The oil and gas industry is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology. Deeper wells, harsher environments, and more complex drilling methods are placing additional demands on equipment, requiring more robust and stable solutions.
To meet the needs of leading top drive manufacturers, SKF has developed a new generation of thrust tapered roller bearings, the first in its Explorer series of high-performance bearings. SKF Explorer thrust tapered roller bearings offer higher load ratings and up to 300% longer bearing rating life, enabling the next generation of more powerful top drives.
To maximize effective load capacity and improve resistance to shock loads and peak forces, SKF optimized the roller length and diameter, as well as the roller and raceway profiles. The carefully designed relationship between the rollers and raceways minimizes the risk of edge stresses, while the smooth transition of the raceway edges avoids sharp edges and stress peaks.
Tightly controlled manufacturing tolerances minimize diameter variations between rollers, resulting in more even load distribution. The surface finish of bearing components has also been improved, reducing roughness to avoid stress peaks and maintain an effective lubrication film during startup and operation. The bearing washers are designed using the latest finite element technology. Optimized undercuts at the transition between the raceway and flange reduce stress peaks, improving resistance to fatigue or fracture under high loads. Overall dimensions have been refined to reduce friction at the roller ends. A carburizing process further minimizes crack propagation or damage caused by shock loads.
SKF Explorer thrust tapered roller bearings are available with a new, optimized brass cage or a pin-type cage specifically designed for extreme operating conditions. Both cages are available in symmetrical or asymmetrical designs to meet a variety of requirements. Manufactured in Germany, the new bearings are available globally, and SKF offers in-depth selection and engineering support through its proprietary SimPro Expert gearbox design and optimization system.
