# US 10,371,598 B1 · High sensitivity bearing tester and systems thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,598 B1 - Document ID: US10371598B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/659,479 - Filed: 2017-07-25 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-28 - Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandis, LLC - Applicants: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC - Inventors: Brendan L. Nation; Michael T. Dugger; Rand Garfield - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371598B1 ## CPC - G01M 13/04: Bearings - G01L 5/0009: {Force sensors associated with a bearing (testing of bearings G01M13/04)} - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a bearing, as well as systems including such an apparatus. In one instance, the apparatus allows for torsional losses of a bearing to be determined in a highly sensitive manner. Results can be determined in a controlled environment, as the system can include an environmental enclosure to encapsulate the testing apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for testing a bearing, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge configured to couple directly or indirectly to an outer race of a bearing, wherein the cartridge is configured to couple the outer race but not to the inner race, wherein the cartridge comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to attach to the arm, and wherein the second end is configured to attach to a mechanical balance; an arm attached to the cartridge; a load cell comprising a contact point attached to the arm; a motor shaft configured to couple directly or indirectly to an inner race of a bearing; and a motor configured to rotate the motor shaft, thereby allowing the inner race to be rotated and permitting the torsional loss to be determined by measuring a force applied to the load cell by the arm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a securing bolt configured to attach the inner race to an end portion of the motor shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable mount configured to allow a location of the load cell to be adjusted along the arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a carbon fiber material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor shaft is configured to couple indirectly to the inner race. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a sleeve configured to couple with an end portion of the motor shaft, wherein the sleeve interacts with a central bore disposed within the inner race, thereby coupling the end portion of the motor shaft with the inner race. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a securing bolt configured to attach the inner race to the sleeve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system comprising: an apparatus of claim 1; and an environmental enclosure disposed around the apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the enclosure further comprises a gas inlet configured to deliver one or more fluids into the enclosure and a gas outlet configured to transmit the one or more fluids out of the enclosure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the motor is disposed outside of the enclosure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, further comprising: a processor configured to control a rate of speed of the motor, to measure a force of the load cell, and/or to calculate a torque based on the force. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for testing a bearing, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge configured to couple directly or indirectly to an outer race of a bearing; an arm attached to the cartridge; a load cell comprising a contact point attached to the arm, wherein a distance between the contact point and a center of the bearing is of from about 5 cm to about 20 cm; a motor shaft configured to couple directly or indirectly to an inner race of a bearing; and a motor configured to rotate the motor shaft, thereby allowing the inner race to be rotated and permitting the torsional loss to be determined by measuring a force applied to the load cell by the arm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the load cell comprises of from about 5 g to about 25 g. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A system comprising: an apparatus of claim 12; an environmental enclosure disposed around the apparatus; and a processor configured to control a rate of speed of the motor, to measure a force of the load cell, and/or to calculate a torque based on the force. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: an adjustable mount configured to allow a location of the load cell to be adjusted along the arm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the arm comprises a carbon fiber material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motor comprises a servo motor. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for testing a bearing, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge configured to couple directly or indirectly to an outer race of a bearing; an arm attached to the cartridge; a load cell comprising a contact point attached to the arm; a motor shaft configured to couple directly or indirectly to an inner race of a bearing; and a motor configured to rotate the motor shaft, thereby allowing the inner race to be rotated and permitting the torsional loss to be determined by measuring a force applied to the load cell by the arm, wherein the motor comprises a servo motor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the servo motor is geared at a ratio of from about 5:1 to about 20:1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A system comprising: an apparatus of claim 18; an environmental enclosure disposed around the apparatus; and a processor configured to control a rate of speed of the motor, to measure a force of the load cell, and/or to calculate a torque based on the force.