Controlled replenishing lubrication system
First Claim
1. A controlled replenishing bearing lubrication system comprising:
- rolling element bearing means having relatively rotatable inner and outer races defining a raceway therebetween;
a plurality of lubricated rolling elements moveable in said raceway in response to relative rotational movement between said inner and outer races;
rolling element retainer means moveable with said rolling elements;
sensing means responsive to the relative movement of the retainer means and a rotatable race for providing signals representative of changes in the lubricant film thickness; and
control means responsive to said signals for maintaining a desired lubricant film thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled replenishing lubrication system provides a desired supply of oil to a rolling element bearing by monitoring the changes in the rolling element ball retainer to shaft speed ratio. This ratio is a function of elastohydrodynamic oil film thickness between elements of the bearing. Changes in the speed ratio are monitored by a sensor and fed to a control system which commands a pump to inject oil into the bearing when the speed ratio varies from a predetermined limit. The rolling elements are moveably mounted for rotation within a retainer or cage in a bearing housing. The retainer includes a light reflective indicia. A shaft is rotatably connected to rotate the retainer and the rolling elements. The shaft also includes a light reflective indicia. The sensor is mounted on or adjacent the bearing for simultaneously emitting light toward the retainer and shaft indicia for sensing variations in reflection of the light therefrom and for generating pulses to the control system responsive to the variations. The pump then responds to commands from the control system for providing a desired amount of lubricant to the bearing.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A controlled replenishing bearing lubrication system comprising:
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rolling element bearing means having relatively rotatable inner and outer races defining a raceway therebetween; a plurality of lubricated rolling elements moveable in said raceway in response to relative rotational movement between said inner and outer races; rolling element retainer means moveable with said rolling elements; sensing means responsive to the relative movement of the retainer means and a rotatable race for providing signals representative of changes in the lubricant film thickness; and control means responsive to said signals for maintaining a desired lubricant film thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A controlled replenishing lubrication system comprising:
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a bearing housing; rolling elements moveably mounted for rotation with a retainer in the housing, the retainer having a first light reflective indicia moving therewith; a shaft rotatably connected to move the retainer and the rolling elements, the shaft having a second light reflective indicia moving therewith; sensing means mounted adjacent the housing for emitting light toward said first and second indicia and for sensing variations in reflection of said light; and means responsive to said variations for controlling the lubrication supplied to said rolling elements. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. The system of claim 15 wherein the light responsive indicator of the shaft includes a disk having a radially extending slot formed therein.
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19. A controlled replenishing lubrication system comprising:
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a bearing housing; rolling elements moveably mounted for rotation with a retainer in the housing, the retainer having a first light responsive indicator moving therewith; a shaft rotatably connected to move the retainer and the rolling elements, the shaft having a second light resonsive indicator moving therewith; sensing means mounted adjacent the housing for emitting light toward said indicators for sensing variations in reflection of said light and for generating pulses responsive to said variations; pump means connected for pumping a lubricant to the bearing housing in response to speed variations between the shaft and the retainer as sensed by the sensing means; and control means coupled with the sensing means and the pump means for controlling the pumping means.
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Specification