2011 POY Finalists: Power Transmission

Finalists in Power Transmission in Plant Engineering’s 2011 Product of the Year competition

By Edited by Gust Gianos, Plant Engineering November 1, 2011

Panel wiring system

The SmartWire-DT panel wiring solution system is designed to reduce panel wiring complexity, improve system reliability, save installation time, and reduce panel space. It links standard motor control components within the panel, separates distribution panels or remote control stations, and creates communications enabled devices. The SmartWire-DT panel wiring solution uses an eight-conductor, flat cable located in the control cabinet to connect motor starters, pushbutton actuators, and indicator lights. The start of the system is a SmartWire-DT gateway, which establishes the connection to standard programmable logic controller (PLC) fieldbuses, including PROFIBUS-DP and CANopen.

Eaton Corporation


Remote racking device

The VacClad-W remote racking device provides a means of remotely inserting or removing any drawout circuit breaker used in VacClad-W switchgear to help mitigate arc flash exposure. The VCP-W MR2 permits the operator to safely move a VCP-W breaker between three predetermined positions within the circuit breaker compartment. Standing at a safe distance, well outside the arc flash boundary of the equipment, an operator can use remote controls to select disconnect, test, or connected positions for the circuit breaker.

Eaton Corporation


Remote racking/breaker device

The MMR1000 remote racking device provides a means of remotely inserting or removing any drawout circuit breaker in the Magnum DS family of air circuit breakers (ACBs) to help mitigate arc flash exposure. The MRR1000 permits the operator to remotely open and close a breaker from up to 25 ft away during the rack-in or rack-out process, a distance well beyond the arc flash boundary for traditional LV switchgear. It also allows for manual operation of the breaker as well as racking.

Eaton Corporation


Oil mist bearing isolator

The EnDuro Bearing Isolator is designed for flooded and oil mist applications. The design core features a unique and patent-pending biconcave surface incorporated within a proprietary fluorocarbon stator that provides long life and reliable bearing protection. The EnDuro is the first seal to prevent the loss of potential environmentally harmful bearing lubrication. EnDuro bearing isolators are designed to quickly and easily replace contact lip seals and traditional bearing isolators used throughout industry. The EnDuro is available in shaft sizes ranging from 0.875 in. to over 6 in., with flanged, flangeless, and custom configurations offered.

Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC


Shaft grounding bearing isolator

The SGi Bearing Isolator incorporates shaft grounding technology to offer maintenance-free and reliable bearing protection by preventing bearing contamination, lubrication loss, and electrical damage. The SGi is a marriage of proven technology: the Guardian nonsparking, noncontact labyrinth seal and the Aegis shaft grounding ring. SGi bearing isolators are designed to easily replace both contact lip seals and traditional bearing isolators used in nearly every industrial application. The SGi is available for shaft sizes ranging from 0.875 in. to over 6 in., in flanged, flangeless, and custom configurations.

Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC


Gear drive

The V-Class Gear Drive was designed to provide the strength, durability, ease of maintenance, and cooler running needed to excel under difficult operating conditions. Computational Fluid Design (CFD) is used to achieve advanced engineering design objectives that optimize thermal dissipation. The V-Class line currently consists of 29 sizes, ranging from 60,000 ft-lb to approximately three million ft-lb. Standard packages will be available for monitoring conditions such as vibration, bearing temperature, and oil condition.

Rexnord Industries, LLC


Profile rail linear guides

The 400 Series Profile Rail Linear Guides deliver linear motion in automation applications. The 400 Series is available in 4 meter lengths, in sizes from 15–45 mm in 5-mm increments, for extended joint-free rail transfer, even in smaller-sized applications. Double-faced ball track bearing arrangements allow for compliance to simplify installation, and enable equal load-carrying capacity in all directions. The 400 Series is available with standard or ball cage carriages that use the same rail design. The 400 Series is rated to handle loads ranging from 9800 N to 129,500 N.

Thomson Industries, Inc.


High-temperature gasketing material

THERMa-PUR is a gasketing material designed for use in high-temperature sealing applications. It is designed to withstand continuous and thermal cycling temperatures up to 1832 F. THERMa-PUR was created to have low weight loss when heated to extreme temperatures compared to other gaskets in a similar category. Also, it is produced using an environmentally friendly solvent-free process. Another unique feature is its patent-pending flexible fiber core, which makes it safe to handle and easy to cut. THERMa-PUR will easily release from the flange after in-service, which reduces maintenance and downtime.

Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC