High Power, High Pitch Velocity Gear Box Failures in Oil Production Fields
This Paper describes continuation of efforts to improve the low reliability of the high power, high pitch velocity gear boxes. These gear boxes are located in oil and gas production facilities (OAGPF) and serve to transmit the power from gas turbine drivers to large, two or three case turbo compressor trains. Life expectancy of these gear boxes did not meet predicted life expectancy of typical high speed, high energy gear boxes. This paper deals with various modifications of these gear boxes which were necessary to improve very low, initial 34% reliability. The series of modifications improved gear boxes life expectancies, however they never reached desired goal that is at least 10 years of continuous service without gear elements failures.