High-speed bearing vibrational analysis system

• US 6,378,373 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New Hampshire Ball Bearings Incorporated (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: New Hampshire Ball Bearings Incorporated (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Metrikin, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINT SURIN, JACQUES M
• Application Number:
  US09/710,528
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 735/93, 736/60, 736/62, 736/63, 735/87, 73/11.5, 73/11.9, 736/59
• US Class Current: 73/593
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/045 Acoustic or vibration analysis

Abstract

A high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system for testing a bearing includes a bearing holding member to accommodate a shaft and the bearing. The bearing holding member is adapted to rotate the bearing at high-speeds. The shaft is inserted into an accommodation portion of the bearing holding member. A vibration sensor is in contact with the bearing to detect vibrations of the bearing, while it is rotated at high speeds, and to transmit data for analysis. A computer system is provided for executing a software program that receives and analyzes the data from the vibration sensor.

Claims

1. A high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system for testing a bearing, comprising:

a bearing holding member to accommodate a shaft and the bearing, the bearing holding member rotates the bearing at a speed of at least 350,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpms), wherein the shaft is inserted into an accommodation portion of the bearing holding member;

a vibration sensor in contact with the bearing to detect vibrations of the bearing and to transmit data for analysis; and

a computer system executing a software program to receive and analyze the data from the vibration sensor.

2. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 1, further including a piston adapted to apply a force onto the bearing, wherein the vibration sensor is coupled to the piston.

3. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 2, wherein the piston is extendable and retractable from the bearing.

4. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 2, wherein the piston is spring-loaded.

5. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 2, wherein the force applied onto the bearing by the piston is approximately three-quarter pounds (¾

lbs.).

6. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing holding member is a dental handpiece.

7. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor is a piezoelectric device.

8. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the computer program produces a test result in the form of a spectral diagram.

9. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the computer program performs a fast-Fourier transform (FFT).

10. A high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system for testing a bearing, comprising:

a bearing holding member coupled to the analysis system to accommodate a tapered shaft and the bearing, the bearing holding member rotates the bearing at a speed of at least 350,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpms), wherein the tapered shaft is inserted into an accommodation portion of the bearing holding member;

a spring-loaded piston adapted to apply a force onto the bearing;

a piezoelectric vibration sensor coupled to the piston to detect vibrations of the bearing and to transmit an electrical signal for analysis; and

a computer system executing a software program to receive and analyze the electrical signal from the piezoelectric vibration sensor.

11. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the bearing holding member is a dental handpiece.

12. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the piston is extendable and retractable from the bearing.

13. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the force applied onto the bearing by the piston is approximately three-quarter pounds (¾

lbs.).

14. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the computer program produces a test result in the form of a spectral diagram.

15. The high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the computer program performs a fast-Fourier transform (FFT).

16. A method of operating a high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system for testing a bearing, comprising:

inserting a shaft into an accommodation portion of a bearing holding member, wherein the bearing holding member accommodates the shaft and the bearing, and rotates the bearing at a speed of at least 350,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpms);

placing the bearing onto the shaft;

rotating the bearing at the speed of at least 350,000 rpms;

receiving data from a vibration sensor in contact with the bearing; and

analyzing the data received from the vibration sensor to generate a test result.

17. The method according to claim 16, further including applying a force onto the bearing.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein a piston applies the force onto the bearing, the piston being extendable and retractable from the bearing.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the piston is spring-loaded.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the force applied onto the bearing by the piston is approximately three-quarter pounds (¾

lbs.).

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the bearing holding member is a dental handpiece.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the vibration sensor is a piezoelectric device.

23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the test result generated is a spectral diagram.

24. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of analyzing the data utilizes a fast-Fourier transform (FFT).

25. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of analyzing the data received from the vibration sensor is performed by a computer system.

26. A method of operating a high-speed bearing vibrational analysis system for testing a bearing, comprising:

inserting a shaft into an accommodation portion of a bearing holding member, wherein the bearing holding member accommodates the shaft and the bearing, and rotates the bearing at a speed of at least 350,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpms);

placing the bearing onto the shaft;

applying a force onto the bearing;

rotating the bearing at the speed of at least 350,000 rpms;

receiving data from a vibration sensor in contact with the bearing; and

analyzing the data received from the vibration sensor to generate a test result.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the bearing holding member is a dental handpiece.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein a piston applies the force onto the bearing, the piston being extendable and retractable from the bearing.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the piston is spring-loaded.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the force applied onto the bearing by the piston is approximately three-quarter pounds (¾

lbs.).

31. The method according to claim 26, wherein the vibration sensor is a piezoelectric device.

32. The method according to claim 26, wherein the test result generated is a spectral diagram.

33. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of analyzing the data utilizes a fast-Fourier transform (FFT).

34. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of analyzing the data received from the vibration sensor is performed by a computer system.