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SSSClutch|AMPMaintenanceForums

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/ POSTS ABOUT VIBRATION/ALIGNMENT/BALANCE / SSS CLUTCH

9 REPLIES

SSS Clutch
VIBRAMAC MESSENGER
7/17/10 2:55 AM

Has anyone experienced vibration issues with this clutch system? On engagement the unit
experiences the Newkirk or Morton Effect. Apparently, as soon as the clutch is disengaged the
rotating vectors disappear. Been told that 4 other units experienced the same problem.
Original Post

VIBRAMAC MESSENGER
7/17/10 3:07 AM

Has anyone experienced vibration issues with a SSS clutch system? On engagement the unit
experiences the Newkirk or Morton Effect. Apparently, as soon as the clutch is disengaged the
rotating vectors disappear. Been told that 4 other units experienced the same problem.
Forgot to enter the clutch type on the rst thread.

WALT STRONG LEADER

7/17/10 11:14 AM

Vibramac,
I am familiar with the Morton Effect, but I have no experience with SSS Clutches. With clutch
engaged all components rotate at the same speed, so it is not obvious how Morton Effect can
play a role in vibrations. My initial reaction would be to review machining tolerances for
excessive looseness, factory balance quality (actual not speci ed), and assembly eccentricity
(affecting unbalance). Please post any ndings on this topic.
Walt

OLI LEADER
7/18/10 3:43 AM

I have experienced loss of 1 worth of spring due to fatigue that dispersed inside the clutch
mostly gave a result of Murphy effect and at least strange vibrations and random marks
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inside, after refurbing and replacing unit still works after some 5-8 years as a emergency
power only so it has limited operating hours. Olov

JON MCFADDEN MESSENGER

7/18/10 6:41 AM

Here are some links to the information being asked about:

Morton Effect
Newkirk and Morton Effect
SSS Clutch

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Links_to_SSS_Drive.doc

WALT STRONG LEADER

7/18/10 12:06 PM

Jon,
The Disertation that you references contains a reference to a paper I coauthored on Morton
Effect. I can understand from Olov that vibration was primarily from a loose part and possibly
unbalance from ratchet pawl or forced eccentricity from broken spring parts jambed into
clearances betweemn sliding components. The clutch is primarily engaged or disengaged, so
where is the relative motion that would cause a rub and potential Morton Effect?
Walt
Walt

JOHN FROM PA LEADER

7/18/10 1:02 PM

I have had experience with several hundred SSS clutches. I have never seen the Morton Effect,
at least in the classic sense, which is caused by differential viscous shearing within the
bearing lubricant. Keep in mind that a simple rub or a well lubricated rub can cause very
similar symptoms in the form of rolling phase, often best observed in a trend polar plot. The
effect is a spiral since the phase is contantly rolling.
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Also, con rm your description. If the input side of the SSS Clutch is at say 3600 RPM, and the
output side is at 3580, the clutch will be disengaged and you can get rising and falling
amplitudes as the components change their relative positons and the imbalance is
sometimes cumulative and high, and sometimes cumulative and low. This is due to the two
independent rotating vectors, one of which is related to the input and one the output. Upon
engagement, the input and outside side are locked, and the rising and falling characteristic of
the vibration should disappear. It is desirable to have accurate RPM indications for both sides
of the cluch.
I would rst be inclined to rule out the possibility of a light rub rather than the differential
temperature in the lubricant as the cause.
John from PA

VIBRAMAC MESSENGER
7/21/10 7:58 AM

Gentleman, I thank each and everyone for their inputs.

My knowledge on SSS clutchs is nil but my line of thought regarding the Morton Effect is that
the larger clutchs have and I quote 'Where necessary, an oil dashpot is incorporated in the
end stop to cushion the clutch engagement'. I took this as the relationship between viscous
shearing that could cause the Morton Effect.
This unit comprises of a gas turbine the drives a generator which is then coupled to a steam
turbine through the SSS. At low MW's the gas turbine is suf cient and for higher loads the
steam turbine is then coupled with the SSS. I must mention that the SSS sits next to the
exciter and typical of exciter rotors this assembly cannot be disregarded when it comes to
rotating vectors.
John, I assume your last statement should read that you suspect a light rub rather then a
differential temperature problem?

JOHN FROM PA LEADER

7/21/10 11:25 AM

Vibramac,
I suggest you review the items posted above by Jon McFadden, in particuler the last item that
describes how the SSS clutch operates. There is a "sliding component". The dashpot when
employed simply cushions the movement of the sliding device. As such it would not be able
to set up any differential temperatures that would initiate classic Morton Effect.
These clutches can be sensitive to alignment. Think of the input and output side essentially
sagging in the middle. Usually they have xtures to properly support the rotating components
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so that the connected machines can be properly aligned. If you've done an alignment, I would
verify that it has been done properly.
Again, when these devices are very near engagement, I would expect a rising and falling of
amplitude due to the cumulative imbalance of the input and output being in phase and then
out of phase as the relative speed varies by the amount of slip. When engagement occurs the
slip goes to "zero" and the vibration will stop its cyclical behavior. The vibration as far as
amplitude and phase may vary engagement to engagement depending on the phases of the
rotating compoment when engagement occurs. years ago, when I was involved with these
devices for the Spruance Class Navy destroyers, we had to do 20 or so random engagements
and all had to pass some vibration spec.
John from PA

JON MCFADDEN MESSENGER

7/21/10 2:59 PM

quote:
The Disertation that you references contains a reference to a paper I coauthored on
Morton Effect.

Impressive, Walt.

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