Piston rod & Plunger

During each revolution, compressive and tensile forces affect all mechanical connections, including crosshead/ piston rod and piston rod/ piston connections. Inertia forces are also of relevance for the lifetime and fatigue of component connections. An accurate monitoring of the motion works ensures an early detection of all impending loosenesses or cracks. Feature During each revolution, compressive and tensile forces affect all mechanical connections, including crosshead/ piston rod and piston rod/ piston connections. Inertia forces are also of relevance for the lifetime and fatigue of component connections. An accurate monitoring of the motion works ensures an early detection of all impending loosenesses or cracks. The integrity of the motion works is ensured via vibration analyses and position monitoring. Acceleration sensors on the crosshead slide gaplessly record the vibration arising as the result of increasing clearances. The subsequent diagnosis identifies actual deviations in the vibration pattern. The piston rod position is measured with displacement sensors and reveals connections that are in the process of detaching at an early stage. The compressive and tensile forces affecting the piston rod can be calculated continuously. Hyper compressors On Hyper compressors, orbit monitoring ( horizontal/ vertical deviation of the plunger, “ plunger run-out” ) is recommended. An automatic shutdown is key to avoid costly consequential damages. Additionally on Hyper compressors, gap protection is also used for safety shutdown, i.e. machine stop as soon as no plausible plunger position can be measured by both sensors. PROGNOST Systems recommends the piston rod and plunger position analysis as a shutdown parameters.