Europe's Largest Lock Gates Open with Federal-Mogul DEVA Bearings

When the Kaiserschleuse Lock in the port of Bremerhaven, Germany reopened after renovation on April 29, its giant lift-and-slide gates moved on unique sliding bearings developed by Federal-Mogul Corporation FDML. Europe's largest lock has gates measuring more than 300m (328 yards) long, 55m (60 yards) wide and 13m (14 yards) deep. Kaiserschleuse is one of the largest projects of its kind in the world, and the first application of its kind for DEVA sliding bearing plates. Federal-Mogul's engineers provided for the project a polymer-based material that offers the required sliding characteristics with consistent coefficients of friction both under water and in the air, and a maintenance-free operating life of 25 years. "Federal-Mogul is proud that our deva.tex® bearing technology is playing a key role in a challenging engineering project," said Gerard Chochoy, senior vice president, Powertrain Sealing and Bearings. "Federal-Mogul's extensive knowledge, experience and testing have produced bearings that can withstand the demanding working environment of this remarkable lock." To reduce the risk of corrosion, specialists from leading hydraulic engineering company IRS Rapsch & Schubert of Wurzburg decided to use granite instead of steel for the sliding plates counter material, a first for this type of application.