JTEKT Corporation has succeeded in developing and has begun mass-production of large-size non-conductive ceramic bearings for use in windmill power generators.
The use of windmill power generators has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in Europe, mainly as a countermeasure against global warming and rising crude oil prices. Also, the size of these generators has increased, with two-megawatt-class generators being the most common type today as a result of a trend to utilize large-size, large-capacity generators to achieve better power generation efficiency.
The height of windmill power generators makes maintenance a difficult task, and therefore high reliability and long life are essential. The large-size non-conductive bearings for windmill power generators that JTEKT has developed contain ceramic rolling elements. This prevents electrical corrosion (localized melting of rolling contact surfaces caused by electrical flow through the bearing interior during rotation), suppresses bearing internal heat generation, and enables longer grease life, all of which contribute to the increased reliability and reduced maintenance costs of windmill power generators. JTEKT aims to achieve sales of 2.5 billion yen for these bearings in 2010.
Bearings are required to support rotation of the main shaft, which supports the windmill power generator's blades; the accelerator, which increases rotation from the main shaft to the speed required for electrical generation; and the generator, which converts rotational movement into electrical energy. In addition to strengthening its production capability related to the main shaft and generator bearings, JTEKT has developed a large-size machining center for accelerator gear box machining and has begun deliveries of this product to European gear box makers.
JTEKT places high priority on the field of windmill power generators because of their environmental friendliness, namely because they produce little greenhouse-effect gas and make use of an unlimited energy, and will continue contributing to the proliferation of windmill power generators through efforts in the fields of bearings and machine tools.
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