The sensitivity of early oil mist detectors enabled very advanced warnings to be given of incipient bearing failures. In two-stroke engines, warnings were given up to 5-6 hours before any problems became apparent. As engine design improved, power outputs and bearing loads increased and tolerances to failure rapidly decreased. To keep pace with these trends, Oil Mist Detector design improved in terms of better sampling and faster response times. The new Graviner Mk6 OMD is the result of some latest developments.

Graviner Mk6 OMD is an analogue addressable oil mist detection system, capable of monitoring up to 64 detector heads fitted on up to 8 engines. This is achieved without any sample pipes and with the minimum of cables. Each detector head monitors a single crankspace and is a stand-alone device. When assigned a unique address and supplied with 24V DC it will gather oil mistdensity data and convert it to a digital signal for transmission via the data loop to the control unit.

The control unit’s LCD display will show, on demand, the signal from each detector and indicate the average oil mist level for each engine. In the event of an alarm, the display will immediately show the oil mist signals for the relevant engine. In the event of a detector fault, that detector can be isolated without affecting the other detectors on the engine. The system will continue to operate while the faulty detector is being replaced.