Bearing assembly spacer adjustable system and method for adjusting a spacer
AssigneeTemper Corporation
InventorSean Strait
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for adjusting at least one spacer of a bearing assembly includes a force-transmitting member and a preload regulator. The force-transmitting member is configured to operatively receive a force and to transmit the force to an adjustable spacer. The preload regulator includes a first portion and a second portion movable relative to each other with the first portion being movable in response to the force and the second portion being received by and stationary relative to the bearing assembly. The preload regulator further includes a controller coupled to the first portion and the second portion with the controller being configured to detect an electrical contact between the first portion and the second portion.
Claims23
A spacer-adjustment system for adjusting at least one spacer of a bearing assembly, said system comprising:
- a force-transmitting member configured to operatively receive a force and to transmit the force to an adjustable spacer;
- and
- a preload regulator comprising:
- a first portion and a second portion movable relative to each other, said first portion being movable in response to the force and said second portion being received by and stationary relative to the bearing assembly;
- and
- a controller coupled to said first portion and said second portion, said controller configured to detect an electrical contact between said first portion and said second portion.
A method for adjusting at least one spacer of a bearing assembly, the method comprising:
- applying a force to a force-transmitting member and a preload regulator to move the force-transmitting member to operatively transfer the force to the at least one spacer;
- receiving the force at the preload regulator for regulating a desired adjustment to the at least one spacer, the regulator comprising:
- a first portion and a second portion movable relative to each other, the first portion being operatively movable with the force-transmitting member and the second portion being received by, and stationary relative to, the bearing assembly;
- and
- contacting the first portion and the second portion in response to the force to cause the preload regulator to control the force to control the movement of the force-transmitting member to regulate the desired adjustment of the at least one spacer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.