SKF’s Turbocharger Ball Bearing Unit boosts engine efficiency, saves fuel and cuts C02 emissions

The worldwide turbocharger market is expected to grow from about 12 million units in 2009 to 18 million by 2012, with further steady increases predicted in the years that follow. Driven by both end user and legislation demands for more environmentally friendly engines, the introduction of superior efficiency ball bearing units looks set to be a growing trend for engine designers.

With a minimum number of components, the robust and compact Turbocharger Ball Bearing Unit is easy to assemble, to reduce installation time and costs. This customised, super precision product uses a double row ball bearing design to minimize frictional losses and ensure higher running accuracy than conventional plain bearing units, and also reduces turbo lag at low speeds.

Furthermore, the unit incorporates wear resistant ceramic rolling elements that can function at high temperatures and under poor lubrication conditions to generate lower centrifugal loads at high speeds, while also being able to withstand high thrust loads to maximise pressure boost. In addition, the Turbocharger Ball Bearing Unit uses advanced technologies and materials, such as aerospace standard steel and a reinforced steel and polymer cage design for optimum durability. This innovative design also minimizes noise, improves accuracy and allows integrated damper and anti-rotation features to be added.

Edward Holweg, Director of Product and Systems Development for SKF’s Automotive Division, said, “To help our customers meet emissions targets, SKF is committed to initiating a technology change, replacing plain bearings with ball bearings in turbochargers. The development has been carried out using Design for Six Sigma tools. Using our extensive bearing knowledge and advanced application engineering software, we have now become a key partner for our customers in the design of rotor systems for turbochargers.”