NTN inks patent deal with Global Energy for wind, hydroelectric power products

Find out the technology behind the designs.

According to a release, NTN Corporation has entered into an exclusive license for the exclusive use of patents and designs owned by Global Energy Co., Ltd. and Bellsion Co., Ltd that can efficiently utilize natural energy, including wind and hydroelectric power. 

Fusing the innovative “blade” technology owned by Global Energy, etc. with 64related to bearings and products developed by NTN over many years will allow development of products such as compact wind turbines and micro hydro turbines, and generate new business in the natural energy industry as one type of growing market. 

Blades that are widely used in wind turbines are generally designed with a thin blade cross-section and relatively light-weight to limit resistance when rotating and improve efficiency. The “Bellsion blade” developed by Global Energy, etc. features an original thick blade section and winglets that completely redefines existing concepts and understanding.

These unique innovations help to generate lift power without letting air escape, and is a highly efficient structure that is effective not only the blade begins to rotate at low wind speed, but also avoids minimal slowdown when it reaches a set speed. Turbulence around the blade is also reduced when it is rotating, which means there is almost no noise generated when the blades move through the air. 

NTN develops products that are capable of drastically increasing generation efficiency by combining the “Vertical Axis Bellsion Type Wind Turbine” of the Global Energy, etc. brand that has an excellent installation track record throughout Japan and overseas, with NTN’s low torque rolling bearing technology and the power generation technology that has been fine-tuned with the development of magnetic materials by Nippon Kagaku Yakin of the NTN Group. In addition to “Vertical Axis Wind Turbines,” efforts will also focus on the development and commercialization of products including “Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines” and “Micro Hydro Turbines.” 

By moving into business that is eco-friendly to the global environment in the field of natural energy which has tremendous growth predicted in the future, NTN will be able to achieve its corporate philosophy of “contributing to the international society through creating new technologies and developing new products” and also focus on developing new businesses in line with its bearing and driveshaft businesses. 

NTN is exhibiting these products related to natural energy at the “BOSAI" Industry Fair in Sendai” held at “Yume Messe Miyagi” from March 15 to 17.