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US4074575A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Temperature and failure indicating probe for a bearing

Assignee: Trane US Inc
•
Filing: 1976-10-12
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1996-10-12
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Abstract

Abstract The disclosed invention relates to a combination temperature and failure indicating probe for use in a bearing. In the preferred embodiment, a negative coefficient thermistor is disposed within a tubular, electrically conductive, enclosure. The enclosure is surrounded by an electrically insulating sleeve for mounting within a bearing. Electrical conductors connected to the thermistor and to the enclosure itself lead to a resistance sensor which detects an abnormal resistance due to either: 1. an excess temperature at the bearing; or 2. contact by a metallic portion of the bearing with the enclosure due to bearing wear or failure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mark Otho Bergman
  • 👤 Paul Clement Rentmeester

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 22:53
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D15/00; F04D15/02; F04D15/0245; F04D15/0263; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/12; F16C17/24; F16C17/243; G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/14; G01K3/00; G01K3/005; F16C2233/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 133 words
A combination temperature and failure indicating probe for use in a bearing, said probe comprising: a. temperature sensing means for producing a first electrical signal related to its temperature; b. tubular enclosure means having a closed end and an opposite end, said temperature sensing means being disposed therein at a location adjacent said closed end, said tubular enclosure means, including the closed end thereof, being constructed of a material which is electrically conductive and therefore capable of receiving a second electrical signal; c. electrical conductor means connected to said temperature sensing means and to said tubular enclosure means for carrying said first and second electrical signals to a point of use; and d. mounting means for supporting said tubular enclosure means in a bearing, said mounting means being constructed of electrically insulating material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 133 words
A combination temperature and failure indicating probe for use in a bearing, said probe comprising: a. temperature sensing means for producing a first electrical signal related to its temperature; b. tubular enclosure means having a closed end and an opposite end, said temperature sensing means being disposed therein at a location adjacent said closed end, said tubular enclosure means, including the closed end thereof, being constructed of a material which is electrically conductive and therefore capable of receiving a second electrical signal; c. electrical conductor means connected to said temperature sensing means and to said tubular enclosure means for carrying said first and second electrical signals to a point of use; and d. mounting means for supporting said tubular enclosure means in a bearing, said mounting means being constructed of electrically insulating material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The combination temperature and failure indicating probe of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing means comprises a resistive element whose electrical resistance changes in response to its temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination temperature and failure indicating probe of claim 2 wherein said resistive element is a thermistor having a negative temperature coefficient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
The combination temperature and failure indicating probe of claim 2 wherein said electrical conductor means comprise two lead wires to said resistive element and a third wire connected to said tubular enclosure means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
The combination temperature and failure indicating probe of claim 2 wherein said conductor means comprise two lead wires to said resistive element, one of said wires being also connected to said tubular enclosure means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The combination temperature and failure indicating probe of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve which surrounds said tubular enclosure means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2742756A Cited
US3183043A Cited
US3508241A Cited
US3657640A Cited
US3580078A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-02-20 1981-08-22 1982-02-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-02-20 1985-08-22 1986-02-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-02-20 1989-08-22 1990-02-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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