Engine Vibration Monitoring (Ships & Marine Propulsion Systems)

Reduces downtime at sea

Vibration

Quick Overview

Problem

Marine propulsion engines operate under continuous load, vibration, and harsh environmental conditions. Progressive mechanical degradation—bearing wear, imbalance, misalignment—often remains undetected until failures cause loss of propulsion, voyage delays, or costly repairs at sea or in port.

Solution

SENSAiO’s wireless vibration sensors provide continuous monitoring of marine engine vibration behaviour, enabling early detection of mechanical faults and predictive maintenance for ship propulsion systems.

Value

Reduced propulsion failures • Improved vessel availability • Lower maintenance cost • Safer marine operations

ATEX

Not required for engine rooms in most cases; ATEX-certified vibration sensors available for fuel handling or hazardous zones

The Operational Challenge

Marine engines are critical assets for:

  • Main propulsion systems
  • Auxiliary generators
  • Thrusters and manoeuvring equipment
  • Emergency and backup power systems

These engines operate in environments characterised by:

  • Continuous vibration and variable load
  • Salt-laden air and humidity
  • Limited access during operation
  • High cost of failure at sea

Common failure mechanisms include:

  • Bearing wear and lubrication loss
  • Shaft misalignment
  • Rotor imbalance
  • Structural resonance
  • Progressive coupling degradation

Traditional monitoring relies on:

  • Periodic vibration measurements
  • Manual inspections during port calls
  • Reactive maintenance after alarms

This leads to late fault detection and operational disruption.

Why Engine Vibration Monitoring Matters

Vibration analysis is the primary indicator of rotating machinery health.

Continuous vibration monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect bearing defects before failure
  • Identify imbalance or misalignment early
  • Monitor degradation trends over time
  • Schedule maintenance during planned port stops

For vessels at sea, early detection prevents propulsion loss and improves safety for crew and cargo.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless vibration monitoring solution designed for marine propulsion systems.

Core Components

Vibration Sensor

High-sensitivity vibration measurement capturing acceleration and frequency spectra relevant to marine engine behaviour.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with ship automation systems, condition monitoring platforms, and fleet management tools.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered magnetic or bolted installation on engine blocks or bearing housings — no cabling required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of mechanical degradation
  • Reduced risk of propulsion failure
  • Optimised maintenance scheduling
  • Improved vessel availability

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Fault detection Late Early
Unplanned engine failures Higher Reduced
Maintenance efficiency Lower Improved
Vessel downtime Variable Reduced

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Engine vibration monitoring supports compliance with:

  • Classification society maintenance requirements
  • OEM maintenance recommendations
  • Safety management systems (ISM Code)

ATEX-certified sensor versions are available when installed in hazardous fuel or cargo zones.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Ship automation, condition monitoring, fleet management

Vendors

Wärtsilä, MAN, ABB Marine, Kongsberg

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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