Press Release
 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Motor Grounding Seal stops the damaging effects from destructive
residual shaft currents on AC motors. Specifically developed for
VFD controlled AC motor applications, it prevents pitting, fluting,
fusion craters and eliminates catastrophic motor failure while permanently
protecting bearings from contamination.
Rock Island, IL (PRWEB) July 27, 2005 -- Inpro/Seal has announced
their Motor Grounding Seal (MGS), an innovative bearing isolator/grounding
seal that stops the damaging effects from destructive residual shaft
currents on AC motors. Specifically developed for VFD controlled
AC motor applications, it prevents pitting, fluting, fusion craters
and eliminates catastrophic motor failure while permanently protecting
bearings from contamination.
The Use Of Variable Frequency Drives
A VFD works by electronically matching the mechanical output of
the motor to the exact application. Once the load is precisely matched,
the speed is adjusted and the motor produces only the amount of
energy needed. Equipment operates at capacity, runs more efficiently,
energy consumption is lowered and operating costs are reduced. Experts
agree that the use of variable-speed control on motors and other
types of rotating equipment can save a significant amount of money
from improved efficiencies and increased production.
The Damaging Effects Of Bearing Current
Inherently, the VFD system generates residual current or shaft voltage
that accumulates on the rotor and discharges (shaft to frame) through
the motor bearing. Causes of this resultant bearing damage range
from voltage pulse overshoot and non-symmetry of the motor’s magnetic
circuit to power unbalances, transient conditions and other conditions
that work together or independently to create damaging currents.
This random and frequent discharging is referred to as the EDM
effect. An acronym for electric discharge machining, this phenomenon
causes pitting on the bearing’s rolling elements and raceways. At
first, these EDMs create a frosted or sandblasted effect. Over time
this deterioration causes fluting – a groove pattern in the bearing
race that leads to destructive bearing failure.
Passive Fixes Do Not Last
Before the advent of the MGS Grounding Seal, a number of methods
were tried to minimize the damaging effects of shaft currents, including:
shaft grounding; external brushes; ceramic bearings; conductive
greases and insulated bearings. The problem is that these are passive
methods that are not cost effective, do not last, allow currents
to continue to build up, require continual maintenance, allow for
contaminants to accumulate and in some cases and can actually interfere
with motor performance. Moreover, because many of these methods
appear to be effective, unless there was a catastrophic bearing
failure, there was no way to tell if they were working.
Enter The MGS Seal
Fortunately these problems can be solved and breakdown eliminated
with the Inpro/Seal Motor Grounding Seal, an enhanced bearing isolator
that prevents electrical damage to AC motor bearings by safely diverting
harmful residual shaft currents.
The result of ongoing R & D, extensive field testing and exhaustive
trials in their dedicated testing facility, along with the combined
efforts of Electro Static Technology, the MGS Bearing Isolator eliminates
this damaging shaft current by providing a "virtual short" between
the shaft and motor frame that keeps shaft current and voltage from
building up before bearing damage can occur.
MGS Seal Is Based On Highly Successful Product
At the heart of the MGS is an Inpro/Seal bearing isolator, a compound
labyrinth bearing protection device, that Inpro invented (and patented)
in 1977 and have now modified it for use with AC Motor applications.
A major innovation is a unique design that includes a grounding
ring and brush built into the bearing isolator. The grounding ring
dissipates the current and gives it a path to ground, away from
the bearings. The brush contains microfibers that completely surround
the shaft that work to discharge shaft current. The highest levels
of performance are further assured by virtue of an inherent non-contact
design that provides a life-time seal against, dust, liquids and
other contaminants.
Simple, Low Cost, Long Term Fix
The MGS Motor Grounding Seal is a low cost solution that requires
no maintenance and without the need for any adjustments. With no
moving parts, dramatically increased life cycles are assured. It
installs with a simple press fit to the internal or external motor
housing. As the frame connection is part of the press fit, no external
wiring is required.
Long Involvement In Rotating Equipment
According to David C. Orlowski, President of Inpro/Seal, the holder
of some 40 patents and considered by many as the “father” of bearing
isolation technology, “For over three decades Inpro/Seal has been
on the cutting edge of sealing, process and bearing technology.
And with almost two million bearing isolators installed, we are
experienced in finding solutions to the most demanding problems.
More importantly, our R & D people are constantly searching for
ways to help end users increase productivity.”
Orlowski continued, “In reality, when it comes to a failed motor,
the expense of the repair or replacement is a minor cost. With plant
downtime running as high as $80,000 per hour, the real cost is in
the downtime, labor, loss of production and disruption of production
schedules. With this as a background, Electro Static Technology,
the world leader in shaft grounding, conductive technology and Inpro/Seal,
the world leader in bearing protection joined forces to develop
the MGS Bearing Isolator. There is nothing else like it on the market.”
Two Global Leaders
Headquartered in Mechanic Falls, Maine, Electro Static Technology
is a recognized global leader in the elimination and/or mitigation
of induced electrical charges. They also engineer flexible peel-and-stick
passive static eliminators for printers, copiers and other imaging
devices.
Inpro/Seal Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of bearing
isolators. The bearing isolator that they invented (patented back
in 1977), known as an Inpro/Seal, has become a generic name in bearing
protection. A non-contact, non-wearing, labyrinth permanent bearing
protection device, the bearing isolator has two parts, a stator
that presses into the bearing housing and a rotor that turns with
the shaft. The two components interact to keep contamination out
of the bearing enclosure and the lubricant in.
About Inpro/Seal
Inpro/Seal Company is the originator and the world’s number one
manufacturer of bearing isolators, used to protect motor and pump
bearings, machine tool spindles, turbines, fans, gear boxes, paper
machine rolls and many other types of rotating equipment. Additional
applications include the sealing, handling, processing of dry particulates,
powders and bulk solids.
Over one and one half million of Inpro/Seal’s original bearing
isolator designs are in operation in process plants worldwide, where
end users continue to report significantly reduced operating costs
with increased productivity and reliability. Documented cases show
that a plant can more than double the mean-time-between failure
(MTBF) and reduce maintenance costs by at least half, with users
reporting an extremely high ROI.
As the recognized global leader in bearing isolator technology,
Inpro products are marketed to the aerospace, automotive, petroleum,
refining, nuclear, power generation, metalworking, food processing,
grain processing, chemical, water, wastewater treatment, metalworking,
hydrocarbon processing, HVAC, pulp and paper, mining, mineral, ore
processing and general industrial markets.
Industry Leading Web Support
When an end user visits www.inpro-seal.com
or www.bearingisolators.com
they will find a wealth of information related to Inpro/Seal and
bearing protection, including: specific applications, case histories,
data sheets, facts and questions, specifications and more. Interactive
spreadsheets include a Cost Justification Worksheet, that quantifies
the effectiveness of bearing isolators in rotating equipment and
a Contact Seal Energy Consumption Calculator that reveals the true
cost of contact seals.
For more information on the Inpro/Seal Motor Grounding Seal (MGS).
including a FREE brochure, contact Terri Hageman at: Inpro/Seal
Company, P.O. Box 3940, Rock Island, Illinois 61204. Phone numbers
are: (800) 447-0524 or (309) 787-4971. Fax number is: (309) 787-6114.
Website: www.inpro-seal.com
or www.bearingisolators.com
Contact
Inpro/Seal Company Sales
Terri Hagman
Phone: (800) 447-0524 or (309) 787-4971
Fax: (309) 787-6114
Aegis Sales:
Adam Wilwerth
Sales and Marketing ManagerUSA
Phone: 207-998-3493
FAX: 207-998-5143
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