This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
THE MARINE INDUSTRY SPECIAL FOCUS


condition monitoring system does flag any abnormal behaviour while the hovercraft is in service, engineers will only have a few minutes between runs to investigate. A precise indication of which drivetrain component is showing abnormal behaviour is essential. The drivetrains have been fitted with 12 accelerometers each. These are Monitran MTN/1100WQ general purpose duplex stainless steel bodied sensors with AC outputs, sealed to IP68 (submersible) and with integral LSZH-coated screened cables. The cables feed into a bulkhead- mounted waterproof MTN/5000 condition monitoring unit that contains 28 signal conditioning units. Each signal conditioning unit feeds its output into a microcontroller with, in this instance, the capacity to handle another four channels if need be. The MTN/5000 can, however, be configured to monitor up to 96 channels. The raw AC signals, i.e. the 0 to 100mV outputs of each accelerometer, are also made available, on BNC connectors, allowing for the connection of an oscilloscope or spectrum analyser. Vibration signatures can often provide clues as to the nature of a developing fault. The MTN/5000’s door is fitted with a 5” touchscreen display, providing access to a


menu that allows vibration levels to be viewed and for alarm levels to be set. The condition monitoring unit also connects, via Modbus TCP, to a transmitter which sends data to a shore-based remote monitoring system. Downer comments: “This allows for the early identification and location of potential problems, even before the hovercraft arrives at the terminal. This therefore facilitates a fast turnaround investigation or repair that need not disrupt the daily service.”


A STANDARD SOLUTION Craft availability is everything for passenger ferry operators, and the CBPM strategy adopted for Hovertravel’s two new hovercraft provides the highest confidence possible that the drivetrains are healthy, thanks to appropriate and well-scheduled maintenance. Moreover, Griffon Hoverwork has decided that condition monitoring units will be fitted as standard to the 12000TD; a first for the company and, in terms of hovercraft in general, possibly the industry as a whole. “The addition of drivetrain condition


monitoring as standard to the 12000TD marks a significant evolutionary step in hovercraft history,” Downer concludes.


Monitran T: 01494 816569 www.monitran.com


Monitran’s MTN/5000 condition monitoring system. The signals from the accelerometers fixed to key drivetrain components feed through the base of the cabinet and into 28 signal conditioning units (at the rear of the cabinet). Each of these has a BNC connector, allowing for the connection of an oscilloscope or spectrum analyser. Conditioned signals then feed into the door-mounted box, which contains microcontroller-based monitoring circuitry and an outward-facing touchscreen display for viewing signal levels and setting alarms


Sensors for Industry 


Sensors for Industry


v +44 0)1494 816569 a info@m nitran.com


+44 (0)1494 816569( mo


monitran.com O DESIGN SOLUTIONS | APRIL 2016.monitran.com.mowwwm nitran.com 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60