US4095552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dummy bearing for bearing wear detection
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-05-25
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1997-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting wear on radial or thrust bearings. Bearing clearances are monitored by observing clearances generated by dummy bearings structured to wear like the actual bearings and installed in proximity thereto and designed so that their clearances may be readily determined by direct inspection.
Inventors
- 👤 Hewitt Hsu Fu Lo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/56; F; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/12; F16C17/24; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/14; G01B5/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A dummy bearing for indicating the state of wear of a bearing journalling a shaft in a support comprising: a housing affixed to the bearing support; a readily observable annular member positionally secured to said housing and disposed about and proximate said shaft; said annular member being fixed relative to said shaft and proximate said bearing; abrading means on said shaft proximate said annular member, whereby upon excessive bearing wear, said shaft resultingly rotates in an irregular or eccentric pattern causing said abrading means to wear said annular member so that an indication of the wear of said bearing is provided by visual inspection and measurement of the amount of abrasion of the surface of said annular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A dummy bearing for indicating the state of wear of a bearing journalling a shaft in a support comprising: a housing affixed to the bearing support; a readily observable annular member positionally secured to said housing and disposed about and proximate said shaft; said annular member being fixed relative to said shaft and proximate said bearing; abrading means on said shaft proximate said annular member, whereby upon excessive bearing wear, said shaft resultingly rotates in an irregular or eccentric pattern causing said abrading means to wear said annular member so that an indication of the wear of said bearing is provided by visual inspection and measurement of the amount of abrasion of the surface of said annular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dummy bearing of claim 1, wherein said annular member is a first split ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The dummy bearing of claim 2, wherein said first split ring is composed of a non-corrosive, soft material which simulates the wearing characteristics of said bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The dummy bearing of claim 2, wherein said first split ring is attached to a stationary dummy bearing housing which is located proximate said bearing in order to provide an accurate indication of the wear of said bearing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dummy bearing of claim 1, wherein said abrading means comprises a second split ring fixed on said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dummy bearing of claim 5, wherein the material of said second split ring is non-corrosive and harder than the material of said annular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The dummy bearing of claim 6, wherein said second split ring has a plurality of cutting edges disposed thereon proximate said annular member in order to abrade the surface of said annular member in proportion to the rate of wear of said bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The dummy bearing of claim 7, wherein said annular member is a first split ring disposed relative to said second split ring so as to form an initial clearance therebetween which is equal to the initial clearance of said bearing, whereby when said first split ring is abraded by said second split ring, the actual clearance is measured by inspecting and measuring the actual width of said first split ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The dummy bearing of claim 8, wherein: the major axis of said first split ring is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, said second split ring is coaxial with said shaft so as to form, in combination with said first split ring, a dummy radial bearing, and wherein, said bearing is a radial bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The dummy bearing of claim 8, wherein: said cutting edges lie in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shaft as as to form, in combination with said first split ring, a dummy thrust bearing, and wherein, said bearing is a thrust bearing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |