Lubrication monitoring device and method, and rolling bearing assembly

A lubrication monitoring method for monitoring a lubricating condition of a lubricator feeding an oil droplet at a predetermined time interval by means of a discharge nozzle having a nozzle orifice,

• wherein a pair of electrodes are disposed in the proximity of the nozzle orifice,
• wherein the lubrication monitoring method includes the step of:
• detecting the variation of capacitance between the pair of electrodes, the capacitance varying in conjunction with the varying amount of oil discharged from the nozzle orifice in space between the pair of electrodes;
• and
• determining whether the oil droplet is fed at the predetermined time interval or not based on the detection result.

A rolling bearing assembly comprising:

• a rolling bearing including a first race, a second race and a rolling element interposed between the first and second races;
• a lubricator including a discharge nozzle having a nozzle orifice and operating to output an oil droplet from the nozzle orifice at a predetermined time interval for feeding the oil to space between the first and second races;
• a pair of electrodes disposed in the proximity of the nozzle orifice
• a capacitance detecting portion for detecting the variation of capacitance between the pair of electrodes, the capacitance varying in conjunction with the varying amount of oil discharged from the nozzle orifice in space between the pair of electrodes;
• and
• a determination portion for determining whether the oil droplet is fed at the predetermined time interval or not, the determination made based on the detection result supplied from the capacitance detecting portion.