A main propulsion reduction gear in a military ship exhibited no audible or outward signs of a mechanical problem. An Expert System automated diagnostic program was used for routine testing. Vibration spectral data indicated amplitudes at specific frequencies that were low compared to vibration levels for most other machines, but high relative to normal for this case. Routine monitoring with the deployed Expert System provided early detection and diagnosis, and tracked the degradation until corrective action was required. Subsequent inspection of the gearbox revealed a condition that warranted immediate correction to avoid extreme costs. This paper describes the method used to detect the fault, the inspection results, and the benefits derived from such an approach.
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