Ceramic Hybrid Bearings suit windmill applications.
Press Release Summary:
Ceramic hybrid bearings, consisting of steel races with ceramic balls, are suited for use in converting 30 rpm motion of wind blades into 2,000 rpm of rotor shaft to generate electricity. Bearings using CERBEC® ceramic balls eliminate electrical arcing, may be used in harsh conditions, and maintain their lubricity. They exhibit thermal stability, reduced friction, and electrical isolation.
Original Press Release:
Using Long-Life Hybrid Bearings on the Rise for Windmill Applications
(January 2004 - East Granby, CT) Wind energy companies are beginning to realize the advantages of high performance ceramic hybrid bearings (steel races with ceramic balls), particularly in converting the 30 rpm motion of the wind blades into 2000 rpm of the rotor shaft to generate electricity. Bearings using CERBEC® ceramic balls are beneficial because they eliminate electrical arcing, last longer than steel bearings in harsh conditions - such as particles of debris and temperature extremes, and maintain their lubricity. A long life bearing is attractive because of the high cost of bearing replacement in wind mills. A bearing replacement can cost up to $10,000 because of the need for cranes and crews.
Jeff McLaughlin is General Manager of Machine Building Specialists (Manitowoc, WI), a company that provides engineering and manufacturing solutions to the wind turbine, power generation, and the crane and construction equipment industries. According to McLaughlin, "the use of hybrid ceramic bearings has helped us achieve and surpass our goals of improved machine performance, reduced maintenance costs, and higher availability for our customers." He claims the differential cost over standard bearings is easily justified in wind turbine generator applications, especially for high speed and generator shafting. The lower mass, thermal stability, reduced friction, and electrical isolation, when used as part of a comprehensive remediation plan, have resulted in 'better than new' OEM performance. Further, says McLaughlin, "our success using hybrid ceramic bearings in generator remediation has allowed us to realize a significant increase in value of the wind farm."
CERBEC balls last longer and provide better performance than steel balls in bearings because of their inherent lower thermal expansion, smoother surface, increased hardness and stiffness, lighter weight, and corrosion/electrical-resistant properties. Several demonstrations of these features are taking place in Saint-Gobain's booth at WINDPOWER 2004. Bearings, linear guides, medical and dental devices, semiconductor processing equipment, spindles, ovens, aerospace instruments, robotics, electric motors, power tools, paper making machinery, and ballscrews are among the many motion, drive, and automation applications for CERBEC ceramic balls.
Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics is exhibiting its line of CERBEC ceramic balls for wind turbine generator applications at "WINDPOWER 2004" March 28 - 31, Chicago, in booth #407. CERBEC will be exhibiting Koyo 3NC Hybrid Bearings for wind energy applications. Koyo personnel will join CERBEC in the booth to provide technical and sales support.
For more information contact Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics 800-799-1457, www.cerbec.com.
