bearing arrangement from extreme cold, heated nitrogen flows through a pipe which surrounds the housing. The wind tunnel has been developed by DFVLR - the German Aerospace Institute for Research and Testing. The tunnel is 58 m long and 26 m wide. The section where measurements are made has a 2.4 m x 2.4 m cross section and permits economic model trials at air speeds up to 360 km/h. The wind tunnel is to be commissioned next year. SKF (UK) Ltd, Sundon Park Road, Luton, Beds LU3 3BL, UK
Award for engine oil man For 'outstanding work in measuring the ability of engine oils to save fuel', Daniel H. Heath has been selected as the 1984 Engineer-of-the-Year at Franklin Research Center. The award was made during National Engineers' Week in the USA.
Four-year extension for ESTL ... A contract worth more than £1 million has been awarded to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's National Centre of Tribology by the European Space Agency. The contract is for the operation and maintenance of the European Space Tribology Laboratory (ESTL) over the next four years. The Laboratory, which is a vital component of the European space effort, tests and helps to develop space mechanisms for use on satellites. Failure of such components can mean at best only partial operation and at worst a complete breakdown of the satellite. Among the projects the laboratory will be involved with for the next four years are the Giotto and L-Sat satellites. The
... and space tribology course launched in UK
Engineers and designers concerned At Franklin Research Center, Heath with building and operating developed a new oil-testing capability mechanisms in space need to know the in less than two years. By automating important factors to be considered the techniques for acquiring test data, when components must meet space and by applying linear regression and requirements. A course to be held at other statistical analyses to the test NCT on 16-17 May 1984 should form results, Heath pioneered a technique a useful introduction to those who are that is accurate within ¼%-½%*. His relative newcomers to the space technical contributions to the engine tribology field while also providing test method are expected to be incormuch background information for porated in a new industry standard by those with more experience. 1985. According to his citation, 'the API designation on cans of motor oil The principal topics will be bearings will then indicate a more precise (particularly rolling element bearings), assurance that the oil inside meets lubricants (wet and dry), gears, specified requirements for fuel-efficiency'. actuators and slip rings, allowing for Heath is currently the Chairman of the ASTM National Task Force on FuelEfficient Engine Oils, and is past chairman of ASTM's Sequence 5D Test Operations and Hardware Panel - an engine test that evaluates the ability of oils to protect engines from "deposits and wear" under severe conditions. Franklin Research Center, 20th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA *Daniel Heath described his testing and data analysis methods at the 1983 SAE Fuels and Lubricants Meeting, held in November in San Francisco.
TR IBOLOGY international
the special requirements of ground testing (usually in air) and reliable operation in vacuum. The requirements for quality control, approval for materials, adequate testing and product assurance will be emphasized. National Centre of Tribology, UKAEA, Risley, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AT, UK
Finite element conference Accuracy, reliability and training in •fem technology are to be the joint themes of the fourth World Congress on Finite Element Methods, to be held
principle function is testing satellite mechanisms, for example solar array drives, under conditions of vacuum and temperature simulating those occurring in operational satellites. Some tests are short term qualification tests and acceptance tests, others are accelerated, or natural life tests. The contract is the fourth awarded by ESA since ESTL was set up in 1972. The contract will provide a high level of basic support for the Laboratory; further income will be derived from contracts with aerospace manufacturers. European Space Tribology Laboratory, National Centre of Tribology, UKAEA, Risley, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AT, UK
in Interlaken, Switzerland, on 17-21 September 1984. Nine speakers have been invited, led by Professor T.H.H. Plan of MIT, USA, and more than 50 selected papers will also be presented in the main sessions. Full proceedings of these sessions will be published. In addition, a parallel series of unpublished lectures will cover fern Systems, system technology and applications; there will also be an exhibition. World Congress, Robinson and Associates, Horton Road, Woodlands, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 6NB, UK
Linear bearing range widened by manufacturer An agreement between RHP Bearings and Deutsche Star of Schweinfurt extends the linear bearing range available from each company. The Star range includes the 'Compact' series for less demanding applications, and the high capacity - high rigidity 'Radial' series for the machine tool industry. Rolled and ground ballscrew and nut assemblies are also featured. RHP already has a similar agreement with Thomson Industries Inc. of Manhasset, New York. RHP Precision, Linear Products Department, Bowbridge Road, Newark NG24 4BZ, UK
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