Fruitful Results

Choosing the cover artwork for this issue of ORBIT was a lot of fun. Perhaps it's because I grew up near fruit orchards (pears…not apples) and the image we finally settled on brought back pleasant memories of pastoral settings. More than that, however, was the challenge of finding an image that conveyed "payback," but without the negative implications that the word denotes today-namely, TV thugs who vow to "pay back" in the form of black eyes, broken bones, or worse.
Cover Story Case Histories
  • Hydro Oil & Energy's New North Sea Operations Center Cuts Production Losses (802KB PDF)
    When Norway's Hydro Oil & Energy developed a centralized land-based center from which to monitor all 13 of their offshore facilities in the North Sea, they turned to GE and its System 1 software. This article chronicles their journey and provides two case histories of how the software is solving problems and providing value.
  • Diagnosing and Correcting a Rub in a Mechanical Drive Steam Turbine at Syncrude Canada (896KB PDF)
    Syncrude's Terry Lupien and GE's Francesca Wei Wu explain how Syncrude Canada Ltd. used their System 1 software to diagnose a machinery problem, preventing more than 7MM CDN in production losses.
  • Synopsis of Savings (74KB PDF)
    Our condition monitoring systems and software don't cost - they pay! Here, we present seven short case history vignettes describing how real customers are receiving real value from their investment in our products and services.
Applications
  • Considerations When Using Extended Field Wiring Lengths with Bently Nevada Transducers (145KB PDF)
    Maximum field wiring lengths for use with our transducers are recommended not to exceed 1000 feet (305 meters). Why? Can longer lengths be used? And what happens if they are? This article by GE's Jared Angel describes the ins and outs of using longer field wiring lengths and how to avoid common pitfalls.
  • The Morton Effect and Light Rubs in Rotating Machinery (370KB PDF)
    Rubs in rotating machinery can lead to rotor hot spots that bow the shaft and give rise to oscillating amplitude and phase trends. But another phenomenon that has been more recently documented in the literature can also yield similar diagnostic data. This article by GE's Arthit Phuttipongsit discusses the two phenomena and how to differentiate between them.
Back to Basics
  • Beat Frequencies (197KB PDF)
    When two mechanical vibration frequencies occur very close to one another, a modulation or ""beat frequency"" effect can occur. In this aricle by GE's Arthit Phuttipongsit, the author provides practical advice by way of a tutorial and accompanying case history on how to isolate and understand this phenomenon.
From the Desk of…
  • Taking Excellent Care of Our Customers (79KB PDF)
    Chuck Adams, the new sales leader for GE's optimization and control business, introduces himself to our readers and explains why external customer focus is such a significant part of our culture and such a significant part of our emphasis moving forward.
  • MDS - At Your Service (50KB PDF)
    Bob Eisenmann, our new global manager for machinery diagnostic services, returns to our business after a 20-year absence with a wealth of knowledge and experience. In this article, Bob introduces himself and describes how MDS remains at your service.
New Product Showcase
  • An All-New Version of the ProxPac* Probe Housing Assembly (134KB PDF)
    This article introduces an updated version of a proximity probe housing that not only accommodates the probe and its cable, but also the Proximitor* module and uses are most advanced 3300 XL technology.
  • ADRE* Transducer Power Supply Module (75KB PDF)
    Our ADRE* 408 DSPi instrument is designed for the most demanding applications involving simultaneously collection of high-speed data from many channels. This article introduces and new module that allows the 408 chassis to simultaneously power up to 32 transducers.
  • New Stand-Alone Tach100 Tachometer Now Available (100KB PDF)
    There are times when a small, self-contained tachometer for displaying machine rotative speed is required, either for primary indication or as a secondary remote display device. The Tach100 is a completely updated version of our popular 37506A stand-alone tachometer, specifically designed to address these needs.
  • TK-3 Proximity System Test Kit (118KB PDF)
    Our TK-3 Wobulator test kit for calibrating and verifying the operation of proximity probes has been completely redesigned to be more portable, more rugged, and more efficient when conducting field work.
Recip Tips
  • Mechanical Protection for Cylinder Pressure Transducers (80KB PDF)
    Although our cylinder pressure transducers are rugged devices, a broken transducer has greater safety-related repercussions because it can vent hazardous and/or flammable gases to the atmosphere. The article disusses the additional mechanical protection that should accompany an installation of these transducers.
Announcements
  • Give us your e-mail, get e-ORBIT! (80KB PDF)
    Interested in receiving an electronic notification each time ORBIT is published so you can peruse the online version while you await your printed copy? This announcement explains how to sign-up.
  • Customer Application Centers (82KB PDF)
    In order to make our technology more easily accessible, we have opened a network of customer application centers in key locations around the globe, allowing customer hands-on access to our systems and software.
  • 2007 Users Conferences (175KB PDF)
    Each year, GE's optimization and control business hosts a series of users conferences at convenient global venues in our major geographic regions. This announcment provides information on event dates, locations, and topics along with a web address for comprehensive information and registration details.
  • Minden Facility Achieves VPP Recertification (83KB PDF)
    OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program recognizes those companies that have achieved the highest levels of safety and go beyond mandatory requirements to embraced additional levels of voluntary compliance. We're pleased to report that our Minden facility was recently recertified to this presigious and very demanding program.

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