mud pump motor thermal imaging brands

The famous sci-fi movie, Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, has our hero"s entire entourage of soldiers wiped out by an alien "Predator", using some nifty camo and what appears to be a infrared thermal targetting system for his weapon. Arnold faces the alien in a showdown at the end of the film, where he covers his body in mud, thus "hiding" from the alien"s infrared vision/target system and eventaully terminating the brute. However, was Arnold"s plan to cover himself in mud possible, or was it Hollywood"s "modified" science? Let"s learn about infrared imagers and see...

How does a thermal imager actually work? All objects above the temperature of absolute zero emit infrared energy (heat) as a function of temperature. Once the infrared emission is identified, the object has, as it is commonly reffered to, a "heat signature". Many weapon systems use a heat signatures to target an object, such as a fighter aircraft following its jet engine exhaust"s heat signature . It is a fact that the hotter an object is, the more infrared radiation, or energy, it emits. A thermal imager, thermal camera, or infrared camera (all the same thing) are sensors that are capable of detecting temperature differential. The thermal imager then paints a picture of the "heat signature" and gives the user an image of the signature. Now we see why this is such a valuable troubleshooting detection tool. Temperature cannot hide, so objects are easily detected by the thermal imager; small temperature changes can make amazing details in the scene scanned by the imager. Thermal imagerers really create a grayscale representation of the image: colder objects are colored black, hotter objects are colored white, and the depth of gray indicates differences between the two. Modern thermal cameras, however, add a progammable color pallete to the image to help users identify objects at different temperatures.

So back the the movie Predator and the famous conclusion...Could Arnold hide from the alien"s infrared thermal vision system using mud? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Arnold would have actually been easier for the alien to target since the mud would have created a bigger temperature differential to Arnold"s surroundings. Chances are, the mud would have lowered Arnold"s overall heat signature and he would have stood out prominetly in the tropical jungle. Remember, a thermal imager detects temperature DIFFERENTIAL; the only way Arnold could have hid his heat siganture would have been if his body temperature exactly matched his environment"s temperature. Stay in the mud pile Arnold! Any change in this temperture and the thermal signature would have been visible. So, Hollywood was taking some liberty with science once again in this now-famous movie, but let"s give them a pass because that was one cool sci-fi flick!

This category includes our offering of thermal imaging infrared cameras for industrial and commercial temperature analysis. Thermal imaging traditionally finds its application in low or no ambient light conditions such as night or total darkness. Thermal imagers can penetrate smoke, fog and haze. These features make the technology ideal for perimeter security and fire & rescue fields. With advancements in these fields, thermal imagers have found their uses in industrial plants and commercial buildings. The applications are almost countless and when the user"s safety is a concern, the thermal imager comes up big. Applications aside, thermal imagers are one of the biggest developments in measurement over the last 20 years.

Thermal NDT is a non-destructive testing method for parts, materials and systems. It involves the measurement of surface temperatures as heat travels through, in and out of an object. Thermal imaging cameras allow us to determine internal defects through observing differences on the surface of the target as well as through target excitation.

We are able to create images over a wide area to capture data on heat flow without requiring any intrusion or machinery stoppage. No radiation emissions are required, instead, it only records infrared radiation from the material being inspected. Infrared thermal inspection is very safe and can be performed at any time of day.

Infrared thermal inspection can be used to perform numerous types of safety checks that can reduce risk of fire, damage or product failure. Electrical and mechanical failure typically is preceded by a period of heat increases across various components.

Thermographic imaging is very effective in locating or verifying levels in tanks and silos. Infrared thermal imaging can show not only the liquid / gas interface, but can also reveal floating materials as well as sludge buildup.

A thermal imager can help check conditions that may compromise the integrity of your system. These conditions can include open circuits, overloads, unbalanced loads, fragile connections, inductive heating, harmonics, and defective electrical equipment.

Thermal imaging can be used to accurately measure the surface temperatures of various electronic components, PCBs, and other objects that may displays problems that wouldn’t ordinarily be observed.

Additionally, infrared thermal imaging can be an important tool in the design and manufacturing process, helping evaluate circuit designs and heat dissipation. As part of product testing and development, it can help avoid otherwise unseen design faults as well as mitigate expensive product recalls.

Hot or loose connectors - Thermal imaging inspection can be used to identify defective connections (‘hot joints’) preventing potential long-term damage.

Underfloor heating - We can use infrared thermal imaging to locate and map the network of sub-surface pipes and verify that the installation has met specification. The process can be used to assist in diagnosing the causes of poor performance areas as well as help locate the source of water leaks.

Overheated components - Our trained operators can find overheated substations, transformers and other electrical components. They use high-end thermal cameras similar to those employed by power companies to check overhead power lines and transformers.

Solar panels inspection - Combined use of thermal imaging cameras and UAVs allow us to comprehensively inspect faults. A range of solar module faults can be inspected from hot spots on the cells, diode failures, dirty modules, junction box heating, to fogging and coating issues. Additionally, we can inspect string and system faults which include wiring issues, charge controller issues, along with inverter and fuse failures. Importantly, thermal imaging can be used to inspect the racking and balance of the system to determine if the modules are mounted correctly.

HVAC maintenance - Infrared thermal imaging is useful to check for issues with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment such us the coils and compressors on refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Welding inspection- Thermal imaging can be used inspect spot welds and linear welds in real time. Thermal imagers can monitor and validate the temperature of a weld throughout and after its creation.

Pumps and motors - Thermal imaging analysis can be performed to spot overheated motors before they burn-out. Additionally, bearing housings, seal flush systems and motor leads can be inspected.

Bearings and Housings - Monitoring and identification of hot bearings, conveyor belts, housing and other components can be spotted using a thermal camera.

Motor vehicles - Specific vehicle mechanical issues such as overheated bearings, engine parts with uneven temperatures, and exhaust leaks can be found using thermal imaging.

Hydraulic systems - Using infrared imaging to conduct regular reliability tests on hydraulic systems can determine heat, speed, pressure issues and other potential failure points.

Aircraft maintenance - We can conduct fuselage inspection for de-bonding, cracks or loose components. For aviation inspection using thermal imaging, a heat flow is applied to the part being inspected. This is done either by applying energy in pulsed form or in a harmonic modulated way. The temperature of the inspected component is then recorded and an analysis conducted. The resulting image displays the internal structure of the component along with any potential defects.

Non-destructive testing using thermal imaging - Infrared non-destructive testing (IR NDT) is a valuable process for detecting voids, delaminations, and water inclusion in composite materials.

Leak detection- As it is not always obvious where the sources of a leak is located, or it may be expensive and/or destructive to find out. FLIR Thermal Cameras make this process much easier, safer, and can give you data in real-time. It can be used to detect methane, sulfur hexafluoride, and many other industrial gases without having to shutting down systems during inspection.

Hydronic heating - We can check the performance of in-slab or wall-panel hydronic heating systems. As thermal imaging cameras do not require light or physical interaction with the sample object, hydronic heating blockages can be assessed without any interference.

Moisture and mold detection - Thermal imagers can locate moisture through variations in heat patterns. FLIR cameras can detect cooler areas in the wall, an indicator of water evaporation and potential area for mold.

Restoration & rectification- Once proper restoration has been done on a moisture damaged property, thermal imaging can be used again to check that the problem has been solved.

Insurance claims - As part of evidence for insurance claims, thermal imaging can play an important role in providing evidence of a wide range of problems in building systems and structures such as moisture intrusion, damaged insulation, overloaded / damaged circuits, faulty wiring, construction defects, poor electrical connections, and post-fire damage.

Insulation defects - As cooling requires a lot of energy, it is critical that no external heat leaks in. We can perform insulation inspection using thermal imaging to assess insulation effectiveness, leaks and find gaps.

Air leakage - We can perform an energy audit using thermal imaging. Escaping air can be detected in HVAC as well as around windows, door frames and other building areas.

Heat transfer - As solar water heating (SWH) systems collect, store and transport heat, they are well-suited to being analyzed by thermal imaging. Effectiveness of heat transfer and temperature differentials can help understand the systems’ performance.

Cameron AC electric motors improve the performance of your mud pumps, drawworks, and rotary tables. Custom configuration is available, and ATEX, ABS, and DNV certification can be provided for new motors. Our flexible design offers you a choice between a tapered shaft or BullShaft to meet specific application requirements.

Cameron AC traction motors are designed and manufactured to handle deep drilling applications. Available in 400-hp, 550/600-hp, 1,150-hp, and 1,500/1,600-hp models, these inverter motors are designed specifically for 460-V to 690-V duty and deliver maximum efficiency. To meet varying installation requirements, our AC motors are available in vertical or horizontal designs.

Unlike conventional traction motors, Cameron AC motors have a unique design that meets the requirements of oil and gas applications. A key characteristic of the motor is the ability to provide a high level of torque at speeds ranging from 0 to 800 rpm (select motors can achieve a maximum speed up to 3,000 rpm). The torque generated at a wide range of speeds can enhance the performance of a broad array of drilling equipment driven by these motors.

Hydraulic systems are an integral part of many mobile and fixed machines. Because hydraulic components generate heat during normal operation, they are excellent subjects for thermal imaging. Quite often, failures in hydraulic systems are accompanied by a change in operating temperature. When hydraulic components are visually accessible, thermal imaging and non-contact thermometry can provide valuable data for system diagnostics. This paper will discuss the theory and operation of hydraulic systems, common system failures, and the proper application of thermal imaging for hydraulic system diagnostics.

Troubleshooting hydraulic systems requires knowledge in basic hydraulic theory, hydraulic systems and troubleshooting. So, how can Infrared (IR) Equipment (i.e. thermal imagers/cameras and spot radiometers/laser thermometers) be used to analyze and troubleshoot hydraulic systems?

During the course of this presentation, discussion and emphasis will be on using non- contact temperature (IR) readings to analyze an operating hydraulic system. The paper will also present some of the more common reasons for elevated operating temperatures. The use of IR equipment may and should be used in conjunction with your system’s thermal indicating systems and/or the instruments just noted.

It takes time for a hydraulic driven operation to occur. The time taken can be crucial in determining which pump, motor, or actuator is not performing properly.

The pump (1) is intended to provide a constant flow. The relief valve (pressure regulator) (2) is normally set to a level just above that produced within the operating system. The pressure gauge (3) observes operating system pressure. The control valve (4) provides operating pressurized fluid to the double acting cylinder (5). The heat exchanger (or oil cooler, radiator) (6) in conjunction with a reservoir (or oil tank) maintains a fluid temperature that is below component damaging and fluid damaging temperatures.

Consider a simple example. A technician uses a previously unopened can of oil to completely fill a system/tank that uses a 25 GPM pump that will be run continuously. The pump in this system will circulate around 3,500 pounds of dirt to the system’s components each year (Ref. 1). The source might be a teaspoon full of particulate found in the clean oil and then recirculated continuously. Elevated system temperatures will occur. This elevated temperature can be observed by the thermographer.

Gear and piston pumps will have seal clearances ranging from 0.5 to 10 microns, while a linear actuator might have clearances ranging from 50 to 250 microns. With component wear due to poor filtering of contaminants; you might find a defective component by its elevated heat in comparing components within your system.

Next a thermographer might view the hydraulic reservoir (oil tank). If oil tank levels are low, inlet line sizing is wrong or oil tank filtering is improper, cavitation of the pump in a previously working system can be expected and the pump (and oil) will run hotter. The oil tank is typically the hydraulic system’s primary heat sink. If sized or installed wrong (like locating it next to a wall), heat may not be dissipated in sufficient quantity to maintain a thermally balanced system, and the system will heat up beyond its fluids and components maximum temperature limits. This will result in increased particle contaminants and viscosity changes in the oil, with even greater heating of the system occurring as a consequence.

DC solenoids draw a fixed current. A DC coil failure is usually caused by coil aging, physical and/or thermal damage. Their heat signature can be previously known (i.e. recorded) and an open coil can be observed by the thermographer.

Another use of infrared equipment is in analyzing the circuit(s) driven by pump(s). If a system has been working for a while, plumbing, fluids and components will be warmed up, even hot. Some multiple systems share the hydraulics, but only when called upon to do so. The offline components in the intermittent circuit can be cold. When hit by the hot hydraulic oil, thermal shocking of those components can occur. This shock can result in seal leakage, shafts binding and shearing the shear key on hydraulic motors. A thermographer will be able to see and question offline parts of an operating hydraulic system.

Thermally view an operating hydraulic system globally, then by component and plumbing. IR imagers can allow the thermographer to get the “big picture,” before diving into a specific area.

Check the suction and case drain lines of the pump by recording the temperatures at points “A” and “B” in Figure 1. The oil in the “A” line should be very near the oil temperature in the reservoir. The oil that flows out of the case drain line (B), is the oil that bypasses the internal components inside the pump. Most piston pumps bypass 1-3 percent of the maximum pump volume. Vane pumps may bypass as much as 5 percent of the maximum rated volume. For a 30-gallon-per-minute piston pump, the amount of oil in this line should be one-third (1 gallon per minute). Because the oil does no useful work, heat will be generated as the oil bypasses the internal pistons. This line, of course, will be hotter than the oil entering the pump through the suction line.

The suction and case drain temperatures are shown in Figure 2. The oil entering the pump is 126 degrees F, while the oil in the case drain is 135 degrees F. As the pump wears, the bypassing will increase, causing an increase in temperature of the case drain line. If the pump is checked a month later and the temperature in the case drain is 145 degrees F, then the pump has worn considerably. The flow rate should then be checked by installing a flow meter in the line. If the flow rate reaches or exceeds 10 percent of the maximum pump volume, the pump should be replaced.

In the previous example, a flow rate of 3 gallons per minute (GPM) would indicate a badly worn pump. Since the amount of case drain flow can vary from one pump manufacturer to another, the key is to make initial temperature checks when the pump is relatively new to establish a reference. Permanent installation of a flow meter in the case drain line is also recommended.

Check the tank line temperature of the air bleed valve at point “C” in Figure 1. The purpose of the air bleed valve is to automatically bleed air out of the line when the pump is first started. These valves are most commonly found on systems where the pump is mounted above the oil level. Once the air is bled out and the hydraulic pressure builds to the spring setting (approximately 12 pounds per square inch), the valve will shift closed. The valve is relatively small and can only handle a flow rate of 2 GPM. In most systems, the pump volume is higher than 2 GPM. Although the full pump volume usually cannot flow through the valve, heat will be generated if the valve fails open. This can increase the oil temperature as well as cause the actuators to move slower, particularly if a low-volume pump is used.

Check the tank line temperature of the relief valve (RV) at point “D” in Figure 1. In a system where a pressure-compensating pump is used, the relief valve spring should be set 250-300 pounds per square inch (PSI) above the compensator setting. The purpose of the relief valve is to provide a flow path in the event the compensator spool fails to shift and reduce the pump volume to a near 0 GPM output. The tank line of the relief valve should be at ambient temperature.

In Figure 4, the tank line is 99.7 degrees F, well below the oil temperature in the reservoir. If this line is hot, then the pump compensator spool has failed to shift, the relief valve is stuck partially open or the plant knob-turner has increased the compensator setting above the relief valve setting.

Check the temperature at the top (K) and bottom (L) of the accumulator shell. The bottom half of the accumulator should be warmer than the top half. The heat is generated by the friction of the oil as it flows in and out of the shell. On a bladder type of accumulator, the rubber bladder will be compressed to the top part of the shell. When the pressure drops in the system, the bladder will expand and force oil out of the accumulator. If the temperatures are nearly the same, this indicates the dry nitrogen pre-charge has leaked out, the pre-charge is higher than the pump compensator setting or the bladder has ruptured. Piston accumulators will show a greater difference in heat than bladder types.

Geo Therm is a leading thermal imaging survey company with a proven track record of delivering quality survey inspections worldwide. Geo Therm provides invaluable and immediate data for a variety of applications, from the marine super yacht markets to the oil and gas production and drilling industries and even the domestic housing market.

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive technique used to identify the condition of building envelopes, machine types and electrical systems to reveal potential problems that the human eye cannot detect.

Our thermal imaging services can improve asset safety and save offshore companies tens of thousands of pounds in rig and installation downtime by the early detection and prevention of electrical and mechanical incidents.

Our handheld thermal imaging cameras can non-invasively detect temperatures ranging from -40°C to 1,500°C with minimal interference to on-going operations. Our cameras have saved service crews, drilling and production companies many hundreds of thousands of pounds with each survey.

Geo Therm’s thermal imaging services are an asset to any offshore preventative maintenance department. Our exception-based interim reports provide a rapid turnaround of information after each survey completion, and a further two finalised reports are sent to your company headquarters within five working days on return to our UK office.

Within the pipe and process industries thermal infrared inspections are used as a condition monitoring tool and process evaluation technique, remotely gathering thermal information for monitoring the condition of virtually any component or process operation. The differences in physical properties and / or defects of various materials will result in temperature variations on the surface of the body or within the process.

If the object is in good operating condition a ‘normal’ thermal pattern or signature is displayed; however, thermal properties change with corrosion, cracking, erosion, leaks blockages, varying fluid levels, coking, scale build up, flow restrictions, blockages, channelling, leaks, lubricant deficiencies, deposit formations, and thinning. By monitoring the operating condition of the object proactive decisions can be made.

Many problems in electrical systems are caused by abnormal heating associated with high resistance (poor contact) or excessive current flow. Infrared thermography allows us to see this elevated temperature before the component ‘glows’ in the visible spectrum and contributes to fire ignition. By using our thermographic services we will quickly locate abnormal thermal signatures, pinpointing problems among the hundreds of thousands of electrical connections aboard your rig or process facility, saving downtime and encouraging better electrical PM and operational safety. A properly instituted electrical IR inspection programme will help indicate:Phase imbalances, broken insulation and inductive heating

Mud Pump is one of the most critical equipment on the Rig; Powerful Mud Pumps pick up mud from the suction tank and circulate the mud down hole, out the bit and back to the surface.

In Rigs, two types of Mud Pumps are mostly used; namely, Triplex Pumps or Duplex Pumps, whereas Triplex Pumps have three pistons that move back-and-forth in liners. Duplex Pumps have two pistons move back and forth in liners.

Constant use of the Mud Pumps disturbs balancing of the Rotating components and the imbalance causes vibration, resulting in reduced Pump performance efficiency. To rectify such imbalanced Components and to retain the Pump performance efficiency, Dynamic Balancing is highly recommended.

Durability:You need to consider how long your thermal imagers will last before you buy it. Investing in something that will last longer than buying something that will break down after just a few uses is always better.

Quality:The quality of thermal imagers should be considered before buying it. A good product will have high-quality materials used during manufacturing and construction.

This is a great way to know what other people have experienced with thermal imagers. You can check out user reviews on Amazon or other websites where users can post their thoughts on a product. The best place to look for reviews is on Amazon, which has a star rating system that gives you an idea of how good or bad a product is. If there are enough reviews with bad ratings (less than 3 stars), it’s probably not worth buying that product.

There are many types of thermal imagers you can buy. Some are basic, while others are advanced. You need to determine what type of product you need and then buy one that fits your needs. For example, if you want a simple product, the best choice is a basic one. However, suppose you want something more advanced. In that case, it’s better to get an expensive one because it will have extra features.

The product size also matters when choosing the right thermal imagers for yourself or someone else, as different people have different requirements when using their products. For example, if there is someone who uses large sized products or devices, then he/she would need something bigger than others who use smaller devices or tools. Therefore, it is important that you look at the size of each product before purchasing them so that they can meet all your needs and requirements in terms of size.

You need to buy a branded product because it has been tested and proven effective by many people before you buy it. Brands also have guarantees on their thermal imagers so that if anything happens to your new item within the warranty period, they will repair it or replace it without hassle.

You should consider how long the thermal imagers will last. This is because it is important for you to buy something that will serve your needs for years. If many people have used a particular product without any problem, then it means that it is durable and can serve your purpose well.

When buying a thermal imagers, make sure that it is easy to use so that you do not experience any difficulties while using it after purchase. Some thermal imagers may look great but are too complicated for your level of expertise or knowledge about them. Make sure that the product is user-friendly so that even someone who does not have much experience can use it comfortably without any problems or inconveniences whatsoever.