Annular Bearing Sensing Ring for Direct Load and Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bearing monitoring systems face limitations due to sensor placement distance from the bearing, leading to measurement disturbances, reduced quality, and inability to accurately measure loads and temperature directly on the bearing.
Innovation Solution
An annular sensing ring is mounted directly on the bearing, featuring sensors on its inner or outer surface connected by wired connections, allowing for direct measurement of radial and axial loads, temperature, and vibration, while simplifying mounting procedures and reducing costs compared to traditional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensors are placed at some distance from the bearing, then the mounting is simpler, but the measurement quality deteriorates due to more disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from placing sensors at a distance (spatial separation) to mounting them directly on the bearing surface (surface integration). The annular sensing ring is mounted on the outer ring of the bearing, with sensors positioned on the inner or outer surface of the second ring, eliminating the distance between sensors and bearing while maintaining mounting feasibility through the annular groove integration
2Ease of operation
If sensors are placed at some distance from the bearing, then the installation is easier, but the type of measurements obtainable is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The annular sensing ring integrates multiple sensor types (vibration sensors, load sensors, temperature sensors) into a single mounting structure that can simultaneously perform various measurements including radial load, axial load, temperature, and vibration, all from the same bearing surface integration
3Measurement precision
If Fiber Optic Systems are implemented to measure strain and temperature on the bearing, then measurement quality improves, but the cost increases and mounting constraints arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing functionality from complex cabling systems (Fiber Optic Systems with pigtails) and integrates sensors directly into the annular groove of the bearing's outer ring. This eliminates the need for external cabling and pigtail arrangements while maintaining direct contact measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The annular sensing ring creates a simplified copy or alternative implementation of Fiber Optic System functionality using conventional sensors mounted directly on the bearing surface, achieving similar measurement capabilities without the complexity and cost of FOS implementation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides higher quality measurements and greater insight into the mechanical environment of the bearing, facilitating easier and cheaper installation compared to existing technologies like Fiber Optic Systems.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the temperature of the bearing requires that the load sensor or the temperature sensor is arranged on the bearing
Implementation Method 2
Vibrations may be measured by a vibration sensor placed at some distance from the bearing
Implementation Method 3
measuring loads applied on the bearing or measuring the temperature of the bearing requires that the load sensor or the temperature sensor is arranged on the bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing device includes a bearing (4) having a first ring (5) and a second ring (6) which rotate concentrically relative to one another. An annular sensing ring (9) is mounted on the second ring (6) of the bearing. The annular sensing ring (9) includes sensors (10) arranged on the inner or outer surface of the second ring and measure physical parameters of the bearing and wired connections (11) connecting the sensors (10). The sensors (10) are connected together by at least one wired connection (11) so that each sensor (11) is connected to at least two wired connections to form the annular sensing ring (9).