Rotors fault detection using vibration methods

Ships’ propulsion plant usually works in a hard environment caused by static forces and permanent dynamic loads. Basic elements of propulsion systems are rotation machines like gas turbine engines, gear boxes, propulsion shafts etc. Another loads coming from technological faults of rotation machines like misalignment, unbalancing or resonance. Exciding of tolerated values of shaft alignments or unbalancing can cause a damage of radial and thrust bearings in relative short time. Similar situation is occurred when the mode or modes of rotors natural resonances are in the range of operational speed. The paper compares three methods of calculating and recognizing modes of rotors’ natural frequencies using laboratory model of rotational machine. Results of FEM modeling, modal hammers measurements and synchronous vibration measurement show that free stop-down process is an interesting area for the vibration diagnosing of rotational machines.