RATO DG+ VULKAN Coupling Undergoes CATERPILLAR Testing

With RATO DG+, VULKAN Couplings continues its series of performance-enhanced ACOTEC couplings. The new generator coupling is currently proving on the CATERPILLAR test rig that it is the perfect coupling for the new TCG 2032.

The end of last year saw the kick-off of extensive testing for production release of the gas engine from the Mannheim engine manufacturers, now owned by Caterpillar Group under the name Caterpillar Energy Solutions. The enhanced development of the TCG 2023, the prototype Evo-1, is undergoing hours of tests under varying loads on a test rig. The tests are designed to provide accurate data on performance and wear of the new unit.

The RATO DG+ of VULKAN Couplings is currently undergoing an extensive CATERPILLAR test programme. The new generator-coupling of the ACOTEC series is an enhanced development of the RATO DG. “We have had more than 10 years of very good experiences with VULKAN couplings. They have proved to be a perfect combination with the previous model of the TCG 2032. It is therefore only logical to use the new RATO DG+ as standard coupling in the further development of the unit”, says Wilhelm Müller, Head of Research and Development at CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

The RATO DG+ coupling has been developed especially for rigidly installed diesel and gas engines and electric motors with the requirement of medium torsional flexibility and displacement capacity. The available stiffnesses enable a customized tuning of the system with respect to both the transient and steady-state torsional vibration response. In the tradition of VULKAN couplings, a backlash-free torque transmission is achieved. This leads to an exact torque transmission during the loading/unloading of the coupling.

The newly developed products of the ACOTEC series are characterized by increased performance of the most significant technical parameters. In the case of RATO DG+, the proven design of the standard RATO DG has been further optimized and developed in conjunction with innovative compounding, vulcanization and testing technology for the optimized ACOTEC version. This performance increase goes hand in hand with a considerable commercial advantage: The RATO DG+ replaces the next larger size of the conventional RATO DG.

After successful completion of the engine test phase, the RATO DG+ in size 3D1X will receive the serial release for the gas engine TCG 2032 DG. This most powerful engine of the Caterpillar range is used in gensets of large IPP projects. The new RATO DG+ with a nominal torque of TkN = 50 kNm is designed exactly for this power range.

In addition, the RATO DG+ has been certified by all leading international classification agencies.

[mappress]
Press Release, February 12, 2014