Insulator and conductor combination assembly for bearings with prong-lock conductors

Abstract

To provide a grounding device for preventing electrical current or charge from passing through a bearing.SOLUTION: A combined insulator and conductor assembly is provided for a bearing disposable between a shaft and a housing, and includes an annular insulator disposable around an outer ring of the bearing. The insulator is configured to prevent a flow of electrical current between the outer ring and the housing, and includes one or more axially extending mounting tab. The electric conductor includes an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and at least one retainer. The at least one retainer can engage with at least one mounting tab so as to connect the conductor to the insulator in a releasable manner. Each retainer includes a prong engageable with the individual tab and extending radially. A part of the conductor between the outer radial end or / and outer end and the inner end of the conductor is conductively engageable with the housing. The inner radial end of the conductor is conductively engageable with the shaft so as to provide a conductive passage between the shaft and the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to a grounding device for preventing current or charge from passing through the bearing. [Background technology]

[0002] Bearings used in electric machines such as motors, generators, and similar devices can be damaged when an electric current or charge passes through them, which is particularly detrimental to bearing raceways. Devices such as grounding brushes have been developed to provide an alternate path for the electric current, thereby preventing such current from passing through the bearing. These devices often include a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the entire outer surface of the shaft, forming a relatively rigid ring of fibers, so that the current passes through the fibers between the shaft and the housing. Other devices or mechanisms have been provided to electrically insulate the bearing to prevent electric current from passing through the bearing, including insulating coatings or covers. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] A combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing is provided, positionable between a shaft and a housing. The bearing has an inner ring, an outer ring with opposing first and second axial ends, and a plurality of rolling elements between the rings. The shaft has an outer peripheral surface, and the housing has an inner peripheral surface. The assembly includes an annular insulator positionable around the outer ring of the bearing, configured to prevent current flow between the outer ring and the housing, and including at least one axially extending mounting tab. The conductor has an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and at least one retainer, the at least one retainer being engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor to the insulator. The outer radial end of the conductor or / and a portion of the conductor between the outer end and the inner end are conductively engageable with the housing, and the inner radial end of the conductor is conductively engageable with the shaft, thereby providing a conductive path between the shaft and the housing.

[0004] Preferably, the insulator has a centerline and a plurality of mounting tabs extending axially along the centerline and spaced circumferentially about the centerline, and the conductor includes a conductive disk coupled to the insulator so as to be axially adjacent to the bearing. The disk has an outer radial end engageable with the inner surface of the housing, an inner radial end defining a central opening for receiving a portion of the shaft, and a plurality of through holes and retaining prongs spaced circumferentially about the conductor centerline. Each disk through hole receives a respective one of the insulator's mounting tabs, and each adjacent prong lockingly engages with a respective one of the tabs to releasably couple the conductor to the insulator. Furthermore, an annular conductive brush subassembly is coupled to the conductive disk and includes a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially about the conductor centerline and extending radially inward from an inner end of the conductive disk. Each conductive fiber has an inner end engageable with the outer surface of the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the disk.

[0005] The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings diagrammatical embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined insulator and conductor assembly shown attached to a bearing. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a combined insulator and conductor assembly. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of an insulator and conductor combination assembly shown installed on a shaft and within a housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, split axial cross-sectional view of the top of the combined insulator and conductor assembly mounted in a bearing. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an enlarged, split axial cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the insulator. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a segmented, enlarged, axial cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the conductor. [Figure 7] 7 is a view through line 7-7 in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 8 is a view through line 8-8 in FIG. 2. [Figure 9A] 9A and 9B are respectively split axial cross-sectional views of the insulator components during assembly to the bearing outer ring; [Figure 9B] 9A and 9B are respectively split axial cross-sectional views of the insulator components during assembly to the bearing outer ring; [Figure 10A] 10 and 11 are respectively a split axial cross-sectional view of the top of the insulator and the conductor upon coupling the conductor to the insulator. [Figure 10B] 10 and 11 are respectively a split axial cross-sectional view of the top of the insulator and the conductor upon coupling the conductor to the insulator. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, split, axial cross-sectional view of the combined insulator and conductor assembly shown installed on the shaft and within the housing and engaged by the mechanical parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience and without limitation. The words "inner," "inward," "outward," and "outward" refer, respectively, to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center of the element being described, with specific meanings readily apparent from the context of the specification. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are each intended to include a direct connection between two elements with no other intervening elements, and an indirect connection between elements with one or more other intervening elements. The term specifically includes the above words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0008] Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to denote like elements throughout, FIGS. 1-11 show a central axis A C1 shows a combined electrical insulator and conductor assembly 10 for a bearing 1 that can be disposed between a shaft 2 rotatable about a shaft 2 and a housing 3. The bearing 1 has an inner ring 4, an outer ring 5 having opposing first and second axial ends 5a, 5b and an outer surface 5c, and a plurality of rolling elements 6 disposed between the inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5. The shaft 2 has an outer peripheral surface 2a provided by the shaft 2 itself or by a sleeve or other component (not shown) attached to the shaft 2, and at least the surface 2a, preferably the entire shaft 2 and / or the sleeve / component, is electrically conductive. The housing 3 also has an inner peripheral surface 3a that defines a bore 7, which can be the surface of the main housing 3 itself or the surface of an annular component disposed within the housing 3. Preferably, the bearing 1, shaft 2, and housing 3 are components of a motor or other electric machine (e.g., a generator) or any other machine having rotating components that can store charge or transmit current.

[0009] The combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 basically comprises an annular insulator 12 positionable around the bearing outer ring 5 and an electrical conductor 14 releasably coupled to the insulator 12. The insulator 12 includes at least one axially extending mounting tab 16 configured to prevent electrical current from flowing between the bearing outer ring 5 and the housing 3, and between the outer ring 5 and the conductor 14, and thus through the bearing 1. The electrical conductor 14 has an outer radial end 14a, an inner radial end 14b configured to receive the shaft 2, and at least one retainer 18 that engages with the at least one mounting tab 16 to releasably couple the conductor 14 to the insulator 12.

[0010] More specifically, the conductor 14 has at least one through hole 20 disposed radially inward of the at least one retainer 18, and the at least one mounting tab 16 of the insulator 12 extends through the conductor hole 20. The at least one retainer 18 preferably includes a radial prong 22 having an outer radial end 22a connected to the remainder of the conductor 14 and a free inner radial end 22b that lockingly engages with the mounting tab 16, as described in detail below. Furthermore, the outer radial end 14a of the conductor and / or a portion of the conductor 14 between the outer end 14a and the inner end 14b are each conductively engageable with the housing 3, and the inner radial end 14a of the conductor is conductively engageable with the shaft 2, providing a conductive path between the shaft 2 and the housing 3. As used herein, the term "conductively engagable" means establishing a conductive path through direct contact, e.g., between conductor outer end 14a and housing interior surface 3a, or contact with one or more intermediate components or members 8 (FIG. 11), allowing electrical current to flow between the engaged members, particularly conductor 14 and housing 3.

[0011] Preferably, the insulator 12 has a centerline 13 and includes an annular body 24 having a radial flange 26 positionable against the first axial end 5a of the bearing outer ring 5. At least one mounting tab 16 has an inner axial end 16a integrally formed with the flange 26 and a free outer axial end 16b spaced outward from the inner end 16a along the centerline 13. The conductor 14 has a centerline 15 and preferably includes a conductive disk 40 and a conductive brush subassembly 42 coupled with the disk 40, as described in detail below, the disk 40 providing at least one through hole 20 and at least one retainer 18 / prong 22. Preferably, the prongs 22 of the at least one retainer 18 are provided by an integral part of the disk 40, preferably formed by cutting and forming the disk 40 so as to allow each prong 22 to resiliently flex relative to the remainder of the conductive disk 40, as described below. When conductor 14 is coupled with insulator 12, at least one mounting tab 16 extends through at least one conductor hole 20. Thus, conductive disk 40 is axially disposed between tab inner and outer ends 16a, 16b, with retainer prong inner ends 22b preferably lockingly engaged with axial outer portions 16c (FIG. 4), respectively, as described below.

[0012] Additionally, insulator 12 preferably has a centerline 13 and a plurality of mounting tabs 16, most preferably three tabs 16, extending axially along and circumferentially spaced about centerline 13. Similarly, conductor 14 preferably has a centerline 15 and a plurality of retainers 18, most preferably three retainers 18, spaced circumferentially around and extending generally toward centerline 15. Each of the plurality of retainers 18 engages a distinct one of the plurality of insulator mounting tabs 16 to releasably couple conductor 14 with insulator 12.

[0013] The conductive disk 40 further has an outer radial end 40a providing the outer end 14a of the conductor, an inner radial end 40b defining a central opening 44 for receiving a portion of the shaft 2, and first and second axial ends 40c, 40d. The retainer prongs 22 and through-holes 20 are radially disposed between the disk inner end 40a and outer end 40b, with the through-holes 20 extending between the first and second axial ends 40c, 40d. The conductive brush subassembly 42 is circumferentially spaced about the conductor centerline 15 and includes a plurality of conductive fibers 46 extending radially inward from the inner end 40b of the conductive disk 40. Each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon and has an inner end 46a capable of contacting the outer surface 2a of the shaft, with the inner ends 46a of the fibers 46a collectively providing the inner radial end 14b of the conductor. Because disc 40 is configured to provide a conductive path between brush subassembly 42 and housing 3, any current or charge on shaft 2 is directed to flow through assembly 10 rather than through bearing 1. Thus, combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 functions to protect bearing 1 by preventing the flow of direct current through bearing 1 (i.e., by insulator 12) and by providing an alternate path for the current adjacent bearing 1 by conductor 14. Having described the basic structure and function above, these and other components of assembly 10 are described in detail below.

[0014] 3-5, 9, and 10, the annular body 24 of the insulator 12 preferably includes an inner annular body 30 disposed directly around the bearing outer ring 5 and providing the radial flange 26 as described above, and an outer annular body 32 disposed around the inner body 30, with each body 30, 32 preferably formed from a relatively thin metallic material. Specifically, the inner annular body 30 has a tubular portion 34 disposed around the outer peripheral surface 5c of the bearing outer ring 5, with the flange 26 extending radially inward from the tubular portion 34. The tubular portion 34 has opposing first and second axial ends 34a, 34b and inner and outer circumferential surfaces 35A, 35B, respectively, with the inner circumferential surface 35A frictionally engageable with the outer surface 5c of the outer ring 5 to retain the insulator 12 disposed around the bearing 1. The flange 26 is positionable against the first axial end 5a of the bearing outer ring 5 and has an outer radial end 26a and an inner radial end 26b integrally formed with the first end 34a of the tubular portion 34. One or more mounting tabs 16 are integrally formed with the flange inner end 26a and extend axially away from the remainder of the insulator 12 (and thus the bearing 1 when mounted). Moreover, each mounting tab 16 is preferably generally rectangular and has radially outer and inner surfaces 17A, 17B, respectively, and an opening 19 extending radially between the outer and inner surfaces 17A, 17B.

[0015] The outer annular body 32 further includes a tubular portion 36 disposed around the tubular portion 34 of the inner annular body 30 and a radial flange 38 extending inward from the tubular portion 36. The tubular portion 36 has opposing first and second axial ends 36a, 36b and inner and outer circumferential surfaces 37A, 37B, respectively. The inner circumferential surface 37A frictionally engages the outer circumferential surface 35B of the inner body tubular portion 34 to couple the outer body 32 to the inner body 30. Preferably, the outer circumferential surface 37B of the outer body 32 frictionally engages the housing inner surface 3a to axially retain the bearing 1 and assembly 10, while the outer surface 37B can simply be positioned against / within the housing inner surface 3a without frictional engagement. The radial flange 38 is positionable against the bearing's second axial end 5b and has an outer radial end 38a and an inner radial end 36b integrally formed with the tubular body's second axial end 36b. The attached insulator 12 therefore “encases” the axial ends 5 a , 5 b and outer surface 5 c of the bearing outer ring 5 and electrically insulates the bearing 1 from the housing 3 .

[0016] Preferably, each of the inner and outer body portions 30, 32 is formed from aluminum, with an insulating layer (not shown) provided on one or more of the inner body inner circumferential surface 35A, the inner body outer circumferential surface 35B, the outer body inner circumferential surface 37A, and / or the outer body outer circumferential surface 37B. Most preferably, the insulating layer or layers are each anodized aluminum layers, i.e., formed by anodizing the metal of the body portions 30 and / or 32. However, one or both of the inner and outer body portions 30, 32 may also be formed from an electrically insulating material, such as a polymeric material, ceramic, or the like.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 9 , in the above configuration, the preferred two-piece insulator 12 is installed around the bearing outer ring 5 as follows: The inner annular body 30 is installed around the bearing outer ring 5 by inserting the bearing first axial end 5 a into the second axial end 34 b of the tubular body portion 34, as shown in FIG. 9A , and then sliding the body inner surface 35 A around the ring outer surface 5 c until the flange 26 is adjacent the ring first axial end 5 a. Next, the bearing second axial end 5 b is inserted into the first axial end 36 a of the tubular body portion 36, as shown in FIG. 9B , and the outer annular body 32 is attached to the inner body 30 over the second axial end 34 b of the inner body tubular portion 34. The inner surface 37 A of the outer body tubular portion 36 slides over the outer surface 35 B of the inner body tubular portion 34 until the flange 38 abuts the outer ring second axial end 5 b, and the outer body 32 is frictionally held around the inner body 30 as discussed above.

[0018] 1-4, 6-8, 10, and 11, the conductive disk 40 is generally circular and preferably formed of a conductive metallic material, most preferably aluminum, although it may be formed of any other suitable material (e.g., low-carbon steel). The one or more through holes 20 and the retainer prongs 22 are each preferably formed by cutting a generally C-shaped opening through the disk 40 to form a generally rectangular radial section of the disk 40 (not shown), and then bending each disk section to extend axially outward from the first axial end 40c of the disk 40. In this manner, each prong 22 can be resiliently bent about the prong outer end 22a, generally functioning as a spring due to the resilience of the preferred metallic material. Preferably, the disk 40 further includes a plurality of mounting tabs 48 spaced circumferentially about the conductor centerline 15, each of which engages a brush subassembly 42 to couple the brush subassembly 42 to the disk 40. Preferably, each mounting tab 48 is formed by cutting (e.g., by die punching) the disk 40 to form a rectangular tab 48 and a clearance hole 50. Each tab 48 is bent around a brush retainer 52 (described below) of the brush subassembly 42 such that each engaged mounting tab 48 is generally C-shaped, and the clearance hole 50 provides a passageway for fluid (e.g., lubricant, air, etc.) to flow through the conductive disk 40 to enter and exit the bearing 1.

[0019] 4 and 6-8, the conductive brush subassembly 42 preferably includes an annular retainer 52 connected to the conductive disk 40 as described above, the annular retainer 52 having an open inner radial end 52a and a closed outer end 52b with an annular groove 54. Each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 has an outer radial end 46b disposed in the groove 54 and extends radially inward from the retainer 52 toward the shaft 2. More specifically, the retainer 52 is preferably formed of a conductive metal material (e.g., aluminum) and has an outer axial base 56 and two opposing radial legs 58 such that the retainer 52 has a generally C-shaped axial cross section. The retainer legs 58 preferably clamp against the outer ends 46b of the conductive fibers 46 to hold the fibers 46 within the groove 54. Furthermore, the brush subassembly 42 preferably includes a circular hoop 60 disposed within the retainer groove 54, and each of the plurality of conductive fibers 46 is bent around the hoop 60. Thus, each conductive fiber 46 is preferably generally U- or V-shaped and has two inner ends 46a that are contactable with the shaft outer surface 2a, but each of the conductive fibers 46 may be arranged to extend as a generally straight strand (not shown) from the outer radial end 46b to the inner radial end 46a.

[0020] Furthermore, the plurality of conductive fibers 46 of the brush subassembly 42 are arranged in a generally continuous ring of fibers (not shown), or preferably, as a plurality of circumferentially spaced individual sets 47 of fibers 46. In the latter case, which is preferred, the sets 47 of fibers 46 are preferably formed by stamping a brush assembly including a continuous ring of fibers 46, such that the sets 47 of fibers that are contactable with the shaft 2 are spaced apart by sets 49 of shorter lengths of fibers 46. Furthermore, each conductive fiber 46 is preferably sized to have a diameter within the range of five micrometers or microns (5 μm) to one hundred microns (100 μm). While each conductive fiber 46 is preferably formed of carbon as described above, the fibers 46 may alternatively be made of any suitable conductive material, such as a metallic material, a conductive polymer, or the like.

[0021] Although conductor 14 preferably includes a conductive disk 40 and brush subassembly 42 as described above and shown in the figures, conductor 14 may alternatively be formed in any other suitable manner capable of being coupled to insulator 12 and providing one or more conductive paths between shaft 2 and housing 3. For example, instead of brush subassembly 42, conductor 14 may include a solid ring of conductive material (not shown) attached to conductive disk 40 and conductively engageable with shaft 2, the ring having either a continuous inner circumferential contact surface or multiple arcuate contact surface sections provided by radially inwardly extending protrusions. As a further alternative, conductive disk 40 may be formed with an inner end 40b capable of contacting shaft outer surface 2a to provide a direct conductive path between shaft 2 and disk 40. The scope of the present invention encompasses these and all other suitable configurations of conductor 14 capable of functioning as generally described herein.

[0022] 10 , conductors 14 are coupled to insulator 12 (mounted on bearing 1) by axially displacing conductive disk 40 with attached brush subassemblies 42 toward insulator 12 (mounted on bearing 1) until free axial end 16 b of each mounting tab 16 enters and passes through a respective one of the disk's through-holes 20. As disk 40 continues to displace toward insulator 12 and bearing 1, each tab free end 16 b contacts adjacent retaining prong 22 such that prongs 22 bend radially outward, as shown in FIG. 10B . The prong's inner end 22 b slides over outer surface 17A of tab 16 until it reaches hole 19 in the tab, then prong 22 “snaps” inward, and prong end 22 b enters hole 19 in mounting tab 16, locking prong 22 within tab 16. At this point, the conductive disk 40, and therefore the entire conductor 14, is releasably coupled to the insulator 12, and if it is later necessary to remove the conductor 14 from the insulator 12, the prongs 22 can be bent radially outward to release the disk 40 from the mounting tabs 16.

[0023] The insulator / conductor assembly 10 is more effective at protecting the bearing 1 from damage caused by electrical current than known devices. The insulator 12 effectively prevents a voltage difference from developing between the shaft 2 and the housing 3 through the bearing 1, thereby preventing electrical current from flowing through the inner and outer rings 4, 5 and the rolling elements 6. To further ensure that electrical current does not pass through the bearing 1, the conductive disk 40 and brush subassembly 42 provide an alternative path, allowing electrical charge or current on the shaft 2 to flow through the conductive fibers 46 to the retainer 52, through the retainer 52 to the conductive disk 40, and then through the disk outer end 40a to the housing 3. An additional or alternative electrical conduction path to the housing 3 may be provided by axial contact between a portion of the housing 3 (e.g., a radial shoulder) or a machine component 8 ( FIG. 11 ) located within the housing 3, such as a spring or pin, and either the surface of the conductive disk 40 or the brush annular retainer 52, as shown in FIG. 13 . Thus, any electrical charge or current on shaft 2 in the area of bearing 1 is prevented from passing through bearing 1 by insulator 12 and is directed through brush subassembly 42 and conductive disc 40 of conductor 14. Furthermore, assembly 10 can be attached to bearing 1 by a manufacturer or distributor so that bearing 1 with combined insulator and conductor assembly 10 can be provided to a customer or end user as an entire assembly mountable within shaft 2 and housing 3.

[0024] It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art could make changes to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is therefore understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally defined in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1. Bearings 2 shafts 3. Housing 4 inner ring 5 outer ring 6 rolling elements 10 Insulator and conductor combination assembly 12 Insulators 14 Conductors 16 Mounting tab 18 Retainer 19 Opening 20 through holes 22 prongs 24 Annular body 26 flange 30 Inner body 32 Outer body 34,36 tubular part 38 Radial flange 40 Conductive disc 42 Brush Sub-Assembly 44 Central opening 46 Conductive Fiber 52 Annular retainer 54 Annular groove 56 Outer axial base 58 Legs 60 hoops

Claims

1. 1. A combined insulator and conductor assembly for a bearing positionable between a shaft and a housing, the bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring having opposed first and second axial ends, and a plurality of rolling elements between the rings, the shaft having an outer peripheral surface, and the housing having an inner peripheral surface, the assembly comprising: an annular insulator positionable around an outer ring of the bearing, the insulator configured to prevent current flow between the outer ring and the housing, the insulator including at least one axially extending mounting tab; and an electrical conductor having an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and at least one retainer, the at least one retainer engageable with the at least one mounting tab to releasably couple the conductor to the insulator, a portion of the conductor between the outer radial end, the outer end, and the inner end of the at least one conductor conductively engageable with the housing, and the inner radial end of the conductor conductively engageable with the shaft to provide a conductive path between the shaft and the housing; Assembly having:

2. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor has at least one through hole disposed radially inward of the at least one retainer, the at least one mounting tab of the insulator extends through the hole in the conductor, and the at least one retainer includes radial prongs having an outer radial end connected to the remainder of the conductor and a free inner radial end engaged with the mounting tab.

3. the insulator has an annular body with a radial flange positionable against a first axial end of an outer ring of the bearing, the at least one mounting tab having an inner axial end integrally formed with the flange and a free outer axial end; 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the conductor includes a conductive disk providing at least one through hole, the at least one mounting tab extending through the at least one hole such that the disk is axially disposed between the inner axial end and the outer axial end of the mounting tab, and the prongs of the at least one retainer are provided by an integral portion of the disk.

4. the insulator having a centerline and a plurality of the mounting tabs spaced circumferentially about the centerline; 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor has a centerline and a plurality of the retainers spaced circumferentially about the conductor centerline, each retainer engaging a respective one of the mounting tabs of the conductor.

5. The insulator is an inner annular body having a tubular portion disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring of the bearing and a flange extending radially inward from an axial portion and positionable against the second axial end of the outer ring of the bearing; an outer annular body having a tubular portion disposed around the tubular portion of the inner annular body and a flange extending radially inward from the tubular portion and positionable against the first axial end of the outer ring of the bearing, the at least one mounting tab extending axially outward from the flange of the outer annular body; The assembly of claim 1 , comprising:

6. the tubular portion of the inner annular body having opposed inner and outer circumferential surfaces, and the tubular portion of the outer annular body having opposed inner and outer circumferential surfaces; 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein at least one of the inner annular body and the outer annular body is formed of an electrically insulating material, or at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the inner annular body, the outer circumferential surface of the inner annular body, the inner circumferential surface of the outer annular body, and the outer circumferential surface of the outer annular body is provided with an insulating layer.

7. the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the outer annular body frictionally engages the outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion of the inner annular body to retain the insulator disposed about the bearing; The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion of the outer annular body is frictionally engageable with an inner surface of the housing to axially retain the bearing within the housing.

8. The conductor is a conductive disk having an outer end providing a conductor outer end and an inner end defining a central opening for receiving a portion of said shaft, each retainer including a respective one of a plurality of deflectable prongs, each retainer prong having an outer radial end integrally formed with the remainder of said disk and a free inner end engageable with a respective one of said mounting tabs of said insulator; an annular conductive brush subassembly coupled to the conductive disc, the conductive brush subassembly including a centerline and a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially about the centerline and extending radially inward from the inner end of the conductive disc, each conductive fiber having an inner end contactable with an outer surface of the shaft to provide an inner radial end of the conductor; The assembly of claim 1 , comprising:

9. 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the conductive brush subassembly includes an annular retainer connected to the conductive disk and having an inner radial end with an annular groove, each one of the plurality of conductive fibers having an outer radial end disposed in the annular groove and extending radially inward from the retainer toward the shaft.

10. the conductive disk including a plurality of mounting tabs spaced circumferentially about the centerline, each mounting tab engaging the brush subassembly to couple the brush subassembly to the disk; the brush subassembly further includes a circular hoop disposed within the retainer, each one of the plurality of conductive fibers bent around the hoop such that each fiber has two ends capable of contacting an outer surface of the shaft; and the plurality of conductive fibers of the brush subassembly being comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced sets of individual fibers; The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the at least one of

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