Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOSE20240627010
- Term of Validity
- 27 June 2024 - 27 June 2025
- Company's Country
- Sweden
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A Swedish inventor has developed a rolling bearing that lacks sliding friction and is therefore more energy-efficient compared to more conventional rolling bearings. All parts in the bearing are co-rotating, unlike conventional rolling bearings, which all have a “holder” that “hangs” over the rolling bodies, creating sliding friction and thus unnecessary energy losses. The inventor is interested in any type of collaboration agreement.
- Full Description
-
The Swedish inventor developed the idea already in 1980 when energy reduction was not as prioritized as it is today. He then worked at SKF and presented the product idea to management, who declined the offer. In 1984/85 he left the company and 'buried' the product idea in the attic, where it has been lying. Perhaps the time is now for a more energy-efficient rolling bearing than today's traditional bearings?
All parts in this new rolling bearing are co-rotating, unlike conventional rolling bearings, which all have a “holder” that “hangs” over the rolling bodies, creating sliding friction and thus unnecessary energy losses despite/due to grease/oil-friction. The principle in this low friction bearing can be used for all types of rolling bearings such as e.g. spherical, conical, cylindrical roller bearings as well as regular deep groove ball bearings.
Given how the entire society in principle in all activities, companies, homes, means of transport etc. uses rolling bearings, the total energy savings can be enormous.
A major advantage of the rolling bearing is that it can be manufactured using new suitable strong lightweight materials.
Large traditional bearings (with accompanying large and heavy holders) create large/greater structural problems, with technical limitations. Energy efficient rolling bearing by the Swedish inventor has no real limitations in size, as the bearing only has rolling friction. This also opens up completely new exciting areas of development/use such as energy storage in giant flywheels, acting as huge batteries with frequency balancing possibilities, appropriately connected to solar/wind-farms. Other possible areas would be energy recovery from the earth rotation, low friction gearboxes, and new, light weight electric motor/generators.
A prototype/animation demonstrating the bearing's function is available after an NDA has been signed. - Advantages and Innovations
-
The new bearing technology:
- is highly energy efficient
- lacks sliding friction
- has no real size limitations/problems.
- does not require lubrication/grease
- requires less maintenance
The bearing can thanks to no limits in size most likely open up for new possibilities, such as storing energy in extremely heavy gigantic flywheels. - Stage of Development
- Concept stage
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Bearing developer/designer, manufacturer of bearings, researchers in the area of friction reduction, or any other partner interested in minimizing the resistance or friction in a process or system which can enhance efficiency and reduce wear and tear.
- Type and Size of Partner
- R&D Institution
- Big company
- SME <=10
- University
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02003001 - Process automation
- 02002005 - Forming (rolling, forging, pressing, drawing)
- Market keywords
- 08003007 - Other industrial equipment and machinery
- 06008 - Energy Storage
- Targeted countries
- All countries