Rockwell Automation Arena Users Guide - Manual (Page 112)

A RENA U SER ’ S G UIDE
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Flow module
D ESCRIPTION
The Flow module is used in conjunction with the Tank module to model semi-continuous
flow operations such as adding material to a tank, removing material from a tank, or trans-
ferring material between two tanks.
When an entity enters the Flow module, a flow operation of the specified Type is initiated
(i.e., Add, Transfer, or Remove). The tanks affected by the flow are determined by the
regulators specified as the source and/or destination. A regulator is a device (e.g., a valve)
that is used to add or remove material from a tank. A tank’s regulators are defined in the
Tank module.
The entity is held in the Flow module until its flow operation is completed. The flow
operation is completed when the first of three possible conditions is satisfied:
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When the specified Quantity has been transferred.
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When the specified Time has elapsed.
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When the specified Signal Value is received via a Signal module.
The flow rate of the entity is regulated according to the maximum rate(s) of the source
regulator and/or destination regulator. Additionally, the flow rate may be further
constrained due to starvation or blocking from empty or full tanks. The initial maximum
rate of a regulator is specified in the Tank module. A regulator’s maximum rate may be
changed during a run using the Regulate module. The RegulatorMaxRate(Regulator ID)
function returns the current maximum rate of a regulator. The RegulatorRate(Regulator
ID) function returns the current rate of a regulator.
New Maximum Rate The new maximum rate for the regulator.
Units Time units of new maximum rate.
Signal Value The signal value to send.
Variable Name The name of the variable to assign.
New Value The new variable value.
Create Discrete Entity Specifies whether to create a discrete entity when the sensor is activated
(triggered).
Animation Specifies whether to display a “covered/uncovered” global picture for
the sensor.
Prompt Description