Less Friction and Higher Economic Efficiency
HUSUM and SCHWEINFURT, Germany, Oct. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The newly developed plastic segment cage offered by Schaeffler Group Industrial (INA/FAG) is designed to improve the economic efficiency and output of wind turbines having rotor supports according to the so-called single bearing concept. Schaeffler Group Industrial will present its new bearing cage design for the first time at HusumWind 2008 in Hall 4, Booth E10.
Currently there is a strong trend towards single bearing concepts for wind turbines since these carry less weight and require less installation efforts. The rotor head in such designs is directly bolted, for example, to the bearing outer ring so that the need for a shaft is eliminated. To date it is mainly double row tapered roller bearings with pin-type steel cage that are used for single bearing concepts. The rolling element riding bearing cage gives high stability and service long life. However, the through-boring of the rollers involves relatively high manufacturing efforts.
Higher efficiency
Schaeffler Group Industrial has therefore developed a new plastic segment cage especially for use in single bearing applications. The cage consists of single segments that are connected to each other via snap fittings. This lock ensures a defined clearance which enables the uniform expansion of the bearing cages. High-strength and lightweight PEEK is used as cage material. It can accommodate high loads while offering excellent wear resistance. Moreover the plastic segment cage reduces friction and thus increases wind turbine efficiency. The new cage design improves not only rolling element guidance, but also enables optimum lubricant supply.
Schaeffler Group
With its three prestigious brands INA, FAG and LuK, German Schaeffler Group is a leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and linear products worldwide as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry. There are three divisions within Schaeffler Group, automotive, industrial and aerospace, with business presence of more than 50 countries in the world. A total of 66,000 employees working in 80 manufacturing plants and 100 sales offices worldwide generated a sales revenue of 8.9 billion euros in the year 2007.
Schaeffler Group China
Since its investment in China in 1998, Schaeffler Group China has been gradually expanding its manfuacturing and sales network. Schaeffler Group China has approximately 4,000 employees, one R&D center in Anting, Shanghai, five production bases in Taicang, Suzhou, Ningxia and fourteen sales offices nationwide. Sales offices are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Guangzhou, Naning, Jinan, Chengdu, Wuhan, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou etc. Schaeffler Group China has laid solid foundation for providing long-term, high-quality and convenient services to Chinese customers.
