Object or part to be tested

Often a cylinder head of a combustion engine.

Conduits to be tested

The cylinder head ports transfer air into the engine for combustion. By testing these ports on a flow bench and making improvements to these ports, the efficiency and power of the motor can often be improved.

Cylinder adapter

A flow bench frequently requires the manufacture of a specific adapter to adapt the object to be tested to the flow bench in an airtight manner. The cylinder head adapters include a cylinder section that is approximately the same diameter as the cylinders to which the cylinder head will be fastened. This "dummy" section of the cylinder will help simulate the effects of the cylinder surface on the air flow of the cylinder head.

Bench platform

Most flow benches  ave a table that provides a platform for positioning the objects to be tested. The flow bench table will have a round hole 104-105 mm in diameter, often called a discharge port. This aperture is a duct that connects the air flow from the test stand to the part under test.

Plenum or settling chamber

The plenum of the blower or settling chamber ensures a transition of the air flow from the discharge port of the bench to the air flow measuring device. This is also where the test pressure applied to the part being tested is measured. The air flow in some parts can be very turbulent. The plenum of the flow bench helps to reduce this turbulence, hence the name " settling chamber ".

Primary flow meter element

The primary flow meter element of the blower creates a pressure difference in the air passing through it. From this pressure difference, the mass and volume of air circulating through the test piece can be calculated.

Air source

Most flow benches will have a two-way air source that will circulate air in both directions through the test part. This is often required for internal combustion engine cylinder heads that require a vacuum, or negative pressure, to test the intake ducts and positive pressure to test the exhaust ducts. Most flow bench models have the main components shown here. The basic design and layout are always very similar