Rock Island, IL-based Inpro/Seal Co. has introduced its Current Diversion Ring (CDR™, patent pending). Now, with the newly-developed CDR technology, Inpro/Seal says it is the logical supplier of bearing protection devices for motors using variable frequency drives (VFDs) to adjust the speed output of AC motors. Motor manufacturers can conveniently package the motor, drive and CDR.

Only 40% of the motors in industrial use today employ VFDs for motor speed control. According to industry sources, this percentage will increase significantly in the near term. VFD-controlled motors inherently produce destructive shaft currents that must be redirected around the bearings; otherwise, the currents destroy the bearings. The Inpro/Seal CDR safely diverts these currents and saves the bearings.

When operating centrifugal equipment such as pumps and fans, a 10% reduction in speed will result in a 27% reduction in energy consumption of the pump or fan, says Inpro/Seal. Rather than being limited to fixed system parameters such as rigid pump performance characteristics and pressure reduction valves in the system, centrifugal equipment can be programmed to respond to system requirements.

Inpro/Seal’s CDR components are made from corrosion-resistant bronze in any shape or configuration needed by the customer. The new device will be available from all major motor manufacturers around the world as well as EASA repair facilities. It will be available as a “press-in,” a “clip-on,” a “split” configuration or an “MGS” design Inpro/Seal, which prevents contamination from entering the motor bearing enclosure while diverting destructive shaft currents.

Inpro/Seal says it has long been associated with the electric motor industry as the sole supplier to OEMs for their IEEE-841 Premium Efficient motors for industrial use.

Inpro/Seal Company, www.inpro-seal.com;www.bearingisolators.com

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