Client: Indian Navy
Vessel: India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)
Application: 44,000 kW Twin-Shaft Gas Turbine Propulsion System
Challenge: Accurate, Reliable, and Low-Maintenance Shaft Power Measurement for Critical Naval Operations

Context

The Indian Navy required a state-of-the-art shaft power measurement system for their prestigious first indigenously built aircraft carrier (IAC). Powered by twin-shaft gas turbines, each delivering 44,000 kW, the vessel is a testament to India’s naval engineering capabilities. The Navy issued a global tender for a system that could offer precise, reliable, and low-maintenance shaft power measurement, crucial for ensuring the ship’s propulsion system would operate at peak efficiency.

Solution: Vib360 Shaft Power Measurement System

We proposed our Vib360 Shaft Power Measurement System, which uses advanced torsional vibration (TV) technology to provide real-time, highly accurate shaft power readings. The system was designed to meet the Navy’s critical requirements, including no moving parts, ensuring low maintenance, high durability, and repeatable accuracy for continuous monitoring of the ship’s performance.

Implementation and Trials

To validate the system’s performance, the Indian Navy installed six competing systems on the aircraft carrier for extensive trials. These trials involved operating the carrier across a wide range of conditions, from low-speed maneuvers to high-speed operations. Data from the Vib 360 system was rigorously compared with the ship’s existing Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and with other competing systems to assess accuracy and reliability.

Results

The Vib 360 system exceeded expectations in several key areas during the trials:

1. Accuracy and Repeatability: Vib360 provided highly accurate and consistent power measurements, even under fluctuating load conditions, outperforming competing systems in terms of precision.
2. No Moving Parts: The system’s non-intrusive design, with no moving components, significantly reduced the risk of mechanical failures and minimized the need for regular maintenance, making it ideal for a high-performance naval vessel like an aircraft carrier.
3. Ease of Maintenance: Vib 360’s simple installation and low maintenance requirements were critical advantages, as naval vessels require minimal downtime for repairs or servicing, especially during long missions at sea.

Outcome

Based on the outstanding trial results, the Indian Navy selected the Vib360 Shaft Power Measurement System for permanent installation on their first indigenous aircraft carrier. The key factors for selection included the system’s accuracy, repeatability, ease of maintenance, and robust design, all of which met the Navy’s stringent operational requirements.

By adopting the Vib360 system, the Indian Navy now benefits from:

1. Optimized propulsion performance, with real-time, precise power measurements ensuring the carrier operates efficiently at all times.
2. Reduced maintenance costs and downtime, thanks to the system’s no-moving-parts design
3. Long-term operational reliability, supporting the strategic needs of the Indian Navy’s flagship vessel.

Conclusion

The selection of the Vib360 Shaft Power Measurement System for India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for critical naval operations. The Vib360 system’s ability to deliver accurate, reliable, and maintenance-free performance played a pivotal role in ensuring the long-term operational success of this prestigious vessel, reinforcing the value of advanced vibration monitoring technology in modern naval engineering. The system has subsequently been approved for installation on the Navy’s newly built Vessels and Submarines.