SKF launches new water-lubricated sterntube solutions
SKF’s new water-lubricated sterntube solution – Simplex BlueRun - offers customers an environmentally friendly product range that conforms to VGP 2013 and PolarCode regulations.
Gothenburg, Sweden, 5 September 2018: Launched at this year's SMM 2018 fair, the SKF water-lubricated sterntube range includes Simplex BlueRun polymer bearing bushes, carrier bushes, a tail shaft monitoring system and a water quality systeme. Using water-lubrication, SKF’s complete package offering conforms to VGP 2013 and PolarCode regulations, enabling operators to sail in special protected areas and further promote their environmental credentials.
SKF’s new Simplex BlueRun sterntube bearing bushes, TPW (Thermoplastic Polyurethan for Water-lubrication) are available in split and non-split versions. Both options can be used for fresh and sea water, as well as for open and closed water-lubricated sterntube systems. In addition SKF also offers carrier bushes which are fixed to the sterntube, made of bronze. They contain the water-lubricated Simplex BlueRun sterntube bearing bush, according to the so-called "bush in bush principle".
SKF’s new Simplex BlueRun water quality system filters and treats seawater and then pumps it through the sterntube bushes for lubrication, cooling and flushing purposes. With this process, overheating is avoided and any solids, which might damage the system, are safely removed. Designed to operate on a stand-alone basis, or as a fully integrated part of the ship's control and monitoring system, this SKF solution can be operated in an unmanned engine room.
SKF’s new Simplex BlueRun tail shaft monitoring solution provides continuous and reliable information to enable the planned replacement of bearing bushes. Two identical eddy current sensors are installed in the bearing bush. The sensors are connected to an evalution unit and measure contactlessly the position of the shaft. The measurement takes place with a non-rotating shaft, so that only the wall thickness of the shaft's bearing bush determines its position. The optimum performance of the bearing is ensured until the specific wear limit is reached.
The new range can be combined with SKF’s Simplex seal systems like the Simplex lip-type seal, Simplan face-type seal and Carboplan Surface axial face-type seal. With over 70 years of experience with sterntube solutions, SKF’s marine offering of consultation, installation, retrofit servicing and global spare parts delivery ensures operators to get the exact solution they need.
Michael Zollenkopf, Technical Director Shaft Components at SKF comments: “With the introduction of SKF’s Simplex BlueRun water-lubricated sterntube systems, operators can choose another environmentally friendly Simplex solution. The new bearing bush material has been tested under real conditions for more than 11,000 hours. Thus, customers will get a reliable solution for all kinds of vessels, including ships operating in coastal or special protected areas such as cruise liners, ferries, offshore supply or container vessels or fishing boats.
For further information, please contact:
Press Relations: Nia Kihlström, +46 31-337 2897; +46 706 67 28 97; nia.kihlstrom@skf.com
Aktiebolaget SKF
(publ)
SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2017 were SEK 77 938 million and the number of employees was 45 678. www.skf.com
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