7500 HP Speed Increaser Gearbox Case History Bearing Problem-1
7500 HP Speed Increaser Gearbox Case History Bearing Problem-1
The 7500 HP Gearbox is a speed increaser with induction motor driver at 1777 rpm, and
output shaft at 3938 rpm driving a water injection pump which has experienced a history of
bearing failures since installation in 2005. The bearings supplied as well as the ones removed
from gearbox at repair shop were discovered to have the anti-rotation pin wrongly located.
This is a manufacturer error, not user error. Hence the bearings were fitted incorrectly
previously. The issue was spotted in year 2020 by the inhouse repair technicians in charge of
the job and undoubtedly caused issues such as instability and bearings damage from poor
lubrication.
The gearbox is a R-L as per API 613 which means HSS rotates CCW and LSS rotates CW. As per
OEM the oil dam should be located as shown below. “The pressure dam grooves are
positioned on the unloaded side of the bearing.” Note extracted from OEM gear manual.
Inhouse Consultant reviewed the shop findings to inspect gearbox and bearings and found
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Water Injection Pump 7500 HP Gearbox Low Reliability
Due to Radial Bearing Dam Incorrect Part Installation
the shop engineering to be correct; the gearbox historical failures were due to incorrect
manufacturing at OEM factory. “Excellent research work, the below drawings clearly show
how the oil dam orientation is supposed to be, so from now on the case is closed from CSD
point of view; just install them as shown below.” The new repair solved the root cause of
problem and has been extended to the sister machines.
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Water Injection Pump 7500 HP Gearbox Low Reliability
Due to Radial Bearing Dam Incorrect Part Installation
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Water Injection Pump 7500 HP Gearbox Low Reliability
Due to Radial Bearing Dam Incorrect Part Installation
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