Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Freudenberg-NOK Levitex® Gas-Lubricated Mechanical Face Seal Presented

By Frank Tobe | May 7, 2014

FNSTFreudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is presenting its revolutionary Levitex® crankshaft seal – capable of reducing crankshaft friction up to 90 percent – at the 35th International Vienna Motor Symposium today.

Freudenberg-NOK will present the innovation in response to the European Union’s goals of reducing total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2021.

The gas-lubricated Levitex mechanical face seal comes very close to the vision of a frictionless seal. The seal consists of a stationary primary ring and – on the oil side – a rotating mating ring. During operation, grooves creating an aerodynamic effect form an air cushion that separates the two rings. The primary and mating rings also have a special coating to reduce wear and friction when the crankshaft is at rest.

Independent measurements of the Levitex seal on a seal test stand are already showing greatly reduced friction even at low rotational speeds. The measured frictional torque is 0.2 to 0.3 Newton meters lower than the values for a friction-optimized polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seal and a standard PTFE seal. The remaining friction is due to air shear.

The Levitex crankshaft seal will help auto manufacturers address friction reductions in the engine and drivetrain, a key to reducing vehicle CO2 emissions. A radial shaft seal typically seals a rotating crankshaft at its housing. An oil film minimizes its contact with the shaft. Still, the remaining loss of performance can be as high as 1 gram of CO2 per kilometer.

With the new Levitex seal, the frictional losses from a crankshaft seal are reduced by up to 90 percent compared to a standard PTFE seal. This leads to less fuel consumption and wear, as well as a longer service life. Further, CO2 emissions at the sealing point fall from the 0.5- to 1-gram range to less than 0.1 grams under the New European Driving Cycle.

Freudenberg-NOK
www.fnst.com

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Seals • gaskets • O rings, MOTION CONTROL
Tagged With: freudenbergnok
 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more