Fluid coupling temperature monitor has 2-week payback

Fourth Quarter 2008 Hydraulic systems & components

Voith Turbo has introduced the BTM, a non-contact temperature measuring device for fluid couplings. Continuously monitoring coupling temperature enables users to utilise the thermal reserves of the coupling more effectively and to intervene where necessary.

The BTM replaces conventional temperature measuring systems on fluid couplings and consists of a processing unit, antenna and temperature sensor. The temperature signal is available as a 4–20 mA output signal.

Some additional features and resulting benefits that can be achieved with the BTM temperature monitoring device:

* Direct sensing of the operating fluid’s temperature leads to reduced shutdowns and related downtime, increased system availability, improved operating efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

* Temperature sensing in realtime allows for preventative responses such as reducing load in advance of an overload.

* Better utilisation of the fluid coupling’s thermal reserves.

* The standardised design renders the system ideal for retrofitting.

Typical applications include belt conveyors, crushers, marine propulsion, centrifuges, mixers, woodchippers, shredders, pulpers, size reduction machinery and mills.

On-site test

Although new to the South African market, there are numerous examples of successful applications of the BTM temperature monitoring/measuring device. In Canada, results of on-site physical testing of the BTM fitted to a shredder drive clearly show the benefits of the temperature monitoring system. The shredder drive, which has a motor rating of 1030 kW @ 595 rpm and a 1150 DT-L fluid coupling, produces 40 tons of material per hour, eight hours a day, 45 weeks a year.

A comparative test was conducted on a Voith fluid coupling fitted with the BTM temperature measuring device and a Voith fluid coupling fitted with a conventional measuring device in the drive. Results showed reduced load on the drive and no production interruption on the coupling fitted with the BTM device which provided numerous customer benefits: higher system availability, equipment-based load control, reduced downtime, increased profitability, improved operating efficiency and lower maintenance costs. The payback period in this test was less than two weeks.

For more information contact Roy Webster, Voith Turbo South Africa, +27 (0) 011 418 4000, [email protected], www.voith.com

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