Product category:
Bearings
News Release from: The Barden Corporation | Subject: Ball bearings
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 12 November 2004
Bearings play key role in rebirth of
turbos
Barden's F1 bearing technology is providing the key to the next generation of high efficiency turbochargers that are being employed on a wide range of performance vehicles.
Barden's F1 bearing technology is providing the key to the next generation of high efficiency turbochargers that are being employed on a wide range of performance vehicles including some World Rally Championship (WRC) cars Although not a new technology, turbo charging is enjoying an upsurge in interest among manufacturers as a result of a number of key advantages that are of particular relevance today
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 6 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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First, the installation space required for a turbo engine is smaller than that of a naturally aspirated engine with the same power output.
Second, the fuel consumption of a turbo engine is lower, compared with a naturally aspirated engine of identical power output.
Third, the power-to-weight ratio of an exhaust gas turbocharged engine is much better than that of the naturally aspirated engine.
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Historically, turbochargers have suffered from problems of excessive heat, turbo-lag compressor whine and premature failure.
Now, Barden has claimed to have addressed all of these problems with a new series of designs.
For WRC cars, the company has developed a three stage bearing design manufactured from M50 tool steel, which can operate at temperatures up to 5000 degrees C.
The new design reduces the problem of tolerance stack-up in the turbo and also reduces the effects of temperature differentials in the bearing assembly.
The benefits resulting from these improvements are a significant performance increase coupled with much improved reliability.
Barden's ball bearings are also a major factor in the rapidly developing automotive aftermarket for ball bearing turbos.
The bearings enable turbo manufacturers to achieve maximum power and driveability with integrated designs and high performance materials that virtually eliminate turbo lag and compressor whine, and also allow higher boost levels.
In addition, the accuracy of the Barden designs enables reduced compressor clearance, lower rotating inertia and maximum speed-ability claimed the company.
In motor racing's top formula, F1, Barden has engineered a series of extreme high performance bearing systems for race-critical applications such as clutch release, gearbox, wheel and suspension.
Barden also offers F1 gearbox bearings that are tailored to interface directly with the transmission designs of individual race teams.
These bearings incorporate bespoke features such as flanges, splines and thread forms as integral parts which, together with direct oil feed systems, help keep mass to a minimum and ensure optimum lubricant supply throughout each race.
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