# US 2010/0166353 A1 · Methods for preloading a bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166353 A1 - Document ID: US20100166353A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/492,926 - Filed: 2009-06-26 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-15 - Inventors: John E. RODE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166353A1 ## CPC - F16C 25/06: Ball or roller bearings - B23P 19/06: Screw or nut setting or loosening machines - B23P 19/065: {Arrangements for torque limiters or torque indicators in screw or nut setting machines (for hand tools B25B23/14)} - B25B 27/062: {using screws} - F16B 31/043: {Prestressed connections tensioned by means of liquid, grease, rubber, explosive charge, or the like (hydraulic bolt tensioners B25B29/02)} - F16B 39/12: by means of locknuts - F16B 39/14: made of thin sheet material or formed as spring-washers (locknuts per se made of thin sheet metal F16B37/02) - F16B 39/28: by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt (F16B39/26 takes precedence; locknuts F16B39/12) - F16B 39/32: Locking by means of a pawl or pawl-like tongue - F16C 19/364: {with tapered rollers, i.e. rollers having essentially the shape of a truncated cone} - F16C 19/54: Systems consisting of a plurality of bearings with rolling friction (spindle bearings F16C35/08) - F16C 19/548: {in O-arrangement} - F16C 33/30: Parts of ball or roller bearings - F16C 43/04: Assembling rolling-contact bearings - F16C 2229/00: Setting preload - F16C 2326/02: Wheel hubs or castors - Y10T 29/497: Pre-usage process, e.g., preloading, aligning - Y10T 29/53091: for work-holder for assembly or disassembly - Y10T 29/53104: Roller or ball bearing - Y10T 29/5383: having fluid operator - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for preloading a bearing are provided. These methods and apparatus include preload monitoring procedures and devices whereby a mechanic can accurately monitor and regulate the preload on a bearing or bearing assembly. Aspects of the invention may also be used to adjust the endplay on a bearing or a bearing assembly. The methods and apparatus allow the mechanic to apply and/or verify a preload on the bearing, for example, to apply and/or verify a preferred “3 thousandths” preload, as is desired in the industry. In one aspect, the preload on the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid pressure that can be detected and monitored. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-17. (canceled) ### Claim 18 A method for providing a load on a bearing having an inner race mounted to a shaft and the bearing retained on the shaft by a nut, the method comprising: mounting a rod to an end of the shaft; without removing the nut, mounting a means for compressing the inner race of the bearing to the shaft; and actuating the means for compressing the inner race to compress the inner race to provide the load to the bearing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method for providing a load on a bearing as recited in claim 18, further comprising monitoring the load provided to the bearing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for compressing the inner race comprises an adapter having a plate and a plurality of extensions mounted to the plate, wherein mounting the means of compressing comprises mounting the adapter to the rod and the inner race. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the nut comprises a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end having a face adapted to bear against the inner race, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface engagable by a tool; a threaded through-hole directed substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body; and at least one recess in the face of the second end of the cylindrical body, the at least one recess adapted to expose at least a portion of the inner race whereby the means for compressing the inner race to the shaft can contact the inner race. ### Claim at position 6 22-38. (canceled) ### Claim 39 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for compressing the inner race comprises an adapter having a plate and a plurality of extensions adapted to contact the inner race mounted to the plate, and wherein mounting the means of compressing comprises mounting the adapter about the rod and to the inner race. ### Claim 40 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein mounting the rod to the end of the shaft comprises mounting a collar to the shaft, the collar adapted to receive the rod. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the rod comprises a threaded rod, and wherein the means for compressing the inner race further comprises a nut adapted to thread to the rod, and wherein mounting the means of compressing further comprises threading the nut on to the rod to retain the mounting means on the rod. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method as recited in claim 41, wherein actuating the means for compressing the inner race comprises rotating the nut on the threaded rod to compress the adapter against the inner race. ### Claim 43 (depends on 19) The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for compressing the inner race comprises means for monitoring a compressive load transferred to the inner race, and wherein monitoring the compressive load comprises monitoring a load indicated by the means for monitoring. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the means for monitoring the compressive load comprises at least one of mechanical and electrical means, and wherein monitoring the load comprises monitoring the load indicated by at least one of the mechanical means and the electrical means. ### Claim 45 (depends on 43) The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the means for monitoring the compressive load comprises means of monitoring a fluid pressure. ### Claim 46 (depends on 18) The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for compressing the compressive load comprises a fluid-containing housing positioned to transmit the compressive load to the adapter, and wherein monitoring the load comprises monitoring a pressure of the fluid in the housing. ### Claim 47 A method for providing a load on a bearing having an inner race mounted to a shaft and the bearing retained on the shaft by a nut, the method comprising: mounting a collar to the shaft: mounting a threaded rod to the collar; without removing the nut, mounting an adapter, a fluid-containing housing over the adapter, and a nut over the rod, wherein the adapter comprises a plate and a plurality of extensions adapted to contact the inner race; wherein the fluid-containing housing is positioned to transmit a compressive load from the nut to the adapter; and wherein the nut is positioned to transmit a load to the fluid-containing housing; and rotating the nut about the threaded rod to transmit a load to the inner race by means of the fluid-containing housing and the adapter. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising detecting a pressure of a fluid in the fluid-containing housing. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method as recited in claim 48, further comprising calculating the load on the inner race from the detected pressure. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The method as recited in claim 48, wherein the fluid-containing housing includes a fluid pressure indicator, and wherein detecting the pressure of the fluid in the fluid-containing housing comprises monitoring the fluid pressure indicator. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The method as recited in claim 48, wherein the bearing further comprises an outer race and wherein a hub is mounted for rotation on the outer race, wherein the method further comprises rotating the hub and monitoring the detected pressure. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The method as recited in claim 51, wherein the method further comprises loosening the nut while monitoring the detected pressure and determining a preload on the bearing. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The method as recited in claim 52, wherein determining the preload is practiced by evaluating the equation: L=P/A where: L is the bearing preload; P is the pressure of the fluid in the fluid-containing housing detected by the fluid pressure indicator; and A is a surface area of a chamber in the fluid-containing housing exposed to fluid pressure P. ### Claim 54 (depends on 47) The method as recited in claim 47, wherein the method further comprises adjusting an endplay of the bearing.