Results of an Experimental Study of the Thermophysical Parameters of Modern High-Speed Electronically Controlled Main Engines

: This paper presents the results of thermotechnical tests of modern electronically controlled high-speed main engines from the Caterpillar 3500 series, installed on marine vessels. Experimental studies were conducted over 10 years on a sample of 80 engines operating on marine tugboats. A condition monitoring methodology was developed, combining classical testing approaches with modern methods of remote data transmission and analysis. The research resulted in an extensive informational and statistical database on thermophysical parameters (boost pressure, exhaust gas temperature, fuel consumption) for engine models 3512, 3516 under a wide range of loads, predominantly at partial modes. Generalized dependencies of the thermophysical parameters for each model were constructed. It is shown that the accumulated diagnostic experience enables a transition from classical maintenance methods to remote monitoring and control systems for ship technical equipment, forming a basis for the development of autonomous navigation. The developed methodology can be recommended for application to other types of marine high-speed engines.