Adapted to the flow: Hydrogenerator with corrosion-resistant pedestal bearings

There are many different types of boats and also individual constructions, and every stern looks different. In order to make the hydrogenerator as universally usable as possible, the decision was made in favour of a design with a linear guide that can be configured to the customer's specific length. This required bearings that allow both rotary and linear movement and ideally also eliminate constraining forces. The entire concept is based on freedom from maintenance and wear (the ceramic bearings of the magnetic rotor run directly in seawater, without a seal). Conventional bearings for the linear guide, which require regular maintenance/lubrication because they would otherwise corrode and wear out - especially in salt water - were therefore ruled out from the outset.

Ocean Power contacted igus® as early as the concept phase and sought advice on the most suitable material. The solution: self-aligning pillow block bearings igubal ® ESTM-30 (with 30 mm bore diameter). Made entirely of high-performance polymers, they are corrosion-free and ideally suited for applications with salt water contact. The robust plastic housing contains a spherical ball that prevents constraining forces and ensures low-friction movement. The bearing works reliably and requires no additional lubrication.