U.S. patent application number 16/574257 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for rolling-element bearing assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aktiebolaget SKF. Invention is credited to Alexander de Vries, Armin Olschewski, Thomas Peuschel, Andreas Clemens van der Ham, Sebastian Ziegler.
Application Number | 20200011379 16/574257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64109189 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200011379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ziegler; Sebastian ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
ROLLING-ELEMENT BEARING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A rolling-element bearing assembly is provided herein. The
rolling-element bearing assembly includes a first raceway that also
includes a first sensor module and a first communication module.
The rolling-element bearing assembly includes a second raceway that
also includes a second sensor module and a second communication
module. The first sensor module senses a different condition of the
rolling-element bearing assembly than the second sensor module. The
first and second communication modules are of a same type. The
rolling-element bearing assembly includes a plurality of rolling
elements arranged between the first and second raceways to enable
the first and second raceways to be rotatable relative to each
other.
Inventors: |
Ziegler; Sebastian;
(Bamberg, DE) ; Olschewski; Armin; (Schweinfurt,
DE) ; Peuschel; Thomas; (Schonungen/Marktsteinach,
DE) ; de Vries; Alexander; (Tiel, NL) ; van
der Ham; Andreas Clemens; (Utrecht, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aktiebolaget SKF |
Gothenburg |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
64109189 |
Appl. No.: |
16/574257 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15973894 |
May 8, 2018 |
|
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16574257 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 41/008 20130101;
F16C 19/36 20130101; F16C 33/34 20130101; F16C 41/007 20130101;
F16C 19/52 20130101; F16C 2233/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 41/00 20060101
F16C041/00; F16C 19/36 20060101 F16C019/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2017 |
DE |
102017208871.0 |
Claims
1. A rolling-element bearing assembly comprising: a first raceway
comprises a first sensor module and a first communication module; a
second raceway comprises a second sensor module and a second
communication module, wherein the first sensor module senses a
different condition of the rolling-element bearing assembly than
the second sensor module, wherein the first and second
communication modules are of a same type; and a plurality of
rolling elements arranged between the first and second raceways to
enable the first and second raceways to be rotatable relative to
each other.
2. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
first sensor module comprises a first sensor interface operably
connected to a first communication interface of the first
communication module.
3. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the
second sensor module comprises a second sensor interface operably
connected to a second communication interface of the second
communication module.
4. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 3, wherein each of
the first and second sensor interfaces comprise an electrical
energy supply connecting point, an analog data transmission
connecting point, a digital data transmission connecting point, and
a ground connecting point.
5. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
first sensor module comprises a first sensor and the second sensor
module comprises a second sensor.
6. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the
first sensor comprises a noise emission sensor, a load sensor, a
rolling-element rotation sensor, a temperature sensor, an
acceleration sensor, or a lubrication parameter sensor, and wherein
the second sensor is different from the first sensor.
7. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of rolling elements are disposed in a cage that permits
communications from the first communication module to a
receiver.
8. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
plurality of rolling elements comprise a first roller, and wherein
the first sensor module and the first communication module are
disposed in a cavity that extends into an interior of the first
raceway from an axial end of the first roller.
9. The rolling-element bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the
first communication module or the second communication module is a
wireless communication module.
10. A system comprising: a rolling-element bearing assembly
comprising: a first raceway comprises a first sensor module and a
first communication module; a second raceway comprises a second
sensor module and a second communication module, wherein the first
sensor module senses a different condition of the rolling-element
bearing assembly than the second sensor module, wherein the first
and second communication modules are of a same type; and a
plurality of rolling elements arranged between the first and second
raceways to enable the first and second raceways to be rotatable
relative to each other; and a control and monitoring unit
monitoring and controlling an operating state of the
rolling-element bearing assembly, the control and monitoring unit
receiving and processing outputs from the first sensor module
transmitted by the first communication module, the control and
monitoring unit receiving and processing outputs from the second
sensor module transmitted by the second communication module, and
the control and monitoring unit determining whether the output from
the first sensor module or the output from the second sensor module
indicates an abnormal operating condition.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first sensor module
comprises a first sensor interface operably connected to a first
communication interface of the first communication module.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second sensor module
comprises a second sensor interface operably connected to a second
communication interface of the second communication module.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second
sensor interfaces comprise an electrical energy supply connecting
point, an analog data transmission connecting point, a digital data
transmission connecting point, and a ground connecting point.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first sensor module
comprises a first sensor and the second sensor module comprises a
second sensor.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first sensor comprises a
noise emission sensor, a load sensor, a rolling-element rotation
sensor, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a
lubrication parameter sensor, and wherein the second sensor is
different from the first sensor.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of rolling
elements are disposed in a cage that permits communications from
the first communication module to a receiver.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of rolling
elements comprise a first roller, and wherein the first sensor
module and the first communication module are disposed in a cavity
that extends into an interior of the first raceway from an axial
end of the first roller.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first communication module
or the second communication module is a wireless communication
module.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a Continuation Application claiming
benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/973,894 filed on May
8, 2018, which claims priority to German patent application no. 10
2017 208 871.0 filed on May 24, 2017, the contents of which are
fully incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure is directed to a rolling-element bearing
assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some proposals for sensorized rolling-element bearing
assemblies are already known from the prior art that are configured
as very specific fitting solutions.
SUMMARY
[0004] An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an improvement in
this respect.
[0005] A rolling-element bearing assembly according to the
disclosure includes the following features: [0006] at least one
first and second rolled-on surface element, on which rolling
elements are provided for rolling, [0007] at least one set of
rolling elements, which is disposed between the first and second
rolled-on surface element such that the rolled-on surface elements
are rotatable with respect to each other in the manner of a
rolling-element bearing, [0008] at least one first of the rolling
elements comprises a first sensor module and a first communication
module to which the first sensor module is connected, [0009] at
least one second of the rolling elements comprises a second sensor
module and a second communication module to which the second sensor
module is connected, and [0010] the communication modules and the
sensor modules are formed with a uniform connection interface for
connecting the modules.
[0011] The uniformity or standardization of the connection
interfaces allows the use of a uniform communication module
independent of the configuration of the sensor module, which
depending on the type of variables to be detected must systemically
be configured differently for different variables. The uniformity
of the communication modules facilitates the connection to a common
receiver, and the use of identical subassemblies offers many
advantages with respect to provision but also cost advantages. An
adapting to the most diverse use cases is also possible in a simple
and cost-effective manner. The same applies for retrofitting and
replacement.
[0012] Furthermore since a plurality of rolling elements are
equipped with sensors, the space problem that exists if they were
all to be packed in a single rolling element is solved. Furthermore
variables are thereby detectable that would not be detectable this
way at all using a single sensorized rolling element. Here the
rolling elements are in particular disposed distributed in specific
positions with respect to one another, for example, two disposed
exactly opposite each other, or three respectively at 120.degree.
spacing, or four respectively at 90.degree. spacing. Of course
solely sensorized rolling elements can also be used.
[0013] Further advantages, features and details of the disclosure
arise from the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure described in
the following with the assistance of the Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a rolling-element bearing
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the rolling-element
bearing assembly of FIG. 1 in the region of a rolling element
including a sensor.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a detail-explaining sketch of a sensorized rolling
element and of a receiver.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a measurement and evaluation
method for a rolling-element bearing assembly including sensorized
rolling elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a rolling-element
bearing assembly configured as a cylindrical roller bearing. The
rolling-element bearing assembly here comprises an inner rolled-on
surface element 2 configured hollow-cylinder-shaped and an outer
rolled-on surface element 4 also configured hollow-cylinder-shaped,
between which a set of cylindrical rolling elements 8 and 10 is
disposed such that the two rolled-on surface elements 2 and 4
(e.g., two raceways) are rotatable or at least pivotable against
each other in the manner of a rolling-element bearing.
[0019] Here normal, conventional rolling elements 8 without sensor
technology and rolling elements 10 including sensor technology are
present. The sensor technology is disposed in the cavities of the
hollow-cylindrically configured rolling element 10, or in another
embodiment is disposed in not-axially-continuous cavities extending
outward from the end sides of the cylindrical rolling element. Here
the sensor technology comprises one or more sensors for variables
such as are described in more detail, for example, with respect to
FIG. 4. Here the sensor technology of different rolling elements 10
can be configured for detecting the same or also different
variables, for example, revolutions of rolling elements 10 and the
rolling-element bearing assembly, load, and/or acoustic emissions.
In some embodiments the sensorized rolling elements 10 can be
distributed in specific positions with respect to one another, for
example, two disposed exactly opposite each other, or three
respectively at 120.degree. spacing, or four respectively at
90.degree. spacing, or solely sensorized rolling elements 10 can
also be used.
[0020] Furthermore in one embodiment a cage is present in which the
rolling elements 8 and 10 are disposed and which prevents, for
example, a mutual contacting of the rolling elements 8 and 10.
Seals can likewise be provided that seal the rolling-element space
outward so that, for example, a lubricant, e.g., grease or oil,
present in the rolling-element space does not penetrate outward.
The rolled-on surface elements 2 and 4 as well as the rolling
elements 8 and 10 can be manufactured from a rolling-element
bearing steel or also any other suitable material.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the
rolling-element bearing assembly of FIG. 1 in the region of one of
the sensorized rolling elements 10. Here it can be seen that the
sensor technology is disposed in the cavity of the
hollow-cylindrical rolling element 10. The sensor technology here
comprises a sensor module 20 that is connected to a communication
module 40 via a connection interface 30. Here the sensor technology
of the other rolling elements 10 provided with sensors is
correspondingly constructed, wherein with particular advantage an
identically constructed communication module is used for all sensor
technologies and the connection interface 30 is also a uniform one,
with the result that the sensor technologies differ only in their
sensor module 20 depending on the type and role of the variables to
be detected.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a detail-explaining schematic sketch of the
rolling element 10 of FIG. 2 provided with sensor technology in
connection with a receiver 45 disposed outside the actual
rolling-element bearing assembly. Here the uniform connection
interface 30 comprises four connecting points 32, 34, 36, and 38
and specifically one for the electrical energy supply, a further
one for analog data transmissions, a further one for digital data
transmissions, and a final one for ground. Furthermore the
communication module is configured for wireless data transfer to
the receiver 45. Here the sensor module 20 can in itself be formed
subdivided again from the actual sensor 22 and a corresponding
amplifier 24.
[0023] By combining the measured data in particular of a plurality
of sensorized rolling elements 10 taking into account their
temporal progression and occurrence, an all-encompassing
determination, for example, of load states of the rolling-element
bearing assembly is advantageously made possible. For this purpose
in one embodiment the sensorized rolling elements 10 are given a
precise time stamp, which can be realized, for example, by a time
synchronization with the receiver 45 via the wireless data
connection.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows as one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure a
flow diagram of a method for monitoring and controlling the
operation of a rolling-element bearing assembly, wherein according
to the above-described configurations at least two or more of the
rolling elements are equipped with a sensor for detecting noise
emissions, with a load sensor, and/or with a sensor for detecting
the bearing- and rolling-element-rotation.
[0025] In a specification step 100 of the method the threshold
values for the noise emissions, the load, and the rolling-element
slip are defined, which threshold values differ depending on the
type of the rolling-element bearing assembly and the application.
Thereafter in a first step 200 of the method the noise emission of
the rolling-element bearing assembly is detected by the
corresponding sensor and transmitted to a receiver unit. In the
receiver unit the measured and transmitted data of the noise
emission is then compared, at decision diamond 210, to the defined
threshold value for the noise emission, so that with a
falling-below of the threshold value the next step 300 is
continued, or in the case of the exceeding of the threshold value
the step 220 is continued before the method continues thereafter
with step 300 as required.
[0026] Here step 220 includes a corresponding notifying of the
operator of the rolling-element bearing assembly and/or the process
parameters influencing or controlling the operation of the
rolling-element bearing assembly are changed such that it can be
concluded therefrom that the noise emission has thus dropped below
the defined threshold value. In severe cases an emergency shutdown
can also be initiated, whereby the method is ended and the system
would be restarted again.
[0027] In step 300 of the method the load situation of the
rolling-element bearing assembly is then detected by the
corresponding sensor and transmitted to the receiver unit. In the
receiver unit the measured and transmitted load situation is then
compared, at decision diamond 310, to the defined threshold value
for the load, so that with a falling-below of the threshold value
the next step 400 is continued, or in the case of exceeding the
threshold value the step 320 is continued before the method
continues thereafter with step 400 as required. Here step 320 in
turn includes a corresponding notifying of the operator of the
rolling-element bearing assembly that the process parameters
influencing or controlling the operation of the rolling-element
bearing assembly have changed such that it can be concluded
therefrom that the load has thus dropped below the defined
threshold value. In severe cases can an emergency shutdown can also
in turn be considered. In severe cases an emergency shutdown can
also in turn be initiated, whereby the method is ended and the
system would be restarted again.
[0028] In step 400 of the method the bearing and rolling-element
rotation is then determined by the corresponding sensor for the
determining of a possibly existing bearing slip and transmitted to
the receiver unit. In the receiver unit it is then compared, at
decision diamond 410, to the defined threshold value for the slip,
so that with a falling-below of the threshold value the next step
500 is continued, or in the case of the exceeding of the threshold
value the step 420 is continued before the method continues
thereafter with step 500 as required. Here step 420 in turn
includes a corresponding notifying of the operator of the
rolling-element bearing assembly that the process parameters
influencing or controlling the operation of the rolling-element
bearing assembly have changed such that it can be concluded
therefrom that the slip has thus dropped below the defined
threshold value. In severe cases an emergency shutdown can also in
turn be initiated, whereby the method is ended and the system would
be restarted again.
[0029] Finally in step 500 a general status report of the
rolling-element bearing assembly including the measured data is
generated before the method is then carried out again with step
100, etc. . . . .
[0030] The method course described above here only represents a
single exemplary embodiment. Depending on more or fewer sensors as
well as depending on sensors for detecting other variables, the
flow diagram depicted in FIG. 4 shortens or lengthens accordingly
and/or handles said other variables. Vibration in particular but
also the lubrication quality or the skewing of rolling elements as
well as temperature come into consideration as other variables.
Furthermore in one embodiment at least one accelerometer can also
be provided, which can also be used, for example, to detect a
change of the vibrations if the lubricating conditions change.
[0031] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present
invention were described above in detail with reference to the
attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to
teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing
preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the
additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized
separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to
provide improved rolling element bearing assemblies.
[0032] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in
the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the
invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to
particularly describe representative examples of the invention.
Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative
examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims
below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and
explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful
embodiments of the present teachings.
[0033] All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims
are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each
other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as
for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter,
independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments
and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of
groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible
intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of
original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of
restricting the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *