Sensor Or Inspection Features; Liquid Metal Or Shipping Protection Features; Bearing Member Integral With Seal Patents (Class 384/448)
  • Publication number: 20130044972
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a cylindrical pilot portion adapted to be fit into a knuckle. The pilot portion has a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion. A fitting width (A) of the first guiding portion with the knuckle is set larger than a fitting width (B) of the second guiding portion with the knuckle (A>B). An outer diameter D1 of the first guiding portion is set smaller than an outer diameter D2 of the second guiding portion (D1<D2). A seal ring, in elastic contact with the inner circumference of the knuckle, is arranged on either one of the first or second guiding portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: NTN Corporation
  • Patent number: 8376622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting and monitoring damage to races or adjacent regions of bearing rings (1, 2, 3) of anti-friction bearings. The device includes a measuring device, disposed in the anti-friction bearing chamber, having a sensor and structure for supplying sensor measurement data to the outside. The device has an energy source, which is also disposed in the anti-friction roller bearing chamber and which comprises a first coil (16) for the measuring device and a second coil (18) disposed outside the anti-friction bearing chamber and destined for inductive transfer of electrical energy to the first coil (16). The second coil (18) extends only over a part of the bearing circumference and the energy source comprises an energy accumulator (19) connected to the first coil (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rothe Erde GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Claus, Wolfgang Werther
  • Patent number: 8371757
    Abstract: A sealing device is to be fitted at a side of a bearing unit in order to seal a gap (15) between a stationary race (11) and a rotatable race (10) of the bearing unit. The device includes a relatively rigid reinforcing insert (16) of disc-annular shape, and a gasket (17) of relatively soft rubber or elastomeric material, over-moulded or vulcanized onto the insert (16). The gasket forms two opposite peripheral sealing portions (18, 19) intended to perform a static sealing action against the rotatable race (10) and a dynamic sealing action on the stationary race (11), respectively. The insert (16) includes magnetized or magnetizable material for forming, at predetermined angular zones or fields, a sequence of alternate and/or spaced north/south poles, in order to act as an encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Stellario Barbera
  • Publication number: 20130028548
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotation speed detecting apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements, a pulser ring, a cup-shaped sensor cap and a rotation speed sensor. The sensor cap is press-formed from anti-corrosion steel sheet into a cup-shaped configuration with a cylindrical fitting portion, to be press-fit into the end of the outer member, and a bottom portion, extending radially inward from the fitting portion to cover the inner-side end of the inner member. The rotation speed sensor is oppositely arranged so that it abuts or is positioned in close proximity to the bottom portion and accordingly the pulser ring. The rotation speed sensor and pulser ring oppose one another a predetermined axial air gap via the bottom portion. An elastic member is pressed and elastically deformed between the fitting portion of the sensor cap and the end of the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Komori, Yasuhiro Aritake
  • Patent number: 8360649
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has a wheel bearing with an outer member and an inner member. A sensor holder is injection molded from synthetic resin and is embedded with a wheel speed detecting sensor. The sensor holder is mounted on an inner side end of the outer member. The inner side seal of the seals includes an annular sealing plate, a slinger and a pulser ring. An anchoring portion is formed integrally with the metal core. The sensor holder is being integrally molded with the metal core from synthetic resin that surrounds the anchoring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Yujiro Ono, Hiroshi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20130022302
    Abstract: Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayao WATANABE, Masaki KUWAHARA, Kazuhiro YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8356940
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotational speed detecting apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements contained between inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members. A pulser ring is fit onto the outer circumference of the inner ring. A cylindrical sensor cap is fit into the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member. A mounting portion axially projects from a radially outer portion of the sensor cap. An inserting bore is formed in the mounting portion so that it axially extends at a position corresponding to the pulser ring. A sensor unit is mounted in the inserting bore. A rotational speed sensor is embedded in the sensor unit to oppose the pulser ring, via a predetermined axial air gap. The position of a gate of a mold is set on the mounting portion of the sensor cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: NTN Corporation, Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Inoue, Kohei Yoshino, Yoshihiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 8356939
    Abstract: An annular recess is formed in a vehicle inner side of a wheel rolling bearing device. A protective cover is attached to an inner ring disposed in a bottom side of the recess to protect an annular magnetic encoder. A cover body of the protective cover is formed with an annular first disk portion covering the magnetic encoder, a cylindrical portion extending from a radial outer end of the first disk portion and fitted into an inner circumferential wall of the recess, and a second disk portion extending radially outward from an upper end of the cylindrical portion and covering the end portion of the outer ring located around the recess. The cover body is formed with a to-be-separated portion constituted by at least one of half-cut grooves and perforations extending in a radial direction of the cover body. The cover body is formed with lugs which are projected from the second disk portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Seo, Yoshinori Masuda
  • Publication number: 20130011088
    Abstract: A wheel bearing arrangement, especially for utility vehicles, having a rotating outer ring (5, 6), a stationary inner ring (3, 2) and rolling elements rolling between these rings, the inner ring being fixed on a stationary axle journal (4) and the outer ring inside a wheel hub (1) having a signal transmitter (9). In order to make it easier to fit a sensor arrangement to the wheel bearing arrangement and to increase driving safety, a sensor (13) interacting with the signal transmitter is arranged so as to axially abut on the inner ring and is then fastened to the spindle by a fastening element (12, 16), thereby allowing, once the bearing rings are mounted, the sensor to be positioned on the inner ring via a stop surface formed onto the sensor and then to be permanently immobilized by a screw or other fastening element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jens Heim
  • Publication number: 20130011087
    Abstract: Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayao WATANABE, Masaki Kuwahara, Kazuhiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130004108
    Abstract: A bearing assembly (1) for supporting a rotatable component, especially a wheel on a motor vehicle, including a spindle (3), a stationary inner ring (5) and a bearing such as a wheel bearing (4) containing an outer ring (6) that rotates at a certain speed, and a sensor element (11), the sensor element (11) and the inner ring (5) of the wheel bearing (4) being mounted on the spindle (3). In order to prevent the inner ring (5) from being rotated relative to the sensor element (11), the sensor element (11) is mounted on the spindle (3) with a rotationally secure connection and the inner ring (5) is mounted relative to the sensor element (11) with a rotationally secure connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens Heim, Bernhard Wilm
  • Publication number: 20120318071
    Abstract: A bearing device for bearing a shaft having a bearing, a supporting structure for supporting the bearing and at least on piezoresistive sensor incorporated in the supporting structure in an integrated manner which is arranged in the flux region of the bearing apparatus is provided. The electrical resistance of the sensor is influenced by the vertical force of the bearing having effect on the sensor such that the vertical force of the bearing may be electrically tapped on the sensor. A corresponding method for determining the static and/or dynamic vertical bearing forces of the shaft bearing of a shaft and a rotor system for determining the vertical bearing force of a shaft bearing are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Saskia Biehl, Bernd Lüneburg
  • Publication number: 20120294561
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device for a motor vehicle, having an inner ring arrangement, formed for rotationally fixed reception of a first rotary partner, particularly an axle stump, or a shaft, an outer ring arrangement, which is connected and/or connectable and rotationally fixed with a second rotary partner, a multitude of rolling elements, which roll between the inner ring arrangement and the outer ring arrangement, so that inner ring arrangement and outer ring arrangement and/or the rotary partners are rotatable against each other, and an electric sensor device, which, using mechanical contact, is arranged and/or formed for detecting an operating status of the wheel bearing device. The sensor device has a stationary sensor element and a rotating sensor element, which can work together to form the mechanical contact. One of the sensor elements is connected with the inner ring arrangement without the interposition of the first rotary partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens HEIM, Christian MOCK, Ralf HUND, Tilman ULRICH
  • Publication number: 20120294560
    Abstract: A wheel bearing device for a motor vehicle, having an inner ring arrangement, formed for rotationally fixed reception of a first rotary partner, particularly an axle stump, or a shaft, an outer ring arrangement, which is connected and/or connectable and rotationally fixed with a second rotary partner, a multitude of rolling elements, which roll between the inner ring arrangement and the outer ring arrangement, so that inner ring arrangement and outer ring arrangement and/or the rotary partners are rotatable against each other, and an electric sensor device, which, using mechanical contact, is arranged and/or formed for detecting an operating status of the wheel bearing device. The sensor device has a stationary sensor element and a rotating sensor element, which can work together to form the mechanical contact. One of the sensor elements is connected with the inner ring arrangement without the interposition of the first rotary partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens HEIM, Christian MOCK, Ralf HUND, Tilman ULRICH
  • Patent number: 8313241
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder is provided which can prevent a magnetized member from being separated from a fixed member to which the magnetized member is fixed under a severe temperature environment. The encoder includes a fixed member which is fixed to a rotating member and a magnetized member which is attached to the fixed member. The magnetized member, which is molded by mixing a magnetic powder in a resin, is bonded to the fixed member with a silicone resin based adhesive, and a thickness of an adhesive layer of the silicone resin based adhesive is 50 ?m or more and 100 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ishii, Naoki Morimura, Yoshihiro Itoh, Takashi Kaneike
  • Patent number: 8313240
    Abstract: In a bearing unit (10), at least one sensor device (20, 21) is locked in a recess (16, 17) formed in a superficial zone of one of the races (11, 12). The stationary race (11) is partially covered with an electrically insulating material (30). An uncovered surface zone (32) is provided for electrically connecting the stationary race (11) to an electrical supply source located outside the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Davide Giordana
  • Patent number: 8313242
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a vehicle wheel rotatably relative to a vehicle body, including an outer member; an inner member; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner member; a strain sensor unit, made up of a strain generating member and a sensor element fitted to the strain generating member for detecting strains induced in the strain generating member, is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, that serves as a stationary member; and a covering member that covers at least the sensor element sealingly, provided on a mounting surface of the strain generating member of the strain sensor unit, on which the sensor element is mounted, the covering member being made of a resin which is over-molded or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Norimatsu, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8308369
    Abstract: A roller bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member and at least one row of rolling bodies arranged between the members so as to enable their relative rotation. The stationary member includes a circumferential surface that is resiliently deformable by the forces induced by the passage of the rolling bodies when the rotary member rotates. The surface has at least one instrumented area on which at least one gauge for measuring the deformations is attached. The instrumented area is circumferentially surrounded on each side by a non-instrumented area, and the rigidity of the instrumented area is strictly greater than the rigidity of the non-instrumented areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SNR Roulements
    Inventors: Sebastien Guillaume, Cyril Pourreuix
  • Patent number: 8303186
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member and an inner member. A sensor holder with an embedded wheel speed detecting sensor is mounted on an inner side end of the outer member. A pulser ring has an encoder with circumferential characteristics that alternately and equidistantly change. A metal core is press formed from a steel plate and insert-molded into the sensor holder. A sealing member is integrally bonded to the metal core. A connector for electrically connecting the wheel speed detecting sensor to a harness, connected to an electronic circuit, is mounted at a predetermined position on the circumference of the sensor holder. The connector projects radially outward from the circumference at a predetermined inclined. A recess is formed in the connector. The recess is fit onto an inner side end of the outer member in a manner to cover the inner side end, via a predetermined interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 8297848
    Abstract: The magnetic encoder (17) includes a slinger (18) fixed to a rotation-side raceway ring of a bearing and including an outer side surface (22) opposed to the side of a sensor to detect rotation speed of the rotation-side raceway ring and having a surface roughness Ra: 0.3 to 3.0 ?m, and an inner side surface (23) opposed to the side of a sealing member (16) to seal the bearing; a multipolar magnet (19) bonded to the outer side surface (22) through an adhesive; and a film (25b) formed on the inner side surface (23), having a surface roughness Ra of 0.3 ?m or less, and being in sliding contact with the sealing member (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakajima, Arito Matsui
  • Patent number: 8294455
    Abstract: There is described an arrangement for detecting a change in a position between two parts which can be displaced in relation to one another. The arrangement has at least one electromechanical registering device having a monitoring chamber, which is shielded from manipulations taking effect from the outside, a number of monitoring bodies in the monitoring chamber, the number comprising at least two components and these components differing from one another in terms of a physical parameter, motion transfer means, which, in the event of the change in the positioning being returned to an initial state, cause the monitoring bodies to be moved from a first monitoring arrangement into a second monitoring arrangement. A sensor device has sensors which generate a sensor signal corresponding to the physical parameter of a monitoring body associated with each sensor in the first and second monitoring arrangement, and each sensor signal is fed to an evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Carsten Siebold
  • Publication number: 20120230622
    Abstract: A rolling bearing includes: fitting grooves of a rotating ring for mounting seal devices formed on both end surfaces of the rotating ring into same shapes; and seal grooves of a stationary ring formed on both end surfaces of the stationary ring into shapes symmetrical about a rolling element, wherein: each of the pair of seal devices is configured by connecting a fitting portion made of an elastic material to be fit to the seal fitting groove to an end portion of each core metal, and a seal lip portion made of an elastic material to be brought into sliding contact with the seal groove to the other end portion; the pair of seal devices are formed into shapes symmetrical about the rolling element; and a magnet portion facing a magnetic sensor of a magnetic encoder is bonded to one of the core metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yabe, Yoshio Shoda
  • Publication number: 20120230621
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotational speed detecting apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements contained between inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members. A pulser ring is fit onto the outer circumference of the inner ring. A cylindrical sensor cap is fit into the inner circumference of the inner-side end of the outer member. A mounting portion axially projects from a radially outer portion of the sensor cap. An inserting bore is formed in the mounting portion so that it axially extends at a position corresponding to the pulser ring. A sensor unit is mounted in the inserting bore. A rotational speed sensor is embedded in the sensor unit to oppose the pulser ring, via a predetermined axial air gap. The position of a gate of a mold is set on the mounting portion of the sensor cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicants: Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd., NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki INOUE, Kohei YOSHINO, Yoshihiro ITOH
  • Patent number: 8258781
    Abstract: A rotation detecting sensor, having excellent sealing capability to prevent water ingress from outside, being so robust that no damage occur in sensor component parts and circuits due to external force and/or thermal strains resulting from self-heating or change in ambient temperature, and inexpensive to manufacture, is provided. The rotation detecting sensor is fixed to a sensor fixing member to be fitted to a wheel support bearing assembly. A sensor unit, including a magnetic sensor element, a cable and a substrate, is fixed to the sensor fixing member through the substrate. A molding segment molded of a molding material bonded with the substrate is provided around the sensor unit. The substrate has a metallic pattern portion formed as a metallic coating on a substrate surface in the vicinity of an electroconductive pattern portion and the molding material is bonded to the metallic pattern portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8258659
    Abstract: A shaft support system 7 for an electric motor 1, comprising a rolling bearing 17 provided with an inner race 33 and an outer race 34, at least one angular position sensor 20 for detecting the angular position of the inner race, an encoder 19 mounted on the inner race, a flange 16 for supporting the outer race of the bearing, and a processing module 18 supported by the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Franck Debrailly, Domenico Restaino, Olivier Message, Franck Landrieve
  • Patent number: 8246252
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus has a rolling bearing including an outer ring (11), an inner ring (12), and rolling elements (13) disposed between the two rings, and a temperature sensor (TS) for measuring an internal temperature of the rolling bearing. A wire from the temperature sensor extends to the outside via a through-hole (11d) formed in a component of the bearing apparatus, and hence the temperature sensor can be disposed in a desired position with excellent wiring extension flexibility, thereby enabling a temperature in the desired position of the bearing to be measured. The temperature sensor, which can be configured thin in a small size with flexibility, can therefore be incorporated into whichever portion of the bearing, wherein a high response to temperature detection is attained, and detectability of abnormality in temperature can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Yokoyama, Kunihiko Sasao
  • Publication number: 20120204638
    Abstract: Construction of a ball bearing with encoder is achieved that supports a wheel of a motorcycle such that the wheel can rotate freely, makes it possible to detect the rotational speed of the wheel, and sufficiently prevents foreign matter from getting inside the internal space of the bearing. The opening on the end section of the internal space 19 of the bearing is covered by a combined seal ring 20 that comprises a slinger 21 and a seal ring 22. A ring-shaped encoder 9a is mounted on and fastened to the outside surface of an outside ring section 24 of the slinger 21. The detecting section of a sensor 30 is faced toward the outside surface of the encoder 9a and can detect the rotational speed of a wheel that rotates together with the outer ring 11a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kakuda, Hirokazu Yajima, Aya Kikuchi, Takashi Fujioka
  • Publication number: 20120201486
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bearing assembly with a sensor, in which a sensor holder that is formed of a synthetic resin and is the annular member having ends is supported on an outer race using a circumferential groove of the outer race of a rolling bearing, and the sensor holder is adapted to be strongly fixed in position by a spring member having circumferential half-split elastic recovery portions. Because spring forces by which the sensor holder is strongly fixed in position as described above can be increased, the sensor holder can be more strongly fixed in position. A spring member (15) is a formed-wire spring formed of a square sectional wire, which includes a main portion (16) fitted in an annular groove (14) of a sensor holder (7), and opposite end portions (17) that circumferentially protrude from the annular groove (14) and are located inside an open recess (18) of the sensor holder (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Ito, Seiichi Takada
  • Publication number: 20120189234
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotational speed detecting apparatus has an axially extending through bore formed in a mounting portion. A bottomed cylindrical sensor receptacle is integrally molded with the through bore. The sensor receptacle is press-formed from a non-magnetic steel sheet. The bottom portion of the sensor receptacle is arranged to oppose the pulser ring via a predetermined axial gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Torii
  • Publication number: 20120183247
    Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing and a shaft arranged within the housing. The shaft includes a first end portion and a second end portion. At least one bearing is mounted at one of the first end portion of the shaft and the second end portion of the shaft. A stator is mounted within the housing and a rotor is mounted relative to the shaft and rotatable relative to the stator. A temperature sensor is integrated into the housing at the at least one bearing. The temperature sensor includes a sensing element that detects a temperature of the at least one bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, David A. Fulton
  • Patent number: 8221002
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes an outer ring (11), an inner ring (12), rolling elements (13) disposed between the two rings, and a seal (15) attached to one of the outer ring and the inner ring and extending toward the other ring. A temperature sensor is fitted to the seal, and hence a temperature of the seal contacting with a rotary wheel can be directly measured. Accordingly, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor rapidly rises, this implies that some inconvenience might occur, and necessary countermeasures such as immediately stopping an apparatus using the bearing apparatus can be taken before the explicit inconvenience occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oguchi, Keisuke Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8221001
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes a rolling bearing (16) having an outer ring (16a), an inner ring (16b), and rolling elements (16c) disposed between the inner ring (16b) and the outer ring (16a), a temperature sensor (TS) for measuring an internal temperature of the rolling bearing and a lubrication unit (22). The lubrication unit supplies lubricating oil in a quantity corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, to the rolling bearing. With this configuration, it is feasible to provide the bearing apparatus capable of ensuring a sufficiently long life under the condition of high-speed rotations. The bearing apparatus is suitable for use in a spindle for a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Morita, Keisuke Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8210750
    Abstract: A vehicle bearing assembly includes a sensor mounting hole provided in a cover of an outer ring member; a rotational speed sensor that is inserted in the sensor mounting hole; and an O-ring disposed between an inner peripheral surface of the sensor mounting hole and an outer peripheral surface of the rotational speed sensor. A chamfered portion is formed along the edge of the opening of the sensor mounting hole on the outer face of the cover. A chamfer edge portion as the boundary between the inner peripheral surface of the sensor mounting hole and the chamfered portion has a depth in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Shige, Tatsuya Fujitani
  • Patent number: 8197145
    Abstract: A revolving joint comprising at least one anti-friction bearing and an electromotive drive unit. The anti-friction bearing is in contact with at least one row of rolling bodies arranged in a row rotating the joint around the rotational axis of the anti-friction bearing. The rolling bodies are in contact with at least one race that can be driven to rotate by the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Frank Neubert, Franz-Josef Ebert, Jurgen Klutsch, Gerold Strum
  • Publication number: 20120134612
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical fuse integrated into the enclosure of a bearing assembly of a generator or like component. Under normal operation, the electro-mechanical fuse provides continuity through a bearing sensing circuit. However, ball cage damage causes the fuse to open and, in turn, the bearing sensing circuit indicates bearing wear. Thus, damage to other generator components is greatly reduced because the generator is removed for maintenance in a timely manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: GOODRICH CONTROL SYSTEMS, GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Snelick, Ray Bomford
  • Patent number: 8188820
    Abstract: Displacement encoder for a moving shaft, comprising a sleeve intended to be fitted onto the shaft and at least one permanent magnet forming at least one polarized magnetic mark. An elastomer layer lies between the permanent magnet and the sleeve. This elastomer layer is adhesively bonded to the permanent magnet and to the sleeve. The invention also relates to a device for a moving shaft comprising such an encoder and to the method of manufacturing the encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Hutchinson S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Branchereau
  • Publication number: 20120128287
    Abstract: A bearing unit (20) for measuring forces exerted on the bearing unit, comprising an inner member (3) concentrically arranged around an outer member (2), at least one rolling element bearing (4, 5) and at least one load measuring device (8, 9) with a cylindrical bore. The load measuring device (8, 9) is mounted to one of the members (3) and supports the rolling element bearing (4, 5) relatively to this member (3). The rolling element bearing (4, 5) is mounted to the other of the members (2) and supports this member (2) relatively to the load measuring device (8, 9). Thus, a force acting on the bearing unit is transferred from one of the inner and outer members (2, 3) to the other of the inner and outer members (2, 3) via the at least one load measuring device (8, 9). According to the invention, the at least one load measuring device (8, 9) and the at least one rolling element bearing (4, 5) are arranged laterally to each other in a radial gap between the inner and outer members (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Zaaijer, Cornelius Petrus Antonius Vissers
  • Publication number: 20120114277
    Abstract: A sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a vehicle wheel rotatably relative to a vehicle body, including an outer member; an inner member; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner member; a strain sensor unit, made up of a strain generating member and a sensor element fitted to the strain generating member for detecting strains induced in the strain generating member, is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, that serves as a stationary member; and a covering member that covers at least the sensor element sealingly, provided on a mounting surface of the strain generating member of the strain sensor unit, on which the sensor element is mounted, the covering member being made of a resin which is over-molded or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Toru Takahashi, Kazuo Komori, Kazuhiro Baba, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8167499
    Abstract: A first spacer, a second tubular member, and a second spacer are externally fitted and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of a nut. The second tubular member is formed by stacking a plurality of silicon steel plates without any gap, and is arranged between the first spacer and the second spacer axially. The outer diameter of an outer peripheral surface of the second tubular member is made larger than the outer diameter of an outer peripheral surface of the first spacer and the outer diameter of an outer peripheral surface of the second spacer. A detection surface of a first displacement detector is made to radially face a contact portion between the second spacer and the second tubular member, while a detection surface of a second displacement detector is made to radially face a contact portion between the first spacer and the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Taniguchi, Hirochika Ueyama, Nobutsuna Motohashi, Tadashi Fukao, Yasutaka Miyagawa, Kenji Ooiso
  • Patent number: 8167498
    Abstract: A body part of a rotation detecting sensor of a rotation number detector which is provided on a bearing apparatus for an axle has a large diameter part formed in its upper part and a small diameter part formed in its lower part, and at the same time, a sensor fitting hole part which is formed in an outer ring of a bearing part and into which the body part of the rotation detecting sensor is inserted is so formed that an radially outer part thereof has an inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the large diameter part of the body part, and a lower part thereof has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the small diameter part of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Koma, Joji Miyawaki, Takumi Harada, Shigeru Inoue
  • Patent number: 8167497
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped bearing for a wheel rotatably supporting the wheel relative to a vehicle body includes an outer member (1) provided with a double-row raceway surface (3) on an inner periphery thereof, an inner member (2) provided with raceway surfaces (4) opposing to the raceway surfaces (3) of the outer member (1), one of the outer and inner members serving as a stationary member, double-row rolling elements (5) interposed between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, a sensor fitting member (22) fixed to a peripheral surface of the stationary member, and a plurality of strain sensors (23) attached to the sensor fitting member (22) for measuring a strain thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentarou Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120099811
    Abstract: A bearing assembly with a rotation sensor is proposed which can be fixed to a stationary member in the form of a thin plate formed with a through hole for positioning the bearing assembly so that its outer race can be easily rotationally fixed to the stationary member. The bearing assembly includes a stationary member (7) in the form of a thin plate member formed with a through hole (7a) extending in the thickness direction of the thin plate member and defining a radially inner portion (7b) capable of radially positioning a radially outer portion (4d) of the outer race (4) of the rolling bearing (1), and a snap ring (8) fitted in a ring groove (4a) formed in the outer race (4). The stationary member (7) has an anti-rotation portion (7c, 22) which is configured to be inserted between circumferentially spaced apart ends (8a, 15d) of the snap ring (8) or the sensor case (5) with the rolling bearing (1) mounted between the radially inner portion (7b) and a rotary shaft (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Ito
  • Publication number: 20120086313
    Abstract: This rolling bearing assembly (2) comprises a rolling bearing (4) with an inner ring (8), an outer ring (6) and several rolling bodies (10) between the inner and outer rings, at least one sensor (30) adapted to detect a rotation parameter of a first ring (8) with respect to a second ring (6) of the rolling bearing and a support member (40) holding the sensor (30) in position with respect to the rolling bearing (4). The support member (40) holds the sensor (30) in a position such that at least one connecting pin (34, 36, 38) of the sensor (30) extends in a volume (46) defined by the support member (40) and adapted to accommodate an electrical connector (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Francois Niarfeix, Gertjan Van Amerongen
  • Publication number: 20120087610
    Abstract: The device is to be fitted at a side of a bearing unit in order to seal a gap (15) between a stationary race (11) and a rotatable race (10) of the bearing unit. The device includes a relatively rigid reinforcing insert (16) of disc-annular shape, and a gasket (17) of relatively soft rubber or elastomeric material, over-moulded or vulcanized onto the insert (16). The gasket forms two opposite peripheral sealing portions (18, 19) intended to perform a static sealing action against the rotatable race (10) and a dynamic sealing action on the stationary race (11), respectively. The insert (16) comprises magnetized or magnetizable material for forming, at predetermined angular zones or fields, a sequence of alternate and/or spaced north/south poles, in order to act as an encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Stellario BARBERA
  • Patent number: 8152381
    Abstract: A rolling bearing which has a sealing arrangement and a sensor component, particularly an encoder, which is fitted with a mounting flange. The rolling bearing further has an inner ring and an outer ring between which rolling members are arranged. The sealing arrangement is equipped with at least one sealing element between the inner ring and the outer ring. In order to provide a rolling bearing which can easily be retrofitted with a retrofit sensor, particularly a retrofit encoder, and is well protected against environmental influence, the sensor component that is fitted with the mounting flange is designed as a retrofit part, while at least one water discharge port is disposed in the region of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Alexander Haepp, Erwin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 8146358
    Abstract: A turbocharger monitor including a sensor adapted and positioned with respect to a turbocharger housing to sense passing compressor blades, generating both rotor rotation information and rotor displacement information. A controller is configured to receive the generated information from the blade sensor, and to establish rotor rotation speed and an indicator of bearing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Greentree
  • Patent number: 8147146
    Abstract: An output cable 16c of a magnetic sensor 16a, which extends outward in the tangential direction of an arcuate sensor holding portion 15a formed on an annular core member 15 from a sensor unit mounted in the sensor holding portion 15a, is fixedly molded in a mold resin 17b which is fixed in a through hole 15c formed in the sensor holding portion 15a near the sensor unit 16. As a result, the output cable 16c is prevented, even if tensed, from coming out of the sensor unit 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Publication number: 20120067111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing, comprising: a first and a second bearing element (11, 13, 17, 12, 14, 18) that are movable relative to one another; a lubricant (2) arranged between the first and the second bearing element (11, 13, 17, 12, 14, 18) for reducing the friction between the first and the second bearing element; at least one transmitter (3) for exciting acoustic waves (A, A1, A2) in the first or the second bearing element (11, 13, 17, 12, 14, 18), the transmitter (3) being arranged on the first or the second bearing element; at least one receiver (4) for receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter (3), the receiver (4) being arranged on the first or the second bearing element (11, 13, 17, 12, 14, 18), wherein information related to properties of the lubricant (2) can be determined using a signal generated by the receiver (4) upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter (3). The invention is also related to a method for determining properties of a lubricant in a bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: HOCHSCHULE FUER ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTEN FACHHOCHSCHULE COBURG
    Inventors: Gerhard LINDNER, Martin SCHMITT, Josefine SCHLEMMER, Sandro KREMPEL, Hendrik FAUSTMANN, Christoph BRUECKNER
  • Patent number: 8136994
    Abstract: An annular member is mounted on an outer ring, and a sensor is fixed to the annular member. The annular member includes a fixing portion, and a cover portion. The sensor is fixed to the fixing portion by a bolt and a nut. The fixing portion is fixed to the cover portion by bolts. The cover portion is separate from the fixing portion, and therefore does not have an opening extending in a circumferential direction, and covers a magnet rotor fitted on an inner ring in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Masuda
  • Patent number: 8132967
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus with an incorporated wheel speed detecting apparatus has an outer member with double row outer raceway surfaces formed on its inner circumferential surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. An inner ring is fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row inner raceway surfaces, opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces, are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the wheel hub and inner ring, respectively. Double row rolling elements are arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. An encoder is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring. An annular sensor holder is arranged on the end of the outer member opposite to the encoder. A wheel rotation speed detecting sensor is integrally molded with the sensor holder and arranged opposite to the encoder, via a predetermined radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Shigeoka, Syougo Suzuki, Yujiro Ono, Kazuo Komori, Kikuo Fukada