Method and device for monitoring a bearing arrangement

• US 6,508,128 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SKF GmbH (ABet SKF)
• Original Assignee: SKF GmbH (ABet SKF)
• Inventors: Bode, Jens
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAINT SURIN, JACQUES M
• Application Number:
  US09/835,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 735/93, 735/99, 736/00, 736/02, 736/60, 736/61, 736/62, 736/63, 736/05, 73/11.3, 73/11.5, 734/321, 736/59, 340/635, 702/35, 702/56
• US Class Current: 73/593
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 2038/002 Measuring axial forces of rolls
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 2203/38 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 31/07 Adaptation of roll neck bearings bearings in general F16C
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 38/00 Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product control devices or methods B21B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 38/006 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 38/008 Monitoring or detecting vibration, chatter or chatter marks
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 11/16 Controlling or regulating processes or operations
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 13/02 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/38 with two or more rows of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/52 with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2233/00 Monitoring condition, e.g. temperature, load, vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 23/086 forming a track for rolling elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2322/00 Apparatus used in shaping articles in general B21 - B32
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/045 Acoustic or vibration analysis

Abstract

A method and device for monitoring a bearing arrangement, having at least one bearing, in a housing of a roller journal bearing of a roller in a continuous casting installation are designed to initiate upkeep or repair work on the bearing arrangement at the correct time. The method involves measuring a value of a process quantity at the bearing or in an area adjoining the bearing, providing an evaluation device with the measured value of the process quantity, comparing the measured value with a stored preset value, and triggering a signal as soon as the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a bearing arrangement in a continuous casting installation which includes a plurality of rollers each provided with a journal seated in a housing by way of said bearing arrangement, the bearing arrangement having at least one bearing, the method comprising:

measuring a value of a process quantity at the bearing or the housing by way of a sensor mounted in the bearing arrangement or the housing;

providing an evaluation device with the measured value of the process quantity;

comparing the measured value with a stored preset value; and

triggering a signal when the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring a force acting on the bearing.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the force acting on the bearing is the force acting in an axial direction of the bearing.

4. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the force acting on the bearing is the force acting in the radial direction of the bearing.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring moisture present in the bearing or measuring moisture content of lubricant for the bearing.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring a temperature prevailing in the bearing.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring a temperature prevailing in an outer ring of the bearing.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring deformation of the housing.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the deformation of the housing is measured in the circumferential direction of the housing.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the deformation of the housing is measured in an axial direction of the housing.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring at least one of a vibration amplitude of an area of the bearing and a vibration frequency of an area of the bearing.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring a vibration acceleration of an area of the bearing.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measurement of the value of the process quantity includes measuring a number of revolutions of the bearing.

14. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measured value is transmitted in a wireless manner.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the wireless transmission takes place by way of induction.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the wireless transmission takes place by way of radio.

17. A continuous casting installation which processes metal from a casting die, comprising:

a plurality of rollers each provided with a roller journal seated in a housing by way of a bearing arrangement, the bearing arrangement including at least one bearing;

at least one sensor mounted in the bearing arrangement or the housing which monitors a value of a process quantity at the bearing or the housing;

conducting means for conducting the monitored value of the process quantity to an evaluation device;

comparing means for comparing the monitored value with a stored preset value; and

means for triggering a signal when the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.

18. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensor is a force sensor.

19. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensor is a moisture sensor.

20. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

21. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensor is a deformation sensor.

22. The device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the deformation sensor is a wire strain gauge.

23. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the sensor is one of a velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor.

24. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the bearing is a roller bearing.

25. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the bearing is a double row swivel-joint roller bearing.

26. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the conducting means transmits the monitored value in a wireless manner.

27. The device in accordance with claim 26, wherein the wireless manner is by induction or radio.

28. A continuous casting installation comprising;

a plurality of rollers each provided at its ends with a bearing arrangement seated in a housing, the bearing arrangement including at least one bearing;

at least one sensor positioned in the bearing arrangement or the housing to monitor a value of one of;

a force acting on the bearing;

moisture in the bearing or a moisture content of lubricant in the bearing;

temperature prevailing in the bearing;

deformation of the housing;

vibration frequency or vibration amplitude of the bearing;

vibration property of the bearing;

number of revolutions of the bearing,

comparing means for comparing the monitored value with a stored preset value; and

means for producing a signal when the measured value exceeds or falls below the stored preset value.