Federal-Mogul Powertrain has unveiled its MicroTorq dynamic seal solution for heavy-duty engine manufacturers. Available in unique constructions for both on-highway and more demanding off-highway applications, MicroTorq HD has been optimised for the heavy-duty sector and reduces friction by up to 55% compared to PTFE seals typically used.
“The MicroTorq HD shaft seal builds on the innovative fuel-saving and emissions reducing benefits pioneered in the original MicroTorq design in order to address the application challenges of heavy-duty engines,” explained Gian Maria Olivetti, chief technology officer, Federal-Mogul Powertrain. “Heavy-duty engines have larger shaft sizes and increased constraints that the seal must accommodate and also often have to operate in extremely severe environments, including exposure to contaminants.”
The design features that enabled the successful commercialisation of MicroTorq, such as the dual-hinge flex section, static band, hydrodynamic aids and shaft-following auxiliary lip, were further customised for MicroTorq HD to account for the more demanding requirements of heavy-duty engines.
The combination of MicroTorq HD with Flat-Install creates a hybrid sealing solution that brings together the best features of both of these proven technologies. Flat-Install, which incorporates a series of non-contacting lips that block contaminants from reaching and breaking down the main sealing surface, extends seal life in dirty conditions such as off-highway operation. The contaminant exclusion features of Flat-Install increasing robustness. Federa-Mogul Powertrain states that when this technology is combined with the low friction MicroTorq sealing principle in the MicroTorq HD seal the total cost of ownership to customers is reduced in two ways: by having a much longer time between overhauls and through the energy saving benefits of the low-friction technology.