A gear box includes a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a bearing assembly pivotably coupled to the actuator. The bearing assembly including an outer raceway, a cylindrical housing positioned within the outer raceway, and an annular bearing positioned between the outer raceway and the housing. The cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sensor is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical housing and configured to monitor an operating condition of the annular bearing. A linkage couples the actuator to the second end of the cylindrical housing and an output shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing assembly.

A preload assembly for bearings comprising in combinations a threaded bolt, an anti-rotational washer, a serrated edge locking washer, and a threaded locking nut having a shallow outer profile and at least four locking notches in an outer edge thereof.

The present disclosure relates to pinion assembly preloading systems and methods of operation. Disclosed are systems including a press actuator that applies an axial force against a pinion assembly; a force sensor that measures a reaction force at the pinion assembly; and a method of controlling the press actuator according to a change in the reaction force.

The present disclosure relates to pinion assembly preloading systems and methods of operation. Disclosed are systems including a press actuator that applies an axial force against a pinion assembly; a force sensor that measures a reaction force at the pinion assembly; and a method of controlling the press actuator according to a change in the reaction force.

Improved systems and methods facilitate precise adjustment of wheel-end tapered roller bearing preload force on an axle spindle with a diameter, a longitudinal groove or flat, and a thread pattern to receive a hexagonal adjustment nut with six outer edges. A basic system includes a flat round inner washer having an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the axle, an outer diameter, an inner surface, and outer surface and an outer edge. The inner washer includes a tab or D-shape to cooperate with a groove or flat, respectively on the axle to ensure that the washer does not rotate following installation. A plurality of markings are provided on the outer surface or the outer edge of the inner washer, each marking indicating the amount of rotation needed to cause a 0.001″ lateral movement of the adjustment nut as a function of the diameter and thread pattern of the axle.

Improved systems and methods facilitate precise adjustment of wheel-end tapered roller bearing preload force on an axle spindle with a diameter, a longitudinal groove or flat, and a thread pattern to receive a hexagonal adjustment nut with six outer edges. A basic system includes a flat round inner washer having an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the axle, an outer diameter, an inner surface, and outer surface and an outer edge. The inner washer includes a tab or D-shape to cooperate with a groove or flat, respectively on the axle to ensure that the washer does not rotate following installation. A plurality of markings are provided on the outer surface or the outer edge of the inner washer, each marking indicating the amount of rotation needed to cause a 0.001″ lateral movement of the adjustment nut as a function of the diameter and thread pattern of the axle.

A tensioning arrangement for a bearing ring, which introduces a compressive force towards a rotational centre of the bearing ring, to prevent the bearing ring distorting as a shaft supported by the bearing turns. The tensioner arrangement includes a strap and a tensioner. The strap has a connector at each end, and tensioner has an element for connecting to the connectors. The tensioner also has an element for applying tension to the strap. In use, the strap is arranged around the bearing ring and a circumferential length of the strap in contact with the bearing ring is reduced, thereby applying compressive force to the bearing ring.

A tensioning arrangement for a bearing ring, which introduces a compressive force towards a rotational centre of the bearing ring, to prevent the bearing ring distorting as a shaft supported by the bearing turns. The tensioner arrangement includes a strap and a tensioner. The strap has a connector at each end, and tensioner has an element for connecting to the connectors. The tensioner also has an element for applying tension to the strap. In use, the strap is arranged around the bearing ring and a circumferential length of the strap in contact with the bearing ring is reduced, thereby applying compressive force to the bearing ring.

A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.

A lock nut is useable for setting a bearing to preload or endplay. A plurality of preload markings are circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the preload marking corresponding to a preselected amount of preload applied or reduced on said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to apply a preload force to said bearing or (ii) loosened to reduce a preload force on said bearing, respectively. A plurality of endplay markings are also circumferentially spaced apart on the nut. The distance between the endplay markings, corresponding to a preselected amount of endplay increased or reduced in said bearing when the nut is (i) tightened to reduce endplay on the bearing or (ii) loosened to increase endplay in said bearing. The use of endplay and preload markings enables setting of a bearing on an axle or spindle to either an endplay setting or a preload setting by adjusting the rotation of the lock nut according to the endplay markings or the preload markings, respectively.