Optimal Rotation: The Important Role of Bearings in Rotary Valves
06/09/2024 - 08:40
Bearings are important components in rotary valves as they ensure smooth rotation of the rotor shaft. Play that occurs when a bearing is damaged or broken can lead to significant issues, such as increased clearance between valve components, reduced performance, and increased wear.
A bearing rarely fails due to overload, as the maximum load and speed are never reached in the applications of a rotary valve. However, bearing failure can be caused by:
- Incorrect installation: Careless impacts and unsuitable installation tools used to place the bearing correctly and evenly onto the shaft can lead to internal (not always visible) damage, compromising the correct clearance.
- Misalignment: If the shaft or bearing is not properly aligned, additional forces may be applied to the bearing, increasing the risk of failure.
- Poor lubrication: Inadequate lubrication can lead to increased friction and wear, shortening the bearing's lifespan and raising the likelihood of failure.
- Contamination: Poor seals can allow contaminants and other impurities to enter the bearing. This can lead to increased wear and potentially premature bearing failure. Therefore, many designers opt to equip the rotary valve with external bearings, where a gap between the seal and the bearing prevents the space between them from being filled with impurities.
Although regular maintenance, proper installation, and adequate lubrication can prevent many issues, the use of high-quality seals remains crucial. The better the seal, the lower the risk of contamination, the closer the bearing can be positioned to the seal, the stronger the rotor, the more precise the tolerances, and the greater the efficiency!
