iglidur plain bearings in ice melting probe withstand glacier conditions

Profile

• What was needed: Reliable storage of the ice screw in an inhospitable environment
• Manufacturing process: Milled from bar stock
• Requirements: Water and dirt resistant, thermally insulating
• Material: iglidur® A180
• Industry: Research and development
• Success for the customer: Reliable and resistant bearing for use under extreme conditions

In this application, plain bearings have to function under extreme conditions. In addition to dust and dirt, there are also low temperatures. Furthermore, the installation space is limited and the components come into contact with water during the melting process.

With a specially manufactured plain bearing made of iglidur® A180, a media-resistant and robust solution was found. Due to the maintenance and lubrication-free use, it is completely insensitive to dust and dirt. The abrasion-resistant specification also ensures a long service life. The plain bearing was manufactured from iglidur® bar stock in order to match it perfectly to the application.

The "IceMole" is a melting probe that will be used to explore polar regions, glaciers and, as a long-term goal, extraterrestrial regions. The probe essentially consists of a heating head with an ice screw and an aluminium housing in which measuring instruments can be accommodated. The bearing of the ice screw must be insensitive to water and dirt and must also be thermally insulating. A component milled from an iglidur® A180 bar stock is used here.

Thanks to the partial control system of the heaters on the melting head and on the walls of the IceMole, it can melt its way through the ice. Even cornering is possible. During melting, an ice core passes through the hollow ice screw into the interior of the probe, where it can be analysed. The ice screw is used to press the melting head of the probe firmly onto the ice, ensuring optimum heat transfer between the heating head and the ice. The IceMole can also use the ice screw to make its way through "dirty" ice and sediment layers.

The ice screw is located in the centre of the melting head and rotates during the melting process. This generates tractive force, which serves as propulsion for the IceMole.

As a large moment occurs perpendicular to the axial direction during cornering, the bearing of the ice screw must be located at the front at the tip of the melting head. The bearing should therefore be insensitive to water and dirt.

In order to melt ice effectively, the gap between the ice screw and the melting head must be small. This means that the installation space for the bearing is limited.
It is important that the ice screw is thermally insulated from the melting head so that the ice core inside the probe does not melt during the melting process.