March 2006

AMOT, MAN B&W, Hapag Lloyd and Germanischer Lloyd have signed a cooperative agreement to carry out regular data analysis of AMOT's XTS-W bearing condition monitoring system, which is installed on Hapag Lloyd's Hamburg Express marine vessel.

Germanischer Lloyd is at the forefront of testing, researching and continually improving marine safety, and the data will be used to authenticate that the XTS-W is a stable and reliable bearing condition monitor and therefore confirm that open-up inspections are not required.

MAN B&W has already verified that open-up inspections will not be necessary if an AMOT XTS-W system is installed on its engine.

The XTS-W bearing condition monitoring system detects wear of main, big end and crosshead bearings before steel-on-steel contact occurs, unlike older techniques that allow shutdown before failure but not before problems have already developed.

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Temperature valve helps cut size of Japanese marine engines

September 2005

The new Yanmar ECO Diesel range of low NOx and fuel-efficient high performance marine engines has been developed with an AMOT custom-designed self-actuating temperature control valve for the water cooling system.

For the project, Yanmar required a design that enabled the production of a more compact engine where the thermostatic valve was installed within the envelope of the engine, instead of outside it, as would normally be the case.  Using proven AMOT thermostatic valve technology, which requires no external power source, AMOT developed a customised valve housing which allowed for maximum flow and minimum pressure drop.  The low friction characteristics plus vibration and shock resistance also ensure a long and reliable service life.

Designed to combine smooth running performance with durability, Yanmar marine diesels are produced for use as generator engines on large ships or propulsion units in both re-powering and new boat applications. 

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AMOT bearing monitors chosen for new container ships

August 2005

International shipping company Hapag-Lloyd AG has chosen to fit AMOT XTS-W bearing condition monitoring systems on three new 8750 TEU container ships under construction.  The XTS-W has been specified in place of traditional temperature monitoring systems to ensure earlier warning of bearing wear before problems start.

The new systems will detect wear of main, big end and cross-head bearings before steel-on-steel contact occurs, unlike older techniques that allow shutdown before failure, but not before problems have already developed.

Based in Hamburg, Hapag-Lloyd provides door-to-door container services worldwide.  It is expanding its present fleet of 57 ships by eight new-buildings to be delivered until 2008.  The new ships are being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea.

A major benefit of installing the XTS-W system is maximising the time for controlled engine shut-down and ship manoeuvres, while allowing for the most effective planned maintenance.

The system uses a totally new concept based on linear bearing wear instrumentation, with robust displacement sensing technology, high sensing accuracy and progressive wear indication.

The sensors produce a signal with every engine revolution, processed to generate a continuous representation of the extent of bearing wear and subsequently generating alarm/warning signals and providing wear trend monitoring functionality.

The RISC microprocessor-based signal processor will provide multi-channel operation, standard interfacing and automated calibration.  It will handle up to 14 displacement sensors simultaneously.


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AMOT actuated valves fitted to chillers on Royal Navy ships

April 2005

The AMOT XTS-W Bearing Condition Monitoring System has been added to the Extent of Delivery list for all MAN B&W 2-stroke engines under a new cooperative agreement between the two companies.

Now an approved option for all new 2-stroke engines built by MAN B&W and its licensees around the world, the XTS-W system is the only product to be so listed for detecting bearing wear.  The agreement also contracts MAN B&W to provide technical support to AMOT who is allowed to market the production for installation in new engines.

AMOT worked closely with MAN during development of the XTS-W using its Copenhagen test facilities and partnering on a sea trial.  MAN B&W is the world's leading 2-stroke engine company with a 75% market share.  For more information see www.bearingwear.com

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Engine lubricant metal detector has DNV Approval

March 2005

The AMOT MPD metal detector, which prevents engine failures by spotting metal particles in lubricating fluids due to bearing wear or other problems, has received a DNV Type Approval certificate.  It covers application Class B for operating temperatures from 5 to 70°C and up to 100% humidity, with 'on-engine' vibration and IP44 enclosure.

Avoiding unnecessary costly repairs and minimising downtime, this recently introduced device is easily installed by a bypass pipe of the system on reciprocating equipment such as gas or diesel engines and reciprocating or rotating compressors, pumps, turbines, transmissions and gearboxes.

Compact yet robust and only needing minimal maintenance, the unit has no moving parts and a corrosion-resistant anodised aluminium body, with stainless steel available for use in other environments.  Its 'unique' grid sensing technology detects all conductive materials, including non-metallic particles, in non-conductive fluid lubrication systems.

Used either with AMOT's MPD controller or an appropriate alternative controller, it converts maintenance into a continuously predictive, rather than reactive process.

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Controller combines PLC power with exceptional ease of use

September 2004

The new TomaHawk 8635A programmable logic controller combines the power of a PLC with the ease of use of an embedded controller, introducing a simple and flexible programming concept that allows custom and/or pre-programmed applications to be combined and tailored to exact user needs.

With 120 I/O points, two ModBus communications ports, a tachometer input, a 4-line 80-character backlit display and a tactile keypad, it is suitable for use with engines, turbines, compressors, generators and other equipment in the most demanding hazardous area pplications.

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Totally new bearing wear system gives the earliest warning

September 2004

AMOT has introduced its innovative new XTS-W bearing wear conditioning system, which provides the earliest warning of bearing wear and trends monitoring.

This system actually detects wear of main, big end and crosshead bearings on large diesel marine engines before steel-on-steel contact occurs, unlike traditional temperature monitoring and oil mist detection techniques that allow shutdown before failure but not before problems have already started.

The AMOT XTS-W system uses a toally new concept based on linear bearing wear instrumentation.  It is the most cost-effective solution to provide operators the maximum time for controlled engine shut-down and ship manoeuvres and allowing the most effective planned maintenance.

Proven displacement sensing technology ensures high sensing accuracy and linear response, progressive wear indication and robust sensor design.  Other features include advanced internal signal linearisation, built-in temperature compensation and industry standard passive 4-20mA output.

The sensors produce a signal with every engine revolution, passed to a signal processing unit generating a continous representation of the extent of bearing wear.  This is post-processed in a final stage to generate alarm/warning signals and provide wear trend monitoring functionality.  The output can be integrated into the main engine control system if desired.

The system's advanced signal processing offers multi-channel operation, standard interfacing and easy, automated calibration.  Based around a RISC microprocessor, it can simultaneously process signals from up to 12 displacement sensors and permits automatic sensor signal sequencing for the fastest possible response time.  Full PC access to all processing parameters is via an RS232 port and no speical software is required.

A flexible post-processor is based around the AMOT 8635A, which is a fully programmable and flexible controller with extensive analogue and logic processing capability.

Continuous bearing monitoring enables real-time wear trend analysis, with a picture of the rate of change of bearing wear giving a much earlier indication of a potential engine problem than a simple alarm threshold can provide.

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