Sensor and rolling bearing apparatus with sensor

• US 20040036621A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Limited
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Endo, Shigeru, Takahashi, Toshio, Takizawa, Takeshi, Sakatani, Ikunori, Morita, Kouichi, Fukuyama, Hiromasa
• Granted Patent: US 7,014,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/682
• CPC Class Codes: B61F 15/20 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/386 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/52 with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/525 related to temperature and heat, e.g. insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/10 Railway vehicles in general B61
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/723 Shaft end sealing means, e.g. cup-shaped caps or covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 35/063 Fixing them on the shaft with interposition of an element F16C35/07
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 41/007 Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/045 Acoustic or vibration analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/026 for speed measuring devices, e.g. pulse generator
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/487 delivered by rotating magnets

Abstract

A rolling bearing apparatus with sensor includes a sensor unit retaining a plurality of types of sensors for detecting the status of a rolling bearing, in a single holder. The plurality of types of sensors are at least two types of sensors of a rotation speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

Claims

1. A sensor for a bearing, comprising:

a sensor being incorporated into the bearing or its surroundings, wherein

a sensor includes voltage means operable to decrease an output voltage of the sensor in conjunction with an increase of temperature by the measured sensor.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein

one or more fixed resistors is connected to the sensor.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is constructed by a thermistor, and wherein the fixed resistor is connected in parallel with the sensor.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the thermistor is constructed by a NTC thermistor having a negative temperature characteristic.

5. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the thermistor is constructed by a PTC thermistor and a silicon thermistor, and wherein the PTC thermistor and the silicon thermistor have a positive temperature characteristic.

6. A bearing apparatus, comprising:

a sensor according to claim 1.

7. The bearing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a temperature detection circuit; and

a cable for connecting the sensor and the temperature detection circuit.

8. The bearing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the temperature detection circuit has a resistor for converting an output of the sensor into a voltage.

9. An abnormality determining apparatus for an axle bearing, comprising:

a bearing apparatus according to claim 6.

10. The bearing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a rotation speed sensor; and

a vibration sensor.

11. A bearing apparatus, comprising

a sensor according to claim 2.

12. The bearing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a temperature detection circuit; and

a cable for connecting the sensor and the temperature detection circuit.

13. The bearing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein

the temperature detection circuit has a resistor for converting an output of the sensor into a voltage.

14. An abnormality determining apparatus for an axle bearing, comprising:

a bearing apparatus according to claim 11.

15. The bearing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a rotation speed sensor; and

a vibration sensor.

16. A bearing apparatus, comprising:

a sensor according to claim 3.

17. The bearing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

a temperature detection circuit; and

a cable for connecting the sensor and the temperature detection circuit.

18. The bearing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein

the temperature detection circuit has a resistor for converting an output of the sensor into a voltage.

19. An abnormality determining apparatus for an axle bearing, comprising:

a bearing apparatus with the sensor according to claim 16.

20. The bearing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

a rotation speed sensor; and

a vibration sensor.