Wear Condition Monitoring and Working Pattern Recognition of Piston Rings and Cylinder Liners Using On-Line Visual Ferrograph

This study applies stepped loading and stepped velocity approaches to simulate the actual working conditions of gasoline engines. Accelerated wear tests were conducted for piston rings and cylinder liners under different lubricating conditions by using a self-made pin-on-disc wear machine equipped with an on-line visual ferrograph (OLVF) for wear monitoring. The wear coefficients for oil monitoring were extracted to distinguish between constant conditions and stepped changing conditions. A similarity model for oil monitoring was constructed and the monitoring data sets of similar working conditions were grouped together. Results show that the OLVF monitoring system can be used to obtain the real-time variation in debris concentration. The index of particle coverage area (IPCA) of OLVF increases abruptly after the load or speed changes. The similarity model can evaluate the similarity of the variation trend of IPCA under different operating conditions. The relationship between IPCA and working conditions was examined in this study and provides an essential support to wear monitoring and life prediction of engines.     

A New On-Line Visual Ferrograph

An on-line visual ferrograph (OLVF) characterized by direct reading and on-line analysis was developed based on magnetic deposition and image analysis. A digital sensor was integrated with a CMOS image sensor to obtain images of deposited wear debris under illumination conditions. An electromagnetic instrument was designed to deposit the wear debris flowing through an oil flow channel. The oil flow channel, fixed on the electromagnet, was arranged parallel to the magnetic flux in the air gap between two electromagnet poles. The deposition effect on wear debris was analyzed theoretically. The result shows that the wear debris in different sizes can be deposited in the same zone by controlling the oil flow rate and magnet field intensity. Corresponding application software for image sampling and processing was developed. An index of relative wear debris concentration, IPCA (Index of Particle Coverage Area), is given as an output in addition to wear debris images. Finally, two kinds of experiments were specified to assess the effect and validity of the OLVF. The results show that the OLVF has effective deposition and identification for both relatively large and small wear debris with rational control parameters. The validity examinations with the commercial particle quantifier (PQ) and direct reading ferrograph (DR) show that the OLVF has an approaching trend to the reference instruments in both heavily and lightly contaminated oil.     

An oil monitoring method of wear evaluation for engine hot tests

Abnormal wear of a piston ring-cylinder liner pair may happen after 9 min hot tests of internal combustion engines, while the engine performance parameters were within predetermined threshold ranges. Few differences were observed among oil samples from the engines with or without abnormal wear in the spectrometric and Kittiwake Analex PQ analysis. Therefore, a manual confirmation by disassembling the oil pan was often required. In this work, an oil monitoring method for wear evaluation of the engines was proposed. The oil samples were rapidly analyzed on site by on-line visual ferrograph (OLVF). For the abnormal engines, it was found that the index of particle coverage area (IPCA), characterizing the wear debris concentration, was low. Moreover, large debris was rarely observed on OLVF ferrograms, which was consistent with the results obtained from analytical ferrography, and the reason was analyzed and discussed. In addition, an on-site abnormal wear evaluation procedure for the 9 min hot tests was proposed based on a trained Naive Bayes Classifier. As observed from the results of 27 engines, 4 abnormal engines were found. Among one of them, longitudinal scratches were found on the cylinder wall, which were evaluated as abnormal wear by the classifier. This method can cut down the quantity of disassembly inspection and is more efficient.     

在线图像可视铁谱成像系统的像面照度均匀性

为了定量评价在线图像可视铁谱(OLVF)成像系统的像面照度均匀性,建立了一种像面照度模型。以像方参数及放大倍率表征物方视场,将物方视场区域离散化,采用朗伯余弦理论建立入瞳模式的像面照度模型,实现了像面照度的计算与均匀性评价。利用Matlab进行了物面照度仿真分析,确定了OLVF成像系统环形阵列光源的发光二极管(LED)数量,基于像面照度分析确定了最佳成像焦距和放大倍率。计算了油腔通油情况下成像系统中的光能量损耗以及磨粒沉积面的照度分布,建立了油液吸光系数与CCD像面轴上像点照度的关系。结果显示:LED发光强度已知时,仿真计算的像面不均匀度约为5.60%,实际测试的像面不均匀度为8%~9%,满足不均匀度≤10%的要求。开展了磨粒铁谱图像采集实验,结果表明:图像中磨粒清晰可辨,便于图像分割与视觉特征提取。提出的模型可定量描述OLVF成像系统的像面照度,可作为优化系统结构,提高系统成像性能的依据。     

全视场在线图像可视铁谱磨粒显微成像特性分析

为了评估全视场在线图像可视铁谱磨粒显微成像特性,提出了一种反射光显微成像模型。首先,基于朗伯余弦与小角度散射理论建立了全视场(OLVF)的反射光辐照度模型,实现了磨粒显微成像清晰度定量评价。然后,仿真计算磨粒显微成像的反差透视比,确定了最优光学倍率和适用于全视场OLVF探测的油液衰减系数范围,明确了光学参数对磨粒显微成像质量的影响规律。结果显示：光学倍率为2.0×且油液衰减系数≤2.0条件下,磨粒沉积于物方视场的主光轴附近,全视场OLVF可获得最佳磨粒显微成像清晰度。最后,开展了磨粒显微成像实验测试,结果表明：全视场OLVF能够从油液衰减系数小于2.0的在用液压油和齿轮油中获取反射光谱片图像,并提取磨粒视觉信息进行磨损在线监测。     

透平机减速齿轮箱的在线铁谱监测

在线铁谱技术是一种由分析铁谱技术发展而来的磨损状态实时监测技术，对于连续运行的关键设备的主要摩擦付实施在线铁谱监测是十分必要的。它可以避免离线铁谱监测的取样、制样等繁杂过程和长间隔采样漏掉故障信息等缺点。利用在线铁谱技术对透平机减速齿轮箱的磨损状态监测结果表明，即使在正常磨损状态下，齿轮摩擦付的磨损速率并不是恒定的。它既受磨粒在摩擦付附近的不均匀造成的随机误差影响，又受齿轮载荷变化的影响。而磨损趋     

Condition monitoring techniques for an internal combustion engine

Various condition monitoring techniques were applied during a laboratory engine test in order to understand the wear processes occurring and to determine a suitable method which could be applicable to the detection and diagnosis of abnormal engine conditions in practice. Fuel consumption rates were measured in conjunction with chemical analysis of the used oil by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and the various contaminant inspection methods. For the contaminant inspection of the wear debris in the lubricating oil, the quantitative and qualitative techniques of the Rotary Particle Depositor (RPD), Particle Quantifier (PQ), Spectrometric Oil Analysis, and Image Analyser Systems were applied and the results compared. The effectiveness of each to be able to respond to wear failure was also compared. Evaluation showed that, of the methods examined, the combination of RPD and PQ was the most suitable technique for the detection of abnormal wear occurring in the engine combustion zone. It is, therefore, suggested that this combination can be directly applied to internal combustion engines as an effective condition monitoring method.     

用于铁谱分析技术磁化液的研制及其应用

在利用旋转式铁谱仪生成谱片时，非铁磁性磨屑不能沉积于谱片上，但对于滑动轴承等部件的状态监测，必须利用非铁磁性磨屑来判断其状态。本文利用一种能使非铁磁性磨屑可以磁化的磁流体-磁化液，成功地将非铁磁性磨屑按铁磁性磨屑在谱片上的沉积规律沉积于谱片上，据此，对滑动轴承的磨损成功地进行了预报。同时，本文还提供了适合于不同材料的非铁磁性磨屑的磁化液及其使用规范。     

Intelligent identification of wear mechanism via on-line ferrograph images

Condition based maintenance（CBM） issues a new challenge of real-time monitoring for machine health maintenance. Wear state monitoring becomes the bottle-neck of CBM due to the lack of on-line information acquiring means. The wear mechanism judgment with characteristic wear debris has been widely adopted in off-line wear analysis; however, on-line wear mechanism characterization remains a big problem. In this paper, the wear mechanism identification via on-line ferrograph images is studied. To obtain isolated wear debris in an on-line ferrograph image, the deposition mechanism of wear debris in on-line ferrograph sensor is studied. The study result shows wear debris chain is the main morphology due to local magnetic field around the deposited wear debris. Accordingly, an improved sampling route for on-line wear debris deposition is designed with focus on the self-adjustment deposition time. As a result, isolated wear debris can be obtained in an on-line image, which facilitates the feature extraction of characteristic wear debris. By referring to the knowledge of analytical ferrograph, four dimensionless morphological features, including equivalent dimension, length-width ratio, shape factor, and contour fractal dimension of characteristic wear debris are extracted for distinguishing four typical wear mechanisms including normal, cutting, fatigue, and severe sliding wear. Furthermore, a feed-forward neural network is adopted to construct an automatic wear mechanism identification model. By training with the samples from analytical ferrograph, the model might identify some typical characteristic wear debris in an on-line ferrograph image. This paper performs a meaningful exploratory for on-line wear mechanism analysis, and the obtained results will provide a feasible way for on-line wear state monitoring.     

Effect of palm oil methyl ester and its emulsions on lubricant degradation and engine component wear

This paper presents the results of experimental work carried out to evaluate the effect of palm oil methyl ester also known as palm oil diesel (POD) and its emulsions, as alternative fuels, on unmodified indirect‐injection diesel engine wear and lubricant oil deterioration compared with ordinary diesel (OD). A constant 2500 rpm engine setting at half throttle was maintained throughout the wear debris and lubricant oil analysis period for 20 h for each fuel system. Samples of lubricant oil were collected through a one‐way valve connected to the crankcase sump at intervals of 4 h. The first sample was collected immediately after the engine had warmed up. The same lubricating oil, a conventional SAE 30, was used for all experiments. A multi‐element oil analyser was used to measure metal wear debris and lubricating oil additive depletion for the used lubricating oil. An ISL automatic houillon viscometer (ASTM D 445) and potentiometric titration (ASTM D 2896) were used to measure the viscosity and total base number, respectively. The lubricant oil analysis results for POD, OD, and their emulsions containing 10% water by volume were compared. Very promising results were obtained. The accumulation of metal wear debris in crankcase oil samples was lower with POD and its emulsion compared with the OD fuel. The addition of 10% water (by volume) to POD showed a promising tendency for wear resistance.     

On the wear and failure of high speed roller bearings

A laboratory bearing test rig was constructed to study wear and failure mechanisms in high speed roller bearings under different conditions of loading and lubrication. The design of the rig permitted three bearings to be tested simultaneously. A test run of 720 h duration was performed during which wear of the bearings was monitored using ferrography and atomic absorption oil analysis. Wear debris particles collected from the bearings by ferrography were studied with scanning electron microscopy using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The results of ferrography were correlated with the metallographic observations made on the worn bearings.It was found that for lightly loaded high speed roller bearings rolling contact fatigue including surface pitting is not a significant wear or failure mechanism. However, misalignment due to shaft deflection above a critical point cannot be tolerated. Wear of high speed engine bearings can successfully be monitored by ferrography but, as the wear condition accelerates, frequent oil sample collections are beneficial.     

直读铁谱在舰船机械状态监测上的应用

采用直读铁谱仪对某型船用机械在用润滑油进行了跟踪监测,选择IS(磨损烈度指数)作为定性分析的判据,利用三线值法对某型船用齿轮箱润滑油样的直读铁谱数据进行处理,并制定出了监测标准。诊断实践证明,直读铁谱监测特征参数IS的选择,是合理准确的,基于三线值法建立的润滑油直读铁谱分析诊断标准,具有良好的实效性,能够较准确地判断和预测船用发动机油润部件的磨损状态和磨损趋势。     

Ferrographic and spectrometer oil analysis from a failed gas turbine engine

An experimental gas turbine engine was destroyed as a result of the combustion of its titanium components. It was concluded that a severe surge may have caused interference between rotating and stationary compressor parts that either directly or indirectly ignited the titanium components. Several engine oil samples (before and after the failure) were analyzed with a Ferrograph and with plasma, atomic absorption and emission spectrometers to see whether this information would aid in the engine failure diagnosis. The analyses indicated that a lubrication system failure was not a contributory factor in the engine failure. Neither an abnormal wear mechanism nor a high level of wear debris was detected in the engine oil sample taken just prior to the test in which the failure occurred. However, low concentrations (0.2–0.5 ppm) of titanium were evident in this sample and samples taken earlier. After the failure, higher titanium concentrations (more than 2 ppm) were detected in oil samples taken from different engine locations. Ferrographic analysis indicated that most of the titanium was contained in spherical metallic debris after the failure. Attempts to pinpoint the failure initiation site were inconclusive, but the oil analyses did eliminate a lubrication system bearing or shaft seal failure as the cause of the engine failure.     

基于油液分析和时间序列模型的内燃机磨损状态监测方法

提出了一种基于油液分析和时间序列模型的内燃机磨损状态监测方法。将整个内燃机看作一个摩擦学系统,利用时间序列模型对摩擦学系统进行动态建模,建立能够表征内燃机磨损状态的数学模型。采用该模型对内燃机润滑油中各元素的变化趋势进行趋势分析,并应用实例对模型进行了检验。结果表明,该方法准确判断内燃机的磨损状态,为内燃机磨损状态监测提供了一种新的途径。     

K-均值聚类法在机械设备铁谱监测技术中的应用

铁谱分析技术是润滑油液分析技术的主导技术,是机械设备工况监测和故障诊断的主要技术手段之一。铁谱片上磨损颗粒间的区分是磨损颗粒识别和诊断的基础。针对铁谱图像中磨损颗粒形状和颜色分布的复杂性,利用数字图像处理技术,采用K-均值聚类法,对铁谱彩色图像进行了分割处理研究。试验结果表明,K-均值聚类法可以有效地分割彩色铁谱图像,将磨损颗粒提取出来,为铁谱图像的后续处理工作奠定了基础。     

基于直读铁谱技术的航空发动机磨损状态监测

利用线阈法分析某型航空发动机润滑油样的直读铁谱数据,提出油液直读铁谱分析诊断标准.诊断实践证明,该标准应用于航空发动机磨损状态监测效果较好.     

Watershed-Based Morphological Separation of Wear Debris Chains for On-Line Ferrograph Analysis

Separation and characterization of wear debris from ferrograph images are demanded for on-line analysis. However, particle overlapping issue associated with wear debris chains has markedly limited this technique due to the difficulty in effectively segmenting individual particles from the chains. To solve this bottleneck problem, studies were conducted in this paper to establish a practical method for wear debris separation for on-line analysis. Two conventional watershed approaches were attempted. Accordingly, distance-based transformation had a problem with oversegmentation, which led to overcounting of wear debris. Another method, by integrating the ultimate corrosion and condition expansion (UCCE), introduced boundary-offset errors that unavoidably affected the boundary identification between particles, while varying the corrosion scales and adopting a low-pass filtering method improved the UCCE with satisfactory results. Finally, together with a termination criterion, an automatic identification process was applied with real on-line wear debris images sampled from a mineral scraper gearbox. With the satisfactory separation result, several parameters for characterization were extracted and some statistics were constructed to obtain an overall evaluation of existing particles. The proposed method shows a promising prospect in on-line wear monitoring with deep insight into wear mechanism.     

Advances in research on a multi-channel on-line ferrograph

This paper introduces the basic principle, functions and test results of a multi-channel on-line ferrograph. The instrument catches wear debris with an electromagnet, detects wear debris with a photoelectric sensor, and controls sampling and data processing with an 8098 single-chip microprocessor which can communicate with a master computer. The instrument has four sampling channels, which can monitor not only one machine but also four machines one by one. The software of the instrument includes five modules which are a main program, a keyboard control program, a floating point operation program, a serial communication program and a self-checking program. The results of experiments on a gear box show that increasing average values detected by the instrument correspond to increasing load, so the instrument can meet the need for on-line monitoring of the wear condition of machines.