EPD Couplings

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EAME/CIS TC Conference EP/Petroleum - Malaga, October 2007

Generator Couplings

TC Conference

Malaga

October 2007


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Agenda

Generator Set Couplings

Cat Coupling

Centa Couplings

Ringfeder

Renolds

Geislinger

Summary


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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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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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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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CentaMax & Ringfeder Wear out Indicators


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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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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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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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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

Documents

EPD Couplings