Polyurethane HRS seals

High performance radial shaft seals for wind turbines

The Power of Knowledge Engineering

 High performance solutions for Boosting turbine performance
wind turbines and profitability
SKF designs and develops bearings, seals, condition monitoring systems and l­ubrication
systems that enable more cost-effective wind energy generation.

Working together with original equipment

manufacturers and wind farm operators, Easy up-tower usage
SKF engineers can provide dedicated solu- The split seals are single packed and
tions to optimize the reliability and ­designed to fulfill the needs in the wind
performance of new as well as existing wind aftermarket. Each package contains a
turbine designs. seal with the garter spring and an
HRS seals from SKF are specially designed installation guide. To allow for easy han-
to cope with the harsh conditions that wind dling and transportation for large dia-
turbine main shafts face. They offer lubri- meter seals, these seals are folded.
cant retention and contamination exclusion
to reduce the risks of lubrication or contam-
inant-related bearings failures and their
consequences, such as production down-
time and repair costs. These high perfor-
mance radial shaft seals can deliver signifi-
cantly extended service life and help wind The HRS high performance profile
farm operators to reduce maintenance costs
and ultimately increase wind turbine
The grooves help to improve
reliability.
static sealing performance

Benefits and features The smooth outer diameter facilitates

service and handling operations for
• Extended service life due to high abrasion easy installation and dismounting
resistance material
• Reduced contaminant-related bearing
failures
• Hydrolysis resistance, UV radiation and
ozone due to G-ECOPUR material
• Increased wind turbine reliability
• Facilitated up-tower retrofits
• Reduced OPEX during turbine life
• Easy installation
• Customization of seal size thanks to
flexible manufacturing process

The lip design avoids contact with

the seal carrier and can minimize
the risk of installation failures.

A flexible sealing lip helps to cope

with large misalignments Stainless steel spring
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Main shaft arrangement Seal design overview

Radial shaft seal, HRS1 Radial shaft seal, HRSA Radial excluder seal, HRE

Wind turbine

Design HRS1 HRSA HRE

Description Radial shaft seal for large Radial shaft seal with additional auxiliary lip for Excluder seal to be used in combination with
diameters and large large diameters and large misalignments. Designed HRS1 design to keep contamination (dust,
misalignments. Designed to keep to keep lubricant inside while keeping particles out. moisture) out and protect the main sealing lip
lubricant inside. against abrasive particles.

Highlight Solution for standard use Compact solution for contaminated environment Solution for contaminated environment

Required Narrow seal housing bore depth Narrow seal housing bore depth and medium Wider seal housing bore depth and wider
space and counterface counterface counterface

Environment Standard environment Contaminated environment Harsh conditions

Designation system

HRS1 HRSA HRE

Solid seal HRS11 HRSA1 HRE11

Split seal HRS12 HRSA2 HRE12

Standard material, G-ECOPUR: GP, H-ECOPUR: HP*

Dimensions + seal design + material

Example: 920x968x20 HRS11 GP

*for seal diameters below 600 mm only

Main shaft arrangement

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HRS1 and HRSA radial shaft seals HRE radial excluder seal

These large diameter radial shaft seals are designed to protect large size bearings in wind tur- HRE is a radial contacting excluder seal, designed to be used in combination with an HRS1
bines with grease lubrication and low pressure differentials. A flexible manufacturing process radial shaft seal as additional protection against contamination. A flexible manufacturing
allows a degree of customization to the seal dimensions to help meet unusual requirements. process allows a degree of customization to the seal dimensions to help meet unusual
HRSA seals feature an additional auxiliary lip to protect the seal and the application against requirements.
contamination from the environment.

HRS1 and HRSA seals feature a garter HRS seals HRE seal HRE seals are additional auxiliary lips for
spring that stabilizes the sealing lip, increas- Housing Housing contamination protection to be used in com-
es the lip followability (DRO and STBM) and bination with HRS1 seals. They are generally
maintains the sealing function even in alter- used where additional protection from con-
nating operating temperatures. The seals taminants is needed.
are designed to secure the garter spring Cover plate HRS1 seal Cover plate
inside the spring groove once the seals are (axial clamping) (axial clamping)
installed.
Solid seals feature an endless garter HRE seal
spring, while split seals feature an open
connection that is closed during seal Counterface
installation. Counterface

HRE

HRSA

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Installation Material and manufacturing

Seal versions Fig. 1 Fig. 2

SKF offers two versions to meet hand­ling HRS split seals joint at 12 o’clock position Garter spring connections
and installation requirements.

1 Solid version
Designed and packed for installation in a
workshop, solid seal versions are used when
it is possible to access the housing bore and
shaft axially.
Seal and garter spring are delivered solid
and cannot be cut.
Recommended adhesives: Permabond HM162 (preferred),
Marston-Domsel MD666.620, Loctite 243

2 Split version
This seal version is used for up-tower Fig. 3 G-ECOPUR 160
Abrasion wear of various sealing materials
140
replacements or where it is impossible to HRE split seals joint at 6 o’clock position
120 [mm3]
Abrasion G-ECOPUR is 5 times more
access the shaft axially. Standard seals are made from G-ECOPUR
160100 abrasion-resistant than the
HRS seals are delivered cut and the garter which is a casted polyurethane elastomer. next best performing elasto-
spring has one connection left open to place This material has outstanding wear re- 140 80 mer material.
them around the shaft. It is recommended sistance and increased stiffness compared 120 60
that the seal is installed with the ends to rubber materials. ­Increased stiffness al- 100 40
located in the area of the lowest media lows for easier handling and minimizes the 80 20
pressure. Usually the 12 o’clock position. risk of installation failures like bending the 60 0
G-ECOPUR NBR FKM HNBR
(† fig. 1). sealing lip or losing the garter spring. 40
During installation, the garter spring 20
must be connected. Back-wind the spring 0
7 full turns before the ends are brought CNC manufacturing G-ECOPUR NBR FKM HNBR
together and allowed to thread into each
other. To prevent installation failures, SKF process
recommends additionally securing the con- Featuring proprietary software and high- Tear strength of various sealing materials
Recommended installation temperature range
nection with an adhesive († fig. 2). precision cutting tools, the SKF SEAL JET
Tear strength [kN/m]
HRE split seals can be easily placed manufacturing system uses Computer G-ECOPUR offers almost 3,5
Seal installation temperature 120
around the shaft. Do not position the ends ­Numerical Control (CNC) technology to times greater tear strength
of the HRE seal in the same area as the 5 40 [°C] ­machine polymer seals quickly. The system than the next best performing
100 elastomer material.
main seal. Using the 6 o’clock position is 41 104 [°F] machines a seal from a semi-finished tube
recommended († fig. 3). of the selected material. 120 80
nn Lower temperature range: Within this range SKF recommends to warm up the seal or
the seal housing. 100
60

nn Recommended temperature range for installation 80

40

nn Higher temperature range: Within this range SKF recommends to cool down the seal or
the seal housing. 60
20

0
40 G-ECOPUR NBR FKM HNBR
20

0
G-ECOPUR NBR FKM HNBR

8 9
Operating conditions and Shaft and bore requirements
requirements C
B ?0,1

Design requirements
CS
• Seal is clamped axially (e.g. with bolted Housing
S2 S1
cover plate)
• Rotating applications
Cover plate Seal
D d1 LRS
(axial clamping)
Operating conditions
Inside media
• Permissible misalignments (STBM and
(lubricant)
DRO) according to table 1.
• Pressure differential: 0,5 bar continuously,
Counterface
up to 3 bar short-term
d1 D CS B S1 S2 LRS C
• Counterface surface speed (linear)
< 2,5 m/s Seal installed with surrounding components Range Tol Tol minimum HRS1 HRS1 HRS1 HRSA HRS1 HRSA +HRE HRS1 HRE
• Lubrication: Grease NLGI ≥1 incl. up to (recommended) HRSA +HRE HRE HRSA
• Temperature range mm
Table 1

Permissible misalignment
350 900 –0,4 +0,4 ≥ 20 (25) ≥ 20 ≥ 25 ≤ 12 ≤ 12 7-12 ≥ 15 ≥ 25 ≥ B + 10 ≤ 10 ≤ 1,5
Counterface diameter †d1 350 – 500 500 – 900 900 – 1 800 >1 800
900 1 800 –0,5 +0,5 ≥ 25 (32) ≥ 25 ≥ 30 ≤ 16 ≤ 16 7-16 ≥ 15 ≥ 30 ≥ B + 10 ≤ 10 ≤ 1,5
[mm]
1 800 3 900 –0,7 +0,7 ≥ 28 (32) ≥ 25 ≥ 30 ≤ 18 ≤ 18 7-18 ≥ 15 ≥ 30 ≥ B + 10 ≤ 10 ≤ 1,5
STBM and DRO 1,5 2 2,5 3
(deviation max. [mm])

Temperature range Surface roughness Surface finish Hardness and surface

The surface roughness values of the coun- Depending on the direction of rotation, treatment
Operating temperature
terface for these radial shaft seals, calculat- ­directionality on the seal counterface may
–70 –50 –30 80 110 [°C]
ed according to methods described in ISO cause a seal to leak. Plunge grinding is the The surface hardness of the seal counter-
–70 –58 –22 176 230 [°F] 4288 (DIN 4768), should be: preferred machining method to minimize face should be at least 45 HRC. Under cer-
Ra ≤0.8µm ­directionality (0±0,05°) on the seal tain conditions, such as where speeds are
nn Extreme low temperature range: for short-terms only (e.g. cold start-up). During this
time, the seal performance can be compromised Material ratio: 50...95% at 50% of Rz, counterface. low, lubrication is good and contaminants
Cref=0% The seal counterface surface should be are absent, counterface surfaces having a
nn Temperatures
system design.
below the recommended operating range: seal performance depends on
solid, free of any damage, scratches, cracks, lower hardness may be suitable. Surfaces
If higher values are used, the seal life may rust or burrs and should be properly pro- that are nitrided, phosphated or have a
nn Recommended temperature range for this design and material be affected. If the counterface is too rough, tected until final installation. galvanized coating may also be suitable, but
nn Temperatures above the recommended operating range: acceptable for short term but
only with reduced pressure, and/or speed. there can be excessive sealing lip wear and this must be determined for each specific
seal service life might be be shortened. case.

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The Power of Knowledge Engineering SKF BeyondZero
Combining products, people, and application-specific knowledge, SKF SKF BeyondZero is more than our climate strategy
delivers innovative solutions to equipment manufacturers and production for a sustainable environment: it is our mantra;
facilities in every major industry worldwide. Having expertise in multiple a way of thinking, innovating and acting.
competence areas supports SKF Life Cycle Management, a proven approach For us, SKF BeyondZero means that we will reduce
to improving equipment reliability, optimizing operational and energy the negative environmental impact from our own
efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership. operations and at the same time, increase the
These competence areas include bearings and units, seals, lubrication positive environmental contribution by offering our
systems, mechatronics, and a wide range of services, from 3-D computer customers the SKF BeyondZero portfolio of
modelling to cloud-based condition monitoring and asset management products and services with enhanced environmental performance
services. characteristics.
SKF’s global footprint provides SKF customers with uniform quality standards For inclusion in the SKF BeyondZero portfolio, a product, service or solution
and worldwide product availability. Our local presence provides direct access must deliver significant environmental benefits without serious
to the experience, knowledge and ingenuity of SKF people. environmental trade-offs.
All our solutions for the renewable energy sector have been selected for inclusion
in the SKF BeyondZero portfolio, which includes products and solutions with
significant environmental benefits, such as improved energy efficiency and the
enabling of increased renewable energy generation.

® SKF, BeyondZero, SEAL JET, G-ECOPUR and H-ECOPUR are

registered trademarks of the SKF Group.
© SKF Group 2015
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher
and may not be reproduced (even extracts) unless prior written
permission is granted. Every care has been taken to ensure the
accuracy of the information contained in this publication but no
liability can be accepted for any loss or damage whether direct,
indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information
contained herein.
PUB SE/P2 15901 EN · September 2015