Bearing with sensor module

In combination with a housing having an opening that is generally open at its bottom and is defined by at least one generally flat wall that is oriented generally vertically, and a shaft extending through the opening, a bearing located around the shaft and in the opening of the housing for enabling the shaft to rotate relative to the housing about an axis of rotation, said bearing comprising:

• an outer race located in the opening along the flat wall and having and having a generally cylindrical exterior surface and at least one raceway presented inwardly toward the axis;
• an inner race fitted over the shaft and having at least one raceway presented outwardly toward the raceway of the outer race;
• rolling elements arranged in a row between the raceways of the inner and outer races;
• and a block attached to the outer race against the cylindrical surface of that race at side of the cylindrical surface such that the block is offset vertically from the axis and does not significantly increase the width of the bearing and such that the top of the cylindrical surface is not obscured by the block so that vertically oriented loads are transferred to the outer race without passing through the block, the block having a laterally presented surface located along the flat wall of the housing opening, whereby the block prevents the outer race from rotating in the housing.

A bearing for facilitating rotation about an axis, said bearing comprising:

• an outer race having a raceway presented inwardly toward the axis;
• an inner race having a raceway presented outwardly toward the raceway of the outer race;
• rolling elements arranged in a row between the raceways of the inner and outer races;
• and a sensor module fixed in position with respect to one of the races such that it exists within the environment of the bearing, the sensor module containing a plurality of sensors capable of sensing different physical parameters so as to detect different operating conditions of the bearing.

In combination with a side frame for a rail car truck, with the side frame having an opening that opens downwardly and is defined by flat side faces which are parallel and oriented generally vertically and an upper surface that extends between the side faces, and with an adapter that fits into the opening of the side frame and against the upper surface and has an arcuate seat which is presented downwardly, an antifriction bearing for enabling an axle to rotate relative to the side frame while transferring vertically oriented loads from the side frame to the axle, said bearing comprising:

• an outer race having a cylindrical exterior surface that is located in the opening of the side frame between the two side walls and is against the arcuate bearing seat on the adapter, the outer race also having a raceway that is presented inwardly toward the axis;
• an inner race located within the outer race and having a raceway that is presented toward the raceway of the outer race;
• rolling elements located in a row between the raceways of the inner and outer races;
• and a block secured to the outer race against the cylindrical exterior surface of that race below the adapter, the block having a laterally presented surface that is located along one of the flat walls of the side frame to prevent the outer race from rotating in the opening of the side frame.