DEC - Mechanical Power-Transmission Design, Service and Failure Analysis

Diehl Engineering Company (DEC) is a professional marine and mechanical engineering consulting firm that specializes in mechanical power-transmission design, service and failure analysis. We offer real help to solve difficult power transmission problems, using over 100 years of combined marine and mechanical engineering experience.

DEC has successfully aligned well over 500 ship propulsion shafts using the strain gage method.

FULLY INTEGRATED DRIVE SYSTEMS

The engineering staff of DEC are devoted to the concept of reliable delivery of power between engines and propulsors.

We can design a complete, fully integrated drive system, or help repair the one you already have. A fully integrated drive system must ultimately turn the screw, but also must consider regulatory body approval; accessibility and serviceability of components; shaft fatigue; gear and bearing life; freedom from harmful vibrations (torsional, lateral and longitudinal); alignment flexibility; thermal growth allowances; bearing weardown; component interface design; water-tightness; and corrosion and fretting resistance.

Our detailed design experience includes marine propulsion gears, hydrodynamic and anti-friction bearings, flexible couplings and shafting.

PROPULSION-SYSTEM ALIGNMENT SERVICES

We have provided propulsion-system alignment services for engines, gears and shafting for all types of sea-going vessels worldwide.

We perform an alignment analysis to determine idealized bearing offsets; prepare written, detailed alignment and installation procedures; optically align strut and tailshaft bearings; measure and adjust bearing loads using the strain gage method; and provide onboard technical supervision.

PROPULSION-SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS

We will investigate propulsion system failures, perform mathematical analyses, measure and record supporting data, design the corrections needed to restore reliability, and prepare an extensive failure report.

Our failure analysis experience includes the resolution of a host of gear failures, plus failures in bearings, clutches, brakes and shafts.

PROPULSION SYSTEM FIELD MEASUREMENTS

We have the experience and expertise to measure dynamic horsepower, bollard pull, machinery and hull vibrations, torsional vibrations, hull stresses, and shaft bearing loads.

PROPULSION-DRIVE ALIGNMENT AND SERVICE EXPERIENCE

All of DEC's employees are degree engineers holding professional engineering licenses. All have worldwide experience performing shipboard supervision of propulsion-drive alignment and service.

Paul Diehl has 50 years' experience, holds an NA and ME PE license, and attended the Webb Institute. Eric Diehl (25 years' experience and an attendee of Seattle University), Rob Diehl (21 years, Washington State University) and Scott Crawford (12 years, Seattle University) all hold Mechanical Engineering PE licenses.

Paul Diehl is the founder of Diehl Engineering, and has over 50 years of marine and mechanical engineering experience, with more than 40 years in successful independent practice. During that time, he has been involved as an engineer or consultant in several hundred mechanical power-transmission projects.

Eric Diehl has 25 years of marine and mechanical engineering experience, 15 of which have been as a principal at DEC, performing all of our complete and fully integrated drive system services. Eric's background includes gear manufacturing, vibration analysis and shaft alignment.

Rob Diehl has 21 years of marine and mechanical engineering experience, 12 of which have been as a principal at DEC, carrying out our complete and fully integrated drive system services. Rob's background includes detailed design of rotating machinery, vibration analysis, and shaft alignment.

Scott Crawford has 12 years of engineering experience, with an additional ten years of engineering technician work. Scott joined DEC's staff in 2002, and has learned our business well, to complement his extensive vibration analysis skills learned previously.

RENUMERATION

DEC will provide a firm price to undertake any service for which the scope can be defined. Otherwise, we will quote on the basis of hourly rates plus work-related expenses at 105% of our cost.