Mechanical Technology October 2015

⎪ Power transmission, bearings, bushes and seals ⎪

Intelligent bearing trialled in railway and wind sectors At the Hannover fair, SKF demonstrated how its revolutionary SKF Insight technology is improving bearing health management in the railway and wind energy sectors. S KF has begun to apply SKF Insight – its revo- lutionary bearing health management technology – in

several high-end industry applications. The technology, which uses self-pow- ered, intelligent wireless sensors in the SKF bearing to provide instant condition monitoring data via the Internet, is un- dergoing trials in challenging projects in the wind turbine and railway industries. Applying SKF bearing health manage- ment algorithms to the data provided by SKF Insight enables an adaptive ap- proach to maintenance. While traditional condition monitoring detects bearing damage, SKF Insight spots the abnormal conditions that cause the damage, which allows early action to be taken to prevent damage. “Insight technology goes beyond current sensorised bearing technology

Insight uses self-powered, intelligent wire- less sensors in the SKF bearing to provide instant condition monitoring data via the Internet. by integrating a broader range of sen- sors, and can include self-powering and intelligent wireless technology,” says Ronnie Spolidoro, business development manager of SKF Insight “These bear- ings are connected to the SKF Cloud, giving customers access to a range of SKF diagnostic and support services, which ensure complete bearing health management.” SKF Insight monitors dynamic para

SKF Insight is a revolutionary bearing health management technology.

Oil-free, energy-efficient magnetic bearing system S KF has launched a new magnetic system, an oil- and contact-free drive solution for centrifugal compressors the user and provides reliable and cost- effective air conditioning,” says Richard Law, SKF global segment manager, Fluid Machinery.

proving heat transfer efficiencies in the evaporator and condenser. The permanent magnet motor at the heart of this SKF solution is more energy- efficient than induction motors – at full and partial loads – and offers a higher power factor and lower current draw. It can also operate with a smaller variable speed drive than induction motors. The system’s active magnetic bear- ings are capable of speeds in excess of 40 000 rpm and can accommodate active control system tracks and maintains rotor position to micron accuracy at up to 15 000 times per sec- ond, eliminating vibration. High-speed permanent magnetic motor solutions from SKF use technology pio- neered by S2M, one of the world’s leading producers of magnetic bearings and high-speed permanent magnet motors. Acquired by SKF in 2007, S2M has been refining contact-free, levitating bearing technology for more than 30 years. q instant and frequent start-ups and transient surge forces. An

in chillers. Combining a high-speed permanent magnet motor and active magnetic bear- ings with integrated controls, the magnetic system can operate with variable speed drives from various manufacturers to deliver energy savings of at least 10% compared to conventional centrifugal compressor designs. In addition, the system’s vibration- and virtually

Electromagnets levitate the compressor shaft, allowing it to rotate without contact. By eliminating the mechanical contact and the losses that occur with oil-lubricated bearings, the magnetic system from SKF significantly reduces energy use and costs, as well as im-

friction-free performance capa- bilities enable extremely quiet operation. “Our magnetic sys- tem can help OEMs streamline product design, development and assembly, as they produce new highly en- ergy efficient centrifugal compressor chillers. This innovative technology also reduces maintenance costs for

SKF’s magnetic bearing system is an oil- and contact- free drive solution ideally suited to centrifugal compressors in chillers.

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Mechanical Technology — October 2015