Abstract: A method for determining a thickness of a shim for setting up a predetermined preload of a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a shaft within a housing. The bearing assembly includes front and rear tapered roller bearings. The shim is disposed between a bearing supporting shoulder of the shaft and an inner cone of the rear bearing. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a distance X from an end face of the shaft to the bearing supporting shoulder thereof; measuring a height B of the inner cone; mounting the shaft within the housing; applying a load to the inner cone of the rear bearing corresponding to a predetermined preload; measuring a distance XL from the end face of the shaft to the inner cone of the rear bearing; and determining the thickness W of the shim in accordance with the following equation: W=X?XL?B.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor assembly measures an in-line driving thrust force that is applied to a rotating shaft. The sensor assembly includes a hollow torque-shaft with a magnetoelastic element and a thrust shaft that is inserted within the hollow torque-shaft. Keys are formed on thrust shaft and keyways are formed on the hollow torque-shaft. The keys are received within the keyways to lock the thrust shaft and hollow torque-shaft together but still permit a small amount of axial movement between the shafts. Helical spline recesses are formed on the thrust shaft and corresponding spline projections are formed on the hollow torque-shaft. The projections are received within the recesses to translate the thrust force into a twisting force. A magnetometer cooperates with the magnetoelastic element to measure the amount of twisting force and determine the amount of thrust force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a spindle are provided. The apparatus includes a rotational load device and a linear load device. The rotational load device is connected to the spindle via a shaft and configured to rotationally load the spindle. The linear load device is configured to apply a predetermined linear load on the shaft, so that the linear load is at least partially transmitted to the spindle. The spindle can be subjected to various linear and rotational loads to determine the effectiveness of the spindle, and the performance of the spindle can be measured.

Abstract: Measurement device (1) for measuring the axial and/or radial load on a bearing (10) comprising an inner ring (11), an outer ring (12) and a plurality of rolling elements (13) between the inner and outer ring. The measurement device (1) comprises a sensor ring (3) which may be positioned adjacent to and in close contact with the inner ring (11) or outer ring (12) of the bearing (10), the sensor ring (3) having at least one weakening (2) at its circumference and at least one sensor (5) being positioned in the at least one weakening (2).

Abstract: Measurement device (1) for measuring the axial and/or radial load on a bearing (10) comprising an inner ring (11), an outer ring (12) and a plurality of rolling elements (13) between the inner and outer ring. The measurement device (1) comprises a sensor ring (3) which may be positioned adjacent to and in close contact with the inner ring (11) or outer ring (12) of the bearing (10), the sensor ring (3) having at least one weakening (2) at its circumference and at least one sensor (5) being positioned in the at least one weakening (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing a spindle are provided. The apparatus includes a rotational load device and a linear load device. The rotational load device is connected to the spindle via a shaft and configured to rotationally load the spindle. The linear load device is configured to apply a predetermined linear load on the shaft, so that the linear load is at least partially transmitted to the spindle. The spindle can be subjected to various linear and rotational loads to determine the effectiveness of the spindle, and the performance of the spindle can be measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring apparatus that is used to dimension the components of a bicycle according to the user. The inventive apparatus is of the type that comprises a base (10) and a frame (12) which is disposed on the base, the following elements being mounted on said frame: a stem (50) equipped with handlebars (52) to support the arms; a saddle (38) to support the buttocks; a crankset (30) which is used to support the feet; a braking and measuring device (42) which is kinematically connected to the crankset (30) in order to adjust and measure the force exerted by the user; and means for adjusting (20c, 24c, 26c) at least some of the dimensions of the apparatus. Moreover, the inventive apparatus comprises at least one force sensor (58, 60, 62) which is disposed on one of the bearing points and an electronic control system (56) which is connectcd to the force sensor in order to determine the force applied by the user and the evolution thereof over time.

Abstract: A HSK spindle tension testing kit for measuring the force exerted by the drawbar assembly on the spindle on a CNC machine. The kit includes an upper frame member, a clevis, a pressure jack, a guide piece, a grip-housing, and a transfer rod. The guide piece is aligned over the grip-housing which is placed inside the front cavity on a HSK spindle. During operation, the drawbar assembly engages the grip housing. The transfer rod is threadingly connected at one end to the grip-housing, extends through the guide piece and connects to the shank on the upper frame member to hold the pieces together. During use, the pressure jack and clevis are then used to apply a pulling force on the transfer rod and to test the amount of force exerted by the drawbar assembly on the grip-housing.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing includes a non-rotatable section, a rotatable section, and at least one sensor. The rotatable section is rotatably attached to the non-rotatable section. The at-least-one sensor has an output used for determining at least one component of a force applied to the rotatable section. A method for controlling a vehicle includes attaching at least one sensor to at least one of the non-rotatable and rotatable sections of the vehicle wheel bearing. At least one component of the force applied to the rotatable section is determined from the output of the at-least-one sensor, and the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on the determined at-least-one component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for particularly the rolling bearing (3a), if continuous casting supporting rollers (2), which are mounted on both sides and/or centrally in a supporting roller stand (1) of metal, especially steel, continuous casting devices, by using sensors arranged in the proximity. The invention does not make the exchange of the pivot bearings (3) dependent on the occurrence of damages but targets it at the cost-effectiveness and the most-measurement and storage of the mechanical and/or thermal stresses (load collective) on at least one or more pivot bearings (3) or on selected groups of pivot bearing (3) or on a part 1a) that influences that pivot bearing 3) are effected for determining the remaining serviceable life of the rolling bearings and/or slide bearings (3a).

Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing includes a non-rotatable section, a rotatable section, and at least one sensor. The rotatable section is rotatably attached to the non-rotatable section. The at-least-one sensor has an output used for determining at least one component of a force applied to the rotatable section. A method for controlling a vehicle includes attaching at least one sensor to at least one of the non-rotatable and rotatable sections of the vehicle wheel bearing. At least one component of the force applied to the rotatable section is determined from the output of the at-least-one sensor, and the vehicle is controlled based at least in part on the determined at-least-one component.

Abstract: A scramjet has a cowl, a center structure, and a plurality of wide pylons connecting the cowl to the center structure, with scramjet engines positioned between adjacent pylons. Leading surfaces of adjacent pylons converge to one another to provide side wall compression to air entering the engines. The center structure includes a fore body, a center body and an aft body that, with the pylons, define a basic structure either formed entirely from one piece or several securely connected pieces. A method of testing the scramjet projectile comprises using a gun to accelerate the scramjet projectile to the takeover velocity of the engines.

Abstract: A spindle tension testing kit designed to allow mill operators to quickly and easily determine the gripping or holding force of the coupler and drawbar assembly on a spindle against the tool holder used with a milling or other machine using this method of tool retention. In one embodiment, the kit includes a tool holder, an upper frame member, a transfer rod, a clevis member, and a modified pull stud, and a hydraulic piston. The upper frame member threadingly connects to the transfer rod that is longitudinally extended into the central bore formed in the tool holder. The frame member includes a central opening with a lower horizontal member designed to receive a clevis member. The clevis member is a U-shaped member disposed in an inverted, longitudinally aligned position over the lower horizontal member on the frame member so that its legs are adjacent to the top surface of the tool holder when assembled.

Abstract: A tapered roller bearing has at least one groove in its fixed race, with that groove being located behind and presented away from the raceway for the race. The groove, which creates an unsupported beam within the race, contains a strain sensor which is oriented to detect strains in the circumferential direction. The presence of a loaded roller over the beam deflects the beam and causes the sensor to produce a signal, with the magnitude of the signal reflecting the magnitude of the load transmitted by the roller. By locating one sensor where the greatest radial load is transmitted and two sensors 30° to 70° symmetrically on each side of that one sensor, one can measure both radial and axial loads in the bearing. By locating two sensors in a single groove, axially aligned, but also axially offset, one can detect misalignment of the raceways along which the rollers roll and also skewing of the rollers.

Abstract: The preload in a double row production bearing assembly is ascertained by comparing the deflection produced in that bearing assembly by oppositely directed thrust forces with the deflection produced in a master bearing assembly by equivalent thrust forces likewise applied in opposite directions. The master bearing assembly is similar in configuration and substantially equal in stiffness to the production bearing assembly, but exists in a state of end play. Each thrust force is transferred through the rolling elements of one row and should be sufficient in magnitude to unseat the rolling elements of the other row. The preload in the production bearing assembly equals the end play in the master bearing assembly plus the deflection in the production assembly less the deflection in the master assembly. The endplay in the master bearing assembly is ascertained by extrapolating the deflection to zero thrust force.

Abstract: The preload in a double row production bearing assembly is ascertained by comparing the deflection produced in that bearing assembly by oppositely directed thrust forces with the deflection produced in a master bearing assembly by equivalent thrust forces likewise applied in opposite directions. The master bearing assembly is similar in configuration and substantially equal in stiffness to the production bearing assembly, but exists in a state of end play. Each thrust force is transferred through the rolling elements of one row and should be sufficient in magnitude to unseat the rolling elements of the other row. The preload in the production bearing assembly equals the end play in the master bearing assembly plus the deflection in the production assembly less the deflection in the master assembly. The endplay in the master bearing assembly is ascertained by extrapolating the deflection to zero thrust force.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bearing device in which a double row angular contact ball bearing is mounted to an outer periphery of a hub wheel, a caulking portion is bent diametrically outward and caulked on an end face of an inner ring of a bearing, thereby preventing the bearing from falling out from the bearing device and to applying a pre-load to the bearing. An axially outer edge of the inner ring is chamfered roundly, the caulking portion is provided at its shaft end with a small-diameter portion, and a starting point of the small-diameter portion is located closer to an axially central portion than a chamfer-starting point of the axially outer edge of the inner ring.

Abstract: The invention is a system for measuring the thrust (and, optionally, radial) loads placed on a support thrust bearing assembly that supports a rotating shaft in an apparatus. The system includes an apparatus housing and a load isolation member that supports the support thrust bearing. The load isolation member is not in contact with the apparatus housing. A force sensor is disposed between the apparatus housing and the load isolation member such that axial loads, and optionally radial loads, are permitted to be transmitted by the load isolation member from the support thrust bearing assembly and are measured continuously by the sensor. The corresponding method for measuring the axial load placed on a support thrust bearing assembly that supports a rotating shaft in an apparatus includes providing an apparatus housing and a load isolation member supporting the support thrust bearing. The load isolation member is disposed such that it is not in contact with the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A device for testing an engine pulley includes an elongated tubular shaft formed of two telescoping sections that are spring biased in a retracted position. A handle is disposed at a first end of the shaft and a motor driven pulley is rotatably mounted to the opposing end. When the shaft is extended against the bias of the spring, electrical contact between an external power source and the motor is established. A belt is placed about the motor driven pulley and the engine pulley to rotate the select engine pulley independently of the remaining engine pulleys allowing a user to audibly and visually determine if the pulley is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A thrust sensor assembly suitable for use with an actuator of the type wherein motive power is applied to an actuator shaft and wherein the thrust sensor assembly comprises a first compression plate means and a second compression plate means, at least one of said compression plate means being on or adapted to engage directly or indirectly with a said shaft to move axially with the shaft and the second compression plate means being arranged to oppose the first compression plate means with resiliently compressible pad(s) sandwiched there between, a pressure transducer being mounted on one of the first or second compression plate means, whereby movement of the first compression plate means toward the second compression plate mans compresses the compressible pad(s) between the two compression plate means and against the pressure transducer and thereby inducing a signal from the pressure transducer that corresponds to the thrust of the actuator shaft.