Skip to main content
European Commission logo
TRIMIS

Diamond Element BeaRings with Air-cooling

PROJECTS
Funding
European
European Union
Duration
-
Status
Complete
Geo-spatial type
Other
Total project cost
€2 481 808
EU Contribution
€2 481 808
Project Acronym
DEBRA
STRIA Roadmaps
Vehicle design and manufacturing (VDM)
Transport mode
Airborne icon
Transport policies
Other specified
Transport sectors
Passenger transport,
Freight transport

Overview

Call for proposal
H2020-CS2-CFP07-2017-02
Link to CORDIS
Objectives

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.

Funding

Parent Programmes
Institution Type
Public institution
Institution Name
European Commission
Type of funding
Public (EU)
Specific funding programme
H2020-EU.3.4.5.5.
Other Programme
JTI-CS2-2017-CfP07-ENG-03-21 Novel Bearings

Partners

Lead Organisation
Organisation
The Chancellor Masters And Scholars Of The University Of Oxford
Address
University Offices, Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JD, United Kingdom
Organisation website
EU Contribution
€1 841 808
Partner Organisations
Organisation
Dutch Diamond Technologies Bv
Address
KOVEL 2, 5431ST CUIJK, Netherlands
EU Contribution
€640 000

Technologies

Technology Theme
Aircraft design and manufacturing
Technology
Air-cooled bearings
TRL
TRL 5
Development phase
Demonstration/prototyping/Pilot Production

Contribute! Submit your project

Do you wish to submit a project or a programme? Head over to the Contribute page, login and follow the process!

Submit