Sensory fitting for monitoring bearing performance
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said bearing, which device comprises a sensing fitting sized and configured to be connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said beating, (c) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (d) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described is a device for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having an aperture sized and configured to receive a grease fitting. The device includes a temperature sensing component or a vibration sensing components, or both, to enable detection of impending bearing failure, and is adapted to either replace or supplement conventional grease fittings.
61 Citations
59 Claims
- 1. A device for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said bearing, which device comprises a sensing fitting sized and configured to be connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said beating, (c) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (d) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
- 8. A device for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said bearing, which device comprises a sensing fitting sized and configured to be connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) vibration sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (c) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said bearing, (d) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (e) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
- 32. In apparatus which comprises a housing having a rotary shaft, at least one bearing in which said shaft is rotated, and at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said housing, the improvement wherein a sensing fitting for monitoring bearing performance is connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said bearing, (c) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (d) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
- 37. In apparatus which comprises a housing having a rotary shaft, at least one bearing in which said shaft is rotated, and at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said housing, the improvement wherein a sensing fitting for monitoring bearing performance is connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) vibration sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (c) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said bearing, (d) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (e) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
- 46. A method of monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said bearing, said method comprising placing in said aperture a sensing fitting sized and configured to be connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said bearing, (c) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (d) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
- 51. A method of monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having at least one aperture sized and disposed to connectably receive a grease fitting for providing lubricant to said bearing, said method comprising placing in said aperture a sensing fitting sized and configured to be connectably received in said aperture, said sensing fitting including (a) vibration sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (b) temperature sensing means to enable detection of impending bearing failure, (c) a connecting end sized and configured to be fixedly yet detachably received by said aperture and when installed in said aperture said connecting end being proximate to said bearing, (d) an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis of said sensing fitting for providing a grease path, and (e) a wire path extending through said connecting end and parallel with but offset from said axial bore of said sensing fitting, a portion of said temperature sensing means extending the length of said wire path.
Specification