Mide Marine Successfully Tests New Stern Tube Backup Seal
Medford, MA (PRWEB) May 29, 2015 -- Following the success of its fully qualified HydroActive bulkhead seals currently deployed on commercial and naval vessels, Mide Marine has taken its proven HydroActive Seal® technology into a new phase by successfully demonstrating it as a backup seal for stern tube seals. The HydroActive stern tube backup seal recently exceeded challenging operational speed and pressure requirements.
Dr. Marthinus van Schoor, Midé Technology’s CEO/CTO, stated; “The advantages of HydroActive stern tube backup seals over current backup seal technologies are immense. At the moment backup stern tube seals are manually inflatable, which prevents the operation of the shaft when engaged: disabling the shaft and its propulsion. Our HydroActive Seals not only automatically activate in the event of a stern tube seal failure, but more importantly, our HydroActive Seals allow the shaft to continue full operational speed for a minimum of 14 continuous days. This results in key benefits, such as operational availability and cost savings as it allows the vessel to complete its task and return safely to port.”
HydroActive Seals® can be used in both conventional and non-conventional propulsion systems as a bulkhead seal, or as a backup seal for stern tube and rudder shaft seals. Their non-contacting, non-rotating design are a great advantage over conventional contacting seals prone to expensive pre-mature wear due to radial and axial shaft motions, shaft run out, vibrations, poor shaft/bulkhead alignment, high shaft speeds and air differential pressures. Mide Marine's HydroActive Seals® do not contact the shaft until a primary seal failure or a flooding event occurs - essentially eliminating wear before activation occurs. No wear means a safer vessel and reduced maintenance costs.
Mide Marine already has over 250 of its HydroActive bulkhead shaft seals installed on naval and commercial ships.
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Midé Marine is a Division of Midé Technology founded in 1989. Midé Technology Corporation is an engineering company that develops, produces, and markets smart technology products and materials.
Website: http://www.midemarine.com
Dr. Marthinus van Schoor, Mide Technology, http://www.mide.com, +1 781-306-0609 Ext: 223, [email protected]
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