US 4,738,336 A · Controlled replenishing lubrication system

Abstract

A controlled replenishing lubrication system provides a desired supply of oil to a rolling element bearing by monitoring the changes in the rolling element ball retainer to shaft speed ratio. This ratio is a function of elastohydrodynamic oil film thickness between elements of the bearing. Changes in the speed ratio are monitored by a sensor and fed to a control system which commands a pump to inject oil into the bearing when the speed ratio varies from a predetermined limit. The rolling elements are moveably mounted for rotation within a retainer or cage in a bearing housing. The retainer includes a light reflective indicia. A shaft is rotatably connected to rotate the retainer and the rolling elements. The shaft also includes a light reflective indicia. The sensor is mounted on or adjacent the bearing for simultaneously emitting light toward the retainer and shaft indicia for sensing variations in reflection of the light therefrom and for generating pulses to the control system responsive to the variations. The pump then responds to commands from the control system for providing a desired amount of lubricant to the bearing.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A controlled replenishing bearing lubrication system comprising:

rolling element bearing means having relatively rotatable inner and outer races defining a raceway therebetween;
a plurality of lubricated rolling elements moveable in said raceway in response to relative rotational movement between said inner and outer races;
rolling element retainer means moveable with said rolling elements;
sensing means responsive to the relative movement of the retainer means and a rotatable race for providing signals representative of changes in the lubricant film thickness;
and
control means responsive to said signals for maintaining a desired lubricant film thickness.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Controlled replenishing lubrication system

Life of this patent

Controlled replenishing lubrication system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19