TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

Wärtsilä 4-stroke WS23T002

Technical Services Issue 5, 24 September 2014

Big end bearing temperature

For your information
monitoring system
Information to Operators and Owners of concerned Concerned engines / components
installations WÄRTSILÄ® Vasa 32, 32LN and
32LNGD engines equipped with
three-piece or H-profile connecting
rods
WÄRTSILÄ® 32, 32DF, 32GD,
34DF and 34SG engines
WÄRTSILÄ® 46, 46GD, 50DF and
50SG engines

Reference
11 Crank Mechanism
23 Instrumentation and Automation

Section
500 Transducer, Instrument Panel,
Thermometers

Introduction
This bulletin contains information about
the Wärtsilä wireless temperature
monitoring system of the connecting rod
big end bearings.

Validity / Issue
Until further notice, replacing issue 04
dated 31.01.2007.

Note
Updates in issue 5:
Product Specification updated
Scope of concerned engines has
been expanded.

Wärtsilä Finland Oy Services 24 hrs Tel: +358 10 709 080

P.O. Box 252 (Tarhaajantie 2) Switchboard Tel: +358 10 709 0000
FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland Fax: +358 6 356 7374
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

WS23T002, Issue 5, Page 2 / 2 + 11

Introduction
The Wärtsilä wireless big end bearing temperature monitoring system improves the
operational safety by continuously monitoring the temperature of the bearings. Besides
real-time monitoring, the unit also include an alarm function. The alarm is triggered in
case the bearing temperature for any reason exceeds a preset value. The alarm can
also be utilized for slow down/shutdown of the engine.

Figure 1, Big end bearing temperature monitoring system

Recommendation
The installation of the temperature monitoring system should be performed by
authorized Wärtsilä personnel. It is recommended that the system is installed during
engine overhaul to minimize engine downtime. For a quotation and for further
information please contact your closest Wärtsilä Services Network.

Enclosures
Product Specification, DBAD173839, 11 pages

Contacts
For questions about the content of this Technical Bulletin, or if you need Wärtsilä
assistance, services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest Wärtsilä
representative.
If you don’t have the contact details at hand, please follow the link “Contact us” –
“24h Services” on the Wärtsilä webpage:
www.wartsila.com

© 2014 Wärtsilä Finland Oy – All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, graphic, photocopying,
recording, taping or other information retrieval systems) without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Wärtsilä Finland Oy
makes no representation, warranty (express or implied) in this publication and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, errors or
omissions for information contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change without notice.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth, no recommendation contained in this document or any of its appendices is to be construed as
provided due to a defect of the product, but merely as an improvement of the product and/or the maintenance procedures relating thereto.
Any actions by the owner/operator as a result of the recommendations are not covered under any warranty provided by Wärtsilä and such
actions will thus be at the owners/operators own cost and expense.
NO LIABILITY WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, IS ASSUMED WITH RESPECT TO
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS PUBLICATION IS CONFIDENTIAL AND INTENDED FOR INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY.
 Product Specification
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Services Tuote-erittely Produktspecifikation
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 1 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Big end bearing temperature

monitoring system - improved
operational safety

1. General overview

The connecting rod big end bearing is a key component in the engine. The
bearing has to withstand and transfer the power from the combustion to the
crankshaft, and any disturbances in e.g. lubrication may quickly lead to severe
bearing damage. A big end bearing failure may lead to severe damages to the
crankshaft and engine block. Real-time monitoring of the bearing temperature
is an efficient way of detecting abnormalities in the bearing performance and
thereby preventing events that could lead to extended unplanned engine
downtime. Wärtsilä offers a wireless big end bearing temperature monitoring
system which measures the temperature of each bearing. The system includes
hardwired alarm and shutdown/slowdown functions. This specification
describes the new Sentry GBP-200 big end bearing temperature monitoring
system which is an upgrade from the previous Sentry GBP-100 system.

2. Function description

The wireless big end bearing temperature monitoring system utilizes a

technology called Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW). The system includes a
passive sensor (passive = without external power supply) mounted in the

Subject to change without notice. Copyright 2005 Wärtsilä Corporation. Validity: Until further notice, replacing issue 04 with date 2.3.2005.
This product is developed in co-operation with Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems

Wärtsilä Finland Oy P.O. Box 252 (Tarhaajantie 2) Telecop. +358 6 356 7355 Tel. +358 10 709 0000 Business ID 0773744-3
Service, Vaasa FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland Telecop. +358 6 356 7366 Registered Office: Vaasa, Finland
Wärtsilä Finland Oy P.O. Box 50 (Stålarminkatu 45) Telecop. +358 2 264 3279 Tel. +358 10 709 0000
Service, Turku FIN-20811 Turku, Finland Telecop. +358 2 264 3410
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 2 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

connecting rod and an antenna mounted at a certain distance (normally about

15 mm) from the sensor. (See pictures 1 and 2). As the crankshaft and
connecting rod rotate, the sensor passes the antenna which transmits a low
energy / high frequency radar pulse to the sensor resulting in a reflection back
to the antenna. The reflected sensor signal is transmitted from the antenna
through a coaxial cable backwards to the Signal Processing Unit (SPU).

Picture 1, Antenna and sensor setup on a Wärtsilä V32 engine

Picture 2, Antenna and sensor setup on a Vasa V32LN engine

Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 3 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Picture 3, Measuring principle

(Source : Kongsberg Maritime)

3. System part description

3.1 Main components

The main components of the Sentry system are shown in the following
picture:

Picture 4, System components

(Source : Kongsberg Maritime)
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 4 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Down below follows a description of the components in picture 4:

1. Signal Processing Unit (SPU)

The SPU is mounted in a WTB (Wärtsilä Terminal Box) enclosure with cable
glands, which is standard for engine mounted modules on Wärtsilä UNIC
engine control and monitoring systems. The SPU performs the temperature
calculations, data communication and signaling to the power plant/ship
automation system. The unit has got three potential free relay contacts for high
alarm, high/high alarm (shutdown/slowdown) and hardware watchdog. The
temperature information can be transmitted to the external systems by RS-485
Modbus, CANOpen or 4-20 mA signals (one for each cylinder). There is one
pair of terminals for 24 VDC main power supply as well as one pair for back-up
power supply in the SPU. There is also a special EX-version of the unit. (Not
included in standard design packages).

2. Coaxial cable
The system includes coaxial cables with preassembled snap-on coaxial
connectors, one cable for each cylinder/connecting rod.

3. Lead-through piece
The lead-though pieces are installed in the engine block wall by drilling and
threading one hole per cylinder. The lead-through piece connects the antenna
cabling inside the crankcase to the cabling on the outside of the engine block.
It also grounds the coaxial cable shields to the same potential as the engine
block.

Picture 5, Lead-through piece in the engine block and coaxial cables, Wärtsilä V32
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 5 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

4. Antenna
The antenna is mounted on an engine type specific bracket inside the
crankcase. (See picture 1) The coaxial cable (going to the lead-through
piece) is pre-installed to the antenna from the factory and comes in different
lengths with pre-installed snap-on connectors. There is a special version of
the antenna for ATEX-applications with another type of lid, which prevents
the build-up of an electric charge. (Not included in standard design
packages)

5. Sensor
The sensor is installed in the connecting rod so that the tip is located near
the surface of the big end bearing shell. The sensor hole is pre-drilled during
manufacturing for some newer connecting rods but usually in retrofit
projects, the hole is drilled at site by using special drilling jigs. For Vasa 32
engines, there are two different connecting rods : h-profile rods for regular
Vasa 32 engines and three-piece rods (also called marine connecting rods)
for Vasa 32LN engines. (See picture 7) The sensor tip includes the SAW
element and it can be flat, rounded or pointed, depending on the connecting
rod type. As for the antenna, there is also a special ATEX-version of the
sensor. (Not included in standard design packages)

Picture 6, Sensor drilling in connecting rod, Wärtsilä 46

Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 6 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

H-profile connecting rod

Picture 7, H-profile (left) and three-piece (right) connecting rods for Vasa 32 and Vasa
32LN engines

3.2 Installation specific components and systems

3.2.1 Interface to the plant/ship automation system

The big end bearing temperature monitoring system needs to be connected to
an existing plant/ship automation system in order to enable the monitoring,
alarm and shutdown/slowdown functions. The different interfaces are shown in
pictures 8-14. The preferred solution is to use RS-485 Modbus rather than 4-
20 mA signals because of the need for less cabling. If the engine is equipped
with UNIC C2 or UNIC C3 engine automation, the system can be integrated
into UNIC by connecting the SPU(s) to the existing CANOpen bus input of the
Main Control Module in the engine main cabinet. The shutdown signal and
power supplies are also wired to/from the engine main cabinet. By doing so,
the existing databus between the engine and the plant/ship automation system
can be utilized. In case of UNIC C1, Basic or WECS engine automation levels,
the SPU(s) are connected directly to the plant/ship automation system.
However, in UNIC C1, the shutdown signal only is connected to UNIC (Engine
Safety Module in the engine main cabinet).

3.2.2 Stand-alone display unit

If there is no possibility to transmit all data from the SPU:s to an existing
plant/ship automation system, a stand-alone display unit can also be provided.
The bus/signal cables are thereby wired from the SPU(s) to the display unit,
which serves as a local Human Machine Interface (HMI) system with monitoring
of the big end bearing temperatures. However, in order to get a fully working
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 7 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

system with automatic safety functions, the alarm & shutdown/slowdown

signals from the SPU:s need to be wired and integrated in the existing
plant/ship alarm and shutdown systems. The interconnection layouts for
systems with local display units are shown in pictures 13 and 14.

Picture 8, Interconnection layout, diesel power plant with Basic / UNIC C1 engine
automation and 4-20 mA temperature signals from the SPU:s (to be used only if the
standard solution in picture 9 is not possible)
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 8 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Picture 9, Interconnection layout, diesel/gas power plant with Basic / UNIC C1 / WECS
2000 / WECS 3000 / WECS 8000 engine automation and RS-485 Modbus temperature
data transmission from the SPU:s (standard solution, preferred)

Picture 10, Interconnection layout (typical), marine engine with Basic / UNIC C1 / WECS
2000 / WECS3000 / WECS8000 engine automation and 4-20 mA temperature signals
from the SPU:s (to be preferred if the standard solution in picture 11 is not possible)
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 9 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Picture 11, Interconnection layout (typical), marine engine with Basic / UNIC C1 / WECS
2000 / WECS 3000 / WECS 8000 engine automation and RS-485 Modbus temperature
data transmission from the SPU:s (standard solution, preferred)

Picture 12, Interconnection layout, power plant or marine engine with UNIC C2 or UNIC
C3 engine automation.
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 10 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

Picture 13, Interconnection layout, power plant engine with local display unit. (All engine
automation levels/types)

Picture 14, Interconnection layout, marine engine with local display unit- (All engine
automation levels/types)
Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Service Product specification
Service product Concerns engine type Reference Date Revision Document No. Page
Wireless Bearing 32, 32LN, 32DF, 34SG WFI–S 15.9.2014 A DBAD173839 11 (11)
Temp. Monitoring W32, W34, W46, W50

4. Ordering information

If you wish to receive more information concerning wireless big end bearing
temperature monitoring for your specific Wärtsilä engine installation, please
contact your local Wärtsilä office.