Study of Tribological Faults and Their Prevention Approaches in Dredger

Abstract

Dredger is comprised of not only marine power mechanical system bust also dredging mechanical system. The two kinds of mechanical systems have different operational environment, motorial modes and faults characteristics due to their different functions. This project focuses on the mechanical system of dredger to investigate its tribological systemic characteristics faults in tribological system, i.e., those characteristics in both marine power mechanical system and dredging mechanical system. Two case studies are presented in the paper, which demonstrates that it is crucial to apply on-line oil monitoring and develop wear-resistance material for tribological system in dredger. On the basis of the prompt from on-line particle contamination monitor (OPCOM), spectra oil analysis can be further used to confirm and identify failure modes. The selected wear resistance materials and surface enhancing technology of the damageable workpieces in dredger can improve the lifetime of workpieces significantly. It is believed that the knowledge gained in this study will contribute to reveal the mechanism of tribological systemic faults in dredger’s tribological system, improve maintenance level of dredging system, save energy and decrease consumption.