Innovation
Introduced February 6, 2008, the patent pending Goulds 3196 i-FRAME uses ITT proprietary software to perform continuous temperature and vibration monitoring and alert end users via light emitting diodes (LED) if parameters are exceeded.
The i-FRAME is the first industrial pump to come with standard onboard condition monitoring. The onboard condition monitoring system is self-contained, sealed inside a stainless steel enclosure. The i-ALERT condition monitor (CM) uses an innovative magnetic switch to activate and set various modes of the monitoring system.
A provisional utility patent has been awarded for the condition monitor/bearing frame system. An additional design patent application has been filed and is pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
End User Testimony
In a chemical plant, an i-FRAME was installed on a critical Model 3196 pump that was known for periodic bearing failures due to extreme low flow operation. During weekly vibration monitoring rounds, the vibration technician was alerted by blinking red lights from the i-ALERT condition monitor. He verified a significant increase in vibration with his handheld monitoring device. The levels were high enough to warrant that the pump be shut down for service, avoiding a potential failure and an expensive loss of production.
An International Paper mill's maintenance department installed an i-FRAME on a critical Model 3196 pump. A few weeks later, they noticed blinking red lights on the condition monitor and found that the motor connected to the pump was near failure. The motor was changed out for a new one, and the i-FRAME quickly went back to blinking green.