Bearing device and associated machine

Abstract

A bearing arrangement is presented. The bearing device comprises: a bearing (4) provided with a first ring (5) and a second ring (6) which are concentrically rotatable with respect to each other; an annular sensing ring (9) mounted on a second ring (6) of the bearing; the annular sensing ring (9) comprises a sensor (10) and a wired connection (11) connecting the sensor (10), the sensor (10) is arranged on the inner surface or the outer surface of the second ring and is configured to measure a physical parameter of the bearing, and the sensor (10) is connected together through at least one wired connection (11). Such that each sensor (10) is connected to at least two wired connections to form the annular sensing ring (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the monitoring of bearings.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to the arrangement of sensors on bearings. Background Art

[0003] Typically, the monitoring of bearings is based on measurements delivered by sensors placed at some distance from the bearing.

[0004] The distance between the sensor and the bearing means that there are more disturbances in the acquired measurements, limiting the quality of the measurements.

[0005] Furthermore, this placement of the sensors limits the types of measurements that can be obtained.

[0006] The vibrations can be measured by vibration sensors placed at a certain distance from the bearing.

[0007] However, measuring the load applied to the bearing or measuring the temperature of the bearing requires that a load sensor or a temperature sensor be disposed on the bearing.

[0008] For example, when the sensor is placed far away from the bearing, the radial load applied to the bearing cannot be obtained.

[0009] It is known to implement a fiber optic system FOS (ie FOS = Fiber Optic System) to measure the strain and temperature of a bearing.

[0010] However, implementing strain measurements on bearings using FOS or other methods comes with different installation constraints (e.g., the configuration of cables and / or pigtails on the bearing) and the relatively high cost of FOS. Summary of the invention

[0011] The invention therefore aims to simplify the monitoring of a bearing, for example for monitoring the load applied to the bearing and the temperature of the bearing.

[0012] According to one aspect, a bearing arrangement is provided.

[0013] The bearing device comprises:

[0014] - a bearing provided with a first and a second ring which are rotatable concentrically relative to each other,

[0015] - an annular sensing ring, mounted on the second ring of the bearing,

[0016] The annular sensing ring comprises sensors and wired connections connecting the sensors, the sensors being arranged on the inner or outer surface of the second ring and being configured to measure a physical parameter of the bearing.

[0017] The sensors are connected together by at least one wired connection such that each sensor is connected to at least two wired connections to form the annular sensing loop.

[0018] The sensors are located directly on the bearing, thus allowing higher quality measurement of radial and axial loads, temperature and vibration, and providing a higher level of insight into the bearing's mechanical environment.

[0019] The sensing ring allows the same installation procedure as a regular bearing, as there are no radial orientation installation constraints or cable / pigtail access issues, making installation of the sensing ring to monitor the bearing easier and cheaper than implementing a FOS known in the prior art.

[0020] Advantageously, two consecutive sensors are connected together by at least one wired connection.

[0021] Preferably, the annular sensing ring has two sensors, and the two sensors are connected together by two wired connections.

[0022] Advantageously, the second circle in which the ring is located comprises an annular groove, and the sensing ring is at least partially inserted into the interior of the annular groove.

[0023] Preferably, the wired connections are connected together to form a loop antenna of the sensing loop, and the sensor is connected to the antenna so that the sensor is a wireless sensor, and the wireless sensor is configured to wirelessly transmit measurement results captured by the sensor to a processing component, and wirelessly receive configuration and control commands from the processing component.

[0024] Advantageously, the sensing loop further comprises a power supply means, and the wired connections are connected together to form a bus, the power supply means being connected to the bus, the bus being configured to transmit measurements captured by the sensors to a processing means and to supply power from the power supply means to the sensors.

[0025] Preferably, the power supply component comprises a power distribution ring.

[0026] Advantageously, the bus bar is encapsulated in a protective membrane, the protective membrane comprising openings to connect the bus bar to the power supply means.

[0027] Preferably, each sensor is selected from a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a radial load sensor, an axial load sensor and a strain sensor.

[0028] According to one aspect, a machine is proposed, comprising a bearing arrangement as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when examining the detailed description of embodiments (which is in no way limiting) and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A rotating machine according to the invention is schematically shown;

[0031] Figure 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of a sensing loop according to the present invention; and

[0032] Figure 3 A second embodiment of a sensing loop according to the invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A partial longitudinal section of a rotating machine 1 is schematically shown.

[0034] The rotating machine 1 includes a housing 2 and a shaft 3 supported in the housing 2 via roller bearings 4 .

[0035] The roller bearing 4 is provided with a first ring 5 mounted on the shaft 3 and a second ring 6 mounted into a hole of the seat 2. The second ring 6 radially surrounds the first ring 5. The first ring 5 and the second ring 6 rotate concentrically relative to each other.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the second ring 6 is the outer ring of the roller bearing 4 , and the first ring 5 is the inner ring of the roller bearing 4 .

[0037] The roller bearing 4 is also provided with a row of rolling elements 7 radially interposed between the inner raceway of the first ring 5 and the outer raceway of the second ring 6. In the example shown, the rolling elements 7 are balls. As another option, the roller bearing may include other types of rolling elements 7, such as rollers. In the example shown, the roller bearing includes one row of rolling elements 7. As another option, the roller bearing may include several rows of rolling elements.

[0038] An annular groove 8 is formed on the outer surface of the second ring 6. The groove 8 is oriented radially outward. The annular groove 8 faces the hole of the seat 2 in the radial direction.

[0039] A first embodiment of annular sensing ring 9 is received in annular groove 8 of second ring 6 .

[0040] In the example shown, the annular sensing ring 9 is mounted on the outer surface of the second ring 6. As another option, the second ring 6 may be the inner ring of the roller bearing 4, and the first ring 5 may be the outer ring of the roller bearing 4. In this case, the annular sensing ring 9 may be received in an annular groove formed on the inner surface of the second ring 6.

[0041] The bearing 4 and the annular sensing ring 9 form a bearing arrangement.

[0042] The annular sensing ring 9 includes a plurality of sensors 10 arranged around the annular groove 8 and wired connections 11 connecting the sensors.

[0043] The sensors 10 of the annular sensing ring 9 are connected together by at least one wired connection 11 , so that each sensor is connected to two wired connections 11 .

[0044] Two consecutive sensors 10 may be connected together via a wired connection 11 .

[0045] Sensors 10 connected together by wired connections 11 form an annular sensing loop 9 .

[0046] When the annular sensing ring 9 has only two sensors 10 , the two sensors 10 are connected together via two wired connections 11 to form the annular sensing ring 9 .

[0047] The sensor 10 and the wired connection 11 are accommodated inside the annular groove 8 .

[0048] The wired connections 11 are connected together to form a loop antenna 11 a which is received in the loop groove 8 .

[0049] The sensor 10 is intended to measure a physical parameter of the bearing 4 .

[0050] The physical parameters may be the load applied to the bearing 4 , the temperature of the bearing 4 , the strain applied to the bearing 4 , and the vibration of the bearing 4 .

[0051] Each sensor 10 may be selected from a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a radial load sensor, an axial load sensor, and a strain sensor.

[0052] Each sensor 10 is connected to a loop antenna 11 a , and includes a wireless transmission section and a battery 10 a for supplying power to the sensor 10 .

[0053] The wireless transmission means are intended to wirelessly transmit the measurements captured by the sensors to the processing means 12 for further processing, and to wirelessly receive configuration and control commands from the processing means 12 .

[0054] In one variation, each sensor 10 does not include a battery 10a, and the sensor 10 is connected to a conduit connected to an external power source (not shown).

[0055] Figure 2 An annular sensing ring 9 mounted on the outer ring 6 is schematically shown, without the housing 2 and the shaft 3 of the machine 2 being shown.

[0056] In order to reduce the power consumption of the sensor 10 supplied by the power supply, the first embodiment of the annular sensing loop 9 is particularly suitable for sensors 10 requiring low power consumption and for monitoring processing components 12 of the machine 2 requiring low frequency of measurement transmission.

[0057] Figure 3 A partial view of a second embodiment of an annular sensing ring 9 is schematically shown.

[0058] The second embodiment is suitable for sensors that require more power and / or require a higher frequency of measurement transmission to monitor processing components of the machine 2 .

[0059] The annular sensing ring 9 comprises a sensor 13 and a wired connection 14 connecting the sensor 13 , both of which are accommodated in the groove 8 .

[0060] The sensors 13 of the annular sensing ring 9 are connected together by at least one wired connection 14 , so that each sensor is connected to two wired connections 14 .

[0061] Two consecutive sensors 13 may be connected together via a wired connection 14 .

[0062] The sensors 13 connected together by wired connections 14 form an annular sensing loop 9 .

[0063] When the annular sensing ring 9 has only two sensors 13 , the two sensors 13 are connected together via two wired connections 14 to form the annular sensing ring 9 .

[0064] The sensor 13 and the wired connection 14 are accommodated in the annular groove 8 .

[0065] The wired connection 14 forms a bus 14 a that connects the sensors 13 .

[0066] The bus 14a includes a transmission component 15 connected to a processing component 16 via a wired connection 17 as shown.

[0067] The bus 14a is intended to convey the measurements captured by the sensor 13 to the processing means 16 for further processing.

[0068] The transmission means 15 are intended to transmit the measurement results captured by the sensor 13 to the processing means 16 .

[0069] In another embodiment, the transmission means 15 may comprise wireless transmission means intended to wirelessly transmit the measurements captured by the sensor 13 to the processing means 16 .

[0070] The sensor 13 is intended to measure physical parameters of the bearing 4 , such as the load applied to the bearing 4 , the temperature of the bearing 4 , the strain applied to the bearing 4 , the vibration of the bearing 4 .

[0071] Each sensor 13 may be selected from a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a radial load sensor, an axial load sensor and a strain sensor.

[0072] The annular sensing ring 9 also comprises power supply means connected to a bus 14 a intended to supply the sensors 13 with power delivered by the power supply means.

[0073] The power supply component may include a power distribution ring 18 connected to a supply interface 19 of the bus 14a.

[0074] The power supply may be connected to a grid via a wired connection (not shown).

[0075] The annular sensing loop 9 may further include a protective membrane 20 encapsulating the bus 14a.

[0076] The protective film 20 protects the bus bar 14 a against damage that may be caused by friction of the bus bar on the outer ring 6 caused by vibrations of the bearing 4 .

[0077] The protective film 20 also electrically and chemically isolates the sensor 13, the wired connection 14 and other electronic components of the annular sensing ring 9 from other components in the external environment of the bearing arrangement.

[0078] The protective film 20 comprises openings 20 a , 20 b to connect the power supply component to the supply interface 19 of the bus 14 a and to connect the transmission component 15 to the wired connection 17 .

[0079] Since the second embodiment of the annular sensing ring 9 is at least one wired connection of the supply bus 14a and the sensor 13, the second embodiment of the annular sensing ring 9 is accommodated in the annular groove of the stationary ring in the first ring 5 and the second ring 6, and the other ring is a movable ring.

[0080] The sensors 10 , 13 are mounted directly on the bearing 4 , allowing for higher quality measurement of radial and axial loads, temperature and vibration, thereby providing a higher level of insight into the mechanical environment of the bearing 4 .

[0081] The annular sensing ring 9 allows for the same installation procedure as conventional bearings, as there are no radial orientation installation constraints or cable / pigtail access issues, making installation of the annular sensing ring 9 to monitor the bearing 4 easier and cheaper than implementing a FOS known in the prior art.

Claims

1. A bearing device, comprising: - a bearing (4) provided with a first ring (5) and a second ring (6) which are rotatable concentrically relative to each other, - an annular sensing ring (9) mounted on the second ring (6) of the bearing, The annular sensing ring (9) comprises sensors (10, 13) and wired connections (11, 14) connecting the sensors (10, 13), the sensors (10, 13) being arranged on the inner surface or the outer surface of the second ring and being arranged to measure a physical parameter of the bearing, the sensors (10, 13) being connected together by at least one wired connection (11, 14), so that each sensor (10, 13) is connected to at least two wired connections (11, 14) to form the annular sensing ring (9).

2. The bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular sensing ring (9) has two sensors (10, 13) which are connected together via two wired connections (11, 14).

3. The bearing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second ring (6) comprises an annular groove (8), and the sensing ring (9) is at least partially inserted into the interior of the annular groove (8).

4. The bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The wired connections (11) are connected together to form a loop antenna (11a) of the sensing loop (9), and the sensor (10) is connected to the antenna (11a), so that the sensor is a wireless sensor, which is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement results captured by the sensor (10) to the processing component (12) and wirelessly receive configuration and control commands from the processing component (12).

5. The bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sensing loop (9) further comprises a power supply component, and the wired connections (14) are connected together to form a bus (14a), the power supply component is connected to the bus (14a), the bus (14a) is configured to transmit the measurement results captured by the sensor (13) to the processing component (16), and is configured to supply power from the power supply component to the sensor (13).

6. The bearing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The power supply component comprises a power distribution ring (18).

7. The bearing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The bus bar (14a) is encapsulated in a protective film (20), and the protective film (20) includes an opening (20a) to connect the bus bar (14a) to the power supply component.

8. The bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Each sensor (10, 13) is selected from a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a radial or axial load sensor and a strain sensor.

9. A machine (1) comprising a bearing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images