Abstract: A bearing defect auto-detection system includes a processor to receive condition monitoring data that includes vibration harmonics corresponding to a bearing coupled to a rotatable shaft. The processor performs a pattern sweeping process that sweeps a pattern through both a speed range and a bearing class defect frequency range. In response to the test pattern having at test pattern sideband, the processor also sweeps the test pattern sideband through a sideband range, against the condition monitoring data to determine the pattern's fundamental frequency and sideband frequency. The processor determines a most probably bearing defect type associated with the bearing based on the best match value amongst results associated with the test pattern. The processor also performs a post-sweep logic process that compares a number (N) of most recent results from the pattern sweeping process to at least one conditional test to confirm the most probably bearing defect type is present.

Abstract: A device for detecting a defect of a rotating arrangement is provided. The rotating arrangement further provides one or more rotating elements. The device includes a measuring unit for measuring a parameter of the rotating arrangement for a predefined time period, a calculation unit for calculating a mean value and a standard deviation of the parameter of the predefined time period and for calculating a threshold based on a sum of the mean value and the standard deviation during the predefined time period, and a detection unit for detecting a defect by comparing a current value of the parameter with the calculated threshold. The calculation unit is configured to adjust the calculated threshold using a stability factor. The stability factor is a variable function of the standard deviation and the mean value. A method for detecting a defect of a rotating arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: The pulley device provides a pulley and a bearing. The pulley has two C-shaped pulley parts having each an inner portion mounted on the bearing, an outer portion having an outer cylindrical surface dedicated to interact with a belt or a chain, and an intermediate portion extending substantially radially between axial ends of inner and outer portions on one axial side of pulley device. Free ends of outer portions each include a hook-shaped portion. A first one of the hook-shaped portions axially overlapping a second one of the hook-shaped portions. The hook-shaped portions configured to cooperate together in order to attach one outer portion to the other.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between a shaft and a housing includes an annular case coupleable with the housing or the shaft and an annular seal member having a sealing surface centered about a centerline. In certain constructions, a coupler is configured to connect the seal member with the case or to connect the case with the housing such that the seal member is positioned with the sealing surface centerline intersecting or skew with respect to a central axis when the seal assembly is installed about the shaft. In other constructions, the seal member has an angled end providing the angled sealing surface. Thereby, the centerline of the sealing surface defines an angle to the central axis having a value of at least one degree, and the sealing surface engages the shaft outer surface to define an elliptical sealing interface extending circumferentially about the central axis.

Abstract: A method for detecting a characteristic of a machine or component according to a time and characteristic value record includes the steps of converting a time and characteristic value record of data samples of the machine or component in a selected time window to a two-dimensional pixel bitmap in a specified pixel window, horizontal coordinates of pixel points characterizing a time sequence of data samples and vertical coordinates of pixel points characterizing quantified characteristic values of the samples, the quantified characteristic values being pixel values converted from characteristic values of individual samples using a maximum value in the window as a standard; marking the pixel bitmap according to an existing conclusion to form a sample set for training a machine learning intelligent algorithm model; and using a pixel bitmap sample in the sample set to train the algorithm model; and using the model to detect from newly collected data samples.

Abstract: A bearing includes first and second rings and a plurality of rolling elements supporting the rings for relative rotation. At least the first ring is an axially split ring formed from a first part and a second part stacked against other in the axial direction. The first part includes first tapered through-holes and the second part includes second tapered through-holes axially aligned with the first tapered through-holes, and a plurality of taper pins extend in the aligned tapered through-holes of the first and second parts. Each of the taper pins has a threaded end portion, each of the taper pins contacts the first and second tapered through-holes, and a plurality of nuts are screwed onto the threaded end portions of the taper pins.

Abstract: A method of determining bearing preload by vibration measurement including mounting the bearing on a vibration tester, the outer ring clamped preventing rotation, mounting a sensor proximate the outer ring to measure vibration, the bearing inner ring rotated to excavate eigen-frequencies, the measured vibration data transmitted from the sensor to a computer workstation, the computer workstation performs a numerical FFT transforming data to Frequency Domain, spectral data from the FFT analyzed with the computer workstation, a peak detection algorithm determines the peaks that are the various modes of the outer ring, the modes are sorted and main modes identified, numerical relationship is obtained for each mode between the resonance and preload, the mode relationships are compared to one or more references, a match between the numerical relationships for each mode and the ideally referenced graph modes indicates a correct preload is determined. Also, a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An induction heating device for heating a metal article includes a support plate with an upper surface for receiving the metal article, and a plurality of induction coils, which are arranged concentrically around an axis and are provided at an underside of the support plate. Each induction coil is connected to and selectively powered by a generator, and at least one temperature probe is disposable on the metal article during heating in order to monitor and control the heating of the article.

Abstract: A slewing bearing includes an inner annular body formed of unhardened stainless steel and coupleable with a fixed member and having an inner race with an unhardened race surface. An outer annular body is disposed about the inner body and is formed of unhardened stainless steel, is coupleable with a rotatable member, and has an outer bearing race with an unhardened race surface and a plurality of gear teeth engageable by a drive pinion to angularly displace the outer body. Rolling elements are disposed between and rotatably couple the inner and outer annular bodies. An annular seal is coupled with the outer annular body and has two opposing axial ends, an axial thickness defined between the ends, a sealing lip engageable with the inner body and an outside diameter and is sized such that the ratio of the outside diameter to the axial thickness is greater than fifty.

Abstract: A system for managing sensor power to a remote wireless condition monitoring sensor installed on a railway rolling stock. The system provides an energy harvester that derives wireless sensor power, a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester for supplying energy to the rechargeable battery and for powering the system, an antenna for sending signals to a remote database based on measured vibration and acceleration data, a central processing unit having a memory an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit for controlling a function of the system. The remote wireless condition monitoring sensor is protected from potentially fatal over voltage and under voltage conditions and the operating life is prolonged by entering dedicated modes of operation based on battery voltage and available energy capacity as instructed by the central processing unit. Also, a method for carrying out the function of the system.

Abstract: The method provides for the manufacturing a sensor bearing unit including a bearing having a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, and an impulse ring provided with a target holder secured to the first ring and with a magnetic target mounted on the target holder. The method further includes securing the target holder to the first ring, and magnetizing the magnetic material of the magnetic target after the step of securing the target holder to the first ring.

Abstract: A sleeve for a lip seal assembly includes a rigid portion with a tubular section having an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a shaft and an outer surface providing a seal engagement surface, and a radial flange extending from an axial end of the tubular section. An elastomeric portion attached to the rigid portion has a tubular section disposed within the rigid portion bore and a lip extending axially outwardly from one axial end of the tubular section so as to be disposed externally of the rigid portion bore and having a sealing surface engageable with the shaft outer surface, and may have another lip extending axially from the opposing axial end. The axial lip(s) reduce installation forces, retain lubricant within the sleeve bore during shipping, handling, test shaft and plug installation and removal, and final shaft assembly, and the air side lip prevents leakage of assembly lubricant.

Abstract: A pulley device for a belt tensioner or winder roller having a bearing, a pulley mounted to the bearing, a protection flange and a screw. The protection flange includes an axial portion that is able to pass from an undeformed first configuration for positioning the flange on the bearing to a deformed second configuration for axial and radial retention of the flange.

Abstract: A roller bearing ring having at least one raceway. The raceway provides a first and a second axial end and a diameter of the first axial end and a diameter of the second axial end are either both greater than the mean diameter of the raceway or both less than the mean diameter of the raceway. The roller bearing ring includes a projection, which is on the same side of the bearing ring as the raceway and which limits the raceway without being a part of the raceway.

Abstract: A pulley device configured to support a belt of a chain tensioning idler or runner roller includes a bearing having a rotatable outer ring and a coaxial fixed inner ring and a pulley having at least one C-shaped pulley part that has an inner portion with an inner surface mounted on an outer cylindrical surface of the bearing outer ring, an outer cylindrical portion having an outer cylindrical surface configured to contact the belt or the chain, and a radial intermediate portion between axial outer ends of the inner and outer cylindrical portions and an axial outer end of the outer cylindrical portion, wherein the intermediate portion in cross section has a shape of an arc circle.

Abstract: A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle includes a bearing having an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member configured for relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member has a radial surface and a resilient damper overmolded to the radial surface, which damper has a lower support surface configured to axially support an end coil of the suspension spring. The lower support surface has at least one high portion and at least one low portion that form a waveform, such as a square wave or a sinusoidal wave, in a peripheral direction.

Abstract: A kingpin unit includes a kingpin having an inner bore, a sensor tube formed as a hollow sleeve disposed in the inner bore of the kingpin, and at least one sensor disposed in the sensor tube. The sensor is configured to sense a condition of at least one bearing formed or mounted on the kingpin and is mounted in the interior of the sensor tube at, for example, an opening in a side wall of the sensor tube.

Abstract: A transport-securing unit for retaining a plurality of rollers in a rolling-element bearing cage during transportation may include an annular region and a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced projections extending from the annular region. Also, an assembly of the transport-securing unit, a rolling-element cage and a plurality of rollers in pockets of the rolling-element bearing cage, where the transport-securing unit is formed separately from the rolling-element bearing cage, and where the projections extend inside the cage and limit radially inward movement of the rollers relative to the cage.

Abstract: A cage segment is for a rolling-element bearing cage, particularly for large rolling-element bearings. The cage segment includes a first side element and a second side element that are connected by a first bridge and a second bridge. At least one pocket is formed between the first and second bridges which is suitable for receiving at least one rolling element. The cage segment is manufactured from sheet metal.

Abstract: A spherical bearing assembly includes a shaft extending through an opening of an inner ring, the inner ring having a spherically curved outer surface, a clamping sleeve on the shaft, the clamping sleeve extending through the opening of the inner ring, and an outer ring having an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the inner ring. The inner ring is mounted in the outer ring with the outer surface of the inner ring slidably supported by the inner surface of the outer ring.