Deep sea success for SKF magnetic bearings

SKF Group Company S2M has won a two-year contract to supply SKF magnetic bearings and associated electronics for subsea compression trains used in the Åsgard gas field in the Norwegian Sea. The SKF magnetic bearings will be fitted on the motor compressor shaft systems on the compressor units that maintain gas flow pressure level. These innovative bearings are an oil-free, frictionless and virtually maintenance-free alternative to mechanical bearings that provide optimum efficiency, reliability and performance vital for smooth operation in deep sea operations.

The contract with MAN Diesel & Turbo, Aker Solutions Norway and Statoil, to supply custom built magnetic bearings, will provide a high performance alternative to conventional mechanical bearing technology. The Åsgard gas field project will involve placing two hermetically sealed compressor units installed at a depth of between 200 and 300 metres on the seabed. The units function by maintaining discharge pressure in the pipeline and compensate for the falling suction pressure as the gas field is depleted, thereby boosting gas flow.

Used in highly specialised applications and industries such as offshore, these ultra-efficient bearings can operate at high speeds, require no lubrication and, as there is no component wear, provide virtually maintenance-free long life.

In a magnetic bearing system the rotating drive shaft is supported and held in position by electromagnetic forces generated in radial and axial directions. These forces are generated and controlled by sophisticated electronics and copper-wired electromagnets to provide contactless, wear-free operation.

Commenting on the project, Vincent Megret, SKF Magnet Systems Unit Director and S2M Managing Director said, "We are delighted to have been selected to contribute to this exciting project, which will open up new opportunities for subsea natural gas exploration. This demonstrates once again that SKF's leading-edge technology can answer the needs of our high-tech customers."

SKF acquired S2M, the world's largest magnetic bearing company, in 2007, and is now the global leader in this advanced bearing technology. The company supply and service operations in Canada, Japan, China and Russia, for many of the biggest companies active in the oil and gas industry, including machinery suppliers, utilising SKF magnetic bearings.

For further information, e-mail: phil.burge@skf.com or e-mail: info.skfbearings@4cm.co.uk  Refer to page 91

TempCheck PRO - the new, low cost,
easy-to-use alternative to thermal imaging

Non-contact (infrared) temperature measurement device.

Schaeffler (UK) Ltd has launched a new, low cost, easy-to-use non-contact (infrared) temperature measurement device that measures the surface temperature of components in a wide variety of applications.

The new TempCheck PRO is a handheld infrared temperature measurement device that offers engineers a genuine, low cost alternative to thermal imaging cameras. The device requires little training as the user simply aims the device at the target object and presses a button. The temperature is then displayed on a coloured LCD display.

Infrared thermometers are easy to handle; they work in a non-intrusive manner but deliver precise measurement results within seconds; users can carry out safe inspections on hot components or objects in hazardous areas; sources of problems can be located without removing or exchanging parts; and valuable time and money can be saved by detecting weak points before they become a real production problem.

The TempCheck PRO can be used in a number of applications, including the preventive maintenance of rotating machinery and components, and for locating 'hotspots' on bearings, gearboxes, motors, valves, HVAC systems, electrical connectors, fuses, electrical wiring and control cabinets. The device is supplied as standard with a surface sensor for situations where contact measurement is the preferred method, and an immersion sensor for measuring the temperature of fluids, making it ideal for use in chemicals, pharmaceuticals or food processing applications. An integrated data logger can store up to 20 recorded values.

Emissivity and temperature measurement
The emissivity of an object depends on the material, the type of surface, the temperature, wavelength and sometimes on the measuring arrangement. While an ideal emitter can emit all the radiation it receives and is known as a 'black body', this does not exist in nature and bodies emit radiation to varying extents at the same temperature. The emissivity defines the ratio between the radiation emitted from the measured object and that emitted by a black body and is therefore a value between one and zero. Infrared sensors receive the radiation emitted from the object surface, but may also receive reflected radiation from the surroundings and in some cases, radiation from other sources transmitted through the measuring object.

When selecting an infrared measurement sensor, it is therefore crucial that the wavelength band over which it measures is known and that the correct wavelength band is used for the object to be measured. Many objects consisting of non-metallic materials show a high and relatively constant emissivity, irrespective of their surface consistency, at least in the long-wave spectral range, typically 8-14µm.

High resolution, small spot size
TempCheck PRO offers a very wide temperature measurement range and is able to measure surface temperatures from -32 deg C to +760 deg C. The optical resolution of the unit is 40:1, which provides an accuracy of ±1% (or ±1 deg C between  0 deg C and 760 deg C). This high resolution, combined with the unit's consistently small infrared measuring spot size of 13mm up to a distance of 260mm, minimises measurement errors and ensures that the device is capable of accurately measuring smaller targets (down to 13mm) that are further away.

TempCheck PRO's 300ms response time also allows the user to 'sweep' the unit around a room or control cabinet looking for 'hotspots'. The user can even programme the device to compensate for the emissivity of different target materials.

TempCheck PRO comes with acoustic and visual HIGH/LOW alarm functions and a USB interface. The integrated reporting software enables the user to set parameters and record temperatures. The unit is also supplied with an adapter for a photographic tripod and a protective pouch and storage case.

The TempCheck PRO also benefits from a slimline, ergonomic design and is no larger or heavier than a standard TV remote control device, fitting neatly into an engineer's pocket.

The FAG TempCheck PRO is the latest device in Schaeffler's TempCheck family of contact and non-contact temperature measurement products.

This range includes the FAG TempCheck PLUS, which is similar to the FAG TempCheck PRO, but is a lower cost version that offers a reduced temperature measurement range (-32 deg C to +530 deg C) and a reduced optical resolution of 20:1.

For further information, e-mail: info.uk@schaeffler.com  or view website: www.schaeffler.co.uk  Refer to page 94

Schaeffler's lightweight balancer shaft
receives PACE Award for lowering CO2 emissions

The Schaeffler Group's lightweight balancer shaft with rolling bearing supports has won the PACE Award in the "Product" category for outstanding innovation.

Presented annually since 1994 by Automotive News magazine in conjunction with audit and consulting firm Ernst & Young and the Transportation Research Center (TRC), the PACE Award honours outstanding product innovations from automotive suppliers.

The international jury's focus this year was on Schaeffler's lightweight balancer shaft with rolling bearing supports used in modern internal combustion engines. "This award for the lightweight balancer shaft with rolling bearing supports demonstrates the significance of innovative detailed work," said Dr. Peter Pleus, President of Schaeffler Group Automotive.

"Modern technologies, innovative products and lightweight designs are amongst the key factors that make a significant contribution towards the optimisation of drive trains with internal combustion engines. For Schaeffler, this latest recognition with the PACE Award for us is a valuable confirmation of our innovative strength which is so highly appreciated by our customers."
 
Lightweight balancer shafts with rolling bearing supports contribute to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, whilst increasing driver comfort. The system is just one of many innovations from Schaeffler which are helping to downsize and downspeed engines.

The balancer shaft's low friction rolling bearing supports results in a significant improvement in energy efficiency compared to the conventional plain bearings. For example, the power consumed internally in a four-cylinder diesel engine already in volume production is reduced by up to 1.5kW (2.0hp). Furthermore, the use of rolling bearing supports significantly reduces the requirement for engine oil cooling and eliminates the need for pressure lubrication. These characteristics, in combination with the design's superior emergency running properties, make lightweight balancer shafts with rolling bearing supports ideal for engines with start-stop systems.

The rolling bearing supports also enable a new, weight-optimised layout of the balancer shafts with a mass that is reduced by around one third. This means that the two balancer shafts mounted in an engine, which run at twice crankshaft speed due to the design, reduce engine weight by more than 1kg. The filigree design minimises the shaft's rotational inertia, which, in turn, reduces the driving forces required.
 
Dr. Peter Solfrank, Schaeffler Product Application Manager Rolling Bearings and Balancer Shafts, accepted the award presented in Detroit, USA, during the SAE Congress (Society of Automotive Engineers). He commented: "As the optimisation of internal combustion engines becomes increasingly important, the topic of rolling bearing supports in the engine is also increasingly moving into focus. It still has potential for improving the energy efficiency in classic drive trains."
 
The lightweight balancer shaft with rolling bearing supports celebrated its premiere in Daimler's OM 651 four-cylinder diesel engine, which was awarded Engine of the Year in 2009. The balancer shafts of other modern engines such as Fiat's two-cylinder 'TwinAir' engine, which received this year's Engine of the Year award, are now also equipped with rolling bearing supports from Schaeffler. In 2010, the lightweight balancer shaft with rolling bearing supports won the Steel Innovation Prize.

To date, Schaeffler has been nominated five times for the PACE Award and won a distinction once again this year. Other nominated or winning innovations from Schaeffler are its LuK dry double clutch and hybrid damper, as well as the FAG wheel bearing with face spline and angular contact Twin Tandem bearing for rear axle drives.

The Schaeffler Group with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and linear products as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis applications. The group of companies stands for exceptional customer focus, innovative ability and the highest possible level of quality. Sales of over 9.5 billion euros were generated at over 180 locations in more than 50 countries in 2010. With around 70,000 employees worldwide, the Schaeffler Group is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership.

For further information, e-mail: info.uk@schaeffler.com  or view website: www.schaeffler.co.uk   Refer to page 94