Bearing apparatus and spacer

Abstract

A bearing apparatus supports a rotating body with a bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling element. The bearing apparatus includes a power generator including a Peltier element variable in amount of power generation depending on a temperature difference between the inner ring and the outer ring caused in the bearing and an abnormality sensing apparatus that senses abnormality of the bearing based on the amount of power generation by the power generator. Preferably, the abnormality sensing apparatus senses abnormality of the bearing based on any of the amount of power generation by the power generator, a time derivative value of the amount of power generation, and following relation between the amount of power generation and another parameter. The bearing apparatus and a spacer in which abnormality of the bearing can accurately be sensed early are thus provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.