Self-powered sensorized rolling element

A method of forming a sensorized rolling element for a bearing including inner and outer races, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a rolling element of a bearing, the rolling element having a solid, one-piece body with a central axis of rotation, a piezoelectric device and a wireless transmitter;
• forming a cavity in the solid body of the rolling element, the cavity being defined by an interior surface and centered around the central axis of rotation;
• disposing the piezoelectric device within the cavity of the rolling element such that deflection of the rolling element deflects the piezoelectric device;
• and
• installing the wireless transmitter directly within the cavity of the rolling element body or within an interior chamber of the piezoelectric device;
• wherein:
• the step of providing a piezoelectric device includes providing a piezoelectric tube having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface defining an interior chamber;
• the step of forming the cavity in the rolling element body includes forming the inner surface of the cavity as a circular cylindrical surface;
• the step of disposing the piezoelectric device within the cavity of the rolling element includes attaching the outer circumferential surface of the tube to the inner surface of the cavity of the rolling element body;
• and
• the step of installing the wireless transmitter includes disposing the wireless transmitter within the interior chamber of the tube of the piezoelectric device.

A method of forming a sensorized rolling element for a bearing including inner and outer races, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a rolling element of a bearing, the rolling element having a solid, one-piece body with a central axis of rotation, a piezoelectric device and a wireless transmitter;
• forming a cavity in the solid body of the rolling element, the cavity being defined by an interior surface and centered around the central axis of rotation;
• disposing the piezoelectric device within the cavity of the rolling element such that deflection of the rolling element deflects the piezoelectric device;
• and
• installing the wireless transmitter directly within the cavity of the rolling element body or within an interior chamber of the piezoelectric device;
• wherein:
• the step of providing a piezoelectric device includes providing a piezoelectric elongated body having two opposing axial ends;
• and
• the step of disposing the piezoelectric device within the cavity of the rolling element includes attaching each axial end of the piezoelectric bar to a separate one of two points on the inner surface of the cavity of the rolling element body.