The BLOODHOUND Project, Britain’s 1,000mph land speed record attempt, announced today that wheel bearing manufacturer Timken will be sponsoring the wheel bearing solution for the BLOODHOUND SSC (Super Sonic Car).
Timken has been working closely with the BLOODHOUND Project design team to produce a solution for the bearing challenge. Timken has already delivered the first three car sets of bearings for validation testing and runway tests and will continue to work closely with team.
Richard Noble, project director said: “The wheel bearing design is crucial to ensure the car runs safely at high speeds. However the BLOODHOUND Project is not just about the pursuit of speed – it gives us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate maths, science and engineering to young people in the most exciting way possible.” He added. “And helping us meet our aims is the pioneering research in aerodynamics, materials technology and manufacturing that will benefit industry in years to come.”
The Timken Company is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy steels and related components. Their technologies and products turn up virtually everywhere equipment moves or power is transmitted and by applying their knowledge of friction management. Timken expertise will be crucial in providing a robust solution for the wheel bearings on BLOODHOUND SSC.
Paul Sanders, sales manager UK for Timken said: “This is about the moment of trust. It happens when a vehicle is moving at speeds of up to 1,000mph and riding on bearings that have to spin flawlessly at 166 rotations per second. It happens when years of engineering and precision manufacturing come together in an attempt to break the world land speed record and when the thousands of children who've learned science by studying the vehicle are cheering at its success.”
Paul said Timken was “proud to support the BLOODHOUND project and help to make that exciting moment a reality. The company was involved in Richard Noble's 633.468 mph world land speed record in Thrust 2 and is honoured to be chosen again for this project,” he said, “We thrive on the opportunity to demonstrate our technical expertise in meeting exceptional performance requirements. Proprietary analytical tools and a long experience in aerospace and motor sports have enabled us to define a bearing solution capable of handling the 10,000 rotations per minute (166 per second) required to achieve a speed of 1,000 mph. We look forward to the first tests.”
Paul continued: “We also strongly commend the project's education initiative that aims to bring the project into the classroom. Getting students interested in the skills needed to drive technology is a sure way to create value that will long outlast the 1,000 mph barrier.”
ENDS
Editor Notes:
The Timken Company is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy steels, and related components and assemblies. Our technologies and products turn up virtually everywhere equipment moves or power is transmitted. By applying our knowledge of friction management and power transmission, we help our customers’ products run smoother, faster and more efficiently.
