Users live in a society that wants things quicker, builds things bigger, and travels faster. The machines that put this world together work longer and harder than ever before. At the heart of these machines, one type of power transfer is commonplace, namely hydraulic systems.
At the heart of any hydraulic system is the pump. Although they vary in type and size hydraulic pumps are vital components, moving the fluid around the system, enabling rams to move within the cylinders.
Industrial applications
The most common type of units used in industrial applications are either piston pumps or vane pumps. Both types are very susceptible to debris and impurities.
- Piston pumps
In the case of a piston pump a small hole allows lubrication of the piston shoe as it rotates around the swash plate.
If the hole gets blocked then the shoes quickly wear and a tell-tale sign is the generation of heat as the friction increases.
- Vane pumps
Pump failure can result relatively quickly when oil starvation occurs, causing the whole system to fail
Vane pumps are equally susceptible to deposits as the individual vanes fail to move freely within the barrel, once more increasing friction and associated heat.
Pump failure can result relatively quickly when oil starvation occurs, causing the whole system to fail. For this reason, changes in pump temperature must be taken seriously and acted upon as soon as they are identified.
Pump failure detection
The issue most maintenance engineers face is detecting when a pump is running abnormally hot. Many hydraulic pumps are in areas difficult to access and are therefore not regularly checked.
In most pump failures, it’s only when the whole system goes down that problems are manifest, bringing production to a standstill until a replacement pump is identified and fitted.
Thermal imaging cameras
FLIR is a global company well known for its research and production of high-quality thermal imaging cameras.
The latest cameras that form part of the Exx-Series are capable of detecting heat abnormalities in components such as hydraulic pumps from several meters away (or tens of metres away with the right lens), meaning those hard-to-reach areas can be analysed allowing remedial action to be taken thus avoiding costly pump failure and the associated production downtime.
Exx-Series
Some cameras in the series allow for interchangeable lenses bringing into focus those more distant
Whether it’s hydraulic pumps, industrial gearboxes, compressors, turbines, or other units that have the potential to emit heat in the event of abnormalities, the Exx-Series of thermal imaging cameras from FLIR can prove to be invaluable analytical tools.
Through regular analysis, a temperature profile is obtained such that any temperature rise indicates wear problems and maintenance required. Some cameras in the series allow for interchangeable lenses bringing into focus those more distant components.
Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging
But it is not just the camera hardware that is impressive. The instruments are supported by FLIR-patented MSX (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging) enhancement. The cameras provide the ability organise images and to add detailed notes directly from the large touch screen incorporated into the camera. Images can then be directly uploaded to the cloud with storage space provided by FLIR and termed FLIR Ignite.
This provides convenient and easy access from any device. When users are ready to share images and create client reports, the images and notes are already available for use in FLIR Ignite or FLIR Thermal Studio for the most streamlined experience.
FLIR Inspection Route
Less experienced operators can make the most of the FLIR Exx-Series of thermal imaging cameras by following a prescribed inspection route pre-loaded into the camera’s onboard software entitled FLIR Inspection Route.
This allows engineers with less experience in the plant to carry out a large survey in a logical sequence providing management with a detailed report of the manufacturing process.
