Wicket Gate / Linkage / Operating Ring Bearings

Wicket Gate / Linkage / Operating Ring Bearings

ThorPlas-Blue

Box320x190_0000_ThorPlas-Blue wicket gate bearings

ThorPlas-Blue is a homogeneous, self-lubricating polymer bearing capable of withstanding operating pressures up to 45 MPa (6,527 psi) installed in a full-form, interference-fit configuration. It offers low wear rate in non-abrasive environments.

Learn More - ThorPlas-Blue

HPSXL TRAXL

Box320x190_0002_HPSXL TRAXL wicket gate bearing with Thorseal

Homogenous Thordon HPSXL incorporates friction and wear reducing additives throughout its entire molecular structure. Designed for high pressure applications up to 55 MPa (8000 psi) dynamic or 70 MPa (10,000 psi) static peak.

Learn More - HPSXL TRAXL

Documents

Hydro-Turbine Bearings & Seals Brochure PDF, 2.08 MB

Technical Papers

Challenging Edge Loading - A Case for Homogeneous Polymer Bearings for Guidevanes PDF, 3.29 MB (The International Journal on Hydropower & Dams) Issue 6, 2010
Friction and Wear Characteristics of ThorPlas Bearings and Their Applications in Hydro Turbines PDF, 571.16 KB The 2011 Conference Proceedings of HydroVision International, July 19-22, 2011 Sacramento, CA USA
Stick Slip Evaluation of ThorPlas PDF, 2.60 MB
Vattenfall Lulea University - Performance Characteristics of Slow Oscillating Journal Bearings PDF, 2.05 MB

References

Reference articles of Thordon wicket gate, linkage and operating mechanism bearing applications.

Design

The final (fully finished) sizing of a Thordon elastomer or ThorPlas bearing can be determined by using the Thordon Bearing Sizing Calculation Program.

You cannot run the Thordon Bearing Sizing Calculation Program Version 2017, Release 10 without a User Registration Number. Once you have a User Registration Number you can download the Program below and enter it when prompted.

Click here to Request a Bearing Sizing Program User Registration Number

If you have a Bearing Sizing Program User Registration Number, you can download the program here

Videos

Thordon Bearing hydro manager being interviewed about the use of Thordon in hydro turbine applications.

ThorPlas wicket gate bearings are installed in New Zealand.

A video about the machining of a Thordon polymer bearing.

Business Development Manager
Hydro Power
Ryan Edmonds

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Our Newsletter

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Read our most recent newsletter

Thordon Hydro NewsWorks 2019

Thordon’s web-based newsletter specifically developed for hydro and clean power users of oil-free and grease-free bearings. This newsletter includes feature articles about multiple successful turbine guide bearing conversions, T-G DNALOP purchasing a small hydro power plant in Poland, and a recent success of Thordon installed in a tidal energy application.
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Recent Hydro Power News

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Back by Popular Demand! Thordon Experts Discuss 30 Years of Hydro Turbine Experience in a Series of Online Technical Seminars

May 09, 2022

Thordon Bearings will run a series of web-based technical seminars to help Canadian hydro power plant operators recognize and solve common problems with wicket gate bushings, turbine guide bearings, turbine shaft seals, and cooling water & filtration systems.
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Genesis Energy's Tekapo A Plant Completes Thordon Bearing Upgrade

Sep 28, 2020

New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has completed a first phase refurbishment of the 190MW hydro power plant at Lake Tekapo, in the South Island. Through its Auckland-based distributor Henley Group, Thordon supplied ThorPlas-Blue wicket gate bushes, Thorseal lip seals (which replaced nitrile rubber sealing rings in the lower and intermediate wicket gate bearings), and SXL operating ring wear pads. A new SXL turbine guide bearing, upgraded with better tolerances, was designed, supplied and installed. The shaft seal carbon segments were also replaced with SXL segments.
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