# US 2010/0166352 A1 · Bearing apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2010/0166352 A1
- Document ID: US20100166352A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/305,786
- Filed: 2007-03-13
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2006-06-23
- Assignees: Nsk Ltd.
- Inventors: Koichi Morita; Keisuke Yokoyama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166352A1

## CPC

- F16C 33/6674: {related to the amount supplied, e.g. gaps to restrict flow of the liquid}
- F16C 19/525: {related to temperature and heat, e.g. insulation}
- F16C 33/667: {related to conditioning, e.g. cooling, filtering}
- G01K 13/08: in rotary movement
- F16C 2322/39: General buildup of machine tools, e.g. spindles, slides, actuators
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)

## Abstract

A bearing apparatus includes a rolling bearing (16) having an outer ring (16a), an inner ring (16b), and rolling elements (16c) disposed between the inner ring (16b) and the outer ring (16a), a temperature sensor (TS) for measuring an internal temperature of the rolling bearing and a lubrication unit (22). The lubrication unit supplies lubricating oil in a quantity corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, to the rolling bearing. With this configuration, it is feasible to provide the bearing apparatus capable of ensuring a sufficiently long life under the condition of high-speed rotations. The bearing apparatus is suitable for use in a spindle for a machine tool.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bearing apparatus comprising:
a rolling bearing having an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements disposed between said inner ring and said outer ring;
a temperature sensor for measuring an internal temperature of said rolling bearing; and
a lubrication unit,
wherein said lubrication unit supplies lubricating oil in a quantity corresponding to the temperature detected by said temperature sensor, to said rolling bearing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is constructed by exposing by light a resist coated over a surface of a substrate with use of a mask to a fine pattern and developing the fine pattern thereon, depositing a metal film onto the fine pattern by sputtering, and thereafter removing a residual resist.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is disposed on a raceway surface, a portion vicinal to the raceway surface, or a retainer for retaining said rolling elements.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lubrication unit controls supply timing and a supply quantity of the lubricating oil substantially in real time based on the temperature detected by said temperature sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bearing apparatus is used in a spindle for a machine tool.