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ME194
Damage to Main Diesel Generator's Tacho-Generator
Drive Unit Bevel-Gear
Technical committee

1. Main diesel generator model

T260L-ET

2. Outline of breakdown

While sailing from the west coast of North America to Tokyo, test operation was carried out on the No.
2 main generator as part of preparation to enter port. When the constant-speed operation of 720 rpm
was reached, operation lamp did not light.
Inspection showed that the tacho-generator drive unit had incurred the following damages.
1) Most of the tooth flanks of the bevel gear (17) were chipped and worn.
2) Part of bearing housing (1) was broken and had dropped off.
3) Bevel gear castellated nut (16) washer and cotter pin had dropped off.

3. Cause of breakdown

Later, inspection of other main generators detected the following problems.

No. 1 main diesel generator
(1) Cotter pin was severed (bevel gear castellated nut not loosened)
No. 3 main diesel generator
(1) Cotter pin and bevel gear castellated nut had dropped off.
(2) Bevel gear and shaft not firmly tightened (keyway or key flaw)
It is presumed that improper gear backlash, severing of cotter pin by vibration, loosened bevel gear
castellated nut and its dropping off caused damage to the gear.

4. Repair and Countermeasures

1) Tacho-generators for the No. 2 and No. 3 main diesel generators were replaced with new parts.
2) Amount of backlash was checked and restored to normal.
(Backlash 8 / 100-16 / 100 mm)
3) Gear inspection is to be performed at a regular basis.

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Rotary Generator (Tacho-generator) and Drive Unit