An Advanced Condition Monitoring System for Turbopumps

Significant improvements in turbopump and rotating machinery reliability, life, and safety, with associated reductions in life-cycle cost and maintenance turnaround time, can be realized through the implementation of Advanced Condition Monitoring (ACM) methods and technologies. The strategy of ACM systems is to utilize novel technologies to continuously monitor critical system components during operation to provide in situ, noncontacting measurements of component degradation. When utilized in conjunction with proper electronics and computer-based health monitoring expert systems, diagnosis of component failure modes and prognosis of remaining useful life can be automatically provided without the requirement for time-consuming disassembly and manual inspection. Such a system can keep users informed of upcoming maintenance requirements and system availability. The need for scheduled maintenance of monitored components is eliminated while component maintenance, well in advance of problems affecting safety or performance, is ensured. This paper provides an overview of ACM technologies developed for in situ turbomachinery applications.