Load sensing bearing with integrated sensor module
AssigneeRegal Beloit America, Inc.
InventorsCarl Riedel, Scott Phillips, Kim Hoffmann, Matthew Campbell, Michael Peschke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing assembly may include an integral sensor module retained within a bore in the bearing housing. The sensor module includes at least one strain gauge oriented to sense a compressive load acting on the bearing housing. The sensor module may be retained within the bore under an axial compressive load. The sensor module may include a power source and a wired or wireless communications module for transmitting information indicative of the compressive load to an external instrument or other system.
Claims24
A load-sensing bearing assembly, comprising:
- a bearing housing;
- a bearing element retained within the bearing housing;
- a sensor bore formed in the bearing housing, the bore located between the bearing element and a mounting face of the bearing housing;
- a sensor module disposed within the bore, the sensor module comprising:
- a sensor pin dimensioned to fit within the sensor bore;
- and
- a strain gauge supported by the sensor pin and oriented to provide an indication of a compressive load acting on the bearing assembly.
A sensor module configured to be integrally installed in a sensor bore in a sensor housing, the sensor module comprising:
- a sensor pin extending along a longitudinal axis;
- a mounting surface;
- a strain gauge supported by the mounting surface and comprising a plurality of elongate traces oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sensor pin, the strain gauge configured to provide an output of a compressive load acting on the sensor pin in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing;
- a power source;
- and
- a communications module configured to transmit information indicative of the compressive load acting on the sensor pin.
A method of integrally installing a sensor module into a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing, a bearing element retained within the bearing housing, and a sensor bore formed in the bearing housing, the method comprising:
- inserting a sensor module into the sensor bore in the bearing housing, the sensor module comprising:
- a sensor pin dimensioned to fit within the sensor bore;
- and
- a strain gauge supported by the sensor pin and oriented to provide an indication of a compressive load acting on the bearing assembly;
- and
- securing the sensor module in place within the sensor bore.
A method of installing a bearing assembly comprising an integral sensor module, the method comprising:
- uninstalling an existing bearing assembly from a mounting surface, the existing bearing assembly comprising a bearing element configured to support a shaft at a first distance from the mounting surface;
- installing a replacement bearing assembly on the mounting surface, the replacement bearing assembly comprising:
- a bearing housing;
- a bearing element retained within the bearing housing and configured to support the shaft at the same first distance from the mounting surface as the existing bearing assembly;
- and
- a sensor aperture extending into the bearing housing, the sensor aperture located between the bearing element and the mounting surface;
- and
- inserting a sensor module into the sensor aperture in the bearing housing, the sensor module comprising:
- a sensor pin dimensioned to fit within the sensor aperture;
- and
- a strain gauge supported by the sensor pin and oriented to provide an indication of a compressive load acting on the replacement bearing assembly;
- and
- securing the sensor module in place within the sensor aperture such that the sensor pin is under an axial compressive load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.