AI self learning-enabled condition monitoring

02/07/2020

Following years of collaboration with Innovate UK and the University of Strathclyde on gathering data, running algorithms and profiling diesel generators, as well as spending a good deal of time on design development and testing, Datum Electronics has announced its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled condition monitoring technology, aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing maintenance and operational costs.

The company claims that Datum Hawk is the future of condition monitoring, offering real-time analysis of power output, engine speed, torque, fuel flow, specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) and much more. At 2000 samples per second, the system can detect problems quickly and display valuable information for each cylinder of the engine separately, providing customers with an up-to-date engine status. By incorporating AI self-adaptive algorithms, Datum Hawk is designed to greatly improve the lifespan and longevity of engines.

“What sets us apart is our focus on torsional vibration, which is the most accurate, reliable and cost-effective method of condition monitoring,” said Mark Gladdis, Business Development Manager at Datum Electronics. “Listening to the needs of our marine customers, we decided to bring in the most advanced condition monitoring technology with high sampling rate to make it possible to profile each individual cylinder of an engine or diesel generator for its own profile signature and identify specific changes within them.”

The recent push for green initiatives, such as the EU Green Deal, the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan and the possible introduction of further measures in the International Maritime Organization’s agenda, in addition to the global economy’s volatility, constitute a targeted approach to making savings for the marine industry essential. The creation of a new level of informed decision-making is required, based on deep insight and operational management of the internal combustion engines employed in the shipping industry. This can be achieved by condition-based maintenance, which monitors specific parameters. When such parameters are analysed, they facilitate informed decision-making, optimisation of service intervals and reductions in downtime, making for more efficient and compliant engines.

Among the most critical parameters suitable for continuous measurement is the instantaneous crankshaft torque. This is a highly reliable and easily obtainable measurement that, when analysed, can provide insights regarding the degradation of components, such as fuel injectors, cylinder liners and piston rings, and correspond those conditions to specific cylinders. The key to extracting information from this measurement is understanding crankshaft dynamics and the relationship between the in-cylinder pressure and the measured instantaneous crankshaft torque recorded at the flywheel.

“Everything that is happening in the engine is reflected by instantaneous torque. That means that, with one simple measurement, Datum Hawk is capable of extracting the information about engine components without the need for measuring the pressure in an individual cylinder. This provides an advantage of being able to identify the errors early, making maintenance significantly cheaper,” explained Dr Gerasimos Theotokatos, DNV GL Reader on Safety of Marine Systems at the Maritime Safety Research Centre (MSRC) of the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

Coupled with the Datum Shaft Meter, Datum Hawk allows for sharply-focused preventative maintenance, thereby providing savings of both time and money.

Wrist monitor to alert workers if social distancing rules are broken Edinburgh-based Reactec has repurposed a monitoring system to keep track of social distancing, calling the device Safedistance.

The device, previously used for monitoring vibration when using power tools, has been reprogrammed to alert workers if they have broken the social distancing regulations. Using Bluetooth, the monitor can track if workers get too close. If they do, the monitor vibrates to alert both that social distancing rules have been broken.

Jacqui McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Reactec, said: “Social distancing will clearly be with us for some time and it is vital that when people get back to work they can do so safely. Our team has moved quickly to repurpose our technology to help businesses to ensure that their teams are working safely.

“Reactec is already dedicated to helping reduce the damage to workers’ health from exposure to vibration, so developing our technology to include social distancing was a logical next step in response to COVID-19. We want to play our part in getting everyone back to work safely and with confidence.”

Reactec said it has discussed the capabilities of Safedistance at a ministerial level with the Scottish government.

Ivan McKee, Trade, Investment and Innovation Minister, said: “In response to this pandemic, companies right across Scotland have been diversifying production lines, increasing capacity or exploring new distribution routes to help deliver what is needed, when it is needed.

“Technology is going to play a crucial role in helping us overcome the long-term challenges presented by COVID-19, so it is great to see innovative, dynamic companies repurposing existing technology to help us protect workers from potential exposure in the future.”

More than 45,000 of the hand-arm vibration (HAV) monitors are already used by companies across the UK, with all software being upgraded free of charge.

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