Abstract: A rolling-element bearing assembly includes first and second rolled-on surface elements and a plurality of rolling elements arranged therebetween such that the first and second rolled-on surface elements are rotatable relative to each other. A first one of the rolling elements includes a first sensor module having a sensor interface operably connected to a communication interface of a first communication module, and a second one of the rolling elements includes a second sensor module having the sensor interface operably connected to the communication interface of a second communication module. The common sensor interfaces allow different sensors to be used with identical communication modules.

Abstract: A couplant and an arrangement of a couplant include a transducer and a construction component. The couplant is adapted to couple the transducer to a surface of the construction component. The couplant comprises basically 15% to 75% mass portion of hard metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting irregularities in a rotation of roller bodies in a roller bearing, the apparatus comprising a measurement module and a processor module. The measurement module is operable to provide a deformation signal indicative of a deformation of a surface region of a bearing ring of the roller bearing, wherein the deformation is due to the rotation of the roller bodies over the surface region. The processor module is operable to extract one or more signal quantities of interest from the deformation signal and operable to provide statistical information on the one or more extracted signal quantities of interest.

Abstract: A power generator assembly including a rotating part and a non-rotating part is provided. It is proposed that the rotating part includes first and second, circumferentially adjacent generator units. Each generator unit includes at least one coil, at least one permanent magnet and two pole shoes having pole surfaces facing radially outward. The non-rotating part includes an arc-shaped saddle adaptor of ferromagnetic material arranged with a radial distance to the pole surfaces. The saddle adaptor is configured to close a magnetic circuit passing via the pole shoes through the coil in a rotational position where the saddle adaptor overlaps with the pole shoes of a generator unit. According to the invention, a pole shoe of the first generator unit and an adjacent pole shoe of the second generator unit have the same magnetic polarity.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a sensorized roller of a roller bearing. The sensorized roller includes a roller bore that accommodates a measuring device for measuring deformation of the roller bore and electronics for processing a deformation signal from the measuring device and wirelessly transmitting the processed deformation signal to an external receiver. According to the invention, the measuring device and electronics are mounted in a rigid housing that is shaped to fit within the roller bore. A radially outer surface of the housing includes at least one aperture associated with the measuring device. Furthermore, the rigid housing is resiliently mounted to the roller bore via first and second sealing elements that enclose a radial gap between a radially inner surface of the roller bore and a radially outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: A rotating part that includes at least one generator unit having at least one coil, at least one permanent magnet and two pole shoes having pole surfaces facing radially outward is provided, The non-rotating part has an arc-shaped saddle adaptor of ferromagnetic material arranged with a radial distance to the pole surfaces. The saddle adaptor is configured to close a magnetic circuit passing via the pole shoes through the coil in a rotational position where the saddle adaptor overlaps with the pole shoes of the generator unit.

Abstract: A hub unit including an end cap for preloading and retaining a bearing unit on an axle. The end cap is provided with a sensor unit for detecting at least one of vibrations and temperature of the bearing unit.

Abstract: A bearing monitoring apparatus including at least one interface for receiving strain signals detected by at least one strain sensor mounted on a bearing and at least one data processing unit configured to monitor the bearing by detecting bearing defects based on the strain signals is provided. The data processing unit is configured to subject the strain signal to a high pass filtering. A limit frequency of the high pass filter is set higher than a typical ball pass frequency of the bearing to be monitored, to calculate a quantity representative of the amplitude of the envelope signal of the high-pass filtered strain signal, to compare the peak hold of the envelope signal with an envelope threshold value, to classify the bearing using the result of the envelope comparison and to issue at least one warning signal if the bearing is classified as defective.

Abstract: A measurement system comprises a measurement unit, a transmitter, an autarkic power unit and a control unit. The measurement unit measures a quantity repeatedly and the transmitter connects the measurement system to a network and transmits data to the network based on the measurements of the measurement unit. Further, the autarkic power unit supplies electrical energy to the measurement unit, the transmitter and the control unit. Additionally, the control unit controls the measurement of the quantity and the transmission of data dynamically based on a currently available amount of energy provided by the power unit. Further, the control unit stops measurements by the measurement unit and keeps the transmitter connected to the network, if the currently available amount of energy is below a predefined energy limit indicating that the currently available amount of energy is too low for taking measurements and for keeping connected to the network.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly comprising a power generating subassembly integrated into a bearing. The power generating subassembly utilizes the relative motion between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring of the bearing to generate electrical power. A sealing system is attached to one of the bearings. The power generating subassembly includes an electrical generator in operational engagement with a magnetically polarized material. The electrical generator is attached to the non-sealing carrying bearing. The magnetically polarized material is integrated into a supported member, which is a unitary section of the seal that extends axially from an end surface of the bearing rings. The relative motion between the rings engages the electrical generator and the magnetically polarized material causing a generator core of the electrical generator to create an electrical current.

Abstract: A bearing monitoring apparatus including at least one interface for receiving strain signals detected by at least one strain sensor mounted on a bearing and at least one data processing unit configured to monitor the bearing by detecting bearing defects based on the strain signals is provided. The data processing unit is configured to subject the strain signal to a high pass filtering. A limit frequency of the high pass filter is set higher than a typical ball pass frequency of the bearing to be monitored, to calculate a quantity representative of the amplitude of the envelope signal of the high-pass filtered strain signal, to compare the peak hold of the envelope signal with an envelope threshold value, to classify the bearing using the result of the envelope comparison and to issue at least one warning signal if the bearing is classified as defective.

Abstract: A measurement module for monitoring an operating condition of a roller bearing having a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring rotating with respect to each other around a rotation axis comprises an energy harvesting device operable to generate energy from a relative movement between the first and second bearing rings and at least one deformation sensor operable to provide a deformation signal indicative of a deformation of a surface region of one bearing ring of the first and the second bearing rings. The deformation sensor is powered by the energy harvesting device. An evaluation circuit is operable to determine, using the deformation signal, a strain signal indicative of a present load on the bearing. The evaluation circuit is powered by the energy harvesting device and a common housing encloses the energy harvesting device, the deformation sensor and the evaluation circuit.

Abstract: A couplant and an arrangement of a couplant include a transducer and a construction component. The couplant is adapted to couple the transducer to a surface of the construction component. The couplant comprises basically 15% to 75% mass portion of hard metal.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising a coolant supply port (130), a liquid cooling passage (134), and a coolant return port (138). The liquid cooling passage (134) is routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity (180) is formed into the housing (110) between the coolant supply port (130) and the coolant return port (138). A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) is inserted into the cavity (180), orienting a cold carrier side (220, 222) towards the supply port (130) and a hot carrier side (240) towards the return port (138). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the supply port (130) and the return port (138) to generated electric power.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage (134) formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage (134) would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermal energy transfer media (204) is inserted into a thermal transfer conduit (180), wherein the thermal transfer conduit (180) passes across a heated section of the housing (110). The transfer media (204) conveys the thermal energy to a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) located in a thermoelectric generator housing (250) attached to the bearing housing (110). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the transfer media (204) and the ambient air to generated electric power.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement including a rotating part and a non-rotating part. The rotating part is configured to rotate relative to the non-rotating part with an essentially horizontal rotation axis. The arrangement is provided with an energy generating system, comprising at least one micro generator module. The micro generator module includes a housing, an eccentric mass mounted so as to be rotatable around an eccentric shaft in the housing, and a generator unit configured to generate electrical energy using the rotation of the eccentric shaft. The energy generating system is mounted to the rotating part of the arrangement.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage (134) formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage (134) would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity (180) extends inward from an exterior surface of the housing (110), terminating at a cavity end wall (182). The cavity (180) is formed at a location identified having a higher temperature. A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) is inserted within the cavity (180) and thermally coupled to the end wall (182). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the end wall (182) and the ambient air to generated electric power.

Abstract: A hub unit including an end cap for preloading and retaining a bearing unit on an axle. The end cap is provided with a sensor unit for detecting at least one of vibrations and temperature of the bearing unit.

Abstract: An arrangement for voltage adjustment for an energy harvester comprises: a first input terminal and a second input terminal adapted to receive a AC voltage therebetween, the AC voltage having an input magnitude, the AC voltage being supplied at an inductance; a switch module connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal for controllably connecting the first input terminal with the second input terminal; and a controller adapted to receive an input signal indicative of the input magnitude of the voltage, and to control the switch module to operate selectively in a first mode or a second mode depending on the input magnitude, in order to adjust the voltage to have an output magnitude in a predetermined range.

Abstract: A measurement system comprises a measurement unit, a transmitter, an autarkic power unit and a control unit. The measurement unit measures a quantity repeatedly and the transmitter connects the measurement system to a network and transmits data to the network based on the measurements of the measurement unit. Further, the autarkic power unit supplies electrical energy to the measurement unit, the transmitter and the control unit. Additionally, the control unit controls the measurement of the quantity and the transmission of data dynamically based on a currently available amount of energy provided by the power unit. Further, the control unit stops measurements by the measurement unit and keeps the transmitter connected to the network, if the currently available amount of energy is below a predefined energy limit indicating that the currently available amount of energy is too low for taking measurements and for keeping connected to the network.