Thermo-electric power harvesting bearing configuration

a technology of thermo-electric generators and bearings, which is applied in the direction of bearing units, rigid support, bearing cooling, etc., can solve the problems of limited supply time, high cost of transferring electrical power from a commercially available source, and inability to meet the requirements of supplying and thus a limited run time, so as to achieve the effect of sourcing electrical power, facilitating incorporation, and increasing the efficiency of thermo-electric generators

US20140360548A1Inactive Publication Date: 2014-12-11AB SKF
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2014-12-11
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A power generating bearing assembly provides a bearing subassembly retained by a bearing housing. During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly. The bearing housing can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage which would be integrated within the bearing housing. The liquid cooling passage would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly to remove heat therefrom. A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) is thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the housing at a location identified for collecting heat generated during operation. The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) utilizes a temperature difference between the housing and the ambient air to generated electric power. The power can be used to operate electrically powered devices, such as condition sensors, communication devices, and the like.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating power utilizing a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) to convert thermal energy generated by rotation of a bearing within a bearing housing into electric energy.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Bearings are used to support many rotating objects. Bearings are commonly integrated into a variety of machines. The bearings are a key factor contributing to the reliability of the machine. The system designed commonly installs one or more bearing condition monitoring devices to ensure the bearings remain in working order. The majority of the condition monitoring devices requires low voltage electrical power for operation. Some systems include other components that also utilize electrical power. One such electrically operated component can be a communication device for transferring the condition monitoring information to a remote service company.

[0005] Bear...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0052]The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theo...