CANTON, Ohio, Sep 20, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Timken announced that it is supplying the Timken® Guardian™ bearing featuring intelligent wireless sensor technology and the Timken® generator bearing in a field-testing demonstration project for the Federal Railroad Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation.
"This next generation of rail bearing products offers significant safety and productivity advantages to the railroad industry," said Mathew W. Happach, president - rail. "It will allow for continuous inspection of the railways by monitoring wheel impacts due to wheel or track irregularities. Our commitment to research and development results in these types of new products that bring greater value to customers."
The Timken Guardian bearing can detect temperature, vibration and wheel rotational speed, all critical factors to the success of railroad bearings and wheels. The Timken generator bearing contains an integrated electrical power generator that will provide a charge for the battery system on-board the train.
"The sensing system located inside the intelligent wireless bearing sends radio frequency transmissions of data to a receiver on the car," said David G. Toth, chief engineer - rail. "The receiver on the car that can be powered by the Timken generator bearing, can either store data or network with on-board or off-site computers for future analysis."
Timken's rail business is the manufacturer of the Timken® AP™, SP™ and AP-2™ bearings, self-contained, pre-assembled and pre-lubricated tapered roller bearings that reduce maintenance costs and achieve more miles per bearing. It is also a supplier of related products and services, including premium rail bearing grease and reconditioning services. Timken serves rail markets around the world with reconditioning facilities in Brazil, India, South Africa, the U.K. and U.S.A.
The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR, www.timken.com) is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 29 countries. The company recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year-end.
Timken is the registered trademark of The Timken Company. AP, SP, AP-2 and Guardian are trademarks of The Timken Company
Media Contact: Robert G. Bourquin, Senior Communications Representative, (330) 471-7106
Investor Contact: Kevin R. Beck, Manager - Investor Relations, (330) 471-7181
SOURCE The Timken Company
News provided by COMTEX. User agreement applies