A method of determining the center of loading of a rolling element includes providing a rolling element body and at least three load sensors. The sensors are each positioned within a bore of the rolling element body at a separate distance from a reference position. Load measurements are taken with each one of the sensors at various positions about the circumference of the bearing and the center of loading is calculated at each one of the positions to determine the variation in axial loading about the bearing circumference.

A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

A device monitors the operating temperature of at least one set of bearings in a plurality of sets of bearings. The at least one set of bearings is arranged between a shaft and a carrier. The carrier has at least one temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the at least one set of bearings and generates a signal representative of an operating temperature of the at least one set of bearings. The at least one temperature sensor is operatively electrically connected to at least one controller. The controller processes the signal from the temperature sensor, including determining the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings and whether the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings exceeds at least one threshold temperature. The controller memory holds a unique identifier associated with the at least one bearing set.

A device monitors the operating temperature of at least one set of bearings in a plurality of sets of bearings. The at least one set of bearings is arranged between a shaft and a carrier. The carrier has at least one temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the at least one set of bearings and generates a signal representative of an operating temperature of the at least one set of bearings. The at least one temperature sensor is operatively electrically connected to at least one controller. The controller processes the signal from the temperature sensor, including determining the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings and whether the operating temperature of the respective at least one set of bearings exceeds at least one threshold temperature. The controller memory holds a unique identifier associated with the at least one bearing set.

A system, apparatus and method of determining remaining life of a bearing is disclosed. The method includes generating a bearing model of the bearing. The bearing model is based on one of condition data associated with operation of the bearing, historical condition data of the bearing, bearing specification and technical specification of a technical system including the bearing. The method further includes predicting a defect in the bearing based on the bearing model and predicting the remaining life of the bearing based on the predicted defect.

A system, apparatus and method of determining remaining life of a bearing is disclosed. The method includes generating a bearing model of the bearing. The bearing model is based on one of condition data associated with operation of the bearing, historical condition data of the bearing, bearing specification and technical specification of a technical system including the bearing. The method further includes predicting a defect in the bearing based on the bearing model and predicting the remaining life of the bearing based on the predicted defect.

A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

A system for monitoring of elastomeric bearings is described. A pattern or shape can be applied to a joint comprising elastomeric material. A camera can be disposed such that it can capture photographs or video of the pattern and how it deforms under torque and other stresses. Actual deformation of the shape/pattern can be compared to an expected deformation to gauge levels of degradation of the elastomeric material or other joint components.

A bearing monitoring system for an air cycle machine includes a housing. Also included is a compressor disposed within the housing. Further included is a turbine disposed within the housing. Yet further included is an axial shaft operatively coupled to the compressor and the turbine, the axial shaft disposed within the housing and between a first plurality of bearings. Also included is a radial shaft extending from the axial shaft, the radial shaft disposed within the housing and between a second plurality of bearings. Further included is at least one sensor mounted to the housing and oriented to monitor deflection of the radial shaft.