Friction-reducing conductive assemblies for bearings - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

To provide a reduced friction electrically conductive assembly for a bearing.SOLUTION: An electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed about a shaft and disposed within a housing includes an annular retainer coupleable with a bearing outer ring or with the bearing housing, the annular retainer having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two, preferably several, conductors each have a radially outer end disposed within the retainer groove, and a radially inner end contactable with the shaft. Each conductor is formed of a plurality of conductive fibers arranged to extend radially inwardly from the retainer inner end. The at least two conductors are spaced circumferentially about the centerline so as to define at least two axial passages between the retainer and the shaft. Preferably, the conductors are separated by spacers formed of conductive fibers each having a length shorter than the length of the fibers of the conductors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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 if an electric current or charge is passed through the bearing, which can have a particularly adverse effect on the 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. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] These devices often include a plurality of conductive fibers spaced circumferentially around the entire outer surface of the shaft, forming a relatively solid ring of fibers, such that electrical current passes through the conductive fibers between the shaft and the housing. However, friction between such a ring of conductive fibers and the shaft surface can be relatively substantial, resulting in excessive heat generation within the electric machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed around a shaft and within a housing, the bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The electrically conductive assembly includes an annular retainer connectable to the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing, the annular retainer having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. Each of at least two conductors has a radially outer end disposed within the retainer groove and a radially inner end capable of contacting the shaft. Each conductor is formed of a plurality of electrically conductive fibers arranged to extend radially inward from the retainer inner end. The at least two conductors are circumferentially spaced about the centerline to define at least two axial passages between the retainer and the shaft.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention again provides an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed around a shaft and within a housing, the bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The electrically conductive assembly includes an annular retainer coupleable to the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing, the annular retainer having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two sets of first conductive fibers and two sets of second conductive fibers are alternately and circumferentially spaced about the centerline of the retainer such that each set of second conductive fibers is disposed between two sets of first conductive fibers. Each first conductive fiber extends radially inward from the retainer groove, has a first radial length, and is capable of contacting the shaft outer surface. Each second conductive fiber extends radially inward from the retainer groove, has a second radial length substantially less than the first radial length, such that an arcuate axial passage is defined radially between each set of second fibers and the shaft outer surface.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of forming an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed about a shaft and within a housing, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of electrically conductive fibers, each having opposite ends and a first length between the ends, a length of metal wire, and an elongated rectangular strip of metal material having a length, a top surface, and two longitudinal edges; disposing the plurality of electrically conductive fibers on the top surface of the strip so that an end of each fiber extends outwardly of the edges of the strip and the plurality of fibers are distributed along the length of the strip; disposing a wire over the distributed plurality of electrically conductive fibers so that the wire extends centrally along the length of the strip; bending each of the two longitudinal edges of the metal strip toward the other longitudinal edge to separate the two longitudinal edges; forming spaced apart legs, two of the legs defining a groove that holds a wire and a plurality of conductive fibers within the groove, and bending each of the conductive fibers around the wire so that two ends of each fiber are adjacent to one another; forming the strip and wire into an annulus having a centerline so that the plurality of fibers extend radially toward the centerline; and cutting a plurality of spaced apart portions of the fibers so that the fibers in each cut portion have a second length that is less than the first length, wherein each cut portion of the fibers defines a separate axial passage when the annulus is placed around the shaft.

[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as detailed description of 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 embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a conductive assembly according to the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 10 is a front view of the conductive assembly shown without the case and engaging with a shaft shown in radial cross section. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of the conductive assembly separated from the case. [Figure 4] This is a view passing through line 4-4 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a view passing through line 5-5 in Figure 3. [Figure 6] 10 is another partially exploded axial cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive assembly shown engaged with the shaft of the machine and mounted on a bearing. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a partially exploded axial cross-sectional view showing the conductive assembly engaged with the shaft of the machine and shown mounted within the housing; [Figure 8] 10 is another partially exploded axial cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive assembly shown engaged with the shaft of the machine and mounted around the end of the housing. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are perspective views illustrating a plurality of conductive fibers and wires respectively disposed on a metal strip during formation of a conductive assembly. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of a conductive assembly showing separate conductive fibers. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of a conductive assembly showing conductive fibers held together by a protective sheath. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of the formed retainer and conductive fibers prior to forming the passages. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is another elevational view of the formed retainer and conductive fibers after passage formation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Certain terms are used in the following description for convenience only and are not limiting. The terms "inwardly," "inwardly," "outwardly," and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center of the described element, respectively, with the specific meaning being readily apparent from the context of the description. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "coupled" and "coupled" are intended to include, respectively, a direct connection between two members without any other intervening members, and an indirect connection between members where one or more other members are intervening between the members. The term includes the terms specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and terms of similar meaning.

[0010] Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, FIGS. 1-12 show an electrically conductive assembly 10 for a bearing 1 disposed about a shaft 2 rotatable about a central axis AC and within a housing 3. The bearing 1, shaft 2, and housing 3 are preferably components of a motor or other electric machine M (e.g., a generator), as depicted in FIGS. 6-8, or any other machine having rotating components suitable for storing an electric charge or transmitting an electric current. Preferably, the electrically conductive assembly 10, or "grounding brush," is used with a rolling element bearing 1 including an inner ring 4 and an outer ring 5, respectively, and a plurality of rolling elements 6 disposed between the inner ring 4 and the outer ring 5. Basically, the conductive assembly 10 comprises an annular retainer 12, at least two arc-shaped conductors 14 extending radially inward from the retainer 12, and preferably also at least two arc-shaped spacers 16 for separating the conductors 14, and a case 18 for coupling the assembly 10 to a bearing 1 or directly to a housing 3.

[0011] More specifically, the annular retainer 12 is made of a conductive material, preferably aluminum, and is connectable to the bearing outer ring 5 or the bearing housing 3 (i.e., preferably via a case 18). The retainer 12 has a centerline LC, an open inner end 12a that defines an annular groove 13, and a closed outer end 12b. Each conductor 14 has a radially outer end 14a disposed within the retainer groove 13 and a radially inner end 14b that can contact the shaft 2. Furthermore, each conductor 14 is formed of a plurality of conductive fibers 20 or a set 15 of conductive fibers 20 distributed circumferentially and arranged to extend radially inward from the retainer inner end 12a, each fiber 20 preferably formed of carbon. The plurality of conductive fibers 20 / set 15 of conductive fibers 20 provides a path for electric charge or current to pass from the rotating shaft 2 through the plurality of fibers 20 to the retainer 12 and then to the housing 3, as described below. The conductive assembly 10 thereby functions as a grounding device to prevent current or charge from passing through the bearing 1 and damaging the bearing raceway (not shown).

[0012] At least two, and preferably several, conductors 14, and most preferably eight as shown, are spaced circumferentially about centerline LC to define at least two, and preferably several, axial passages 22 between retainer 12 and shaft 2. That is, a separate passage 22 is defined between each pair of adjacent, but spaced, conductors 14. By forming conductive assembly 10 having multiple discrete or spaced-apart conductors 14 separated by passages 22, the amount of friction and heat generated during use is substantially reduced compared to previously known devices having continuous conductors, i.e., fibers extending about the entire inner circumference. Furthermore, passages 22 allow for the unimpeded flow of fluids, particularly lubricant and air, to and from bearing 1 through assembly 10.

[0013] As described above, the electrically conductive assembly 10 preferably includes at least two spacers 16, specifically, the same number of spacers 16 as the number of conductors 14. Each spacer 16 is preferably arcuate and has a radially outer end 16a disposed within the retainer groove 13 and an opposite radially inner end 16b disposed between two of the conductors 14 to circumferentially separate or space the two conductors 14. The inner end 16b of each spacer 16 is spaced radially outward from the shaft outer surface 2a such that one of the axial passages 22 is defined radially between the inner end 16b of the spacer and the shaft 2. Preferably, each spacer 16 is formed of a plurality or set 17 of circumferentially distributed conductive fibers 24, which are identical to the conductive fibers 20 of the conductors 14 except for the radial length of the fibers, as described in more detail below. Specifically, the at least two sets 15 of first conductive fibers 20 and the at least two sets 17 of second conductive fibers 24 are alternately and circumferentially spaced about the retainer centerline LC such that each set 17 of second conductive fibers 24 (providing spacers 16) is disposed between two sets 15 of first conductive fibers 20 (forming conductors 14). However, the spacers 16 may be formed in any other suitable manner, for example, as arc-shaped solid members each formed of a metallic or even non-metallic material, which can separate the two conductors 14 and are sized to provide the axial passageway 22.

[0014] When each conductor 14 is formed of a first set 15 of conductive fibers 20 and each spacer 16 is formed of a second set 17 of conductive fibers 24, the conductive assembly 10 preferably further includes a circular hoop 30 disposed within the retainer 12, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8. The hoop 30 is preferably formed of a length (not shown) of conductive wire 31 (FIG. 7) bent into a circular or annular shape, as described below. In such a hoop 30, each conductive fiber 20, 24 of each conductor 14 and each spacer 16 has two opposite ends 20a, 20b and 24a, 24b, respectively, and is bent around the hoop 30 so that the two ends 20a, 20b and 24a, 24b of each conductive fiber 20, 24 are positioned at the radially inner ends 14b, 16b of the conductor 14 or spacer 16.

[0015] Specifically, each conductive fiber 20 or 24 is generally U- or V-shaped, having first and second legs 20c, 20d or 24c, 24d and a central curved portion 20e, 24e. The fibers 20, 24 are arranged such that the curved portion 20e, 24e is located on the outer surface 30a of the hoop 30 and the two legs 20c, 20d or 24c, 24d extend radially inward. Thus, each fiber 20 of the conductor 14 provides two conductive legs 20c, 20d, and the radial extent or length rC, rS of each fiber 20 or 24 is half the linear length of the entire fiber. Although preferably bent in a U-shape or V-shape as described above, the fibers 20 and / or 24 may also be arranged to extend radially in a generally straight line from one end 20a, 24a at the radially outer end 14a, 16a to the other end 20b, 24b at the radially inner end 14b, 16b.

[0016] Furthermore, each conductive fiber 20, 24 is preferably formed of carbon, but may alternatively be made of any suitable conductive material, such as a metallic material or a conductive polymer. Preferably, each conductive fiber 20, 24 is sized to have a diameter within a range of 5 micrometers or 5 microns (5 μm) to 100 microns (100 μm). Furthermore, the conductive fibers 20 and 24 may be arranged as individual fibers (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 10A ) or may be grouped into subsets 26 of multiple fibers 20 or 24 coated with a polymer material, as shown in FIG. 10B . Such polymer-coated subsets 26 facilitate handling and installation of the fibers 20, 24 within the holder 12 and reduce the likelihood of breakage.

[0017] As described above, the conductive fibers 20 and 24 are formed substantially identical to one another except for their radial lengths. Specifically, each conductive fiber 24 of the spacer 16 has a radial length rS that is substantially smaller than the radial length rC of each conductive fiber 20 of each conductor 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The smaller length rS of the spacer fiber 24 enables the spacer 16 to partially (i.e., radially) define a passage 22 between each radially inner end 16b of the spacer 16 and the shaft outer surface 2a, which is defined by all ends 24a, 24b of the conductive fibers 24 within each spacer 16. The purpose of forming the fibers 20, 24 substantially identical and creating a spacer 16 of multiple conductive fibers 24 is due to a preferred method of manufacturing the conductive assembly 10, as described in detail below.

[0018] 4, 5, and 9-11, the retainer 12 preferably includes an outer axial base portion 40 having two ends 40a, 40b, and two radial legs 42, 44 extending radially inward from the separate ends 40a, 40b of the base portion 40. The base portion 40 and the legs 42, 44 define the retainer annular groove 13, and the legs 42, 44 function to retain the hoop 30 and the radially inner ends 14a, 16a of the conductor 14 and spacer 16, respectively, that are disposed within the retainer groove 13. That is, the retainer legs 42, 44 contact and clamp the sides of the fibers 20, 24, thereby preventing the upper ends of the hoop 30, the curved portions 20e, 24e, and the two legs 20c / 20d, 24c / 24d from falling radially inward from the groove 13. However, depending on the particular configuration of the conductors 14 and spacers 16, the annular retainer 12 may have any other suitable shape and / or configuration necessary to retain the components 14, 16 and provide an electrically conductive path between the conductors 14 and the bearing outer ring 5 and / or housing 3.

[0019] 1 and 6-8, as described above, the electrically conductive assembly 10 preferably includes an outer annular case 18 connectable to the bearing outer ring 5 or bearing housing 3 and configured to support the retainer 12 about the shaft 2. Preferably, the case 18 includes an L-shaped annular body 50 formed of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or the like, having an outer axial portion 52 and a radial portion 54 extending radially inward from the axial portion 52. The axial portion 52 has opposite inner and outer circumferential surfaces 53A, 53B, respectively, and opposite axial ends 52a, 52b. The radial portion 54 has an outer radial end 54a integrally formed with one end 52b of the axial portion 52, a radially inner end 54b defining a central opening 56, and a plurality of mounting tabs 58 circumferentially spaced about a central portion 54c. The mounting tabs 58 are engageable with the annular retainer 12 to connect the retainer 12 to the case 18, as best seen in FIG.

[0020] Additionally, the case 18 may be coupled to the bearing outer ring 5 by inserting the free end 52a of the axial portion 52 over the end of the bearing outer ring 5 and frictionally engaging the inner surface 53A of the axial portion 52 with the outer surface 5a of the outer ring 5, as depicted in FIG. 6 . Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 7 , the case 18 may be coupled to the housing 3 by frictionally engaging the outer surface 53B of the axial portion with the inner surface 3a of the housing. As a further alternative, shown in FIG. 8 , the case 18 may be coupled to the end 3b of the housing 3 by frictionally engaging the inner surface 53A of the axial portion with the outer surface 3c of the housing 3. Preferably, the case 18 is configured as described above, but the case 18 may be formed in any suitable manner that enables the case 18 to couple the retainer 12 to the bearing outer ring 5 or the housing 3. Alternatively, the conductive assembly 10 may be fabricated without any case, with the retainer 12 configured to be attached directly to the bearing outer ring 5 or the housing 3.

[0021] 9-12, as described above, the preferred structures of the retainer 12, conductors 14, and spacers 16 are the result of a preferred method of manufacturing these components. More specifically, the conductors 14, spacers 16, and retainer 12 are preferably formed by first providing a number or plurality of first conductive fibers 20, strands of metal wire 31 having a length (not shown) that provides the desired circular circumference of the hoop 30, and a flat, elongated, rectangular strip 60. The strip 60 has opposing primary surfaces 62A, 62B, opposing ends 60a, 60b, two longitudinal edges 61A, 61B extending between the ends 60a, 60b, and a length LS determined to form the desired circumference of the retainer 12. A plurality of fibers 20 are then placed on one surface 62A, 62B of the strip 60 so that the ends 20a, 20b of each fiber 20 extend beyond the edges 62A, 62B of the strip 60, respectively, and so that the fibers 20 are distributed along the length LS of the strip 60. Next, the wire 31 is centrally placed over the fibers 20 so as to extend along the length LS of the strip 60, and then each of the two longitudinal edges 61A, 61B of the strip 60 is bent toward the other longitudinal edge 61B, 61A, to form two spaced apart legs 42, 44, the base portion 40, and the groove 13 of the retainer 12, as best shown in FIG. The bending of the strip edges 62A, 62B bends the fibers 20 around the wire 31 so that the two ends 20a, 20b of each fiber 20 are adjacent to each other and extend outward from the retainer groove 13, while the retainer legs 42, 44 hold the fibers 20 and wire 31 positioned within the groove 13.

[0022] The strip 60 and retained wire 31 are then formed or bent into a toroid 12, 30 about the centerline LC so that the plurality of fibers 20 extend radially inward toward the centerline LC, as shown in FIG. 11 . At this point, the retainer 12 and conductive fibers 20 may be placed within a case 18 and utilized as a prior art conductive assembly. However, to form the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention, the plurality of discrete portions 21 (shown in FIG. 12 ) of the fibers 20 are then preferably cut by a die-cutting operation along cut lines CL ( FIG. 11 ), thereby reducing the fibers of each cut portion 21 to a second radial length rS. In this manner, each of the second conductive fibers 24 is made from a single first conductive fiber 20. Each cut portion 21 of the fibers 20 defines a separate axial passage 22 when the conductive assembly 10 is disposed about the shaft 2, i.e., between the radially inner end 21 a of each cut portion 21 and the shaft outer surface 2 a.

[0023] Although preferably fabricated as described above, the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention may be fabricated in any other suitable manner. For example, each conductor 14 may be formed into a set of arcs or a body of conductive fibers 20 with or without solid spacers 16 within the holder 12 to define the passages 22, and the set of arcs or a body of conductive fibers 20 may be separately assembled within the holder 12. The scope of the present invention encompasses all methods by which a conductive assembly 10 having the basic structure described above can be formed.

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

[0025] 1...bearing, 2...shaft, 3...housing, 4...inner ring, 5...outer ring, 6...rolling element, 10...conductive assembly, 12...annular retainer, 12a...inner end, 12b...outer end, 13...annular groove, 14...conductor, 14a...radially outer end, 14b...radially inner end, 15...set, 16...spacer, 16a...radially outer end, 16b...radially inner end, 17...set, 18...case, 20... Conductive fiber, 20a...end, 20b...end, 22...axial passage, 24...conductive fiber, 24a...end, 24b...end, 30...hoop, 31...wire, 40...base portion, 40a...end, 40b...end, 42...leg, 44...leg, 52...axial portion, 54...radial portion, 58...mounting tab, 60...strip, LC...centerline, rC...(first) radial length, (rS...second) radial length

Claims

1. An electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed around a shaft and within a bearing housing, the bearing including an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, the electrically conductive assembly comprising: an annular retainer coupleable with the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing, the annular retainer having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular retainer groove; at least two conductors, each having a radially outer end disposed within the annular retainer groove and a radially inner end capable of contacting the shaft, each conductor being formed from a plurality of conductive fibers arranged to extend radially inward from the inner end of the annular retainer, the at least two conductors being circumferentially spaced about the centerline to define at least two axial passages between the annular retainer and the shaft; A conductive assembly comprising:

2. the conductive assembly further comprises at least two spacers, each spacer being disposed between two of the at least two conductors and having a radially outer end disposed within the annular retainer and a radially inner end spaced outward from the shaft such that one of the axial passages is defined between an inner end of the spacer and the shaft; The conductive assembly of claim 1 .

3. each of the spacers is formed from a plurality of conductive fibers, and each conductive fiber of each spacer has a radial length that is smaller than the radial length of each conductive fiber of each conductor; The conductive assembly of claim 2 .

4. the conductive assembly further comprises a circular hoop disposed within the annular retainer, each conductive fiber of each conductor having two opposite ends and bent around the hoop such that the two ends of each conductive fiber are disposed at a radially inner end of the conductor; The conductive assembly of claim 1 .

5. the electrically conductive assembly further comprises at least two spacers, each spacer being disposed between two of the at least two conductors and including a plurality of the electrically conductive fibers, the electrically conductive fibers of each spacer having two ends and a second radial length between the two ends, the electrically conductive fibers being bent around the hoop such that each of the two ends is located at a radially inner end of the spacer, and the second radial length of the electrically conductive fibers of each spacer being less than the first radial length of the electrically conductive fibers of each conductor such that a separate one of the openings is partially defined between the radially inner end of each of the spacers and an outer surface of the shaft; The conductive assembly of claim 4 .

6. each of the at least two axial passages permitting the flow of lubricant through the electrically conductive assembly; The conductive assembly of claim 1 .

7. an outer annular case connectable to the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing and configured to support the annular retainer around the shaft; The conductive assembly of claim 1 .

8. the outer annular case includes an outer axial portion and a radial portion extending inward from an end of the axial portion, the radial portion having a plurality of mounting tabs engageable with the annular retainer to connect the annular retainer to the outer annular case. The conductive assembly of claim 7 .

9. the annular retainer includes an outer axial base portion having two ends and two radial legs each extending radially inward from separate ends of the outer axial base portion, the outer axial base portion and the radial legs defining the annular retainer groove; The conductive assembly of claim 1 .

10. An electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed around a shaft and within a bearing housing, the bearing including an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, the electrically conductive assembly comprising: an annular retainer coupleable with the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing, the annular retainer having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular retainer groove; at least two sets of first conductive fibers and two sets of second conductive fibers, the first conductive fibers and the second conductive fibers being arranged in an alternating and circumferentially spaced relationship about the centerline such that each set of second conductive fibers is disposed between two sets of first conductive fibers, each first conductive fiber extending radially inward from the annular retainer groove and having a first radial length and being capable of contacting an outer surface of the shaft, and each second conductive fiber extending radially inward from the annular retainer groove and having a second radial length less than the first radial length, wherein an arcuate axial passage is defined radially between each of the sets of second conductive fibers and the outer surface of the shaft; Equipped with Conductive assembly.

11. each of the second conductive fibers is formed by cutting a fiber having the first radial length to reduce the first radial length of the fiber to the second radial length; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

12. each of the axial passages being circumferentially disposed between two of the sets of the first conductive fibers; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

13. the conductive assembly further comprising a circular hoop disposed within the annular retainer groove; each of the first conductive fibers and each of the second conductive fibers have two ends opposite to each other, and are bent around the hoop so that the two ends are positioned radially inward of the annular retainer; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

14. the at least two conductors include eight conductors, and the at least two axial passages include eight axial passages; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

15. an outer annular case connectable to the bearing outer ring or the bearing housing and configured to support the annular retainer; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

16. the outer annular case includes an outer axial portion and a radial portion extending inward from an end of the axial portion, the radial portion having a plurality of mounting tabs engageable with the annular retainer to connect the annular retainer to the outer annular case.

16. The electrically conductive assembly of claim 15.

17. the annular retainer includes an outer axial base portion having two ends and two radial legs extending radially inward from separate ends of the outer axial base portion, the outer axial base portion and the radial legs defining the annular retainer groove; The conductive assembly of claim 10.

18. 1. A method of forming an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed about a shaft and within a bearing housing, the method comprising: providing a plurality of conductive fibers, each having opposite ends and a first radial length between said ends, a length of metal wire, and an elongated rectangular strip of metal material having a length, a top surface, and two longitudinal edges; disposing the plurality of conductive fibers on the top surface of the strip such that the end of each conductive fiber extends outwardly from the edge of the strip and the plurality of conductive fibers are distributed along the length of the strip; placing a metal wire over the distributed plurality of conductive fibers such that the metal wire extends centrally along the length of the strip; bending each of the two longitudinal edges of the strip toward the other longitudinal edge to form two spaced apart legs that define a groove and hold the metal wire and a plurality of conductive fibers within the groove, and bending each one of the conductive fibers around the metal wire so that the two ends of each conductive fiber are adjacent to one another; forming the strip and the metal wire into an annular body having a centerline such that the plurality of conductive fibers extend radially toward the centerline; cutting a plurality of spaced apart portions of the conductive fiber such that the conductive fiber in each cut portion has a second radial length that is less than the first radial length, and wherein when the annulus is disposed about a shaft, each cut portion of the conductive fiber defines a separate axial passage; A method comprising:

19. providing a case connectable to a bearing outer ring or a bearing housing; coupling the annular body to the case; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

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