Ball bearing boosts fuel economy says NSK
A new kind of ball bearing enabling ultra high-speed rotation by greatly reducing friction will, say its developers, contribute to better fuel economy in next generation hybrid vehicles by facilitating ultra high-speed rotation in motors and power generators.
The bearings specialist NSK says that auto manufacturers have a growing need for ultra high-speed rotation technologies to secure output power while they continue scaling down the size and weight of drive motors and power generators in order to improve fuel economy in next-generation hybrid systems.
The company's new ball bearings (pictured) will, it claims, deliver extreme high speed rotation over 30,000 revolutions per minute, 50% faster than conventional bearings.
The bearings feature improved lubrication, reduced friction and greater durability.