From airplanes to spacecraft, prosthetics to wind turbines, and almost everything in between, Turcon performs well for a broad range of applications. This material is a part of—and has made possible—some of the most innovative engineering advancements in the last half-century. Now, on the eve of the PTFE material’s 50th anniversary, its developer, Trelleborg Sealing…
Radial shaft seals for large bearings
Reinforced all-rubber HSS radial shaft seals minimize contaminants and extend service life for large bearings in wind turbine drive trains, say their developers. SKF seals are for installation or uptower replacement during maintenance procedures. Minimal space requirements allow for smaller and lighter bearing housings, potentially reducing turbine weight. The seals integrate Duratemp hydrogenated nitrile rubber,…
2012: Trends in seals
For the highest possible capacity factor, wind farms are sited where they will be exposed to as much consistent wind as possible. Consequently, all parts of a wind turbine are subjected to extremes of weather, ozone, unusual stresses, and vibration. Things get worse offshore where they must also withstand the rigors of the sea including…
Matching seal, shaft, and lube saves wind seals
An ideal combination of radial shaft seal, shaft surface, and lubricant can increase seal life three-fold and reduce friction at the sealing lip by up to 30%. Nacelles become oily places when wind seals don’t work well. To find better seals, our companies developed a way to work in close cooperation with users to…
Light-weight tradeoff: Polymer for steel
Victrex Peek (polyaryletherketone) polymers is said to be a good choice when replacing metal wind-turbine components. The high performance and light-weight material allows up to a 70% weight reduction. This can lower stress on the components and reduce energy needed to power the turbine. The tribological characteristics of this thermoplastic compared to metals also helps…
Seals 101
Component design often overlooks the importance of well-engineered seals. Properly engineered seals increase the mean time between component failures, reduce manufacturing costs associated with the use of exotic coatings, and reduce power consumption due to unnecessarily high friction. Data required to select a seal includes: • Size – shaft, housing bore, and available seal width…
The big impacts of small components
In July 2008, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department of the U.S. Department of Energy published a document 20% Wind Energy by 2030 that included wind-energy volume projections. The projections were based on many factors and assumptions, including justification of capital, improvement of wind-turbine efficiencies, lower annual maintenance costs, and reliable component life. Increasing…
PTFE seal wins 2011 innovation award
Turcon M12, a PTFE-based material launched in 2011 by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, has received a 2011 Innovation Award from Flow Control Magazine. According to the company, the PTFE-based sealing material has unrivaled performance in key hydraulic sealing characteristics such as friction, wear, and high-pressure operation. Testing shows Turcon M12 resistant to most media, including a…
Special polyurethane improves abrasion resistance
The Timken UltraWind P1 Seal is a significant wind-turbine bearing seal with a polyurethane design that provides increased resistance to abrasion for longer wind-turbine service life and more reliable performance than most other commonly used sealing materials. “Seals have an integral role in maximizing wind-turbine uptime and productivity because they prevent lubrication leakage and bearing…
Magni celebrates 10 millionth gallon
In early May, gallons of coating rolled off The Magni Group’s Detroit production line, just like any other day. But what made this day special was that one of those cans would be deemed the the company’s 10 millionth.
Seals to keep grease and ozone out
To meet the extreme demands of the evolving windpower industry, one company has expanded line of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) sealing materials. Simrit’s two NBR developments are part of its Ventoguard line of materials specifically designed to offer grease and ozone resistance, low compression set, and low-temperature capability.
Why are seals important in wind turbines?
Component design often overlooks the importance of well engineered seals. A properly engineered sealing system increases the mean time between component failures, reduces manufacturing costs associated with the use of exotic coatings, and reduces power consumption due to unnecessarily high friction. Application data required to select a seal includes: •Size – shaft, housing bore, available…
Seal material now rated for wider temperature range
The manufacturer of the sealing material Isolast J9440 says it has been improved with a higher operating temperature—up to +240°C —and it’s accredited to the USP Class 6 standard for use in medical and healthcare industries. Isolast J94440 has a continuous operating temperature range (from -7 to 240°C) and is compatible with most media. The…
Coating manufacturer makes its 10-millionth gallon
Protective coating manufacturer The Magni Group Inc. will produce its 10-millionth gallon of coating this month. Dave Berry, chairman of the company started a metal finishing company, Depor Industries, near Detroit in 1974. Parent company, The Magni Group Inc., came about after an automotive chemical coating supplier partner moved to license with another local metal finisher; Dave then, decided to develop his own coatings
ISO fits and tolerances? There’s an app for that
An iPhone app, based on the ISO 286 System of Limits and Fits, “ISO Fits & Tolerances,” will help engineers cut time and let them work away from their desks for some tasks. ISO Fits & Tolerances is easy to use. After entering a nominal diameter, select the tolerance classes for bore and shaft. The…
Ceramic coating shields generator bearing
In an electric environment, electrolytic corrosion from stray currents threatens bearing performance. NTN’s coated angular contact ball and cylindrical roller bearings, the MEGAOHM Series, insulate the bearings from electric current. A special ceramic coating applied to the outer surface and side faces of the outer ring prevents current from passing though the bearing. The design…
Waterproof switch covers for circuit breakers
Waterproof switch covers for circuit breaker panel enclosures are made from silicone transparent rubber per MIL-STD ZZR 765. A molded design keeps out dirt and moisture. The breaker covers can be placed over the circuit breaker and bonded to the panel, or applied behind the panel and shaped to fit between the breaker and the…
A better way to infusion mold blades
Infusion molding is one way to make large composite structures such as turbine blades. Briefly, fiber plies and other materials are laid in a mold, covered and sealed with a flexible film, subjected to a vacuum, and infused with catalyzed resin. The method allows pulling air-free resin throughout the material. But the method has relied…
A super seal for temperature extremes
Isolast J9876, a recent perfluoroelastomer, provides the most comprehensive media resistance at elevated temperatures of any perfluoroelastomer on the market, according to its developer. Seals in this material, from Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, extend their life in aggressive, high-temperature environments at an optimized cost-to-performance ratio. Equipment suppliers and process managers benefit from the advantages of a…
Many seals for turbine tasks
There is a lot of sealing work in a nacelle. Hydraulic equipment, of course, needs them along with areas such as where blades meet hubs. These must all be weather tight yet allow rotation. Simrit Americas, Plymouth, Mich., manufacturers several designs in a range of materials for these applications. For instance: Simmerring seals meet and…