Product Spotlight: Bearings Improve Fuel Efficiency
“Twin tandem” four-row angular contact ball bearings for SUV and light-truck wheel-hub assemblies reduce fuel consumption and carbon- dioxide output by as much as 1.5% (10.6 gallons and 149 lb of CO2 /yr).
This design replaces each row
of tapered rollers with two ball rolls to create a fourrow
ball system that lowers rib and bearing friction
by as much as 50%. This results in lower operating
temperatures and longer bearing-lubricant service
life. Designers can implement these bearings with
minimal reengineering of the vehicle hub system and
existing manufacturing processes.
Users can save additional fuel on the powertrain
side by replacing traditional plain-bearing camshafts
with needle bearings, which have better friction
characteristics.
Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
1750 E. Big Beaver Rd.
Troy, MI 48083
(248) 528-4822
ina.com