Bearing wear detection system updated MEDIUM-SPEED ENGINES
A
SYSTEM to monitor crank-t rain bearing wear in diesel engines has
been updated by Rovsing Dynamics. The OPENpredictor software can be delivered as a stand-alone or combined solution, and is intended to provide shipowners and managers with a tool which will improve vessel reliability. OPENpredictor continuously monitors
the condition of rotating and reciprocating machinery onl ine, with automat ic diagnosis of component faults. A feature of the system is its AutoDiagnosis function, giving automatic early detection, and identification of bearing wear. It also predicts the lead t ime to
inspect ion, as well as automat ically texting vessel crew with details of the level of bearing wear, plus an estimate on the length of time a worn component may be kept in operation before it becomes critical. Other features which have been
included in this extended version are wear estimation, undertaken by sensor combinat ion and running condit ion correction; correlation techniques between neighbouring sensors suggesting whether the main bearings or the crosshead/big- end bearings are wearing the most; and auto-configuration to ensure automatic calibration of measurements and recovery of previous bearing wear estimates, in case a sensor is relocated during inspection or engine parts are exchanged. The sensors of OPENpredictor measure
the distance between the engine frame and the crosshead with a precision of ±10µm, to detect wear at an early stage. This can prevent damage to the crank shaft bearing, which would increase costs if it occurred. The system initially issues an aler t
when approximately 10% (100µm) of the bearing metal in the crank train bearings has been exhausted. As prediction of bearing wear can be complex, the system can take into account various parameters such as crankshaft speed, temperature, and power.
Control room graphical interface showing real-time wear condition for a 2-stroke 8-cylinder engine.
OPENpredictor provides the crew with real-time information about the condition of critical machinery.
Additionally, OPENpredictor can be
expanded to monitor other rotating and reciprocat ing components on diesel engines , turbines , turbocharger s , gearboxes, pumps, and fans. It interfaces with vessel maintenance management systems and off-line data collectors, for instance, and can be installed on either newbuilds or ships already in service. For several years the software has been
Main engine bearings are especially sensitive to wear, which can, if undetected, lead to crucial and expensive damage.
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running in power generation plants at on- and offshore oil and gas installations, and in 2005 an advanced method for online, real-t ime monitor ing of crank-t rain bearing wear was launched, which is now in operation on numerous containerships.
Thea Larsen, CEO of Rovsing Dynamics,
commented that OPENpredictor was developed with leaders of the maritime industry. She also added that Rovsing’s object ive was to provide real-t ime information about developing wear in the bearings, enabling ship managers to reduce the number of inspections, as well as minimising inf luence on daily operations. The system is claimed to facilitate
condi t ion-based maintenance, by making it possible to avoid costly open- up inspections, undue replacement of healthy spare parts, and reduce the risk of inspection induced damage.
SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL MAY/JUNE 2007
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