Renold Hi-Tec's innovative new DCB-GS rubber-in-compression couplings have been given the thumbs up by the highly respected, blue-chip engine manufacturer Wartsila. Not only has the company specifically featured Renold Hi-Tec's products in it's house magazine, Energy News, but Wartsila Vaasa, of Finland, has given further backing to Renold innovation by recently placing an order for no less than 52 of the new DCB-GS couplings.
Launched in 2004 the new DCB-GS couplings are low maintenance, zero backlash units designed for use in diesel drive applications. The DCB-GS is based on the industry-proven DCB range and offers considerable advantages over the standard product, including a 30 per cent reduction in weight, and a reduction in overall length. On top of its fail-safe, long-life design, a significant feature of the DCB-GS coupling is its ability to control resonant torsional vibration, resulting in low vibratory loads in driveline components.
The couplings will be used by Wartsila Vaasa to connect their Wartsila 20V34SG gas engines to alternators, as part of a contract to supply generator sets to AzerEnergi, the
national power company of Azerbaijan. Each coupling transmits 9000kW at 750rpm. The generator sets will be located at five power plants in Azerbaijan - Astara, Baku, Khachmaz, Nakhivan and Sheki. Together they will have a total power output of 450Mwe. Wartsila selected the DCB-GS rubber-in-compression coupling as it ensures there are no resonances at operating speed and the coupling's fail-safe nature will ensure continuous operation of the generator sets at all times.