U.S. patent application number 09/878485 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for bearing with data storage device.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Timken Company. Invention is credited to Rehfus, Kevin E., Smith, Douglas H..
Application Number | 20020186134 09/878485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25372125 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020186134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rehfus, Kevin E. ; et
al. |
December 12, 2002 |
BEARING WITH DATA STORAGE DEVICE
Abstract
A product with an automatic identification and data capture
(AIDC) device associated with a physical measurement,
authentication code or operating condition of the product is
disclosed. A bearing with an embedded transponder is illustratively
described. The transponder contains data specific to the
manufactured bearing, such as physical measurements or
identification numbers.
Inventors: |
Rehfus, Kevin E.; (North
Canton, OH) ; Smith, Douglas H.; (Akron, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
763 SOUTH NEW BALLAS ROAD
ST. LOUIS
MO
63141-8750
US
|
Assignee: |
The Timken Company
|
Family ID: |
25372125 |
Appl. No.: |
09/878485 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.8 ;
235/487; 340/10.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 19/36 20130101;
F16C 41/008 20130101; F16C 19/364 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/572.8 ;
235/487; 340/10.41 |
International
Class: |
G08B 013/14 |
Claims
1. A bearing having a inner race presenting an externally disposed
surface, an outer race, a plurality of rolling members disposed
between said inner race and said outer race, and a transponder
attached to bearing, said transponder containing data unique to the
individual bearing containing said transponder.
2. The bearing of claim 1 wherein said data is chosen from the
group consisting essentially of at least one measured physical
property unique to said bearing, product identification data,
inspection and maintenance data, condition monitoring data,
inventory information data, and combinations thereof.
3. The bearing of claim 1 wherein said transponder is an RF
tag.
3. The bearing of claim 2 wherein said RF tag includes an EEPROM
chip.
4. The bearing of claim 3 wherein said RF tag further includes a
power supply.
5. The bearing of claim 2 wherein said RF tag is embedded into said
bearing in a pocket formed in said bearing.
6. The bearing of claim 5 wherein said pocket formed in said
bearing is disposed in an outer surface of said bearing.
7. A bearing with an AIDC device, said AIDC device containing
information associated with the manufacture of the bearing.
8. The bearing of claim 7 wherein said AIDC device is a
transponder.
9. The bearing of claim 7 wherein said transponder is an RF
tag.
10. The bearing of claim 7 wherein said information associated with
said individual bearing is a physical property of said individual
bearing.
11. The bearing of claim 10 wherein said information associated
with said individual bearing comprises a measurement taken during
manufacture of said bearing.
12. The bearing of claim 11 wherein information value associated
with said individual bearing comprises a maintenance record.
13. The bearing of claim 13 wherein said maintenance record
comprises the last identified lubrication of said bearing.
14. The bearing of claim 11 wherein said information associated
with said bearing further comprises an identification number.
15. The bearing of claim 11 wherein said information associated
with said individual bearing further comprises a measured operating
value of said bearing.
16. The bearing of claim 15 wherein said measured operating value
is chosen from the group comprising the bearing temperature,
maximum temperature achieved, maximum vibration recorded,
cumulative revolutions, and combinations thereof.
17. A method of cmmunicating manufacturing information for a
bearing to a consumer of the bearing: manufacturing a bearing;
acquiring physical data associated with said bearing; associating
an AIDC means with said bearing, said AIDC means having at least
one encoded value corresponding to said acquired physical data
associated with and unique to said bearing; said AIDC value being
readable by a consumer of said bearing for receiving and
interpreting manufacturing data associated with said bearing.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said encoded value is a serial
number.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein said encoded value is
interpreted by a computer.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said computer is operated by a
consumer of said product.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said interpreted value comprises
at least one physical measurement of said product.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein said interpreted value comprises
a maintenance data.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein said interpreted value further
comprises an authentication code.
24. The method of claim 19 wherein said interpreted value further
comprises a monitored operating condition.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many manufactured products or components of products are
considered to be fungibles, that is to say each product or
component is virtually identical with the other. In reality, such
manufactured products or components are made within certain
tolerances, so that the differences between those products are
within an acceptable range of measurable physical properties. In
many applications, the consumer of a manufactured product is
unconcerned with the specific physical properties of that product,
so long as the product falls within the specified tolerance levels
presented by the manufacturer.
[0004] However, in certain applications, a consumer of a
manufactured or OEM part must make accommodations for even
miniscule variations within the manufactured part, regardless of
whether or not the product falls within the tolerances presented by
the manufacturer. Thus, the consumer needs to know the exact
measurements of the part, rather than just the nominal measurements
of the part. Heretofore, the consumer would resort to physically
measuring the manufactured part to determine its true and exact
dimensions. For example, the consumer of anti-friction bearings may
require the inner diameter of the inner race surface or bore size
to be of an exact dimension to fit on a shaft of a particular size
to avoid an excessive pre-load on the bearing. The consumer of such
an anti-friction bearing traditionally would measure the bearing
with a precision device, such as a laser micrometer to determine
the actual inner diameter, and then grind the inner diameter of the
bearing or apply shims to the bearing, as necessary, to obtain a
proper fit of the bearing on the shaft.
[0005] The manufacturer of the anti-friction bearing may make
physical measurements of each product, for quality control or other
purposes. Therefore, the manufacturer of the anti-friction bearing
may have the actual physical properties of each manufactured
product produced. However, due to traditional arrangements between
suppliers and customers in which a customer purchases a component
within a guaranteed tolerance range, the supplier does not make use
of any measured component data beyond its own internal quality
control practices. Thus, the customer knows only the nominal
dimensions of the manufactured part, and that the part is within
whatever tolerances are specified for the part.
[0006] The typical anti-friction bearing has inner and outer races
provided with opposed raceways and rolling elements which are
located between the races where they roll along the raceways when
the bearing is set in operation, thereby reducing friction to a
minimum. The bearing often contains a lubricant and its ends are
closed by seals to exclude contaminants from the interior of the
bearing and of course to retain the lubricant in that interior. A
bearing often fails for lack of lubrication or by reason of a
defect in one of its raceways or rolling elements. But when
assembled, the raceways and rolling elements are totally obscured
and cannot be inspected without disassembling the bearing. This, of
course, requires removing the bearing from the object upon which it
is installed, such as a rail car journal, a vehicle axle, or a mill
roll, for example.
[0007] Sometimes, a defect in an anti-friction bearing may manifest
itself in a condition that is subject to detection on the exterior
of the bearing, although not necessarily through a visual
inspection. For instance, a rise in temperature can denote a lack
of lubrication, or perhaps, even a seizure in which both races turn
and the anti-friction bearing in effect becomes an unlubricated
sleeve bearing. Also, spalling or other defects in the raceways or
rolling elements may produce excessive vibrations in the
bearing.
[0008] Devices exist for monitoring the operation of bearings. For
example, railroads have trackside infrared sensors which monitor
the journal bearings of passing trains, but they exist at a
relatively few locations often many miles apart and will not detect
the onset of a temperature rise occurring between such locations.
Some bearings come equipped with their own sensors which are
coupled to monitoring devices through wires. As a consequence, the
race which carries the sensor for such a bearing must remain fixed,
that is to say, prevented from rotating, or the wires will sever.
And with a railroad journal bearing, at least, the outer race
preferably should remain free enough to "creep", that is rotate in
small increments, so that wear is distributed evenly over the
circumference of the outer raceway. Furthermore, preventing cup
creep requires a costly locking mechanism.
[0009] Another problem facing the user of an anti-friction bearing
is that of verifying the authenticity of those bearings. The user
typically expects the bearing to be produced by the manufacturer
listed on the packaging of the bearing. However, it is becoming
common for unscrupulous manufacturers to produce counterfeit parts,
labeling those parts under a respected, recognized name.
[0010] There is therefore a need for a bearing that enables the
customer or user of the bearing to quickly and accurately determine
the true and exact dimensions of that individual bearing; for a
bearing that enables the user to monitor the performance of the
bearing under working conditions; and for a bearing that enables
the user of the bearing to verify the authenticity of the
bearing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to devices that provide data
about manufactured items and field serviceable products, and more
particularly to radio frequency emitting devices that transmit or
receive physical measurements, statistical, or inventory data that
is embedded in a bearing through such devices. Optionally, the
radio frequency emitting devices that transmit data include an
appropriate sensor that reflects certain operating conditions of
the bearing through the radio frequency emitting device. It is
further intended that a bearing fitted with a radio frequency
emitting device of the present invention may optionally have unique
indicia, such as, for example, a serial or other identification
number, for verification of the authenticity of the bearing.
[0012] An automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) device
for acquiring manufacturing data associated with individual
bearings are utilized by a consumer of the bearing, preferably
based upon a tag that is attached, either permanently or removably,
to the bearing. By encoding physical properties of the bearings in
a radio frequency (RF) tag for example, a consumer of the bearings
may receive physical data specific to the particular bearing by
using a receiver or reader. The data is processed by a
microprocessor controlled device, such as for example a computer,
PDA, or other devices well known in the art. Thus, the consumer is
not required to measure the desired physical characteristic of the
bearing, but may make modifications to or accommodations for the
bearing based upon the data obtained from the manufacturer through
the RF tag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art bearing;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present
invention having a bearing with an RF tag for embedding
therein;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an end wall of the
bearing with a chamber formed therein and an RF tag received in the
chamber;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3, but showing the RF tag detached;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an RFID tag of the present
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an RFID system of the present
invention.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art bearing 2 has an inner race
in the form of a cone 3, an outer race in the form of a cup 5,
rolling elements in the form of tapered rollers 7 disposed between
the inner race 3 and the outer race 5, and a cage 8 which maintains
the proper spacing between adjacent rollers 7. The centers of the
inner and outer races 3 and 5 respectively lie along an axis X
which is the axis of rotation for the bearing 2. The inner race 3
has an end face 9 located in a plane perpendicular to the axis X,
and forms one of several external surfaces on the race.
[0021] Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) is a term
of art used to describe direct entry of data into a computer
system, programmable logic controller (PLC) or other
microprocessor-controlled device without using a keyboard.
[0022] The present invention uses an AIDC device associated with a
bearing, preferably attached to the bearing, and more preferably
permanently attached to a bearing, for encoding the bearing with a
value associated with the manufacture of the bearing (i.e., a true
dimension of the bearing); identification of the bearing (i.e., a
serial number for the bearing); or inspection and maintenance
associated with the bearing (last lubrication date, regrind date,
etc.); condition monitoring (i.e., maximum temperature exposure,
maximum rotational speed attained, etc.); and inventory
information.
[0023] AIDC devices include magnetic means including contact
memory, magnetic stripe cards and card readers; optical means
including machine vision systems such as bar code readers and bar
codes such as linear and two-dimensional and three-dimensional
matrix barcodes; and electromagnetic means including smart cards
(also called "chip cards," or "integrated circuit cards") of both
the memory type and intelligent type and both the contact and
contactless type, including radio frequency identification (RFID)
readers and tags of both active and passive type. These examples
are merely illustrative, and not intended to be limiting in scope.
The AIDC devices are machine readable, and the reader includes an
output or display to display the information contained on the AIDC
device. As can be appreciated, an AIDC system includes the AIDC
device, which is associated with a product, such as a bearing, and
a reader for reading the AIDC device and displaying the information
contained on the AIDC device.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, a bearing 12 of the present
invention has an inner race in the form of a cone 13, an outer race
in the form of a cup 15, rolling elements in the form of tapered
rollers 17, and a cage 18 which maintains the proper spacing
between adjacent rollers 17. Although the invention is shown as
part of a tapered roller bearing, the invention can be incorporated
with any type of bearing. The centers of the inner and outer races
13 and 15 respectively lie along an axis X' which is the axis of
rotation for the bearing 12. The inner race 13 has an end face 19
located in a plane perpendicular to the axis X'. Formed within the
end face 19 of the inner race 13 is a pocket or chamber 21. The
chamber 21 defines a first side 23, a second side 24, a third side
25 and a fourth side 26. The chamber 21 is recessed to a depth D
(FIG. 4) sufficient to hold a suitable RF tag 28 such that the
upper surface 29 of the RF tag 28 is positioned at or below the
surface of the end face 19 of the inner race 13. The chamber 21 may
be formed contemporaneously with manufacture of the inner race 13
or may be formed in an existing inner race using a point tool or
other suitable machining or forming device. Further, the chamber 21
can be formed on other surfaces as well. For example, the chamber
21 can be formed on the outer surface of the cup or outer race
15.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, a suitable transponder, preferably a radio
frequency identification (RFID) tag 28 is secured into the chamber
21. In this preferred embodiment, the RFID tag 28 is one commonly
called a "coffin" tag, due to its unique shape, and the chamber 21
is sized and shaped to receive the RFID tag. However, the chamber
21 may be formed in any suitable shape, based upon the ease of
formation, space considerations, type and shape of the RF tag used,
and the like. It is to be understood that other shaped and sized
tags could be used in the practice of the present invention, and
that the preferred coffin tag is merely illustrative. The RFID tag
28 may be secured in the chamber 21 by any acceptable method,
including potting, gluing, or entrapping, for example. Preferably,
the RFID tag 28 is potted in chamber 21 to a depth sufficient to
secure the RFID tag 28 in position at or below the surface 19 of
the inner race 13. Additionally, the chamber 21 is sized to allow
for some clearance (i.e., approximately {fraction (1/16)}") between
the RFID tag and the chamber walls to aid the RF signal in getting
out of the chamber.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, the preferred RFID tag 28 has a
case or shell 30, and a non-volatile memory chip 32, preferably an
electronically erasable programmable read/write memory chip
(EEPROM).
[0027] The significant advantage of all types of RFID systems is
the non-contact, non-line-of-sight nature of the technology. RF
tags can be read through a variety of substances such as snow, fog,
ice, paint, grease, and other visually and environmentally
challenging conditions, where barcodes or other optically read
technologies would be compromised. RFID tags can also be read in
challenging circumstances at remarkable speeds, in most cases
responding in less than 100 milliseconds, depending upon the
quantity of data stored.
[0028] Developments in RFID technology continue to yield larger
memory capacities, wider reading ranges, and faster processing.
[0029] RFID tags are categorized as either active or passive. As
used herein, the term transponder is intended to describe both
active and passive tags. Active RFID tags are powered by an
internal power supply or battery and are typically read/write tags,
that is, tag data can be rewritten and/or modified. An active tag's
memory size varies according to application requirements; larger
memory sizes are available for active tags as compared with passive
tags. Active tags also provide for greater transmission distances
as compared with passive tags. The battery-supplied power of an
active tag generally gives it a longer read range. The trade off is
greater size, greater cost, and a limited operational life (which
may yield a maximum of 10 years, depending upon operating
temperatures, battery type, frequency, and amount of data
retrieved).
[0030] Passive RFID tags operate without a separate external power
source and obtain operating power generated from a reader. Passive
tags consequently are much lighter and smaller than active tags,
less expensive, and offer a virtually unlimited operational
lifetime. A disadvantage of passive tags is that passive RFID tags
have shorter read ranges than active tags and require a
higher-powered reader. Read-only tags are typically passive and are
programmed with a unique set of data (usually 32 to 128 bits) that
sometimes cannot be modified. Read-only tags are useful for a
limited amount of data, such as identification as in, for example,
a serial number, or a small number of physical properties. Some
passive tags are read/write capable. These read/write passive tags
are preferred in the practice of the present invention to enable
coding of inspection, maintenance, and condition information on the
RFID tag.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention a charge cap 35 is associated with the EEPROM
chip 32. An antenna 36, preferably a ferrite coil antenna, is
provided. This arrangement allows for data to be stored in the RFID
tag 28, including product identification, manufacturing
measurements. Additionally, bearings are sometimes refurbished
after a period of use. The RFID tag 28 may store information about
such refurbishing, and may include additional measurements made
after such refurbishing. Optionally, a sensor may be added to the
bearing, either as a part of the RFID tag, or as a separate
component associated with the RFID tag. The sensor may determine
operating conditions, either continuously or at predetermined
intervals, and may optionally record operating conditions to which
the bearing is exposed. Examples of operating conditions are
current bearing temperature, load, vibration, and the like. The
tag, when interrogated, would then transmit a bearing operating
value corresponding to the measured bearing operating condition.
Additionally, inventory information can be stored in the RFID
tag.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, an RFID system S of the present
invention comprises five components: A reader/writer antenna or
coil 40; a transceiver 42 including a decoder and an interface 44;
a computer 46; a transponder 28 (referred to herein as an RF tag)
that is electronically programmed with manufacturing information;
and a bearing 12 housing the RFID tag 28. The antenna 40 emits
radio signals to activate the tag 28 to read the data stored on the
tag. The antenna 40 is the link between the tag 28 and the
transceiver 42, which controls the system's data acquisition and
communication. Antennas are available in a variety of shapes and
sizes, and the illustrative example should be understood as being
interchangeable with any suitable antenna.
[0033] The electromagnetic field 41 produced by the antenna 40 can
be constantly present when multiple tags are expected continually.
Alternatively, if constant interrogation is not required, the field
41 may be activated by a sensor device (not shown).
[0034] Preferably, the antenna 40 is packaged with the transceiver
42 and decoder to form a reader 43, sometimes called an
interrogator, which can be configured either as a handheld or a
fixed-mount device. The reader 43 emits radio waves 41 in ranges of
anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more, depending upon its
power output and the radio frequency used. When the RFID tag 28
passes through the electromagnetic zone 41, it detects the
activation signal of the reader 43 and transmits its data to the
reader 43. The reader 43 decodes the data encoded in the tag's
integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is passed through
the interface 44 to the host computer 46 for processing.
[0035] The consumer of a bearing may thus obtain specific physical
measurements or historical status of a particular bearing by
"reading" encoded information from the embedded tag contained in
the bearing using an acceptable interrogator.
[0036] Where the words "approximately" or "about" are used in
conjunction with dimensions, measurements, or ratios, the words are
meant to include a 10% margin on either side of the dimension,
measurement, ratio, etc. Hence, the terms "approximately 1" or
"about 1" means from 0.9 to 1.1.
[0037] Numerous variations will occur to those skilled in the art
in light of the foregoing disclosure. For example, alternative AIDC
methods may be employed, as are known in the art or to be developed
in the art. Although the chamber 21 is shown on the inner race in
the illustrative example shown, it will be appreciated, that,
depending on the type of bearing, the chamber 21 can be formed on
other external surfaces of the bearing as well. Further, other
manufactured products, in addition to the illustrative
anti-friction bearing, may be used in the practice of the present
invention. The transponder may be attached to the bearing but
removable by the consumer of the bearing, making location of the
tag less important. For example, the tag may be attached to the
cage; or, it may be glued, screwed, or otherwise secured to an
internal, non-contact surface of the bearing, such as the outer
diameter surface of the large (or thrust) rib or the outer race,
etc. The transponder may be encoded with only a serial number, such
that the serial number may be associated for identification of a
unique bearing and a database that contains physical properties of
that particular bearing. These examples are merely
illustrative.
* * * * *