Operation - PMI Offline
Operation - PMI Offline
PMI Offline
Operation
User’s Reference Guide
This guide is part of a series of information guides which explains how to use the PMI Offline system and
software program:
NOTICE
This edition of the manual applies to PMI 1703. Some screen shots are taken from earlier PMI versions.
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MAN Diesel & Turbo
1 Contents
2 PMI Offline ................................................................................................................................................. 3
3 Getting Started ........................................................................................................................................... 3
3.1 System Overview ............................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Quick Guide on Using PMI Offline ..................................................................................................... 4
4 Measuring and Viewing Cylinder Pressures ............................................................................................... 7
4.1 Perform a Manual Measurement ...................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Viewing Stored Measurements ....................................................................................................... 10
4.2.1 View a Saved Measurement ........................................................................................................ 10
4.3 Printing Stored Measurements ....................................................................................................... 12
4.3.1 Print View .................................................................................................................................... 12
4.3.2 Print Report ................................................................................................................................. 13
4.4 Backup and Restore ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.4.1 Back up Database ........................................................................................................................ 14
4.4.2 Restore Database......................................................................................................................... 15
4.5 Tuning of Engine Performance ........................................................................................................ 16
4.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 16
4.5.2 General Adjustment Sequence .................................................................................................... 17
5 Appendixes ............................................................................................................................................... 19
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2 PMI Offline
PMI Offline is designed to provide engineers and service staff on test bed, onboard ship and at power
plants with a computerised tool for cylinder pressure measurements on MAN Diesel’s two-stroke diesel
engines. Its primary purpose is for:
Serving a secondary purpose, PMI Offline provides an estimate of the engine shaft power.
3 Getting Started
PMI Offline consists of a data acquisition unit (PMI-DAU), a pressure sensor, a PMI Calibration Box, a trigger
and TDC pulse generator (Tacho system), and the PMI system software (see Figure 1). The data acquisition
unit receives the measured combustion pressure cycles from the pressure sensor and forwards the
processed data to the PMI PC for storage, visualisation, and analysis.
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Manual adjustment
CJB
TSA-A
CJB: Calibration Junction Box
TSA-A: Tacho System Amplifier
Tacho system
Two-stroke
diesel engine
Data Acquisition Unit
PMI-DAU
Data visualisation,
analysis & storage
PMI/CoCoS-EDS PC
Record cylinder pressures and store them for later analysis (Figure 2)
Commission the PMI System (Figure 3)
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View saved
measurements
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Wizards and
Utilities
Figure 3: The Tools sub-menu contains wizards and commands for performing various tasks
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The PC program contains wizards to help the user perform various tasks. This section will provide a brief
description of the most common operations used in the PMI Offline program.
Please refer to the appendix for a brief description of the PMI Calibration Box.
2 Select
1 Select
Figure 4: Starting the Manual Measurement wizard from the Measurements menu
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Alternatively, the wizard may also be started from the Maintenance menu, using the steps shown
in Figure 5:
2 Select
3 Click
1 Select
Figure 5: Accessing the Manual Measurement wizard from the Maintenance menu
Read the welcome text and click “Next >” when the system has finished initialising. In the next
window, Figure 6 , the system is waiting to receive measurements. To make a pressure
measurement, follow the steps in the order given below.
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1 Attach
Indicator valve
2 Open
3 Verify green
Steps (Figure 6)
Note: If this is the first cylinder being measured, make sure the sensor has reached working
temperature by keeping the indicator valve open for one minute before proceeding to the next
step.
3) Verify that ‘Ready’ green lamp is on – not flashing. A steady light indicates ready for
measurement.
4) Press “OK” button to start a measurement. The flashing ‘Ready’ lamp indicates the system is
measuring.
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Note: If a measurement is not successful, the red Error indicator lamp on the PMI Calibration
Box will turn on. Check the Event Log on the PC screen for additional information and
instructions.
Close the indicator valve when the measurement appears on the screen. Then move to the next
cylinder to be measured and repeat the previous steps.
When all measurements have been completed, click “Next >” and follow the wizard to completion.
2 Select measurement
Select view 3
1 Select
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Key pressure values from each cylinder and power output are listed in tabular
form.
To reduce the effects of noise, a series of 10 consecutive pressure curves (raw data) received from the
sensor are averaged, and the resulting curve is rendered in the PV, P-CA, and PT diagrams. The averaged
curve also forms the basis for calculating all the key parameters shown in the Key Values table and the
Balance plot. Each of the 10 consecutive curves that form the average is rendered in the “PT (Raw Data)”
menu.
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Print View
Print Report
Select a view 3
1 Select
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3 Click
2 Select measurement
4 Select items
1 Select
5 Click
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2 Select
4 Click
Click 3
1 Select
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2 Select
4 Select database
5 Click
3 Click
1 Select
Warning: Restoring a database will cause the currently active database to be overwritten. All data
and measurements in the current database will be lost.
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Cylinder pressure
Mean
Balancing
Adjusting cylinder mean pressures to ensure engine operation at the “ordered” (design) level.
Cylinder pressure
Ordered mean
Current mean
Mean adjustment
To perform the above operations, two adjustment methods are available depending on the type of engine:
Cylinder pressures are adjusted in the Process Adjustment menu of the Main Operating Panel.
2. MC engines
Cylinder pressures are adjusted directly on the fuel pump via the fuel index and VIT controls. On
small bore engines, shims are inserted or removed from the fuel pump.
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Check Pi
STEP 1
Low Load Balance Pi
Low Load
MOP
PMI PC
Me
as ure
ure as
Me
Me
ure as
as ure
Me
Measure
MOP
MOP PMI PC
PMI PC
Check Mean
STEP 4 Pcomp
Adjust Mean
Pcomp
PMI PC MOP
On ME and ME-B engines without the PMI Auto-tuning option, cylinder pressures are manually adjusted
using the ECS MOP. The recommended adjustment sequence is illustrated in Figure 12. First, balance the
cylinder load. Then, balance the cylinder pressures Pcomp and Pmax followed by an adjustment of the mean
pressure level by raising or lowering the mean level to within the running specifications at the given load.
Each step in the figure involves taking a complete set of manual cylinder pressure measurements, analyzing
the results in the PMI PC, making the necessary adjustments in the ECS MOP panel, and verifying the
results. See Appendix B for further information.
Important: Always consult the specific adjustment procedure in the engine operation manual before
proceeding.
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4.5.2.2 MC Engines
On MC engines, the cylinder pressures are adjusted depending on the type of fuel pump. This will involve
one or more of the following manual adjustments to the fuel pump: index, shim or VIT. Figure 13 illustrates
the general adjustment procedure. The procedure may vary depending on your particular engine.
Important: Always consult the specific adjustment procedure in the engine operation manual before
proceeding.
In Figure 13, Pmax is adjusted first to prevent bearing overload followed by adjusting Pi. Each step in the
figure involves taking a complete set of cylinder pressure measurements, analyzing the results, making the
necessary adjustments, and verifying the results. See Appendix C for further information.
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5 Appendixes
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0 0 0 0
Adjustment panel
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0 0 0 0
Adjustment panel
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Check Pi
STEP 1
Low Load Balance Pi
Low Load
MOP
PMI PC
MOP
MOP
PMI PC PMI PC
Me
as ure
ure as
Me
Me
ure as
as ure
Me
Measure
MOP
MOP PMI PC
PMI PC
Check Mean
STEP 4 Pcomp
Adjust Mean
Pcomp
PMI PC MOP
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On ME and ME-B engines without the PMI Auto-tuning option, the cylinder pressures can be manually
adjusted using the ECS MOP. The recommended adjustment sequence is illustrated in Figure 16. First,
balance the cylinder load. Then, balance the cylinder pressure Pcomp and Pmax followed by an adjustment of
the mean pressure level by raising or lowering the mean level to within running specifications at the given
load. Each step in the figure involves taking a complete set of manual cylinder pressure measurements,
analyzing the results in the PMI PC, making the necessary adjustments in the ECS MOP panel, and verifying
the results. Steps 1 & 2 are used to balance Pi at two different engine loads.
Important: Always consult the specific adjustment procedure in the engine operation manual before
proceeding.
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders
In the PMI program, check the Pi balance of the measurement you just made. Note the cylinders
that require adjustment.
Adjust cylinders
In the screen shown in Figure 17, adjust the fuel index of the cylinders requiring Pi adjustment.
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders. Verify changes to the Pi balance. Re-adjust
cylinders again if necessary.
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2 Select
1 Select
3 Select cylinder
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders
In the PMI program, check the Pi balance of the measurement you just made. Note the cylinders
that require adjustment.
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Adjust cylinders
In the screen shown in Figure 18, adjust the fuel index of the cylinders requiring Pi adjustment.
2 Select
3 Select cylinder
1 Select
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders. Verify changes to the Pi balance. Re-adjust
cylinders again if necessary.
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Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the Pcomp balance. Note the cylinders that
require adjustment.
Adjust cylinders
In the screen shown in Figure 19, adjust the Pcomp/Pscav ratio of the cylinders requiring adjustment.
Follow the steps shown.
2 Select
3 Select cylinder
1 Select
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
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Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the Pcomp/Pscav balance. Re-adjust
cylinders again if necessary.
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the mean Pcomp level.
Adjust cylinders
Adjust the mean Pcomp/Pscav offset as shown in Figure 20. Follow the steps shown.
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the mean Pcomp. Re-adjust cylinders
again if necessary.
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2 Select
Select 3
1 Select
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the Pmax balance. Note the cylinders that
require adjustment.
Adjust cylinders
Adjust the Pmax pressure of the cylinders requiring adjustment as shown in Figure 21. Follow the
steps shown.
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2 Select
Select cylinder 3
1 Select
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the Pmax balance. Re-adjust cylinders
again if necessary,
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the mean Pmax level.
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Adjust cylinders
In the screen shown in Figure 22, adjust the Mean Pmax offset. Follow the steps shown.
3 Select 2 Select
1 Select
5 Press to confirm
4 Adjust
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the Pmax balance. Re-adjust cylinders
again if necessary.
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Important: Always consult the specific adjustment procedure in the engine operation manual before
proceeding.
In Figure 23, Pmax is adjusted first to prevent bearing overload followed by adjusting Pi. Each step in the
figure involves taking a complete set of cylinder pressure measurements, analysing the results, making the
necessary adjustments, and verifying the results.
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Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the Pmax balance. Note the cylinders that
require adjustment.
Adjust cylinders
On mechanical VIT-type fuel pumps, Pmax for individual cylinders is adjusted by turning the VIT index
arm on the fuel pump. To increase Pmax, adjust to higher VIT index (advance injection). To decrease
Pmax, adjust to lower VIT index (delay injection).
On shim-type fuel pumps, Pmax is adjusted for individual cylinders by inserting or removing shims on
the fuel pump
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the Pmax balance. Re-adjust cylinders
again if necessary.
Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, open the measurement and check the mean Pmax level.
Adjust cylinders
For collective adjustment of Pmax on all units, adjust the VIT air pressure to obtain the correct Pmax
pressure at the given load. On shim type fuel pumps insert or remove equally sized shims from
each fuel pump.
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders and check the Pmax balance. Re-adjust cylinders
again if necessary.
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Using the PMI Offline program, make a pressure measurement on all cylinders.
In the PMI program, check the Pi balance of the measurement you just made. Note the cylinders
that require adjustment.
Adjust cylinders
The mean indicated pressure for a cylinder is adjusted on the fuel pump index arm. Increase index
for a higher pi. Decrease index for a lower pi.
Verify results
Make a new pressure measurement on all cylinders. Verify changes to the Pi balance. Re-adjust
cylinders again if necessary.
Check again the mean Pmax pressure and verify if it is within specifications.
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PMI Offline uses the traditional “Constant Mechanical Friction Loss” method - described in the MAN Diesel
instruction books - for estimating effective pressure and effective power.
A typical accuracy is assumed within 2-3%, however, for some engine designs operating under certain
conditions, an accuracy of merely 4-6% may be expected.
Method used for estimating the effective pressure and power is based on the assumption that losses in the
system are constant throughout the engine’s operating range:
𝑝𝑒 = 𝑝𝑖 – 𝐾
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒,
This assumption gives a reasonable approximation to real life conditions and provides sufficiently robust
results well suited for configuration of the ME-ECS, evaluation and adjustment of engine performance, as
well as troubleshooting the combustion process under steady state operating conditions.
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1 2
4 3
7 6
8 5
9 10
Figure 24: PMI Calibration Box used for PMI systems based on PMI DAU-11
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Front Panel
Button or
Number Function
Light
1 [Ready] light On: The PMI system is ready to make a measurement and waiting for a
user action.
Connections
Number Description
Note: This PMI Calibration Box automatically reads the sensitivity or gain of the pressure sensor. This data
is read online once the pressure sensor is connected to the PMI Calibration Box. Therefore, unlike earlier
systems, the user does not need to key in this information.
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