INDUSTRY SHOWCASE
Eddie Swanepoel holding a much
smaller Vesconite Hilube bushing than is being used in the project.
TIDAL ENERGY FIRM TESTS UNDERWATER BUSHINGS
A tidal-energy generating company is testing a Vesconite Hilube bushing in one of its tidal units at the European Marine Energy Centre based in the Orkney Islands, in the UK
The tidal design includes a floating hull platform that has a retractable arm attached to turbine blades. The configuration allows for easy installation, maintenance and transportation of the integrated tidal- energy generating unit since the unit becomes more aerodynamic when the turbine is retracted and becomes more flush with the floating hull platform.
DESIGN DETAIL “The Vesconite Hilube bushing is located where the retractable arm connects to the floating hull
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www.wavetidalenergynetwork.co.uk
platform,” explains Vesconite Bearings’ Renewable-Energy Bushing Consultant Eddie Swanepoel. “It is installed on one side of the arm, while a competitor’s product is being tested on the other side. The bushings are likely to remain in the unit for five years, which is the maintenance cycle of the tidal turbine, or even as long as 20 years, which is the expected life of the equipment.”
There is unlikely to be much wear on the bushings since the application does not result in continuous motion.
CHALLENGES However, challenges that may be faced in the application include marine growth. Eddie notes that none of this growth will stick to the Vesconite’s Hilube bushing, but some may attach to the shaft that it surrounds. This may
result in growth having to be scraped off the shaft or coatings developed that will mitigate the development of marine growth on the shaft.
Eddie continued: “Marine growth starts to build after a month, and this will result in tighter clearances and not much movement for the shaft and pin. In addition, it is likely that the self- aligning bushing will loosen in time, so there will be pressure on the bushing, even though hydraulic cylinders keep the turbine arm in place.”
He also added that the tidal energy company is investigating design changes to the turbine, but it is uncertain how this will affect bushing use in the application.
Vesconite Bearings
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