US3665758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for measuring bearing preload
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1970-07-16
•
Granted: 1972-05-30
•
Expires: 1990-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring the thrust preload applied by spring washers against bearings mounted on the rotatable armature shaft of a high-speed motor. The assembly containing the motor is a ventilation fan assembly rigidly mounted on a frame opposite a load cell. The exposed end of the rotatable shaft is aligned with and coupled to a rod extending to the load cell. The load cell is forced away from the fan assembly enough to slightly displace the rotatable shaft axially and thereby apply additional pressure against the spring washer exerting the bearing preload. The amount of shaft displacement is read from a dial indicator and the load applied to the shaft is read from a recorder connected to the load cell. The bearing preload is computed from the forcedisplacement quantities.
Inventors
- 👤 Newton G Tiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A device for measuring the thrust preload applied by spring washers to bearing assemblies mounted on a rotatable shaft comprising: a. a frame comprising means for rigidly supporting at a predetermined location on said frame an assembled device incorporating a bearing-supported rotatable shaft whereby said shaft is positioned on a predetermined axial line; b. a load cell mounted on said frame in spaced relationship to said predetermined location; c. said load cell at one end thereof having a load rod extending therefrom adapted to be positioned on said predetermined axial line whereby said load rod may be placed in axial alignment with said rotatable shaft; d. means for coupling said load rod to said rotatable shaft while maintaining the axial alignment of said rod and said shaft; e. means engaging said load cell at the end thereof opposite said load rod for moving said load cell along said predetermined axial line toward or away from said predetermined location whereby an axial force may be imposed on said shaft through said load rod to effect a small axial displacement of said shaft; f. means associated with said load cell for indicating the axial load applied to said shaft through said load cell; and g. means for precisely measuring the axial displacement of said shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A device for measuring the thrust preload applied by spring washers to bearing assemblies mounted on a rotatable shaft comprising: a. a frame comprising means for rigidly supporting at a predetermined location on said frame an assembled device incorporating a bearing-supported rotatable shaft whereby said shaft is positioned on a predetermined axial line; b. a load cell mounted on said frame in spaced relationship to said predetermined location; c. said load cell at one end thereof having a load rod extending therefrom adapted to be positioned on said predetermined axial line whereby said load rod may be placed in axial alignment with said rotatable shaft; d. means for coupling said load rod to said rotatable shaft while maintaining the axial alignment of said rod and said shaft; e. means engaging said load cell at the end thereof opposite said load rod for moving said load cell along said predetermined axial line toward or away from said predetermined location whereby an axial force may be imposed on said shaft through said load rod to effect a small axial displacement of said shaft; f. means associated with said load cell for indicating the axial load applied to said shaft through said load cell; and g. means for precisely measuring the axial displacement of said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a plate member to which said load cell is connected, said means for moving said load cell along said predetermined axial line comprising a bolt extending through said plate member and being threadedly engaged with saiD load cell, resilient means positioned between said plate member and said load cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said bolt comprises a handle portion for rotating said bolt, said threaded engagement between said bolt and said load cell occurring along said predetermined axial line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient means comprises an elastomeric ring contacting said load cell and said plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame comprises a plurality of substantially parallel and coextending frame members, said means for rigidly supporting said assembled device being at one end of said members, said plate member being spaced from said one end and extending transversely of said frame members, said predetermined axial line being substantially equidistant from each of said frame members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said load rod to said rotatable shaft comprises a coupling element having a threaded extension corresponding in diameter to said rotatable shaft, an extension rod extending between said load rod and said coupling element, a connecting dowel extending through said coupling element and said extension rod, said dowel being freely slidable when no axial load is exerted between said coupling element and said extension rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the axial displacement of said shaft comprises a dial indicator, means for mounting said indicator for vertical and rotational movement on said frame, said indicator comprising a plunger adapted to be placed in contact with a surface of said assembled device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR49423E
Cited
US2467539A
Cited
US2693699A
Cited
US2760370A
Cited
US3100989A
Cited
CH417152A
Cited
US3287966A
Cited
US3285065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |