The Flex500 control system represents a new generation of turbine and engine control
Flex500 is an industrial hardware platform that offers robust, low-cost control for a wide variety of turbine, engine, and compressor applications. The platform’s real-time operating system and dedicated inputs and outputs provide deterministic performance for key prime mover control functionality. Its 0.5 ms I/O scan times, high accuracy, and software program synchronization make it ideal for use
in controlling and protecting critical high speed rotating equipment.
Use the Flex500’s custom programmed hardware platform for prime mover control applications such as:
- Gas turbines
- Compressor control and protection
- Gas and diesel engines
- Steam turbines
- Hydro turbines
Optional Operator Control Panel (OCP)
The Flex500 controller’s optional user-friendly front panel serves as both a programming station and operator control panel (OCP). This front panel allows engineers to access and program the unit to specific plant requirements and lets plant operators easily start/stop the turbine and enable/disable any control mode. Password security is used to protect all unit program mode settings. The controller’s 5” graphical display allows operators to view actual and setpoint values from the same screen, simplifying turbine operation.
Distributed Control System (DCS) System
Designed to function as a distributed control system, Woodward-based RTCnet™ and/or LINKnet HT distributed I/O modules can be used in conjunction with the Flex500 platform to expand the number and type of input and output signals as required by the specific application.
Ethernet, serial and CAN communication ports, and the related Modbus® TCP/IP and CANopen protocols also make this platform ideal for functioning as part of an overall plant DCS or as a standalone controller. Four Ethernet ports and four CAN ports allow for the network flexibility and redundancy necessary for today’s critical control system architectures.