Long-lasting bearings in solar thermal water pump for developing countries

Problem

In order to implement various pivoting and linear movements in the complex gear unit of the solar water pump, the designers were looking for suitable plain bearings. They should be as cost-effective as possible, ideally require no maintenance and have a long service life.

Solution

The solution: dry-operating iglidur plain bearings made of durable high-performance­plastic. For the rod guide (1), plain bearings of the X series resistant up to +250°C are used at the top, and iglidur G bushings for all-round use are used in the transverse steering (2) and in the connecting rod bearing arrangement (4) with high alternating loads. Slotted M250 double flange bearings are clipped into the o-shaped connecting rod (3), which is made of laser-cut sheet metal and is particularly impact-resistant, vibration-dampening and wear-resistant. Also made of M250 material are collar bushings used in the lower rod guide (5).

Sunpulse Water Pump Gear Unit

08 prototype of the Sunpulse Water in field test in Portugal

Bearing locations with iglidur plain bearings of the X, G and M250 series: Rod guide at top (1), transverse steering (2), o-shaped connecting rod made of sheet metal (3), connecting rod (4), rod guide at bottom (5)