Europe's newest and largest neutron source. 300 kW circulators. 

OFTTech Ltd won the tender supported by CVr Husinec in 2017 and will soon be running the factory trials. 

ESS pictures: https://europeanspallationsource.se/media-bank

CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD PAPER.

Several types of active cryocoolers have been developed for space and military applications in the last ten years. Performances and reliability continuously increase to follow the requirements evolution of new generations of satellite: less power consumption, more cooling capacity, increased life duration. However, in addition to this increase of performances and reliability, the microvibrations requirement becomes critical. In fact, with the development of vibration-free technologies, classical Earth Observation cryocoolers (Stirling, Pulse Tube) will become the main source of microvibrations on-board the satellite. A new generation cryocooler is being developed at Absolut System using very high speed turbomachines in order to avoid any generated perturbations below 1000 Hz. This development is performed in the frame of ESA Technical Research Program - 4000113495/15/NL/KML. This paper presents the status of this development project based on Reverse Brayton cycle with very high speed turbomachines.

Miniature spiral groove bearing being balanced using a pelton wheel drive and hydrostatic bearing support. Running up to 50,000 rpm. Click image for short video.

August 2016, OFTTech's Dr Alex Molyneaux gives lectures to delegates from the Beijing Jiaotong University and Technology Institute on high speed rotor applications, rotordynamics and gas bearings

OFTTech completes design and testing of a helium circulator for nuclear applications. The hermetic blower design is CE marked and designed for 50,000 hours' continuous use

OFTTech starts work on the design of gas bearings for a cryogenic expander and compressor for the ESA. Working with French partners, the paper is published at the ICC Cryogenic Conference in San Diego, June 2016. www.cryocooler.org

Excel spreadsheet allows calculation of spiral groove bearing performance for journal and thrust bearings including dynamics and stability, already supplied to leading USA company

OFTTech starts work on the design of gas bearings for a cryogenic expander and compressor for the ESA

OFTTech moves over to the ANSYS Finite Element Analysis for structural, thermal, modal and other mechanical engineering analyses for internal and consulting work. After 30 years history using PATRAN, PAFEC and ALGOR we have chosen ANSYS as being the best available at this time for the anlyses we regularly undertake. Please contact us for a quote

OFTTech forms association with de Graaff Engineering to design and supply Gas Bearing supported blowers for helium, hydrogen and air. These will incorporate hydrodynamic gas bearings, high efficiency permanent magnet motors and centrifugal compressor/blower wheels, all designed and assembled in-house

OFTTech completes the design of a range of oil-free air compressors to cover 75 to 132 kW with delivery of 5, 8 and 10 bar. These compressors are designed to be low cost and will compete with oil-free screw compressors as well as oil injected screw compressors. They use direct drive permanent magnet motors, compressor wheels and bearings all targeted at maximising efficiency.  Contact OFTTech Ltd for further details or download the 3d pdf  (needs Adobe Reader 9 or later - available free)

Trumpf Maschinen AG takes out patent protecting their laser application with OFTTech gas bearings operating at very low ambient pressure. US2013022065 "Gas Laser having Radial and Axial Gas Bearings" 

ESA launch gas bearing supported Brayton cycle cooler into the ISS using gas bearings designed by Dr Alex Molyneaux, OFTTech CEO 

Turbo compressors shipped for Air Cycle PSA filtration prototype supported on ceramic self acting hydrodynamic gas bearings designed and manufactured by OFTTech

OFTTech participates in the conference on new technologies in the automobile industry highlighting advantages of oil-free technology for renewable applications in the transport sector for turbo chargers, heat recovery, energy recovery and exhaust heat recovery

15 years of collaborative R&D finally results in a successful high speed miniature direct drive heat pump compressor with refrigerant  lubricated gas bearings

​