calculated from the upper travel stop. If the wrong position is identified
the bench set will be off.
8. Seat Load calculation incorrect
Curve shape not typical and points taken not representative of the
pressure buildup. Circles are drawn around the points used for the
seatload calculation. If they are not in the right place, use the top
and bottom cursors to identify the correct pressures before analyzing.
Unbalance area or Pressure Tends To entry wrong on nametag,
this will make the service seat load incorrect.
Wrong Service Pressures entered on Nametag Enter the service
pressures at shutoff as closely as possible. If they are not known at
all, dont enter any pressures, as the calculation could be misleading.
9. Mouse controls dont appear
DOS mouse driver isnt loaded.

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6.3

Appendix C: Technical Support

Technical support is available through all of the following:

Local Fisher Representative or the Fisher Direct Sales Office

Local Fisher Service Companies

MRO Field Support Group: Marshalltown, Iowa,
(515) 754-2227

MRO Headquarters: McKinney, Texas, (214) 548-3145

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6.4

Appendix D: Related Products

FlowScanner Diagnostic System Support Package
With the FlowScanner diagnostic system support package, available
to all FlowScanner system owners, you can extend your diagnostic
capability by taking advantage of a vast array of control valve diagnostic services, including technical support from the factory support
group; Flowscanner system factory test repair and recalibration; access to an online bulletin board that provides technical assistance
and diagnostic data interpretation; FlowScanner system software
and instruction manual updates. The support package also extends
the warranty on your FlowScanner system.

RatRace
Desktop Analysis Software

RatRace desktop analysis software is used with a desktop personal
computer for fast and detailed display and analysis of FlowScanner
diagnostic system test data. The RatRace software adds the ability
to overlay graphs from up to ten tests. The overlaid data sets plot in
different colors and all the displayed tests are listed on the menu
page help section in the same order and color in which they are
plotted to aid in review. The software includes tools that allow drawing lines and circles and adding text notes to annotate graphs. All
graphs may be zoomed multiple times in both directions.
Because of the extensive use of colors and hard disk, this package
is sold for use on desktop computers for FlowScanner diagnostic
system analysis support. However, the same installation disk allows
installation on FlowScanner systems, if desired.

FlowStor
Data Archive Software

This Windows compatible software program permits copying and
compressing data collected with the FlowScanner Diagnostic System
for long-term storage. The program also combines functions that let
you access and manage the stored data.
You can review summary information for the archived data, or use
the built-in link to RatRace desktop analysis software to view and
analyze the data. You can easily determine valve performance degradation by comparing recently collected data to data that was collected and archived when the valve was new.
The FlowStor software allows you to search and sort data and convert the data for use with popular database programs.

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Control Valve Diagnostics: Course 1425
This three-day course uses class lectures and hands-on workshops
to teach the student to make a detailed diagnosis of a control valve
assembly using the FlowScanner Diagnostic System. Students who
complete this course will be able to:

properly setup and operate the FlowScanner Diagnostic
System

perform diagnostic testing on sliding stem and rotary valve,
both single and double-acting

understand basic diagnostic data interpretation and analysis
concepts as related to valve setup and performance

Control Valve DiagnosticsData Interpretation

Seminar: Course 1426
This three-day seminar is designed to teach the advanced diagnostic
engineer/technician how to interpret and analyze diagnostic data.
Students are encouraged to bring three to five signatures for class
review. Students who complete this course will be able to:

understand advanced diagnostic data interpretation and analysis concepts as applied to real world problems

understand advanced testing techniques needed to diagnose
non-standard valve applications

use the various elements of the Fisher valve diagnostics program, including the bulletin board system, FlowScanner Users Network and data archive system

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7

Glossary
Accessory Kit
Kit supplied with the FlowScanner containing travel transducers,
pneumatic tubing, various brackets and miscellaneous hand tools.
Actuator
A piston or spring and diaphragm assembly for positioning the actuator stem in relation to the operating pressure(s).
Actuator Return
In a piston actuator, the pressure opposing the stroke pressure.
Actuator Stroke
In a piston actuator, the pressure opposing the return pressure. In a
spring and diaphragm actuator, the pressure opposing the spring.
AutoZero Function (az)
A function on the test screen that automatically zeroes the travel
reading at test start.
Automatic Zero of Travel
See autozero function.
Auxiliary Input Data Channels
Input ports on the FlowScanner for recording auxiliary input such as
transmitters or strain gages.
BBS System
Electronic Bulletin Board System.
Bench Set
The pressure range required to move the actuator from its upper
stop to its rated travel without any body frictional forces present.
Commanded Current
The output current signal commanded by the test and displayed on
the test screen.
Control Signal
The voltage or current signal provided by the FlowScanner to control
the valve during testing.
Dead Band
The range through which an input can be varied without initiating observable response.
Displayed Travel Units
The unit of measure for travel display, selected from the Options
screen.

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Displayed Force Units
The unit of force measure for display, selected from the Options
screen.
DOS
Disk Operating System.
Dynamic Error Band (DEB)
For any given signal level, the difference between upstroke and
downstroke position, expressed as a percentage of total travel.
Dynamic Scan Test
A test in which the control signal is ramped from a preset starting to
a preset ending point at a specific rate.
FlowAux
The FlowScanner operating software.
FlowScanner
A portable, selfcontained test device for analyzing valve condition
and performance.
Hold Signal at Test End
An option (Other) on the test screen that will hold the current at the
minimum preset value at the test end or at its current value if the test
is aborted rather than dropping to zero.
Hysteresis
That property of an element evidenced by the dependence of the
value of the output, for a given excursion of the input, upon the history of prior excursions and the direction of the current traverse.
Hysteretic Error
Hysteretic error is usually determined by subtracting the value of the
dead band from the maximum measured separation between upscale going and downscale going indications of the measured variable
I/P Plot
A graph that plots input current versus I/P output and provides performance and calibration data for the I/P.
I/P Resistance
The input resistance value of the I/P necessary for current calculation when using the monitor function.
Leak Class
The classification of the valve performance based on the quantity of
fluid passing through an assembled valve when the valve is in the
closed position under stated closure forces, with pressure differential
and pressure as specified.

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Linearity
An inherent flow characteristic which can be represented ideally by a
straight line on a rectangular plot of flow versus percent travel.
Main Menu
The menu of FlowAux programs used to run the FlowScanner Diagnostic tests.
MAINFS.EXE
The executable file of the FlowAux sliding-stem valve application.
MAINROT.EXE
The executable file of the FlowAux rotary valve application.
Measured Current
The output signal from the Flowscanner as measured by a measurement loop and displayed on the test screen.
Monitor Mode
A function of the FlowScanner in which it records data while the
valve is controlled by the control room.
Net Actuator Pressure
In a piston actuator, the difference between the pressures in the upper and lower piston cylinders.
Net Pressure Plot
A graph that plots actuator net pressure versus travel and provides
analysis of travel, friction, spring rate, bench set and seat load.
Operating Defaults
The default settings for the FlowAux application
Password
A character string that identifies the access privileges of the user.
PKUNZIP.EXE
A decompression utility used to inflate files compressed using
PKZIP.EXE.
PKZIP.EXE
A data compression utility that allows large amounts of data to be
stored using minimal disk space.
Positioner Plot
A graph that plots I/P output (positioner input) versus travel and provides analysis of position calibration and performance.
Prepare for System Shut Down
A menu option from the Main Menu that takes the FlowScanner
through a programmed shut down process.

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Quick Report
A report providing comparison of specified values from the nametag
and measured values from the test and analysis.
RAM Disk
A temporary storage device that uses a portion of random access
memory to store currently active data files.
Required Seat Load
The required contact force between the seat and the valve plug.
Resolution
The least interval between two adjacent discrete details which can
be distinguished one from the other.
Response Time
A test format used to measure the time required for a valve to repond to a given signal change.
ROTAUX.BAT
The batch file used to start the FlowAux rotary valve application.
Seat Load
The contact force between the seat and the valve plug.
SLIDAUX.BAT
The batch file used to start the FlowAux sliding-stem valve application.
Spring Rate
Force change per unit change in rate
Stroking Time
The rate of travel of the actuator
Static End Points
Total Valve Plot
Valve Friction
Valve Stroke

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8

Index

adding/changing test comments, 23
analysis errors, 37
analysis range, 37
auxiliary inputs, 6, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 54


balanced construction, 13
base data, 32, 51
bench set, 14, 36, 37, 39, 53, 54
body class, 13
body size, 13
body type, 12, 13
boiler feedwater, 13


capturing graphs, 33
choosing test data, 30
class, 14
command mode, 18
control signal, 15, 21, 30, 36, 38, 43, 44, 45
cursor blanking, 26
cursor control, 25


display menu, 23, 29, 33

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Display program, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, 32, 44, 45, 46, 47, 49
copying and displaying from, 46
displayed force units, 10
displayed travel units, 10
displayed yaxis scale, 41
displaying a graph with mouse, 24
drive G, 15, 16
dynamic scan test, 17, 38, 39, 40

effective area, 14
erasing valve nametag, 16
exiting nametag screen, 16


flow direction, 13
FlowMouser, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28
FlowMouser Tools
AddText button, 28
Analyze button, 27
DrawCircle button, 28
DrawLine button, 28
HideTools button, 28
Inverse button, 27
Menus button, 28
PointMarks button, 27
Print button, 28
RePlot button, 27
Reset button, 27
SetZoom button, 27
friction, 13, 14, 36, 37, 39, 54


graph analysis, 35

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graph controls, 24
Graphs
capturing, 33
cursors, 33
printing, 33

H
hot button, 24

I
I/P, 14, 18, 20, 29, 36, 38, 39, 43, 49
I/P transducer data, 49
Installation, software, 51

K
keyboard shortcuts, 29

L
leak class, 13
limiting the analysis range, 37

M
main menu, 8, 9, 10, 16, 21, 22, 30, 33, 46, 49
marking data points, 35
measurement vs. time, 40
miscellaneous graph, 42
monitor mode, 18

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mouse, using with RatRace, 22
mouse commands, 22, 23
mouse driver problems, 22
mouse support, 22
moving a cursor, 26
moving cursor(s), 26

N
nametag, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 39, 47, 48, 49, 53, 54,
61
net pressure plot, 39

O
operating defaults, 8, 9, 11, 16, 53
output function, 18
output type, 18
overlaying data, 31, 32, 56

P
packing type, 13
port diameter, 13
positioner, 14, 20, 29, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 49, 53
positioner data, 49
positioner plot, 38
possible data errors, 37
pressure channel, 20, 21
printing graphs, 33

Q
quick report, 45, 49, 50, 53

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RatRace User Guide

RAM disk, 9, 51
reports
printing, 50
saving, 50
retrieving a nametag file, 15
retrieving data, 49
rotaux.bat, 8, 51


Saving/Printing Nametags, 15
Saving Data
as a .zip file
by serial, 48
by tag, 47
by test, 47
ASCII file, 46
compressing files, 47
new disk, 46
scan time, 18
seat load, 13, 14, 18, 36, 39, 40, 54
seat load calculation, 40
selecting data files with the mouse, 23
serial number, 9, 12, 15, 16, 48
slidaux.bat, 8, 51
software installation, 51
starting the program
from DOS, 51
from Windows, 51
static point test, 19, 43
stem diameter, 13

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step change test, 19, 42, 43, 44
step study test, 20, 31, 45
stepped ramp test, 19, 44
storing nametags on drive G, 16
stroking time, 42
recording, 42

T
tag number, 9, 12, 15, 16, 47
technical support, 52
temporary storage, 9, 47, 51
test setup, 16
test type, 8, 17, 53
toggling yaxis selections, 41
transferring data to the report module, 45
travel transducer, 18
trim fields, 13
troubleshooting overview, 52

U
unbalanced construction, 13
using drive G for nametag storage, 15

V
valve and actuator data, 49
video mode, 10, 23

Z
zooming, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34, 40

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