Case study: Preventing failure of generator bearings

摘要

Vibration monitoring equipment helped one offshore supply operator to extend the maintenance intervals of the generator bearings that are mission critical to thruster operation on a vessel from six months to two years. When docking at a rig these vessels must maintain stability in high seas - with crews having to control the vessel in order to transport containers from the ship to the rig safely. To do this they are equipped with thrusters at bow and stern. However, such rough treatment led to the bearings in the generators that power the thrusters burning out every six months.