SENTRY

Wireless Temperature Monitoring

A unique system especially developed for temperature

monitoring of crank pin/crosshead bearings in diesel engines

• SENTRY - an innovative
application of the SAW
(Surface Acoustic Wave)
technology

• SENTRY – reduced risk of

engine breakdown

• SENTRY – approved by
classification societies as an
alternative to traditional oil
mist detectors

SOLAS (Chapter II-1, regulation 47) states that

• “Crank-case monitoring on periodically unattended

machinery can be performed by either oil-mist
detection or bearing temperature monitoring"
• “Bearing monitoring shall include crank-pin (big-end)
bearings, main bearings and cross-head bearings”

If the crank bearing - and crosshead bearing on

crosshead engines - is monitored by SENTRY and
the main bearing by conventional temperature
sensors, the oil mist detectors can thus be omitted.

SENTRY – Sensor
with antenna

SENTRY- patents pending: No 19991514, PCT/No00/00105

P-SENTRY/AE 2007-01-22
 Background: Medium speed main engine damages
Based on damage statistics presented by DNV (1990 – 1996)

Main Bearing & Journal 15.5 %

NB! *) Crank Bearing & Pin 14 %

Piston 12.5 %
Turbo Charger 12 %

Cylinder Block, Frame & Bedplate 11 %

Cylinder Liner 10.5 %
Fuel Pump, Camshaft & Drives 9%
Cylinder Cover & Valves 8.5 %

Connecting Rod Upper Bearing 3%

Others 4%
*) Application area of SENTRY

Statistics from Det Norske Veritas show that damage to crank bearings and crank pins in medium
speed engines represents 14 % of all engine damages. For high-speed engines the corresponding
figure is 17 %.

Temperature monitoring of crank bearings/crosshead bearings

SENTRY is designed to monitor the temperature on crank bearings/crosshead bearings in diesel
engines. These bearings can experience rapid temperature changes during damage development,
thus the sensors are designed to give immediate temperature response to the monitoring system.

Signal Processing Unit

Rx/Tx antennas

Temperature Sensor
Coax Cable

SENTRY – System components

 SENTRY – based on radar technology

The SENTRY system is based on a combination of radar technology and acoustic wave
technology. This enables the possibility of using high reliability Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)
sensors with no need for wiring or internal power sources.

The signal-processing unit generates a

low energy/high frequency radar pulse,
which is transmitted to the wireless
SAW sensor via the stationary
antenna. When the wireless sensor
passes the stationary antenna it is hit
by this radar pulse, and immediately
reflects a pulse back to the signal-
processing unit.

The temperature of the sensor uniquely determines the shape and characteristics of this
reflected pulse. A software algorithm then calculates the temperature and transmits this to the
engine monitoring and control system.

Main features and benefits

• Fast and reliable response – reduced false alarm rate

• Flexible mounting, compact and easy installation – light weight
sensor
• No active electronics in sensor - no batteries, no slip rings
• Can replace oil mist detection systems
• Significantly reduced risk for engine breakdown

The figure shows the temperature of a crank

bearing at various speed and load conditions.
The red curve shows the crank bearing
temperature measured by the SENTRY
system. The fast and accurate response is
clearly seen by comparing this curve to the
corresponding temperature curves of fresh
water and lubrication oil.
 Technical specifications

Overall system specifications:

Operating frequency 856 MHz
Material of SAW element LiNbO3
Measuring range 0 to 160 °C
Ambient temperature 0 to 80 °C
Accuracy ±2 °C
Sensor and antenna relative passage speed 1 to 30 m/sec.
Gap between temperature sensor and antenna 5 to 40 mm

The GBP100 Signal Processing Unit

Power Supply 24 VDC (18 to 36 VDC)
Power consumption Maximum 350 mA (without 4 to 20 mA output)
Maximum no. of input channels 16 pcs.
Output signal RS 485 (optional RS 232C, CAN, 4 to 20 mA)
Digital alarm output Slow down, shut down
Size housing 260 x 160 x 90 mm
Material housing Aluminium alloy
Protection IP66

The GBW100 Wireless Temperature Sensor

Sensor tip diameter 5.0 mm ±0.1 mm or 7.0 mm ±0.1 mm
Maximum temperature sensors tip 200 °C
Protection IP67
Weight 70 to 100 gram dependent of type
Material antenna body AISI 316

The GBS100 Stationary Antenna

Protection IP67
Weight Approximately 90 gram
Material antenna body AISI 316
Kongsberg Maritime reserves the rights to change the specifications without further notice

Gap between antennas: Lateral position Angle between antennas:

between antennas:

Angle =
Gap = 5 to 40 mm
Max. 5 mm max. 30 deg.

The installation of the stationary antenna relative to the internal antenna of the wireless
temperature sensor is extremely flexible and non-critical. The figures above illustrate the
unique installation flexibility of the SENTRY system.

Kongsberg Maritime AS
NO-7005 Trondheim Telephone: +47 73 58 10 00
Norway Telefax: +47 73 58 10 01
www.kongsberg.com
E-mail: km.sales@kongsberg.com