Powhatan, Va (October 15, 2015) – Bob Shortridge, President of Lignum Vitae North America, LLC. Announced today that his company has secured a patent on a new innovative Wind Turbine Bearing.
“Lignum-Vitae is on the leading edge of Innovation for the renewable energy sector. We have saved the Hydro Power Industry significant money in terms of reduced maintenance cost and keeping aging assets running. Now we can offer this technology to the Wind Industry. ” Said Shortridge.
As a result we know that many of you in the hydropower industry will be in charge of the Wind Turbine Assets within your power company. At Lignum- Vitae we understand that keeping your assets generating electricity when you need it is your top priority. Unplanned outages are always costly but Wind Turbines have an enormous maintenance cost associated with them. Bearing failures account for about 57% of mechanical failures in Wind Turbines.
Current metallurgy, lubricants and bearing configurations struggle to successfully handle the loads as turbines grow in size. Renting cranes or purchasing a crane just to service these turbines is a big expense. Lignum-Vitae has 100′s of years of proven performance in rotating equipment. From large ships to large Hydro Lignum-Vitae is the answer.
Why is Lignum-Vitae the Solution?
Lignum vitae offers a solution that is adjustable in place, water lubricated, non-conductive, removes thrust at source reducing forces downtime.
Lignum Vitae allows “modular component bearing replacements” vs. entire replacement.
Lignum Vitae removes threat of fire by using water vs. oils resulting in lower insurance costs.
Finally a proven solution for wind turbines…game changing.
- Dampens vibration and shock
- Only 100% renewable bearing
- Non-conductive
- Non-arching with no shaft pitting
- Water lubricated
- EAL lubricated for 3100 and 3168
- No moving parts lower friction low COF
- Fully and only adjustable in place bearing
- Lasts lifetime of turbine 20-30 years
- Removes thrust at source
- Modular bearing components for easy field replacement
- Lower insurance costs from risk of fire
- Eliminates thrust from reaching gearbox
- NSF-61 designation eliminating metallic contamination
- Wear aids in lubrication
- Works within current bearing configuration
- Zero potential for fire or explosion
- Requires no exotic lubricants
- Requires no exotic metals or new metallurgy
- Time tested bearing configuration in similar service over 160 years
- Nothing toxic in manufacturing or in use
