Abstract: Method for detecting at least one critical defect in a ceramic rolling element providing the steps of capturing a plurality of two-dimensional digital radiographic images of the ceramic rolling element; digitally filtering each radiographic image; delineating, on the basis of the filtered image, at least one region liable to comprise the critical defect; constructing stereoscopically a virtual model of the ceramic rolling element having the region; comparing the dimensions of the delineated region with a plurality of predetermined threshold values, and, when the dimensions are greater than the threshold values, generating an alarm signal.

Abstract: A rolling bearing cage includes at least one cage side ring and a plurality of cage bars extending from the cage side ring so as to form a plurality of pockets, each pocket being defined between a separate pair of adjacent bars, for receiving rolling bodies of the rolling bearing. A cage breakage detection unit includes at least one conductive track and a module for wireless cage breakage monitoring. The cage has at least one recess, in which at least a prefabricated part of the cage breakage detection unit is inserted and fixed.

Abstract: Method for detecting at least one critical defect in a ceramic rolling element providing the steps of capturing a plurality of two-dimensional digital radiographic images of the rolling element; digitally filtering each radiographic image; delineating, on the basis of the filtered image, at least one region liable to comprise the critical defect; constructing stereoscopically a virtual model of the rolling element having the region; comparing the dimensions of the delineated region with a plurality of predetermined threshold values, and, when the dimensions are greater than the threshold values, generating an alarm signal.

Abstract: A mechanically functional component having at least one sensor arranged to convert one or more physical magnitudes to electrical sensor signals. The sensor includes an electroactive composite deposited directly onto the mechanically functional component and at least one conductive electrode deposited directly on a part of the electroactive composite.

Abstract: A coated bearing component comprising a metallic part and a coating deposited on the metallic part. The coating is a multi-layer coating having a sensor active layer made of a material having electrostrictive properties. The sensor active layer is directly coated on the metallic part. The bearing component can be integrated into a bearing.

Abstract: A rolling bearing cage includes at least one cage side ring and a plurality of cage bars extending from the cage side ring so as to form a plurality of pockets, each pocket being defined between a separate pair of adjacent bars, for receiving rolling bodies of the rolling bearing. A cage breakage detection unit includes at least one conductive track and a module for wireless cage breakage monitoring. The cage has at least one recess, in which at least a prefabricated part of the cage breakage detection unit is inserted and fixed.

Abstract: An assembly providing a bearing, a lubricant and a contamination sensor for determining a level of contamination in the lubricant. The sensor includes an EM wave generator for generating an EM signal, and an EM sensing element arranged in contact with the lubricant. The EM sensing element receives the generated EM signal and transmits an output signal whose properties are responsive to real and imaginary parts of a complex relative permittivity of the lubricant. The output signal is received by an EM measuring device that measures first and second parameters of the output signal, which are respectively representative of the real and imaginary parts of the complex relative permittivity. The EM measuring device determines a level of water contamination in the lubricant, based on the measured first parameter alone and determines a level of metal particle contamination in the grease, based on the measured first and second parameters.

Abstract: A coated bearing component comprising a metallic part and a coating deposited on the metallic part. The coating is a multi-layer coating having a sensor active layer made of a material having electrostrictive properties. The sensor active layer is directly coated on the metallic part. The bearing component can be integrated into a bearing.

Abstract: A mechanically functional component having at least one sensor arranged to convert one or more physical magnitudes to electrical sensor signals. The sensor includes an electroactive composite deposited directly onto the mechanically functional component and at least one conductive electrode deposited directly on a part of the electroactive composite.

Abstract: A device adapted to measure the wear of a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ring, which delimits a spherical housing, a second spherical ring, which is positioned concentrically in the housing of the first ring, and a lining, which is made from an elastically insulating material and is inserted between the second ring and the spherical housing of the first ring. A wear measuring feature includes at least two electrodes provided to be connected to the first ring and the second ring, respectively, or to the lining, so as to form a capacitor structure and a capacitance measuring device for measuring the capacity of the capacitor thus formed. The device further comprises an electronic circuit, which is a resonant circuit including the capacitor, an inductance and a resistance positioned in series.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing cage including a bearing cage main body made of a polymer material and having pockets for receiving at least one row of rolling elements of a bearing. The cage is provided with a passive resonant circuit including an antenna coil attached to the cage main body. It is proposed that the antenna coil is formed as a conductive layer directly attached to the cage material of the bearing cage main body and is designed so as to have a breaking point less than or equal to a breaking point of the cage material. Thus, a rupture in the cage main body ruptures the antenna coil, changing the resonance behavior of the passive resonant circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing cage including a bearing cage main body made of a polymer material and having pockets for receiving at least one row of rolling elements of a bearing. The cage is provided with a passive resonant circuit including an antenna coil attached to the cage main body. It is proposed that the antenna coil is formed as a conductive layer directly attached to the cage material of the bearing cage main body and is designed so as to have a breaking point less than or equal to a breaking point of the cage material. Thus, a rupture in the cage main body ruptures the antenna coil, changing the resonance behaviour of the passive resonant circuit.

Abstract: A bearing includes at least an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling bodies arranged between the inner and outer rings, one of the rings being designed to turn and the fixed, and one of the rings including an inducing element is designed to generate an inducing electromagnetic field, the other of the rings including an electrical circuit in which an induced current is generated when one of the rings turns in relation to the other of the rings, and when the inducing element generates an inducing electromagnetic field, wherein the inducing element designed to generate an inducing electromagnetic field includes a module having a piezoelectric effect and/or a module having a thermoelectric effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing (10) including an inner ring (12), an outer ring (11), and rolling bodies positioned between the inner and outer rings, one of the rings being rotary and the other not, the bearing further including: a first module (20) including at least one set of sensor(s) suitable for performing successive measurements of at least one parameter representative of the vibrations within the bearing; and a second module (20) suitable for determining a frequency representation of the signal corresponding to the successive measurements, and for obtaining a set of elements(s) representative of the frequency representation based on that frequency representation, so as to compare at least one representative element of the set with a corresponding reference element and identify a malfunction based on that comparison (10).

Abstract: A device adapted to measure the wear of a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ring, which delimits a spherical housing, a second spherical ring, which is positioned concentrically in the housing of the first ring, and a lining, which is made from an elastically insulating material and is inserted between the second ring and the spherical housing of the first ring. A wear measuring feature includes at least two electrodes provided to be connected to the first ring and the second ring, respectively, or to the lining, so as to form a capacitor structure and a capacitance measuring device for measuring the capacity of the capacitor thus formed. The device further comprises an electronic circuit, which is a resonant circuit including the capacitor, an inductance and a resistance positioned in series.

Abstract: A bearing includes at least an inner ring (12), an outer ring (11), and rolling bodies arranged between the inner and outer rings, one of the rings being designed to turn and the fixed, and one of the rings (11) including an inducing element (30) is designed to generate an inducing electromagnetic field, the other of the rings (12) including an electrical circuit (25) in which an induced current is generated when one of the rings turns in relation to the other of the rings, and when the inducing element (30) generates an inducing electromagnetic field, wherein the inducing element designed to generate an inducing electromagnetic field includes a module having a piezoelectric effect and/or a module having a thermoelectric effect (35).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing (10) including an inner ring (12), an outer ring (11), and rolling bodies positioned between the inner and outer rings, one of the rings being rotary and the other not, the bearing further including: a first module (20) including at least one set of sensor(s) suitable for performing successive measurements of at least one parameter representative of the vibrations within the bearing; and a second module (20) suitable for determining a frequency representation of the signal corresponding to the successive measurements, and for obtaining a set of elements(s) representative of the frequency representation based on that frequency representation, so as to compare at least one representative element of the set with a corresponding reference element and identify a malfunction based on that comparison (10).