WASHINGTON, DC - GE Marine Engines announced that its new on-line remote diagnostics system will be demonstrated for the U.S. Navy on the USS Donald Cook DDG 75 destroyer later this year. GE recently completed the first U.S. Navy testing of this system on a GE LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine at the land-based engineering site in Philadelphia, Pa., GE reported today at Sea-Air-Space 2000.The U.S. Navy is integrating GE's on-line remote diagnostics system with its Integrated Condition Assessment System, a condition-based maintenance system. After an evaluation period, the U.S. Navy will determine the potential use of GE's remote diagnostics system elsewhere in its gas turbine fleet."GE's remote diagnostics capabilities allow for analysis of key operating data for gas turbines located anywhere in the world. This system is currently being successfully used in over 1,000 industrial power and aircraft applications worldwide," said Bill Millhaem, General Manager of GE Marine Engines. "By closely monitoring operating data, we can significantly improve our ability to react to emerging problems and reduce the total cost of ownership," Millhaem added.The following benefits of the remote diagnostics system extend to both military and commercial marine applications:
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The remote diagnostics system is an extension of GE's service and support activities that enable GE to electronically visit customer sites when necessary, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. The system allows GE gas turbine engineers to monitor engine data during the critical on board start-up phase, and from that time on, while the engine is operating. The remote diagnostics service provides an early warning tool that allows diagnosis of developing problems, enabling operators to intervene with a more timely and lower cost repair.Features
The GE system being demonstrated for the U.S. Navy uses an On-Site Monitor (OSM) to gather engine operating data and to provide a communication interface with the Remote Monitoring Center at GE Marine Engines' Evendale, Ohio headquarters. Up to 1,000 parameters may be monitored on the gas turbine, including engine operating temperatures, pressures, speeds, vibration, and controls and status data such as alarms, trips and equipment on-off conditions. By applying statistical tools, GE can identify changes in engine performance that may indicate an incipient gas turbine or site problem. The OSM also provides an on-site data interface for GE Field Service Representatives to use in local troubleshooting, as well as a communications link to support remote troubleshooting.The OSM is electronically linked to the sites gas turbine control system either through a dedicated RS422/RS232 serial bus or an Ethernet connection. The OSM continuously archives parametric data for frequent retrieval and analysis. The result is a clear picture of the mechanical health of the gas turbine that facilitates maintenance planning, helps avoid forced outages, minimizes outage downtime and reduces the extent of repairs needed. Overall, GE's remote diagnostics is a valuable tool to minimize maintenance cost and improve reliability. GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio.
GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications. Visit GE Marine Engines at Marine Propulsion section of our website.