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Rotating equipment such as pumps, fans, and
generators operate as systems in complex
environments and experience many of the same
vibration problems and structural failures. SixD
engineers use a proven systems approach that
considers every element—mechanical components,
operating conditions, installations—to find root
causes of system problems and recommend
practical, economical solutions. Decades of
experience in solving similar problems have taught
them what can be changed and what can’t.
Diesel generator
systems, or gensets, for example, are
structures made up of components from multiple
manufacturers. It can be especially challenging to
pinpoint the source of problems when a genset runs
fine in one installation and not another. Excessive
vibration and structural failures can arise from
interactions between the
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 engine
generator
skid
supporting
structure
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Software
visualizations of the data like these help us
understand which forces are important. |
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The first step is to characterize the response of
the entire system to complex engine forces during
operation. On-site operating tests may use
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accelerometers
strain or
displacement transducers
torsional
velocity measurements
on key components of a genset system to document
which forces acting in a structure are strong and
what they relate to.
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Other elements of the machine’s installation—for
example, the floor or supports—are also instrumented
to determine their contribution to the vibration
problem. |
A second step in the systems approach involves the
artificial excitation of the entire system while it
is at rest. If necessary and practical, modal
tests help us understand the dynamic
characteristics of the total system in greater
detail, including the system resonance deflection
patterns.
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Mode shapes like these help us visualize behavior
that was identified by the
operating data.
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Once the root causes are identified, finite
element models (FEA) can be used to evaluate
potential fixes involving components that can be
changed and to "tune" the system for problem-free
operation. After recommended fixes have been
implemented, their effectiveness can be verified by
additional operating tests. |
