Energetically optimised sliding bearing

A German university developed a novel sliding bearing with hydrostatic support. It has been optimised energetically. This leads to an efficient reduction in the drive power of machines. The stress on the bearing is held hydrostatically by pressure generated within the bearing. This reduces release moments at the beginning of motion and avoids jerking start-up movements. During the movement process, a lubricant in interaction with the tribological contact surfaces ensures a constant low friction value of the bearing. Compared to inventive bearings, the energy consumption of the drive is more uniform and lower than for sliding bushes or sliding shoes. An extremely low friction value in the start-up phase results in an exact positioning accuracy in the final positions. Leakage in the bearing gap is minimized by a high viscosity pressure medium within the sealing gap. The sealing gap geometry is reduced by using a density element to minimize the leakage amount to the lowest level possible. Companies in various industries such as mechanical engineering, bridge building, shipbuilding or hydraulic engineering, who would like to integrate the sliding bearing in their processes and products, are offered a license agreement. If further expertise is needed in maturing the innovation, the university offers a technical cooperation agreement to go with it.