Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics and/or prognostics of a vehicle center bearing with integrated sensors. A method includes generating a degradation analysis of the center bearing from real-time vehicle operating data, the data including feedback from one or more of a temperature sensor, a displacement sensor, and an accelerometer wired to a battery integrally arranged in a bearing compartment of a vehicle.

To provide an insulating rolling bearing that is capable of preventing electrolytic corrosion and preventing a gap from being undesirably formed between a shaft and a raceway ring. A sub bearing 21 includes an inner ring 22, an outer ring 23, balls 24 interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an insulating bushing 28 fitted to an inner peripheral portion of the inner ring 22. The insulating bushing 28 includes a generally cylindrical metal base 28a, and a resin layer 28b formed on an inner peripheral surface of the metal base 28a. The insulating bushing 28 is fitted to the inner peripheral portion of the inner ring 22 such that the metal base 28a abuts on the inner peripheral portion of the inner ring 22.

A rolling bearing having an outer ring, an inner ring, and at least one row of rolling elements disposed between two raceways of the outer and inner rings. Furthermore, the raceway of the outer ring and/or the raceway of the inner ring at least partially provide a coating based on chromium nitride, the rolling elements at least partially include a coating based on carbon.

Conveyor idler monitoring apparatus, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, load sensors, etc.) are supported by the shaft of a conveyor idler. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are in data communication with a wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, a power generator driven by rotation of the idler is in electrical communication with one or more sensors and/or a wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, a plurality of idlers monitoring systems are in data communication with a conveyor monitoring system and/or operational monitoring system.

An instrumented bearing comprising a stationary outer ring and a rotating inner ring is provided with an encoder, a sensor assembly comprising a read head positioned opposite and at a reading distance from the encoder, and a leakage current collector capable of coming into sliding contact with an annular contact which can be rigidly connected, directly or indirectly, to the inner ring. The encoder and the read head are positioned axially between the outer ring and the leakage current collector. A conductive electrical connection between the leakage current collector and the stationary outer ring also forms a magnetic shield of ferromagnetic material, extending from the outer ring to the leakage current collector by surrounding the encoder and the read head.

An instrumented bearing comprising a stationary outer ring and a rotating inner ring is provided with an encoder, a sensor assembly comprising a read head positioned opposite and at a reading distance from the encoder, and a leakage current collector capable of coming into sliding contact with an annular contact which can be rigidly connected, directly or indirectly, to the inner ring. The encoder and the read head are positioned axially between the outer ring and the leakage current collector. A conductive electrical connection between the leakage current collector and the stationary outer ring also forms a magnetic shield of ferromagnetic material, extending from the outer ring to the leakage current collector by surrounding the encoder and the read head.

A shaft grounding device (X) for the electrical grounding of a shaft (1) with respect to a housing (2) includes an electrically conductive rectangular ring (4) arranged in a rectangular groove (3) formed in the shaft (1). The rectangular ring (4) is in electrically conductive contact with the housing (2) via a metallic sleeve (5). A preloading device presses the rectangular ring (4) axially against the rectangular ring groove (3) and radially outward against the sleeve (5).

A shaft grounding device (X) for the electrical grounding of a shaft (1) with respect to a housing (2) includes an electrically conductive rectangular ring (4) arranged in a rectangular groove (3) formed in the shaft (1). The rectangular ring (4) is in electrically conductive contact with the housing (2) via a metallic sleeve (5). A preloading device presses the rectangular ring (4) axially against the rectangular ring groove (3) and radially outward against the sleeve (5).

This invention relates to a bearing monitoring method and system suitable for the monitoring of faults in rolling element bearings. The method and system utilize an acceleration sensor that is sensitive to both acceleration and housing strain and which has the effect of amplifying acceleration events that coincide with areas of the housing strain signal that correspond to bearing ball-pass events. The housing strain signal due to ball-pass events can be used to synchronise or otherwise modify the sampling of acceleration signals, or to determine bearing performance characteristics.

This invention relates to a bearing monitoring method and system suitable for the monitoring of faults in rolling element bearings. The method and system utilize an acceleration sensor that is sensitive to both acceleration and housing strain and which has the effect of amplifying acceleration events that coincide with areas of the housing strain signal that correspond to bearing ball-pass events. The housing strain signal due to ball-pass events can be used to synchronise or otherwise modify the sampling of acceleration signals, or to determine bearing performance characteristics.