Freudenberg Sealing Technologies recently showcased a new generation of low-friction transmission seals designed to save fuel, lower emissions, and extend the operating life of industrial power trains.
Featured in the company’s exhibit at the 2017 International Fluid Power Expo in Las Vegas, Freudenberg’s Levitas and Levitorq components are part of the company’s Low Emission Sealing Solutions (LESS) product portfolio.
Seals are responsible for nearly one quarter of mechanical energy lost in automatic transmissions, and transmission manufacturers are keen to lower system friction to minimize the loss. Levitas seals and Levitorq thrust washers use hydrodynamic oil film to reduce transmission friction by as much as 70% over conventional components depending on application conditions.
“Mobile machinery and heavy equipment manufacturers are facing the same industrial challenges that automotive manufacturers are facing – stricter environmental regulations, increasing fuel prices and a growing need to keep machinery moving longer between maintenance cycles,” said Joel Johnson, vice president of mobile machinery, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies.
Freudenberg-NOK runs the business operations for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in the Americas. “Our company has focused its material science capabilities and design expertise on addressing these issues and the result is innovative products like Levitas and Levitorq,” said Johnson.
Levitas seal rings are suited for installation in all forms of automated transmissions. A special seal design produces a hydrodynamic oil film between the seal ring and its dynamic counter surface. This reduces friction merely by replacing conventional transmission seals in an automatic transmission.
With Levitas, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is now pursuing a completely new approach: During operation, the seal floats on a hydrodynamic oil film that it generates itself. The film eliminates physical contact between the shaft and the seal ring so that only fluid friction remains and torque levels drop by as much as 70%. Since the seal is bi-directional, the effect occurs no matter which direction the shaft rotates. That makes installation easier and more secure for the transmission manufacturer.
Freudenberg’s Levitorq thrust washer, which also relies on the principles of hydrodynamic oil film technology, is designed to create a surface on which a bearing can roll, or a load can be applied.
Traditionally, thrust washers are made from metals, but Freudenberg has used its material expertise and design knowledge, along with proprietary software and testing capabilities, to develop thermoplastic or thermoset alternatives that allow engineers to replace heavy, torque robbing, metal thrust washers. These innovative products help reduce weight, decrease friction, improve thickness/flatness control, and often provide a cost benefit to the customer. The company’s proprietary DTRA (Design Tool for Rotary Application) software can simulate how thrust washer designs will behave in unique applications, thus decreasing development time and cost. The company has further developed thrust washer validation test rigs that can be outfitted for dry and lubricated testing.
Freudenberg’s LESS portfolio of engine, transmission and e-mobility products include a variety of seals, gaskets, encoders, accumulators, sealing modules and lightweight housings. These products have been uniquely engineered to reduce friction and weight, cut fuel consumption, ease installation challenges and lower emissions. First developed and benchmarked for automotive applications, Freudenberg has been able to leverage its LESS technology for other industrial applications resulting in a significantly shortened development cycle.
“Our company’s ability to leverage innovation across product platforms and industries is truly unique and insures that all of our customers benefit from state-of-the-art technology solutions,” Johnson noted.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
