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.

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 seal lip comprises a seal lip inner ring lip engaging segment which slideably engages with an inner ring sealing lip surface of the offset bearing. A magnetically polarized material is supported by a magnetically polarized material-supporting segment of the bearing assembly seal lip. Engagement between the inner ring lip engaging segment and the lip surface retains radial registration between the magnetically polarized material and a generator core. During operation, relative motion between the magnetically polarized material and a generator core caused by rotation of the bearing rings generates an electrical output.

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 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 can be attached directly to the sealing system or carried by a magnetically polarized material mount ring. 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: An arrangement and a method of measuring a mechanical bearing oscillation within a bearing. The arrangement comprises: (1) a shaft adapted for rotating, coupled to an inner ring of the bearing, and supported by the bearing, wherein the bearing oscillation excites a shaft oscillation of the shaft; (2) a bolt having an outer threading portion screwed into the shaft in order to achieve a mechanical coupling for transferring the shaft oscillation to excite a bolt oscillation of the bolt; and (3) a sensor mechanically coupled to the bolt for registering the bolt oscillation, the bolt oscillation being indicative of the bearing oscillation.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly providing a bearing retained by a bearing housing. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system having at least one integrated liquid cooling passage integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine receiving bore is formed through the bearing housing, penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment. A turbine assembly is inserted into the turbine receiving bore, positioning a turbine blade subassembly of the turbine assembly within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes the blade subassembly to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly rotates an electric power generator to create electric power. The turbine assembly can include an electro-magnetic subassembly mounting plate, wherein the turbine subassembly is located on an interior surface of the mounting plate and at least a portion of the power generating portion located on an exterior portion of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprising a bearing (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). The bearing housing (110) includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one integrated liquid cooling passage (130) is integrated within the bearing housing (110). A turbine receiving bore (160) is formed through the bearing housing (110), penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment (130). A turbine assembly (200) is inserted into the turbine receiving bore (160), positioning a turbine blade subassembly (230) of the turbine assembly (200) within the integrated liquid cooling passage (130), wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage (130) causes the blade subassembly (230) to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly (230) rotates an electric power generator (collectively 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246) to create electric power.

Abstract: An electrical solution that avoids power-up problems due to excessive power consumption during start-up of for example microcontroller based electronics. According to the invention the power consuming electronics is disconnected from a power supply until all power storage elements of the power supply are charged up to a first predetermined level. The power consuming electronics will also be disconnected when the available energy falls under a second predetermined value. This behaviour is useful when all energy is harvested from a weak energy source and the attached power consuming electronics does not work continuously.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method of measuring a mechanical bearing oscillation within a bearing, the bearing supporting a rotating shaft which is coupled to an inner ring of the bearing, the arrangement comprising: a bolt arranged in a force fit with an outer ring of the bearing in order to excite, by the bearing oscillation, a bolt oscillation; a sensor mechanically coupled to the bolt for registering the bolt oscillation, the bolt oscillation being indicative of the bearing oscillation.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly comprising a bearing retained by a bearing housing is provided. The bearing housing includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one integrated liquid cooling passage is integrated within the bearing housing. A turbine assembly is inserted within the integrated liquid cooling passage, wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage causes a turbine blade subassembly within the turbine assembly to rotate. The rotation of the turbine blade subassembly rotates an electrical power generator to create electrical power. The turbine assembly can be integrated into any existing bearing assembly comprising a bearing cooling passage system. It is preferred to seat the turbine assembly within a cooling system port of the bearing cooling passage system.

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 member is attached to one of the bearings at one end thereof. The power generating subassembly includes an electrical generator assembled through an aperture of the sealing member within an interior section of the bearing and positioned to be in operational engagement with a magnetically polarized material. The magnetically polarized material is integrated into a magnetic ring, which is attached to the non-seal carrying bearing ring. 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 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 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 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: The sensing of a mechanical load on a rolling element bearing, in operational use of the bearing, is carried out by measuring the strain on a surface (212) of the bearing that faces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the mechanical load.

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 power generating bearing assembly (100) comprising a bearing (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). The bearing housing (110) includes a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one integrated liquid cooling passage (130) is integrated within the bearing housing (110). A turbine receiving bore (160) is formed through the bearing housing (110), penetrating the integrated liquid cooling segment (130). A turbine assembly (200) is inserted into the turbine receiving bore (160), positioning a turbine blade subassembly (230) of the turbine assembly (200) within the integrated liquid cooling passage (130), wherein fluid flowing within the integrated liquid cooling passage (130) causes the blade subassembly (230) to rotate. The rotation of the blade subassembly (230) rotates an electric power generator (collectively 222, 224, 226, 240, 242, 244, 246) to create electric power.

Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly provides a bearing subassembly retained by a bearing housing. During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly. The bearing housing can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage which would be integrated within the bearing housing. The liquid cooling passage would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly to remove heat therefrom. A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) is thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the housing at a location identified for collecting heat generated during operation. The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) utilizes a temperature difference between the housing and the ambient air to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors, communication devices, and the like.