A ThyssenKruppTechnologies

companyRothe Erde

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Rothe Erde Bearings andRothe Erde Rings.Offshore Technology.

Rothe Erde bearings – pivotal in offshore technology.

The romantic picture of illuminated off-shore platforms against the backdrop oftwilight must not make us forget thatthis environment places the most exact-ing requirements on man and material.Stormy weather, blistering heat or freez-ing cold, man and material must deliverultimate performance however unfor-giving the conditions they have to oper-ate in may be.

It goes without saying that absoluteoperating reliability at all times is theprerequisite for any offshore system.

It does not come as a surprise then,that Rothe Erde ball and roller bearingsenjoy an enviable reputation in the off-shore industry for their efficiency andsafety.

They perform their duty day after day incranes, derricks, oil mooring stations,rudder propellers, etc.

The success of Rothe Erde is foundedon innovation, products tailored to re-quirements, vast manufacturing know-how and thorough commitment to qual-ity based on DIN EN ISO 9001.

International supervisory bodies andclassification companies regularly verifythat our technology meets the particu-larly stringent requirements applying todrill platforms, oil rigs, explorers, pipelayers, etc.

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Statoil, Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s, Stavanger, Norway

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Rothe Erde bearingsin offshore cranes.

NEI Clarke Chapman Ltd. – Stothert & Pitt,Bath, Great Britain

ECMS-System

Bearings for use in offshore cranesmust meet the rigorous requirements ofinternational classification companieswho define the applicable safety factorsand calculation bases.

Rothe Erde bearings are globally recog-nised for their outstanding performancein offshore cranes where they must provetheir functionality in often very hostileenvironments.

The concept of structural safety for theintended use of a bearing is crucial, andtherefore, rigorously pursued throughoutthe planning and development stages,including simulated reality tests.

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5.301

3.274

4.761

Kenz Cranes B.V., Zaandam, The NetherlandsStålprodukter AS, Molde, Norway

These rules cover such issues as bear-ing design, resistance to cross-sectionfracture, bolted connections of safetydevices, and many more.

The latest crane constructions alreadyuse the Rothe Erde ECMS system de-scribed in this brochure.

Bearings equipped with the Rothe ErdeECMS system do not need to undergothe otherwise prescribed periodical in-spections.

Favelle Favco Cranes Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia

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Rothe Erde bearings in offshore oil mooring stations.

Offshore oil mooring applications placeparticularly heavy demands on bear-ings with regard to load transmissionand sealing systems. Oil buoys andmooring stations are exposed to a mul-titude of load components which needto be considered.

The swivel-mounted systems must becapable of weathervaning during oil orgas transfer.

The 5 – 8 m diameter bearings used inthese types of application can be sup-plied in monobloc designs.

FPSO Northern Endeavour, Single Buoy Moorings Inc., Monaco

8 m-Bearing

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FPSO Uisge Gorm, Bluewater Engineering N.V., Es-sen, Belgium

FPSO Vidal de Negreiros Petrobras ”Albacora“ Field,Sofec Inc., Houston, Texas, USA

FPSO II/Petrobras Marlim South Brazil,Single Buoy Moorings Inc., Monaco

From here, the stored crude oil is off-loaded into tankers while oil or gas ex-traction continues without interruption.

Monobloc bearing designs can be sup-plied in diameters up to 8 m, larger dia-meters require segmental bearings.One example is the 46-tonne bearingwith a diameter of 10,280 mm for the“Vidal de Negreiros” FPSO extracting oil off the coast of Brazil in a water depthof approx. 330 m.

Segmental bearingFPSO (Floating Production, Storage andOffloading) systems are equally moreand more often equipped with large-diameter antifriction bearings.

The crude oil passes through flexiblerisers into the turret which is normallylocated at the bow of the ship and firm-ly anchored to the bottom of the sea.The bearing integrated into the turretallows the ship to weathervane freelyaround the turret axis. FPSOs are pro-duction and intermediate storage facili-ties at the same time.

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Swivel

Main swivel bearing

Rothe Erde bearingsfor special purposes.

DerricksTankers transporting fluids or gas areloaded and unloaded at transfer pointsby derricks with built-in pipelines whichare flange mounted to the tanker andfollow its everymovement. Rothe Erdehas developed swivels tailored for thisuse, which also seal off the pipelines bytheir integrated sealing systems thuscontributing their share to the protec-tion of the environment.

The low-temperature swivel was devel-oped for liquid-gas transfer stationswhich are extremely demanding on allstructural elements.

These swivels withstand low tempera-tures down to –160 °C, perform in ex-cess of 1 million swivel operations, andresist a 5 bar internal pressure with ab-solute reliability. Further proof of RotheErde cutting edge technology.

In harbours where such transfer stationsare not available, on-board pipe handlingcranes are used which, of course, arealso equipped with Rothe Erde bearings.

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Steerable ThrustersCompared to the conventional designof propeller and rudder, steerablethrusters have brought about consider-able structural changes in the shipbuilding industry.

They are now predominantly used indynamically positioned vessels such asdrill ships, semisubmersible platforms,supply vessels and others.

In contrast to the former design, thecompact steerable thruster may beplaced anywhere in the vessel for im-proved propulsion efficiency.

Steerable thrusters are excellently ma-noeuverable in any direction, independ-ent of the ship’s speed.

All modern thrusters are equipped withRothe Erde bearings.

Rudder propeller, Lips Thrusters Drunen B.V.,Drunen, The Netherlands

Rudder propeller, Aquamaster-Rauma Ltd., Rauma,Finland

Multipath swivel, Brown Brothers & Co. Ltd.,Edinburgh, Great Britain

Multipath SwivelAnother interesting application are theswivel stacks arranged coaxially to theturrets. Here as well, Rothe Erde bear-ings have been used successfully fordecades. These bearings must meetthe most rigorous requirements as tooil and gas-tightness.

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Rothe Erde bearings –bearing technology tailored to requirements.

The diversity of bearing applications inoffshore technology demands continu-ous innovative input from the designengineer.

Many of the cranes needed in the con-struction and operation of offshore plat-forms, drill ships and supply vessels areequipped with Rothe Erde bearings. Asare oil buoys and oil platforms.

The largest bearings, i.e. with diame-ters over 10 m, are installed in FPSOsystems. Equally important are thecomplex swivel and rudder propellerbearings.

Three-row roller bearing slewing ring

Our design engineers are challenged todevelop new application-focused bear-ing solutions meeting requirements liketransmission of all forces and moments,excellent tightness, optimum operatingtemperature, perfect safety and, last butnot least, convincing economy.

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Targeted research and development aswell as close cooperation between de-sign engineers, customers and classifi-cation companies guarantee future-oriented bearing solutions for the harshoffshore operating environments.

Single-row ball bearing slewing ring with internal gear

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Rothe Erde bearings –design engineering and development.

Offshore technology demands theutmost in performance and structuralsafety from Rothe Erde bearings.

Finite element analysis has shown tobe a reliable method for determiningthe occurring stresses in new bearingdesigns as well as for analysing loaddistributions and load transfer into themating structures, that are otherwisedifficult to assess. Finite element ana-lysis is an equally valuable tool forbearing optimisation.

Application of the finite element method

Axial testing bench

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Segmental bearings of various types,like compact or sandwich bearings.Corrosion-proof bearings withspecialsealing systems. Lubrication samplingand bearing condition monitoringsystems.

To ensure that Rothe Erde bearings willcontinue to enjoy their reputation forreliability and economy in extreme situ-ations, our R&D Centre subjects all newbearing designs to relentless and assid-uous testing.

We are known for our pioneering devel-opment work and search for advanced,practicable solutions. The latest find-ings, experience and innovation combinein the creation of new technologies.

Fatigue test geared ring

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The Rothe Erde Eddy Current Condition Monitoring System.

The Rothe Erde Eddy Current ConditionMonitoring System (ECMS) is a newlydeveloped measuring system to guar-antee the operational safety of large-diameter bearings.

The ECMS system is integrated into thebearing and reliably monitors the con-dition of the bearing without requiringany time-consuming and cost-intensiveintervention.

ECMS test set-up ECMS evaluation

Principle sketch ECMS

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The monitoring system is contact-freeand uses an eddy current sensor emitt-ing a high-frequency magnetic field andinducing eddy currents into the surfacesof the raceways and radii. Damage andpittings in the raceways will affect thismagnetic field, and the resulting changein voltage is telemetrically transmittedto a data recorder. A computer thenevaluates the measured data and deter-mines the position and size of the de-fect, if any.

The Rothe Erde Eddy Current ConditionMonitoring System has been tested andapproved by renowned classificationcompanies.

Retrofitting existing bearings with themonitoring system is no problem, as itsinstallation leaves the installed dimen-sions and the dimensions of the bear-ing itself intact.

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Quality management.

Rothe Erde bearings meet the highesttechnical requirements. This applies inparticular to offshore technology with itsmanyfold applications.

The Rothe Erde quality system is ap-proved by all national and internationalclassification and acceptance companiesand complies with DIN EN ISO 9001.

Our quality planning begins with our firstcontact with the customer. We determinewhether the customer’s requirements orconcepts can be safely transformed intoa viable product. Following clear defini-tion of the requirements the quality fea-tures are defined in cooperation with theresponsible departments and laid downin drawings, work plans, test specifica-tions, etc., including packaging and cus-tomer service.

Spectralanalysis of rolling elements

Routine test for rolling elements

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Internal audits guarantee productionquality and the functional safety of ourquality system. The audit results com-bined with the quality data stored in theEDP systems permit effective qualitycontrol.

Regular staff training keeps us alert tothe ever increasing requirements andraises quality awareness throughout ourcompany.

Three-coordinate measuring machine

Computer-assisted quality check of a gear

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Rothe Erde rings –versatility and profile.

Rothe Erde rings are important structuraland connection elements in offshoretechnology, e.g. as flanges, reinforcingand retaining rings for pipelines. Or ashousings for ball and safety valves, andas profiled rings in turbines and gener-ators.

Seamless rolled steel or non-ferrousmetal rings, or complex circumferentiallysymmetrical components, what they all

Machine rings

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have in common is superior qualityand efficient production at the highestquality level.

Advantageous material usage to mini-mise machining allowances and inter-linked CAD and DNC systems to opti-mise ring dimensions allow us to offerconvincing and economical solutionseven for out-of-the-ordinary problems.

Valve body

Finish-machined and drilled flange rings

Machine rings

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Rothe Erde

Rothe Erde GmbHTremoniastrasse 5-11D-44137 DortmundPhone: +49 (2 31) 186 -0Fax: +49 (2 31) 186 -25 00E-mail: rotheerde@tkt-re.thyssenkrupp.comInternet: www.rotheerde.com

BerlinRothe Erde GmbHGeschäftsstelle BerlinWittestrasse 30 JD-13509 BerlinPhone: +49 (30) 89 79 14-18Fax: +49 (30) 89 79 14-33E-mail: rotheerde.gsberlin@

tkt-re.thyssenkrupp.com

BrazilRobrasa Rolamentos EspeciaisRothe Erde Ltda.Rua Lidia Blank, No. 48BRA-CEP 09913-010, Diadema, São PauloPhone: +55 (11) 40 57 48 77Fax: +55 (11) 40 55 38 92E-mail: robrasa@ibm.netInternet: www.robrasa.ind.br

ChinaXuzhou Rothe Erde Slewing Bearing Co., Ltd.Wanzhai, Northern Suburb,VRC-Xuzhou 221007, JiangsuPhone: +86 (5 16) 7 76 71 70Fax: +86 (5 16) 7 76 90 00E-mail: xuzhou_rothe_erde@

xreb.comInternet: www.xreb.com

FranceRoballo France S.à r. l.30, Boulevard BelleriveF-92566 Rueil Malmaison CEDEXPhone: +33 (1) 41 39 00 90Fax: +33 (1) 41 39 00 99E-mail: roballofra@wanadoo.fr

NorthRothe Erde GmbHGeschäftsstelle NordAm Pferdemarkt 31D-30853 LangenhagenPhone: +49 (5 11) 7 25 35 69-0Fax: +49 (5 11) 7 25 35 69-9E-mail: rotheerde.gsnord@

tkt-re.thyssenkrupp.com

SouthRothe Erde GmbHGeschäftsstelle SüdAm Ostkai 15D-70327 StuttgartPhone: +49 (7 11) 3 27 79 19-0Fax: +49 (7 11) 3 27 79 19-9E-mail: rotheerde.gssued@

tkt-re.thyssenkrupp.com

Great BritainRoballo Engineering Co. Ltd.Mill HillNorth West Industrial EstateGB-Peterlee, Co. Durham SR8 2HRPhone: +44 (1 91) 5 18 56 00Fax: +44 (1 91) 5 86 90 96E-mail: info@roballo.co.ukInternet: www.roballo.co.uk

IndiaRothe Erde GmbHLiaison Office India6 E, ”Gee Gee Emerald”151, Village RoadNungambakkamIND-Chennai 600 034Phone: +91 (44) 8 23 63 14Fax: +91 (44) 8 23 56 55 E-mail: re_india@vsnl.netInternet: www.rotheerdeindia.com

ItalyRothe Erde-Metallurgica RossiS.p.A.Viale Kennedy, 56I-25010 Visano (Brescia)Phone: +39 (0 30) 95 20-1Fax: +39 (0 30) 95 20- 3 00E-mail: mri@rotheerde.itInternet: www.rotheerde.it

JapanNippon Roballo Co., Ltd.Atagoyama-Bengoshi Bldg. 6-7Atago 1-ChomeJ-Minato-ku/TokyoPhone: +81 (3) 34 34 43 41Fax: +81 (3) 34 34 43 40E-mail: info@roballo.co.jpInternet: www.roballo.co.jp

SpainRoteisaRothe Erde Ibérica S.A.Carretera Castellón, km. 7Polígono Industrial „La Cartuja“E-50720 La Cartuja Baja (Zaragoza)Phone: +34 (9 76) 50 04 80Fax: +34 (9 76) 50 01 54E-mail: roteisa@roteisa.esInternet: www.roteisa.es

USARotek Incorporated1400 South Chillicothe Rd.P.O. Box 312USA-Aurora, Ohio 44202Phone: +1 (3 30) 5 62 40 00Fax: +1 (3 30) 5 62 46 20E-mail: sales@rotek-inc.comInternet: www.rotek-inc.com

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