VIBRATION AND AXIAL
Us
DISPLACEMENT MONITORING
1. INTRODUCTION
It is normal for all machines, even in peak performance
conditions, to vibrate and make noise. The level of vibration
is dependent on the operating condition of a mechanical
system: when vibration increases, deviating from an
acceptable level, it is a sure indication that some component
is deteriorating. Development of reliable vibration measure-
ment instrumentation now gives us sufficient information for
a detailed analysis of the state of health of any mechanical
component.
Analysis of vibration signals, combined with experience and
familiarity with the machine are the keys to relatively accurate
troubleshooting.
2. BENEFITS
Although machinery protection alone is sufficient reason for
equipping critical machine parts with supervisory instru-
mentation systems, monitoring systems can be of advantage
for other reasons. They are essential for diagnostic and
predictive maintenance, which is a growing industry trend
and replacing preventive maintenance wherever possible as
preventive maintenance generally has a high economic
penalty which is not always justified in technical terms. A
predictive instead of a preventive approach means operating
on a machine or component just when needed, and no ser-
vice as long as the system is running reliably.
Early identification of machinery problems therefore offers
a number of benefits, including:
GE Power Systems
Oil & Gas
Nuovo Pignone
CM&
1) shutdowns can be timed;
TURBINES
STEAM TURBINES
2) replacement parts can be prepared in advance, saving
time;
3) elimination of defects causing vibration significantly
reduces noise.
3. RADIAL VIBRATION
Two no-contact proximity probes are mounted, offset 90°,
on the front support and two on the rear support (or directly
on the exhaust casing cap); when the existing arrangement
doesn’t allow such an installation, probes are mounted on
the journal. The proximity probe signals are sent to a control
room monitor, which:
• displays the peak-peak value of the signal from each
probe
• performs alarm and trip functions on each probe
• provides the power supply for field probes.
A third probe, a Keyphasor probe, is installed on the
STEAM
toothed wheel cover plate.
The Keyphasor, acts as a phase reference, ie, it generates a
pulse every time a notch made in the shaft passes under
the probe. By correlating the signals from the two proximity
probes and the keyphasor, an elliptical wave shape is dis-
played (for instance on a 2-channel oscilloscope) repre-
senting the shaft orbit. By simply observing deviations from
the ideal orbit pattern, it is possible to identify any defects
or irregularities. Every defect generates a characteristic
vibration mode and is represented in the form of a particular
CM&Us TU/VA08-9/2002
VIBRATION AND AXIAL DISPLACEMENT
MONITORING
vibration frequency. Analysis of vibration frequencies identifies
many types of problems including, for example, unbalance
of rotating parts and reduction of the oil film which lubricates
journal bearings. Fig. 1 shows the string of instruments from
field to control room.
4. AXIAL DISPLACEMENT
No-contact probes are also used to measure rotor axial dis-
placement. The installation comprises two probes which
guarantee redundancy; the probes are installed on the
toothed wheel cover plate (inside a protection box) or on
the front support. The average values of the signals from
the probes can be displayed on a dedicated monitor inte-
grated in the previously described radial vibration monitoring
system.
5. INSTALLATION AND MACHINE MODIFICATIONS
All the modifications necessary for probes installation
(included shaft burnishing in the area exposed to the vibration
probes) can be done on site with modification drawings
supplied by Nuovo Pignone.
6. SCOPE OF SUPPLY
• 2 axial displacement probes on the bracket cover plate or
on the front support;
• 4 radial vibration probes for both journal bearings;
• 1 keyphasor;
• materials for probe installation;
• extension cables and proximitors for all probes;
• local junction box for installing proximitors;
• cable sheathing up to the junction box;
• control room monitor to suit the number of probes;
• Zener barriers for each probe (if necessary);
• mechanical modification drawings for installing the probes
and wiring diagram.
Interconnecting cables between the local junction box, barrier
and monitors can be supplied on request.

Figure 2

COMK/MARK 704/II- Studio Tre Fasi - 9-2002 ©2002 Nuovo Pignone S.p.A. all rights reserved

CONTROL ROOM FIELD

SYSTEM DUAL THRUST

MONITOR MONITOR

NO CONTACT
PROBES

POWER DUAL VIBRATION

SUPPLY MONITOR

ORBIT LOCAL
ZENER
BARRIER PROXIMITOR

Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.

via F. Matteucci, 2 - 50127 Florence (Italy)
Tel. +39-055-423-211- Fax +39-055-423-2800
E-mail: info.service@np.ge.com
www.gepower.com/geoilandgas