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Engineered
Sensors
 Tedeco
Products
Lubrication
System Diagnostics - Introduction
Duplex
Debris Monitor | Electric Chip
Detectors
Quantitative Debris Monitors | Cyclonic
Debris Monitors
Lube system
components, particularly rolling element bearings and gears, will generate magnetic particles in certain predominant, commonly occurring, failure modes, primarily spalling and skidding. Oil debris monitors, such as
magnetic particle collectors and sensors, have long been used to detect failure onset in critical applications, particularly where undetected failures can lead to safety problems or economic loss. Over 50 years' experience in providing lube system failure detecting sensors for
aerospace, marine, power generation and industrial
applications, has provided Tedeco with a wealth of applications knowledge and a broad array of products to suit almost every monitoring need. In certain instances, for example, it may be possible to sense and collect these particles for visual examination and laboratory analysis, without interference with system operation.
On-Line
Debris Monitoring has been successful in many critical
lubrication system diagnostic applications, primarily due to its ability to overcome the
shortcomings of other techniques. It is so reliable for
predominant gear and bearing failure modes, for example, that its
use on helicopter gas turbine engines and gearboxes has been
mandated by federal authorities for over 30 years! Sensor
technology advancement has resulted in the increased reliability
of this instrumentation, particularly when used with the
traditional techniques previously discussed.
Tedeco
on-line lube debris monitoring components are grouped by sensor
technology, presented in increasing levels of sophistication, magnetic
chip collectors, electric chip
detectors and quantitative debris monitors
(QDM); all sensors are available with self-closing valves to
permit removal; for particle retrieval, inspection and analysis,
with minimal loss of oil.
Also
presented are standard fittings for sensor mounting, to enhance
sensor efficiency in particle capture and indication, such as the Lubriclone
Cyclonic Debris Monitor and Duplex
Debris Monitor.
1.
Spalling
Spalling
occurs as a result of sub-surface cracks in gear teeth or bearing
rollers, balls or races which propagate just under the work
hardened surfaces; where these microscopic cracks intersect the
surface, flakes begin to form. The flakes are generated in very
small quantities, early in the failure cycle. The flakes
themselves leave behind a relatively "rough" surface
patch, (the “spall”). Eventually, the further working of
the bearing elements contribute to undermining of the spall
circumference, resulting in further flake generation and growth of
the spall itself. Failure to halt this process will eventually
result in cracked ball, roller, cage or race and potential
catastrophic failure.
2.
Bearing
Cage Failure
Bearing
cage failure results from overloaded bearings, misalignment,
excessive heat, particulate contamination or poorly toleranced
components. Whatever the cause, small fractures result in bending,
melting or cracking of the bearing cage, leading to generation of
ferrous and non-ferrous debris. Early detection of these particles
could prevent the bearing cage from catastrophic failure.
3.
Skidding
Skidding
results from lightly loaded bearings or poorly toleranced bearing
components where there is a type of sliding motion between the
balls/rollers, raceway and cage. This can generate very fine,
almost "chalk-like", debris particles that grind away at
the bearing element surfaces. Eventually, this grinding results in
a loss of tolerance sufficient to cause the ball/rollers, to begin
"squirming" and tumbling within the raceway, generating
even more, and larger, particles, from the balls/rollers, the
raceway, and the cage. If not stopped at this point, seizure of
the bearing and subsequent catastrophic failure will occur.
Please contact us
for free literature or to discuss your early-failure detection needs.
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