Project description
Diamonds just might be an engine's best friend
Engines have lots of moving parts, and moving parts create friction, heat and wear at the points at which they make contact. Metallic engine bearings are among the most critical of these moving parts. There are several types of metallic bearings within the engine, and oil lubrication is standard to keep them running smoothly. The EU-funded DEBRA project is out to replace metallic bearings with synthetic manmade diamond ones. The surfaces can be engineered to be much smoother and much harder, reducing heat generation and frictional wear and opening the door to air cooling as an alternative to oil.
Objective
This proposal is aimed at developing novel, super hard, non-lubricated air cooled bearings that would give a step change in minimizing the engine oil system and its complexity. An SFC gain of 0.1 to 0.3% is anticipated as a result of this project.
The project aims to achieve this by developing air cooled bearings using synthetic diamond. The novelty is in the surface finish of diamond rolling elements and mating raceways which can be improved substantially relative to today’s metallic bearing materials such that heat generation and frictional wear is minimized. Diamond offers superior thermal properties enabling thermal gradients and running clearances to be optimized.
This proposal aims to reduce oil system cost, weight and complexity by exploiting the properties of synthetic diamond material in the design and manufacture of novel bearings. The basic premise is that the surface finish of diamond rolling elements and mating raceways can be improved substantially relative to today’s metallic bearing materials such that heat generation and frictional wear is minimized. Diamond’s superior thermal properties enable thermal gradients and running clearances to be optimized using air rather than oil as the cooling medium.
The partners have assembled a consortium that has bearings expertise, capability in the manufacture, forming and metrology of synthetic diamond materials, and a proven track record in the design and evaluation of gas turbine air cooling schemes, with test facilities that will allow for friction and integrity proving from technology readiness level (TRL) 2 to 4. The consortium believe that all aspects of demonstration and industrialization can be successfully delivered with the work packages that have been assembled to TRL 4, with a final design complete for TRL 5 endurance tests.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.3.4. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3.4.5.5. - ITD Engines
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
RIA - Research and Innovation action
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-CS2-CFP07-2017-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.