Multi-Channel Speed Control
Driving more than one engine from a single operator point, each one separately. The GS740-3P drilling system offers three independent channels for this purpose: three servo motors, three separate wiring sets and one potentiometer per channel. The speed of each engine is adjusted independently of the others.
On drilling rigs, several diesel engines and pumps typically work together. Adjusting them one by one by hand on the machine is both a waste of time and puts the operator into a hot and noisy area. Bringing the channels together on a single panel makes the job manageable from the cabin.
On the GS740-3P each channel works with its own chain: its own potentiometer, its own 0–3.3 V proportional signal, its own servo motor and 2 metres of IP67 socketed ready-made wiring per channel. There is no communication between the channels.
The meaning of this is important: the system does not synchronise the engines to one another. If the speeds need to be matched, the operator does it by adjusting the channels separately. Furthermore, the system drives the throttle lever position on each channel; it does not hold the engine's measured speed constant with a closed loop. The closed loop is only on actuator position.
Context in which this term is used: Electronic speed and throttle control on diesel engines