Marine Thordon Seawater Lubricated Propeller Shaft Bearings
ADVANCED PROPELLER SHAFT BEARINGS
Reliability, long wear life and strong technical support have made Thordon the first choice for seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing solutions. Thordon’s pollution free propeller shaft bearings are easily installed in conversion or new build applications.
Thordon Bearings, a pioneer in the development of pollution free bearing designs, offers a variety of choices of seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearing systems for all water conditions. Open, seawater lubricated bearing options include Thordon COMPAC, RiverTough, SXL and XL; each offering specific advantages for different water environments and operating conditions.
Commercial owners and managers, including major cargo, tanker, bulk carrier and cruise ship operators, specify Thordon for it’s pollution free simplicity and reliability to replace conventional oil lubricated stern tube systems.
With over 35 years of experience Thordon has solid references in over 2000 marine propeller shaft bearing applications. Thordon bearings are used by over 40 Navies and Coast Guards around the world.
It doesn’t matter if your bearing needs are for repair, conversion, or new build; Thordon propeller shaft bearings and bearing systems deliver proven, reliable, cost-effective performance backed up by timely delivery, superior technical support and outstanding after sales service. Thordon Bearings are available worldwide through an extensive distributor network in over 100 countries.
THORDON GRADES
Thordon COMPAC
Thordon COMPAC is a high performance water lubricated bearing system primarily for “blue water” operating conditions. Specially formulated with a low coefficient of friction to reduce startup friction and eliminate stick-slip, COMPAC’s unique configuration is designed to promote early formation of a hydrodynamic film at lower shaft rpm. The lower (loaded) portion of the bearing is smooth, while the upper half of the bearing incorporates water grooves for lubrication and cooling.
Thordon RiverTough
Specially formulated to provide superior wear life in highly abrasive water conditions such as inland river systems, Thordon RiverTough bearings operating in combination with hard coated nickelchrome-boron shaft sleeves routinely outwear rubber propeller shaft bearings by a factor of two or more. More than 25 years experience on hundreds of push boats and other vessels operating on America’s muddy Mississippi River system confirm achievable bearing wear at between 0.010” – 0.015” (0.25mm – 0.38mm) per year.
Thordon SXL
Thordon SXL offers a lower coefficient of friction for reduced break-away torque and smoother operation at lower shaft RPM, increased resistance to third particle abrasive wear and improved wear life compared to XL.
Thordon XL
Our traditional standard propeller shaft bearing grade, Thordon XL is a general purpose bearing offering superior performance compared to other bearings commonly used in propeller shaft applications. XL provides good balance between long wear life, low coefficient of friction, reasonable abrasion resistance and cost effectiveness.
BENEFITS OF THORDON SEAWATER LUBRICATED PROPELLER SHAFT BEARINGS
Long Wear Life
With over 35 years experience supplying marine propeller shaft bearings, in use service has proven that Thordon bearings provide significantly longer wearlife compared to the bearings they replace. Thordon bearings often outlast competitive products by 50% to 100%, or more, significantly reducing overall life cycle operating costs and increasing propulsion system reliability.
Four Grades/Multiple Configurations Available
Thordon propeller shaft bearings are available in four different grades and multiple configurations for the optimal bearing solution for each owner’s specific application and operating profile.
Pollution Free
Thordon water lubricated propeller shaft bearings totally eliminate the use of oil resulting in zero risk of pollution.
High Abrasion Resistance
Due to their tough, elastomeric properties, Thordon bearings can resist abrasive wear by tending to deflect, and then reject, abrasive particles allowing them to be flushed through the bearing and not become embedded.
Accommodates Edge Loading
Under edge loading conditions caused by minor shaft misalignment, elastomeric Thordon bearings deflect slightly, effectively spreading the load and reducing potential bearing wiping and shaft wear.
Low Friction
Thordon’s static and dynamic coefficients of friction are both lower than other materials commonly used for water lubricated propeller shaft bearings. Lower friction leads to reduced break away torque, longer life and elimination of stick-slip and noise.
High Resilience/Impact Resistance
Elastomeric Thordon bearings tend to absorb impact loads, increasing resistance to damage from pounding during operation or in heavy seas.
Reduced Docking Time
Thordon recognizes the need for quick response to customer needs. To ensure tight docking schedules are met, Thordon provides the following advantages for shipyards and owners :
i) Worldwide Stock Availability – With Thordon’s network of distributors in over 100 countries around the world, inventory is available quickly at all major ports. When necessary, emergency shipment from the factory within three business days is possible.
ii) Easily Machined and Fitted – Asbestos and dust free, easily machined, and one seventh the weight of metals, Thordon bearings can be quickly installed in position by freeze fitting. Lighter rigging may be used and Thordon will not chip or crack during handling while frozen.
Extensive References
With over 35 years of experience supplying water lubricated propeller shaft bearings, Thordon has developed extensive lists of references, which are available upon request.
Full Classification Society Approvals
Thordon propeller shaft bearings are approved by all major Classification Societies and can be specified and installed with confidence.
BEARING CONFIGURATIONS
Full Form Tubes
Full form Thordon tubes are typically the easiest Thordon bearing configuration to install. Using dry ice or liquid nitrogen, the bearing is cooled and quickly installed in one piece. A bearing tube can also be split with a single tapered key design. This allows the bearings to be withdrawn, inspected and re-installed in a matter of hours with the shaft in place.
Staves
Thordon XL, SXL and RiverTough grades are all available in a full range of metre long (39.4”) STAXL and Dovetail stave configurations. Thordon staves in split carriers can be removed with the shaft in place. Thordon staves are easily installed by freezing in dry ice or liquid nitrogen and then interference fitting them into the housing or carrier. Custom sizes are available upon request.
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