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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Generator Couplings
TC Conference
Malaga
October 2007
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Agenda
Generator Set Couplings
Cat Coupling
Centa Couplings
Ringfeder
Renolds
Geislinger
Summary
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Generator Set Coupling System
Coupling is integral part of dynamic system which includes
Generator rotor
Engine crankshaft, rods, pistons
Damper
Coupling selection is part of dynamic system design
Single Bearing Generator
Flex plates
Quantity and thickness depends on package configuration
Two Bearing Generator
Couplings require maintenance
Coupling and damper problems frequently happen together
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Cat Coupling
Used on older designs
Maintenance
Periodic inspection
Frequency depends on application
Generator sets rated at 2 MW or more
Inspect every 2,000 hrs
Generator sets rated below 2 MW
Inspect every 4,000 hrs
Inspection interval can be adjusted with experience
Boots should be replaced if wear more than 2 mm
If boot wear exceeds 5 mm Measure the gap between bearings and bearing sleeve
Both bearings!
Replace bearing & sleeve if gap is greater than 0.10 mm
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Cat Coupling
5N-3527 boots
Suspect boots
Manufactured between Aug-06 and Mar-07
Date is stamped on side, usually not readable afterinstallation
The rubber of these boots may have a manufacturing defect
Low spring rate and/or high compression set
Affected boots wear out very fast
Possibly as early as 20 hrs
Fraction of population affected
Boots produced from Mar-07 on are good
Boot life
Decreases as generator set rating increases
1,000 hrs to 20,000 hrs (more in rare cases)
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
CentaMax & Ringfeder Wear out Indicators
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
CentaFlex Coupling
Typical use is Marine We use it in some G3532 &
G3524 tandems
Maintenance
Periodic inspections
Inspect for liquids, grease,oils
If present, remove
coupling for cleaningand repair source ofliquid
Rubber element is a wear item
Life expectation Very limited experience
Expect 10,000 hrs to20,000 hrs
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Ringfeder
Similar to CentaMax Coupling
Primarily used in custom packages
Maintenance
Periodic inspections
Inspect for liquids, grease, oils
If present, remove coupling forcleaning and repair source of liquid
Inspect for diagonal cracks These indicate a worn out rubber
element
Replace the rubber element if present
Expected life Unknown due to very little experience
Estimates range from 10,000 to 20,000 hrs
One lasted 15,000 hrs
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Coupling Failure Consequences
If an engine damper has failed it may have done damage to thecoupling
Conversely, a coupling failure may damage the damper
Failure of either increases the torsional vibrations in the system Excessive wear on the Cat coupling
Can transmit engine axial vibration to the generator
Axial generator vibration is usually absorbed in the interface
between the generator bearings and their sleeves
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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007
Summary
The rubber element is a wear item
Life is highly dependent on engine combustion, torsionals in thedriveline, and the generator set rating
Coupling maintenance must be part of your maintenance schedule
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